Industry News

WWO: YouTube’s Growth as Podcast Destination

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog reports that data from Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights’ Podcast Download Spring 2024 report shows YouTube has pulled away from primary competitors Spotify and Apple Podcasts to become the most-used podcast platform in the U.S. For the study,im MARU/Matchbox was hired to conduct an in-depth study of 603 weekly podcast consumers from April 19-24 of this year. Takeaways include: 1) YouTube is used most among Podcast Newcomers, Podcast Pioneers, and heavy podcast consumers; 2) YouTube podcast audience profile: Male and younger than the Apple Podcasts audience; 3) As the world’s entertainment search engine, YouTube is the dominant podcast discovery platform where audiences are more likely to find podcasts; and 4) Those who discover a podcast on YouTube say they stick with the platform for video, comments, community, entertainment, recommendations, and platform features. This growth for YouTube comes at the expense of Apple Podcasts. In July of 2019, Apple Podcasts was the most-used platform for 29% of weekly podcast consumers with 15% for YouTube. Five years later the figures are nearly reversed with 31% of weekly podcast consumers preferring YouTube and just 12% reporting Apple Podcasts as their most-used platform. See the full blog here.

Industry News

Dan Mann Named Digital Sales Manager for Beasley NJ

Beasley Media Group announces that Dan Mann is promoted to digital sales manager at Beasley Mediaim Group’s New Jersey operations that includes sports talk WCTC-AM, New Brunswick “FOX Sports New Jersey” and six music brands. Mann most recently served as client services manager at the company’s Boston station group. Beasley SVP and regional market manager Dan Finn states, “We’re all very excited that Dan Mann will be returning to New Jersey full time and in a larger capacity as digital sales manager. Dan is a consummate professional and is the perfect person to take us to the next level.”

Industry News

BFoA: Supporting Our Own

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One of the many video highlights from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “The Broadcasters Foundation of America: Supporting Our Own” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7. The event, which unfolded at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. This session focused on the Broadcasters Foundation of America and the vital role it has played for decades as a financial safety net for professional radio and TV broadcasters who fall upon hard times due to illness, accidents, natural disasters, and other catastrophic setbacks. It features a stirring speech by BFoA chairman Scott Herman and a charitable presentation by WPG, Atlantic City morning legend Harry Hurley. This is extremely important viewing for every professional radio and TV broadcasterTo watch the video, please click here. 

Industry News

Craig Carton Among NYSBA’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The New York State Broadcasters Association announces the addition of six inductees into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame. This year’s class includes Craig Carton, who currently hosts the morningim show on FOX Sports 1 and the weekend program “Hello, My Name is Craig,” on WFAN, New York. Carton began his radio career on WGR-AM, Buffalo and rose to fame nationally as co-host of the WFAN, New York morning show alongside Boomer Esiason. Also being inducted this year is John Murphy, radio host, TV sports director and longtime radio voice of Buffalo Bills play-by-play. The induction ceremony will take place at the NYSBA’s gala luncheon in the Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Industry News

FOX Nation Launches Weekly Series with Kellyanne Conway

FOX Nation announces the debut of the new weekly series, “Here’s the Deal with Kellyanne Conway,” on Thursday (7/11). New episodes will drop weekly through the November 5 presidential election. FOX Nation president Lauren Petterson says, “During an unprecedented election year, we are proud that Kellyanne’sim insights into the inner workings of political campaigns based on her unique experience will be available to FOX Nation subscribers.” Conway adds, “The American people are smart; they are also worried about the state of our nation and paying close attention to the issues, individuals and ideas that will govern our future. We will go beyond the news headlines and polling toplines to have a deeper conversation and equip the viewers with the compelling illustrative anecdotes and thoughtful analysis that they crave.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Media is presenting live programming surrounding the 2024 Republican National Convention beginning Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18. Originating from Milwaukee, the network’s convention coverage will be presented across all of FOX News Media’s platforms, including FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network, FOX News Audio, FOX News Digital and FOX Nation.

