Industry News

NYTimes: Radio Preferred Medium for Many in India

A piece in The New York Times by Karan Deep Singh that explores how radio is used by women in rural India to learn and to communicate shows just how important the medium is to many people in the world’s most populous country. The piece focuses on the community radio station “Alfaz-e-Mewat,” – the voice of the Mewati people. Singh notes that “even in a digital era, radio remains the preferred medium for millions of Indians.” Of the radio station he writes, “Its listeners are the million or so people of Nuh, a rural, agrarian district in the foothills of the Aravali mountains in the northern Indian state of Haryana. In this region — which has some of the country’s lowest female literacy rates, where early marriages are common and where violence against women is the norm — the station is the voice of change.” TALKERS founder Michael Harrison, who was recently appointed by UNESCO as executive advisor to the United Nations celebration of World Radio Day on February 13, 2024, states, “This story illustrates just how important the medium of on-air radio is to millions of people around the world. Not only for its accessibility in the many places on Earth, including the United States, that are not fully digitized – but as a grassroots weapon against poverty and injustice in all their many forms. What could be more important?” Read the Times piece here.

Industry News

Brand Effect Study Reveals Value of AM/FM and Podcasting

The latest blog post from the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group examines the results of a brand effect study by Upwave of the six-month campaign of an e-commerce retailer that used AM/FM radio streaming and sponsorship of a Katy Perry-narrated podcast about Elizabeth Taylor titled, “Elizabeth the First.” Some of the findings include: 1) those exposed to the digital audio campaignim were 33% more likely to say the brand “partners with all my favorite stores,” 81% more likely to indicate the e-commerce retailer “is a brand I trust,” 140% more likely to associate the brand for offering “the best sales and coupons”; 2) among those exposed versus those not exposed, brand equity measures surged, showing 54% growth in familiarity, 31% lift in average brand images, 37% greater consideration, 102% increase in purchase intent, and 55% growth in customer forecast; and 3) concluded that best practices to power direct-to-consumer marketing effectiveness calls for allocating 74% of marketing budgets to creating future demand (brand building) and 26% to converting existing demand (sales activation), targeting broadly to expand the customer base, employing emotional advertising to build direct-to-consumer brands and drive sales and profit, being known before you are needed, and buying lots of ads in all days and dayparts. See the full blog here.

Industry News

“WGN Radio Theatre Spooktacular” to Air on Halloween

Nexstar Media’s WGN-AM, Chicago will air “WGN Radio Theatre Spooktacular with Carl Amari” featuring hair-raising golden age of radio shows on Tuesday, October 31 from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am. Theim five-hour special will include episodes from “Lights Out,” one of the first radio horror programs, “Suspense,” “Inner Sanctum Mystery,” “The Whistler,” and “The Sealed Book,” which originally aired on April 14, 1945, on WGN Radio. Host Carl Amari has spent decades licensing and preserving original radio broadcasts and is the curator of the Classic Radio Club and board member of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. He also hosts WGN Radio Theatre featuring two classic radio shows on Sundays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Industry News

iHeartPodcast Unveils New Podcast by Hilarie Burton Morgan

iHeartPodcasts and actress Hilarie Burton Morgan announce a new weekly podcast targeting fans of true crime as they take listeners behind the scenes in each small-town case in the series. This show isim the companion podcast to SundanceTV’s powerful true crime documentary series, “It Couldn’t Happen Here.” Along with key crew from the TV series as her co-hosts, Burton Morgan dives deeper into the cases covered on the show featuring never-before-heard archives and a behind-the-scenes lens of how the team tackles these head-scratching and heart-breaking stories. The “True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here” podcast encourages everyone to get curious, get involved, and ask how they can help when it appears the system has failed.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Israel-Hamas war and the political repercussions in the U.S.; the vacant House Speaker post and the renewed threat of a government shutdown; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race; new felony charges against U.S. Rep. George Santos; Kari Lake announces bid for Arizona U.S. Senate seat; California’s new forced treatment law affecting the “gravely disabled”; the Supreme Court hears arguments in the South Carolina redistricting case; and the $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: In Radio Sales, It Pays to Be a Great Listener

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

Do you still struggle with keeping the dialogue moving in the right direction on your sales calls? Let’s face it, if you are not careful you could violate one of the golden rules of selling talk radio – be a great listener.

First calls are the most difficult, especially in this era of Zoom, Teams, etc. You try your best to develop rapport, build chemistry and move through a needs analysis as you learn about your potential advertiser. High achieving sellers have that special skill of blending questions and fun facts that build common ground while navigating the needs analysis through a range of questions designed to qualify the prospect and confirm a follow-up call.

Sounds simple enough, but why do most sellers fall short in the starting blocks. There is no mystery here to solve, this is Selling 101 that starts with preparation and ends with a commission check. Let’s walk through some start points:

If you are responsible for any of the 26.5 billion minutes viewed of “Suits” on Netflix, you know that Harvey Spector (lead character) earned millions doing homework and knowing how to ask the right questions. How about you? Are you prepared to ask the right questions and listen to the answers that will lead you to comeback with the right proposal? Sometimes keeping the dialogue moving can be challenging. Perhaps you’ve asked too many questions that went nowhere or just resulted in one-word answers. What to do? A recent article in Make It quoted Matt Abrahams, a public speaking expert at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, who suggests saying, “Tell me more” during a conversation is the secret sauce behind improving the communication flow.

Makes sense. Showing genuine interest in what your advertiser is saying, allowing more information to be shared, with you spending more time as the listener helps everyone develop better rapport and move closer to a win-win. I have always been a big fan of another Golden Rule of Sales: “Words matter.” Have you ever finished a call and asked yourself, “Why did I say that!?” It all goes back to preparation. If you know what to ask, how to allow your advertiser to expand on a key point, and do more listening than talking, your sales should increase, and your commission checks will show it!

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Gradually, They Know You

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imThanks to those who sent comments on last week’s column “Beware The Banter.” For those asking how-much-is-too-much, this follow-up.

The old “Dick Van Dyke Show” depicted the life of TV writers. Collaborators Rob Petrie, Sally Rogers, and Buddy Sorrell spent their workdays in an office, riffing. The weekly script that emerged was careful with show host Alan Brady’s brand. He was a personality viewers came to know, one week at a time.

In offices like that, there’s a living document they call “The Bible.” For that first pilot episode, it might have been a single page of bullet points. A more recent example might have fleshed-out sitcom characters in broad strokes: Jerry is a comedian. He and Elaine used to date, now they’re friends. Elaine is from Maryland and she can’t dance.

Week-by-week, as we come to know these fictitious friends, new details humanize them further, and “The Bible” gets thicker. It guides writers, so they don’t burst our bubble by telling us Elaine is from Connecticut.

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Similarly, your listeners come to know you, accruing your identity, one anecdote at a time. You may be as-surprised-as-flattered when you meet a listener who plays-back something about your life that you might not even remember sharing.

So, know that they know you. And when the boss or the consultant reminds you how mentally busy listeners are – and encourages you to keep-the-show-moving – you needn’t fret that you’ll sound like Sgt. Joe Friday in “Dragnet.” Final TV reference, I promise.

My point: The litmus test for whatever you share is relatability. I was born on the same day as one of the children of 50+ year WTIC, Hartford morning host Bob Steele, and my dad was forever bonded by his amusing baby stories. They were nuanced references, not longwinded rambles.

Remain humble about listeners’ attention.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio;” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Round Four of September PPMs Released

imThe fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, Good Karma Brands news/talk WTMJ shoots up 1.1 shares to finish with a 9.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it from the #3 rank to #1, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN falls 1.1 shares to a 9.6 share pulling it from #1 to #2. In Nashville, Cumulus Media news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to finish the survey with a 6.1 share and rises to the #4 rank, while iHeartMedia news/talk WLAC-AM rises two-tenths for a 1.1 share finish good for the #19 rank. And in West Palm Beach, iHeartMedia’s talk WZZR adds one-tenth for a 1.9 share finish and remains ranked #10, while Hubbard Broadcasting news/talk WFTL rises two-tenths for a 1.8 share finish as it remains ranked #12. See Mike Kinosian’s Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

WMAX-FM, Grand Rapids Adds FOX Sports Radio

iHeartMedia’s sports talk WMAX-FM, Grand Rapids “96.1 The Game” switches national sports programming from ESPN Radio to FOX Sports Radio using the network’s shows to fill out itsim programming schedule from 9:00 am on. The local “X’s and Bro’s” morning drive show continues to air from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. iHeartMedia Grand Rapids SVP of programming Dave Taft says, “We’re thrilled to now have the FOX Sports Radio lineup on ‘96.1 The Game.’ This addition, along with local sports coverage, play-by-play and the Michigan Sports Network, will continue our position as the broadcast sports leader in West Michigan.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Celebrates Three Years of The Black Effect Podcast Network

Media personality Charlamagne Tha God and iHeartMedia are celebrating the third anniversary of the debut of The Black Effect Podcast Network. The goal of the venture is for it to become “the world’s largest podcast publisher dedicated to Black listeners, bringing together the most influential and trusted voices in Black culture for stimulating conversations around social justice, pop culture, sports, mentalim health, news, comedy and more.” iHeartMedia says, “Three years into its mission, The Black Effect has cemented itself as the premiere destination for Black talent and Black listeners, launching over 30 exceptional shows – including ‘Carefully Reckless,’ ‘All The Smoke,’ and ‘Reasonably Shady’ – that cover a wide range of topics and amplify diverse voices and perspectives. Charlamagne Tha God adds, “As we celebrate three years of The Black Effect Podcast Network, we honor the power of representation, the resilience of our community, and the unwavering commitment to truth and excellence. Together, we’ve amplified voices and paved the way for a future where our narratives flourish.”

Industry News

KYW, Philadelphia to Broadcast Mayoral Debate

Audacy’s all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia is hosting a mayoral debate ahead of the Philadelphia general election. Democratic nominee Cherelle Parker will face Republican nominee David Oh live on the “Philadelphia’s Morning News” program on October 26 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. The debate will feature KYW journalists, including morning drive anchor Ian Bush, city hall bureau chief Pat Loeb,im education reporter Mike DeNardo and community impact reporter Racquel Williams. KYW news director Kevin McCorry says, “Since the primary election was decided in May, we have been working diligently to ensure that we could provide this service to our audience. The next mayor of Philadelphia will shape our city for years to come. We need urgent solutions to the city’s most pressing issues, including the gun violence crisis, the opioid crisis, the economy and public schooling. Presenting a format where candidates get to exchange ideas in real time is a fundamental building block of the democratic process, and we’re proud to break our normal format to offer this program.”

Industry News

Gemini XIII Names Chris Long CRO

Audio entertainment and ad solutions firm Gemini XIII names Chris Long chief revenue officer. In this role, Long will be responsible for driving revenue growth across all of its business segments, including United Stations Radio Networks, the Gemini XIII Podcast Network, as well as digital partnerships and creative services at Infinite Agency. Long was most recently regional VP of sales for SXM Media. Gemini XIII CEO Spencer Brown says, “Chris is a highly respected and experienced sales leader. His expertise and track record will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business and expand our reach.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Salem Radio Network talk host Mike Gallagher began yesterday’s program launching an emergency campaign raising funds for Israeli victims through the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Gallagher’s campaign is also being highlighted on other Salem Media Group platforms including SRN News, TOWNHALL.com, and several local morning shows including Mark Davis’ program on KSKY, Dallas and Joey Hudson’s show on WGTK-FM in Greenville, South Carolina as well as TOWNHALL News.

According to an article in the New York Post (10/7) by reporter Brooke Kato, scientists have unsheathed an electrifying new treatment for erectile dysfunction that’s possibly better than popping a little blue pill — AM radio waves!  New research published in the International Journal of Impotence Research suggested that self-administered, low-intensity radio frequency zaps to the penis could be effective for ED treatment due to anatomical and physiological changes in the penile tissue. When used at lower frequencies, the radio waves create heat, due to the interaction between molecules and ions, triggering “structural changes” and the creation of collagen and elastic fibers, according to study author Dr. Ilan Gruenwald. Read the complete article here.

International imaging firm Benztown and research company P1 Media Group are hosting a free webinar for radio professionals titled, “Checking in on the World’s First AI Presenter – Is This Radio’s Future?” The 40-minute webinar will be hosted by Andreas Sannemann, CEO, Benztown, and Ken Benson, partner, P1 Media Group, and will feature AI pioneer Dylan Salisbury, content director, “Live 95.5,” in Portland, OR, and creator of the first AI radio personality in the world, “AI Ashley.”

