Benztown’s Dave “Chachi” Denes Guests on Harrison Podcast
One of the most colorful figures in the modern radio industry, Dave “Chachi” Denes is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Denes is president and co-founder of Benztown, a Southern California-based, multi-faceted firm specializing in high-quality imaging support for music and spoken-word radio stations across the nation. Denes co-founded Benztown in 2008 with international radio producers Andreas Sannemann and Oliver Klenk, both based in Stuttgart, Germany. Since 2008, the company has grown to include an international syndication arm, Benztown Radio Networks that provides radio stations around the world with top-of-the-line programs by such talent as Rick Dees, Todd-N-Tyler, R Dub! and more. Today Benztown has studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Stuttgart, Germany. Denes is also executive producer of the more recently launched Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks establishing a beachhead in the burgeoning podcasting industry. Through Benztown, Denes hosts his own radio industry-oriented podcast titled, “Chachi Loves Everybody.” Denes began his radio career in the late 90s at great music stations including KFMB-FM, KIIS-FM, KOST-FM and KBIG-FM in Southern California where he worked as a producer and eventually a renowned program director. Harrison and Denes talk about their respective careers as well as the past, present and future of radio. Don’t miss this! Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
“ScreenShare” on MSNBC’s Peacock. The program features diverse guests and conversations that “tackle the biggest issues in culture, entertainment, media, and politics.” Best-selling author, advocate, speaker, and strategist Reecie Colbert hosts the Saturday 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm program that addresses politics, culture, current events, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. And broadcaster, news analyst, business executive, college dean, university professor, lecturer, entrepreneur, and advocate Dr. Rashad Richey is host of the Sunday 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm hour that SiriusXM calls “your one-hour Sunday ‘all things’ political, social, and economic empowerment show!”
Denver SVP and market manager Katie Reid says, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jeff join our sales team. I know he will show our clients exceptional results and take Denver sales to the next level through his keen strategic thinking, business acumen and strong focus on community.” Clewett comments, “I am humbled and excited to work with such a talented team and iconic brands that are so meaningful to the market. The Bonneville Denver sales team has a track record of tremendous success and I look forward to finding new ways to maximize revenue, deliver extraordinary results for our partners and develop our people.”
consulting and development company. Prior to that, he was the executive producer of podcasts and audio for NBC News and MSNBC. Lickteig will report to Katie Hinman, CNN’s vice president of development. He begins on February 6.
I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts the updated sales facts below are nowhere to be found in your radio station’s collateral material. This bold challenge is in front of you today as a wakeup call before the calendar becomes your frenemy.
In last week’s column, 
on February 5 from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. WLS says, “In the weekly one-hour show, Kudlow shares with 890 WLS-AM listeners his perspective on the state of the markets, the economy, and politics. An unapologetic supporter of capitalism and free markets, he shares his insight and expertise to better navigate tomorrow’s evolving economic and political terrain.” Kudlow also currently hosts the FOX Business television show “Kudlow” weeknights from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm ET and is the host of “The Larry Kudlow Show” on WABC, New York, heard Saturdays from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. WLS program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “We are delighted to welcome back to 890 WLS-AM, a listener favorite, Larry Kudlow. Larry’s financial expertise will be a perfect addition to our weekend lineup.”
The fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2022 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. 
podcast listening behaviors. “The Gen Z Podcast Listening Report” from SXM Media and Edison Research “provides an in-depth look at the podcast habits and motivations of the elusive and much-desired Gen Z listener.” Edison vice president Megan Lazovick says, “Everything we do at Edison Research works to drive the audio space forward with the highest quality data. We believe these two studies will help advertisers understand the opportunities for audio to reach these two important generations and of course help the media companies who can deliver these audiences.”
Dolphins games accessible to fans in new markets. The stations will carry all Miami Dolphins football game broadcasts and play-by-play coverage as well as a pregame show, postgame show and weekly radio show featuring exclusive interviews with Dolphins’ personnel and guests from around the league. Game broadcasts will feature former Dolphins wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo handling play-by-play duties, former Dolphins tight end Joe Rose providing color commentary and former Dolphins linebacker Kim Bokamper giving analysis and updates from the sidelines. iHeartMedia Sports president Kevin LeGrett says, “We are excited about this partnership and honored to be the new broadcast home of the Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins are the city’s premiere sports team and with the massive multiplatform reach and scale that iHeartMedia can provide, we have the ability to deliver great programming and coverage to millions of fans across the state and beyond.”
preoccupied with the next time the alarm will go off!” CMG Atlanta VP and market manager Jaleigh Long comments, “There is no one else like Scott Slade. His credibility, professionalism, and passion for delivering the best for listeners is unmatched. I’m excited for what the future holds as we take these next steps with Scott, our audience and our clients.” Slade joined WSB in 1984 as the overnight music host. He was one of the “founding fathers” of “Atlanta’s Morning News” in 1991. Slade initiated the “WSB Radio Care-a-Thon” in 2000, benefiting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The annual event has raised more than $30 million to fight children’s cancer and blood disorders. WSB director of branding and programming Ken Charles says, “The ‘S’ in WSB stands for Scott. His dedication to the show and station, and his commitment to excellence, are unparalleled. He is truly the GOAT of morning radio!”
The third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2022 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 Holiday 2022 sweep covered December 8 – January 4. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM loses 1.4 shares to finish the survey with a 6.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and falls to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KEX declines nine-tenths for a 2.2 share finish that puts it in the #16 spot. Urban One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte is steady with a 3.7 share but rises to the #10 rank in the market. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM sheds seven-tenths, finishing the survey with a 4.6 share but rises to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KNRS-AM/FM drops 2.3 shares for a 4.4 share finish that drops it to the #6 rank. Audacy’s news/talk KDWN-AM, Las Vegas adds 1.3 shares for a 2.3 share finish that pushes from the #26 rank to #16. And in Orlando, iHeartMedia’s hot talk WTKS-FM is down a full share for a 5.1 share finish and the #7 rank, while Cox Media Group’s news/talk WDBO-AM adds three-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share that boosts it to the #8 rank. 
Stations at 70,695 AAS, with Audacy in the #3 position with 56,158 AAS, and Cumulus Streaming Network at #4 with 36,692 AAS. Other companies that stream spoken word content in the top 25 include #6 Beasley Broadcasting Corporate (16,506 AAS), #8 Hubbard Broadcasting (13,313 AAS), #10 New York Public Radio (10,356 AAS), and #11 Salem Communications(7,648). 
announces he’s assuming operation of the station as he is now acquiring it for $500,000. Shows airing on the station include “The John Fredericks Show” in morning drive, as well as Stephen K. Bannon’s “War Room,” Newsmax’s “Rob Carson Show,” “America’s Voice Line with Steve Gruber,” “The Water Cooler” with David Brody and more.
The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s Holiday 2022 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 Holiday 2022 sweep covered December 8 – January 4. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 3.4 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises to the #7 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s crosstown all-news WTOP-FM falls eight-tenths but remains ranked #3 in the market. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO, Boston tacks on one-tenth to wrap the survey with a 2.8 share good for the #13 rank and sister all-news WBZ-AM also adds one-tenth for a 4.8 share finish that puts it in the #6 spot. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM falls 1.1 shares to finish with a 5.5 share pushing it down to the #3 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM adds three-tenths for a 5.5 share that puts it in a tie for the #3 rank. 
template by which sports talk debate shows were often created. Smith says, “When we think about sports debate shows’ inception, in my opinion it starts with talk radio. And there is no way on earth you can talk about talk radio without bringing up ‘Mike & The Mad Dog.’ This business has changed – and flourished – because of what they accomplished as a dynamic duo spanning 19 years. They are, unquestionably, the standard. So, it’s easy to says that not only am I looking forward to having them reunite on ‘First Take,’ I’m HONORED to have them. Can’t wait.”
platforms. Additionally, he will actively build and foster community relationships across the market and region, while providing leadership, guidance and oversight to the team. Division president Kim Guthrie says, “Spencer has done a superb job in his leadership role in Texas, where he drove positive changes in culture and performance. In addition, his talents on how best to recruit, develop and coach a leadership team make him a wonderful fit for our needs here in Atlanta.” Bynes comments on his new position, saying, “What an extraordinary opportunity! Atlanta has a robust and flourishing economic business environment, a fascinating community of people from every part of the world and an incredible music culture and heritage. I am honored to join this team. I look forward to expanding iHeartMedia’s reach and influence and helping our customers thrive and grow their businesses.” 
base.” But, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy says, “This is a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax.” Newsmax says, “DirecTV pays cable license fees to all top 75 cable channels and to all 22 liberal news channels it carries. Almost all of these channels are paid hefty license fees significantly greater than Newsmax was seeking — and despite the fact that most of the channels have far lower ratings than Newsmax.” Ruddy adds, “The most extreme liberal channels, even with tiny ratings, get fees from AT&T’s DirecTV, but [in their view] Newsmax and OAN need to be deplatformed.” Conservative channel OAN was removed from the DirecTV platform in April of 2022.