Monday Memo: We’re There, Too
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
How obsolete does this sound? “Newsweek magazine.” News, gathered during most-of the week, had to be frozen by week’s-end, on deadline, to roll the presses in time for hard copy to be delivered in Monday’s snail mail. Back then – picture people dressed like “Mad Men” characters – enough subscribers felt informed-enough to deliver Return On Investment for the magazine’s advertisers. Seems antique. Now, news is reported moment-to-moment, on any device. And newsweek.com is there… along with everyone else competing for attention.
Also quaint: that “clock radio” on the nightstand, which accomplished two-of-many functions now on smartphones. And the “transistor radios” heard all along the beach this time of year in the 1960s? In Providence, the capital city here in The Ocean State, an AM 630 signal superior to its AM 1290 Top 40 competitor led WPRO to brand itself as “The Station That Reaches the Beaches.” Now, there are smart speakers on those beach blankets. I live at the beach and hear them playing Pandora and Spotify.
Good news, but…
Radio is still the #1 in-car audio; increasingly ported there via smartphone app, if stations have explained theirs well. And there’s plenty of other audio on those phones, and on the smart speakers that brought radio back in-home… unless we ask Alexa to instead “play hotel poolside music” or ask her for the weather or some other heretofore radio content.
Repetition builds habit, and to best explain that we’re there too, you should audit the user’s experience consuming your stream. Does “Just say ‘Alexa, play 102.3 WXXX’” or “Hey Siri, play KXXX on TuneIn” get you there? Does the smartphone app instantly play your on-air programming, or are multiple clicks required?
More important than Where and How to listen: Why?
Radio’s real-time nature is still its superpower, and if your station has earned a news reputation, listeners will find you – however they listen – when the fit hits the shan. And between bombshells, diligent stations whose real-time audio seems helpful and relevant and uniquely local will be habit-forming and keep ‘em comin’ back for more. Adding push notifications, breaking news alerts, and other direct engagement can bridge the gap, prompting more live listening.
Beyond that “linear” delivery, our on-demand culture favors predictable utility. Smart stations repurpose their best moments into snackable content: a daily local news roundup, your morning show’s funniest bit, or the weather and event calendar for the weekend; all sponsorable. ICYMI, my recent TALKERS column: Feature The Moments That Matter.
Your over-the-air signal is still the beating heart of your operation. Your call letters are a family surname, these new platforms are siblings. They’re extensions, not threats; extra doors into your house. Make sure they’re open wide, easy to find, and lead to something welcoming. Ideally something they can’t hear anywhere else.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
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Internet adopted under the Biden Administration and network interconnection. FCC chairman Brendan Carr says, “We’re continuing to clean house at the FCC, working to identify and eliminate rules that no longer serve a purpose, have been on our books for decades, and have no place in the current Code of Federal Regulations. Today’s action is just the latest step the FCC is taking to follow the Trump Administration’s effort to usher in prosperity through deregulation. And it’s just one of many, with more on the horizon, so stay tuned.”
Let’s discuss how CBS’s $16 million settlement became a warning shot for every talk host, editor, and content creator with a mic.
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. After that though, Warshaw says Del Nin balked and denied there was ever an agreement, calling any such claims “fabricated.” Now, Soros and Del Nin filed both a Motion to Dismiss saying the “Court lacks personal jurisdiction over Mr. Del Nin under Connecticut’s long-arm statute”; and a Motion to Revise that asks Warshaw to revise his complaint with specific details about his contracts – written or verbal – that he claims were breached, and more. In the Motion to Revise, Soros and Del Nin imply that Warshaw doesn’t have the contractual proof necessary to support his claim. 
marketers about perceived media effectiveness in which radio came in last place, behind all measured traditional and digital media types. According to Nielsen’s global ROI benchmarks, radio delivers the second highest return for advertisers, second only to social media. Nielsen’s ROI benchmarks show radio delivers higher returns for advertisers than all other other traditional media. While radio is perceived to be less effective than digital media, it delivers an ROI +30% higher than video and display, and +70% higher than search and CTV. 
“Godzilla Wins,” that airs Saturday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:00 am ET. John Fredericks says, “Coach Vince is a tremendous asset to our weekend sports broadcast. He has built an enormous fan base in a short period of time. His insight and knowledge of professional and college sports is enlightening and uncanny. Most importantly, Vince is a dedicated mentor and teacher whose keen analysis engages and informs our listeners as well as our younger contributors, whose careers in broadcasting we are dedicated to growing.” JFMN programming is heard on 23 radio stations, plus via multiple streaming platforms including YouTube Live, Rumble Live, X-Live, GETTR Live, and JFMN.TV.
tirelessly reporting from along the river between Kerrville and Centerpoint, Texas, “delivering succinct and informative reports on NewsRadio 1080, additional Audacy stations, and various CBS affiliates across the country. His Texas State Network reporting includes hourly newscasts reaching over 100 affiliates in 86 markets.” KRLD brand manager and Audacy news/talk foremat vice president Drew Anderssen says, “‘NewsRadio 1080’has been a critical lifeline for Texans. Our commitment to timely and essential news, weather and traffic information never wavered in the early days of this tragedy, over the 4th of July holiday weekend, and we are committed to continuing our compassionate and impactful coverage in the days ahead.”
station’s morning show alongside Brian Mazurowski, who continues hosting the morning show. Other changes include David Bellavia’s show airing an hour earlier (9:00 am to 1:00 pm), and Tom Bauerle’s afternoon drive show beginning an hour later at 3:00 pm. The station also adds FOX News Radio programs “Will Cain Country” (7:00 pm to 8:00 pm) and “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” (8:00 pm to 10:00 pm), as well as FOX News hourly reports. 
called, “For Radio Geeks Only,” and will feature Sirott and Landecker reminiscing about their time working together as music DJs from 1973 to 1980 on WLS-AM. Sirott says, “We played the hits and had more fun than humans should be allowed to have. Besides the music, there were encounters with stars, personal appearances with fans and endless stories to go with it all.”
and 
Sterling, who hosts a Saturday afternoon sports talk program on 77WABC, will provide play-by-play of the game, as well as the Little League pre-game. This event includes pre-game activities for families including meet-and-greet opportunities with 77WABC on-air personalities and sports legend Dwight Gooden, Fastest Pitch and Home Run Derby contests, Kids Zone, Sports Memorabilia Silent Auction and more! Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis says, “Shriners Children’s gives hope to children and their families across the country and around the world, regardless of their ability to pay. At WABC Radio, we are proud to partner with Shriners Children’s and, together, provide a fun-filled day for our community while supporting this great mission.”
and the “AAR Daily Defense Hour” join the programming at Omni Broacasting’s WTKE in the Ft. Walton Beach-Destin, Florida market. Additionally, the “Armed American Radio” show is being distributed by CRN Talk to cable systems operated by Cox Communications, Optimum TV, and Xfinity Stream.
postseason and select Spring Training games. KMOX recently integrated new Cardinals coverage, including the “Gas House Gang,” airing weekdays at 12:00 noon and the “Red Bird Rush Hour” airing weeknights at 5:00 pm. Audacy SVP and market manager Becky Domyan says, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to delivering the content our community loves, and with KMOX now on FM, we’re even more fired up to bring every single game, plus exciting new programming, to more fans than ever before.”
MLB Draft hosted by SiriusXM’s Dani Wexelman and Grant Paulsen with former MLB general managers Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette. SiriusXM will also cover the Home Run Derby on July 14 beginning with a Media Day show at 2:00 pm ET. The All-Star Game will be broadcast on July 15 with pre-game coverage starting at 5:00 pm ET.