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) announces that radio legend Delilah will be honored with the inaugural Gracies Icon Award at the 2023 Gracies Leadership Awards. The Premiere Networks nationally syndicated personality “will be celebrated for her outstanding contributions to the world of radio and her unwavering commitment to uplifting and empowering listeners.” AWM will honor her at the Gracies Leadership Awards on November 13 at Tribeca 360° in New York City, alongside previously announced honorees.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America elects Adrienne Roark, president of content development and integration for CBS News, Stations, and CBS Media Ventures to its Board of Directors.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/9) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Israeli responds to Hamas’ attacks and taking of hostages; RFK Jr announces independent bid for the White House; the chaos in the Republican Party after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the U.S. migrant crisis; and the Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.7 billion were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

RTDNA Files Request to Broadcast Trump Trial

On Thursday (10/5), the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and a coalition of media outlets filed a legal request with the U.S. District Court of Washington D.C., formally asking for live audio and video coverage of the upcoming January 6th-related criminal trial against former President Donaldim Trump, currently on the docket for March 2024. RTDNA says it has consistently advocated for the public’s right to live audio and video coverage of the multiple trials facing the former president. RTDNA CEO Dan Shelley states, “For decades, RTDNA has been the nation’s leading advocate for cameras in courtroom. We believe Americans have a right to see for themselves if and how justice is administered to a former president of the United States. The only opportunity for the public to have any faith in the outcome of this trial is if people are able to see and hear the proceedings for themselves.”

Industry News

WLS-AM, Chicago Adds Two News Programs to the Lineup

Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM, Chicago adds two, one-hour news programs hosted by station news anchor Bret Gogoel to its daily lineup. “The Closing Bell” airs from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm with PM Chicago” airing from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The station says, “Bret Gogoel takes listeners through a wrapim of local, national, and global business news as he chats with Chicago’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and CEOs. Alongside news anchors Kim Gordon, Nick Gale, and Annie Krall, Gogoel shares the latest tech, consumer, and local business news, and why it matters to Chicagoans and their wallets. On the drive imhome each weekday from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm, host Bret Gogoel and the WLS Newsroom team share Chicago’s local news that matters on ‘PM Chicago.’ From politics and education to crime and health, ‘PM Chicago’ shines the spotlight on local stories that are important to Chicagoans, with reports from Kim Gordon, Nick Gale, and Annie Krall. WLS-AM program director Stephanie Tichenor states, “I am delighted to be adding local news and business programs for our listeners in the afternoons. Bret has risen through the ranks at WLS from a part-time board operator to news anchor and host and he is the perfect fit to helm these new offerings.”

Industry News

Round Three of September PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Sacramento, iHeartMedia news/talk KFBK-AM/FM adds four-tenths to finish the survey with a 10.1 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and claims the #1 rank in the market, while sister news/talk KSTE-AM falls four-tenths to a 3.3 share good for the #12 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises three-tenths for a 5.2 share finish and remains ranked #5, while iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM/FM adds six-tenths for a 4.0 share finish that lifts it to the #9 rank. And in Orlando, iHeartMedia talk outlet WTKS-FM is up two-tenths for a 4.6 share finish but falls to the #8 rank, while Cox Media Group news/talk WDBO remains steady with a 3.4 share but rises to the #12 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways here.

Industry News

WFDF, Detroit Owner Kevin Adell Unapologetic About New Programming

According to a piece in the Detroit Metro News, WFDF, Detroit owner Kevin Adell is all-in on the new conservative talk format recently installed on the station after several years airing an urban talk format. The station flipped after Labor Day and has been airing Premiere Networks syndicated shows includingim Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Jesse Kelly, and Clay Travis & Buck Sexton, as well as Key NetworksBill O’Reilly. The story indicates the station’s cume has skyrocketed from about 2,100 listeners per month to 29,000 in the first week after the change (Sept. 7-13). Adell tells the paper he has no regrets about the move, “The more divided we are, the better it is for radio. It comes down to one thing — show business. If we live in a utopia, we have nothing to talk about.” Adell also says he expects cume to jump to 200,000 per month as he continues to promote the new lineup. At the time of the change, the Black community was upset with the firing of the (unpaid) hosts and the format flip, but Adell said it was purely a business move. “[T]he format was no longer profitable and only attracted about 2,100 listeners a month, an abysmally small audience for a radio station. When you look at it, no one supported it. I couldn’t get the community to support it.” Read the Metro News piece here.

Industry News

LABF to Present Webinar Series

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation is presenting a webinar series titled “LABF Radio & Podcast Power Session.” The series was created by Benztown president and LABF board member Dave “Chachi” Denes with support from the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) and theim University of Maryland. Industry experts presenting in the three-part series include: programming with consultant Mike McVay; promotion and marketing insight with Benztown marketing director Susan Aksu-Magarian; and behind the scenes of owning a station with Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan, among others. Denes says, “I was honored to lead the ‘LABF Radio & Podcasting Power Session,’ and I want to thank the incredible talent and executives that participated for their contributions and presentations as well as technical producers, Robby Gessel and Trevor Adams. We have high hopes that this session will prove valuable to students and ignite their enthusiasm for the radio and podcasting mediums that hold a special place in our hearts.”

Industry News

WTAG, Worcester Host Jordan Levy Dies

As reported by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, former Worcester, Massachusetts mayor and WTAG-imAM, Worcester talk radio host Jordan Levy died yesterday (10/5) after a years-long illness at age 79. Current WTAG morning personality Jim Polito is quoted in the story saying, “There are so many people he did things for. He loved the city of Worcester.” Levy was first elected mayor in 1987. After leaving office in 1993, he hosted the afternoon drive show on WTAG. Read the full story here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of October 2 – 6, 2023

The ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the legal battles of former President Donald Trump, followed by the 2024 presidential race at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See the complete chart here.

Industry News

Jerry Del Colliano is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Noted media industries analyst Jerry Del Colliano is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Del Colliano is publisher of the daily newsletter Inside Music Media that serves radio and music professionals with behind-the-scenes happenings at the highest levels in these industries sparked by his hard-hitting and often controversial commentary. Del Colliano has served as Professor of Music Industry at the University of Southern California and currently holds the position of Professor of Music Business Program at New York University’s Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Profession. These positions have given him insight into today’s youth culture and its potential application in both the radio and music businesses looking to appeal to younger demos. Harrison and Del Colliano engage in an extensive discussion about “generational media” and the professor’s first-hand observations about the habits and mindset of “Gen Z.”  Not to be missed! Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Round Two of September PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and stays ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM dips six-tenths for an 8.7 share finish but stays ranked #2 for the ninth straight month. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM is steady with a 4.7 share but rises one spot to #6, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM tacks on two-tenths for a 2.2 share finish but falls to the #20 rank. And in Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI-AM is up two-tenths to finish the survey with a 4.1 share that lifts it from #10 to #5, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM sheds one-tenth to finish with a 2.9 share that keeps it ranked #15. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

2024 New York Festivals Radio Awards is Open for Entries

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The New York Festivals 2024 Radio Awards competition is open for entries today through January 31, 2024. New York Festivals Radio Awards SVP and executive director Rose Anderson says, “Our categories for investigative journalism and nonfiction series documentaries and social justice across all genres recognized how individual actions can change the world and the ability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity. Today’s storytellers are finding innovative ways to keep listeners informed, entertained, and engaged in our ever-changing and interconnected world so the New York Festivals Radio Awards has introduced eight new categories that encompass that robust creative spirit.” NYF’s new SciFi/Fantasy/Horror and Mystery Programs categories expand the Entertainment roster. Editorial/Viewpoint News Feature rounds out the journalism-based News Reports/Features category group providing a new outlook on current events, and Short Form Documentary offers additional opportunities to showcase distinctive points of view. New Podcast categories include Investigative Journalism Podcast and Mystery Podcast. New On-Air talent categories this year include News Correspondent/Reporter and Sports Correspondent/Reporter. For the second year, the National Press Club Award will go to the highest scoring entry in the News program categories Coverage of Breaking News Story, Coverage of Ongoing News Story, Nonfiction Series, and News Podcast. All Entries in NYF’s 2024 Radio Awards will be judged by the NYF Grand Jury of 200+ producers, directors, writers, and other creative media professionals from around the globe. See all the categories in this year’s contest here.

Industry News

77WABC Pays Tribute to Bernard McGuirk

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During an extended edition of the “Sid & Friends in the Morning Show,” 77WABC, New York honored the memory of morning personality Bernard McGuirk, who passed away on this day last year from prostate cancer. He and Sid Rosenberg had hosted the show since April of 2018. McGuirk served for years as the executive producer and cast member of the “Imus in the Morning” show. On today’s show, Sid Rosenberg was joined by several of McGuirk’s colleagues, including Warner Wolf and Connell McShane, both of whom did news on the Imus Show, and Carley Shimkus, who was a contributor. Rosenberg says, “I am so grateful to have known and worked with Bernie. Bernie was a phenomenal radio host and an even better person. That’s what I miss most every day.” Chad Lopez, president of 77WABC and Red Apple Media, says, “In Bernie’s memory we are raising awareness of the importance of prostate cancer screening. 77WABC hopes to save lives through Bernie’s legacy.”

Industry News

WGOW Promotion to Benefit Local High School

Cumulus Media news/talk WGOW-FM, Chattanooga is working with Coca-Cola, the Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics, and Warren & Griffin, to award $3,000 to a local Chattanooga-area high school’s athletic program. The promotion celebrates the 30th anniversary season of the Coca-Cola Redim Zone – a scoreboard of regional high school sports contests. The promotion is being led by the station’s “SportsTalk” program hosted by Scott “Quake” McMahen and Joe “Cowboy” Varner. McMahen states, “We want to hear great stories from local schools celebrating how athletics is a positive part of education and invite all area high schools to submit their most inspiring stories.” The award presentation will be made on-air on “Talk 102.3 FM” during the remote broadcast of the BlueCross Bowl Tennessee High School Football Championships on December 1-3.

Industry News

AWM Announces Gracies Leadership Awards Honorees

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) announces the distinguished recipients of the 2023 Gracies Leadership Awards, celebrating the remarkable achievements and groundbreaking contributions of women in leadership. The awards luncheon will take place at Tribeca 360° in New York on Monday,im November 13. This year’s honorees include: Rebekah Dopp, EVP of distribution, acquisitions and affiliate relations, The CW; Rosalyn Durant, EVP, programming and acquisitions, ESPN; Suzanne Grimes, president Westwood One and EVP corporate marketing, Cumulus Media; Rashida Jones, president, MSNBC; Susan Larkin, COO, Audacy; and Lori Locke, EVP and chief accounting officer,Warner Bros. Discovery. Additionally, AWM will recognize Kay Olin, owner and president of Olin and Associates, and former president of Local Focus, with the Legacy Leadership Award.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Podcast Network announce the “Big Money Players Circle” in which Ferrell has hand selected the freshest and funniest social sensations to join the network and be showcased across iHeartMedia’s multi-platform ecosystem. The Big Money Players Circle will be announced during the first-ever “The Big Money Players Comedy Hour Presented by Straight Talk Wireless,” which will broadcast across iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide tonight (10/5) at 7:00 pm local time.

Stingray Radio’s “Sports 1440 Edmonton” adds several FOX Sports Radio programs to its weekday and weekend lineup. The station is now airing “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe with LaVar Arrington, Brady Quinn & Jonas Knox,” “The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon,” and “The Ben Maller Show.” It is also featuring FOX Sports Radio around the clock on weekends.

SiriusXM and New England College announce that GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will take part in a town hall event with Patriot channel host David Webb. The program is being recorded at the school near Concord, New Hampshire tomorrow (10/6) and will premiere on Monday (10/9) 9:00 am ET with replays throughout the week.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (10/4) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The House Speaker vacancy after Kevin McCarthy ouster; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the U.S. migrant crisis and President Joe Biden’s move to continue building a wall in South Texas; the 2024 presidential race; the Kaiser Permanente and UAW strikes; the Biden administration’s efforts to aid Ukraine against Russia; the state of the U.S. economy and recent financial markets activities; and the $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot for Saturday’s drawing were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

WGOW-FM, Chattanooga Make Morning Programming Changes

Cumulus Media news/talk outlet WGOW-FM, Chattanooga unveils its new morning lineup that includes new morning drive show “Jed and JR Mornings,” hosted by Jed Mescon and Jim “JR” Reynolds that airs from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Joining the morning drive show is Brad Giese as producer and contributorim along with Captain Max with Right Now Traffic, Greg Schaeffer with weather, and Louis Lee as news contributor. From 9:00 am to 10:00 am is “The Brad Giese Show” with Max O’Brien as producer and contributor. From 10:00 am to 12:00 noon is the new “Brian Joyce Unfiltered” program with Jim Stevens as producer. Cumulus Chattanooga operations manager Scott Chase comments, “Jed and JR are among the most recognizable and trusted talents in the market. The combination of their energy, enthusiasm and positivity is perfectly suited for morning drive. Brian Joyce has a lot to say, and this new time slot gives him the opportunity to dig into the issues that the community is talking about.”

Industry News

Round One of September PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings date from Nielsen Audio’s September PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media‘s WABC-AM rises three-tenths to a 3.4 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but falls back one spot to the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR sheds two-tenths for a 1.2 share finish but rises to the #19 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia news/talk KFI is flat with a 4.8 share but regresses one spot to the #4 rank, while Audacy’s all-news KNX-FM jumps eight-tenths for a 3.7 share finish good for the #8 rank in the market. And in Chicago, Nexstar Media Group news/talk WGN-AM adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.4 share that lifts it to the #8 rank, while Audacy all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM rises three-tenths for a 4.9 share finish good for the #3 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.