TALKERS News Notes
— Saga Communications, Inc. will release its fourth quarter and year end 2022 financial results at 9:00 am ET on Thursday, March 9. The company will also hold a conference call on the same day at 11:00 am ET.
— SiriusXM renews the weekly program “Let’s Go!” that stars Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray. It will air each week on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio and SiriusXM NFL Radio channels. Following those airings, the full-length podcast versions of Gray’s extended conversations with Brady and Fitzgerald will be available in the SXM App.
— Audacy’s Cadence13 and Parallel are producing a 15-part podcast series “This Little Light,” created and hosted by Red Hot Chili Peppers founding member Flea. The series is about falling in love with music, music education, and finding beauty in the chaos of the creative process. Flea, co-founder of the nonprofit Silverlake Conservatory of Music, invites musical guests from all genres to talk about how they fell in love with music, including the teachers that guided them, the influences that inspired them, and how the lessons they learned as young musicians have shaped their creativity, resilience, and careers. Guests range from legends to rising stars, and include Rick Rubin, Patti Smith, Thundercat, Margo Price and Cynthia Erivo.
— iHeartMedia and the NBA announce the new podcast, “Maxey On The Mic,” hosted by Philadelphia 76ers guard and 23-year-old Texas native Tyrese Maxey. Maxey says, “I’m thrilled to tip off my new podcast and can’t wait to tap in with my lineup of amazing guests. I’ve always wanted to do something like this and I’m grateful to the NBA and iHeartMedia for giving me this amazing platform.”
advertising, she co-founded and co-owned Daynet Radio Broadcasting in the early 1990s with the late Barry Farber and Alan Colmes. Daynet was one of the early independent networks established in the modern era of talk radio that had a significant influence on the business models of many syndication firms that followed it. Its initial talent roster included Farber, Colmes, Dr. Joy Browne and several other high-profile figures. Greenwald was also a theater producer on and off-Broadway, and owned theaters in New York and London. She was a member of the Lotos Club, Harmonie Club and the Friar’s Club, where she co-founded the “Gift of Laughter” philanthropy for wounded warriors. She was predeceased by her former husband James L. Greenwald, chairman emeritus of Katz Media Group. A memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ASPCA.
Radio is good at contests. TV and print suck at contests. However, when listeners are asked why they tune to radio, contests are at the bottom of the list.
full year of 2021. For the full year of 2022, Cumulus’ broadcast radio revenue was basically flat (-0.1%) at $709.6 million and its digital revenue was $142.3 million, an increase of 12.2%. Breaking down the broadcast radio segment, spot revenue was $479.8 million – up 4.9% over 2021 – but network revenue was off 9% for the year at $229.7 million. Cumulus president and CEO Mary G. Berner says, “Despite considerable economic turbulence, we delivered fourth quarter financial performance in the upper half of our guidance range, continuing a multi-year period of significant accomplishments. Operating through a series of difficult macroeconomic environments, including the pandemic, we successfully executed a strategic plan under which we developed and drove new areas of growth, right sized the balance sheet, improved the company’s operating leverage and returned capital to shareholders. As a result, we have delivered consistent revenue growth, built several digital businesses to a $150+ million revenue run-rate, reduced our net leverage to its lowest level in more than a decade, and boosted our liquidity to give ourselves optionality regarding capital allocation.” Looking ahead to 2023, we continue to face substantial economic headwinds. However, our battle-tested skill in performing during challenging times, as well as our very strong financial position, gives us substantial confidence in our ability to not only weather this depressed ad environment but take full advantage of opportunities that may arise over the coming quarters.”
The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s January 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 January 2023 sweep covered January 5 – February 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM adds four-tenths for a 3.8 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s crosstown all news WTOP-FM is up eight-tenths for a 8.6 share finish that lifts it to the #2 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO rises nine-tenths to wrap the survey with a 3.7 share that boosts it to the #11 spot as sister all-news WBZ-AM jumps half a share to finish with a 5.3 share good for the #5 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM tacks on six-tenths to finish with a 6.1 share and jumps to the #2 rank, while Lotus Communications’ crosstown all-news combo KNWN-AM/FM is flat at 5.5, and repeats in the #3 rank. 
Miracle Mile. Mike Simpson, host of “LA’s Morning News” on KNX, and Charles Feldman, host of “KNX In Depth” and “LA’s Afternoon News” served as moderators. Audacy Southern California regional president Jeff Federman says, “There is no issue of more universal importance to our communities. It was important that we use our platform at KNX News to ensure parents and teens know they’re not alone in adjusting to a new reality.” Panelists included students Montserrat Hidalgo, Sarah Mian, and Alex Bielanski who discussed their first-hand experiences of how the pandemic shutdowns affected their education, social development, and mental health. Other panelists were Long Beach Unified School District superintendent Jill Baker, UCLA director of undergraduate admissions Gary Clark, Los Angeles Trade Tech College dean Chito Cajayon, and Stanford University professor Sean Reardon. 
eliminating filled positions, we are talking about our colleagues – people whose skills, spirit and talents help make NPR what it is today. This will be a major loss.” The story goes on to state, “On an annual budget of roughly $300 million, Lansing says, revenues are likely to fall short by close to $30 million, although that gap could reach $32 million.” Folkenflik notes, “The layoffs are in keeping with an increasingly grim landscape for media companies over recent months. Vox Media cut jobs by 7%; Gannett and Spotify by 6%. The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, eliminated its Sunday magazine and a handful of other jobs. After becoming part of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN cut hundreds of jobs and killed off its brand-new streaming service, CNN+.” 
serving a suspension for his racially insensitive comments made on last Friday’s program. As TALKERS reported on Tuesday (2/21), Massarotti – who co-hosts the show with Mike Felger – on Monday (2/20) apologized for his comments. 
