Industry News

WOWO, Fort Wayne Adds Full-Market Simulcast on 92.3 FM

Fort Wayne, Indiana news/talk WOWO is adding another FM signal to is broadcasts. Federated Media drops the classic hits format on WFWI-FM at 92.3 and adds its full-market signal to WOWO’s broadcasts. WOWO continues to be heard on 1190 AM, translator W298BJ at 107.5 FM as well as WMEE-HD2 at 97.3. WOWOim previously was simulcast on 92.3 from March of 2012 through January of 2016 before the classic hits format “Big 92.3” was launched. Federated Media VP/GM Ben Saurer says, “In our most recent WOWO survey to our listeners, the desire for a stronger signal was the most mentioned adjustment suggested. We believe the addition of 92.3 FM will meet our listeners’ request while complimenting the legendary 1190 AM signal.”

Industry News

WRKO, Boston Adds “The Gambler with Adam Kaufman” to Lineup

iHeartMedia news/talk outlet WRKO, Boston adds the local sports betting program “The Gambler with Adam Kaufman” in the 10:00 pm to 12:00 midnight – Monday through Thursday – slot beginning this evening (5/1). Adam Kaufman – sports director at iHeartMedia Boston – hosts the show with contributions from Dan Watkinsim and Brian Antonelli. iHeartMedia Boston director of operations, news, talk and sports Bill Flaherty says, “Everyone I talk to is now betting on sports. With the interest at a fever pitch, I can’t think of a better time to launch this show.” Kaufman adds, “There’s no greater platform than live sports talk radio and, since January, there’s no greater obsession in and around Massachusetts than sports betting. I’ve been fortunate to spend many years of my career working in both areas and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them intersect now. Boston is ready for a nightly gambling show. I’m honored to host it and can’t wait to sweat bets with listeners, industry experts, and our incredible team starting May 1.”

Industry News

WQAM’s Marc Hochman Emcees South Florida Cancer Fundraiser

im

Pictured above is WQAM, Miami afternoon drive sports talk host Marc Hochman emceeing the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) Purple Stride event in South Florida over the weekend. PANCAN held 60 such events across the country to raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research. Hochman, whose father passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2009, hosted his eighth consecutive Purple Stride event in South Florida. This year’s Broward-Palm Beach Purple Stride Event, held in Boca Raton, Florida, raised over $300,000.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The 2023 Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 29 with tickets going on sale on June 1. This year, in the Legacy category, longtime WWTN-FM, Nashville personality Phil Valentine will be inducted posthumously, alongside E.G. Blackman (WLAC-AM, Nashville), Dick Ellis (WETS, Johnson City), and Sam Phillips (WREC, Memphis; WHER, Memphis).

Audacy’s all-news KYW, Philadelphia is hosting “Breakfast with the Candidates,” a 90-minute special program featuring five of the Democratic candidates for the city’s mayor, on May 4 at 8:00 am. Moderated by KYW Newsradio morning drive anchor Ian Bush, the event will also feature KYW Newsradio community impact reporter Racquel Williams, City Hall bureau chief Pat Loeb, and education reporter Mike DeNardo in asking the candidates questions about gun violence, schools, housing, leadership and more. KYW news director Kevin McCorry says, “The city is at a crossroads and with only days to go before the primary, no clear frontrunner has emerged. Philadelphians mulling their choice have one final broadcast forum to listen to as the candidates try to separate themselves from the pack, and we’re proud to offer the city this vital resource.”

Industry News

Katz Serves as Celebrity Judge for CIV Competition

im

Pictured above is “Chef” Jeff Katz (right) – afternoon drive host at WRVA, Richmond – with the team of winning chefs from the Culinary Institute of Virginia’s recent competition. The winning team created a unique dessert based on the theme of “Take me out to the ballgame” involving churros, whipped cream, semi-sweet chocolate and strawberry preserves. Katz says, “Their combo was a homerun!”

Industry News

St. Louis Cardinals Player and Broadcaster Mike Shannon Dies at 83

Former St. Louis Cardinals player and longtime Cardinals broadcaster Thomas Michael “Mike” Shannon has died at the age of 83. Shannon was a member of three Cardinals World Series teams in 1964, 1967 and 1968. He also spent some 50 years as a member of the team’s radio broadcasts. He was recognized in recent years by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a finalist for the prestigious Ford C. Frick broadcasting award and he was enshrined in the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend

The illegal immigrant accused of killing five neighbors in Texas remains at large, plus deadly weekend shootings in Philadelphia and Mississippi; the 2024 presidential race, including Ron DeSantis’ trip to Britain; President Joe Biden’s appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner; regulators seize First Republic bank and sell it to JPMorgan Chase; the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war heats up in Crimea; the worsening situation in war-torn Sudan as a humanitarian crisis looms; and tornadoes cause damage in Virginia Beach and South Florida were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

TALKERS 2023 to Present Comprehensive Discussion about Sports Talk Radio

Eclipsed only by news/talk, radio stations and networks devoted exclusively to the discussion of sports comprise the largest and fastest-growing segment of spoken-word commercial broadcasting. TALKERS 2023, set for June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island, will explore some of sports talk radio’s key issues including the influence of legalized betting on its programming and revenue; the evolving demographic nature of its target audience; the balance of local and national elements in its mix; and what it takes to successfully host, program and market the format. Its speakers will include: introducer John Fredericks, owner/host of the John Fredericks Media Network; moderator John T. Mullen, general manager of WRHU-FM, Hofstra; and panelists (in alphabetical order) Grace Blazer, VP, national NTS brand coordinator, director of news and AM programming Florida region, iHeartMediaMark Chernoff, sports reporter, WWZY-FM, Long Branch, NJ “107.1 The Boss”/sports radio talent coach; and Spike Eskin, VP, programming, WFAN, New York and CBS Sports Radio.  There will be more than 60 distinguished industry speakers at TALKERS 2023, the 26th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important annual gathering.  See more about the agenda, registration, sponsorship and hotel information here.

Industry News

Jerry Springer Dies at 79

Jerry Springer, the controversial television and radio host whose eponymous TV program ran for 27 years starting in 1991, died on Thursday (4/27) at age 79 after a battle with cancer. Springer’s TV show was savaged by critics for its exploitation of the seamy side of American culture, but it was a ratings sensation in the daytime television battles. Springer’s personal background was interesting. A child of holocaust survivors who was bornim in London, Springer got a law degree from Northwestern University, served on the Cincinnati City Council before exiting in a prostitution scandal, returned to the Council a year later and eventually served as mayor of Cincinnati. He ran unsuccessfully for governor of Ohio as a Democrat. He moved into television news and won regional Emmy Awards before debuting his own soon-to-be-a-hit TV show that began as an issues-oriented program. Springer was part of the Air America liberal talk radio experiment during the early 2000s in which he hosted the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon ET show. In 2005, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian (who then was special features editor for Inside Radio) interviewed Springer. Read his interview here. Also, author, professor, and former radio producer Bernadette Duncan included Springer in a chapter of her book, Yappy Days: Behind the Scenes with Newsers, Schmoozers, Boozers and Losers (Talkers Books, 2016). Read that excerpt here.

Industry News

NASBA: AM Radio Vital Link for Millions

The National Association of State Broadcasters Associations reports the findings of a survey conducted during April that concludes that listeners of more than 4,000 U.S. radio stations “risk losing access to breaking news, weather alerts, farm reports, favorite music, and informative talk programs” as automakers consider removing AM radios from car dashboards. It goes on to say, “Even with ‘AM modernization’ efforts that have added FM translators for many AM stations, many stations do not have an FM counterpart and do not stream their community-focused signals over Internet connections.” NASBA president Dewey Bruce says, “Theim findings show what we expected – AM radio across America is a diverse mix of music and talk and a vital link for millions of listeners. The goal of our station survey was three-fold. First, we wanted to confirm AM radio’s diverse landscape of formats, languages, and ownership. Second, we wanted to quantify AM radio’s crucial part in the nation’s Emergency Alert System. And third, we wanted feedback that will guide our state association response going forward.” The NASBA survey also found that “more than half of AM stations do not currently have a standalone mobile app and 40% are not currently found on radio aggregators. For many AM operators working diligently to keep their over-the-air signal on the air, providing the local news, music, entertainment, and emergency information that their communities rely upon, the expense of streaming their station and paying additional royalties is simply not realistic. The most telling survey result is that 8 in 10 respondents listed their level of concern a 10 out of 10 when it comes to AM being eliminated in the car.”

Industry News

KRMG, Tulsa Doubles Down on Afternoon News Show

Cox Media Group’s news/talk KRMG-FM, Tulsa announces that it “will continue its dominance of local news coverage” by expanding the “KRMG Evening News with Skyler Cooper” to the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm hours and rebrands the “The KRMG Afternoon News with Skyler Cooper.” CMG says, “Cooper is an 11-year KRMG veteran and took the role of host in 2021. In that time, he has become an informative and entertaining voice toim be trusted, picking up the 2022 Personality of the Year Award from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters earlier this month.” Station director of branding and programming Levi May comments, “Skyler is a Tulsa native and understands the landscape of our community and offers a unique perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. KRMG is dedicated to covering our community and this move shows our listeners that we follow through with our ongoing commitment to be their go-to for all things local.” Cooper adds, “I’m thrilled to expand our local news programming in the afternoons. Our listeners told us they wanted a change and we listened. We’ll keep the same news, weather, traffic, and talk that our listeners already enjoy, we’ll just be starting earlier!”

Industry News

WDBO, Orlando Expands Joe Kelley Show

Cox Media Group’s news/talk WDBO-AM/W297BB, Orlando announces the expansion of “The Joe Kelley Show” to the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm hours, effective May 1. Station director of branding and programming Keith Memoly says, “As we embrace Joe Kelley and celebrate the expansion of his local radio show, we alsoim embrace the positive impact it will have on our community. With more time to share his insightful perspective and engaging personality, Joe will continue to uplift, connect, and strengthen the bonds that make our community thrive.” Kelley comments, “I’m really excited about the opportunity given to me by WDBO to help lead on-air discussions about such vital issues during such unstable times. Instead of talking points, I’ll just bring my natural curiosity about issues and life. Instead of screaming and yelling, I’ll engage our great listeners in compelling discussion about the day’s events. Instead of calling people names, I’ll welcome all opinions and ideas equally. Most importantly, I want ‘The Joe Kelley Show’ to be fun, interesting and easy-to-listen-to.”

Industry News

Sports Talk WCMC-FM, Raleigh Cancels “The OG with Ovies & Giglio”

Capitol Broadcasting abruptly drops “The OG with Ovies & Giglio” – starring Joe Ovies and Joe Giglio – from the program schedule on sports talk WCMC-FM, Raleigh “99.9 FM The Fan.” According to the News & Observer, Ovies tweeted after Wednesday’s program, “Today was the last edition of ‘The OG’ and the end ofim 13.5 years at The Fan. @giglio_OG and I did some really great stuff in just over 3 years of the show. Thanks for making us part of your routines.” The story quotes Capitol Broadcasting general manager Brian Grube saying a replacement show will have a single host format. The station added, “We’ve decided to move in a new direction in afternoons on ‘99.9 The Fan’ that focuses on the best way to deliver fast-moving, informative, engaging local sports content that leverages the full scope of CBC’s powerful radio, TV and digital platforms…. We’re truly grateful for Joe Ovies’ and Joe Giglio’s many contributions and wish them both the best moving forward.” Read the N&O story here.

Industry News

Levack and Goz Show Returns to Albany Airwaves

The Daily Gazette reports that Albany sports talkers Jeff Levack and Tom “Goz” Goslowski are returning to the market’s airwaves after a two-year absence, this time on iHeartMedia’s sports talk WOFX-AM/W240EC “FOX Sports Radio 95.9/980” in the 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm daypart beginning May 1. Levack and Goslowskiim previously hosted together on Townsquare Media’s crosstown sports talk WTMM-FM. Goslowski tells the Daily Gazette, “We are happy to give Capital Region sports fans an outlet to talk sports, to talk local [sports], to talk New York [sports], to talk national [sports]. Levack and I have worked together a bunch. It’s an awesome opportunity here at ‘FOX Sports Radio 95.9/980.’ We’re so excited to get back. We’ve been looking forward to this. We’re happy to talk sports again with people here locally.” Read the Daily Gazette story here.

Industry News

Kansas Law Allows Streaming of High School Post-Season Athletics

The Kansas legislature passes a bill allowing local broadcasters to video stream all post‐season high school events in the state, regardless of exclusive agreements entered into by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. The legislation came about as a result of frustrated broadcasters who were being banned from video streaming the most important games of the year. Unlike regular season, where high schools retain the rights to their activities, KSHSAA owns the rights to all post‐season games and state championships.im For the last several years, KSHSAA has opted into agreements with third parties that prevented local broadcasters from video-streaming games when the exclusive partner opted to do so. Kansas Association of Broadcasters president Allison Mazzei states, “I’m pleased that now, in post‐season, friends and families of student athletes will have access to free, quality coverage from the same broadcasters who cover their teams all season long. Local high school sports should be covered by local broadcasters. Our broadcasters depend on the revenue generated from high school sports coverage to stay on air and provide local news, weather, entertainment, and emergency alerts that communities depend on.” The KAB also notes students interested in pursuing careers in radio broadcast will also benefit from the legislation. Previously, if a local station was prohibited from video streaming a post‐season game, so were their student workers. Now, students will be able to cover all of their school’s activities regardless if it takes place in post season.

Industry News

Talk Host and Judge Lisa Wexler Honored with Law Award

Connecticut probate judge Lisa Wexler – who also hosts the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon talk show on Connoisseur Media’s WICC-AM, Bridgeport – is being honored with the 2023 Liberty Bell Award from theim Greater Bridgeport Bar Association. Wexler will receive the award at the GBBA’s annual Law Day event on May 1. The Liberty Bell Award is given to an individual who “is really good at providing services to our community, for betterment of our community, and has demonstrated over time a desire to serve our community vis a vis rule of law.” Wexler comments, “I’m very grateful to receive this distinguished award. I try every day to promote respect for the rule of law and encourage civic engagement. It’s the cornerstone of my mission as a talk radio host and a primary value I bring to my role as probate judge.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The Seattle Seahawks announced today a multi-year extension with Bonneville Seattle Media Group to continue with “Seattle Sports 710 AM” and “KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM” as the official flagship radio broadcast partners of the Seahawks. Bonneville Seattle SVP and market manager Cathy Cangiano says, “For nearly 50 years, the Seahawks and KIRO have shared a unique partnership and today we are honored and excited to once again extend our commitment to broadcast the Seahawks throughout the Pacific Northwest. Working together for so many years makes collaboration and innovation a natural part of what we do together. That spirit is present in the broadcast booth, in our respective front offices and especially in our community, where we seek to entertain and serve the 12s. Once again, we look forward to broadcasting the excitement of Seahawks football.”

Kaleidoscope and iHeartPodcasts, in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), announces the launch of a new eight-part series, “Silenced,” that re-examines the murders of radio broadcasters in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood in the early 1990s. The murders were never solved, leaving a wound in Little Haiti that is still open to this day. iHeartPodcasts president Will Pearson says, “We are proud to collaborate with Kaleidoscope on their impressive slate of scripted podcasts. Listeners everywhere have been drawn to these real-life stories of wild chocolate hunters, unsuspected astrologists and Russian cosmonauts, and we know ‘Silenced’ will do the same – hopefully leading to some answers as to who was behind these unsolved murders.”

Edison Research will present its annual “Moms and Media” study from The Research Moms in a webinar on Thursday, May 11 at 2:00 pm ET. Edison VP (and Research Mom) Melissa DeCesare will present the latest findings as well as emerging trends from the last few years. In addition to data from The Infinite Dial study from Edison Research, and sponsored by Amazon Music, Wondery, and ART19, this year’s research also incorporates results from a new, national online study.

NASCAR and SiriusXM announce a multi-year renewal of their broadcasting agreement. SiriusXM will continue to deliver 24/7 NASCAR content to its subscribers, including live broadcasts of every race, plus daily NASCAR talk and interviews with voices across the industry through its exclusive SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 24-28

FOX News Channel’s firing of Tucker Carlson was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s spending cuts in exchange for expanding the U.S. debt ceiling deal, followed by the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump at #3. The Talkers TenTMis 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 this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy to Speak at TALKERS 2023

One of the talk media industry’s most impactful movers and shakers, Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media is scheduled to speak at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island. Ruddy will engage in one of the conference’s two “fireside chats” hosted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison. According to Harrison, “There isn’t a day that Chris Ruddy isn’t in or behind the media news. The growth of Newsmax on the television, radio, print and digital fronts has been nothing short of phenomenal. He is extraordinarily connected and his influence on this business as well as the national conversation is on a non-stop upward trajectory. Ruddy’s instincts and savvy about positioning, programming and navigating the infrastructure of modern media are as sharp as it gets. I’m delighted to have him as a guest in this setting and at this time. (Harrison will also conduct a fireside chat with another leading industry maverick, Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media). There will be more than 60 distinguished industry speakers at TALKERS 2023, the 26th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important annual gathering.  See more about the agenda, registration, sponsorship and hotel information here.

Industry News

Cumulus Media Q1 Net Revenue Down 11%

Cumulus Media’s net revenue for the first quarter of 2023 was $205.6 million, a decline of 11% over the same period in 2022. The company’s net loss ballooned to $21.4 million from the net loss of $905,000 it reported in Q1 of 2022. Breaking down Cumulus’ revenue by segment, total broadcast revenue was $148 million – down 12.5% year-over-year – led by network revenue (-22.9%), and followed by spot revenue (down 6%). Digital revenue was $32 million, up just 0.6% over the first quarter of 2022. Cumulus Media president and CEO Mary G. Berner comments, “Extending our track record of strong operational and financial execution duringim challenging times, in the first quarter, we grew our digital marketing services revenue by more than 23%, completed the sale of WFAS-FM, continued to repurchase shares and retire debt at a discount, and have now executed $10 million of additional annualized cost reductions. That said, the impact of the considerable macro-driven weakness in the national advertising market, as well as the unfavorable prior year political and WynnBET comparisons, ultimately resulted in total revenue and Adjusted EBITDA declines. Though the difficult national market trends persist, we have confidence in our ability to successfully navigate adverse environments such as this one. Specifically, since 2019 through the COVID-impacted years, we have had best-in-class performance in terms of fixed cost reduction, Adjusted EBITDA margin recovery, Adjusted EBITDA to free cash flow conversion and net debt reduction. With our current liquidity profile and solid balance sheet, we believe that we are not only well-positioned to weather the current storm but will rebound strongly when the market eventually recovers.”

Industry News

Kim Klacik to Host Late Mornings at WCBM, Baltimore

M-10 Communications announces that conservative media personality and former Republican congressional candidate Kim Klacik will host the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon show on WCBM-AM, Baltimore, effective May 1. Klacik assumes the daypart from Derek Hunter, who exits the station. WCBM program director Sean Casey states, “Kim Klacik is a rising star in conservative politics, and we are thrilled to have her join our team atim WCBM. Her energy, passion, and commitment to Baltimore are second to none and we know that our listeners will appreciate her insights on the issues that matter most to them. Klacik says, I am excited to join the team at WCBM and have the opportunity to engage with listeners in the Baltimore area. I believe that conservative principles and policies are the key to unlocking the potential of this great city, and I look forward to sharing my ideas and insights with the WCBM audience.” Regarding the decision to replace Derek Hunter, the station says the decision was not made lightly. “It was a result of WCBM’s ongoing efforts to better serve its listeners by offering more diverse programming options. While Derek Hunter has a loyal following, the station decided to go in a different direction to attract a broader audience.”

Industry News

Report: National Sports Talk Radio on “Life Support”

A column in Awful Announcing by former WEEI, Boston staffer Alex Reimer suggests that this week’s evisceration of ESPN Radio management (ESPN Audio VP Scott McCarthy; WEPN-FM, New York PD Ryan Hurley; KSPN, Los Angeles PD Amanda Brown; and others were fired, as per Barrett Sports Media) is a signim that national sports talk radio networks are “in a losing race against time.” Reimer says that long ago, sports fans were starved for sports talk and would tune in to national programming like ESPN’s. But now, he says, “The whole idea of national sports radio is anathema to the concept of destination programming. The content is supposed to be boilerplate, because hosts are expected to placate listeners across the country.” Fans who want to hear national sports hosts like Dan LeBatard or Bill Simmons can simply download their popular podcasts. Read his column here.

Industry News

Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Visit “92.5 FOX News” in Fort Myers

im

Earlier this week, Premiere Networks’ nationally syndicated “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” visited affiliate WFSX-FM, Fort Myers “92.5 FOX News,” fulfilling their promise to return to the Fort Myers/Naples area that was devasted by Hurricane Ida. The duo broadcast live from the Sun Broadcasting-owned station on Monday and Tuesday (4/25-26) and hosted a meet-and-greet with clients and hundreds of listeners. Pictured above (from l-r) are: Travis, WFSX-FM morning host Drew Steele, and Sexton.

Industry News

News Anchor Marcy Williams to Retire from 95.5 WSB

Longtime WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta news anchor Marcy Williams is retiring from the Cox Media Group station after a 31-year career there. Williams began her WSB Radio career as an overnight anchor, and quickly rose through the ranks to become the anchor of the “Atlanta’s Morning News” program. She says, “I’ve spentim 30 years as the first female co-anchor of ‘Atlanta’s Morning News.’ With a little back-of-the-envelope math, I calculate I’ve written more than 300,000 stories over those three decades. Now it’s time for me to write a new chapter.” Station news director Amanda Moyer comments, “Marcy has been a leader and an example in our newsroom for more than three decades. Her recent Gracie award win is the perfect cap to her long tenure at WSB as the first, and to this day, the only female lead news anchor on ‘Atlanta’s Morning News.’ She will be deeply missed, but our loss is her granddaughter’s gain.”

Industry News

Benztown Publishes 9th Annual List of Top Voiceover Pros in US and Canada

Benztown publishes its 9th annual “Benztown 50 List of Radio’s Biggest Imaging Voices” – the radio industry’s exclusive listing of the top 50 voiceover artists in the U.S. and Canada. Benztown enlisted P1 Media Group to compile and analyze industry data using its proprietary algorithm, and is based on several criteria, includingim number of radio station affiliates, station size and market that was the foundation for the list. A special highlight of this year’s Benztown 50 is the presentation of the voiceover industry’s highest honor, the Chris Corley Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented to legendary voiceover talent, Earl Mann. A prolific voiceover artist from Canada, Mann started his career as a singer for the 1960s American folk band, the Gaslight Singers. He was an all-night disc jockey on radio stations CKEY and CHFI in Toronto in the 1960s and1970s. Sports fans will recognize Mann as the “voice of the NFL” through his work for NFL Films, as well as the voice of several college football programs and numerous NFL teams.

Industry News

Triton Digital Releases March Streaming Rankers

Triton Digital releases its rankers of the top streaming publishers for March 2023 (Mon-Sun 6AM-12MID), based on Average Active Sessions. iHeartRadio remains in the #1 spot with 310,462 Average Active Sessions,im followed by NPR Member Stations at #2 (76,679 AAS) and Audacy at #3 (57,595). Cumulus Streaming Network was #4 (42,504 AAS). Beasley Broadcasting Corporate ranked #6 (19,635 AAS), Hubbard Broadcasting was #8 (15,635 AAS), and Salem Communications ranked #11 (8,738 AAS). See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia and P&G are again joining forces during Pride Month for the return of “Can’t Cancel Pride 2023 – The Future Starts Now,” an evening recognizing the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating organizations creating a more inclusive and equal world. The special event will feature performances from some of today’s hottest artists and appearances from influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community June 15 at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles and remote locations across the country.

Award-winning public media journalist Tonya Mosley is been named co-host of “Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” the interview program produced by WHYY, Philadelphia and distributed by NPR. Terry Gross continues as executive producer and host. Mosley is a correspondent and former host of “Here & Now,” the midday radio show from NPR and WBUR, Boston, and the creator and host of the podcast “Truth Be Told.” She has been a regular contributing interviewer for Fresh Air since 2021.

