FOX News Channel star Laura Ingraham will conduct an interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the wake
of the Senate’s final vote on his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. The exclusive interview will air during “The Ingraham Angle” on FOX News Channel this evening at 7:00 pm ET. FNC says Kennedy Jr. will discuss the Senate vote, the Make America Healthy Again movement and other news of the day.
Good Karma Brands sports talk outlet WUUB-FM, West Palm Beach “ESPN 106.3” is the official English-language radio partner of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF. Good Karma VP and market manager
Stephanie Prince-Springmeyer says, “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Inter Miami CF to include English-language broadcasts on ESPN 106.3… The beautiful game has the unique ability to unite communities, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of bringing this excitement to all fans in South Florida via ‘Deportes 760AM’ and ‘ESPN 106.3FM.’”
The earnings reports season is upon us and iHeartMedia, Inc. announces that it will issue financial results for
the fourth quarter of 2024 and the full year ending December 31, 2024 on Thursday, February 27. The company will conduct a conference call at 4:30 pm ET, following the release of its earnings announcement, to discuss its financial results and business outlook.
Townsquare Media, Inc also announces that it will release fourth quarter 2024 financial results before the market opens on Monday, March 17. The company will host a conference call to discuss certain fourth quarter 2024 financial results on that day at 8:00 am ET.
According to a story by reporter Louis Krause in yesterday’s (2/11) Minnesota Star Tribune longtime KDWB-FM Twin Cities radio host Dave Ryan was suspended from appearing on his talk show Monday morning, three days after a segment aired during which Ryan and co-hosts snorted powder food ingredients as part of a Super Bowl trivia game. He returned to the show yesterday following a one-day suspension. The segment on Friday’s episode of “The Dave Ryan Show” was titled “Super Blow,” according to three listeners who spoke with the Star Tribune and others who discussed it on the Reddit online forum. To read the full Star Tribune story, click here.
Longtime WFAN, New York sports talk host Richard Neer is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Neer is a five-decade-plus veteran of two heritage Big Apple radio stations – sports talker WFAN (where he still hosts a show) and, before that, seminal album rocker WNEW-FM. He is the author of the landmark best-seller FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (Villard, 2001) and the popular series of Riley King detective novels. Harrison and Neer – whose friendship dates back to their days together in rock radio of the late 60s/early 70s – engage in a fast-paced, spirited conversation about the confluence of pop culture elements surrounding and emerging from the just-concluded Super Bowl LIX, dissecting its ratings, commercials, politics, music, customs, and social impact. Not to be missed. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here. www.MHInterview.com
RADIO HITS DIGITAL MILESTONE. The radio industry has reached a significant milestone in its digital transformation, hitting $2.1 billion in digital revenue in 2024, according to the latest annual digital benchmarking report from RAB and Borrell Associates Inc. The 13th annual report highlights the increasing role of digital advertising in stabilizing the industry’s financial outlook, with digital revenue now accounting for nearly 25% of the average radio station’s total income…..SPEAKING OF YOUTUBE.Shelly Palmer reports: Shortly after it launched, YouTube changed the way we consumed video. It grew powerful in tandem with the evolution of smartphones as it redefined our video viewing experiences. Now, YouTube has transcended its original form factors to officially become a television-first platform. CEO Neal Mohan revealed that viewers now watch more than one billion hours of content on their TVs every day, surpassing mobile viewing. For the past two years, YouTube has been the most-watched streaming service in the U.S., according to Nielsen. The shift toward TV screens is no accident. YouTube has redesigned its TV app to function more like a traditional streaming service…..SUPER BOWL AUDIENCE HITS HISTORIC HIGH. An estimated 127.7 million viewers tuned in for Super Bowl LIX (2/9) according to Nielsen, making it the largest audience for a Super Bowl and for a single-network telecast in TV history. Super Bowl LIX aired on FOX, FOX Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi from approximately 6:42 PM ET to 10:16 PM ET. This flies in the face of all other pop culture media trends which follow a pattern of fractionalization…..AAR CONTINUES TO GROW. 
