TALKERS News Notes
iHeartMedia chairman & CEO Bob Pittman and COO & CFO Rich Bressler will participate in a question and answer session during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Tuesday March 5 at 5:50 pm ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the public at the start of the session through a link on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website (https://investors.iheartmedia.com/). A replay of the webcast will be available in the Events & Presentation section of iHeartMedia’s Investors homepage.
New England Public Media’s popular local radio show “The Fabulous 413” celebrates its first anniversary on WFCR-FM, Amherst, Massachusetts “88.5 NEPM.” Program co-host Monte Belmonte says, “I’m not one to generally look back or laud anniversaries, but I’m very proud to be a part of this program that Kaliis [Smith] and I have built with the team over the past year here at NEPM. We originally likened this show to ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood’ for adults, and I hope we’ve done our best to live up to that lofty goal. And whether you’re working in public media or not, what better role model is there to aspire to than Fred Rogers?”
Public media firm GBH announces a $5 million grant from The Fiducia Fund to support “The Culture Show,” a daily news program shining a spotlight on arts and culture. GBH says the grant, pledged over a five-year period, will allow for the show’s sustainability and expansion to multiple platforms, including streaming on YouTube, a daily podcast, a weekly newsletter, events that include live broadcasts at the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library, and featured segments on GBH News’ Greater Boston, a daily news program airing on GBH 2, and streaming live on YouTube. GBH president and CEO Susan Goldberg comments, “The arts are vital to a thriving community and ‘The Culture Show’ brings the local arts scene to the forefront for our listeners. This extraordinary commitment from The Fiducia Fund is the largest gift ever dedicated to GBH News. It is invaluable to ensuring we can continue to expand our coverage of the arts.”
podcast advertising. Some of the key takeaways include: 1) Attention quality was highest for the audio ad that had the highest voiceover volume (36%) as opposed to the ad that had the lowest voiceover volume (27%) and the ad that had too many competing elements within the creative (25%); 2) 75% of participants reported a good quality audio ad positively influences their consideration to purchase a product; and 3) The inclusion of multiple competing audio components elements within an audio ad caused the ad to score lower in terms of overall quality than the ads without multiple competing elements. 
news/talk outlet and has been admitted to the hospital at UPMC dealing with what he called “crazy, insane” pain in his throat. Griffin, who battled throat cancer several years ago and has been in remission, says that late last week he couldn’t swallow anything and that the pain was something he never felt in his life. At this time, Griffin has been diagnosed with pneumonia, but doctors are also trying to determine if he has an infection of if the cancer has returned.
Court TV correspondent since 2019, Painter has covered the high-profile trials of Bryan Kohberger, Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard, Alex Murdaugh, Harvey Weinstein, and the death of George Floyd. In 2021 she was awarded the Scripps Give Light award for leadership, dedication, and hard work in legal journalism. She got her start in the industry in 2016, as a legal analyst for Nexstar Media Group, where she went on to become a multimedia journalist. Painter earned a Juris Doctor degree with high honors from the University of Arkansas Little Rock Bowen School of Law.
Yellowhammer News Network later this month, putting the wraps on a broadcast career of 50 years. Most recently, Holland has been the afternoon news anchor on the network. During his career, he’s served with more than 25 radio stations. In the early 1990s, he moved into the news/talk format, serving with WAAX, Gadsden before moving on to WVNN, Huntsville and then WERC, Birmingham. He’s been with the Yellowhammer News Network since 2015. 
non-partisan media company, RealClearPolitics. The “RealClearPolitics” show premieres on February 26, airing nightly from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. channel 124. RealClear Media Group chief content officer Andrew Walworth hosts the show along with co-hosts Carl Cannon and Tom Bevan. 
Jacksonville. Both stations will air the full slate of FOX Sports Radio programs. These format flips spell the end of the “Accion Radio Network” airing Spanish-language news/talk and information. iHeartMedia North Florida area president Paul Rogers says, “We remain fully committed to providing the best quality entertainment and information to the Hispanic residents on the First Coast and will continue to explore ways we can increase our impact there. The opportunity to return the FOX Sports brand to its original home on AM 930 in Jacksonville was simply too good to pass up. Its appeal cuts across and unites every segment of our community.”
“He arrived in the area in 1986, and in 1994, he helped launch WDFN ‘The Fan.’ In the late 1990s, he teamed with Bob Wojnowski for the ‘Stoney and Wojo Show,’ that made Stone a household name for decades to come.” Stone told his listeners, “I am somewhat sad that I will not be on the air every day. But I know that sadness ends when there’s no fricking alarm at 4:30 in the morning.” 
reach 17% more voters.” The study references Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s 2022 campaign, noting that it deployed radio to reach voters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In doing so, it allocated 20% of media dollars to radio and generated a 10% lift from radio above the local TV campaign, amounting to 676,000 additional voters at no extra cost. Audacy SVP of strategy, partnerships and analytics Jon Blum says, “When campaigns activate a TV plan, they should activate a corresponding radio plan and incorporate it into the mix with TV. The portion of the population that isn’t reachable via TV could be the swing vote and what throws it over the top for a candidate.” Nielsen’s study noted that if a campaign moved 20% of ad spending to radio, the optimized media plan would connect with 15% more Democratic and Republican voters and 23% more unaffiliated voters. 
Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX Weather and FOX Nation. He takes over for Jeff Collins, who was recently elevated to president of the division for FOX 
Corporation. Additionally, Ryan Roelle is promoted to SVP of national sales where she will focus on endemic and national advertising in addition to leading linear and digital sales across the country. In making the announcement, Collins says, “Over the past four years, Trey’s vast knowledge and deep understanding of the news marketplace helped drive new revenue streams while Ryan has increased the effectiveness and performance of our endemic and national sales teams. Together, they will ensure continued growth across FOX News Media platforms and success for our valued partners.”
should keep quarterback Justin Fields or trade him in the upcoming draft for the #1 pick. Parkins and Spiegel will kick off the discussion from Audacy Chicago’s Blue Cross Blue Shield Performance Stage from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Football experts and a live audience will join Parkins and Spiegel to weigh in on the looming decision. “The Score” ran a contest this week for a chance to attend the “QB1 Town Hall.” These winners will make up the crowd that will have the opportunity take part in the debate. WSCR VP of programming Mitch Rosen says, “This decision will determine the entire season’s trajectory and the fans are passionate about their views on it. We’re looking forward to opening up this conversation to our listeners and Bears faithful.” The show is being made available via the Audacy app & website, the station’s Twitch, and YouTube channels. 
the month reaching 3.27 billion total multiplatform minutes, compared to CNN.com’s 1.85 billion, and NYTimes.com’s 1.59 billion. FOX News Media attracted 1.66 billion total multiplatform views, compared to NYTimes.com’s 1.49 billion, and CNN.com’s 1.17 billion. When it comes to total digital unique visitors – similar to radio’s cume – CNN.com still holds the lead with 112.7 million. But FOX News Digital (109.7 million) has gradually been gaining ground on CNN. 
Post says it confirmed the report with Audacy and the company added, “The decision by our existing and new debtholders to become equity holders in Audacy represents a significant vote of confidence in our company and the future of the radio and audio business.” The story cites an insider close to the situation who is a Republican saying he believes its “possible Soros was buying the stake to exert influence on public opinion in the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election.” 
says, “Back in Spring of 2009, during the chaos and sleepless nights involved in launching this national media company, the media gods sent me an angel in the form of Michelle Salvatore. Michelle faced down every challenge, worked tirelessly and with good cheer, and set a gold standard of excellence for not only Compass Media Networks, but our industry. We love and will miss Michelle dearly. Our goal is to build upon the greatness she created as we move ahead into the next chapter of our evolution.” Salvatore comments, “Working at Compass Media Networks literally changed my life for the better. I was able to travel the globe, producing games throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe, and had the chance to work with incredibly talented, passionate, and kind people. I am forever grateful to my dear friends at Compass Media Networks.”
NBCUniversal News Group’s “Dateline NBC” drops two spots to #4 and audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” rises to #2 and NPR’s “Up First” climbs to #3. Other radio related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” steady at #7, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” rising three spots to #15, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” up one place to #24. 
challenges. The mix of diverse and insightful voices on this year’s boards will continue the important work of prioritizing recognition, connection and education of women across all facets of media.” The officer roles include: Katina Arnold, chair, VP, corporate communications, ESPN; Monica Bloom, incoming/vice chair, chief marketing officer, MHz Choice | Topic Streaming; Annie Howell, immediate past chair, chief communications officer, Hallmark Media; Catherine Badalamente, treasurer, president & CEO, Graham Media Group; and Marie Tedesco, treasurer-elect, CFO, Beasley Broadcast Group. New to the board of directors are: Isabel Lara, chief communications officer, NPR; Jaclyn Levin, president, Shriver Media and founder, Liminal Space Media; Christine Moran, head of creator partnerships, Electrify Video Partners; and Debra O’Connell, president, news group and networks, Disney Entertainment. 
spot. But the big story is the rise of WSE Originals’ “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” shooting from #67 in the Q3 2023 report to #6 in the Q4 chart. (The show was not in the top 100 in the Q2 2023 survey.) Edison says the show starring Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce “gained four and a half times the number of listeners and saw a change in composition to 50% female listeners.” Other noteworthy moves from radio-related podcasts include The DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rising from #17 in Q3 to #9 in Q4 and Cumulus Podcasts Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” climbing from #29 in Q3 to #26 in Q4. Edison’s Q4 2023 ranker was conducted from October 9, 2023 to December 23, 2023, and is based on surveys of 5,356 weekly podcast listeners age 13+.
Moshos. Moshos died on January 11 and today (2/14) would have been his 67th birthday. General manager Joel Oxley says, “George helped me so much when I first started at WTOP 30 some odd years ago. I knew little about production and he let me know it. His gruff demeanor and direct style took a minute to get used to. But it didn’t take long for me to realize this guy with the glint in his eyes was a person who cared. Really cared. About his job and doing it right and more importantly about people. He touched so, so many people and made things better for them. Seems only right to name where he spent so much of his time ‘The George Moshos Production Studio.’”
previously announced acquisition of Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) to a shareholder group led by New Mountain Capital, LLC has closed, and the company has received $101.4 million of proceeds related to its equity interest in BMI. iHeartMedia says it plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt.