Spring-Forward Show Prep
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Unless you live in Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) or American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, your clocks will change when we “Spring Forward” on Sunday 3/8.
Every year, that one missing hour becomes a big topic of conversation. So, it’s an opportunity to flex your local radio advantage. Plan now to empathize with the emotional and practical adjustments listeners are confronting, including…
Darker Mornings
Positive:
- Later sunrise can feel cozy, especially for people who enjoy easing into the day.
- Early-morning workers may appreciate the quieter, calmer pre-dawn hours.
Negative:
- For many, waking up in darkness can be jarring.
- Kids heading to school and commuters on the road face reduced visibility.
Longer Evenings
Positive:
- More daylight after work boosts mood, encourages outdoor activity, and feels like the unofficial start of spring.
- Families get more time outside; businesses tied to recreation, dining, and retail see a lift.
Negative:
- Evening routines shift, especially for parents managing homework, sports, and bedtime.
- People who work late may feel the day stretching uncomfortably long.
Sleep Disruption
Positive:
- Some listeners welcome the psychological “reset” of a seasonal shift.
- A later sunset can help night owls feel more aligned with the clock.
Negative:
- Losing an hour can hit hard.
- Many experience grogginess, irritability, and a few days of circadian chaos.
Health and Mood
Positive:
- More evening light is a proven mood-booster.
- For those prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, the extended daylight is a relief.
Negative:
- The abrupt change can trigger fatigue, headaches, and short-term stress.
- Sleep-deprived mornings can amplify anxiety.
Productivity and Daily Rhythm
Positive:
- Longer evenings can inspire productivity, exercise, and social plans.
- People feel like they “get their life back” after winter.
Negative:
- Morning productivity tanks for a few days as bodies adjust.
- Parents, shift workers, and early risers feel the strain most acutely.
Safety Considerations
Positive:
- More daylight during high-traffic evening hours improves visibility and reduces accident risk.
Negative:
- Darker mornings increase hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and schoolchildren.
- Sleep deprivation contributes to slower reaction times.
Energy Consumption
Positive:
- Longer daylight in the evening can reduce lighting needs.
- Outdoor activity replaces indoor energy use.
Negative:
- Darker mornings mean more lights, heat, and coffee makers running earlier.
- Any savings are inconsistent and vary by region.
Impact on Schedules
Positive:
- The seasonal shift feels like a milestone — spring is coming.
- People use the change as a cue to refresh routines.
Negative:
- Parents, pet owners, and anyone with a rigid schedule face a tough adjustment.
- “Losing an hour” becomes a shared gripe.
So, What’s a Radio Station To Do?
This is where local radio can shine – being human, helpful, and hyper-local.
- Songs about time: Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” etc.
- Explain the history of Daylight Saving Time(NOTE: it’s “Saving,” not “Savings”).
- Ask callers how they feel about DST. You’ll get strong opinions on both sides…and stories.
- “What will you do with your longer evenings?”
- Giveaways that fit the moment: Coffee cards, breakfast treats, outdoor gear, spring-cleaning kits.
- Partner with advertisers: “Spring Ahead Specials,” etc.
- Interview a local health pro about sleep.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Talk radio has a long incredibly successful run of shows about sex.
among adults has surged from just 6% of audio listening in 2015 to 23% in 2025. The two factors responsible for his are new people listening to podcasts (reach) and existing podcast consumers listening more (frequency). Das says that additional listening is replacing other behaviors. “Nearly four in 10 podcast listeners say the time they spend with podcasts is replacing time spent scrolling social media. Another 34% say it’s replacing time spent listening to streaming music.” Das cites data indicating that “U.S. adults spend an average of 103 minutes per day listening to podcasts, outpacing TikTok (77 minutes), Facebook (69 minutes), and Instagram (65 minutes); and “Podcast listening surpassed streaming music in 2023, and now commands an 11 point share advantage in daily digital ad-supported audio listening.” 
Leader of Minnesota. We will be greeted as liberators. Death to fraud investigations!” Via social media, O’Donnell posted: “I want to take a moment to offer my sincerest apologies for a post I made about Minnesota’s Governor that, quite frankly, I am deeply ashamed of. It was irresponsible and completely inappropriate and I have since taken it down. It served only to deepen divisions at a time when unity and basic human decency are most needed. My primary responsibility as a broadcaster, a father, and a person is to always comport myself professionally, appropriately, and compassionately, and I failed to do that. Again, I am truly, deeply, unequivocally sorry.” 