The syndicated “Armed American Radio” live stream hosted by successful broadcaster-Second Amendment defender Mark Walters is now available Monday through Friday 4:00-5:00 pm ET and Sundays 8:00-11:00 pm ET on You Tube at Armed American Radio, on Rumble at Armed American Radio, on Facebook Live at Facebook.com/armedamericanradio, on X (Twitter) @aarmark and www.armedamericanradio.com. Now streaming the live video feed on multiple platforms for viewers, the show’s podcast just crossed 20 million downloads last week.
iHeartMedia St. Louis announced today (2/11)that media veteran Libby Nolan has been named market president, effective immediately. Nolan will oversee all aspects of sales and programming for the St. Louis cluster, driving business strategy and revenue growth. A highly respected veteran with 30 years in the radio industry, Nolan’s expertise spans programming, sales, marketing and executive leadership, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the evolving radio landscape. She will report to John Karpinski, division president for iHeartMedia. “Libby’s exceptional leadership, extensive industry knowledge and passion for innovation have driven tremendous local growth across both our radio and digital offerings. With experience spanning nearly every role in a radio station, she is uniquely positioned to lead from a place of deep understanding and drive continued success,” said Karpinski.
Nolan spent the last four years as SVP of sales with iHeartMedia St. Louis. Her career began as a morning show producer at KSD in St. Louis. She later joined 105.7 KPNT as promotions manager and served as an AE with CBS in St. Louis. Nolan’s resume also includes roles as marketing director of KWMU, sales manager for KTLK at Emmis Communications, GM of Zimmer Radio Group in Springfield, MO, and market president of Townsquare Media’s stations in Quincy, IL/Hannibal, MO.
Nolan tells TALKERS, “I’m honored to lead iHeartMedia St. Louis and work with such a passionate and talented team. Being entrusted with the opportunity to lead these iconic stations to its full potential is a gift. People are the heart of everything we do, and together, we will build on this legacy and continue shaping the future of radio in St. Louis.”
iHeartMedia Seattle’s Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM, announced (2/10) the debut of the new “MJ in the Midday” show, effective immediately. “MJ in the Midday” will broadcast weekdays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. MJ in the Midday’s host Marc James, started his sports talk radio career in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in 2004. His career highlights include afternoon drive host for an ESPN radio affiliate in Tampa, FL, WFNZ afternoon drive radio host in Charlotte, NC and morning host on 92.9 “The Game” in Atlanta, GA. His radio career led him to a TV studio anchor position for New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, MA, where he also hosted shows on WEEI radio station. Since 2020, James has worked for Sports Talk Florida covering sporting events in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida. He also hosted a college football podcast on the BLEAV Network. “Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM is literally my dream job,” James tells TALKERS. “I am honored and eternally grateful to become part of this legacy station and its extremely bright future in Seattle.” 
“Marc James joining our family is big for us,” said Rich Moore, VP of programming for iHeartMedia Seattle. “We’re extremely excited to be bringing in a new passionate voice to the Seattle market. Marc’s experience and love for our market will win our listeners over for years to come.” “We’re excited to welcome Marc James to the iconic call letters of KJR,” said Mark Glynn, area president for iHeartMedia Washington. “Marc’s infectious energy plus his dynamic and engaging personality will bring an exciting new spark to Seattle sports talk.”
Comrex has released Hotline, a new Gagl offering available for clients located in the United States. Gagl Standard (available since 2023) is an audio subscription service that works in conjunction with Comrex IP audio codecs such as ACCESS or BRIC-Link. It allows up to five remote contributors to connect at the same time using consumer-grade equipment such as laptops and smartphones. They just plug in a headset, click a link, and are connected. 
Mix-minus is handled internally by Gagl. Since guests or reporters are using equipment they are already familiar with, Gagl is accessible to everyone. Even if no conferencing is desired, Gagl provides a simple way to bridge the audio from computer and smartphone browsers to Comrex codecs, avoiding the need for a hardware codec in the field.
Gagl Standard is available worldwide for $35 per month or $350 per year.
Gagl + Hotline takes that one step further. In addition to all Gagl Standard features, one guest or contributor can also connect by dialing a 10-digit phone number provided with each Gagl + Hotline subscription. Four additional participants can “Gagl”-in using the standard browser link. If the Hotline caller uses an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon cell phone, these calls will sound dramatically improved, with much higher fidelity than a normal phone call. The caller’s HD Voice audio will be presented within the Gagl interface for use on-air. Alternatively, Gagl can be configured to pass Hotline calls directly to your codec for unattended operation.
Gagl + Hotline is available in the United States only for $50 per month or $500 per year.