Today, WNYC and Gothamist announced the new, thrice-daily podcast “NYC NOW.” The programs will present breaking news, top headlines, and in-depth coverage in three audio updates throughout the day. Each episode features WNYC and Gothamist reporters, editors, producers and hosts around New York City and across the region. “NYC NOW” is updated throughout the day in three, three-to-10 minute segments – morning headlines: WNYC newscasts available on-demand and on the go, midday news: expanded coverage of developing news stories, and evening roundup: a full collection of the day’s local news.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/26) Top News/Talk Media Stories

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s strategy to tie $4 trillion in spending cuts to raising the debt ceiling; the sexual assault civil suit by E. Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump; Disney sues Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to prevent the governor’s oversight board from exercising power over the special taxing district; the aftermath of Tucker Carlson’s exit from FOX News Channel; the case of accused classified documents leaker Jack Teixeira; China’s Xi Jinping speaks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since Russia’s invasion; the potential collapse of First Republic bank and its effect on the financial markets; and this weekend’s NFL Draft were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Job Opportunity

WTN-FM, Nashville Seeks Talk Host

“SuperTalk 99.7 WTN” in Nashville has an amazing opportunity for the right person. The station is looking for someone who knows and understands PPM strategies or is willing to learn and execute these tactics to win. WTN is one of America’s best live and local talk stations in one of our nation’s best cities. You need to be relevant and able to talk about local and national issues, weave through interviews and audio seamlessly and handle segments and hours with or without phone calls. This isn’t a job for a beginner, but a seasoned professional who knows how to entertain and inform! Find out more and apply here.

Job Opportunity

Columbus’ “The Fan” Seeks Station Manager

TEGNA’s sports talk WBNS-FM, Columbus, Ohio “97.1 The Fan” is seeking a “strategic, creative, dynamic, experienced broadcasting sales manager/director of sales/general manager to become our next great station manager. ‘97.1 The Fan’ is the flagship station for all Ohio State Athletics as well as NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and the MLS Columbus Crew. ‘The Fan’ is also the Columbus home for Cleveland Browns football. Our legacy properties boast one of the top-rated ESPN affiliates in the United States as well as a statewide network of over 80 stations and a digital platform of full-service digital solutions. This position reports to the president and general manager of WBNS-TV.” Find out more and apply here.

Industry News

“Talk Radio and Podcasting” Panel Set for TALKERS 2023

One of the many informative highlights of the forthcoming TALKERS 2023 conference will be a special panel discussion focusing specifically on the medium of podcasting as it applies to and relates to professional talk radio broadcasters. According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “So much of the discussion of podcasting we see at media events around the country approach the subject from a very broad-strokes perspective and water down their focus to the thousands of amateurs in the game and micro-niches utilized for obscure interests. The effective utilization of podcasting from the perspective of talk radio professionals – as a tool to increase revenue, expand branding, offer on-demand distribution, produce ancillary products and extend independent careers – is a specific realm of focus. That’s what this panel will explore.” The session will include an introduction by Guy Benson, host, FOX News Radio; moderation by Lisa Wexler, host, WICC, Bridgeport, CT; and panelists Steve Goldstein, CEO, Amplifi MediaRon Hartenbaum, managing member, WYD MediaChris Oliviero, market president, Audacy New York; David Pakman, host, The David Pakman Show; and Larry Young, host, The Larry Young Podcast. Casey adds, “Each of these distinguished broadcasters brings a formidable level of expertise and field experience to the subject of podcasting’s role within the talk radio universe.” There will be more than 60 distinguished industry speakers at TALKERS 2023, the 26th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important annual gathering.  For more agenda, registration, sponsorship and hotel information, see story below or click here.

Industry News

TALKERS 2023 Agenda Update

The agenda for TALKERS 2023 is now posted subject to daily updates. Please check it regularly. The 26th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important conference will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023 on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio. TALKERS 2023 will boldly address key issues – some existential – facing the talk radio and talk media industries at this dramatically critical juncture of rapidly accelerating technological and societal change, as well as identifying the remarkable opportunities inherent in these developments. It will also provide participants with unique and powerful networking opportunities. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $379. Attendance is only open to the working media and associated industries as well as students attending accredited learning institutions. Due to space limitations and the commitment to maintaining an intimate environment, the conference is again expected to be an early sellout. Don’t be shut out!  See convention agenda, registration and hotel information here.