Among Black monthly podcast listeners, 55% are women, but among Black weekly podcast listeners 52% are men; 2) Many Black monthly podcast listeners have begun listening to podcasts recently: 48% have been listening to podcasts less than a year; 27% have been listening less than six months; 3) 34% of Black monthly podcast listeners have stopped listening to a podcast they used to listen to regularly, but creators can address some of the reasons why: 24% of those who stopped listening said it was because the show stopped producing new episodes, 20% said they forgot about the show between seasons, 12% said the host offended them; and 4) Black weekly podcast listeners are more likely to engage with podcast advertisers than the overall U.S. weekly podcast listener: After hearing an ad on a podcast they regularly listen to, 61% of Black weekly podcast listeners (compared with 49% of U.S. weekly podcast listeners) recommended a product to a friend or family member; 68% of Black weekly podcast listeners (compared with 63% of U.S. weekly podcast listeners) gathered more information about a company or product; 52% of Black weekly podcast listeners (compared with 44% of U.S. weekly podcast listeners) purchased a product or service. 
of our programs.” The officer roles are: Annie Howell, chair, chief communications officer, Hallmark Media; Katina Arnold, incoming/vice chair, vice president, communications, ESPN; Heather Cohen, immediate past chair, EVP, The Weiss Agency; Brenda Hetrick, treasurer, president, Matrix Solutions; and Monica Bloom, treasurer-elect, VP of marketing for First Look Media. New directors serving on the board are: Cori Abraham, SVP, Entertainment Unscripted Development, Crime and Documentary Development, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming; Jayne Bussman-Wise, creator acquisition & growth, Amazon AMP; and Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO, American Urban Radio Networks. The following leaders will continue serving on the AWM Foundation Board of Directors: Tim Clarke, SVP, digital audio content, Audacy; Vicki Lins, president and CEO, CTAM; Mike McVay, president, McVay Media; Deborah Parenti, publisher, Radio Ink, RBR, and TVBR; Josie Thomas, former EVP, chief diversity and inclusion officer, CBS (Retired); and Christine Travaglini, president, Katz Radio Group.
audience is far more passionate and engaged. This distinction has a significant impact on advertising effectiveness.” Highlights of the analysis include: 1) NCAA Basketball AM/FM radio listeners are a desirable group of consumers: They are more likely to work full time and are younger than the average American; 2) The NCAA March Madness AM/FM radio audience is highly engaged with sports: MRI Simmons finds NCAA March Madness AM/FM radio listeners attend many sporting events, seek out sports information on their phones, and are likely to play fantasy sports. The high levels of engagement translate into greater advertising effectiveness; and 3) NCAA March Madness AM/FM radio listeners are likely to make purchases across key consumer categories: AM/FM radio delivers consumers who are likely to buy a new or used vehicle, switch insurance providers, move residence, and refinance their mortgage. 
recognize social impact work across the globe. A noted civil rights attorney, Martin is also president and CEO of Special Needs Network, Inc, a nonprofit organization that responds to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities. She says, “Giving birth should be safe and joyous for everyone, but Black women are more than three times likely to die from childbirth than white women. We are thrilled to have our episode on ‘Black Maternal Health’ win Silver in competition of the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards. ‘The Special Report’ production team has spent countless hours producing powerful programming that spotlights social injustice in America to encourage social and systemic change. Every day at the Special Needs Network in Los Angeles, we live the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. This award recognizes our work.”
Queens councilwoman Tiffany Caban in the next elections. Sliwa tells the Post, “We’re going into the belly of the beast of the Democratic Socialists of America in New York City. We’re going to take on AOC and Caban. This is Concord and Lexington. We’re talking to regular people in Astoria. They don’t support defunding the police and defunding the jails.” Sliwa hosts the daily “Rip ‘n’ Read with Curtis Sliwa” show that airs from 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm on Red Apple Media’s WABC-AM and WLIR-FM. 
His hall-of-fame career and love for the game are evident to anyone who has ever followed him. OutKick is and will always be the strongest proponent for smart, original, funny and authentic voices in all of sports. He’s a perfect fit for the brand and I’m thrilled to welcome him to our team.” Outkick also reports that its January 2023 digital performance, where the platform saw 311% growth year-over-year in unique visitors, marked the most growth over 2021 among its competitive set. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the platform attracted 9.1 million multi-platform average unique visitors, up 235% from the fourth quarter of the prior year, according to Comscore.
significant, positive results for our organization. We are excited for Gail to lead our automotive teams and to continue to drive growth of SiriusXM’s dominant in-car presence.” Berger comments, “SiriusXM’s strong and deep relationships with every major automaker and tens of thousands of dealers and remarketing organizations across the United States are a testament to our team’s talent and capability. I am excited to step into this leadership position and continue to grow our business and deliver the best customer experiences in the vehicle.”