Providing flexibility for guests who can’t come into the studio was a driving force behind Gagl’s creation following the COVID pandemic. Gagl + Hotline creates even more options for anyone to connect to the studio – whether it be a VIP, a non-technical guest, a reporter with breaking news, or the unexpected drop-in – and have them sound so good that you’d never know they were calling from a cell phone. Gagl + Hotline is simple for contributors to use, and studios get to use a Comrex hardware codec they may already have to stream that high-quality audio with familiar pro-grade audio outputs that integrate into their studio console. In addition, Comrex has released Gagl Solo, a stripped-down version of Gagl Standard for a single participant to connect to the studio. No paid subscription is required to use Gagl Solo.
For more information on Gagl or other Comrex products, please visit the Comrex website at www.comrex.com or contact Comrex at 1-978-784-1776 or email info@comrex.com.
Audacy, Inc. announced the resignation of chief financial officer, Rich Schmaeling, effective immediately (2/10), to pursue other business opportunities. Schmaeling will remain available to the company as needed to ensure an orderly transition of his responsibilities. 
Audacy will not name a new CFO in the near term. “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Rich for his contributions to Audacy,” said Kelli Turner, interim CEO and president, Audacy. “We are well positioned with the finance team in place.” Schmaeling joined Audacy as EVP, chief financial officer in 2017.
Just hours after the series of devastating wildfires broke out in Los Angeles, iHeart LA and the Dream Center – a resource center focused on providing support to those affected by homelessness, hunger and crisis – launched a national and local media campaign that asked local listeners to contribute essential items and cash to support those affected by the fires, many of whom had lost everything. 
What followed was an outpouring of love and support that exceeded any expectation, and which – thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbors and communities – has become one of the largest grassroots giving efforts in iHeart’s history.
Since the fundraising and donation effort launched on Tuesday, Jan 7:
• Over 8,000 people have volunteered;
• More than 80,000 individuals have received essential supplies like food, water, diapers, clothing and more onsite;
• Over 19,000 cars have gone through the Dream Center supply line;
• The initiative has raised over $15 million in cash and in-kind donations, with contributions still being accepted.
The results are testament to the power of local communities, which historically come together to support one another during times of disaster and crisis.
“The strength, generosity and resiliency of our LA communities is truly powerful — and the way our broadcast radio listeners have come together to support one another is incredibly humbling,” said Paul Corvino, division president for iHeart LA. “While iHeart and the Dream Center were instrumental in connecting those in need with those eager to help, it was the community itself that has been incredibly inspirational, and which has been vital in keeping these efforts alive and ensuring that support is still available to those who need it the most, when they need it.”
“The outpouring of love and generosity we have witnessed in response to this crisis has been nothing short of extraordinary. In times of disaster, it is the strength of our community that shines the brightest, and we are humbled to see so many individuals stepping up to help their neighbors in need,” said Matthew Barnett, founder of Dream Center. “Thanks to our partnership with iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the unwavering support of our volunteers, donors, and community members, we have been able to provide essential aid to thousands who have lost so much. This effort is a testament to the power of compassion and unity, and we remain committed to serving those in need for as long as it takes.”
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Too often, I hear questions as long as (or longer than) replies.
Take a lesson from the late, great King of Talk. I remember Larry asking…
Short “Why…” questions, about things the listener might be wondering, are useful. “Why is ____ SO expensive?”
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
The Miami Marlins announced this morning (2/7) the hiring of Jack McMullen as the lead play-by-play announcer on the Marlins Radio Network. McMullen takes over for Kyle Sielaff, who is the new lead TV play-by-play voice for Marlins games on FanDuel Sports Network. A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse, McMullen spent the previous three seasons on the radio broadcast for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate. Before then, he called games for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod League (2018) and the Short Season Auburn Doubledays of the Nationals’ system (’19). The Chicago native’s other experience includes serving as director of podcasting for Just Baseball Media, hosting the network’s flagship show “The Just Baseball Show,” play calling for ESPN+/Learfield and working as part of the broadcast and production teams for various programs during his time at Syracuse. A rotation of analysts will team up with McMullen in the booth: Rod Allen, Jeff Nelson, Gaby Sánchez and Kelly Saco. Joining the mix will be three-time Emmy Award winner and longtime FanDuel Sports Network host and reporter Craig Minervini as well as former Marlins All-Star reliever and SiriusXM MLB analyst A.J. Ramos. McMullen will make his Marlins Radio Network debut on Feb. 22, when the Marlins open Grapefruit League action against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. He will call every Spring Training and regular-season game on WINZ 940, the Marlins’ English radio flagship station, and develop ancillary Marlins Radio Network content with pregame show host Stephen Strom. “We can’t wait to introduce Jack to the South Florida community as we enter an exciting chapter of Marlins baseball, and we know Jack is the perfect fit to tell our story,” Marlins vice president of public relations and communications Jon Erik Alvarez said. “His broadcast style, baseball knowledge and vast multimedia experience will connect with our listeners and extend the reach beyond the booth as we look to improve upon the recent growth of the Marlins Radio Network.”