Management’s Michael Del Nin in 2022 and began working together “to try to acquiring Cox Radio, with Del Nin agreeing that Warshaw would manage the business as CEO upon successful acquisition.” While both parties were doing due diligence on the CMG deal, Warshaw learned that an Audacy majority stake holder was willing to sell its stake in the company. Warshaw says he steered SFM and Del Nin to the deal that made SFM a majority stake holder of the new Audacy in early 2024. Warshaw alleges he was promised he’d be the next CEO of Audacy or that he would get 5% of SFM’s profits from the Audacy acquisition. Later, SFM filed a motion to strike arguing that talks between Del Nin and Warshaw did not rise to the level of an employment offer. In his recent filing with the court, Warshaw says SFM reads “the Complaint in the light least favorable to Plaintiff. And they introduce new facts and make factual arguments that must be left for resolution by a jury at trial. Even so, based on the Complaint’s detailed allegations, Defendants’ arguments fall apart. Defendants ask the Court to believe that Jeffrey Warshaw, a veteran executive and dealmaker in radio, attempted to ‘cozy up’ to Defendants, newcomers to radio. But why did they seek an introduction to Warshaw in the first place? Why did they need Warshaw to source the Audacy transaction, and quickly ask him to introduce them to Audacy’s controlling debtholder? Why did Michael Del Nin call Warshaw 107 times between October 2023 and October 2024? On breach of contract, Defendants argue that the Complaint does not plead definite and certain terms of the contract between Warshaw and SFM. That ignores the definiteness of the contract terms alleged, as well as controlling precedent holding that an oral agreement is enforceable so long as missing terms can be ascertained by fair implication or industry custom. Defendants also downplay the value of Warshaw’s sourcing of the Audacy deal and his introduction of Defendants to the firm holding a controlling interest in Audacy debt.”
field with global technology platforms.” He underscored broadcasters’ unique and essential role in public safety, civic engagement and strengthening local democracy. Additionally, broadcasters heard from key policymakers shaping broadcast policy, including Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), who spoke about the enduring value of broadcast radio and his leadership on the bipartisan effort to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act… and U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, who spoke about the need for broadcast ownership rules to reflect today’s landscape and the importance of keeping AM radio in cars.
Radio Networks names two media sales pros to the organization. Rosanne Tipton joins Key-United as VP, sales and brand partnerships, and 
Robbie Eisen, joins as director of strategic research and planning. Key-United president of sales Ron Russo, says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome both Rosanne and Robbie to the sales organization. Their energy, drive, and passion for building meaningful relationships perfectly align with our commitment to service and partnership. We’re confident they will make an immediate impact and accelerate the outstanding results our agency and client partners have come to expect from Key-United.”
revenue increased $47.7 million, or 14.1%, driven primarily by continuing increases in demand for digital and podcast advertising, as well as increased non-cash trade revenue resulting from strategic marketing initiatives. Multiplatform Group revenue decreased $19.2 million, or 2.8%, primarily resulting from lower political revenues, as 2024 was a presidential election year, as well as a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with continued uncertain market conditions.
program audio, and vice president of operations roles. Take On The Day CEO Ron Hartenbaum says, “Dan has been critical to the on-going success of the radio program, podcast, live events, and pushing the growth of the video product to new levels of engagement. His ability to get things done is simply amazing.” Brady comments, “I’m humbled to be recognized in this elevated role by the managing partners and more importantly Dr. Laura as we continue to propel her legendary brand. Continuing to work with our partners at SiriusXM and their team in this new capacity is a true honor.”
AI is now embedded in the modern newsroom. Not as a headline, not as a novelty, but as infrastructure. It drafts outlines, summarizes complex reporting, surfaces background details, and accelerates prep for live conversations. For media creators operating under relentless deadlines, that efficiency is not theoretical. It is practical and daily.
Tuesday, March 10 and culminating with the championship game broadcast on Sunday, March 15. “We cannot wait for tip-off,” says Robert Blum, general manager of Compass Media Networks/Sports. “With the expansion of the Big Ten Tournament the six days will be packed with extremely compelling games that will help power the ratings of our affiliates and dazzle our audience.”
Your prospect – or, worse, an existing advertiser with cold feet – says “We tried radio. It didn’t work.” Often, the copy is the culprit, because it’s inside-out.
provides important benchmark measures for usage and behavior around streaming audio, podcasting, radio, smart audio, social media, and debuting this year, never-before-seen data on AI usage. Annual results and trending data from The Infinite Dial are relied upon by its audience of content producers, media companies, agencies, and the financial community.” The webinar will feature Edison vice president of research Megan Lazovick with special guest James Cridland, editor of Podnews.
eight stations in Minnesota. The second deal transfers 17 signals in a number of small markets in the state of Missouri to Carter Media Too, LLC., a Carrollton, Missouri‑based limited liability company led by the Carter Media family. Carter Media Too also operates three radio stations in Missouri plus the streaming platform, MidVid.com. Exclusive broker Kalil & Co says Miles and Michael Carter expressed their enthusiasm for expanding the organization’s footprint and restoring a strong local presence in news, weather, sports, and agriculture.
Station owner John Catsimatidis says, “Big name personalities define WABC Radio. Sean is a powerful addition to our Sunday lineup and another example of WABC’s unmatched ability to attract major talent and deliver must-hear talk. The show is going to be fast, fearless, and honest, with smart conversation, sharp opinion, and honest discussion about the stories driving the country.” Spicer comments, “WABC Radio doesn’t whisper, it leads! It is one of the most iconic and influential radio stations in the U.S. WABC Radio listeners expect truth, energy, and authenticity, and that’s exactly what I’m going to give them. I couldn’t be more excited to join the incredible 77WABC lineup.”
They wanted WOW but those calls were taken. Still the station was known as WOW and boasted that Johnny Carson started his broadcast career there. The station took the calls KXSP in 2005 and was broadcasting a sports talk format using ESPN content. SummitMedia sold the station’s tower land, prompting the station’s sign-off.