Pictured above is nationally syndicated talk radio host Todd Starnes delivering the keynote address at the Young America’s Foundation’s National High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. All students received a copy of Starnes’ newest book, Twilight’s Last Gleaming: Can America Be Saved? (Post Hill Press 2023), based on a speech delivered by President Ronald Reagan.
Cumulus Media announces a new partnership with Rhode Island Football Club to broadcast select matches for the club’s inaugural 2024 season on WPRV-AM, Providence “790 The Score” and
news/talk/sports WXLM-AM, New London. The first match aired last Saturday (3/16) versus New Mexico United. An additional nine matches will air on the two stations. Cumulus regional vice president Holly Paras says, “I am delighted that our stations will enter into this new broadcasting partnership with Rhode Island FC and help to bring the Southern New England community the passion and drama of this new team and exciting sport.”
The presidential race and Tuesday’s primary elections; the Russia-Ukraine war and Vladimir Putin wins Russia’s “election”; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S.-Israel relations; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Supreme Court to hear arguments on the government’s efforts to thwart social media disinformation; the anti-TikTok legislation; and the violence in Haiti were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
TALKERS founder Michael Harrison appeared as a guest Wednesday on Frank Morano’s “The Other Side of Midnight” show (3/13) as part of his current “Scammers” interview tour promoting the new Gunhill Road “Damn Scammers (Get Off My Phone)” music video (www.scammersvideo.com). The conversation illuminated Harrison’s concerns about the rapid spread of scamming and fraud in the digital space but quickly expanded to a discussion about the pros and cons of AI and an existential look at the future of the radio platform itself.
Regarding the insidious growth of scams on the internet, Harrison said, “It is a major problem up there with terrorism, inflation, street crime, pandemics, uncontrolled immigration, and war… it’s corroding the quality of our lives, lowering the bar on integrity, and raising the level of disingenuousness that is becoming a ‘normal’ part of our culture.” Harrison attributes a major part of the problem to legislators being behind the curve on this, stating, “Historically, it takes time for legislation to catch up to changes in technology… now that technology is changing so rapidly it’s increasingly difficult for legislators to keep up with it. In many cases they don’t even have a clue as to how the internet operates.”
Regarding the issue of AI stealing jobs from broadcasters – particularly talent – going forward, Harrison was blunt: “Just like all technology, AI is a double-edged sword and can be dangerous. But in the case of art, people have always accused new technologies in art as somehow being fake and ‘cheating’ but history has consistently shown that today’s technology is tomorrow’s art. Regarding the loss of jobs for radio talent, it all depends on what you bring to the table. If you are a basic announcer, meaning you read most of your content from a script or apply a very limited range of verbiage such as time, temperature, news and the simple intros and outros of songs – watch out, you will likely lose your job. But if you’re a talk show host, analyst, interviewer, or commentator – all you have to do is work a little harder… you have to be even more original. AI can only draw upon and synthesize what’s already out there. You’ll have to stay ahead of the AI learning curve. All AI can actually do is realistically recreate monologues and dialogue that are in the category of worn-out talking points. If that’s what you are currently doing on the air, you’ll be replaced by AI and no one will notice.”
