Donald Trump handily wins Iowa Caucuses; the U.S. migrant crisis; Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen; Iran bombs Pakistan; and extreme winter weather affecting much of the country were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Comrex – the company that has been making innovative tools that allow broadcasters and content creators worldwide to connect with their audiences from anywhere – is offering free 30-day Gagl accounts to make it easy for broadcasters from around the world to share each other’s programming, join in on live talk shows, and demonstrate the power of radio in celebration of World Radio Day on
February 13. Comrex says, “Tens of thousands of Comrex customers go ‘live and local’ every day to bring radio to life for their listeners. Customers that already have a Comrex IP audio codec can use Gagl to connect to their existing hardware. Broadcasters in the US that don’t have a Comrex ACCESS or BRIC-Link IP audio codec can even request free demo hardware if they would like to participate. Restrictions apply.” Comrex adds that using Gagl is as simple as clicking a link from an email. It opens a web browser on a phone or computer and connects with up to five other users. As long as the broadcasters are using headphones, everyone hears each other and the host back in the studio. Audio quality is much better than most web conferencing applications, and there is no complicated setup. For more information, contact Comrex at 800-237-1776 or email info@comrex.com.
Salem Media Group announces that Nic Anderson moves from his general manager role at the company’s Twin Cities operations to the post of vice president of government affairs. Anderson has led
Salem’s government affairs efforts since September of 2021 and focuses on it full time. Salem CEO Dave Santrella comments, “Nic’s passion and commitment to advocating for the 
interests of Salem and our industry in the halls of government has proven that he is a natural for this role. This promotion to VP of government affairs is a recognition of his talents and the value of the role to Salem.” As a result of Anderson’s promotion, Salem ups Minneapolis station manager Mike Murphy to the general manager position. Salem president of broadcast media Allen Power states, “Mike’s leadership as station manager has earned this elevation into the GM chair. We are grateful for how he has provided oversight in Minneapolis that made it possible for Nic Anderson to take on government affairs. We are excited to see Mike move into the full GM job.”
Pictured above is ABC Audio’s “Start Here” podcast host Brad Mielke producing the program from his hotel room in Des Moines, Iowa yesterday morning (1/15). Mielke did the same this morning, wrapping up the results of the Iowa Caucuses with ABC’s team of political reporters, analysts, and contributors.
Broadcasting executive Scott Savage announces that he’s back in business with his company, Savage Media Group, LLC. He says, “I’m thrilled to be back and more focused than ever to support broadcasters with SMG’s brokerage and consultancy company established in 2006. My passion and dedication to contribute to the growth of the radio industry is my top priority.” In addition to brokerage and consulting services, Savage is also experienced with trustee and court-appointed receiverships. During his career, he’s served in management positions with companies including Infinity/CBS, FOX Sports Radio Network, Entravision Communications, and more.
The 2024 presidential race and the Iowa Caucuses; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the World Economic Forum at Davos; the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday; and the severe winter weather affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
SmileyAudioMedia, Inc announces that flagship station KBLA, Los Angeles “Talk 1580 AM” is launching a $2 million, 12-month Climate Justice Campaign with four clear objectives: center the voices of communities of color in the climate conversation, connect at-risk fellow citizens with advocacy organizations, increase climate health literacy, and highlight frontline climate justice crusaders of color.
The company says that the initiative will achieve these objectives with a robust schedule of climate-themed broadcasts and special programming during the next 12 months, four free community events (one per quarter), two town halls broadcast nationally from Los Angeles, and a savvy social media and marketing campaign. KBLA says its public and private partners in this initiative include: LADWP, Metro, the Port of Los Angeles, CalEndow, California Community Foundation, the Sierra Club, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and others who will join the campaign in Q2, Q3 and Q4. Chief visionary officer and nationally 
syndicated talk host Tavis Smiley says, “The harsher impacts of climate change weigh heavily on communities of color. In these underserved communities, families are less likely to have air conditioning, shade trees, bus shelters, water and energy effective appliances and other infrastructure that’s critical to mitigate a changing climate. As the most ‘trusted, credible and reliable’ media source in Southern California for African Americans and beyond, our talk station is committed to do more than just talk in these troubled times. There is a clear connection between Dr. King’s moral consistence on the notion of reverence for human life or the interconnected nature of life and the future of our world house. On this MLK holiday weekend, KBLA assigns itself the task of elevating the climate conversation by amplifying the voices of those who are most impacted by the climate catastrophes we are all witnessing in real time. In a real sense, climate is king.”