Herman says, “We’re delighted to have such prestigious presenters at this year’s Golden Mike Award dinner. We’re looking forward to Rosanna and Jeff’s contributions to our program and thank them for lending us their time and talent, as broadcasters come together to honor Jack and Dick.” BFoA president Tim McCarthy adds, “The Golden Mike Award gala is one of our biggest fundraisers. We’ve seen an incredible uptick in requests for aid, and we thank everyone who has bought a table or ticket. The funds allow the Foundation to continue providing aid to hard-working individuals in our industry who have fallen on very challenging times due to illness or disaster.” For more information or to reserve a seat or table at the Golden Mike Award gala and fundraiser, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or 
advice!” The duo has worked together since 2006, including a formerly syndicated radio show and a podcast. Beasley Media Group chief content officer Justin Chase says, “As someone who grew up listening to fun and edgy night shows like ‘Loveline’ and others, I’m very excited to launch the ‘Cooper & Anthony’ show on three of our great rock brands. They will most certainly make radio a lot more interesting at night in Fort Myers, Tampa and Vegas.” Cooper states, “This is the show I got into radio to do. I’ve been waiting for the right team with the same vision. We found it with the amazing folks at Beasley. Anthony and I can’t wait to share this show with our listening family, because it’s all about them!” 
broadcasting remotely from a business center in a New Orleans hotel in which two Black people were sitting behind him. Referencing a previous trip to New Orleans in which Felger’s vehicle was stolen, Massarotti asked Felger if the two could hear him and when Felger replied that they couldn’t, he said, “OK, so I would be careful if I were you because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.” During his apology on Monday, Massarotti said he gets why the joke, intended to be poking fun at Felger, was wrong. “It didn’t come off that way. It came off as something far broader and ignorant, and I’m regretful of that… I sincerely apologize, and I will do my best to make sure it never happens again.”
Catsimatidis on his nationally syndicated Sunday morning program, “The Cats Roundtable.” Catsimatidis says, “I’ve known Rita Cosby for many years and have always deeply admired her incredible journalistic skills. She knows how to ask the right questions so that we can find and reveal the truth on every story. She’s a tremendous broadcaster and I’m delighted she is joining me.” Cosby comments, “I’m beyond thrilled to be working with iconic John Catsimatidis, one of the most accomplished and dynamic business leaders in America. This fast-paced show will look at all sides of the stories that have great impact on New Yorkers, our country, and the world. It’s a journalist’s dream to join John and his great team.”
hour. Starting next Monday, our sports reports will begin airing at :25 and :55 and our money/business reports will move to :10 and :40 past each hour. We will also be reducing the number of commercial breaks listeners hear each hour and increasing the amount of news we deliver at the same time. These changes allow us to provide our listeners with longer, uninterrupted news segments, which we believe offer a better listening experience overall.” Ziegler adds they are tweaking how they approach news content. “WTOP will always be the place you can turn to when news is breaking, but we realize news consumers want more than that — not just from WTOP but from the news industry as a whole. So, it is our commitment to balance out those serious news stories we deliver each day with news about the good things going on in the D.C. region, too. Stories that make you smile; stories that inspire hope; and stories that make you laugh or are just cool. We’re also committed to providing you with stories that can help you, your kids, your finances and your health, too.”
says of their decision in 2021 to go with Outkick, “The timing was perfect, but we also had a chance to grow what we were already doing. We didn’t have to leave Nashville. We own our intellectual property; you don’t have that with radio companies. We’re able to form our own show company, so to speak, and we’re part of the much larger grand scheme of Clay’s vision.” Gallagher’s piece looks at the digital frontier the trio began exploring with Outkick and chronicles their return to the Nashville airwaves. 
as a percentage of the weekly podcasting audience – is based on total audience reach from Edison Podcast Metrics, and Edison says the Q3-Q4 ranker includes increased sample size implemented last year and is based on surveys of 10,579 weekly podcast listeners age 13+. The rest of the top 10 are: 4) Wondery/Audible/Amazon Music, 5) Audioboom, 6) The New York Times, 7) NPR, 8)Audacy, 9) Acast Creator Network, and 10) Cumulus Podcast Network.
voice Brad Feldman returns to the call alongside former Revolution and U.S. Men’s National Team forward Charlie Davies. Additionally, “98.5 The Sports Hub” will introduce “The Soccer Show” – a weekly one-hour program to air on Saturday mornings from 6:00 am to – 7:00 am. In Philadelphia, Beasley’s WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” announces a new partnership with the Philadelphia Union to serve as the club’s official radio broadcast partner. Primary hosts of Union match broadcasts will be Dave Leno and Sheanon Williams.
It looks like the podcast business is hitting those ever-present speedbumps.
Weekend ask-the-expert shows can be a powerful marketing tool. 