TALKERS News Notes
WKBN-TV, Youngstown, Ohio reports that a Northeast Ohio couple are in custody in Columbiana County jail after an incident at The Original Road House in East Palestine. Ohio where John Fredericks, Steve Bannon and others were broadcasting live at a radio town hall event. The station reports Alfred Ferrara of Cleveland and Mary Schroeder of Hudson, Ohio showed up at the restaurant and created a disturbance. Ferrara is being charged with inducing panic and resisting arrest after threatening to shoot up the restaurant. The two left the scene and ended up at the village’s water and sewer plant where their car got stuck in a tank of raw sewage.
Audacy’s sports talk outlet WJFK-FM, Washington, DC “106.7 The Fan” announces a multi-year extension to its flagship broadcast and digital partnership with MLB’s Washington Nationals. As part of the extended partnership, Nationals baseball will continue to be heard on “106.7 The Fan” and streamed digitally via the Audacy app for fans within the Nationals broadcast territory. Audacy Washingon SVP and market manager Ivy Savoy-Smith says, “Opening Day is finally here, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the return of baseball season by extending our partnership with the Washington Nationals. We’re looking forward to continuing to serve as the home for everything Nats for the foreseeable future and give the team’s fans a front row seat to the action on the field and top storylines throughout the year.”
Focus360 promotes longtime director of sales planning Robbie Eisen to vice president of planning. The company says he has been instrumental in delivering results for hundreds of Focus360 clients since 2015. Also promoted is Erick Siqueira, who has been with the company as business development manager. He is now director of client services. In this new role within Focus360’s sales division, Siqueira will be working with agency planners and buyers across the country to promote the network programming.
says, “This position has been a long time coming for us here at WRG. Our audiences are consuming our brands in many different ways now. I have no doubt that Kaytie will be exceptional in this role!” Kelly comments, “I’m excited to work with our talented team to build the digital arm of Woodward. There are so many incredible opportunities that lie ahead and I can’t wait to get started!” WRG owns and operates news/talk WHBY/W292FA and sports talk WSCO-AM/W256DD in the Appleton-Oshkosh market as well as four music brands. 
and news in the growth and development of new original podcast content for podcast studio 2400Sports and across Audacy’s 28 local newsrooms in top U.S. markets. Audacy chief digital officer and president, podcast and streaming J.D. Crowley says, “As we commit to accelerating our digital growth and enhancing performance, we’re thrilled to expand Jenna’s role to further unify and streamline our content and business efforts across our leading podcast portfolio, enabling even more rapid development of new and original IP and better leveraging our talent across the entire Audacy portfolio. Jenna’s strong leadership and deep industry relationships will propel us forward on our mission to be a leading partner of audio creators, while super-serving listeners of all backgrounds and interests and enabling our sales teams to better serve our customers and partners with unique and compelling podcast opportunities.” 
Jenna Miller, integrated sales manager for Cox Media Group join the board of the organization consisting of top-level female radio professionals who use their 
experience, influence, and resources to help other women in radio develop management and leadership skills. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff says, “Both Lori and Jenna share a history with MIW, starting as mentees and now joining us as board members. They are each accomplished and inspiring professionals who are generously giving back to the betterment of women in the industry, and the industry as a whole. We welcome them wholeheartedly and are thankful for their participation.”
that its Lawrence Herbert School of Communication brings to the table.” As was the case last year, this event will be held in a COVID-19 compliant environment based upon the circumstances at the time of the convention. TALKERS 2023 will boldly address key issues – some existential – facing the talk radio and talk media industries at this dramatically critical juncture of rapidly accelerating technological and societal change as well as identifying the remarkable opportunities inherent in these developments. It will also provide participants with unique and powerful networking opportunities. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $379. Take advantage of the early bird fee of $329 available until 5:00 pm ET on Friday, March 31. Because space will be limited and a sellout is anticipated, all registrations are non-refundable. 
A reverse stock split reduces the number of shares that each shareholder owns but increases the value of each remaining share. Audacy says, “We are seeking shareholder approval for the authority to effectuate the reverse stock split as a means of increasing the share price of our Class A Common Stock to be at or above $1.00 per share in order to attempt to avoid delisting by the NYSE. We expect that the reverse stock split will increase the closing price per share of our Class A Common Stock to be above the $1.00 per share minimum price for the required number of days, thereby satisfying this listing requirement. However, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will have that effect, initially or in the future, or that it will enable us to maintain the listing of our Class A Common Stock on the NYSE. We are not aware of any present efforts by anyone to accumulate our Class A Common Stock, and the proposed reverse stock split is not intended to be an anti-takeover device.” Audacy was put on notice last August 1 that it was not in compliance with the minimum average closing price of $1.00 per share and faces delisting. 
The fourth and final round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s February 2023 sweep covered February 2 – March 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM falls three-tenths to finish with an 8.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but remains locked in the #2 rank, while Curtis Media Group’s crosstown news/talk WPTF adds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 2.4 share good for the #14 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee rises two-tenths for a 9.8 share finish that keeps it ranked #1, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ dips half a share to finish with a 7.0 share but rises one spot to the #4 rank. In West Palm Beach, iHeartMedia’s talk WZZR is up four-tenths to a 2.1 share good for the #10 rank, while sister news/talk WJNO falls two-tenths to a 1.5 share leaving it ranked #13, and Hubbard Broadcasting’s crosstown news/talk WFTL is up one-tenth for a 1.0 share finish and the #14 rank. 
Media’s mission is to refocus our attention on state and local issues, and we’re doing that by building a network across Wisconsin of hometown radio stations that are bringing as much local and state-based content to the airwaves as we possibly can.” The piece says that Civic Media has been acquiring radio stations, but it appears it is leasing at least some of them, such as WMDX-AM/W224EG, Madison “Mad Radio” which is owned by Good Karma Brands. Regardless, it is presenting programming on about a dozen stations with its eye on having about 20 stations in its network. 
Boyz” Monday – Friday show and numerous weekend mix shows. Liane has recently added “The Frank Ski Show with Nina Brown” and John Tesh’s “Intelligence For Your Life” to her portfolio. She says, “Thank you Peter, Hiram, Nancy, and Adam for your endless support and guidance. I’m so proud to be a part of Compass Media Networks’ talented team and deliver the best product lineup in our industry while serving the utmost value to our content partners and affiliates.”
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
On a scale of one to 10, where would you rank yourself on planning and organization?
“For years, Tucker Carlson and FOX News have targeted Ray Epps with malicious lies about his involvement in the events of January 6th. FOX News has chosen to promote fantasy over fact, exposing Ray and Robyn Epps to harassment, intimidation, and abuse. It is clear that Mr. Carlson and FOX News are uninterested in speaking the truth to their viewers… Recent revelations from the Dominion Voting lawsuit make clear that FOX News has zero qualms about lying to its viewers. The fictional story that Mr. Carlson and FOX News have told, and continue to tell, about Ray Epps is just one more example of this. It is time for Mr. Carlson and Fox News to stop the lies and to make amends.” The Epps are demanding “that Mr. Carlson and FOX News retract the claim that Mr. Epps was working for the FBI or any governmental entity when he attended the January 6th events and the claim that Mr. Epps acted as an instigator or provocateur of the insurrection. We expect that you will give the same airtime in retracting these falsehoods as you spent amplifying them. Further, Mr. Carlson and FOX News must issue a formal on-air apology for the lies you have spread about Mr. Epps.” The Epps’ are also providing notice of potential litigation regarding what they call FOX’s “defamatory conduct.”
the Minority Photo-Journalism Institute are making a tangible difference in our community by helping students pursue careers in journalism and communications. KBLA ‘Talk 1580’ strongly believes in enlightening, empowering and encouraging tomorrow’s reporters, editors and potential talk radio hosts. Hopefully, our scholarships make a difference.” The scholarship donations were raised at KBLA’s February 28, 2023, Black History Month luncheon in tribute to Black legends in Los Angeles media.
We’ve seen autopsies depicted on various cop shows. As the doctor dispassionately probes the deceased, he or she is dictating into an audio recorder: “I’m opening up the chest cavity…”
million. NPR CEO John Lansing says, “We literally are fighting to secure the future of NPR at this very moment by restructuring our cost structure. It’s that important. It’s existential.” The report notes that “NPR intends to cut back its workforce from approximately 1,200 to about 1,050 employees. The nonprofit network’s layoffs represent its largest reduction in staff since the 2008 recession.” In other moves, NPR is bringing its newsroom and programming divisions together as Lansing notes the “current separation artificially cleaved NPR’s journalism and editorial creations.” At this time, none of the NPR radio programs have been canceled. 
the actual distribution or movement of service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas and goals, and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor customers’ preferences. 
commentators as well as up-and-comers. Trader tells TALKERS he “honestly believes AUN is one of the fastest growing TV and streaming networks in the country.” He states, “Now it is time to expand once again. Our goal is to be broadcasting in every major market in the next two years! This is maybe where an ambitious, hard-working manager can become part of this dream. I am looking to develop a management team to make it happen. If a candidate has expertise in managing finances and accounting, recruiting, human resources, overseeing and developing technologies, as well as creating company policy, sales and marketing, then such an individual might be looking for the challenge of a lifetime.” Trader continues, “I am looking to work with conservative/faithful, passionate ideologs like myself who are concerned with the direction our great republic is heading and want to return it to the Judeo-Christian, faith-based patriotic roots our founding fathers created! Here is the catch: all our progress and success has been achieved on a very tight budget! In fact, we cannot offer salaries. What we can offer is incentives for those who produce to be rewarded.” Interested candidates can contact Rick Trader, president/CEO, AUN TV Network at 
25 years are endless, and we are excited to celebrate with our partners, fans and teammates at the House of Blues.” Those scheduled to appear at the live broadcast include former Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, former Chicago Bears quarterback and past guest of “Waddle & Silvy,” Jay Cutler, Chicago native and American musician Billy Corgan, ESPN analyst and co-host of “Pardon the Interruption,” Michael Wilbon, and ESPN reporter, host, and television personality Sarah Spain. “ESPN 1000” director of content Danny Zederman adds, “‘ESPN 1000’ is thrilled to host the station’s biggest names and most impactful people in one room on Friday to celebrate 25 years. We will look back at our success and also look forward to our exciting future as the home of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox.”
programming Tom Tradup (left) at the SRN offices in Dallas while participating in the SRN News week-long series on Christian films titled, “Faith-based Films: Hollywood’s Brass Ring.” The SRN News special series focuses on the evolution of Christian movies from early, not-well-acted films to 2023’s smash hit Jesus Revolution, which has become Lions Gate Studios’ biggest-grossing film since 2019 with $45 million in box office receipts.
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 ratings period has been released for New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Dallas; Houston; Atlanta; Philadelphia; Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario; San Jose; and Middlesex-Somerset-Union.
“We’re continuing our growth trajectory every month and that’s directly correlated with the incredible OutKick talent that drives engaging content every day with personalities who are able to speak their minds.” OutKick also says it saw over 1 million social interactions on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram, up 258% in February 2023 versus February 2022. Additionally, YouTube Video Views for OutKick attracted 7.1 million views – up 487% from the prior year, according to Shareable.