The most discussed stories yesterday (9/30) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Government Shutdown
2. Hegseth & Trump Address Military Brass
3. TrumpRx
4. Antoni Nomination Pulled
5. Guard Deployment to Portland
Audacy launches “UPSTATE RED,” a new conservative outlet that is broadcasting on three signals in the Greenville, South Carolina market. They are WYRD-AM at 1330, WORD-AM at 950 and WYRD-HD2 at 98.9 FM. Audacy also broadcasts conservative talk in the market on its sister station WYRD-FM “News/Talk 98.9 WORD.” Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg SVP and
market manager Steve Sinicropi says, “We are proud to launch UPSTATE RED and bring a new conservative voice to the Upstate region. ‘UPSTATE RED’ will be a premier destination for principled conversation, insightful news, and engaging talk with some of the biggest names in national talk radio, providing the most important news and information to the Upstate.” The programming lineup includes Premiere Networks’ Glenn Beck, Clay Travis & Buck Sexton, Sean Hannity, and Jesse Kelly, as well as Michael DelGiorno in mornings, Westwood One’s Rich Valdes in late nights and FOX News Radio’s Will Cain.
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
As a media consultant, my team has had the privilege of being engaged extensively by members of the C-Suite. Becoming a member of the C-Suite is a common goal. To get into any group, acceptance often depends on acting and appearing like established members. Here are some of the actions observed of business masters whom we consulted:
Arrive First
Let’s start with Walter Anderson, CEO PARADE magazine. PARADE was then owned by Newhouse and was the most-read publication in the English language with 30-million-plus readers. Walter Anderson was a rock star. For years he was an award-winning editor and proud of his publication. He was a gifted leader. Smart writers and graphic designers want to work for Anderson. He’s that guy! It was an honor to have lunch with him… always at the Four Seasons.
Lunch at 12:30 pm. I’d arrive at 12:25 pm – Anderson was well seated. Lunch at 12:30, I’d arrive at 12:15 pm and Anderson was well seated. I had to arrive at 11:30 am to “beat” him to the 12:30 pm table. When I finally arrived at 11:30, he was startled that I arrived first. Score! I shared this story with the manager of the Four Seasons, Julian Niccolini. Julian smiled and said, “The most powerful person always arrives first.”
Arriving first is control, preemptive and, yes, powerful. Arrive first in all actions. The first one in a room can rearrange the chairs and name plates. Arriving first for a meeting gives a person a moral upper hand!
Answer Emails Fast
Our clients have included a long list of CEOs, presidents, and CBOs. Who answers their emails first? The most powerful: Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeartMedia; Julie Talbott, president, Premiere Networks; Kelli Turner, CEO, Audacy; Bob McAllan, CEO, Press Broadcasting; Joe Clayton (deceased), CEO Sirius; Scott Greenstein, president, SiriusXM; Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Soundmind; Tim McCarthy, CEO, Broadcasters Foundation; Alan Shaw, CEO, Centennial Broadcasting; and Chris Oliviero, CBO, Audacy all answer their email super fast. (There are other contacts who answer fast, but this is the CEO/president list.) Most of the other CEOs and presidents who answer late or not at all are bankrupt.
Thank You First
Powerful people send thank you notes – fast. After an event, they send thank you to the host before going to bed. Powerful execs study when people in their industry get an award or promotion and then write notes of congratulations – and stamp it. No emails. Those real letters are saved – forever. Thank you, Cathy Black!
Know Thy Numbers
Powerful executives are never vague about numbers. Vagueness invites suspicion and erodes confidence. BUT, the powerful are not driven by the numbers. The numbers are not front and center in conversations.
RKO chairman Tom O’Neil hired my company to consult all of their radio stations. Tom was charming, in charge, and larger than life. RKO owned Frontier Airlines. Over lunch, he casually mentioned the passenger load on Frontier that day. He knew those numbers and the ratings for WOR midday. Pass the bread.