By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network
Sears used to sell everything. Tractors, tires, insurance, investments, chickens. In 2004, Sears was the dominant retailer in America. By the end of the decade, it was feverishly closing stores and dying.
Marketers blame the failure on aging store decor, failure to support the brand online, and merchandise offerings that were too broad. Circuit City, CompUSA, Firestone and other highly targeted stores were super-serving specific product lines and diminishing the appeal of Sears’ profit leaders.
Nope. If a broad product line was the problem, Walmart would be a very small business. Operationally, Sears died from within by centralizing all buying and selling decisions. Local stores had zero autonomy and therefore were unable to stay ahead of customer preference trends. The bureaucracy was poison. Financially, Sears was a publicly traded company managed in the end by Wall Street speculators who probably wanted it to fail for their own gain.
SHOCKING WALMART NEWS: Walmart is the highest grossing company in the world. Larger than Chinese oil refineries, General Motors, Volkswagen, and Microsoft. It is the highest grossing company in the world.
Walmart’s decision strategy is surprisingly decentralized. It learned from Sears’ mistake. The employees you see working in Walmart are in charge. Each employee is assigned to a department. They see the profit and loss for their department and for each item they are selling. Employees are shown those numbers from day one. Walmart associates are expected to keep shelves stocked and to stay ahead of demand by ordering from distribution centers on their handheld computers.
No checking with corporate or clearing adds.
In times of crisis, such as hurricanes, Walmart colleagues can donate food, water, and other supplies to rescue workers without chain of command approval. Just do it. After one local disaster, a Walmart corporate type commented on the vast amount of donations made by a local store: “That’s a good use of autonomy.”
Walmart also learned from Sears how not to finance their company: 50% of Walmart is held by founder Sam Walton’s dependents and the Waltons control the board of directors.
So… what does this mean to you?
Walter Sabo was a founding architect of SiriusXM and began the recruitment of Howard Stern. He has consulted RKO General, PARADE magazine, Hearst Broadcasting, Press Broadcasting, and other premium brands. He launched the first company to engage online video influencers, Hitviews. As an executive, he was EVP of NBC FM RADIO giving Dr. Ruth Westheimer her first media job and fostering the creation of adult contemporary. As VP ABC Radio Networks, Sabo hired Ringo Starr to be a DJ for a 24-hour special.
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
Let’s take a minute to welcome back an old reliable that has been part of our sales and marketing world since Adam pitched Eve and got the first “yes” on the original cold call. No telling how cold that call really was.
But seriously, here come two shoutouts that should motivate you to re-evaluate the one strategy that has worked since the very early days of sales. Imagine knocking on 3,000,000 doors, making 3,000,000 cold calls. How many sales would you expect? According to The New York Times, a super PAC has knocked on all those doors nationwide, nearly 1,000,000 or one-third in Iowa alone, asking for the order. That’s a lot of cold calling and leave it to Iowa weather to put the “cold” back into cold calling.
Everyone reading this column would argue, TV, radio – especially r-a-d-i-o – and social media ads are more impactful, more efficient, and often more emotionally compelling than old school cold calling. Only time and results will tell if the boots-on-the-ground technique succeeded over the millions in media spend. No, this isn’t about modern-day political marketing strategy, this is about recognizing an old, proven technique that still has a role in today’s modern, hyper-speed, tech-driven world.
Do you remember the cold-calling contests that ended on a Friday with your team turning in the business cards that proved you met with those brand-new decision makers? Business cards in hand, you were well on your way to winning that weekly cold-calling contest. Talk about cold-call champions! All those business cards represented follow up opportunities that often led to long-term relationships netting many sellers nice commission checks.
Now comes the selfie, the modern-day version of those business cards, documenting proof positive you met the brand-new decision maker on the way to developing that newfound business relationship. Suddenly the old school cold-call strategy has a new world spin showing everyone on the team you are out and about in front of new business prospects, setting appointments and with newly fueled positive energy writing business and achieving your goals.
