The most discussed stories yesterday (8/20) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Russia-Ukraine War Negotiations
2. Texas Redistricting
3. Fed Policy-Trump Demands Cook Resign
4. ODNI Cuts
5. Federal Takeover of DC
Good Karma Brands promotes Tommy Lam to market manager for KSPN-AM “ESPN Los Angeles.” Lam previously served as general sales manager and senior director of marketing. Good Kama SVP Sam Pines
says, “Tommy’s deep roots in the Los Angeles media landscape, combined with his passion for building brands and connecting with the community, make him the ideal leader for ‘ESPN LA.’ He has excelled at leading teammates across sales, marketing, and support, serving as a strong conduit between those areas and the content team. His proven track record of innovation and results will continue to elevate the brand’s reach and impact with fans and partners.” Lam comments, “I am honored to take on this role and continue building on ESPN LA’s momentum. Los Angeles is one of the most dynamic sports markets in the world, and I’m excited to work with our talent team to deliver outstanding experiences for our fans, partners and teammates.”
Salem Media Group says its news/talk KTZK, Sacramento “1380 The Answer” help bring the crowd pictured above to the California State Capitol Building to support the protest against AB 495 organized by Calvary Chapel Chino Hills pastor Jack Hibbs yesterday (8/19). Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup says the rally was “the latest example of how talk radio’s one-on-one relationship with listeners can help promote citizen action when lawmakers endanger the rights of parents and children in California or anywhere else across America.” The bill was subsequently returned to committee pending further study.
WRVA, Richmond afternoon drive talk host Jeff Katz (pictured above) has a hot dog dish named after him at the Texas Inn diner (known to locals as The T-Room) in Richmond. Each sale of the Katz Dog – a Nathan’s hot dog – will provide a donation to Special Olympics Virginia.
WEEI/NESN Radio-Telethon Raises $5.7 Million for Cancer. Audacy’s sports talk WEEI, Boston announces that the 2025 WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon raised more than $5.7 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a new record in the 23-year history of the event. Audacy adds, “With the generous support of the Jimmy Fund community and Red Sox Nation, the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon has now raised more than $78 million to strike out cancer since the first broadcast in 2002.”
Salem Names New Board Chair. Salem Media Group appoints Richard A. von Gnechten as chairman of the board, with responsibilities of overseeing Board and Annual Stockholders meetings. Edward G. Atsinger, III retains the title of executive chairman with responsibilities of overseeing operations of the company and will remain in his role through December 31, 2025.
Saga Announces Dividend. Saga Communications declares a quarterly dividend to stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 26 who will be paid a dividend of 0.25 per share. Saga says this represents a dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.7%.
The most discussed stories yesterday (8/19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Russia-Ukraine War Meetings
2. Trump vs Smithsonian
3. Guard Troops in DC-Crime Stats Challenge
4. Texas & California Redistricting
5. Security Clearance Revocations
By Jonathan Little
TroyResearch
President
An annual physical is a wise idea. Doc asks, “How are you doing?”. Then he or she asks some detailed questions based on your medical history. Then “how have you been feeling? Any issues?” Doc always orders blood draws to see what might be lurking. Is the statin drug keeping your cholesterol in check? Are you getting plenty of exercise, plenty of sleep? How’s your diet? Over the years, I’ve visited about my health with at least a dozen different doctors. I’m convinced that the good ones always ask good questions and then listen carefully. Good questioner – good listener. That’s the doc I can respect and put my trust in.
If you operate a radio station, your station could benefit from an annual physical. You already know how it’s doing based on ratings, revenue, and profit. Your listeners know how you’re doing for them personally because they’re the users of your radio product. Is it pleasing, challenging, inspiring or annoying, irritating, and easily ignored with a click? If you ask them, they’ll tell you. You should ask them at least once a year.
TroyResearch has been in the business of asking listeners what they think for 27 years. We recently teamed up with Midwest Communications, Inc., in Green Bay to conduct an exploratory research project with their news/talk station WTAQ. TroyResearch’s association with MCI goes back nearly 27 years, doing music and perceptual research for the Duke Wright music stations. The WTAQ project was something new. Our goal was to discover what actionable data the opinions of loyal listeners might produce. TroyResearch worked with VP Programming Jeff McCarthy and Operations Manager Jason Hillery to develop a 25-question study.
Survey respondents were recruited over the air and were encouraged to go to the WTAQ website to take a brief survey. Clearly, we wanted to hear from P1’s, those listeners who produce 60%+ of reported listening. Their answers provided a clear picture of WTAQ loyalists – what they like, what they don’t like, their political affiliation, their listening behaviors (radio, podcasts, TV news, cable news, etc.), favorite news outlets, trustworthiness of news outlets, their thoughts about protests becoming riots, and their favorite podcasts to mention a few.
More than 200 respondents, Persons 18+, completed the WTAQ perceptual study. (32% 18-54, 68% 55+). With Jeff’s and Jason’s permission, we share some results.
Political Affiliation
1% Democrat
78% Republican
15% Independent
6% Other, like Libertarian, Socialist
In car listening
80% Local radio
10% Satellite radio
6% Streaming services like Spotify
3% Podcasts
1% Other like personal playlists
Listening to WTAQ, which simulcasts
76% FM
9% AM
8% Streaming from WTAQ app
6% Streaming from a smart device
1% Streaming from WTAQ.com
Where do you get your news? (Select all that apply)
93% Radio
46% Broadcast TV (local channels)
41% Cable news like Fox, CNN, MSNBC
29% Social Media like X, Facebook, Tiktok
16% Internet news like NY Post, Washington Post
10% Newspaper
12% Other
Your primary news source
58% Radio
15% Cable news like Fox, CNN, MSNBC
8% Broadcast TV (local channels)
7% Internet news like NY Post, Washington Post
7% Social Media like X, Facebook, Tiktok
3% Other
1% Newspaper
When does a protest/demonstration become a riot? (Select all that apply)
85%+ When protesters strike police, throw projectiles, set fires, do property damage
75% When protesters spit on police officers
60% When protesters burn the American flag
37% When protesters curse at police officers
Do you listen to podcasts?
23% Frequently
29% Occasionally
35% Rarely
13% Never
What podcast platform do you use? (Select all that apply)
32% YouTube
25% Spotify
19% iHeart
19% Apple
10% Amazon
2% Rumble
1% The Blaze
1% Daily Wire
As a broadcaster that reports news and information, WTAQ is interested in knowing how trustworthy you consider the reporting presented by these companies. (1 = very untrustworthy, 5 = very trustworthy)
4.43 WTAQ Radio, Green Bay
3.78 Fox News
3.59 Fox 11, Green Bay
2.92 WBAY, Channel 2, Green Bay
2.83 WFRV, Channel 5, Green Bay
2.77 WHBY Radio, Appleton
2.71 NBC 26, Green Bay
2.22 Green Bay Press Gazette
2.01 Wisconsin State Journal
1.99 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
1.46 MSNBC
1.37 CNN
WTAQ asked the 0-10 Customer Endorsement Score question – “On a scale of 0-10 how likely would you be to recommend WTAQ to a friend or colleague?” Those scores reflect the listeners’ opinions of how the station is doing and it’s a forecast of WTAQ’s future. As a rule, a CES of 50 or higher indicates a healthy and sustainable product. WTAQ scored a strong 73 Customer Endorsement Score.
VP Jeff McCarthy and OM Jason Hillery are pleased with the results of this exploratory study. The WTAQ Sales Team is delighted with the data.
Good questioner … Good listener! WTAQ asked good questions. And now their leadership team is “listening” to the answers and determining what adjustments, if any, may result in improved ratings, revenue, and profit, on the way to an 80 Customer Endorsement Score with the next WTAQ study.
Jonathan Little is president of TroyResearch. He can be phoned at 608-219-1077 or emailed via: jlittle@troyresearch.net
Nielsen releases its latest Podcasting Today report that reveals a number of things including that podcasts represent about one-fifth (19%) of daily ad-supported audio listening time – second only to radio in the
U.S. Other takeaways include: Listeners aged 18-34 spend 32% of their daily ad-supported audio time with podcasts; and podcasts consistently drive top funnel advertising impact. Nielsen says its Podcast Brand Impact Database draws on nearly 2,000 case studies and shows that podcast ads continue to drive strong brand awareness, motivate listeners to learn more, and purchase products. See the full report here.
According to a report from Yahoo Entertainment, Howard Stern appears to have struck a new deal to remain with SiriusXM. This comes a couple of weeks after reports indicated that Stern and the satcaster
would go their separate ways when his current contract ends later this year. The Yahoo story says, “A source affirmed that everything is a done deal in this regard, and all previous reports of him exiting the company were pure fallacy, per RadarOnline. The man of the hour himself also dropped a big hint on his social media, teasing an answer to all the questions hovering around his career very soon.” Stern’s own Instagram account posted the following: “Now we can reveal that all the questions will be answered. All the truths will be told by the one man truly on the inside: Howard Stern will speak. Tuesday, September 2.” Read the Yahoo story here.
Triton Digital publishes its July 2025 U.S. podcast ranker based on weekly average downloads for publishers who opt in and NPR’s “NPR New Now” and “Up First” stay in the #1 and #2 spots, respectively.
Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” remains ranked #5 while Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Shawn Ryan Show” rises one place to #6. Other talk radio related shows of note include: Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” dipping three places to #13; iHeart Audience Network’s “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” rising two places to # 14; and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Mark Levin Show” falling six places to #35. See the complete ranker here.
Premiere Networks is celebrating the 100-affiliate mark for “Your Morning Show with Michael DelGiorno.” This comes as iHeartMedia’s WKIP, Poughkeepsie “NewsRadio 1450/1370 WKIP” adds the show to the
6:00 am to 9:00 am slot. DelGiorno comments, “I love every listener and city equally, but I’d place Poughkeepsie in the memorable class alongside Nashville (my first affiliate), Detroit (my 50th), and now Poughkeepsie (100th). I’ll always remember this moment! I’m thrilled to be on the Hudson River, serving this great audience, and I look forward to seeing where the river leads me in the months and years ahead.”
Donal Ware Celebrating BOXTOROW’s 20th Anniversary. Sports talk host Donal Ware is celebrating
his program’s 20th anniversary with a live broadcast on SiriusXM (Channel 380), Big Sports TV, and the BOXTOROW YouTube channel. The event is tomorrow (8/20) in Raleigh at North Hills Main District and will feature appearances by legendary college football coach Bill Hayes, Raleigh sports talk host Adam Gold, Raleigh Mayor Pro Tempore Corey Branch and Durham Mayor Leo Williams.
SiriusXM Unveils College Football Schedule. SiriusXM is presenting coverage of the opening week of the 2025 college football season kicks off by offering 97 live game broadcasts between August 23 and September 1. During the rest of the season, SiriusXM will carry dozens of game broadcasts each week involving teams from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and other conferences, plus Notre Dame, Army, Navy, HBCU football and more.
The most discussed stories yesterday (8/18) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump-Zelensky-EU Meeting
2. More Guard Troops to DC
3. The Epstein Files
4. Trump on Mail-In and Voting Machines
5. Newsmax-Dominion Settlement
Newsmax Media, Inc announces it has reached a settlement agreement with Dominion Voting Systems in which it will pay $67 million over three years to resolve the suit. The suit revolved around Newsmax’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election in which Dominion claimed certain statements made by
Newsmax were defamatory. However, Newsmax is not admitting guilt; just the opposite. “Newsmax believed it was critically important for the American people to hear both sides of the election disputes that arose in 2020. We stand by our coverage as fair, balanced, and conducted within professional standards of journalism.” The company says Delaware Court Judge Eric Davis would not provide a fair trial wherein the company could present standard libel defenses to a jury. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy says, “The Delaware Court under Judge Davis effectively enforced a confiscation of our property because our reporting was not always sympathetic to Joe Biden. The actions taken against Newsmax, and earlier against FOX News, represent a direct attack on free speech and a free press.”
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
As TV touts its perennial New Fall Season, our DVR is already set to “record series” so we can pick-up where the “Matlock” sequel left-us-hanging; and for a third season of quirky “Elsbeth” (a closet reboot, the female “Columbo”). And where I live – where everyone seems to know everyone – we are salivating for “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.”
Enduring as its hourglass, “The Days of Our Lives” – which NBC punted to Peacock – is renewed for season #61. As Max reverts to the HBO brand, “The White Lotus” will be back for its 4th. “American Idol” will vet a 24th crop of crooners; “America’s Funniest Home Videos” will share a 36th batch of bloopers; and America’s argument will remain unresolved on every channel… except one.
Nonprofit C-SPAN – the Switzerland of cable news – presents “CeaseFire,” a weekly show where “Democrats and Republicans come together to solve problems and discuss the great challenges facing our nation… during a time when division and dysfunction dominate the national conversation.”
And who better to U-turn the “Crossfire” template that pits partisan pundits against each other than the suit who oversaw it, longtime CNN EVP and Washington bureau chief Sam Feist, now C-SPAN CEO. “In a media landscape that too often rewards outrage over understanding,” he reckons “‘CeaseFire’ stands out by showing what respectful, principled conversation looks like.”
“Like sands through the hourglass,” radio’s talk format was an early 1990s Revolution. Now – like the AM band it buttressed as long as possible – WHAT IF…
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
Philadelphia sports talk host Mike Missanelli was abruptly let go from Beasley Media Group’s sports talk
WPEN-FM 97.5 The Fanatic on August 8 after almost a year back behind the mic at the station. Missanelli joined sister rock WMMR’s Kathy Romano – a cast member of the “Steve and Preston Show” – was also let go. Beasley issued the following public statement: “We are very grateful for his contributions to the station and our listeners, and we wish him all the best.”
The Radio Television Digital News Association announces the winners of the 2025 national Edward R.
Murrow Awards for Television, Radio and Digital news operations at the network, large market and small market levels. Radio Network winners include ABC News, NPR and Canada’s CBC. Radio station winners include: KMOX, St. Louis; WSB, Atlanta; WTOP, Washington; and WWNC, Asheville. The presentation of the awards will take place on October 13 at Gotham Hall in New York City. See all the winners here.
Former longtime KMJ, Fresno news anchor Ron McCary died on Friday (8/15) at the age of 80. According to the station, McCary served with KMJ for almost two decades as a news anchor, traffic reporter, and
anchor of the agriculture report. McCary also taught high school locally and served as a substitute teach until his retirement in 2018. KMJ says, “McCary’s background as an English teacher gave him a solid foundation as a reporter. KMJ staff could turn to him for his historical knowledge, a valuable asset and vital to a newsroom. His command of the English language was equally impressive and he often corrected bemused coworkers and hosts for any grammatical infractions.”
Good Karma Brands’ KSPN-AM “ESPN Los Angeles” extends its partnership with the NFL’s Los Angeles
Rams. ESPN LA VP and market manager Sam Pines says, “The Los Angeles Rams are one of the most exciting and dynamic franchises in the NFL, and we are proud to be their partner and the radio home. This partnership allows us to deliver unmatched access, exclusive content, and the passionate game-day energy Rams fans deserve on the radio, online, on our app, and everywhere else they connect with us and our talent.”
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump-Putin Meeting
2. Guard Troops in DC
3. Texas & California Redistricting
4. The Epstein Files
5. ICE Raids
According to a report in The New York Times (8/14) by writer Ben Mullin, PBS is cutting its current budget by more than a fifth in response to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s defunding. The cutback is in reaction to the fact that approximately 15% of PBS’s budget derived from the federal grants are about to be slashed per Congressional decision. This move eliminates roughly $500 million in federal funding from public radio and television. This is having a negative rippling impact on the entire PBS local station system. Read the entire NYTimes report here.
University of Washington Athletics and Huskies Sports Properties today (8/15) announced a multi-year extension of their partnership with iHeartMedia Seattle, strengthening iHeart’s role as Washington’s flagship radio partner.
iHeartMedia Seattle – home to Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM and 950 KJR AM as well as Washington Athletics – have forged a powerful partnership over the last five years. As part of the expanded agreement, iHeartMedia Seattle will continue to serve as the premier radio destination for Husky sports, bringing football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball coverage to fans across the region.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (8/11-15) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Trump-Putin Summit / Russia Ukraine War
2. Trump Tariffs / Economy / Social Security
3. Texas Redistricting Battle
4. Israel-Gaza War
5. The Epstein Files
6. National Guard in Washington, DC
7. ICE Raids
8. DOJ’s Trump-Russia Investigation
9. Artificial Intelligence
10.Trump Lincoln Center Plans / Melania to Sue Hunter Biden
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy
3. Benjamin Netanyahu
4. Jeffrey Epstein / Ghislaine Maxwell
5. Greg Abbott
6. Kristi Noem / Pam Bondi
7. Xi Jinping / Narendra Modi
8. Sam Altman / Elon Musk
9. Sylvester Stallone / Gloria Gaynor / KISS
10.Barack Obama / Joe Biden / Melania Trump / Hunter Biden
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
WGN, Chicago announced today (8/14) its hosts Bob Sirott (left) and John Records Landecker (right) will return for another night of radio nostalgia. Back by popular demand, “For Radio Geeks Only,” sponsored by Apple Chevy, is expanded to a three-hour show airing on Friday, August 15 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.Sirott and Landecker first united in July for an hour’s show, reminiscing about their days as music DJs.
“Listeners to our first ‘For Radio Geeks Only’ special told us they wantematthewd more – and John and I did, too! We’re glad to bring it back with an even longer show this time,” said Bob Sirott. Go back to the days before streaming, cable, VCRs, DVDs, and smartphones when rock ‘n’ roll radio was a source of entertainment. Sirott and Landecker will play their favorite jingles and will be joined by special guests, including 1960s disc jockeys Ron Riley and Spike O’Dell, one of WGN Radio’s very own. Listeners are being encouraged to call or text the station at 312-981-7200 to share their stories of listening to radio and records. The show will be available as a podcast on wgnradio.com.
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
And TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
The problem with technocrats is they believe computer programs and machines solve all problems. A technocrat in charge of a business will it kill it, for sure. For example, once a movie theatre is automated, not requiring a pesky projectionist or even a snack counter attendant, you and I would still not buy a ticket – unless the theater was showing an actual MOVIE!
A radio company can “invest” in automation systems like Wide-orbit, saving an outrageous 15 bucks an hour for a “board op” or NexGen or NewsBoss. None of those systems win a single Nielsen meter.
The future of the radio medium is determined by its ability to attract an audience. Audience is obviously not built by technology but by compelling hosts. This phenomenon is eternal. For over 100 years, listeners have been attracted by personalities, ideas, information, songs, jokes, passion.
PREDICTION: Tech, AI will not replace any truly talented talk radio host by a mile.
One More Thought: Write a Letter
What can a host do to secure their essential participation beyond prepping a show? Write a letter! My Dad was a retailer who bought a lot of radio time. In his office he had a credenza of awards, family photos, and… framed letters from radio personalities. Spending hours in the car with a radio voice turns that voice into a star. Receiving a letter from a star is a life event. My Dad framed the letters he got from his favorite radio stars who hosted the shows he sponsored.
All the damn spots we air are actually invitations to send fan mail to the advertisers. Cheesy, yes, but the autograph industry is robust. The more ways a host engages with advertisers and listeners (touchpoints), the more secure their job becomes.
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.
The most discussed stories yesterday (8/13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump-Putin Meeting / Israel-Gaza War
2. Trump Tariffs / DC National Guard Deployment
3. ICE Raids
4. Texas Redistricting
5. Epstein Files / Lincoln Center
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
Artificial intelligence now makes it possible to replicate a human voice with striking accuracy. For broadcasters, podcasters, and content creators, the central question is: When does using or imitating a voice become a legal problem? The answer depends on the person being imitated, the purpose of the use, and the rights attached to that voice. Below is a six-bucket framework to help evaluate the risk.
Bucket 1 – Human Imitation of a Living Person
Example: In Midler v. Ford Motor Co. (1988), Ford hired a singer to imitate Bette Midler’s voice for a commercial after she declined. Legal focus: Right of publicity, false endorsement, misappropriation of identity. Risk: High – especially for commercial use without parody or commentary.
Bucket 2 – AI Cloning of a Living Person
Example: AI trained on hours of a broadcaster’s work generates new scripts in that broadcaster’s voice. Legal focus: Same as Bucket 1, plus emerging AI laws in several states. Risk: Very high – AI makes imitation faster, more precise, and harder to defend as coincidental.
Bucket 3 – AI Cloning of a Deceased Person Within Post-Mortem Publicity Window
Example: An AI-generated George Carlin special, written by humans but performed in a Carlin voice model. Legal focus: Post-mortem right of publicity, lasting 20–100 years depending on the state. Risk: High without estate authorization, even if marketed as a tribute.
Bucket 4 – Historical/Public Domain Figures
Example: Voicing George Washington in an original script. Legal focus: Minimal – rights generally end at death and do not extend for centuries. Risk: Low unless portrayal implies a false endorsement of a current product or service.
Bucket 5 – Corporate Library Owner Using AI to Create New Content
Example: A company acquires a complete host archive, such as Howard Stern’s, and uses AI to create new programming in that voice. Legal focus: Copyright in recordings is separate from publicity rights in the voice. Owning the archive does not automatically permit new performances in that voice. Risk: High without explicit contractual rights to name, likeness, and voice for future works.
Bucket 6 – Inspired-By Voice Not Clearly Identifiable as a Specific Person
Example: An AI voice styled as “a gravelly, old-school talk radio host” without matching a real person. Legal focus: Minimal unless resemblance convinces listeners it is a specific individual. Risk: Low to moderate, depending on closeness to a real identity.
Decision Path
Before using a recognizable voice, ask: 1. Is the person living or deceased? 2. If deceased, are they within their state’s post-mortem publicity period? 3. Is the voice a deliberate imitation? 4. Do you have written permission? 5. Is the purpose parody, commentary, or other transformative use?
Takeaways
Talent: Protect your voice rights in contracts, including AI uses. Buyers: Archive ownership does not guarantee the right to generate new voice content. Creators: Parody and commentary may help, but they are not blanket defenses. As voice cloning becomes more accessible, securing clear rights before production remains the safest path. The cost of permission is almost always less than the cost of defending a lawsuit.
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
SiriusXM announced (8/12) that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who led the Rams to a championship in Super Bowl LVI, will join the SiriusXM show, “Let’s Go!” as a host for the 2025 NFL season. In his first media role, Stafford will join Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Gray for weekly discussions on the Rams and other trending topics around the league. Stafford and Gray will also be joined throughout the season by special guests from the worlds of sports, entertainment and beyond. Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby and Hall of Fame NFL journalist Peter King also return for their second season on “Let’s Go!” and will host alongside Jim Gray each week. The fifth season of “Let’s Go!” begins Monday, September 1, ahead of the kickoff of the 2025 NFL season later that week. New episodes will debut every Monday at 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT on SiriusXM NFL Radio (channel 88). After debuting on SiriusXM, the show is available on all major podcast platforms, with additional bonus content available only on the SiriusXM app.
New research from Audacy and Vision Insights reveals that the most passionate NFL fans aren’t just watching games – they’re living the NFL lifestyle through sports audio. Over 80% of NFL fans listening to sports talk radio, play-by-play, and sports podcasts identify as avid fans – outpacing TV viewers and social media followers. These listeners are also a marketer’s dream: higher incomes, more spending power, and deeper emotional connections to brands that support their teams. Audacy’s sports network claims to reach more monthly listeners than the next three competitors combined, making it the largest home for NFL diehards.
Please click here for full survey results.
The most discussed stories yesterday (8/12) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump Tariffs / DC National Guard Deployment
2. Forthcoming Trump-Putin Meeting / Israel-Gaza War
3. ICE Raids / Texas Target Shooting
4. Texas Redistricting
5. Epstein Files
St. Louis-based Big Toe Media, LLC, the recently launched media company behind The Lou Information Station (KLIS 590 AM), has announced that Ed Herman, managing partner of Brown & Crouppen Law Firm, has officially joined the company as a partner (8/12). The company tells TALKERS that Herman, a prominent voice in the St. Louis legal and media communities, brings with him a wealth of experience in brand development, audience engagement, and community impact. Herman’s investment in Big Toe Media signals a bold step forward in the company’s mission to reshape local talk radio and digital content. “Ed has been part of building one of the most recognizable brands in St. Louis through innovation and an unwavering focus on connecting with people,” says Dave Greene, cofounder of Big Toe Media. “His belief in our vision—and his decision to invest in it—gives us the momentum and credibility to take KLIS to the next level.” KLIS 590 AM, now branded as The Lou Information Station, is being reimagined as a locally driven platform for talk radio, live video streaming, podcasts, and real-time digital engagement. Programming focuses on the people and stories that matter most to the St. Louis region. “I’ve always believed in using media to empower and inform,” says Herman. “While I’ll continue serving as managing partner at Brown & Crouppen, joining Big Toe Media gives me the chance to be part of something that’s not just entertaining – but truly meaningful. This is local media done right.” With Herman on board, Big Toe Media plans to continue expanding original programming, investing in local talent, and creating new advertising and sponsorship opportunities that serve both listeners and the region’s business community.
Premiere Networks announced today (8/12) that “Verdict with Ted Cruz” has reached the 200th affiliate milestone with the addition of Audacy’s WRVA 1140 AM / 96.1 FM – Richmond’s News & Talk. Effective immediately, the weekly one-hour program joins the station in the 9:00 pm ET timeslot on Sundays. 
The program is hosted by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Premiere Networks-syndicated radio personality and podcaster Ben Ferguson who break down the most important news stories of the week and what they mean for Americans. “Verdict with Ted Cruz was first launched as a podcast in January 2020. Premiere Networks expanded the podcast into a weekly one-hour radio program for talk radio stations, which debuted on 100 stations in April 2025.