Once a year, PARADE and all Newhouse pubs presented their business plans to the Newhouse brothers directly. Participating in that meeting, I saw that the Newhouses expected the CEOs to know their numbers. The CEOs of their pubs presented the numbers. No CFOs, no accountants, and no business managers were allowed in the business plan meetings. CEO direct to owner.
C-Suite members show up first, answer emails fast, know their numbers cold and send thank you notes.
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.
By Todd Starnes
Talk Host / Station Owner
KWAM, Memphis
An elderly man came to my book signing this past weekend in Waterloo, Iowa. The old-timer told me he listens to my radio show every day on KXEL.
He said his beloved wife had recently passed away – and he “missed her something terrible.”
The gentleman then handed me my book and asked if I would autograph it. And he asked if it wouldn’t be too much trouble for me to write his wife’s name in the pages – which I did.
We chatted for a few more minutes and then I shook his hand, and he walked away. At that point, I noticed he opened the book and paused for a moment – staring at his wife’s name – and he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears.
This is why I love radio – the friendships that are formed over the airwaves. That voice on the radio who makes the lonely days a little less lonely.
Todd Starnes is the CEO of Starnes Media Group, owners of KWAM, Memphis and syndicators of his TALKERS Heavy Hundred daily national radio talk show. He can be reached via email at todd@starnesmediagroup.com.
The latest blog post from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group looks at a
number of issues based on data from Edison Research’s ongoing Share of Ear study. One aspect of AM/FM radio’s strength is its ability to reach the country’s political segments. The post notes, “Among registered voters, AM/FM radio has a 67% share of ad-supported audio, followed by podcasts (20%). Whether the target is Independents, Republicans, or Democrats, AM/FM radio shares are in the mid-60s to low 70s.” See the full blog post here.
Hayslett Joins Black Effect Podcast Network. Actress, producer, and host Crystal Reneé Hayslett’s talk series, “Keep It Positive, Sweetie” joins Charlamagne Tha God‘s and iHeartMedia’s The Black Effect Podcast Network. She says, “Joining The Black Effect Podcast Network is a meaningful moment for me. KIPS is all about bringing comfort and empowerment to our culture, and I’m honored to welcome my community into this incredible family dedicated to amplifying the powerful conversations that take place on the KIPS couch.”
WUSF Launches Local Talk Show. Public radio outlet WUSF, Tampa debuts, “Florida Matters Live & Local,” a new show that the station says “connects listeners with Tampa Bay’s most influential leaders while opening the phone lines for callers to weigh in on the issues that matter most to them.” WUSF general manager JoAnn Urofsky says, “Our listeners don’t just consume news – they actively shape the conversations that matter. These are tremendously eventful times, and local voices are more crucial than ever, so we’re creating a space where residents can directly engage with the issues defining our community’s future.”
The most discussed stories yesterday (9/29) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Government Shutdown Deadline
2. Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan
3. Trump-Hegseth’s Generals & Admirals Meeting
4. Michigan Church Massacre Aftermath
5. ICE Raids / National Guard to Memphis
Bold Gold Media Group is adding to its Upstate New York holdings with the acquisition of two signals that Townsquare Media has ceased operating. The signals – WDLA-FM and WDLA-AM,
licensed to Walton, New York – previously aired a country format and a news/talk format, respectively. Bold Gold Media Group president Vince Benedetto says, “We have a deep love and connection to the Catskill Mountains and Delaware County, and we are very much looking forward to bringing our programming to the wonderful community of Walton. For a long time, we have had the privilege serving the neighboring town of Hancock, and very much look forward to extending our local programming to include even more of the residents of Delaware County.”
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Sure, radio’s superpower is that we’re live. But 75% of all advertising dollars are now spent on digital. And Netflix, YouTube, and podcast platforms have conditioned consumers to expect that their content will wait for them (“on-demand”), not the other way around (“linear,” meaning real-time on-air). If your best content disappears the moment it airs, you’re leaking value. Think: time-shifted, searchable, and shareable.