Hard to believe we are all connected to Adam’s very first sale, the 3,000,000 nationwide cold calls and the political strategists who earn big sums while still advising candidates to make sure they are getting out there, shaking hands and making those cold calls.
What’s on your planner this week?
Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.
Comrex announces the debut of a new, live web series called, “Tech Talk Live!” featuring Chris Crump, senior director of sales & marketing, as the host. The inaugural episode of “Tech Talk Live!” will be Friday (1/19) 11:00 am ET. Andy Mikutta, sales director from Yellowtec, will discuss new developments and
TALKERS founder Michael Harrison will talk about UNESCO’s World Radio Day. “Tech Talk Live!” can be streamed on YouTube Live, LinkedIn Live, Riverside.fm or the Comrex Facebook page. Comrex says, “We are excited to regularly share tech tidbits, unfamiliar product features, some of the inner workings of the industry, and more. ‘Tech Talk Live!’ will feature a new episode monthly with each episode comprising four segments: ‘Ask a Techie’ – featuring a member of the Comrex technical support team to discuss a common problem customers run into and how to fix it; ‘Feature Focus’ – a dive into lesser known features of Comrex products that provide even more functionality and ease of use; ‘The Insiders’ – featuring a guest industry expert to chat about a product/service they offer that is complementary to Comrex codecs and how it makes the job of the end user easier; and ‘Nerd Alert’ – exploring different products, features, happenings and more that may interest those with a more technical background.” Get more information on “Tech Talk Live!” via email at ttl@comrex.com and find out more about Comrex here.
By Michael Harrison
Founder
TALKERS
The United Nations and its specialized agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have given the radio industry all around the globe an invaluable gift. It’s called “World Radio Day 2024.” Now in its 13th installment, WRD takes place annually on February 13 with the purpose of spotlighting the accomplishments, importance, and ongoing relevance of the radio medium as it evolves deeper into the 21st century. This year’s WRD theme is “Radio: A Century Informing, Educating and Entertaining.” By officially designating the platform as worthy of its own officially sanctioned UN International Day, the august world body has recognized, spotlighted, and endorsed radio’s continuing relevance and potential for being a vital force for the betterment of humanity.
On a global level, the scope of radio is huge. However, we, practitioners of radio in America, face formidable challenges keeping the spirit and uniqueness of the platform viable as both a business and iconic connector as it faces stifling debt, exotic competition, a generational divide, creeping censorship, and the growing risk of simply getting lost in the noise and distractions of the ceaselessly evolving digital era. I strongly encourage my American colleagues to embrace WRD 2024 for the fabulous opportunity it offers our industry to make a compelling and inspiring case for the ongoing importance and positive impact of radio to inform, educate and entertain.
Please read and consider any or all of the “13 Ideas to Celebrate World Radio Day 2024” posted on the UNESCO website and in this edition of TALKERS magazine. To see the list of 13 ideas, please click here.
Michael Harrison can be contacted directly via email at michael@talkers.com.
Artificial Intelligence firm OpenAI was denied its Motion to Dismiss the defamation suit filed against it by talk show host Mark Walters, who hosts radio programs produced by his CCW Broadcast Media company. Walters claims the use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT by journalist Fred Riehl that created content
stating the Walters was accused of embezzling funds from the Second Amendment Foundation defamed him. No such accusation ever actually took place. In its Motion to Dismiss, Open AI argued several points, including that Georgia is not the proper jurisdiction, but it summarized its argument that Walters’ claims didn’t meet the burden of defamation when it said, “Even more fundamentally, Riehl’s use of ChatGPT did not cause a ‘publication’ of the outputs. OpenAI’s Terms of Use make clear that ChatGPT is a tool that assists the user in the writing or creation of draft content and that the user owns the content they generate with ChatGPT. Riehl agreed to abide by these Terms of Use, including the requirement that users ‘verify’ and ‘take ultimate responsibility for the content being published.’ As a matter of law, this creation of draft content for the user’s internal benefit is not ‘publication.’”
A piece by Max Tani at Semafor looks at the ramifications of Apple’s September 2023 changes in reporting how many people listen to podcasts has dramatically affected the official listener numbers for many of the biggest podcasts. About Apple’s change, Tani writes, “The dominant podcasting platform
had begun switching off automatic downloads for users who haven’t listened to five episodes of a show in the last two weeks. But while few users noticed the shift, some of the biggest podcasts in the world saw their official listener numbers drop dramatically. Long-running shows that publish frequently were hit particularly hard. A user who listened to a show like The New York Times’ ‘The Daily’ a few times, subscribed, but stopped listening would continue to count as a download indefinitely. Even better under the old rules: For people who listened to a show, dropped off for a while, but started listening again later, Apple would automatically download every show in between. The arrangement drove big download numbers, a crucial metric for ad sales and a sign of the vast reach of podcasts as a medium.” Read the full story here.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Take a day off. You get one free this year.
Programmers: When was the last time you really listened?
— Not the way you usually hear it, at low volume in the office…but “out there,” where/when/how listeners hear radio. Schedule dedicated listening time, away from the station. I promise you will find it an ear-opening experience.
— In 2024, you have no excuse NOT to take a day to listen…because it’s a Leap Year. You get an extra day, a February 29, courtesy of Pope Gregory XIII, in 1582 (as in “The Gregorian Calendar”). So, heaven help you if you miss this opportunity.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “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
Townsquare Media promotes Mike Pettis to market president/chief revenue officer for its Sedalia, Missouri media cluster that serves West Central Missouri. That office operates news/talk KSIS-AM
“News Talk 1050” and two music brands. Townsquare regional vice president Robert Wawrzyniec says, “Mike is the ideal executive to lead Townsquare’s broadcast and digital operations in West Central Missouri. Most important, he knows the Sedalia market and what resonates with its listeners and advertisers. His expertise in creating, developing and executing exceptional local multi-platform solutions for advertising and marketing clients, as well as driving new business opportunities and forging important community partnerships, has resulted in deep client relationships and a strong commitment to listeners. I am looking forward to working with him in his new role.”
Joey Hudson, election 2024 correspondent and contributor-at-large for “The Mike Gallagher Show” on the Salem Radio Network, is in Iowa today (1/15) for on-site coverage of the 2024 Iowa Caucuses.
Hudson hosted “The Morning Answer” on former Salem property WGTK, Greenville, South Carolina for close to a decade. In addition to providing live updates during “The Mike Gallagher Show,” Hudson will also report throughout the day on SRN News and TOWNHALL News. SRN VP of news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “Joey Hudson’s unique background in Republican party politics as well as his impressive media credentials makes him the ideal person to provide eye-level coverage of today’s important caucuses.”
Premiere Networks announces the launch of “24,” a weekly election coverage podcast hosted by Clay
Travis and Buck Sexton. The show debuted yesterday (1/14) and will be available as part of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. Premiere says, “‘24’ is a highlight reel of that week’s most important election news from ‘The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show’ – one of the leading talk radio shows in America reaching millions of listeners on more than 470 stations nationwide. Whether it’s astute political analysis or candidate interviews, ‘24’ is a curated sampling of Travis and Sexton’s comprehensive coverage of the week in politics.”
Legendary New England radio talk show host/newspaper reporter-columnist/prolific author Howie Carr (right) and TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (left) shared dinner and conversation last night (1/14) at the renowned hotspot Trevini in Palm Beach, Florida where they discussed Carr’s forthcoming guest appearance on the award-winning podcast, “The Michael Harrison Interview” and Carr’s latest bestseller, Paper Boy: Read All About It (2023 Frandel, LLC). The book is a fascinating memoir following Carr’s life in the media “from the early days at Boston City Hall to hanging out at Mar-a-Lago with President Donald Trump.” Carr is heard daily across New England on his HCRN syndicated four-hour radio show, an hour of which is carried on the Newsmax streaming service. He is also a long-running columnist for the Boston Herald.
The 2024 presidential race and today’s Iowa caucuses; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to avoid a government shutdown; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Hunter Biden contempt case; Taiwan elects China-named “troublemaker” Lai Ching-te president; the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday; and the brutal winter cold affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
The family-owned Radio Vermont Group is selling full service WDEV-AM/FM, Waterbury, Vermont to Manchester, Vermont-based Mermel & McClain Management LLC for an undisclosed price. The station had been led by Ken Squier – who took over management from his father Lloyd Squier – for the past
44 years. Ken Squier passed away in November and his daughter Ashley tells WCAX-TV, Burlington that the station that’s provided local sports, news, commentary, and more will be in good hands. “I feel that this is a very good day and a very good development. Dad loved community radio.” The station says that former Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former Ethan Allen Institute leader Myers Mermel will serve as owner-operator. Mermel tells WCAX-TV he wants the station to remain local. “We want to look at different ideas and new ideas in order to increase our ability to discover and identify and bring in content.” Read the WCAX-TV story here.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
If you’ve been seeing CES coverage on network and cable newscasts this week, you’ve heard it called “the Consumer Electronics Show,” despite we-the-media being told not to. They want us to say “CES,” although, years ago, the Consumer Electronics Association changed its name to the Consumer Technology Association, not its first rebrand.
Back in 1924, it was the Radio Manufacturers’ Association, and eventually it became the Radio & Television Manufacturers’ Association. For all those years – and for decades after it morphed into the CEA – this organization advocated for companies that made… things.
Back-to-the-future: Many of the big stories at CES2024 aren’t about products that come in a box. Artificial Intelligence is big here this year, nonchalantly referred to as “AI.” But – because we should avoid initials that aren’t self-explanatory – you’re hearing CES called “the Consumer Electronics Show;” and smart reporters use “Artificial Intelligence” on first reference.
And one particularly insightful session I attended got me thinking about radio’s “initials.” When we say our call letters, do listeners think about what we were, or what we can do now do?
“All Media is Social Media” panelist Isabel Perry, VP of emerging technology at pioneering digital agency DEPT said a mouthful, in a savvy British accent: “Your brand is not what you tell your customers. It’s what your customers tell each other about you.” And declaring that “media is now communal,” fellow panelist and former TikTok executive Melissa Eccles urged “Invite people to participate.”
Robotic music stations with too many commercials are disadvantaged. Swifties don’t need FM to hear Taylor. She’s already on their phones…and Alexa, and SiriusXM, and YouTube, and streams. Talk radio that’s I-talk-you-listen is a caricature. Media consumers expect to interact. As Larry King said, “I never learned anything while I was talking.”
Yes, there are huge TVs and flying cars here, and CES is still gadget heaven. But 100 years ago – when families sat around large AM receivers, seeming to watch what they were hearing – simply broadcasting at-them was a business. I leave Las Vegas reaffirmed that ENGAGING people is now, in gambling parlance, table stakes.
Covering CES this week for TALKERS, I’m also offering stations 60-second reports. Help yourself at HollandCooke.com.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “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
Urban One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte is hosting a debate between candidates in the Republican primary race for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District seat on Wednesday, January 31,
at Wingate University’s Batte Fine Arts Center. The event will be moderated by personalities Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman and will feature questions for the candidates presented by the station’s late morning host Vince Coakley, afternoon host Brett Winterble, evening host Brett Jensen, and news director Mark Garrison. It will also include a 30-minute lead-in show hosted by Thompson and Troutman. All six registered candidates for the seat have accepted invitations to take part in the commercial-free broadcast.
The CEO/founder of Benztown, one of the world’s most successful creators and suppliers of radio station jingles and imaging, Andreas Sannemann is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Sannemann is a leading international audio imaging specialist, composer and entrepreneur based at Benztown’s European headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. He joined forces with Dave “Chachi” Denes (who is a past guest on this podcast) and Oliver Klenk in 2008 to form the company. Benztown’s American headquarters are located in Glendale, California. The international production giant provides imaging and other types of programming content and branding to radio stations in the United States, Germany, England, Australia, New Zealand, and more servicing over 2,300 affiliates on six continents. Audio imaging for the 21st Century and beyond – that’s Sannemann’s mission! Michael Harrison says, “I’ve been talking with broadcast industry leaders around the globe, as we lead up to the United Nations ‘World Radio Day 2024’ on February 13, to acquire a greater comprehension of the massive scope of this medium beyond the US. Sannemann and I discuss the state of radio around the world from his knowledgeable perspective in Germany. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for jingles and imaging. The audio jingle has gone through many incarnations over the years, but our modern world has not grown so sophisticated as to relegate them to being a relic of the past. Catchy, ear-wormy jingles are still a major part of product branding, and this continues to be a rich and valued tradition in the radio business where personalities, shows and especially stations regularly present a harmonic group of people singing names and call letters. Jingles and imaging are a key part of the radio ‘esthetic.’ Radio-lovers and audiophiles will find this conversation illuminating.” Harrison is serving as executive advisor to UNESCO for “World Radio Day 2024.” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
Premiere Networks is celebrating one year in national syndication for the three-hour weekend program “Rich On Tech,” hosted by Emmy Award-winning television personality and podcaster Rich DeMuro. Over the course of 2023, Premiere Networks added more than 50 affiliates, bringing the show’s
reach to more than 350 affiliates nationwide. DeMuro hosts the “Rich On Tech” segment on KTLA-TV, Los Angeles and hosts a podcast of the same name. He says, “Doing this show is so much fun. The secret is really the listeners. They are my inside track to what the everyday tech user is curious about. It’s my goal to ensure listeners are ahead of the curve – all in a way that’s easy to understand.” Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott states, “We’re so proud of the continued growth and success of ‘Rich On Tech.’ We partnered with Rich DeMuro to create a fresh, intelligent and entertaining program covering the world of technology, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.”
Fontainebleau Las Vegas will welcome sports media personality Dan Patrick and “The Dan Patrick Show” to Las Vegas for five days of live “Big Game” coverage leading up to the 58th professional football championship at Allegiant Stadium. Patrick’s show, part of FOX Sports Radio’s 24th annual “Super
Week” coverage, will be staged before a live audience – February 5 through 9 on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas third floor Oasis Pool Deck. Patrick says, “Every year when we plan where to take the show for this week – the biggest week in sports – we look to try something new, something fresh and the Fontainebleau is the newest and freshest spot in Las Vegas. The coolest part of this partnership is that over the past few months the people at the Fontainebleau have sent us pictures and videos of the final stages of development. We got a sneak peek. This place is cutting edge with a big nod to old school Vegas throughout. We can’t wait to get out there to do the show, see the fans and enjoy the property.”
The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the U.S. migrant crisis tied with the related move to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, followed by the closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil trial in New York at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
iHeartMedia Tampa Bay flips WHNZ-AM from Spanish-language news back to English-language talk radio as “1250 WHNZ, Impact Radio.” It is also heard on 105.9 FM in Hillsborough County. iHeartMedia says, “1250 WHNZ’s programming will bring informative content focused on financial talk as well as
national news and entertainment. The station will play host to nationally syndicated programs like “The Ramsey Show,” “The Michael Berry Show,” “The Joe Pags Show,” “Armstrong & Getty” and “Michael DelGiorno” as well as “Bloomberg Radio.” iHeartMedia Tampa Bay SVP of programming Tommy Chuck adds, “Tampa Bay is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. As the region’s economy continues to grow, we are pleased to offer programming tailored to the people making that happen. Around the clock, the programming will keep listeners informed on issues affecting their everyday lives and pocketbooks.”
NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law yesterday (1/10) at the hearing, Oversight of A.I.: The Future of Journalism. LeGeyt testified that while broadcasters embrace technologies that
can advance their mission and enable them to better-serve communities with quicker alerts and more local news, he shared broadcasters’ concerns about AI without appropriate guardrails in place. He presented three primary concerns; 1) that the use of broadcasters’ news content in AI models, without authorization, diminishes their audience trust and their reinvestment in local news; 2) the use of AI to doctor, manipulate or misappropriate the likeness of trusted radio or television personalities risks spreading misinformation or even perpetrating fraud; and 3) the rising prevalence of deepfakes make it increasingly burdensome for both newsrooms and users to identify and distinguish legitimate, copyrighted broadcast content, from the unvetted and potentially inaccurate content being generated by AI.
Longtime iHeartMedia Central Florida executive and current area president Barbara Latham will retire, effective March 29. The 39-year iHeartMedia veteran has served as region president for Central Florida that includes talk WTKS-FM and news/talk WFLF-AM in Orlando, plus numerous music brands since April 2021. iHeartMedia division president Tom McConnell states, “Barb has excelled in multiple roles throughout her tenured career at iHeart. Although we will miss her leadership and strategic thinking, we wish her nothing but the best as she begins this exciting new chapter.” Latham says, “I am so excited about this new chapter in my life. Thirty-nine years flew by! I’m happy to have worked for iHeart for almost four decades, and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work with and lead a tremendous team of professionals and iconic brands.”
FOX News Audio’s “The Will Cain Show & Podcast” begins airing live with video on FOX News Digital platforms starting January 15. It will now air live with video on FOXNews.com at 12:00 noon ET Monday through Thursday. Fridays will feature a bonus audio-only podcast that focuses on sports and culture.
The program is also being produced for national syndication on terrestrial radio as well as being available on the FOX News YouTube channel. The program will tackle the latest headlines from Cain’s unique perspective along with thought-provoking longform interviews with leading figures and live calls from viewers and listeners. Cain comments, “This is it! This is what I want to be a part of in our national conversation. More. More engagement, more debate, more dangerous conversations, more free thinking, more fun.”
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
After 4G enabled Uber and other apps now-common, inventors are flexing 5G. And grab-the-armrest for what 6G and 7G will bring. Just when we’re blasé about Wi-Fi, we are told that Li-Fi will use light to transmit data.
Artificial Intelligence? ChatGPT was training wheels. AI’s impact is just beginning to unfold. As it does, Consumer Technology Association research points to concerns over privacy, disinformation, safety, and job loss. 74% believe the federal government should regulate AI safety.
Sustainability is huge here: Solar panels – some are small foil strips — will replace batteries in many applications. And we’re seeing a cube-shaped portable inflatable “smartfarm” that can grow produce anywhere.
What we used to call “a television” becomes the Intelligent Hub for your home, connecting with appliances, security cameras, and thermal imaging for tele-health. It’s an e-commerce platform, like your smartphone… interactive – like betting on live games – and with immersive experiences Netflix is rolling out.
Inclusivity is big business at CES: We’re seeing hearable glasses for people who are vision AND hearing impaired, including some “chic” designs. And lots of tech here helps us as we age. With women’s health a $1.2 trillion market, mattress sensors can trigger cooling during menopause. And Artificial Intelligence will bring drug discovery breakthroughs.
I’m reporting for TALKERS readers, every day this week. Help yourself to today’s report here: http://getonthenet.com/CES2024-Thursday.mp3. It can air until Friday. And I’ll be posting daily 60-second reports you can download at HollandCooke.com.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “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
Audacy sports talk KRLD-FM, Dallas-Fort Worth “105.3 The Fan” announces a multi-year extension to its flagship broadcast and digital partnership with the MLB’s world-champion Texas Rangers through 2027. As part of the extended partnership, English broadcasts of Rangers baseball will continue to be heard on “105.3 The Fan” and streamed digitally via the Audacy app for fans within the Rangers broadcast territory.
PodcastOne announces the January 24 premiere of “Varnamtown,” a limited eight-episode true crime genre podcast from Epic Magazine, Picture Perfect Federation and Full Picture. Hosted by Golden Globe Award winning actor Kyle MacLachlan and investigative journalist Joshua Davis, the series tells the little-known story of a small fishing village in North Carolina that reputedly did a deal with drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.
Audacy and Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Podcasts announce the launch of “The Chris Chatman Do-Over,” an improvised comedy podcast series starring actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer Ike Barinholtz. In the series, Barinholtz plays controversial shock jock Chris Chatman striving to improve his reputation after his hit podcast is canceled. Guest stars include Fred Armisen, Ashley Nicole Black, Jessica St. Clair, Ego Nwodim, Busy Philipps, and Alice Stanley, Jr.
iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God announce that the podcast “Woman Evolve with Sarah Jakes Roberts” joins The Black Effect Podcast Network. Charlamagne Tha God says, “The way she is able to showcase the intersectionality between GOD, faith, the word and how to navigate our mental health is extremely powerful. It is a privilege and honor to partner with ‘Woman Evolve’ and assist in amplifying her life changing messages.”
AdLarge announces today that “Infertile AF” has joined the company’s podcast portfolio. The program is hosted by New Jersey-based journalist, author and mother of two, Ali Prato, who keeps it “very real” while diving into the messy, frustrating, painful, absurd and sometimes humorous journey to have a baby. Or in some cases, to not have a baby.
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation extends the deadline to submit entries for the 49th Annual Gracie Awards through January 25 (11:59 pm ET). The regular deadline, with no additional fee, is January 18 (11:59 pm ET). The Gracie Awards, presented by AWMF, has recognized programming and individual achievement by women across all media for nearly five decades. Submissions from television, streaming, radio, audio, and digital media are encouraged.