Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 5 – 9, 2025)
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/5-9) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Tariffs / The Economy / UK Trade Deal
2. Alien Enemies Act / Deportations
3. Big, Beautiful Bill / Medicaid Cuts
4. India-Pakistan Tensions / Russia-Ukraine War
5. Newark Airport Woes / Air Traffic Control Staffing
6. Conclave Elects New Pope
7. DOJ to Drop Abortion Pill Suits
8. Trump’s Alcatraz Order
9. Surgeon General Nominee
10.Columbia Pro-Palestinian Protests
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Jerome Powell
3. Scott Bessent
4. Mike Johnson
5. Keir Starmer / Mark Carney
6. Pope Leo XIV
7. J.D. Vance
8. RFK Jr.
9. Janette Nesheiwat / Casey Means
10.Elon Musk
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
and Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue increased 4.2%. Townsquare CEO Bill Wilson says, “I am pleased to share that Townsquare’s first quarter results met or exceeded our previously issued guidance, driven by 
the continued strength of our differentiated digital platform. Additionally, this morning we are reaffirming our 2025 full-year guidance for both net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. In the first quarter, net revenue decreased – 0.5% year-over-year excluding political, and -1.0% in total, meeting our guidance, and Adjusted EBITDA increased +6.2% year-over-year excluding political, and +3.5% in total, exceeding our guidance. In addition, net income declined $3.1 million year-over-year. Digital is and will continue to be Townsquare’s growth engine, and we believe Townsquare’s ability to drive profitable, sustainable digital growth is a key differentiator for our company, and consistent with our strategy of being a Digital First Local Media Company principally focused on markets outside the Top 50 in the U.S.”
decreased 2.2% for the quarter to $22 million compared to the same period last year. Saga reports a net loss of $1.6 million for the quarter consistent with the same period last year. Looking ahead, the company says revenue pacing for the second quarter remains uncertain but is improving as the quarter progresses. For the second quarter Saga is currently pacing down mid-single digits. April was down high-single digits. May improved to being down low-single digits and June is approximately flat with the same period last year.
Bowen was most recently VP and director of sales for the company’s New Orleans operations. Audacy Chicago SVP and market manager Kevin Cassidy states, “We look forward to welcoming Robby to Chicago. He is a consummate sales professional and will be an inspirational leader for a sales team that proudly represents six amazing brands plus the Bulls and the Cubs!”
followed by The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #2, NPR’s “Up First” at #3, NBC News’ Dateline NBC at #4, and FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” at #5. Other radio-centric podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Shawn Ryan Show” rising two spots to #6, and Silverloch’s “VINCE” falling 11 places to #18. 
“Hosting Will Cain in our performance space underscores the dynamic synergy between our broadcast platforms and live events. This special event will provide NewsRadio 1080 KRLD listeners with an engaging experience while championing a vital cause through our partnership with Hounds & Heroes. We’re proud to facilitate this connection between talent, audience, and community impact.” Cain comments, “I’m incredibly excited to host a live episode of ‘The Will Cain Show’ from the Audacy Dallas performance space. I never wanted a one-way relationship with the audience, so it’s perfect for the show to have an in-studio audience where I can hear from them and talk with Texans. I can’t wait!”
lot of good listening and attention to what matters most to those in the communities they call home. Our news will talk about what people are talking about, be factual, and will ask the next question so people can reconnect with their local communities and schools in a way that journalism hasn’t consistently afforded in recent years. Online and social media disinformation is steadily driving people back to how they used to find out what’s happening, and Big Radio is well-positioned to meet this moment and lead the re-emergence of local radio news in this region and beyond.” Big Radio – owned by father and son Scott and Ben Thompson – owns and operates 10 radio stations in the Monroe, Freeport, Janesville, and Beloit, Wisconsin markets.
investment. Other notes from the first quarter include: Revenue from new business accounted for 18% of net revenue; Local revenue, including digital packages sold locally, accounted for 71% of net revenue; Digital revenue was comparable to the first quarter of 2024 but increased 6% year-over-year to $10.8 million, on a same-station basis; Digital revenue accounted for 22% of net revenue; and Digital segment operating margin was 18%. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley says, “Our first quarter results 
reflect the strength of our ongoing transformation and the resilience of our core strategy. While revenue was impacted by persistent macroeconomic headwinds, we mitigated this through disciplined cost management, operational streamlining, and continued momentum in our digital business, resulting in an Operating Loss of $2.0 million and year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth. Digital revenue now represents over 20% of total revenue, and the meaningful expansion in digital segment operating income underscores the scalability of our platform and the impact of our strategic investments. As we look ahead, we remain focused on unlocking margin expansion, accelerating our digital evolution, and driving long-term value for our stockholders through thoughtful execution and innovation. We are particularly encouraged by the continued growth in our high-margin digital offerings and the early success of new digital and content initiatives. With a more agile operating structure, a differentiated content portfolio, and deepened advertiser engagement, we believe Beasley is well-positioned to navigate short-term market challenges while building a more durable and diversified revenue base.”
given out at the recent 2025 Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards Gala. Civic Media stations received 11 first place awards, 15 second place awards, and 12 third place awards. Civic Media CEO Sage Weil says, “I couldn’t be more proud of our team’s performance this year, and their ongoing dedication to serving our audiences around the state. We believe that local media plays a critical role in our communities, and it is always great to see the WBA recognizing the quality work being done around Wisconsin, both by Civic Media and the many other excellent organizations.” 
Krantz was most recently co-host of “The BradandBrittcast” podcast with Britt Whitmire. He served as host at a number of rock stations during his long radio career as well as morning host on news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte. 
revenue, uniquely positioned to evaluate and pursue strategic growth opportunities.” In addition to its broadcast properties, Connoisseur owns and operates the digital marketing services company Ferocious Digital. The company says that when integrated with Alpha Digital, the combined 
organization “will continue to expand and enhance its digital capabilities – delivering forward-thinking integrated marketing services.” Jeff Warshaw comments, “We are thrilled to welcome Alpha Media into the Connoisseur family. In getting to know the Alpha team, it has become clear that we share many of the same values — a passion for serving our local communities, a deep commitment to our clients, supporting our colleagues and fostering a culture of integrity, creativity and achievement. This transaction underscores our commitment to the irreplaceable role local broadcasters play in providing news, information and entertainment that truly resonates. Together, we will build an industry-leading platform of broadcast and digital. I could not be more excited to get started.” The two companies have entered into a Local Market Agreement and expect the deal to close in the second half of this year. 
“Wellness Unmasked with Dr. Nicole Saphier” program, effective Tuesday, May 13. Dr. Saphier serves as a FOX News contributor, is a New York Times best-selling author, and a board-certified physician. She says, “I am thrilled to join the dynamic Clay & Buck team as we launch ‘Wellness Unmasked,’ a podcast dedicated to cutting through the noise and delivering honest, science-based insights on all things health and wellness. Together, we will empower listeners with knowledge to live their best lives.”
Geary says, “FOX News Media and SiriusXM are leaders in news and entertainment programming respectively, and we are delighted to bring to the market a bundle of our streaming services that offers exceptional consumer value. FOX Nation’s library of original video programming and SiriusXM’s vast offering of music for every mood and moment, live sports from every major league, plus entertainment and news combine to make a highly attractive streaming audio and video bundle.”
voracious consumers of movies in the theater and films on streaming services. They are first to see a movie in the theater on opening weekend and when films debut on streaming services; and 2) Versus linear TV viewers, audio listeners are far more likely to see movies in the theater and indicate a greater willingness to watch content. Looking at data about marketing moves and streaming video, the study finds that 1) Linear TV advertising spend for theatrical releases and video streaming brands is 30X audio. Despite this, TV viewers show low awareness of new films and low interest in upcoming films and streaming service subscriptions; and 2) Audio (AM/FM radio, streaming audio, and podcasts) should become a much greater allocation in the entertainment marketing media plan. Reallocating 20% of linear TV theatrical and streaming video media plans to AM/FM radio doubles campaign reach with no additional cost. 
and public television have enjoyed bipartisan support since 1967. The system has a profound impact on Americans in all 50 states and in every type of community—urban, suburban, rural, and remote. This indispensable service costs the American taxpayer about $1.60 a year, and it is one that the majority of Americans want to maintain. Recent polling from the Pew Research Center shows that only 24 percent of Americans support cutting federal funding. The budget request and executive order are only part of the administration’s ongoing effort to dismantle the American public broadcasting system as we know it. We expect even more to come. If successful, the effort will exacerbate existing news deserts and create new ones, as public radio has become the main (or only) remaining source for fact-based local news, educational and cultural programming, and critical emergency broadcast services in many communities across the country.” He encourages them to contact their legislators and to either donate or increase one’s current contribution to the public broadcasting organization.
“ArtsBeat,” “Athenaeum Spotlight,” and “On The Mark” for WCPC, Channel 15 and WSKB-FM 89.5, both in Westfield, MA. He was a regular contributor to Berkshire Onstage and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association. His weekly column “Arts Beat” appeared in The Westfield News. In his youth, Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. During his multimedia career his impact was felt nationwide, and he was an indefatigable fundraiser for public broadcasting. As a publicist, he was a devoted supporter of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and numerous other not-for-profit artistic organizations. TALKERS publisher and local Western Mass resident Michael Harrison states, “I am proud to have been able to call Mark Auerbach a friend for the past 39 years, during which time I have come to respect and admire him as one of the finest media practitioners with whom I have had the pleasure of working. He was a champion of the arts and all that celebrates the humanities in our modern multimedia environment. He was a local giant on a multitude of levels and leaves an irreplaceable void in this part of America’s grassroots media community.” Auerbach requested no funeral services but said if people wish to do something in his memory they can make a gift to either Springfield Chamber Players MOSSO) (
Fan.” Former University of Kentucky standout and Indiana Miss Basketball Bria Goss will provide the game analysis, and long-time broadcaster John Nolan will deliver the play-by-play on the Old National Bank Radio Network. Radio One sports format captain Jeff Rickard says, “Basketball is such an integral part of the Indiana community, and the Fever are certainly a big part of that story. For ‘107.5 The Fan’ to be able to share in telling the story of this exciting chapter in Indiana’s pro basketball history is a wonderful opportunity. We’re thrilled we can bring Fever fans a little closer to the action.”
“It won’t work on FM.” Country. Country was predicted to be a failing format for the FM band. At the dawn of FM proliferation in the 1970s, the future of the band was viewed with fear and skepticism. Why wouldn’t country music work on the FM band? The conventional chatter said that “country needs to be on AM because truckers drive long distances and AM signals cover long distances. FM does not.”
When a blogger found “no biography, or further information about the woman who is supposedly presenting this show,” it forced Australian Radio Network to 