By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling, Host
Sterling Every Damn Night, WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling On Sunday, TMN
PPM meter measurement accurately reflects how most people listen to the radio. When a station is engaging, they leave the station on. When they are bored, they change the station. Station surfing can happen dozens of times an hour. The diary could not measure typical listener behavior. Diaries were a reflection of recall. No listener, driving at 70 MPH pulled over to write down station changes, they just guessed at their recalled radio behaviors and wrote them down.
The biggest flaw or fraud of both diary and PPM data editing was corrected this week by Nielsen.
• Nielsen/Arbitron has measured radio listening in 15-minute intervals, AQH, since the 1920s.
• The change to three minutes is intended to reflect changing listening habits and attention spans.
• The change is expected to benefit advertisers by increasing the number of people tallied who hear their ads.
• The change is also expected to benefit stations by increasing the number of quarter-hours they receive credit for.
Good news, it’s working. In an analysis of the first week of the new editing technique, ACs and adult music FMs have seen increases in AQH as high a 40%.
• Talk shows have enjoyed jumps of 25-31%
• The new editing strategy amplifies the inherent nature of the Meter: More topics the better. More change, the better.
A serious burden dumped on talk radio was the distorted edict that format consistency is essential to success. It is. And that’s exactly what it means FORMATICS, NOT TOPICS.
“Formatics” cover station ID, branding elements, promo production, audio processing, phone number pitch, service element placement. BUT NOT THE SAME DAMN TOPIC ALL DAY.
The same topic all day is why stations that once had double digit shares, are selling off transmitter land to keep bond holders at bay.
People in social situations who only talk about one thing quickly lose friend and are considered bores. Sure, a few people hang around them all day, but new friends are rare. Do you see similarities to the belief that TALK is high AQH but low cume? Low cume is a bad, unstable business. The new Nielsen editing rewards with higher AQH but only if content delivers constant surprises.
Consultant Walter Sabo a.k.a. Walter M Sterling has a nightly show “Sterling Every Damn Night” heard on WPHT, Philadelphia 10:00 pm – 1:00 am. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs Sundays 10:00 pm – 1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at waltermsterling@gmail.com or Sabowalter@gmail.com. Meet Walter Sabo at GENERATIONS 2025 in NYC on March 8.
iHeartMedia announced today (2/6) that longtime executive Bobbie Loesch has been named market president for Pittsburgh, effective immediately. The company is home to six iconic stations with a powerful cross-platform presence delivering a diverse range of music, talk, and news formats. As market president, Loesch will oversee all aspects of operations in Pittsburgh, including sales, promotions and programming. She will report to D.J. Hodge, division president for iHeartMedia. Hodge tells TALKERS, “Bobbie has been an instrumental and driving force behind the success of our Pittsburgh cluster for over 20 years, and her leadership and vision make her the perfect fit to lead the team into the future.” Loesch joined iHeartMedia Pittsburgh in April 2004 as an account executive. She was promoted to VP of sales in 2012, and most recently served as a SVP of sales for seven years. She began her career as an AE for Townsquare Media from 1998-2004 and is a graduate of Liberty University. “I am genuinely honored to be appointed to this role and deeply appreciate the trust placed in me to lead this exceptionally talented team. My colleagues, our partners and our audiences are the cornerstone of our success,” said Loesch. “I am excited to build on our achievements and further elevate our dominance in the market, and I’m eager to continue to help brands harness the unmatched reach, scale and efficiency that only iHeart can deliver.”
Red Apple Audio Networks has added “The Rush Hour with James Golden (a.k.a. Bo Snerdley)” to its growing roster of program offerings. The one-hour daily show airs live weekdays in afternoon drive from 4:00 -5:00 pm ET. Golden delivers updates on the top news stories of the day, along with a smattering of music from that day in music history to rejuvenate listeners after a day’s work. Company sources say, “Listeners are not only well-informed, they’re also bopping and singing all the way home.” Golden gained nationwide fame as Bo Snerdley, producer of “The Rush Limbaugh Show.“ 
Since then, he has solidified his position as a major radio host with notable audience share growth on flagship 77WABC in New York (41% year-over-year) and impressive weekly TSL of 1 hour and 15 minutes*. “I am looking forward to connecting every day with listeners in markets all across the U.S.,” Golden tells TALKERS. “During The Rush Hour, we take a look at events that occurred during the day, but we also take a break and have a little fun, too.” “James has attracted a loyal audience that continues to grow,” stated John Catsimatidis, owner of Red Apple Media, Red Apple Audio Networks, and 77WABC Radio. “Many of his listeners remember him from the Rush Limbaugh days, but the audience growth he is experiencing is solely on his own talent. His insights on politics, combined with his love for talk radio, has made him a phenomenal success.” In addition to “The Rush Hour,” Golden hosts a three-hour syndicated Saturday morning program, “The James Golden Show,” which launched into syndication last June. The show has amassed more than 30 affiliates, including five in the Top 50 DMAs. Both programs originate from the Red Apple Audio Networks flagship station, 77WABC Radio in New York. For information on any of Red Apple Audio Networks’ syndicated shows, stations may visit www.redappleaudionetworks.com or contact affiliation@redappleaudionetworks.com.
*Source: Nielsen Radio, New York Metro, P12+, Average Share, Weekly TSL, December 2023, December 2024.
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
The intersection of copyright and fair use remains a gray area for media creators, especially in music. Two cases – Pop Smoke’s use of an interview clip in “Tunnel Vision (Outro)“ and Bruno Mars’ use of a voicemail from Halle Berry in “Calling All My Lovelies“ – offer crucial lessons. While one led to legal action, the other was resolved without litigation, underscoring the importance of understanding copyright laws when using external audio.
The Pop Smoke Case: Unpermitted Use Leads to Legal Action
In 2020, journalist Victoria Inoyo sued Pop Smoke’s record labels, alleging they used a 16-second interview clip without permission. She sought $1.5 million in damages, credit as a writer, and a share of publishing revenue. The case was settled out of court, but Inoyo was not credited as a songwriter. This highlights the importance of obtaining permission before using recorded speech, even if it features an artist discussing themselves.
The Bruno Mars Case: A Voicemail Used with Permission
Bruno Mars featured a voicemail from actress Halle Berry in “Calling All My Lovelies“ from his 2016 album “24K Magic.” The voicemail added a playful and personal touch to the song, and because Berry gave explicit permission for its use, no legal issues arose. This highlights the importance of obtaining proper authorization when incorporating third-party audio.
Key Takeaways for Media Creators
1. Copyright Still Applies to Spoken Word – Just because audio clips discuss an artist does not mean they are free to use.
2. Fair Use is Not a Guarantee – Using spoken-word content in a transformative manner does not automatically qualify it as fair use.
3. Seek Permission When Possible – Negotiating proper licensing before using copyrighted speech can prevent legal disputes.
4. Personal vs. Third-Party Audio – Bruno Mars’ use of Halle Berry’s voicemail did not lead to litigation, demonstrating how securing consent can help avoid legal issues.
For media creators, these cases illustrate the need for careful legal consideration. Proper permissions and clear transformative intent can mean the difference between a seamless creative process and a costly legal battle.
Media attorney, Matthew B. Harrison is VP/associate publisher, TALKERS; senior partner, Harrison Media Law; and executive producer, Goodphone Communications. He is available for private consultation and media industry contract representation. He can be reached by phone at 724.484.3529 or email at matthew@harrisonmedialaw.com
FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity is scheduled to present the first television interview with the newly sworn in Attorney General Pam Bondi this evening (2/6) “Hannity” (9:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET). Bondi will discuss her first actions as Attorney General and other news of the day. Hannity, ranked number one on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred, continues to be one of the most well-connected talk show hosts in America. The 2025 edition of the “Heavy Hundred” is due to be published shortly. Stay tuned…..Super Bowl LIX will be the 52nd time Westwood One will broadcast America’s biggest sporting event. Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties for the Super Bowl for the 15th straight year, with Super Bowl XXXIV MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner returning for the seventh consecutive year as lead analyst. Gene Steratore re-joins the radio broadcast booth as rules analyst for this year’s Super Bowl, and, for the sixth time, Laura Okmin will patrol the sidelines. Scott Graham and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty will host Westwood One’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage live from Caesars Superdome, with former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker also contributing to the pregame coverage. For the first time ever, Westwood One will broadcast the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featuring Grammy-Award winning artist Kendrick Lamar….. Audacy Minneapolis’ 830 WCCO raised over $427,000 for Second Harvest Heartland during the station’s 16th annual “End Hunger Together” radiothon. The event took place February 4, where 830 WCCO broadcast the radiothon live from Second Harvest Heartland from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm CT…..The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that the 2025 Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award will be presented to Katz Media Group and accepted by Mark Gray, its Chief Executive Officer and a longtime BFOA board member, during the BFOA Golden Mic Gala and Fundraiser in New York City on Monday, March 10. The Spirit Award is bestowed upon an individual or company that exhibits the spirit of dedication and relentless drive to the Broadcasters Foundation charitable mission of helping broadcasters in acute need exemplified by its former longtime chairman, Phil Lombardo.
By Michael Harrison
Publisher, TALKERS
To say that I am excited about the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference coming up in New York City on Friday March 7 and Saturday March 8 is an understatement. I am proud that TALKERS has taken on the role of “presenting sponsor” of the entire event and that this year’s iteration of the annual “TALKERS” conference will be taking a unique and groundbreaking turn toward the future of radio-oriented broadcasting within the context of the industry’s leading youth-oriented gathering.
On Saturday March 8, TALKERS will be presenting an exciting and hopefully productive set of consecutive sessions collectively titled “GENERATIONS 2025.” The theme: “Old School, New School, Next School: Learning from Each Other.” It will be happening on Saturday March 8 between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm and feature more than 19 luminous industry speakers who will be there to both inform and learn from the hundreds of leading college broadcasters from across America who will be in attendance.
If professional radio is truly concerned about an aging audience and a deteriorating “farm system” from which to recruit new talent, it’s time to connect with the largest concentration of young broadcasters and listeners found on the planet in America’s dynamic campus radio station and communications department scene.
Here are just three (of many) pointers I hope to share with the young radio broadcasters (and I know I will learn a lot – as I always do – just being in their presence):
• Radio will no longer be defined by the platform or “band” upon which it is delivered. We all know that. But for it to survive as anything other than a public utility (i.e. a soulless audio delivery system), it must maintain the magic and esthetic that has carried “radio” across more than a century of glorious history. It must bring the essence of its specialnessto its necessary co-existence with extended video, graphic and digital cousin platforms. Be proud to be radio.
• Professionals in the radio (especially talent) business and increasingly related “other” media would be wise to think entrepreneurially. At this point, most do not; they maintain an “employee” mentality – and that is an economic and soul-busting liability as we rapidly morph into the NEXT school. You no longer have to “break in” to the business by getting past a gatekeeper for the honor of creating product on a real platform. You can make your own real platform as well as the business structure to support those efforts. Learn business. Start a production company.
• Learn how to use Big Tech platforms such as YouTube (their algorisms are a blessing and a curse) but beware of the suppressive techniques employed by their owners to mysteriously control how the game is scored. Stay on top of that. The 21st century will require an updated approach to bolstering the increasingly quaint First Amendment.
Please read the stories directly below for up-to-date information about this important two-day event coming up in March.
Michael Harrison is the publisher of TALKERS. His email is michael@talkers.com.
After having to start over in a new Congress, the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” designed to stop car manufacturers from eliminating AM radios from the dashboards of new automobiles sold in the U.S. has been approved this morning (2/5) by the Senate Commerce Committee. It will now head to the U.S. Senate for a full vote. It is receiving bi-partisan support as well as an endorsement by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
WGN AM 720, Chicago today (2/5) announced a multi-year extension with morning show host Bob Sirott who is heard 6:00 am to 10:00 am weekdays. “Management has given me a terrific on-air and behind-the-scenes team, plus freedom to do whatever I want,” Sirott tells TALKERS. “That’s why waking up at 4:30 am is fun now. Actually…that last line is a lie.” Sirott has been the station’s morning drive host since 2020. The station reports, listeners can expect to hear hyper-local stories along with news and conversations related to health, tech, business, travel, entertainment, lifestyle, and where to find the best Chicago-style hot dog. “Bob’s work ethic, focus and character is the stuff of legends in the broadcast industry,” said WGN Radio vice president and general manager Mary Sandberg Boyle. “He’s an excellent communicator and continues to strategically engage and connect with the WGN Radio audience daily. Bob is one of the best in the business and we’re proud to have him as part of the WGN Radio team.” Generations of Midwesterners have grown up with lifelong Chicagoan Bob Sirott whose acclaimed broadcast career spans five decades as a radio host, DJ and television news anchor. Sirott is a national Emmy award-winning journalist who received a 2022 Dante Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and a 2022 Silver Dome Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
Cumulus Media today (2/5) announced the promotion of Yancy McNair to senior vice president of engineering, effective April 1. McNair will oversee Engineering, Telecom, Real Estate, and Purchasing for the company, and will report to chief financial officer, Frank Lopez-Balboa. McNair, a 21-year veteran of Cumulus Media, rises from his role as VP of technical operations. He assumes leadership responsibilities from Conrad Trautmann, chief technology officer, who will retire at the end of March 2025 after a successful 25-year career with Cumulus Media.
Louisville Public Media (LPM) has announced (2/4) that it is launching a new talk show, “On Track” – a new three-day-a-week, 30-minute interview-based show, on February 10. “On Track” will air Monday-Wednesday at 6:00 pm on WFPL, Louisville between “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace,” two of NPR’s flagship national news programs during core listening hours. It will also be available as an on-demand podcast. The interview-driven show is set to dive into the issues shaping Louisville and Southern Indiana. LPM sources tell TALKERS, “In an effort to amplify and deepen the conversation around the biggest topics in our community, the show will connect with public officials, community leaders and everyday people about the challenges and triumphs happening in Louisville and Southern Indiana. It will work to keep the civic conversation ‘on track.’ Its host, veteran broadcast journalist Ayisha Jafer will explore topics with people from across our diverse community that challenge the traditional sound of public media. Scheduled topics include: the state of downtown Louisville, the loneliness epidemic, business development and its impact on neighborhoods, finding love in Louisville, how the pronunciation of Louisville came to be and more.” With the addition of “On Track” to WFPL’s on-air schedule, some programs will shift. “Marketplace” will now air Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm. “Today Explained” will move to Thursday and Friday at 6:00 pm.
A series of new studies from Advertiser Perceptions reveals national marketers are increasingly confident in the economy, will advertise more, and anticipate new product launches at record levels. Each month, Advertiser Perceptions, a leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence for the advertising and ad tech industries, surveys 300 executives involved in media brand selection decisions who will spend a minimum of 1 million dollars in ad spend over the next 12 months. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog outlines the key findings, examining the outlook national marketers have on the economy:
• Nearly half of marketers say the economy will grow in the coming year, a record high
• There has been a reduction in perceived negative impact of macroeconomic conditions
• The recession that never came; Marketers shake off the dire predictions of 2022 and 2023
• Increasingly, brands and media agencies report the U.S. GDP will impact ad budgets
• 37% of buy-side 2025 ad budgets will be bigger; 53% will stay the course
• Advertiser optimism was higher as of December 2024 than it had been a year earlier
• 2025 new product launches will hit all time high
• All forms of audio see increased ad spending intentions
• Prophet survey of advertisers reveals top-performing marketers consider brand building as a crucial driver of short-term impact
Check out this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog post here.
To view an 11-minute video of the key findings, click here.
Nielsen published “The Record: Q4 U.S. Audio Listening Trends” (2/3) – a quarterly report card on how U.S. consumers spend their audio listening time, fueled by data from Nielsen and Edison Research.
Here are some highlights from the Q4 (October-December) 2024 report:
• Audio accounted for nearly 20% of Americans’ daily media time in Q4 2024 – which translated to 3 hours and 54 minutes of daily listening across both ad-supported and ad-free platforms like radio, podcasts, streaming music services and satellite radio.
• Listeners spent 67% of their daily time with ad-supported audio with radio, 18% with podcasts, 12% with streaming audio services and 3% with satellite radio.
• Among 18-34 year-olds, radio accounted for 47% of daily ad-supported audio time (down from 51% in Q3), where podcasts accounted for 32%.
• Adults 35+ spent 74% of daily ad-supported audio time listening to radio and only 13% listening to podcasts.
For additional data tables and commentary, visit the full report here.
As the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy has positioned itself to be the “go-to audio home” for football fans nationwide. With flagship stations 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia, the company is set to provide fans with in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and live play-by-play coverage of the big game on February 9. Additionally, six Audacy sports stations and Audacy’s newly launched BetMGM Network will broadcast live from the radio row, to provide listeners the latest updates, expert insights, and exclusive interviews throughout Super Bowl week. And with Westwood One’s national broadcast on 20 Audacy sports stations, the plan is for fans across the country not to miss a moment. Audacy tells TALKERS, “Whether on the air or on the free Audacy app, listeners can tune in for every snap, every score, and every story leading up to and following Super Bowl LIX.” Please click HERE for more information.
Listeners to heritage news/talk outlet KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA were treated to an unexpected candid outburst of energetic verbiage this past weekend (2/1) during the long-running show, “The Saturday Special,” hosted by station owner/ host Michael “MZ” Zwerling. This installment of the weekly 10:00 am – 12:00 noon live,
local show was set to be a celebration of the station’s 34th anniversary – marking the day that Zwerling took ownership of the 10k flame thrower at 1080 AM and launched its news/talk format back on February 1, 1991. Zwerling was taking calls from listeners offering congratulations and sharing memories of the station over the years. One of KSCO’s regular callers, “Dave,” took a different course and went off on a political tirade that triggered an emotionally charged negative response from Zwerling resulting in one of the most dramatic live “meltdowns” captured on-air in recent memory. Zwerling’s co-host Amy Hoa had to calm Zwerling down telling him that his blood pressure was rising to a dangerous level. The listener, who was obviously a regular caller to the station was forever banned from appearing on the station again. Warning, the clip contains salty language that might be offensive to some. Listen to the exchange here.
Chattanooga talk radio host Brian Joyce exits Cumulus Media’s news/talk WGOW-FM, Chattanooga after
12 years with the station. A report in The Chattanoogan says that Joyce, who hosted the late morning “Brian Joyce Unfiltered” program, “parted ways” with the station last week. Joyce joined WGOW in 2012 and became part of the morning drive show in 2018, alongside Jim Reynolds and Kevin West. In 2023, Cumulus retooled the morning show bringing Jed Mescon aboard to co-host with Reynolds and Joyce moved to the late morning slot. Read the Chattanoogan story here.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the father-and-son duo of Bob and Jeff Lutz will wrap their daily sports talk show on Audacy’s KFH, Wichita after this Friday’s broadcast. Bob Lutz has been with the station for almost 24 years. His son Jeff joined him in December of 2015 when they debuted an afternoon drive show that aired
from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. In 2022, the Lutzes moved to the 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm slot to better accommodate their schedules. Bob Lutz is the founder and executive director of the League 42 baseball league that serves inner city and low-income youths, and Jeff Lutz is a full-time digital producer at KWCH-TV, Wichita. In late 2024, KFH notified the duo that it wanted to move the syndicated Jim Rome show into their time slot and move them to the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. The two tried to produce the show earlier in the day to air at 5:00 but Bob Lutz tells the Eagle that not speaking live with callers took the fun out of the show. Read the Wichita Eagle story here.
On Friday (1/31), Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC, New York hosted its annual “Back The Blue” tribute to the New York Police Department. The day included two roundtable discussions on topics such as the challenges police face as they protect communities. Pictured above are (from l-r): 77WABC morning host Sid Rosenberg; former U.S. Congressman Peter King; Red Apple Media and 77WABC owner John Catsimatidis; Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association president Louis Civello; Suffolk Country Police Benevolent Association treasurer C.J. Hutter; and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
FOX News Channel chief political anchor Bret Baier will conduct a wide-ranging interview with President Donald Trump taped at Mar-a-Lago that will air during FOX TV’s Super Bowl LIX pregame show. The interview will air during the 3:00 pm hour. FOX says the interview will “focus on the changes the Trump administration has enacted since the Inauguration and the first 100 days of his presidency.” Additional portions of the interview will air on the Monday (2/10) edition of “Special Report with Bret Baier” on FNC.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Stations offering – and known for – local news, weather, traffic, and other “survival information” will continue to earn a place in the audio jungle the dashboard has become. So, tell ‘em that you tell ‘em, how and when you are useful. Imaging is an owner’s manual for using the station.
One caution: Often I hear service promos that include example sound bites, short clips of a newscast or weather or traffic report, either lifted from actual airchecks or mock-ups. Be careful that what’s being described in promos (“BIG backup on I-95 South at…”) can’t be misconstrued as current information.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn