The Springfield, OH migrant crisis remains in the top position among stories discussed in the talk media yesterday (9/17). That was followed closely by controversy and concerns over the Israel-Hamas war and the Hezbollah pager/walkie-talkie explosions. The presidential race, the Russia-Ukraine war and the economy-inflation were also among the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Longtime New York radio market executive Jerry Crowley has announced that he will be retiring at the end of 2024. 
Crowley has had a long and illustrious career in New York talk radio. He has served as vice president/general manager of the Salem Media Group New York – WNYM 970 AM The Answer and WMCA 570 AM The Mission – since 2013. Prior to that, he held key management positions for 18 years as sales manager and VP/GM at WOR, New York. In an internal memo issued to Salem management and corporate staff (9/17), company senior VP East region Jeff Reisman states, “Jerry has been an integral part of our team since 2013, leading both WMCA and WNYM with visionary guidance and unwavering dedication. His remarkable leadership and unique skills have strengthened Salem’s presence in the New York market. Throughout his tenure, Jerry has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend his gifts and expertise, fostering a positive impact on our NY staff, our [WMCA] ministry partners, and our local advertising clients. His commitment to excellence and his innovative approach has set a high standard for all of us.” Reisman concludes, “There is only one Jerry Crowley, and we are deeply grateful for his 11 years of hard work and dedication. While we will certainly miss his presence and leadership, we wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.”
iHeartMedia has announced key leadership promotions across its Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio markets, reinforcing its position as the leading media company with more consumer reach, influence and live programming across multiple platforms. 
Effective immediately (9/18), Christine Escobar re-joins the company as market president for Austin. Rosie Perez steps into the role of market president for San Antonio. 
Additionally, George Flora has been elevated to senior vice president of sales for Dallas-Fort Worth. 
As market presidents, Perez will oversee the operations of all seven iHeartMedia San Antonio stations and Escobar will oversee the operations for all five iHeartMedia Austin stations. As SVP of sales, Flora will be responsible for driving client success, leading the sales management team, working closely with sellers and growing revenue in the Dallas – Fort Worth region. All three leaders will report to Amy Leimbach, region president for iHeartMedia Dallas-Austin-San Antonio. “Rosie, Christine and George are incredibly talented and are the right choice to lead their teams in the Dallas-Austin-San Antonio Region,” said Leimbach. “They each have a strong track record and a unique set of skills that fit their respective markets, with the ability to build and cultivate winning teams.”
The Springfield, OH migrant crisis moved back into the top position among stories discussed in the talk media yesterday (9/17). That was followed closely by problems facing the Secret Service in the wake of the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life as well as finger pointing casting blame. The Israel-Hamas war and the Hezbollah pager explosions; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the economy-inflation were also among the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Written in 1787, signed on September 17, 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. Today is the anniversary of that initial signing. After spending all summer crafting the original seven articles of the historic document, an assemblage of the nation’s founding fathers in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention, under the leadership of George Washington, created what would prove to be the ideological and legal backbone of the United States of America. The 39 remarkable individuals who put their signatures to the document included such icons as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris.
The document opens with its iconic preamble:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
In noting this historic milestone, TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Although the Bill of Rights wasn’t ratified until December 15, 1791 – which, of course, includes the all-important First Amendment – the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution should not go unacknowledged by practitioners of talk media, especially during this tense time of political strife and turmoil. Honoring and analyzing the tenets of this precious document is the very foundation of this vital medium. Constitution Day provides an opportunity to promote understanding and clarity when most needed.”