Regarding the future of radio and its ongoing viability in the digital era, Harrison said that it depends on whether those of us in the industry actively create radio’s relevant future or abandon it out of fear or simple lack of ideas. Harrison warned, “The use of ‘audio’ as a description of this medium is short-sighted. Radio is an esthetic… complex and organic. All radio is audio but not all audio is radio. Putting up a sign on radio calling it audio would be like owning a restaurant and calling it ‘food’ or a specific brand car dealership and calling it ‘transportation.’” Listen to the interview here
Noted attorney and respected talk media commentator Steve Weisman is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” A prolific author and lecturer who teaches White Collar Crime and Media Law at Bentley University in Boston, Weisman is one of the nation’s leading experts on scams, identity theft and cybersecurity. His widely read blog, Scamicide, provides daily updated information about the latest scams, identity theft schemes and cybersecurity developments. He recently testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging about the dangerous proliferation of scams being targeted to America’s senior population. Harrison – a longtime outspoken foe of digital-era corruption – states, “Our podcast this week is aimed at shedding light on the dark corners and back alleyways of our modern society in which scammers, fraudsters and cyber criminals are flourishing… they steal our identities, our money and our peace of mind. Our loss of privacy and security is a loss of freedom and our legislators on both sides of the aisle remain basically clueless. In an era in which talk show hosts are rightfully obsessed with street crime, terrorism and immigration run amok, it is surprising there is not more attention being paid to this insidious social cancer born of advanced technology and civic decay.” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
Audacy announces the return of “You Better You Bet Countdown to Tip-Off,” a four-episode series of special men’s college basketball tournament programming set to air on March 17, 23, 30 and April 6
from 8:00 am to 10:00 am ET on 90 Audacy stations nationwide. Led by Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley, co-hosts of “You Better You Bet,” “BetQL Countdown to Tip-Off” will serve as breakdowns of the men’s college basketball tournament, featuring a mix of sports betting insight. The show will also welcome talent from across Audacy’s portfolio of sports stations.
The presidential race was the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was former President Donald Trump’s legal battles, followed by the House-passed bill to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or the app becomes illegal in the U.S. at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result on ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
Triton Digital releases its Top U.S. Podcasts ranker for February (Jan. 29 – Feb. 25) based on weekly average downloads for shows that opt in. NPR’s “NPR News Now” retains its #1 position, while
NBCUniversal News Group’s “Dateline NBC” jumps two spots to #2, bumping audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” to #4. NPR’s “Up First” remains in the #3 position. Other radio-related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” rising one spot to #6, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” slipping two places to #17, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” falling three spots to #27. See the complete ranker here.
The nationally syndicated shooting sports program, “Gun Talk,” celebrates 29 years on the air. Program creator and host Tom Gresham says, “‘Gun Talk’ radio is perhaps more important today than when it
started 29 years ago. Whether it’s helping the first-time gun buyer sort out what she needs to buy, or exposing politicians who claim to be supporters of the Second Amendment while putting restrictions on this right, there’s plenty to talk about. Responsible gun ownership is strong, and I’m glad to be part of movement.” The program – currently heard on more than 260 stations – airs live on Sundays from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET.
Pictured above is conservative media figure Todd Starnes (right) with U.S. Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN) and U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) at a book launch event hosted by the Conservative Partnership Institute to honor Starnes and recognize the publishing of his eighth book, Twilight’s Last Gleaming (Simon & Schuster/Post Hill Press, 2024). The event was emceed by former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows. Starnes’ talk radio show is syndicated nationally, and he is the owner of news/talk KWAM, Memphis. Starnes is also on the board of directors of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces the recipients of the 2024 Leadership Awards and the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award. The Awards will be presented at the BFOA Annual Breakfast on April 17 at the Encore Resort during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Leadership Awards are given annually in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the
community at-large. The 2024 Leadership Awards honorees are: Don Bouloukos, CBS and ABC Radio executive; Frank Comerford, chief revenue office, president, commercial operations, NBCU Local; Traug Keller, president, ABC Radio Network/SVP, ESPN Radio; Kathleen Kirby, partner, Wiley; Mike McVay, president, McVay Media Consulting; and John Rouse, EVP, ABC Affiliate Relations, Disney Platform Distribution. The Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award is bestowed annually on an individual in broadcasting whose work exemplifies innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. The 2024 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award recipient is Erica Farber, president & CEO, RAB. The Broadcasters Foundation Breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting. You can register here.
The 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards Presented by The Hartford took place live at SXSW in Austin, Texas
last night (3/11). The event was also exclusively video streamed on iHeartRadio’s YouTube channel and broadcast across iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app. Winners were named in 32 categories, including Podcast of the Year, which went to “New Heights.” Entertainer Lilly Singh presented the award to co-hosts Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, who accepted the honor via video. See the complete list of winners here.
Audacy appoints Judy Lakin general sales manager for its Houston station group that includes sports talk KILT-AM, sports betting KIKK-AM and four music brands. Lakin was most recently president of Vista14 Advertising Agency, where she was on the company’s board, and previously served as
director of sales with Cox Media Group. Audacy Houston VP of sales Alana Lujan comments, “Judy’s extensive experience in talent development, coupled with her recent involvement in business development, multi-media buying and digital innovation, makes her a powerhouse addition to Audacy’s sales leadership team. With her expertise, Judy is poised to make an immediate and substantial impact. Here’s to an exciting journey with someone who will bring so much to the table!” Lakin states, “I am thrilled to join the exceptional leadership team at Audacy. The Houston market’s wide variety of broadcast and digital products makes me eager for what will come. The local sales team’s incredible skills and high energy is a tremendous plus to this opportunity.”
The National Association of Broadcasters will honor Hubbard Broadcasting engineer David Kolesar with the 2024 NAB Engineering Achievement Award. Established in 1959, the Radio and Television Engineering Achievement Awards are given to individuals who are nominated by their peers for significant contributions to advancing broadcast engineering. WTOP, Washington general manager Joel Oxley comments, “Time and again Dave proves that he is on the cutting edge for innovation in the radio industry. In the nearly two decades I’ve worked with him he consistently comes up with new and creative ideas on how we can be better. I can think of no one else more deserving of this award. Kudos to Dave!” Kolesar says, “It’s quite an unexpected honor to receive this award. I’m lucky to be in a place that allows me to explore my passions and curiosity, and contribute to the state of the art of the industry. I’d like to thank the management of WTOP Radio and Hubbard Broadcasting for their support, and for creating an environment that allows innovation to happen.”
The morning drive team of Maxwell Schaeffer and Amy Sweet are out at iHeartMedia’s news/talk WHO-AM, Des Moines after a little more than three years in the role. The duo took over for Van Harden, who retired at the end of 2020. iHeartMedia has made no announcement regarding its plans for the
WHO morning show. Today, Simon Conway – the station’s PM drive host – was part of the on-air team. Amy Sweet posted the following message to Facebook, “Our sincere appreciation goes out to every listener who has tuned in to WHO over the years, making it possible for us to build upon the rich tradition of excellent programming that sets us apart from other stations. We have truly enjoyed connecting with each one of you through various initiatives designed to foster deeper connections within our beloved community. As we move forward into unknown territories, we are filled with anticipation and hope for what lies ahead!”
The presidential race; President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and Senator Katie Britt’s rebuttal; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis disqualification case; the U.S. migrant crisis; Pope Francis takes heat for implying Ukraine should negotiate end to Russian hostilities; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the unrest in Haiti as gangs take over Port-au-Prince; and Sunday night’s Oscar awards ceremony were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
The 13th annual edition of World Radio Day (WRD) celebrated this past February 13 saw a record number of UNESCO Member States joining in the celebrations, with over 150 countries taking part. Particularly of note was the spread of commemorations throughout geographical regions. According to the WRD Secretariat, many broadcasters and radio stations worldwide aired special programs or news segments, and authorities in different countries organized or participated in events, highlighting the continued relevance and importance of radio. As part of WRD this year, UNESCO led an initiative partnering with 14 regional and international broadcasting organizations, urging car manufacturers to keep terrestrial radio receivers in vehicles to preserve information as a public good. (https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio/broadcasters-call). The call was highly successful and broadly taken onboard by international opinion leaders. Engagements, reach and impressions on social media platforms were also huge, with millions of individual and institutional posts attesting to the importance of radio. Authorities at UNESCO tell TALKERS, “From the sheer number of observances of World Radio Day, it is clear it is a major UN day celebrated globally.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, who served as executive advisor to UNESCO for WRD 2024 states, “This positive news about the effectiveness of this year’s celebration serves as an inspiration to the millions of us around the globe who recognize radio’s first century informing, educating and entertaining with the belief that it will continue to be an iconic and vitally relevant platform for the betterment of society for many years to come.”
Saga Communications CEO, president & director Chris Forgy says the company is moving at a pace to beat its goal of launching online news sites in 16 markets by the end of the year. Forgy made the
comment as part of his Q4 2023 earnings call yesterday (3/7). The company is already operating ClarksvilleNow.com in the Clarksville, Tennessee market and had forecast to have more markets up and running by the end of this year. He says, “As of today, I’m pleased to announce that we have already generated over $1 million in prebooked revenue for 2024, and the year-end timeline has been accelerated to have not 16 but 18 markets online by the end of – not the end of the year – but by the end of quarter two.”
Joe Lindsley, editor of UkrainianFreedomNews.com, is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” For the past two years-plus, he has been broadcasting from the city of Kyiv and other locations in Ukraine where he is covering the war for WGN, Chicago and an array of social media platforms. A broadcaster with a colorful media history, Lindsley is an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, who began his career at the Weekly Standard magazine, and then had a tumultuous career at FOX News Channel as Roger Ailes’ protege. He was prominently featured as a character portrayed by actor Emory Cohen in the Showtime mini-series titled, “Loudest Voice.” In early 2020, he landed in Ukraine for a speaking gig at a media conference at Ukrainian Catholic University just as the world began shutting down because of Covid. Anticipating a calm and free environment in Ukraine for weathering a pandemic, he chose to stay during the worldwide lockdowns. When Russia invaded, he committed to “staying and reporting every day until victory.” His 10-minute daily reports are heard live every weekday morning on WGN’s Bob Sirott show where they are very well-received for informational thoroughness and insight into the lives of the brave Ukrainian people. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
The presidential race was the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address tied with the state of the U.S. economy, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr releases a statement supporting the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act” which would ban the TikTok app “unless TikTok genuinely divests from its ties to the Communist Party of China.” Carr comments, “TikTok’s own conduct makes clear that it is beholden to the CCP and presents an unacceptable threat to U.S. national security.
Indeed, TikTok has been caught engaging in a pattern of illicit surveillance and making false statements about personnel in Beijing accessing sensitive U.S. user data. These facts were laid bare for the world to see when the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a TikTok oversight hearing last year. And that is why there is now a broad, bipartisan consensus that TikTok cannot continue to operate in the U.S. in its current form. I want to applaud the strong, bipartisan leadership that Members of Congress have shown in advancing this bill, which would definitively resolve the serious national security threats TikTok poses by banning the app or requiring that it genuinely sever ties to the CCP. This is a smart, threat-specific bill that would address a clear and present danger. I hope that this bill will soon become law.”
Teasing the release of its Infinite Dial 2024 research project to be done at Podcast Movement Evolutions on March 28, Edison Research presents some data on X (formerly known as Twitter). At the time of Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter in the fall of 2022, 27% of the total population in the U.S. reported using
Twitter. In the 2024 Infinite Dial, 19% of the total population in the U.S. are using X – a 30% drop. Edison says, “While The Infinite Dial has recorded many incremental changes over its long history, a 30% change in any metric year-over-year is incredibly rare and noteworthy, acknowledging that in 2022 and 2023 the survey referred to the service as ‘Twitter’ and in 2024 it referred to the service as ‘X (formerly known as Twitter).’ Keep in mind this is not a measure of subscribers or Twitter/X accounts, but a measure of people who say they are ‘currently ever’ using the service. In addition to this overall usage drop, Twitter/X saw declines in monthly and weekly usage.”
iHeartMedia San Diego promotes Mary Ayala to program director for news/talk KOGO-AM “Newsradio 600,” talk KLSD-AM “The Patriot AM 1360,” and sports talk KGB-AM “San Diego Sports 760.” Ayala has
been serving as assistant program director and executive producer. iHeartMedia San Diego market president Noreen Ippolito says, “Mary has been a part of our cluster for many years and is more than ready to take the lead role of our talk stations. She’s smart, experienced, and incredibly detailed with her work.” Ayala comments, “This is an exciting time to be taking over the program director position for these brands. Each station has its own distinct flavor, and all of them are filled with great talent I’m looking forward to working with.”
By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network
Original ideas are golden and rare. Here are five ideas worth stealing because of their novelty, success and oh-wow factor!
THE SECRET OF A GREAT TALK STATION – Tom Bigby founding program director of WIP Philadelphia. Tom turned up a large black knob to his left and it fed the phone screeners doing their work. He could monitor all calls coming in and how they were screened. He recorded all screener conversations and “I do air check sessions with the screeners.” declared Mr. Bigby.
ENTER AND YOU COULD WIN ALL THE CLOTHES – FOX FM Melbourne Australia. Every year FOX FM hosted the FOX FASHION SHOW at a mall. The event drove entries for a contest that awarded tickets to the show. Ok, normal.
Surprise: “And one listener will win all the clothes.” At the time, 2002, Brad March was the head of programming for owner, Austerio.
WE’LL BOOST SECURITY. When New Jersey 101.5 started, John and Ken hosted PM Drive – yes that John and Ken of KFI deserved fame. The hot topic was the station’s fantasy to eliminate tolls on the Jersey Turnpike. No one considered that eliminating tolls would mean firing unionized toll takers… in New Jersey.Somebody thought that was a bad idea and slashed the tires in the station’s parking lot. Lame owners would have shut down the topic. Bob McAllan, CEO of Press Broadcasting had no problems with the topic. His response: Heavy investing in hurricane fencing and super-bright lights for the building’s exterior. Bob kept the staff fearless and that is why the station is a success to this minute.
SOMEBODY’S GOT TO BE IN THE BUILDING ALL NIGHT. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, Sterling On Sunday and my guest host appearances for Westwood One have originated from great radio facilities throughout the northeast. Great empty facilities. After 10:00 pm clusters of stations housed in state of the art installations operate without one human body in the building. Not one, not a board op, or night editor, or anybody. It’s spooky and irresponsible. What if?? Dave LaBrozzi, Program Director of KDKA engaged a group of eager interns to work in the beautiful KDKA newsroom all night. Great training for the students and smart service to Pittsburgh.
WEBSITES ARE DIFFERENT. Radio 538 is the hot top 40 in the Netherlands. Dan Mason and I consulted them and learned that they recognized that a website is not a radio station. They built web content that had nothing to do with the radio station, except in spirit, but was very appealing to online consumers. Note that all of the stars on online video are native to the medium. Hollywood stars who tried to cross to digital, failed. Different medium. Build web-only content for traffic success.
Walter Sabo hosts “Sterling On Sunday” – a 10-year network success heard on stations such as KMOX, St Louis; WPHT, Philadelphia; KFBK, Sacramento; and KDKA, Pittsburgh. His company, Sabo Media has delivered audience growth for SiriusXM, Hearst, FOX Television and other media titans. He can be reached at walter@sabomedia.com www.waltersterlingshow.com
The Broadcasters Foundation of America honored Hearst EVP and COO Jordan Wertlieb with its Golden Mic Award at a gala event at the Plaza Hotel in New York City last night (3/5). The organization
also bestowed its 2024 Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award upon Emmy-winning news anchor Deborah Norville. The annual gala is a major fundraiser for the BFoA, which provides financial assistance to broadcasters in acute need. One of last night’s most poignant moments was a video of Foundation grant recipient Terrie Commare bravely sharing of the death of her TV general sales manager husband Luke Commare losing his life to brain cancer and how the BFoA stepped in with a monthly grant to help the family make ends meet.
The Federal Communications Commission approves the transmitter moves and nighttime power reduction requested by Good Karma Brands for WMVP-AM, Chicago. The FCC denied the objection
filed by Albert Adam David, who claimed the changes would create interference for other licensees. Good Karma proposes to relocate the WMVP facility approximately 31 kilometers to the currently licensed nighttime transmitter site of WCPT-AM, Willow Springs, Illinois. Good Karma proposes to retain WMVP’s Class A designation, operating frequency (1000 kHz), and 50 kW daytime operating power, but reduce nighttime operating power to 37 kW while diplexing nighttime transmissions with WCPT (WCPT broadcasts at 1.5 kW on a different frequency).
Nashville sports talk host Buck Reising renews his contract with Cumulus Media to continue as host of the midday program, “The Buck Reising Show,” on WGFX-FM “104.5 The Zone.” Reising also hosts an NFL podcast called “The Install Live,” with executive producer and co-host Greg Cosell, in addition to
other content he creates with the station’s partnership with A to Z Sports. Cumulus Nashville VP and market manager Allison Warren says, “In the heart of Middle Tennessee, where sports pulse through our veins, we proudly announce the contract extension for our dynamic midday host, Buck Reising. Our airwaves resonate with the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the unwavering passion of fans. As the must-listen sports station, we’re more than a frequency; we’re the heartbeat of every game, every play, and every championship.” Reising comments, “I’m so grateful to ‘The Zone’ and Cumulus for believing in and investing in Lucas, Jackson, and me. We could not be happier to continue to do the show for such an incredibly supportive audience and the city that we love. We’re just getting started.”
Pictured above is WRVA, Richmond afternoon talk host Jeff Katz (right) alongside former President Donald Trump (left) during Trump’s March 2 visit to Richmond. Katz is presenting Trump with a “Julia Katz Bracelet” created by Emily Morrissey of Emily’s Bracelets. Morrissey and Julia Katz are young women with a variety of special needs and disabilities who have received services from The Friendship Circle. During the month of March, Morrissey is offering “The Julia Katz Bracelet” as a fundraiser for The Friendship Circle of Virginia in recognition of Julia’s 21st birthday on March 7. Jeff Katz recently helped raise more than $17,000 for The Friendship Circle and to kick off the special Julia Katz bracelet he personally presented one to Trump. They are available at www.emilysbracelets.com
Audacy’s all-news KYW, Philadelphia awarded its annual GameChangers honors, recognizing 10 people making a difference in communities of color around the Philadelphia region at a ceremony at the company’s Philadelphia office on February 28. KYW Newsradio community impact reporter Racquel
Williams, who has been highlighting the GameChangers honorees throughout February, hosted the ceremony. The 2024 recipients were nominated by audience members, selected by a panel of previous honorees and vetted by KYW Newsradio editorial staff. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “We are delighted to honor the exceptional individuals who are driving positive change and making a profound impact within communities of color across Philadelphia. This yearly program highlights their unwavering dedication to making lasting contributions to this community, and we’re proud to leverage our platform to shine a light on their great work.” See more about GameChangers here.
The 85th annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference took place this past Friday and Saturday (3/1-2) at the Sheraton Times Square hotel in New York City drawing some 800+ student broadcasters, faculty, and administrators from campus stations across the nation. TALKERS founder and multi-radio format pioneer Michael Harrison was among the event’s featured speakers. Harrison’s one-hour address titled, “The Next 10 Years of Media and Popular Culture is…?” brought up as many
questions as it did answers about what young broadcasters entering professional media today should be prepared for in navigating the unpredictably turbulent waters of the next decade and beyond. Among the sweeping panorama of topics covered in his address, Harrison told the students, “When looking to the future, don’t be too sure that current events will follow a predictable script. There are always ‘black swan events’ that change the storyline and our expectations in an instant. Plus, there are multiple outcomes, possibilities, and forks in the road for almost every situation.” Regarding the current focus on artificial intelligence, Harrison advised, “All technology is a double-edged sword and AI will prove to be a particularly consequential one with both positive and negative implications. However, don’t fall into the age-old trap of thinking that productions and performances created or enhanced by new technology are necessarily ‘artificial’ or ‘fake.’ New tools not only create new art, they have an irrepressible influence on giving rise to new culture. The immediate years ahead are likely going to provide us with the challenging question of ‘what does it mean to be truly human?’” Harrison concluded, “As young broadcasting students in 2024 looking to make a difference in the world, be prepared to face the challenge of following your dreams, ideals and inspiration while confronting the harsh realities of making a living in a stressed environment of relentless change. We live our lives in this business at the dangerous intersection between art and commerce.”
Since its inception in 1940, IBS has been led by outstanding volunteers who are passionate about student media. Congratulations to Norm Prusslin, chairperson, IBS board and Chris Thomas, president, IBS as well as conference chairperson Shawn Novatt and the entire board upon the success of this year’s gathering.
Pictured above is Michael Harrison (c) with two key executives from Backbone Networks at the innovative company’s display among the exhibits at the annual IBS conference. Representing two generations of the legendary Capalbo family of radio groundbreakers are George N. Capalbo, CTO, Backbone Networks (l) and his son George L. Capalbo, marketing communications director, Backbone Networks (r). They are the son and grandson of the late WRKO, Boston radio satellite innovator George J. Capalbo.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
It’s not your imagination. The world has gone daffy. The USA is all-but boots-on-the-ground in rough neighborhoods around the world. Weather is getting even wackier. The next gun nut could open fire, at any moment, anywhere. 2024 campaign? It’s a long way to November. And even in this rebounding economy, supermarket prices still hit-home… if you can get there.
Here in Southern New England that could take up to an hour longer, as tens of thousands are inconvenienced every day, and will be for months – possibly two years we’re told – after an abrupt bridge closure along Interstate 195. Your daily commute is torture if you live here; and an unpleasant surprise awaits when you head to Cape Cod this summer, or if you’re just passing through this intersection where I-195 joins Maine-to-Miami I-95, the main artery through the most densely populated parts of the USA.
The good news for listeners is that serious structural defects were spotted BEFORE a deadly bridge collapse like we’ve seen in Minnesota and Pennsylvania and elsewhere in recent years. The good news for local media is that information changes throughout the day, and day-to-day, as the Department of Transportation continuously modifies lane merges and detours to cope. If you’re driving, you can’t NOT listen.
Presume that listeners are wondering “What NEXT???” If your station is known-for-knowing, listeners will keep coming back for more. Last week and the week before here, we demonstrated simple tweaks that make local news copy instantly more and helpful and relevant and understandable. This week: setting an expectation and delivering. Two tips:
Invite overtly. Try this imaging statement that has proven effective for setting a listening appointment to on-hour newscasts: “SO much is changing, SO quickly now. Stay close to the news.” Example: If you’re an affiliate, call it “a quick FOX News update, every half hour, throughout your busy day.” Doing so empowers the customers our local advertisers want pulling into the parking lot.
Then, make it sound different than last hour. Advance the story.
Example: news that “The New York Times is buying Wordle” broke in afternoon drive.
Next morning, same copy, word-for-word.
Better next-morning lead: “Wordle will remain free… for now.”
Avoid the listener thinking, “You already told me that,” by leading with a different aspect than last time. Every effort you make to sound fresh is well worth it.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Cumulus Media flips WKRN-FM, New Orleans from country to sports talk as “106.1 The Ticket.” The station will air FOX Sports Radio programming and several local shows. In addition to FSR shows such
as “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” and “The Dan Patrick Show,” the station will air “Inside New Orleans with Eric Asher” from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, followed by “All Access with Ken Trahan” from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Cumulus Media New Orleans RVP and market manager Pat Galloway says, “The love and passion of New Orleans’ sports fans is amazing. It starts in the playgrounds and ends up in the Superdome and Smoothie King Center, and now we can talk about it all the time on the all-new ‘106.1 The Ticket.’”