Virtual News Center adds Lake Cumberland Broadcasters, LLC’s WJRS, Jamestown, Kentucky to its roster of radio affiliates. Virtual News Center will provide daily local newscasts anchored by Jayme Monacelli.

TuneIn and the Big 12 Conference announce a partnership that includes the launch of a 24/7 Conference-branded audio station on TuneIn ahead of the Big 12’s college football season kickoff on August 29. Additionally, TuneIn Premium will offer fans in-game coverage.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (7/8) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Joe Biden’s determination to stay in the presidential race and Donald Trump’s prospective vice presidential candidates; Trump distances himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025; the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling; the intense heatwave affecting the U.S. West; and Hurricane Beryl hits Houston area leaving millions without power were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

The Case for AM Radio

One of the many video highlights from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “The Case for AM Radio” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7. The event, which took place at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. The special address was delivered by Bill Brady, owner of news/talker KFNX-AM, Phoenix. Brady, a seasoned broadcaster, gave a thorough presentation in support of the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” that is currently working its way through Congress in addition to citing all the benefits of keeping AM radios in new automobile dashboards in spite of the intention of a number of car manufacturers to phase them out. The segment was introduced by Alex Fife, VP of Southwest operations, iHeartMedia Total Traffic & Weather Network.  To watch the video, please click here.

Industry News

WURD-AM, Philadelphia Parts with Host Over Biden Interview

WURD Radio LLC-owned urban talk station WURD-AM, Philadelphia cut ties with talk host Andrea Lawful-Sanders after she admitted to using questions provided by President Joe Biden’s team during her interview with the president. Though the move is being termed mutual, it’s clear that Lawful-Sanders was asked toim leave the station. WURD issued the following statement: “On July 3, the first post-debate interview with President Joe Biden was arranged and negotiated independently by WURD Radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders without knowledge, consultation, or collaboration with WURD management. The interview featured pre-determined questions provided by the White House, which violates our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners. As a result, Ms. Lawful-Sanders and WURD Radio have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately.” You can see the station’s complete statement on the matter here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: WHO ARE You Talking To?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imWe – inside-the-box – live and breathe radio. Listeners have their hands full just living and breathing. Their day is time crunched and financially challenging, and we want to be its soundtrack.

But listening is free, unlike umpteen other purchase decisions they agonize. So, what’s high stakes to us is low stakes to them. We only matter if we matter, and we’ve never had so much audio competition. Accordingly, this exercise, which has been helpful at stations I work with:

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Describe the listener your station targets. Then ask other staffers.

— Is everyone profiling the same person?

— Does your programming content address their needs and wants?

— Is station imaging about the station? Or their needs and wants?

— Do commercials offer solutions? Are you missing categories?

Well worth the investment in conference room pizza.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Edison: Podcasting Gaining on AM/FM’s Hold on Spoken Word Listening

The most recent edition of Edison Research’s Weekly Insights presents data that indicates podcasting is continuing to close in on AM/FM’s dominance of spoken word listening in the U.S. In 2017, 66% of spoken word audio was consumed via AM/FM radio and 13% via podcasting. Seven years later, AM/FM accounts forim 43% of spoken word listening, and podcasts 36%. Keep in mind that for Edison’s purposes spoken word content includes news, sports talk and play-by-play, audiobooks, talk shows, and “personalities.” Edison states, “Podcasting’s share of spoken word will almost surely surpass that of AM/FM within a few more years. There is one more thing to note – the advantage for AM/FM is coming entirely from those age 65 and older. Among those ages 13-64, podcasting has already passed AM/FM listening by, 41% to 39%. Meanwhile, among the oldest Americans age 65+, AM/FM radio continues to dominate, with a 66%-13% advantage. Curiously, that 66%-13% difference among the oldest Americans is the exact same difference we recorded for all Americans 13+ in 2017.”

Industry News

Salem Prepares for RNC Milwaukee Broadcasts

Salem Media Group is preparing for next week’s programming from Milwaukee – site of the 2024 Republican National Convention. This includes live broadcasts of Salem Radio Network’s “Mike Gallagher Show” from media row at Panther Arena, adjacent to the RNC venue at Fiserv Forum. Salem’s SRN News andim TOWNHALL News will provide top- and bottom-of-the-hour newscasts live from broadcast seats inside Fiserv Forum, as well as live feeds of acceptance speeches from Republican Presidential nominee Donald J. Trump (7/18) and his as-yet unannounced vice-presidential running mate (7/17). SRN VP news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “As the 2024 presidential campaign kicks into high gear, SRN and SNC will provide live coverage of the RNC that will be second to none. Along with Mike Gallagher, SRN News White House correspondent Greg Clugston and SRN News U.S. Senate correspondent Bob Agnew, we’ll have on-site perspective from our “America First” host, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, who served as a national security strategist in the first Trump administration.”

Industry News

Podtrac Releases Podcast Ranker for June

The latest U.S. podcast ranker from Podtrac (based on unique U.S. monthly audience for participating shows) is released for the month of June and the top five shows remain in the spots they occupied in May –im The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #1, NPR’s “NPR News Now” and “First Up” at #2 and #3, respectively, NBC News’ “Dateline NBC” at #4 and Wondery’s “Morbid” at #5. FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” rose one spot to the #6 rank, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Shawn Ryan Show” moved up seven places to finish at the #13 spot. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Rumble content creators will host live programs on media row at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week. Rumble Chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski says, “It’s the biggest stage in politics, and Rumble will be there to host the free exchange of information in the marketplace of ideas. More and more, people are turning to Rumble for their news and analysis, live, on the spot, from people involved in making the news. All voices are welcome, and no one has to fear being canceled for their point of view.”

The Society of Broadcast Engineers – the association for broadcast and multimedia technology professionals – completed a member recruitment drive that ran from March 1 to May 31 and the organization recruited 79 individual members and one sustaining member.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The aftermath of Joe Biden’s debate performance and calls for him to drop out; SCOTUS rulings; Donald Trump’s legal battles; Trump attempts to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan; the Israel-Hamas war and protests in Tel Aviv calling for a cease-fire; the leftist New Popular Front prevents a National Rally takeover in France’s elections; Boeing pleads guilty to defrauding regulators; and the intense heatwave in the Western U.S. & Hurricane Beryl heads for Texas were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Peter Thiele Exits iHeartMedia Des Moines

Programming pro Peter Thiele exits his position as director of spoken word programming at iHeartMedia’sim Des Moines cluster that includes news/talk WHO and sports talk KXNO. Thiele joined the Des Moines operations in January of this year. He can be reached at 646-926-6581.

Industry News

FOX News Channel Marks Another Quarter at #1

FOX News Channel announces that it finished the second quarter of 2024 as cable’s most-watched network in total day and primetime for 90 consecutive quarters according to Nielsen Media Research. FNC says it is the only network to show growth across the board versus 2023 while CNN and MSNBC both shed doubleim-digits in the key 25-54 demo. For the second quarter in a row, CNN hit a 33-year low in total day, 18-49 and 25-54 demos, delivering its smallest younger audience since 1991. In total day, FNC delivered 1,304,000 viewers, 154,000 with 25-54 demo and 96,000 with 18-49 demo, securing a 176% advantage over CNN viewers and 61% over MSNBC. In primetime from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, FNC saw 2,037,000 viewers, 214,000 in the 25-54 demo, and 135,000 with 18-49 demo, a 230% lead over CNN and 77% over MSNBC. FNC continued to dominate the share of the cable news audience, capturing 50% of viewers across total day and 54% of prime viewers, the highest level of share for the network since 1Q’2023.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Edison Research announces that the Sports Audio Report: Female Fans with SiriusXM Media and Group M will be presented in a webinar on July 16 at 2:00 pm ET. Edison says the webinar will explore the unique audio listening habits of U.S. female sports fans and show how they interact with sports beyond the field. The webinar will be presented by Salma Aly, manager of Research at Edison Research and Sophie Anderson, associate director, podcast sales marketing at SiriusXM Media.

Salem Media Group closes on the sale of its Christian music stations in Nashville and Honolulu to Educational Media Foundation for $7 million. This transaction was previously announced on March 21, 2024.

PodcastOne announces the debut of its latest podcast, “Wholeheartedly with Kendall and Galey.” Hosted by fitness instructor and wellness influencer Kendall Toole and DIY home renovation expert and HBO MAX host Galey Alix, the podcast debuts on July 17 with weekly episodes dropping on Wednesdays. PodcastOne co-founder and president Kit Gray says, “Kendall and Galey have infectious energy and enthusiasm. Their passion for bettering the world around them is inspiring and PodcastOne is thrilled to give them a podcast platform to communicate with and grow their audiences. Their relatability strikes a chord with listeners and advertisers alike, and we’re excited to launch ‘Wholeheartedly.’”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (7/2) Top News/Talk Media Stories

SCOTUS presidential immunity ruling; Donald Trump NYC sentencing delayed; Joe Biden debate performance and calls for him to leave the race; the U.S. migrant crisis; the economy; France’s National Rally party win and Thursday’s UK elections; the new $2.3 billion Ukrainian military aid package; and Hurricane Beryl wreaks havoc in the Caribbean were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

NOW POSTED: The State of Sports Talk Radio – A Fireside Chat with Fred Toucher

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One of the many video highlights from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “The State of Sports Talk Radio: A Fireside Chat with Fred Toucher” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7. The event, which took place at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. It features TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison interviewing long-running Boston sports talk radio mainstay Fred Toucher, the highly-rated morning co-host of “Toucher and Hardy” (with Rob “Hardy” Poole) on WBZ-FM “98.5 the Sports Hub.”  Harrison and Toucher discuss parallels between sports talk radio and news/talk radio regarding the tendency to focus on telling listeners opinions they want hear. It also explored the pros and cons of working within a duo or team format, handling the rise of women’s basketball and the impact of sports betting as a programming element. The segment was introduced by John Fredericks, owner (and talk show host) of the rapidly growing John Fredericks Radio Network. To watch the video, please click here.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Leonard H. Goldenson’s Real Open Door

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Action Partners
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
Host, WPHT, Philadelphia – daily
Talk Media Network – Sundays

imLeonard H. Goldenson was the founder/chairman of ABC, Inc. Before Disney, before Capital Cities, ABC was… ABC and it was run by Mr. Goldenson. He launched the ABC Radio Networks, ABC Television Network, and the original ABC radio and television stations.

His background was as a movie theatre owner. He respected the crowd, applause, creativity, art, the show. Many top talent and executives owe their start or standards to Mr. Goldenson. I worked at ABC Radio for five years when Leonard was chairman, here’s what I absorbed.

— Risk for the show. Allen Shaw and his team largely invented the album rock format and launched it on the ABC FM stations. There was no proof it would work. But it made sense. That required seven stations to dump automation and hire seven AFTRA jocks and seven IATSE engineers at each station. Note the IATSE pay scale was higher than the AFTRA scale. It didn’t go as planned. In San Francisco, the presumed success was slow to profit. WRIF, Detroit, under the leadership of Willard Lochridge, slam dunk. Leonard didn’t blink. Imagine.

— ABC was caught up in the payola scandals in the early 1960s. Alan Freed was a jock on WABC. After the Congressional hearings, Goldenson said never again and vowed to sell the radio stations. WXYZ GM, Hal Neal went to the chairman and said, “Let me run them and I will clean them up.”  He did. Without mercy. Leonard kept them and the ABC AM/FM stations became legend. Imagine.

— Leonard had the heart of an artist. He painted. Every year, at the holidays, a beautiful book of his art was distributed to all employees with an essay written by Leonard sharing his thoughts and feelings about each work. We had a glimpse of his soul. Imagine.

The door was always open for talent. On-air talent could visit Mr. Goldenson without an appointment at any time. WPLJ morning star, Jim Kerr would regularly ride to the 40th floor and sit in Leonard’s office to chat. Imagine.

— At an executive conference, he got up early and started to leave. Being a smartass, I looked at him and asked why was he sneaking out? He explained that ABC was opening a movie that afternoon and he wanted to stand outside a theater and ask audience members how they liked his movie. That was his research. Imagine.

— When WABC-AM switched from music to talk, the plan called for profit in year 10. It took 11. Imagine

— Leonard Goldenson flew commercial, coach. Imagine.

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 at Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, now in its 10th year of success.

He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.

Industry News

Mark Levin Extends Relationship with Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media and talk radio host Mark Levin extend their deal for Levin to continue hosting both his syndicated radio program on Westwood One and his podcast, “Mark Levin Audio Rewind,” on the Cumulusim Podcast Network for multiple years. Additionally, Levin will also develop and host an all-new show for the network, his first ever original content podcast series. Levin’s radio show airs live from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm nightly on close to 400 affiliate stations. He says, “This has been my radio home for 23 years, and I am more excited than ever – especially during these tumultuous and historic times – to continue my relationship with my first-rate broadcast partners for many years to come. I understand my obligation is to serve the millions of patriotic Americans in the audience. I am blessed to do what I do, and I am committed every day to providing detailed analyses of current events along with historic context, commentary, and my in-depth perspectives to deliver the very best broadcasting I am able to share with our many listeners.”

Industry News

Neuhoff to Sell Remaining Radio Stations to Woodward Communications

Neuhoff Family Limited Partnership announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Springfield and Bloomington, Illinois radio stations to Woodward Communications, Inc for a sum yet to be announced. The asset purchase agreement has not been filed with the FCC yet. The stations include sports talk WFMB-AM in Springfield and four music brands plus three music FMs in the Bloomington market. This transactionim ends Neuhoff’s time in the radio business after almost 70 years. At one time, Neuhoff owned 24 stations – plus digital assets – in five markets. Woodward Communications, Inc operates eight stations – including news/talk WHBY-AM – in Appleton and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Neuhoff family trustee Julian Hickman says, “This final sale is bittersweet for our family, reflecting both a proud legacy and an emotional farewell. Our grandfather, Roger Neuhoff, poured his heart into the broadcast industry since the mid-1950s. The stations have been a vital part of our family and community, and while we cherish the incredible journey, it is time to turn the page.” Trustee Makena Neuhoff adds, “We would like to thank the incredible teams of local broadcasters in Springfield and Bloomington. We will forever cherish the memories and the significant impact our stations had on the local communities.”

Industry News

Legendary WLW, Cincinnati Host Jim Scott Dies at 81

Longtime Cincinnati morning radio personality Jim Scott lost his battle with ALS on June 28 at the age of 81,im his wife Donna Boland announced. Scott worked in Cincinnati for 47 years, first at WSAI and then at WLW as morning host. During his long and successful radio career in Cincinnati, the Binghamton, New York native immersed himself in charity work with the March of Dimes, the Salvation Army, the United Way, and others. He retired from WLW in 2015. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2021 and went public the diagnosis last year.

Industry News

Cumulus Promotes Shoshana Shapiro to SVP

Cumulus Media promotes Shoshana Shapiro to SVP, corporate communications and marketing from her current role as VP, corporate communications and marketing initiatives. In this new role, Shapiro will also oversee marketing for key revenue-generating programs across the company’s 85 markets. She will continueim reporting to president and CEO Mary G. Berner and remain a member of the company’s leadership team. Berner states, “Shoshana’s promotion is a reflection of the essential and unique role that she has played at Cumulus over the last nine years. Her communications work has helped us build one of the healthiest and most positive corporate cultures in our industry. Her revenue generation efforts have resulted in millions of dollars of incremental revenue for the company and significant improvements in the competitiveness of our local market sellers. Moreover, her insights and collaborative spirit have made her an invaluable member of our leadership team and I’m looking forward to her continued success in this new role.”

Industry News

Retiring Tom Herschel Honored with CAB Leadership Award

Audacy Cleveland SVP and market manager Tom Herschel – who recently announced his retirement after 22 years with the company – was honored as a 2024 recipient of the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Excellence in Leadership Award. Herschel states, “While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to such an incredibleim group of individuals and the remarkable brands we have the privilege to represent here in Cleveland, this decision fills me with joy. By making this move, we’ll finally have the opportunity to be fully present in our family’s daily lives and participate in the precious moments as our grandsons, Charlie and Emerson, grow and flourish. On a personal note, this transition opens the door for me to explore passions and interests that have been not-so-patiently waiting on the sidelines for way too long. I’m looking forward to the luxury of my first summer without a job since I was thirteen. Not to mention, I’m very ready to chase ‘the dream’ of achieving a single-digit golf handicap (hey, like I said, a guy can dream).”

Industry News

WTKS-FM, Orlando’s Monsters Still Going Strong After 30 Years

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Russ Rollins – the lead host of the long-running “Monsters in the Morning” program on iHeartMedia’s WTKS-FM, Orlando “Real Radio 104.1” in Orlando – checks in with TALKERS with a brand-new photo of the current cast of the program. [Above from l-r are: Deisi Del Toro, Amber Nova, Angel Rivera (back) Rollins, Angelique Martinez and Ryan Holmes (front).] Rollins says, “It’s funny to think that I’ve been doing this radio show for over 30 years now, having seen many talented individuals come and go. Like ‘Saturday Night Live,’ our show has been a launchpad for numerous talented personalities. While many in radio might find the constant change challenging, I consider myself fortunate to have worked with some of the best talent in the industry. Our new cast is young, vibrant, and incredibly funny. It’s invigorating to meet new talent and give them a platform to shine on the radio. As the host and one remaining original member of ‘Monsters in the Morning,’ I’ve witnessed the evolution of our show and its members over the decades.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (7/1) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Supreme Court rules presidents have immunity for official acts; Donald Trump’s legal battles; the presidential race; the economy; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war; France’s National Rally party’s round one victory; and Oklahoma orders the Bible to be taught in grades K-12 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

NJELEC: Spadea Can Remain on Air

The New Jersey Elections Law Enforcement Commission heard arguments on Friday (6/28) both for and against WKXW-FM, Trenton New Jersey 101.5 morning host Bill Spadea remaining on the air after declaring that he will run for governor of the Garden State in 2025 and ruled that he can continue to host his show, butim the commission will be “monitoring” his program. Spadea declared his candidacy a couple of weeks ago and filed the Form -D1 but has not filed his nominating petition since the primary race is not until next June. At that time, he will be a legally qualified candidate and will leave the air. On Friday, the commission was hearing arguments whether his being on the air is an in-kind contribution from employer Townsquare Media and violates the state law that prohibits single-source contributions of more than $5,800. Lawyers for fellow Republican primary candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Jon Bramnick argued that Spadea’s program is all about his thoughts on public policy, thereby giving him a thing of value. But Townsquare’s attorney stated Spadea doesn’t use his show to “express advocacy” and that it has “no value” to his candidacy.

Industry News

Jim Graci Retires from Cox Media Group Jacksonville

Programming pro Jim Graci announces his retirement from his role as brand manager for Cox Media Group’s news/talk WOKV-FM, Jacksonville. He posts to Facebook, “It was my dream to be on the radio since I was 10 years old.  After 50 years in the most spectacular communications medium there is, it’s time to call itim a career. I am retiring today!!! I have too many people to thank who have helped me, coached me, took me under their wing and guided me. Their tutelage allowed me to work at some of the greatest radio stations in the country. I have tried to ‘pay it forward’ by coaching and programming for the last 20 years, working with incredibly talented communicators, who continue to positively affect our lives whenever you turn the radio on. I want to thank the staff at my final station, WOKV-FM, as they prepare to protect, serve and inform Northeast Florida for another Florida hurricane season. I’d also like to spotlight Jules Riley, Jimmy Farrell, Pete Spriggs, Chris Eagan and Rob Babin at CMG, Cox Media Group, for their incredible leadership and faith in me in Jacksonville. But most of all, thanks to my wife Rebecca, a.k.a. Lindsey, who spent 25 years in the business, and has been my rock for nearly 40 of those 50 years.”

Industry News

TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond Sharon and Joe Madison Tribute Posted

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One of the many video highlights of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “A Tribute to Sharon and Joe Madison” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7.  The event, which took place at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. The double tribute consisted of two important elements. It was a memorial to the late African American talk radio legend Joe Madison. It was also a presentation honoring Joe’s loving wife and dedicated executive producer Sharon “Sherry” Madison who was named the 2024 recipient of the TALKERS “Woman of the Year” award (the Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Talk Radio by a Woman). Mrs. Madison served as executive producer for her late husband’s long-running morning drive program on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Urban View channel since its debut on the platform in 2008. Prior to that she worked closely with Joe – a Radio Hall of Fame inductee – on his talk shows heard on a number of stations including WOL and WWRC in Washington, DC. The Madisons were married for more than 45 years. Joe Madison succumbed after a bravely fought battle with cancer earlier this year. The double tribute was presented by beloved radio talk show host Larry Young of WOLB, Baltimore and Dave Gorab, VP/GM of talk programming at SiriusXM.  The award was accepted for Mrs. Madison, who was unable to attend, by last year’s recipient, Martha Zoller of WDUN, Gainesville, GA. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison stated, “This is a classic case of a great woman behind a great man. This brilliant, distinguished woman has served with skill and steadiness creating a landmark program of utmost importance as one of the truly outstanding producers to ever work in talk radio. In 2024, no one deserves it more.” To watch the video, please click here

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Be Like Mike

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imRemember the old Gatorade commercial? The “Be like Mike” jingle accompanied a montage of gravity-defying Michael Jordan dunks.

If you’ve heard Mike Hulvey speak, you know his birthday and blood type, because he told you, in his enthused trademark close: “March 4th and B positive!”

Before he recently hit-the-ground-running as Radio Advertising Bureau CEO and president, Mike was my longtime client when he ran Neuhoff Media. I consulted his news/talk/sports WSOY, Decatur and trained news people at other stations in the group. And the company’s “Media Made Locally” mantra was more than a slogan: “Nothing makes us happier than knowing that while our big corporate competitors are abandoning all the things we think make local media special – we’re doubling down.”

With broadcasters now so challenged by non-AM/FM audio competitors – and coping with cost cuts – the “Core Values” that clicked in these small Midwest markets seem like a prescription for stations everywhere:

1. Grit: “Stick with it.”
2. Community: “Give back.”
3. Innovation: “Think different.”
4. Excellence: “Be exceptional.”

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In too many places now, a legacy call letter station is referred to as “the AM” within multi-station clusters and is bundled with music stations’ inventory… not the best sales model in Mike’s estimation: “The news/talk format offers endless opportunities to local clients.” Offered properly, these stations have “unique attributes and programming that lend itself to customize sponsorship and marketing extensions in any size market;” with otherwise “hidden gems that create opportunities for naming rights inside local sports and benchmark sponsorships as the local expert,” creating what he calls “lean-in listening that benefits advertisers.”

Live-N-local 24/7 seems quaint now, so we leverage imported programming, to make it sound more like part of the station’s own on-air family, rather than sounding like we’re an affiliate plugged-into the bird. The day Mike first introduced me at WSOY, I told the morning host: “We’ve got to get your voice in Rush Limbaugh and the Cardinals games more.”

Back to the future: With Monday-Friday syndicated talk programming mostly political, I asked Mike, “Could the sort of non-political shows that were such weekday winners for the late-great KGO and Buckley-owned WOR make a comeback?” His take: “I say yes. I believe that great locally targeted content is still a winning formula of success. While we as consumers have more choices than ever, we still crave information about where we live, work, and raise our families. While national political content has a very loud voice in the market, listeners appreciate those locally ‘world famous’ voices from where they live.”

Evidence, from the vault: 2-minute video, Mike explaining how winning radio is a relationship: https://youtu.be/wcsqrN7R7Ic

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.