Local news radio is the most trusted news source, besting TV and social media, according to a new study conducted by Audacy in partnership with Alter Agents – a marketing research firm. The study – “Local News Radio: Credible, Engaging & Mobilizing” – explores news radio’s powerful connection with news enthusiasts who consider news radio to be a vital part of their day and demonstrates how unbiased journalism and trusted relationships create a safe haven for audiences and brands. The study surveyed 2,542 listeners from seven markets with Audacy news stations, including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. “In an age of information overload, Americans seek credible news sources they can rely upon. Enter local news radio,” said Paul Suchman, chief marketing officer, Audacy. “Local news radio serves as a trusted voice, delivered by brands that are deeply connected to the communities they serve. These environments create exceptional opportunities for advertisers to reach engaged audiences with significant buying power. And the premium content local news stations deliver is unparalleled in its relevance, timeliness, and humanity.” The study indicates that at all moments throughout the day, millions of listeners turn to their trusted local news radio stations for the latest updates, insights and stories that shape their community and the world. These listeners are deeply engaged with their cities, constantly seeking information and turn to trusted news sources to stay informed. 85% of listeners find local radio news credible – more than any other medium. The study further insinuates this credibility pays immense dividends for advertisers, as 92% of listeners pay attention to advertisements they hear on local radio, with almost 80% of these listeners finding ads on news stations both trustworthy and informative. To view the “The Power of Local News Radio” please click here.
SiriusXM announced today (9/17) that Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador, governor, and presidential candidate, will host a new show exclusively for SiriusXM’s Triumph channel (111). 
Titled “Nikki Haley Live,” the hour-long program will premiere on September 25 and air every Wednesday at 8:00 am ET through the presidential inauguration in January. Each week Haley will analyze and simplify the week’s most significant headlines – including the upcoming election, hotspots around the world, U.S. policy, and even some music and entertainment – offering her insights and engaging in conversations with key figures.
Haley, who as a former GOP candidate has played an important role in the ongoing presidential race, will also offer her opinions on the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Throughout the hour Haley will also have open dialogues with an array of guests and callers, featuring conversations about the challenges facing Americans of varying perspectives and backgrounds. Haley tells TALKERS, “The American people are smart. They’re sick of distractions in DC and noise from the mainstream media. They want to know what the issues are and how the solutions will impact them. I’m excited to partner with SiriusXM on a show that breaks down the policies and empowers them with the facts.” As part of the multi-platform agreement, video of the program will be available on the SiriusXM app, and the show can be found across major podcast platforms following its premiere on SiriusXM.
As millions of voters across Los Angeles County decide how to cast their ballots in the pivotal race for district attorney, Audacy’s KNX News 97.1 FM and the Los Angeles Times are joining forces to present a live debate between incumbent George Gascón and challenger Nathan Hochman on October 8 at 5:00 pm PT. Sources at Audacy Los Angeles tell TALKERS, “With criminal justice top of mind for voters across Southern California, the KNX News/L.A. Times debate will dig into the key issues impacting safety, equity, and quality of life for the residents of America’s most populous county ahead of the November 5 election. The one-hour, commercial-free debate will air on KNX News (97.1 FM & 1070 AM) with live video available on the digital and social platforms of KNX News and the Los Angeles Times. KNX News anchor Mike Simpson and chief correspondent Charles Feldman will moderate the debate. Panelists will include L.A. Times reporters James Queally and Brittny Mejia and KNX News reporter Emily Valdez. Media interested in attending should contact Alex Silverman at alex.silverman@audacy.com for details and logistics.
News Talk 1110/99.3 WBT, Charlotte, is looking for the next great multimedia journalist to join the WBT news team as a full-time news reporter. If you’re a compelling storyteller on air and on the page, have a sense for where the next breaking story might originate, and understand that there is a critical difference between news reporting and simple dictation, WBT would love to hear from you. What will set you apart? Journalistic objectivity, the desire to enterprise and produce investigative reports, the flexibility to cover breaking news whenever it happens and, most importantly, to be a great teammate and collaborator, working with the entire WBTeam of hosts, anchors, reporters, and producers for the benefit of the Charlotte listeners. If this sounds like you, please upload your resume, air checks and writing samples on this page.
The second attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life over the weekend remained the most talked about story in talk media yesterday (9/16). The Israel-Hamas war and rising Middle East tensions; the Russia-Ukraine war; the migrant crisis; and situation in Springfield, OH; the economy-inflation and the indictment of Sean “Diddy” Combs were also some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Audacy news/talker WPHT, Philadelphia’s recently launched live series of public meeting events titled “Politics & Pints” kicked into high gear this past Thursday (9/12) evening as popular station midday personality Dom Giordano hosted an evening with Trump Organization EVP, Donald Trump, Jr before a sold-out crowd of 500 listeners, sponsors, and local officials at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, NJ. The conversation covered the election, the state of the union, and Trump Jr’s worldview. Giordano (pictured above left) tells TALKERS, “Don Trump Jr (r) took us inside big Trump moments like the family coming down the escalator in 2016 and his call with his father after he was shot. He did this while doing a dead-on Trump impression and speaking fluent Czech.” Giordano adds, “He was very personable and quite intelligent.” 
A cash bar for soft drinks, beer and wine was available for purchase in the lobby of the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Ticket prices ranged from $500, which included a VIP pre-event meet and greet, a copy of Letters to Trump and a commemorative Politics & Pints tumbler, to $195 for reserved seating that included a copy of Letters to Trump by former President Donald Trump. Special handicap seating was also available.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Lately, life is anything-BUT. Examples: the 2024 presidential race, extreme weather, the consumer economy, recurring gun violence. We’re all wondering, “What NEXT???”
So being-known-for-knowing will earn your station more occasions of tune-in. “Stay close to the news.” And exploit your network by offering, for example, “a quick FOX News update, every half-hour.”
Admittedly, what your network is reporting is also available on smartphones, smartwatches, and smart speakers. But your station may also be, as my clients tout, “Your Only Local News Radio.”
Simply doing local news is a start… BUT… I wish there was a more diplomatic way to say this: Are your newscasts boring?
Too often, local news copy doesn’t enable the listener by telling what a news item means to him or her. I heard a local news voice seeming to read a press release, announcing that: “The [name of] County government’s new website has gone live. The revamped site [URL] was unveiled at this week’s [name of] County commissioners meeting. The board’s chairman said the revamped site has a much more professional appearance, and offers quick, user-friendly navigation. The county’s IT director added that the feedback she’s received so far from county employees and residents has been positive.”
Zzz…
Don’t just recite process. Explain consequence. To Larry & Lisa Listener, typically self-congratulatory source material like that copy is irrelevant blah-blah-blah.
Bothering to actually explore the website, I found how it enables listeners to get help with: “potholes, damaged curb, traffic signals, weeds, dogs barking, abandoned vehicles, chemical discharge, water leaking, litter, road striping, ADA compliance, blocked drainage channel, street lights, damaged sidewalk, traffic/road signs, overhanging trees/shrubs, noise nuisance, hazardous parking, storm sewer leaking/blockage, water leaking on roadway, loose/protruding manhole cover, discrimination complaint, Fair Housing complaint.”
Unwrap the package.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working 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
The second attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life was a major topic in news/talk media late in the weekend. Other topics included the presidential race followed by the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, the economy-inflation, the migrant crisis (focused on the debunked Haitian/Springfield, OH pet story) and the NYPD investigation which were the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Radio One and News Talk 1110/99.3 WBT, along with the Carolina Journal, have entered a partnership to present “The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT” on the heritage news/talk station in Charlotte.
The live, one-hour program will air weekday mornings from 5:00 am – 6:00 am beginning September 16 and will be hosted by talk radio host and public speaker Nick Craig of the Carolina Journal. 
The early morning show will focus on state-wide news, politics, and business stories that impact the lives of the residents of Charlotte and all of North Carolina utilizing the formidable resources of the Carolina Journal. Additionally, local traffic, sports, and weather reports from the well-established WBT News Team will be featured prominently in every show. “I am beyond excited about the incredible opportunity to work with the John Locke Foundation/Carolina Journal and the iconic WBT radio,” Craig tells TALKERS. “Bringing talk radio to a new generation is not just a personal passion of mine but a vital step in shaping the future of political discourse. I am eager to embark on this journey to elevate the level of political conversation for years to come.” Donna King, editor-in-chief of the Carolina Journal adds, “This powerful partnership will take the public conversation to a new level in North Carolina. Carolina Journal and WBT each have a long history of pioneering journalism, offering North Carolinians fact-based news and analysis that matters. Whether in politics, investigative stories, or public policy, the combined resources of our organizations ensure up-to-the-minute coverage and context that listeners truly cannot get anywhere else.” WBT PD Mike Schaefer tells TALKERS, “This new show is the next evolution of WBT’s already amazing live and local lineup, and it will deliver the news, information and analysis that our listeners have come to expect from us as they start the day.”
For the fifth year in a row, popular WRVA, Richmond, VA afternoon drive host Jeff Katz’s program on the Audacy-owned heritage station has been proclaimed the market’s “Favorite Afternoon Radio Show” in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Readers Choice Poll.
Katz tells TALKERS, “It’s a great feeling for myself and I’m delighted that this outstanding station continues to be recognized – however, it also makes me very proud to see so many of my advertisers win in their categories,” adding, “As you and I realize, a big chunk of my job is to let listeners know about them. It’s very rewarding to see their success and I’m grateful that so many only do advertising with me. It’s humbling.” Katz is a past recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award for his years of stellar community service from supporting the police to raising money and awareness for charitable causes and championing the well-being of disabled children and their caregivers.
By Walter M Sterling
Host, “Sterling Every Damn Night”
WPHT, Philadelphia
“Sterling on Sunday”
Talk Media Network
BLIND QUOTE TEST: Who said, “We don’t have to worry about oil spills, the ocean is a big place. What do we care about dolphins? I don’t see dolphins building super-highways at the bottom of the ocean.” That’s Rush Limbaugh at one of his more compelling moments.
Mr. Limbaugh and I shared a mentor: Ed McLaughlin. When Rush launched, he did an interview with this publication where he stated that his mission was to INFORM-INFORM-INFORM. I was with Ed Mclaughlin when the article was published and Ed became distracted and slightly annoyed,
“I’m going to have to talk to Rush when he gets off the air. That’s not his mission. His mission is to ENTERTAIN-ENTERTAIN-ENTERTAIN,” said Mr. McLaughlin. Rush followed the guidance from McLaughlin, who was the founding GM of KGO San Francisco and president of the ABC Radio Networks.
The reason Rush was a success was not that he attacked Democrats, it was because he was entertaining. Tragically, it appears that most of his copycats only steal Rush’s stage rather than his performance.
Rush’s show was heavily prepped to generate an entertaining package. Yes, he’d attack Democrats – and he initially attacked Donald Trump. But the show was everything else, and everything else won the ratings.
EVERYTHING ELSE:
• Every single day Rush brought BRAND NEW proof for his argument on any subject. He delivered revealing stories, anecdotes, jokes, observations. All shows were fresh and UNPREDICTABLE. While his conclusions on a given topic may have repeated day after day, his evidence was always new and often surprising.
• He liked cats. He talked a lot about his cats.
• Radio wrestling. If a caller presented hard, cold facts that refuted one of Rush’s arguments, facts that busted Rush, Rush would say, “So what of it sir? I’m right.” He never, ever changed his opinion and that is a show.
• He liked football, he talked a lot about football.
• TV shows, Florida, hating New York City, his weight and dumb fails of the characters of our country were often the majority content of a three-hour show.
• A lactating mom caller pleased him when she said it was her responsibility to find a place to express her milk during the workday – not her employer’s. At first Rush didn’t understand, then he realized, with her help that a nursing mom either shares her milk with the baby or she must “save” it. Bonus track, she was a Native American who adored Rush. But you didn’t expect any of that!
He was very savvy about who he became. He rarely did TV interviews because his audience was bigger than any cable channel he might bless. Why should he promote those channels?
Rush had been a top 40 jock. A Top 40 background matched KGO general manager Mickey Luckoff’s criteria for hiring hosts: “The main hosts must have top 40 experience because I can teach them ‘talk,’ but I can’t teach them how to do RADIO.” Howard Stern said on air, “My job is to get to the next thing.” Top 40 is all about the next thing.
His arguments against the Democrats were a stage for presenting daily surprises. If you want Rush’s ratings, SURPRISE!
Walter M Sterling’s nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at waltermsterling@gmail.com.
The presidential race highlighted the aftermath of the ABC News debate was this week’s #1 story in the talk media. It was followed by abortion at #2. Donald Trump’s legal issues took the #3 spot. #4 was the economy, inflation, and health care. #5 was the migrant crisis and the eating dogs tale. 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. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
The feds call them “pirate radio.” Haitians call them “a bulletin board for the community.” According to an extensive piece by reporter Tiana Woodard in the Boston Globe (9/9) the FCC has issued at least 18 violations to pirate radio stations in Massachusetts since 2020, as part of an ongoing effort by the agency to snuff out unlicensed, low-power FM stations, which the agency said can clog the airwaves during emergencies or play over other licensed, commercial stations. Two-thirds of those infractions, according to a Globe review of an FCC database, were issued to unlicensed Haitian radio stations, which for years have served the country’s third-largest Haitian community outside of the Caribbean country – a population that continues to grow as the state contends with new waves of migrants. Facing fines to the tune of thousands of dollars each, some stations – run by operators with limited financial resources – have left the radio airwaves entirely, choosing to instead take their shows digital with the hopes their listeners will follow. The evolving landscape of Haitian radio in Boston has left many concerned that listeners of these shows – many of whom are older with little internet access, don’t speak fluent English or are recently arrived migrants. These actions have triggered a wave of concern and pushback by community leaders. “They need people to guide them,” said Patricia Sanon, owner of the Pathway Access Services, an interpretation, translation, and immigration services business in Brockton. “They need the right radio station to provide such information to them so they can navigate the system.” She added: “But they don’t have that.” For decades, the FCC has tried to remove unlicensed radio hosts from the airwaves with little success. Operators such as those in Boston would get letters asking them to stop broadcasting, but there was little enforcement to back those warnings; the agency had limited manpower to go after several violators. When the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, or PIRATE, became federal law in 2020, the FCC received funding to pursue offenders and issue penalties that are more than 13 times than previously allowed by law. “They’re using these huge fines again as a cudgel, like a stick, to say, ‘Look, we’re really going to get you with these $2 million fines,’” said David Goren, a longtime radio journalist and creator of the Brooklyn Pirate Radio Sound Map, a digital archive of unlicensed shows in the New York borough. An FCC spokesperson said pirate radio can pose public safety concerns, like intercepting emergency alerts or air traffic control. Since the law went into effect, the FCC has issued 115 infractions to pirate radio broadcasts nationwide, according to the agency’s website. Massachusetts is second only to New York, which has 41. To see the entire Boston Globe story, please click here
Audacy Podcasts is entering a strategic partnership with acclaimed storytelling nonprofit “The Moth” to handle sales and distribution for the organization’s award-winning podcast, including video, social and sponsorships for live events. To date, “The Moth” podcasts have been brought to listeners in partnership with PRX. PRX will continue to represent The Moth on public radio, which includes continued distribution of “The Moth Radio Hour” to more than 560 stations nationwide. “The Moth” podcast feed will move to Audacy on January 1, 2025, and be accessible on the Audacy app and everywhere podcasts are available. “The Moth” will continue its release schedule with new and encore episodes of “The Moth Radio Hour” on Tuesdays and original episodes of “The Moth Podcast” on Fridays. For over 27 years, “The Moth” has been an instrumental force in the modern storytelling movement, presenting over 60,000 true, personal stories to standing-room-only crowds at events and through storytelling workshops worldwide. Since 2008, these stories have reached tens of millions of listeners each year through “The Moth Radio Hour” and “The Moth Podcast.” Sarah Haberman, executive director of “The Moth” tells TALKERS, “As a nonprofit organization, the opportunity to broaden our reach with Audacy perfectly aligns with our mission of building a more connected world through the art of true personal storytelling. We’re thrilled to partner with their talented team to ensure these vital stories are amplified and heard by more listeners – and help brands connect with our community meaningfully through our audio programming, 600+ live events yearly, 1.3MM+ social media followers, and our digital extensions.”
Is the new communications technology a threat to free speech and privacy? Has the presidency become too much of a media and cultural focal point in our society? How important is character versus competency in judging public officials? What impact is AI having on academic honesty? Is YouTube creating a sea change in the national media landscape? These questions and more are tackled in a fascinating interview conducted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison with radio, TV, and online talk icon, Bill O’ Reilly on this week’s installment of “Up Close Far Out” presented by the new TALKERS Media YouTube channel. In addition to being a major cable news/talk TV pioneer and a successful cross-platform talk media commentator still going and growing in the digital era, O’ Reilly is the author of 18 consecutive #1 New York Times best sellers. Harrison and O’ Reilly discuss his new release, Confronting the Presidents: No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden among an array of topics. Don’t miss this! To view the program in its entirety, please click here.
The aftermath of the presidential debate dominated talk media conversation yesterday followed by remembrances of 9/11. The economy/inflation, abortion, the migrant crisis, the Israel-Hamas war, the Russia-Ukraine war and climate change were also some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (9/11), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Across the nation, talk media hosts from radio, television, cable, podcasting, and YouTube channels were literally working overtime immediately before, during, and after the historic ABC News presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia. TALKERS received reports from across the talk industry that, unlike so many events of this nature that prove disappointing, this debate delivered an edge-of-the-seat, non-stop drama that evoked comparisons to an emotional sporting event like a 12 round heavyweight championship bout during the golden age of boxing. Legendary WPHT, Philadelphia midday host Dom Giordano was in attendance reporting for his station as well as hundreds of others across America that tapped into his swing state perspective on an ad hoc basis. 
Giordano tells TALKERS, “Being in the Spin Room was like being in the middle of multiple simultaneous rugby scrums while trying to discuss the most sensitive issues for our country.” During post-debate coverage, lead election anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum announced that FOX News Media sent letters to both the Harris and Trump campaigns around 7:30 pm before last night’s debate requesting the opportunity to host an additional debate in October. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
We propose to host a debate in October while early in-person voting gets underway in multiple battleground states. We’d like to offer the following options:
Media critic Brian Stelter of CNN reports, “Multiple TV networks are eager to host a presidential debate in October. The Harris campaign, exuding confidence after Harris baited Trump on stage Tuesday night, immediately said she would agree to a second debate with the ex-president. But Trump is not committing, and his overnight comments suggest he is not serious about a sequel.” On Fox & Friends this morning Trump rejected Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, the aforementioned anchors that FOX suggested as potential debate moderators in October proposing Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters or Laura Ingraham instead.
The next big event in this World Series of politics will be the VP debate between Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance to be hosted by CBS on October 1.
Although not a five- or 10-year marker of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, talk media hosts across the nation are paying tribute today to the victims and heroes of the catastrophe that has defined a generation.
For touching audio and video material that could possibly be used on air today, please see the story published in TALKERS this past Friday about pieces being made available by political/social commentator C.C. Carter about her recollections of that awful day by clicking here.
Noted videographer and radio historian Art Vuolo contributes an overview of NYC radio from that fateful day. See it by clicking here.
Also, please see a video about 9/11 produced by the talk radio friendly band Gunhill Road titled “My Friend is Going Away” by clicking here or on the player above.
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to advancing female leadership in radio broadcasting, in conjunction with Beasley Media Group, has announced an upcoming Digital Sales Webinar. This productive and valuable event will feature three of the industry’s most respected leaders and innovators in the digital space: Tina Murley, chief revenue officer of Beasley Media Group; Jenny Sutton, SVP of digital media sales and operations for Audacy; and Shannon Knoepke, market president of Townsquare Media, Minnesota. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, September 19th at 4:00 pm ET. Topics will include:
• The growing importance of Digital Audio, with a focus on streaming and podcasting.
• Leveraging Social Media as a powerful tool for audience engagement and revenue generation.
• Maximizing the potential of Local Digital initiatives.
• Best practices for Impression-Based Selling, including pricing strategies and performance metrics.
• The role of Third-Party Partnerships in driving success.
• Strategies for enhancing Advertiser ROI through innovative digital approaches.
• The synergistic value of combining Over-the-Air (OTA) and Digital platforms to boost client returns.
“This webinar is a unique opportunity to learn from the top minds in digital sales and gain insights that can help navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape,” said Ruth Presslaff, MIW board president. “We encourage everyone to join us for what promises to be a compelling and educational event, beautifully arranged by Sheila Kirby and generously sponsored by Beasley Media Group.” Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley adds, “We are thrilled to support this important MIW webinar that underscores the vital role digital plays in our business today.”
Register for the webinar here. To learn more about Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc., visit radiomiw.com.
Anticipation of last night’s presidential debate and coverage thereof topped the list of yesterday’s topics followed closely by the economy. Abortion, gun control, the migrant crisis, the Israel-Hamas war, the Russia-Ukraine war and climate change were also some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (9/10), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Proclaiming it “the most important presidential debate in history,” talk media stations and networks across the nation are gearing up with special programs and live coverage to precede, accompany and follow the ABC Network debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia tonight at 9:00 pm ET. Several outlets have requested and received special permission from ABC to simulcast the debate itself. These include CNN (which will be running special shows beginning at 4:00 pm ET as if it were a Super Bowl); Salem Radio Network, which will also run a pre-debate special between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET featuring its top personalities, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Dennis Prager, Mike Gallagher, and Tony Perkins; and local stations such as WGMD, Rehoboth Beach, DE (“The Talk Of Delmarva”) on 92.7 FM and 98.5 FM, 
as well as streaming on the WGMD app, and TalkOfDelmarva.com. That will be accompanied by a real-time, interactive blogging event at RealNewsTalk.com. FOX News Media will present live coverage surrounding the debate with special programming available across all of FOX News Media’s key platforms, including FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio and FOX Nation. Cumulus media/Westwood One host Dan Bongino will host a special live edition of his podcast on Rumble preceding and during the debate beginning at 8:00 pm ET.
For the last 10 years, Edison Research’s quarterly “Share of Ear” study has been an authoritative examination of time spent with audio in America. The Cumulus Media / Westwood One analysis of the just-released Q2 2024 data focuses on “what advertisers care about” – ad-supported audio. Here are some of the findings as presented in a special report by Pierre Bouvard, chief insights officer of the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®:
• Since consumer interest in Pandora Radio hit an all-time high in 2008, its audience and profile have significantly collapsed, according to Google Search trends.
• A brand-new Advertiser Perceptions study conducted in August 2024 reveals marketers and media agencies need to “take the me out of media” as they wildly overestimate Spotify and Pandora audiences and dramatically understate AM/FM radio’s shares.
• AM/FM radio represents the dominant ad-supported audio platform with a 69% overall share and a massive 86% in-car share.
• Podcast audiences soar. At a 19% share of ad-supported audio, podcasts now represent one out of every five minutes of U.S. ad-supported audio.
• Among registered voters, AM/FM radio leads in ad-supported audience share (69%), followed by podcasts (19%).
Edison surveys 4,000 Americans annually to measure daily reach and time spent with all forms of audio. For more details, click here for the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® analysis of the just released Q2 2024 data.
The annual Grassroots Radio Conference 2024 (GRC2024) has announced that it will be held at the historic Gallier Hall in New Orleans from September 26 to 29, with the theme “Using Our Platforms to Protect Democracy.” Local New Orleans radio stations 102.3FM WHIV-LP and 99.1FM WXDR-LP are hosting the event with a consortium of other local nonprofit radio stations, including WRBH (radio for the blind), WAMF-LP, WTUL and HOWL (Loyola University’s new online radio station). The GRC2024 will be a gathering of community radio stations, independent media outlets, and grassroots organizations nationwide. It is a networking, learning, and collaboration space in independent media. The conference’s stated mission is to empower and amplify diverse voices often marginalized by mainstream media. “We are thrilled to bring the Grassroots Radio Conference to New Orleans this year,” said Liana Elliott, co-founder of host radio station 102.3FM WHIV-LP and GRC2024 co-chair. “As a city with such a rich history of activism and community organizing, we feel that New Orleans is the perfect location to explore how grassroots media can protect our democracy.” The conference will feature workshops, panels and discussions on various topics, including media ethics, diversity and inclusivity in media, fundraising strategies for independent outlets and more. The agenda will include keynote speeches from Thom Hartmann, host of the Thom Hartmann Show and named by TALKERS the nation’s #1 progressive talk show host for over a decade; David Sirota, founder of The Lever and campaign writer for Bernie Sanders in 2020; Monica Pierre, Emmy award-winning journalist and author of several books; Sam Seder, actor, left-wing political commentator, media host; Wade Rathke from ACORN and WAFM-LPFM; and Wajahat Ali, author of Go Back To Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American. “The Grassroots Radio Conference 2024 aims to address systemic oppression and amplify the voices of marginalized communities in our efforts to protect democracy,” said co-founder of host radio station 102.3FM WHIV-LP and GRC2024 co-chair Dr. MarkAlain Déry. “This conference is not just about protecting our democracy but also about creating a more just and fair society for everyone.” Registration for the conference is now open.
Anticipation of tonight’s presidential debate topped the list of yesterday’s topics followed closely by the economy. Gun control, the migrant crisis, the Israel-Hamas war, the Russia-Ukraine war and the Tyreek Hill detainment were also some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (9/9), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
WABC CEO/owner John Catsimatidis was joined by a wide array of friends and stars from the worlds of radio, television, politics, and entertainment this past Friday evening (9/6) at his annual charity gala celebrating his 76th birthday. The event took place at Cipriani, the swank hotspot on 42nd Street near Grand Central Station. Joining the billionaire mogul of the broadcasting, grocery, and energy industries, were WABC figures including “Cousin” Bruce Morrow and Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez. This year’s event benefited the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, the New York City Police Athletic League, and St. Francis Feed the Hungry. The event drew more than 600 attendees, including politicians, celebrities, and WABC Radio clients. The evening included performances by Tony Orlando and Dawn, Andy Kim, and more. Pictured at the party (left to right): Vinnie Medugno, Joe Piscopo, Tony Orlando, Margo Catsimatidis, Cousin Brucie Morrow, and John Catsimatidis. For more extensive coverage of the spectacular event, check out the New York Post’s Page Six by clicking here.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Listeners now expect what-they-want when-they-want-it. And advertisers want their attention wherever they can get it. So, yes, archiving on-air programming for on-demand consumption has value. Respecting how scarce attention is, this tip: In addition to whole-hour airchecks, offer short, single-topic show excerpts, and title them as obviously as possible. Don’t expect listeners to click-click-click through or sit-through an hour-long aircheck for three great minutes about “How to keep Alexa from spying on you.” So post-and-Tweet that. Otherwise, understand how broadcasting and podcasting are cousins, not siblings.
How podcasting is unlike radio: AM/FM broadcasters’ content is mass-appeal, and locally-oriented. But the best podcast topics are “narrowcast” stuff. And you’re on what we used to call “the Worldwide Web.” So going real narrow is opportune. Example?
Do a podcast about gardening, and you’ll get lost-in-the-weeds. Do one about growing vegetables year-round in a vertical hydroponic garden in a closet and you’ll click.
How successful podcasts are like radio: You’re asking for attention. And with so much competition for it now, that’s a big ask.
That’s where professional broadcasters have an advantage over amateurish podcasters. Best practices that radio has spent 100 years proving are techniques that can earn you habitual listening.
More, including what TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison considers the #1 success factor in podcasting, here: http://getonthenet.com/podcasting.html
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working 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.
iHeartMedia Tulsa has expanded the reach of 1300 The Patriot (KAKC-AM), “Oklahoma’s home for Real Talk,” to additional platforms. The station is now simulcasting to its new home on 93.5 FM and 106.1 HD2, in addition to its current frequency at 1300 AM and streaming on iHeartRadio. “‘The Patriot’ has become a trusted voice in Oklahoma, and this expansion is a testament to its success,” says JC Lowe, area president for iHeartMedia Tulsa. “By broadening our reach to FM and HD, we’re ensuring that even more listeners can engage with the high-quality talk and news content that ‘The Patriot’ delivers every day.” JJ Ryan, SVP/programming iHeart Media Tulsa adds, “The expansion to FM and HD radio allows our audience to enjoy ‘The Patriot’ on whichever platform they prefer — whether that’s on AM, FM, HD radio, or digitally through iHeartRadio. Regional news director and PD Brian Gann has done an outstanding job in transforming KAKC-AM into a trusted source for both local and national news. We’re proud to continue offering top-tier programming from national personalities including Michael DelGiorno, Glenn Beck, and Clay Travis & Buck Sexton.”