Industry News

Montague Upped to Promotions Director for iHeartMedia NYC Stations

iHeartMedia New York promotes David Montague to promotions director for New York City stations news/talk WOR-AM and music outlets hip hop WWPR-FM and classic rock WAXQ-FM. iHeartMedia Newimg York director of marketing and promotions Emily Magelof says, “David’s creativity, vision, and dedication have been instrumental in driving our brands. We are excited for him to continue elevating our promotional efforts, ensuring even greater success in the future.” Montague comments, “I am truly honored for this accomplishment and excited for the future. I want to thank my support system at iHeartMedia, friends and family for their continued confidence and believing in me.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (3/3)

The most discussed stories yesterday (3/3) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
2. U.S. Pauses Ukraine Aid/Trump-Vance-Zelensky Spat
3. Elon Musk and DOGE
4. Cryptocurrency Reserve Plan
5. Measles Outbreak

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: Promoting Doom

By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter M Sterling
Host, Sterling Every Damn Night
WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling On Sunday, Syndicated, TMN

imgDuring my tenure at NBC, once a month the division heads would meet at the behest of the CEO to report on their progress and trends in their sector. As the executive vice president of the FM division, I took a seat in that formidable group and tried to keep my remarks as brief as possible. What could I possibly say that would be more damn important than the words of the president of NBC News or the NBC Television network? In addition to NBC’s CEO, the CEO of owner RCA would often join the fun.

Cable TV was flourishing, and CNN had just launched. I was at least 15 years younger than everyone in that meeting and had a different perspective on cable. Therefore, I was shocked by this exchange:

The CEO asked the president of NBC News what he thought of CNN. The President of NEWS said these exact words:

“It might do well for breaking news but otherwise it will not take the place of our news.”

Next on the staff meeting agenda was a discussion of HBO. Should NBC run spots for HBO? Again, the group did not think HBO would be much of a factor on the entertainment menu. They agreed to run the spots promoting HBO. Yes, I objected but lost.

In its first three decades, CNN was a serious factor for news, ratings, and revenue. CNN brilliantly made partnership deals with local TV stations to exchange stories and carriage. Independent TV stations could tap CNN feeds for breaking news coverage. Those deals, requiring no cable, established CNN at viewer level in every city.

HBO last year won more Emmys than NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX combined. In fact only one Emmy went to a traditional network last year: “Abbott Elementary,” ABC.

Radio’s inherent advantage over all other mass media is its distribution system. Elegant and free, it just works! A decision was made about 10 years ago by many radio companies to use radio’s power, clout, and credibility to promote podcasts. Podcasts… hard to find, hard to hear, and requiring expensive equipment that suffers from buffering now.  The hidden reason for the podcast push is that Wall Street doesn’t love legacy media. They like new things even if the new thing is deeply flawed. When needing money or liquidation, legacy media companies proudly point to their listening STREAMS.

Commercial broadcasters have proven to be not so great at podcasting.  Of course not. It’s a different medium: On-demand audio that can be paused and reviewed. Radio DJs and talk hosts were never trained or attracted to audio creation that is blind to time of day and repeated. It’s different. Why promote it? It’s like NBC promoting HBO.

The good news? Wall Street is realizing the proven appeal of legacy media: The George Soros Funds invested in Audacy. Apollo Advisors, the first-in money for Sirius, now owns Cox Broadcasting. Time to stop throwing our time spent listening and creative energy at podcasts that price their audience lower than legacy media. Bad business.

The wise way to benefit from the podcast revenue opportunity is to buy what works. Acquire existing, successful podcasts and aggregators.