Repackaging doesn’t just mean repeating
Is posting airchecks – whole hours – your news/talk station’s only on-demand offering? Hey, why not. It’s easy, and – mathematically – no listener hears everything live. So, archiving offers convenience.
But few people sit through a whole hour, even when listening live, as Nielsen’s 3-minute gimmick reminds us. So do what music stations do, because music rights issues force them to: Extract chunks of what aired.
— Smart stations, in every format, are curating familiar recurring morning show bits.
The juice is worth the squeeze
Repackaged content does more than just fill your feeds:
The bottom line? Yours. Future-proof your station.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
Jimmy Kimmel’s first monologue back after the recent suspension had the audience laughing and gasping, and, in the hands of countless radio hosts and podcasters, replaying. Within hours, clips of his bit weren’t just being shared online. They were being chopped up, (re)framed, and (re)analyzed as if they were original show content. For listeners, that remix feels fresh. For lawyers, it is a fair use minefield.
Playing the Clip, Owning the Take
Audiences increasingly expect their favorite talkers to “play the clip,” whether it is from Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Sid Rosenberg, or Charlamagne tha God on The Breakfast Club (a show that seems to go viral every other week), and then add their own color commentary, the kind of play-by-play that makes it feel like the home team is calling the action. That format works. It gives context, tone, and a sense of immediacy that no transcript can match. Done right, it is what transforms a broadcast from just a recap into a fulfilling cultural conversation.
But with every replay comes a risk. Fair use does not mean free use. Courts weigh factors like how much of the original work you used, whether your purpose was transformative, and whether your use cuts into the market value of the original. Playing a short excerpt of Kimmel’s joke before riffing on it? Likely fair. Running half the monologue and treating it as your A-block? That edges into trouble, both legally and from a programming perspective. Why would anyone want to hear your take if your “take” is mostly replaying someone else? That is not adding to the common zeitgeist; it is just echoing it.
The Podcaster and Broadcaster Dilemma
Radio hosts have long leaned on “newsworthiness” as a shield. Podcasters often assume the same rules apply. But here is the distinction: news clips and comedy bits are not treated equally in court. A station rebroadcasting a press conference is serving public information. A podcast re-airing Kimmel is competing directly with Kimmel’s own clips on YouTube. One informs, the other risks replacing.
And while linking to ABC or YouTube is a courtesy, just as crediting them in the video itself might be, it does not replace the traffic (and ad dollars) Kimmel’s team expects. The law does not guarantee creators compensation for commentary, but judges do consider market harm. If your listeners stop watching the original because your show already gave them the “best parts,” you have tilted the scale against yourself. John Oliver is often credited (though no one seems able to find the clip): “People are always going to say stupid things, and you’re always going to be able to make jokes about that, but it should be the last thing you add in, because it is the easiest thing.”
Whether he actually said it or not almost proves the point. Recycling someone else’s words without context is the laziest move in the book. And if you cannot find the source? That is about as meta as fair use gets.
The Takeaway
Here is the smart play: use less and say more. A 20-second clip followed by two minutes of commentary is transformative. A five-minute clip with a shrug and a chuckle is not. Audiences do not tune in to hear Kimmel again. They tune in to hear what you think about Kimmel. The moment you let someone else’s content carry your show, you lose both legal ground and creative authority.
Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.
Superadio announces the expansion of its digital footprint with the launch of AmplifiedVoices.com, what the company calls a content hub “focused on elevating Black culture and storytelling across podcast and video platforms.” The site will serve as the dedicated home
for the Amplified Voices Podcast Network and Amplified Voices TV. American Urban Radio Networks CEO Chesley Maddox-Dorsey says, “This launch represents a powerful evolution in our mission to serve Black audiences. By creating two distinct digital destinations under AmplifiedVoices.com — AVTV and AV Podcasts — we are sharpening our focus to better meet the needs of our listeners, viewers and content partners.” Content will include “On the Record” with AURN News correspondent Ebony McMorris, “Café Mocha Radio,” and “reACT with Rev. Al.”
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Looming Government Shutdown
2. Deadly Michigan Church Attack
3. National Guard to Portland Battle
4. Comey Indictment
5. Russia Attack on Kyiv
iHeartMedia names Rick Vaughn SVP of programming for its Salt Lake City station group that include news/talk KNRS-AM/FM, “Business 99.1” and four music brands. Vaughn most recently served with Cumulus Media as operations manager. iHeartMedia Salt Lake City market manager
Joyce Wirthlin says, “We are excited and fortunate to welcome Rick back to iHeart to lead programming for our cluster. His proven leadership, creativity and track record of building winning stations will be invaluable for our listeners and partners in Salt Lake City.” Vaughn comments, “This is an incredible opportunity to help shape the future of iHeart Salt Lake City. iHeartMedia is committed to excellence, innovation and growth, and I’m excited to return to the iHeart family to collaborate with such a talented team, create compelling content, engage listeners across every platform, and deliver outstanding results for our advertising partners.”
Salem Media Group announces two promotions. First, Linnae Young is promoted to chief revenue officer. The company says the 27-year veteran of Salem has held numerous leadership roles, including leading the sales team with Salem Media Reps, as vice president for its West Region radio markets, and most recently served as EVP of revenue development and West
Markets broadcast operations. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “Linnae is a proven builder of teams and revenue streams. For nearly three decades she has delivered results across every part of Salem’s business, and she has the rare ability to connect vision with execution. As we move into a ‘One World’ selling environment, Linnae is exactly the leader we need to unlock new opportunities across all of our platforms and deepen our service to advertisers. Her leadership will be central to accelerating Salem’s growth.” Also, Jamie Cohen is promoted to chief digital officer, a newly created role designed to unify and oversee all digital operations across Salem Media. Cohen was most recently SVP of broadcast digital. Santrella says, “Jamie has been one of the key architects of Salem’s digital transformation. In just seven years, he took a $6 million business and scaled it to over $40 million—proof of both his vision and his execution. This new role gives him the mandate to break down silos and unify all of Salem’s digital assets under one strategy. With Jamie at the helm, Salem is positioned not just to compete in the digital marketplace, but to lead as a fully integrated media company.”
Beasley Media Group brings Jon Marks back to its airwaves for the “Middays with Marks” show from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on WPEN-FM, Philadelphia 97.5 The Fanatic,” beginning Monday (9/29). Marks, whose show replaces Mike Missanelli in the midday slot, served WPEN-FM in
several capacities over the past 20 years but was most recently with crosstown sports talker WIP-FM co-hosting with Ike Reese. Beasley Media Group Philadelphia Paul Blake says, “Jon Marks is a proven leader and a trusted voice in Philadelphia sports. His credibility, passion, and connection with our audience will be instrumental in driving The Fanatic’s continued growth and success in the market.” Marks comments, “I’m beyond excited for this opportunity. Philadelphia is the best sports city in the country, and the fans here are as passionate as they come. To be able to talk sports with them every day in this new time slot is an honor, and I can’t wait to bring that same energy and passion to middays on The Fanatic.”
Nationally syndicated talk media personality Wayne Allyn Root’s program “WAR Zone with Wayne Allyn Root” is joining the lineup at Conservative Broadcast Media & Journalism, Inc’s
Patriot.TV. Root says, “What an honor to join Patriot TV and their millions of conservative viewers. My weekend powerhouse TV show, ‘America’s Top Ten Countdown,’ reaches millions on Real America’s Voice TV. Now my daily video podcast WAR Zone will be on multiple dynamic platforms from Patriot TV, to serving as the official podcast of ‘The Gateway Pundit,’ reaching their 2.5 million unique daily readers, as well as livestreamed on X, Gettr, and TruthSocial. The left has tried everything to stop me, ban me, censor me, harass me, yet the popularity and reach of my shows just keeps exploding. That’s called WINNING!”
Pictured above at last night’s Rhode Island Radio & TV Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Warwick, Rhode Island are (from l-r): consultant and TALKERS columnist Holland Cooke; radio personality Doug Stephan; 95.5 WSB, Atlanta news director Chris Camp; former Saga/Audacy/Entercom GM Phil Zachary; and WPRO-AM, Providence host & NBC10 anchor Gene Valicenti. This year’s inductees included: WJAR-TV, Providence’s Mario Hilario; ESPN’s Doris Burke; WPRI/WLNE Providence’s Steve Cascione; Poder Spanish Radio’s Tony Mendez; WLNE-TV, Providence’s John DeLuca; iHeartMedia’s Andy Lamchick.
For the sixth year in a row, the readers of The Richmond Times-Dispatch overwhelmingly voted
“The Jeff Katz Show” the Best Afternoon Radio Show in Central Virginia. Jeff Katz is now in his 13th year as the afternoon drive host at WRVA. Katz has been named one of the 100 Most Important Talk Radio Hosts in America by TALKERS numerous times. He is also a past recipient of the Humanitarian of Year award from TALKERS.
Media personality and psychic medium & spiritual teacher Joyce Keller has died. She was a
host on WGBB-AM, Freeport, New York (Long Island) for more than 35 years. She appeared on major television programs including, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Good Morning America.” She also served as a columnist for Lifetime Television since. Keller’s long-running radio program with international reach established her as an enduring voice in the metaphysical and self-help space.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (9/22-26) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Government Shutdown Battle / Firing Threats
2. The Economy / Positive Growth Report
3. ICE Facility Shooting
4. Comey Indicted
5. Trump UN Address
6. Trump vs Kimmel / Kirk Slaying Aftermath
7. Tylenol-Autism Debate
8. SCOTUS OKs Trump FTC Firing
9. Gaza War / Russia-Ukraine War
10.Dem Wins AZ House Seat
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Chuck Schumer / Hakeem Jeffries
3. James Comey / Pam Bondi
4. Greg Abbott
5. Jimmy Kimmel
6. Charlie Kirk / Erika Kirk
7. RFK Jr.
8. Rebecca Kelly Slaughter
9. Benjamin Netanyahu / Vladimir Putin
10. Adelita Grijalva
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
Connoisseur Media announces that, beginning in January, current director of sales Morgan Harrison will become market manager for the San Antonio station group the includes news/talk
KTSA. Morgan will take over for Lance Hawkins, who is retiring. Additionally, integrated sales and sports programming manager Dax Davis will rise to director of sales. Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw says, “This is a big moment for our San Antonio team. That market is a vital part of our company, and Morgan and Dax have earned these roles through their hard work and passion for the business. We’re excited to see them lead the next chapter.” Harrison comments, “I am incredibly honored and humbled to step into the role of market manager.
Connoisseur Media’s suburban Chicago cluster announces the addition of Gordon Mays as operations manager. The company says Mays has been in a similar role in Milwaukee most
recently and brings nearly 25 years of experience into the market including recent operations and programming gigs in the Milwaukee and Rockford markets. Mays will oversee seven music brands as well as talk outlets WJOL-AM, Joliet; WKRS, Kenosha, Wisconsin and sports talk WLIP. Mays says, “It’s so exciting to be joining Connoisseur Chicagoland right now and getting to work with such a talented, passionate team that I’ve followed and admired for many years.”
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
Have you noticed a profile pattern for the mass shooters and political assassins? 20-30 years old. Living at home or close.
Here’s a deep dive, highly predictive profile that was written by a true radio GREAT:
“He’s a crown prince as a teenager. A crown prince when he suddenly finds his crown gone and he’s just a commoner and he must enter the next stage of life – well I’ll tell you what happens: He generally doesn’t, that’s why you have a new generation of guys who have not taken on family or familiar responsibilities.
They are not about to give up the Crown Prince role and so we have a whole new generation of porn readers who will forever and ever and ever be catered to, and they get to the point where they cater to themselves. Many of them never grow up.
There is more than one guy who is 30 years old today who is totally, completely being supported by his mother and father. And as a matter of course, because he is after all a Crown Prince and a Crown Prince has prerogatives and one of them is to live off the family larder, he will continue to do this throughout most of his life.
This is a very new thing in America, and I say we have not seen the end of it. We’ve only seen the very beginning of it now. He who is really searching for identity.
I’m gonna make a suggestion here. I will suggest that this man is a dangerous man. Any man who has been suppressed, any man who has lost identity is a man who is prone to take up with wild, divergent, and often quite dangerous and irrational political crusades merrily to give himself his own identity, something, some charge that he can ride on.”
Jean Shepherd
WOR Radio Star
Author, A Christmas Story
from audiobook, LIFE IS, 1965
Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.
Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia is preparing to celebrate its annual Founder’s Day Gala on Friday, October 3, at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The evening will include a tribute to WURD founder, Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., live music and entertainment, a dance party, the presentation of Community Impact Awards, and the official
launch of Freedom Journeys, a new multimedia storytelling initiative celebrating pivotal figures in Philadelphia’s past and present. Freedom Journeys, created in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will highlight 250 iconic Black Philadelphians — living and deceased — whose lives and work have helped shape the city. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Founder’s Day will be a wonderful evening in a beautiful setting — where we will celebrate my father’s life and legacy, have great food, amazing live music and soul-filling affirmations of our culture. But we also aren’t going to shy away from what’s happening in this country. WURD has never done that, and this year’s Freedom Journeys is both celebration and resistance.”
Edison Research data indicates that while among all Americans 13+, 38% of time is spent listening to audio on a mobile device, and 30% of time is spent listening to audio on an AM/FM radio receiver, when it comes to rural Americans, AM/FM is just as important. Edison says that
the popularity of mobile devices for audio listening is the most dominant in urban communities. Within that audience segment, 40% of time is spent listening to audio on a mobile device, vs. 28% of time spent listening on an AM/FM radio receiver. The mobile device also holds a strong lead in suburban communities, with 36% of time spent listening on that device compared to 30% of time on a radio receiver. However, the radio receiver is strongest in rural communities where it matches the listening time of the mobile device, each receiving 34%.
New York Public Radio is announcing that in response to the unprecedented threats facing public broadcasting, it is launching the Station-to-Station Programming Project that will make its roster of nationally syndicated programs – including “Radiolab,” “On the Media,” “The New
Yorker Radio Hour,” and “Terrestrials,” as well as “Freakonomics Radio,” “Science Friday” and “Today, Explained,” which NYPR distributes – available to at-risk public radio stations at no cost. This initiative comes as the CPB prepares to wind down at the end of September, following a $9.4 billion rescission package Congress approved in July, putting the future of more than 1,500 public radio and television stations nationwide in jeopardy. NYPR says, “This initiative will allow stations to redirect funds they would typically use to license our programs toward sustaining their vital local operations and reporting.”
The most discussed stories yesterday (9/24) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Cumulus Media partners with Michigan community and business leader Denise Ilitch for her podcast, “The Denise Ilitch Show,” to be heard on news/talk WJR beginning September 27.
Ilitch’s program focuses on conversations with guests who exemplify her values of overcoming adversity, staying positive, and giving back. The show will air monthly on WJR on Saturday at 5:00 pm. Ilitch says, “I’m thrilled about the partnership with WJR and Cumulus to bring the positive message of ‘The Denise Ilitch Show’ to a wider audience. All of us agree that the stories we explore on this show have the potential to inspire leadership in big and small ways, locally and nationally.” Ilitch is president of Ilitch Enterprises and is currently serving on the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. Her father’s company launched the Little Caesar’s Pizza corporation.
Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington is looking for a new morning drive news anchor after Michelle Basch informed the company she will leave her position at the end of the year to relocate out of DC. WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler wrote in a memo to the stations staff, “Anyone who knows Michelle Basch, knows how much she and her husband Mike adore their cabin in Pennsylvania. Michelle and Mike have decided to move there full-time in the Spring, which means Michelle will be leaving WTOP after nearly two decades. The good news? Michelle will continue to anchor AM Drive through the end of the year. She will then do some reporting for us until she and Mike are fully moved to PA. Michelle’s passion for news, commitment to excellence and drive to ‘first get it right, then get it first’ will be greatly missed in this newsroom.” See more and apply here.
A fascinating example of early cable news/talk television history has been posted today (9/22) on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel series “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.” The episode presents key segments from a vintage program that served as one of the forerunners of modern cable news/talk television. This particular installment preserves what was likely the first documented appearance of Sean Hannity hosting a national network cable television program. The series, titled “Talk Live,” ran for several years in the mid-1990s on CNBC. It covered news and politics, as well as a wider scope of popular culture including arts & entertainment. Not only did it feature an array of guest panelists, but it also showcased a variety of guest hosts. Several of them were drawn from the ranks of radio. Talk radio was the hot new thing in the exploding world of interactive post-fairness doctrine media at the time and television executives were trying to identify hosting candidates from radio to make the transition from audio to video. This particular installment was spearheaded by media impresario Roger Ailes, who went on to form the FOX News Channel. It originally ran 31 years ago, on October 15, 1994, and holds particular interest for students and fans of talk media history. Hannity was, at the time, a rising star as a local host on WGST in Atlanta and was most likely being scouted by Ailes for consideration as a TV host for his forthcoming projects. The episode also featured a noteworthy panel booked by then-CNBC producer Vicky Pomerance that included the late radio talk show legend Bob Grant, then of WABC, New York; international talk media mainstay Victoria Jones, then of WWRC, Washington, DC (currently executive director of PR firm, the DC Radio Company); and TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison. Their conversation delivers fascinating retrospective insight into the issues surrounding the burgeoning talk radio medium, circa the mid-1990s, such as the Fairness Doctrine, as well as the growing rift between liberals and conservatives, and the public’s growing disillusionment with the legacy media and political establishment. Looking back at the video, Harrison states, “Watching his performance more than three decades ago, it was evident that Sean was a natural for the medium – displaying remarkable looks, poise, knowledge and glibness that would serve him well as he went on to become a top-rated, long-running superstar at FOX News Channel and one of the most successful radio talk show hosts of all time.” Check out the video by clicking here.
Audacy announces a new strategic partnership with MOGL, an athlete influencer technology platform, that will allow it to integrate NIL sponsorships into its sports audio portfolio. Audacy says the collaboration is designed to “give brands streamlined access to college athlete
influencers while enhancing Audacy’s cross-platform marketing capabilities.” Audacy says MOGL’s AI-powered matching system allows brands to quickly connect with athletes whose profiles align with campaign goals. Audacy chief revenue officer Bob Philips says, “Sports is where Audacy wins and sports media is evolving beyond traditional boundaries. This partnership with MOGL is a testament to our commitment to innovation, providing a powerful content-driven approach that benefits athletes, schools, and our advertising partners. Together, we’ll empower our clients to deliver authentic, high-impact campaigns that resonate with today’s fans and drive measurable brand outcomes.”
iHeartMedia and Hello Divorce – a comprehensive online divorce platform built for the mass market – announce a partnership. According to a press release, Hello Divorce combines technology and expert guidance to radically simplify the legal, financial, and emotional
complexities of divorce – helping people navigate every stage of the process faster, more affordably, and with far less conflict. Hello Divorce says its service “goes far beyond digitizing forms and redesigns the entire divorce experience with proprietary technology and AI to eliminate costly errors, reduce delays, and remove the bottlenecks that wreak havoc on divorce timelines.” iHeartMedia president of corporate development and ventures Joe Robinson says, “Hello Divorce offers a powerful solution for one of life’s most challenging transitions. This partnership gives them a unique opportunity to connect with people nationwide through our platforms, delivering resources and guidance that can truly make a difference.”