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 Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com

Industry News

Former NY Governor Patterson Joins 77WABC Show

Red Apple Media announces that former New York Governor David Patterson is joining 77WABC for the program “Left vs. Right” alongside host James Flippin. The station says. “‘Left vs Right’ is a riveting debate every Saturday, from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm, of who’s right, who’s wrong, and where is the common-senseimg solution that brings both sides together for progress and unity. Patterson and Flippin battle the political, social, and economic differences, ultimately landing on common sense and the truth in every situation.” Red Apple owner John Catsimatidis says, “I have known David for many years. He is a common-sense politician, with the ability to make insightful observations about national and local politics. David represents the Democratic perspective with a level-head and a focus on finding the common ground that unites us and moves us forward. Our listeners already know David. His entrée as a regularly scheduled co-host of ‘Left vs. Right’ will be a welcome addition to our listeners.” Patterson says, “I am thrilled to be a part of the permanent WABC Radio lineup and to represent the left side of things. As Americans, we have more in common than we might realize. With common sense, we can come together as Americans and New Yorkers and solve our problems. I’m looking forward to working with James and helping to bring New Yorkers together.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Pronounce “T” in the Middle of Words

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

Often, Millennials and GenZ-ers sound like they’ve replaced “T” with a soft “H.”

“Putin” comes out “Pooh’in.” “Groton” becomes “Groh’en.” “Dayton?” “Dayh’en.” Cold outside? Wear your “mih’ens.” Shark attack! Who got “bih’en?”

im

It’s as though as the “T” was “forgoh’en.” It’s not the way the script is “wrih’en,” just the way they read it. The biggest retail advertising spenders are radio’s lifelong habitual users: adults. Sound grown-up.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Radio Pro Kelly Orchard Publishes Suspense Novel in Radio Setting

Lifelong broadcaster and FCC consultant Kelly Orchard is publishing a suspense novel titled, Dead Air: Theimg Day the Music Died, that involves pirates hijacking 100 radio stations in five major U.S. cities and follows one company’s story over the course of 24 hours. Orchard was raised in a radio family that owned and operated stations in the 1980s and 1990s. Her family later launched a consulting business that conducted mock FCC inspections and she says the idea for her novel was born from those experiences.

Job Opportunity

Lotus Seeks General Sales Manager in Seattle

Lotus Communications is seeking an experienced and results-driven broadcasting general sales manager to lead their sales team and drive revenue growth across our diverse broadcasting portfolio. The GSM directsimg the team to develop, sell and service local business. The position is responsible for delivering assigned revenue targets through managing sales team efforts, developing sales talent and monthly business planning. The GSM develops relationships with businesses, engages with networks such as chambers, business alliances etc. to uncover opportunities within the local market. The GSM will maintain an account list while helping the sales team sell and develop cohesive campaigns for new direct businesses. Send your resume here.

Industry News

Big Al Coleman Retires from Sports Talk Show

Richmond sports talk host Big Al Coleman calls it a career and he did his final broadcast on Summit Media’s sports talk WURV-HD2/W291CL, Richmond. According to a story from WTVR-TV, Richmond,img Coleman has been a fixture in Richmond sports talk for more than 30 years on numerous stations in the market. He began his working life as a stockbroker but caught the sports talk bug in the 1990s. He says, “Everybody to a person said to me, ‘Don’t quit your day job. You can’t do a sports talk show in Richmond, Virginia, five days a week. It ain’t gonna work…’ It worked. It worked.” He laments that the business isn’t what it was back in the day, “There’s not the same camaraderie. It’s not the same fun that it used to be.” But he adds, “It’s still fun; I still like doing the show. But it’s just time for me to go.” See the WTVR-TV story here.

Industry News

Audacy Expands Podcast Partnership with CBS

img

Audacy announces it is expanding its exclusive, multi-year sales and distribution partnership with CBS to include CBS Entertainment, CBS Media Ventures, CBS News, and CBS Studios podcast slates. The CBS News & Entertainment portfolio has 39 titles including “The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert,” “60 Minutes,” and “CBS Evening News.” Audacy chief digital officer and president, podcast and streaming J.D. Crowley says, “CBS Sports is a thriving part of our business, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership with CBS’ storied news and entertainment slate. This stellar lineup of talent and podcasts offers a compelling slate of premium content and new scaled opportunities for our advertising partners.”

Industry News

KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia Recognizes 10 “GameChangers”

img

Audacy’s all-news KYW, Philadelphia “Newsradio” is honoring 10 leaders making a difference and uplifting the lives of people in and around Philadelphia’s communities of color. This year’s honorees were recognized at a ceremony hosted by KYW Newsradio community impact reporter Racquel Williams at Audacy’s headquarters last night (2/27). Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff states, “KYW Newsradio’s annual GameChangers is a meaningful honor given to the community by the community. We are proud to spotlight the unsung heroes whose contributions shape and elevate us all. It’s a privilege to amplify their stories and the lasting impact they have through our platforms.”

Industry News

SiriusXM to Launch “Page Six Radio” Program

SiriusXM is partnering with the New York Post to launch “Page Six Radio,” a new daily morning show highlighting the latest celebrity and pop culture news from the paper’s Page Six. The program is being hosted by Danny Murphy, Evan Real, and editor Ian Mohr and will debut on March 31. The two-hour showimg will air on SiriusXM’s Stars channel from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein comments, “Page Six has been a powerhouse for all celebrity news for nearly half a century, and by teaming up with our in-house experts here at SiriusXM, this new show is sure to be the ultimate destination for pop culture fans. With the launch of ‘Page Six Radio,’ we are transforming the publication’s stories to a dynamic new format that will expand its reach and resonate with SiriusXM listeners who turn to the platform for all the latest entertainment news.”

Industry News

Gavin Newsom and iHeartMedia Partner for Podcast

The California governor is launching new podcast via iHeartPodcasts titled, “This is Gavin Newsom.” iHeartimg says, “Governor Newsom is going solo and diving into the real issues that matter – government, politics, affordability, quality of life, and the cultural moments shaping our world. No spin, no script, just real talk about what impacts listeners most.”

Industry News

RTDNA Critical of Trump Press Pool Strategy

The Radio Television Digital News Association is strongly condemning President Donald Trump’s edict that he and not the White House Correspondents Association, will be selecting members of the official White House press pool. RTDNA president and CEO Dan Shelley states, “No president, or any public official,img should have the right to handpick the journalists who cover them. Doing so gives them license to select only news outlets whose coverage they deem positive and exclude responsible journalists whose reporting, although fair and accurate, the administration may not like. We call on the Trump administration to reverse this decision without delay so that the American people, and the world, can be assured they are getting a complete and accurate account of the activities of the President of the United States. This is especially critical during times of crisis.”

Industry News

Cumulus to Employ Quu’s Dashboard Visual Messaging

img

Cumulus Media says it is expanding its ability to help advertisers connect with consumers on the go via Quu’s in-dash messaging technology across its 400 radio stations. The company’s stations will leverage Quu’s content management system, 24/7 dashboard display monitor, Xperi’s Rapid technology and DTS AutoStage, and more, to enhance in-car listening experiences and help drive ratings and revenue. Some markets will also offer Quu’s patented Content Partnership sponsorship, bringing fresh opportunities for advertisers. Cumulus president of operations Dave Milner states, “Visual content solutions generate sustainable revenue growth and significantly enhance in-car engagement, where listeners spend the most time with our stations. This expansion underscores Cumulus’s commitment to delivering premium content and sales experiences that meet the evolving needs of our audience and clients.”

Industry News

Audacy Names Berbari Yankees Post-Game Show Host

Audacy’s sports talk WFAN-AM/FM, New York names Emmanuel Berbari postgame show host for its Newim York Yankees baseball broadcasts. Berbari, in his third year with the station, will continue to serve as a fill-in play-by-play announcer. Audacy New York market president Chris Oliviero says, “We are excited to have Emmanuel take on an expanded role as the postgame show host for WFAN’s Yankees broadcasts. Emmanuel has been a terrific contributor to our team coverage the last few seasons and his passion for the game makes him a perfect fit to wrap up each game for the fans of the Bronx Bombers.”

Industry News

New York Radio Team Finds a Home in Cape Town

img

Salem Media New York chief engineer Andrew Gladding writes in an exclusive piece for TALKERS about the collaboration between Hofstra University’s 88.7FM WRHU Radio Hofstra and 89.5FM Bush Radio in Cape Town, South Africa. He says, “The power of broadcast radio stems from its genesis, which is the use of audio technology and storytelling to transmit messages to large audiences. As industry professionals, we are all acquainted with the power and reach that our trade provides. However, all stories must begin with the spark of an idea. In the case of the curious collaboration between a college radio station in New York and a community radio station in South Africa, this idea started with a simple conversation.” Read the full story here.

Industry News

“New Jersey 101.5” Presents Town Hall on Terror Threats

Tomorrow evening (2/27), Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” presents a special Town Hall broadcast titled, “Today’s Terrorism Threats.” The Town Hall-style discussion explores the domestic and foreign terrorist threats facing New Jersey. Station political director Eric Scott leads theimg discussion that will include experts educating New Jersey residents about how to identify threats and what to do when one’s personal safety is in jeopardy. The program will also expose the growing threat posed to children who are increasingly being groomed and recruited by extremists online. He says, “Law enforcement is increasingly concerned about both foreign and domestic threats. But the rate at which extremists are targeting our children is particularly alarming.” On-air guests will include: Carl Priddy, acting assistant special agent in charge of counterterrorism for the Newark FBI office; Laurie R. Doran, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness; Adam McMahon, assistant professor of political science at Rider University; and John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven and former commander of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root Show to Be Simulcast on UntamedNation Platform

Las Vegas-based talk media personality Wayne Allyn Root announces that his Talk Media Network nationally syndicated radio show will be simulcast as a two-hour podcast on UntamedNation.com andimg streamed live on Rumble, and soon on both YouTube and X. Root tells TALKERS, “I’m thrilled to announce I’m now part of ‘Untamed Nation’ two hours a day. This gives my fans a daily choice – they can listen to my talk show on the radio, or they can watch both hours streamed as a podcast. Untamed is quite a unique platform. Untamed cuts through the noise and brings the truth to light. We are bold, empowering, and disruptive. No filters, no fear. Just raw untamed truth. It’s the perfect platform for ‘the loudest MAGA mouth in the world.’”

Features

New York Radio Team Finds a Home in Cape Town

By Dr. Andrew Gladding, EdD
Chief Engineer
WMCA / WNYM, New York

 

The power of broadcast radio stems from its genesis, which is the use of audio technology and storytelling to transmit messages to large audiences. As industry professionals, we are all acquainted with the power and reach that our trade provides. However, all stories must begin with the spark of an idea. In the case of the curious collaboration between a college radio station in New York and a community radio station in South Africa, this idea started with a simple conversation.

The relationship between 88.7FM WRHU Radio Hofstra University and 89.5FM Bush Radio in Cape Town South Africa began purely as a matter of proximity. In the winter of 2018, I happened upon Bush Radio while in South Africa while on a family vacation. Meeting the passionate broadcasters at Bush Radio has resulted in a fruitful broadcast collaboration spanning six years and many exchanges of audio, information and support between our two broadcast organizations. Students at WRHU in New York, WRCT in Pittsburg and members of Bush Radio  co-produce a weekly show called “The 1World Community Radio Show,” which features interviews and music from around the world. WRHU’s Ricky Hubert, WRCT’s Cody Hmelar and Bush Radio host Lydia Marwanqana connect weekly to create a truly unique program that provides a world stage for young, aspiring talent. The show has become a centerpiece of programming for both stations and an example of how stations across the globe can work together to create engaging, community focused audio content. It has also allowed staff members from both stations to develop insight into each other’s cultures and communities.

img

Pictured above (from l-r) are: Sturgeon Records President David Chapman, Salem NY Chief Engineer Andy Gladding, Bush Radio engineer Renato Van Schalkwyk, WRHU general manager John Mullen, Bush Radio managing director Brenda Leonard, Bush Radio host Jasnine Roberts, WCWP general manager Dan Cox and WKZE “Night Shade” host Paul Higgins at the Bush Radio Studios in Salt River, Cape Town.

In the fall of 2024, members of Bush Radio came to New York City and Washington DC  to cover the presidential elections. The purpose of the trip was to find new ways to combat journalistic misinformation. The visit exposed Bush Radio staff members to American journalistic values, broadcast operational practices provided the international broadcasters with an up-front look at the US democratic process in action.

In February of this year, In the spirit of maintaining and strengthening our broadcast partnership, five members of New York radio and audio media , including myself, traveled to Cape Town to see how the Bush Radio folks used their FM reach and power to serve their community. The goals of this part of the exchange were to deepen our understanding of South African media, operations, practices and workplace culture. We went into this journey with our minds and hearts wide open, ready to see how the craft that we know and love was practiced on the other side the world.

img

Pictured above is Andy Gladding working with Bush Radio engineer Renato Van Schalkwyk to install Comrex hardware in the Bush Radio Air Studio.

The results of this visit were eye opening. During our visit to Cape Town, we observed several similarities between our stations in New York and our South African counterparts. The Bush Radio staff was extremely dedicated to their station and took great pride in serving their community. They used their centrally located studies as both a broadcast center and training facility, with a thriving mentorship and intern program. We also noticed that they followed almost identical practices and standards as we do in the USA, ranging from technical specifications for broadcast engineering to maintaining programmatical integrity. Even the energy and excitement among the staff in the studios and reporting from the field was comparable to any well-run US broadcast entity. This is mainly due to the fact that the folks who run Bush Radio, specifically Managing Director Brenda Leonard and Program Director Adrian Louw, execute a comprehensive and extensive training and operational workflow at the station. Bush Radio holds the proud distinction of being the first licensed community radio station in South Africa, which was achieved with great effort and sacrifice during a time when the practice of community radio was non-existent in the country. Therefore, the management is very observant and powerful of the weight that they carry and this respect is passed along to the station members.

We also noticed some stark differences. Due to the relatively young nature of the South African democracy, there appeared to be a deeper connection between station and community. Bush Radio is involved in many different aspects of Cape Town governance, culture and outreach and this is reflected in their on-air product and station ethos. We also observed that many members of the general public were familiar with the station and proudly considered themselves to be regular listeners and supporters. The station was closely intertwined within the fabric of the community, which is both wide and diverse.

We also noticed that there was an intrinsic willingness between Bush and other community stations to work together. During our visit, we had the opportunity to visit a number of stations in communities around the Western Cape region, including Zibonele FM and The Voice of the Cape. We heard the term “partnership” and “sister station” during our visit many times, which demonstrated a visible willingness between teams at different organizations to work together and collaborate. I personally believe that this positive attitude for partnership and outreach has been a driving force in the successful collaboration WRHU has enjoyed with Bush Radio.

During our visit, the New York contingent felt this energy and openness, which in turn motivated us to jump into the spirit of the occasion. I personally worked with the Bush station engineering team on some facility maintenance and technical improvements, while other members of the crew lent their wisdom and knowledge to the venture. Laura Schaffer, the General Manager of Salem Media of New York had sent us down with a “broadcasters care package,” comprised of surplus equipment and spare parts from New York. The staff at Bush Radio was happy to receive the gear and began using it almost immediately.

The exchange of knowledge was not limited to technical engineering. WRHU’s John Mullen and Dan Cox ran a workshop on sales, marketing and workflow, while Sturgeon Records owner and engineer Dave Chapman taught the station members multi-track production. WKZE’s Paul Higgins, a world music producer, worked with the station’s air staff on interviewing techniques and even conducted an interview with famed producer Steve Lillywhite on 89.5FM, which was re-broadcast to the USA live. The experience of giving and sharing knowledge was both exciting and rewarding.

However, what we received in return was even more fulfilling. Even though we were strangers from another part of the world, we felt strangely at home at 89.5FM. The folks at Bush Radio were excited to show us their station, city and culture and made sure that we enjoyed a completely immersive experience. We saw all sides of the area, from the sparkling beaches and stunning views of the harbor from the top of Table Mountain to areas that were struggling and people that were fighting to survive. Throughout all of our travels, we noticed one constant: Radio was an integral part of all of the communities that we visited. Part of this can be attributed to a lack of broadband access across the region, but I personally believe a larger factor was based around the spirit of the South African people trusting in and embracing their local radio stations.

Considering this current period of uncertainty and transition in the US, it was refreshing to experience radio being used as a force for community connectivity, outreach and positivity in a far-away part of the world. Our team returned from the trip, refreshed with new ideas on how we could use our experience to grow and improve our own stations. One of these action items has gone into effect almost immediately. Since our return, the 1World Community Show has grown into an open-source network, which includes new domestic and international partners. Stations on the network now include WRCT-Pittsburgh, WCWP-LIU Post, WKZE-Red Hook, KCSS-UC Stanislaus, WVCR-Siena College and Kinvara Community Radio in Ireland, in addition to WRHU and Bush, all eager to share audio content and ideas. I personally hope to see the connection between all of our stations, along with this beautiful collaborative relationship, grow larger and endure way into the future. As one Bush Radio station member told me, “the color of our skin may be different, we may pray to other gods and we are from separate countries and cultures. However, our love for radio is above all that, which makes us all the same.”  Considering the diversity of storytelling that we each do with the power of broadcasting, it’s nice to know that our passion for the craft and industry can unite us and break down barriers. I look forward to our next adventure with the Bush Radio staff. If anyone reading this would like to get involved in radio outreach and establish a similar program or help expand technical support for our new “sister stations,” please feel free to reach out. Your contributions will not be unappreciated. You can find out more about the 1World Community Radio Network at www.1worldcommunityradio.com

Dr. Andrew Gladding his chief engineer at Salem Media Group’s WMCA and WNYM in New York. He can be emailed at andrew.gladding@salemcommunications.com

Industry News

Townsquare Announces New $490 Million Credit Agreement

Townsquare Media Inc announces a new $490 million credit agreement with Bank of America. The dealimg provides Townsquare with a five-year, $470 million senior secured term loan facility and a five-year, $20 million senior secured revolving credit facility. Townsquare used $453 million of net proceeds from the Senior Secured Credit Facility plus cash on hand to redeem the outstanding 6.875% senior secured notes due 2026. Both the term loan and the credit revolver mature on February 19 of 2030.

Industry News

iHeartMedia and Qatar Partner for Regional Podcasting Hub

iHeartMedia announces a multi-year partnership with the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar to create a thriving podcasting industry in the Middle East and North Africa. iHeartMedia says, “The partnership brings world-class podcasting infrastructure to Qatar and will spark a wave of creative storytelling across the MENA region, leading to the region becoming a global podcasting hub.” iHeartMedia will developimg a state-of-the-art podcast studio in Qatar, accompanied by a lineup of original shows and the introduction of some of the world’s most popular podcasts to Arabic-listening audiences. It will also execute specialized masterclasses to nurture local talent and host global industry events, including Web Summit gatherings, positioning Qatar as a meeting point for the world’s top podcasting voices. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman comments, “Podcasting has exploded in the US and is now a mass-reach medium. And iHeartMedia, with our expansive network as the #1 podcaster in America, is in a unique position to grow strong listenership around the globe. iHeartPodcasts features a massive catalog of original shows spanning every category and this new partnership creates an opportunity to work with a long roster of incredible creators and distribute even more content to new audiences in the Middle East.”

Industry News

Rickard and Boyd Join Bowen on “The Fan Morning Show”

img

Indianapolis sports talk WFNI-AM/WIBC-HD2/W228CX/W298BB “93.5 & 107.5 The Fan” announces the addition of Jeff Rickard and James Boyd to the morning show with incumbent Kevin Bowen. The Urban One station says, “Kevin Bowen, a staple of Indy sports radio and a trusted voice on ‘The Fan,’ continues his role as your morning companion. Known for his deep roots in Indianapolis and unmatched Colts coverage, Kevin brings day-to-day expertise and the local sports passion fans love. Joining him is Jeff Rickard, an experienced and nationally respected sports media veteran who has called Indianapolis home for over a decade. Twice honored as Sports Illustrated’s National Sports Radio Host of the Year, Jeff delivers a wealth of knowledge, versatility, and charisma that guarantees compelling, high-energy discussions. Adding a fresh perspective is James Boyd, a dynamic Colts reporter for The Athletic with a sharp eye for analysis and storytelling. Alongside his insights on the Colts, James also occasionally writes on the Pacers and Fever.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Promotes Jessica Fuller in Asheville

iHeartMedia Asheville names Jessica Fuller senior vice president of sales for the cluster that includesimg news/talk WWNC-AM, sports talk WPEK-AM “ESPN Asheville,” plus five music brands. She says, “I couldn’t be more thankful for the mentorship and support I’ve received throughout my career at iHeart, which has brought me to this exciting opportunity. Working alongside such talented colleagues in this beautiful, resilient mountain town is a true privilege. I look forward to continuing to grow with iHeartMedia and helping our amazing clients succeed with the best strategies in the business.”

Industry News

Matt Jones Inks New Deal with iHeartMedia Kentucky

Air personality Matt Jones and iHeartMedia sign an exclusive five-year agreement for Jones to continue his current role as host of “Kentucky Sports Radio” on NewsRadio 630 WLAP-AM in Lexington, SportsTalk 790img AM in Louisville and 51 other stations around Kentucky. iHeartMedia Kentucky/Memphis area president Kristy Beebe states, “We are incredibly excited to extend our partnership with Matt Jones and ‘Kentucky Sports Radio.’ Matt’s unique insights and engaging style have made him a beloved figure in the sports community, and we are proud to continue bringing his show to our dedicated audience. This renewal underscores our commitment to delivering top-notch sports content and maintaining our position as the leading audio company in the region.”

Industry News

SRN’s Gallagher and Tradup at NRB Conference

img

Pictured above at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas attending the National Religious Broadcasters’ International Christian Media Convention are Salem Radio Network talk host Mike Gallagher (left), Colorado Christian University president (and former Salem Sacramento talk host) Eric Hogue (center), and SRN VP/news and talk programming Tom Tradup (right). Some 5,000 attendees are expected at the four-day convention.

Industry News

Susan Larkin Joins NAB Radio Board of Directors

Audacy chief operating officer Susan Larkin is appointed to the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Board of Directors by Radio Board Chair Collin Jones, assuming the seat previously held by David Field.img Larkin leads Audacy’s portfolio of markets, revenue and content teams, overseeing the company’s extensive audio platform, which includes broadcasting, podcasting, digital, network, live events, music, sports and news. She is also a board member of the Radio Advertising Bureau and has served on the boards of the Florida Association of Broadcasters and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Industry News

Broadcasters Foundation Announces Awards Recipients

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces the recipients of the 2025 Leadership Awards, the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award, and the Chairman’s Award in advance of the BFOA Annual Breakfast set for Wednesday, April 9 in the Encore Resort during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The 2025img Leadership Award honorees are: Chris Forgy, president & CEO, Saga Communications; David Kantor, former CEO of Urban One’s Radio Division; Curtis LeGeyt, president & CEO, NAB; Susan Larkin, COO, Audacy; Dennis Lyle, president & CEO, Illinois Broadcasters Association; and Valari Staab, chairman, NBC Universal Local. The 2025 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award honoree is Scott Herman, former COO, CBS Radio, and chair, Broadcasters Foundation of America. The2025 Chairman’s Award honoree is Richard Bodorff, senior counsel, Wiley Law.

Industry News

MSG Broadcaster Al Trautwig Dies at 68

The New York Post reports that New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig died on Sunday (2/23) at his home on Long Island after complications from cancer. The Post notes, “The Long Island native had been a mainstay in New York sports fans’ homes over his decades-long broadcasting career, covering everything from the Yankees to the Knicks and Rangers, as well as the New York City Marathon and the Olympics.” See the Post story here.

Industry News

WQAM, Miami to Host Buckets & Bets Event

Audacy sports talk WQAM-AM, Miami will host “Buckets & Bets,” presented by Hard Rock Bet March 20-23 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Described as the ultimate college basketballimg tournament watch party, Buckets & Bets will “provide college basketball enthusiasts with a front-row seat to all the men’s college basketball tournament action. Massive LED screens around the room will display every game from the tournament. Fans will have access to an open bar, on-site betting, bar games, insider commentary, and more special surprises.”

Industry News

Dan Bongino Chosen as Deputy FBI Director

President Donald Trump announces that Cumulus Media | Westwood One nationally syndicated talk host Dan Bongino will become the deputy director of the FBI. Prior to his career as a talk media personality, Bongino served as a police officer in New York City and as a Secret Service agent. The Wall Street Journal notes that Bongino becoming the deputy director is the first instance in 117 years that the post will be filledimg by a political appointee instead of a career agent. The role of the deputy director is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the bureau’s law enforcement. The Journal also reports that new FBI director Kash Patel had “offered Republican senators private assurances that he would name a special agent with bureau experience” in order to provide “operational expertise and experience.” The FBI Agents Association has made no public statement so far. Cumulus Media issued the following statement: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dan Bongino on his decision to take on the role of deputy director of the FBI. Dan has entertained and informed tens of millions of listeners every day and we are grateful for our successful partnership. We look forward to welcoming Dan back in the future. We truly value our audience, advertisers, and affiliates and remain dedicated to bringing them the next exciting chapter for this programming soon. Dan’s last show will be Friday, March 14.”

Industry News

Report: Red Apple Chief Catsimatidis Supports Family Friend Over Frank Morano for Staten Island Council Seat

According to a story at SILive, Red Apple Media Group owner John Catsimatidis is throwing his support behind Republican Staten Island City Council seat candidate Griffin Fossella over fellow Republican and WABC overnight host Frank Morano. Catsimatidis says he’s a longtime family friend of the Fossellas andimg that Griffin Fossella worked for him on his 2013 NYC mayoral campaign. Responding to the issue, Morano tells SILive, “We all have personal relationships in this race. I’m proud to have the support of the Staten Island Republican Party… and I look forward to debating my opponent on the issues impacting South Shore residents. John [Catsimatidis] is a good friend and has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to do a nationally syndicated radio show. I’ll always be grateful to him for every opportunity he’s given me.” Catsimatidis says of Morano, “He’s a good broadcaster and he always has a job at WABC.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: For Podcasters, “The Magic Words” Are Even MORE Magic

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgRadio is an intimate, one-to-one medium; so “you” and “your” – speaking to one person – will resonate more than addressing “all of you.” There’s only one of me.

Podcasting is even more personal, because listeners choose content in a more intentional way than they push dashboard AM/FM buttons. And because many podcast topics are specialty topics, it’s high-affinity stuff.

im

A major league sportscaster I’ve coached (who really gets it) put it this way: “We’re Fed-Exing it to their brains.” Said another way: Make eye contact.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn