Industry News

Report: Giuliani Creditors Subpoena WABC’s John Catsimatidis

According to a report from Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani’s creditors are subpoenaing WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis to get documents “detailing his relationship with Giuliani, Giuliani’sim compensation from WABC, and documents about the shows Giuliani hosted.” The creditors are represented by a committee in Giuliani’s bankruptcy case and until 10 days ago, Giuliani worked at WABC hosting an afternoon radio talk show. The report notes that the creditors are looking for information about Giuliani’s “‘termination or suspension’ and about any statements he made regarding the Georgia poll workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him after he accused them of rigging election results.” Giuliani challenged that verdict in court, but his recent efforts failed, and he remains on the hook for the $148 million judgement. Read the Bloomberg Law story here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories

The ICC seeks arrest of Israel and Hamas leaders; Iran’s future in the wake of the death of its president; the ongoing Donald Trump hush money trial; the presidential race; inflation, the record-high financial markets and the economy; controversy over the Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; Arizona serves Rudy Giuliani with indictment papers in the 2020 election case; hacking threats against U.S. water systems; and the Justice Samuel Alito upside-down flag controversy were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: WHY Are You Podcasting?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imBecause you can? Because you aren’t doing AM/FM radio? Because you are on radio, but can’t-do-there what you can-do podcasting? Because you are making money podcasting?

Podcasters I help must first survive a conversation about WHY. “It’s a success…if…” WHAT?

Wired magazine co-founder Kevin Kelly reckons that “a creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, video maker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans to make a living.”

Devour these four pages he wrote – a genuine whack-on-the-side-of-the-head – and the structure for my coaching: http://getonthenet.com/1000TrueFans.pdf

im

What you read there may change how you approach the podcast you’re doing… or nudge you into podcasting if you don’t. As does the Edison Research 2024 Infinite Dial survey. Here’s that download, and a cautionary video from TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison: http://getonthenet.com/podcasting.html

Next Monday is Memorial Day here in the USA, so I’ll be back here on “…the third of June.” If you work mornings, this is my last column you will see before your show that day, so make a note in your bumper file: Bobbie Gentry, “Ode to Billy Joe.”

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

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Iran’s president and foreign minister killed in helicopter crash; the Israel-Hamas war and the ICC seeking arrest warrants for Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes; former President Donald Trump speaks at NRA convention; the aftermath of Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech; President Joe Biden’s Moorhouse College commencement; the Trump hush money trial in NYC; the presidential race; and Pope Francis is interviewed on “60 Minutes” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Edison Research Releases “The Podcast Consumer 2024”

Edison Research reports that the results of it’s “The Podcast Consumer 2024” study indicates that podcasts have established themselves as a mainstream media platform, attracting an ever-growing and highly engaged audience. Highlighting the targeted appeal and increasing influence of podcasts, Edisonim says that key points for advertisers to know about podcast listeners include: 1) More people than ever are listening to podcasts: 67% of the 12+ population has ever listened to a podcast; 47% of the 12+ population are monthly podcast listeners and 34% are weekly listeners; 2) Listeners are spending more time than ever with podcasts: In 2014, out of the daily time spent listening to all audio by those age 13+, 2% was spent with podcasts. In 2024, that number more than quadrupled and podcasts now account for 11% of daily time with audio. Twenty-three percent of weekly podcast listeners spend 10 hours or more listening to the medium each week; and 3) Podcasts reach all generations: 29% of kids age 6-12, 59% of those age 12-34, 55% of those age 35-54, and 27% of those age 55+ are monthly podcast listeners. See more about the study here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for May 13 – 17

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race and Trump and Joe Biden agreeing to two debates, followed by the attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico 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. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico; President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agree to two debates; the Trump “hush money” trial; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. military aid to Israel; the record high stock indexes, inflation and the U.S. economy; China’s Xi Jinping hosts Russia’s Vladimir Putin; the Russian advances in Ukraine; and the controversy over Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s stance on women in the workplace in a commencement speech were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Michael Cohen’s testimony in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the Biden administration’s weapons deal with Israel; President Joe Biden increases tariffs on numerous Chinese goods; the presidential race; inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; Tuesday’s primary elections; Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine; the bird flu in cows were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Michael Cohen testifies in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the pro-Palestinian protests and Israel’s troops amassed near Rafah; the presidential race; President Joe Biden ramps up tariffs on Chinese goods; Rudy Giuliani is fired from WABC radio show; Antony Blinken’s unannounced visit to Ukraine and Russia’s latest military push; Arizona pushes back the enforcement date for its anti-abortion law; the planet’s plummeting fertility rate; and the return of Canadian wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Who Cares?

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imDoes anyone care anymore?

The latest Pew Research study, “Americans’ Changing Relationship with Local News,” confirmed a personal experience last week. More on that later.

If you believe the survey, almost 80% of us say we no longer follow local news very closely. It doesn’t matter if you live in a top 10 all-news radio market, or a city with a heritage news/talk/information station. The survey says we just lost interest and stopped consuming local news.

Wait, what happened? Real estate taxes in many communities are through the roof. The cost of insurance, health care and basic groceries are the highest in years. Some hospitals in local communities are rumored to be discussing charging in advance for certain procedures. How about your local mall; is it still safe during weekdays? Is your local school system better or worse post covid? And those local roads; are they still in great shape? All of this in addition to the college campus in your community that may be unraveling or not. Did 80% of us really stop following and talking about local news? Perhaps it is just easier and less expensive for on-air talent, producers, and programmers to focus on Trump trials and Gaza. Do we serve the audience what we think they want and forget local?

My first-hand “we don’t care to cover local news” experience was a frightening eye opener. As I was traveling South along Florida’s I-95, a truck hauling propane gas caught fire as it was parked on the right shoulder of the Interstate. The tanks started exploding and a roaring fire emitting huge dark plumes of smoke stopped traffic for miles. Our car was second in line in the standstill, not more than 250 feet away from the fire. We could feel the explosions from the propane as local police motioned us to back up. We were speechless in our car watching this horrific scene. My fiancé searched her mobile phone for any breaking news report. Nothing. I kept looking to the sky for local news chopper, or a local news team, cruiser, or SUV with reporters to cover this from the ground. Nothing. Would a local news/talk radio station take a caller with an eye-witness account? Nobody broke in with a report.

Thankfully, local police, Florida State troopers, firefighters and Special Ops all arrived on the scene in minutes. Still no local news team. First responders did an amazing job getting this dangerous propane fire under control. After a 30-minute delay, we were finally directed past the burned out remains of the truck. As I scanned the rear-view mirror, the radio, the sky above me and the opposite side of I-95, there was still no local news reporting.

No wonder 80% of us stopped following local news very closely, nobody cares to report the story.

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Pro-Palestinian protests, college commencements and Israel’s war with Hamas; former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race; WABC suspends Rudy Giuliani from his daily talk show; Canadian wildfires bring smoke to northcentral U.S.; Vladimir Putin replaces defense minister, and Russia’s latest military push into Ukraine; and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) goes on trial for corruption this week were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Alpha Media Cuts Staff and Local Programming in Missouri

It’s difficult to get a handle on exactly how many people were let go by Alpha Media, but two central Missouri television stations are reporting that the entire on-air and programming staff at four stations inim Moberly, Missouri – including news/talk KWIX – have been let go and all programming is now syndicated. The same is being reported about the company’s stations in the Farmington/Festus, Missouri market that includes news/talk KJFF. KOMU-TV reports that Moberly market manager Bob Dakin would not comment on how many employees were let go but confirmed that all local programming – including news and sports – is being replaced by national content.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of May 6 – 10

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial in New York was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses, followed by the U.S.-Israel weapons deal at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and was the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Sabo Sez: Make it Bigger

By Walter Sabo
CEO Sabo Media Action Partners
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Host, Talk Media Network

imWhen a new restaurant opens, smart owners put the phone on busy so would-be diners believe the joint is hot, packed and hard to get in to. At street fairs we are drawn to merchant booths with long lines. Crowds give us confidence.

My mentor, Ed McLaughlin, as president of the ABC Radio Networks had one dictate when presented with a new idea: Make it bigger.

Last week radio hosted a major event. An event so big that it was covered by all media, except… except… radio and most radio trades. After turning down the Washington Post and The New York Times, the President of the United States gave the longest interview of his tenure to a radio star, Howard Stern. A commercial radio interview. Not NPR. Not MSNBC, not The View. Radio. The president, like hundreds of other leaders and businesses believes radio is the best medium to sell his message.

The president’s choice of medium should now be the first slide on every sales deck of every radio pitch. Today!

The damage of small. Many people in our business sell small and it hurts the industry. It’s easy to be dismissive of the Stern interview of Biden… instead, why not own it? Make it your interview because you share the same playing field.

Smart media executives do everything they can to make their stage seem to earn the largest possible audience. Cable, for example sells “homes passed.” Really. Cable sells the number of homes that can receive the advertiser’s message because those homes have cable. Using cable’s selling logic, radio could win every buyer’s analysis by selling “radios installed.”

About 20 years ago radio sellers started showing their station’s “time spent listening” (TSL) data to media buyers. That is the lowest number. While local TV stations sell their “designated market area” (DMA), radio mines the very tiniest delivery number: TSL

Your website’s first name is WORLD WIDE. Shockingly many radio companies strive to make their website “more local.” Stations have federal licenses dictating that their signal is specifically LOCAL. Your website could turn your station into a world-wide business with pristine world-wide delivery. Rather than grow, many broadcasters fought to have permission to geo-fence their signal, they fought to get smaller.

A major ratings week’s results for FOX News or CNN would get the program director of WLTW, KOST, Z100 or WINS fired. CNN had an average of 601,000 viewers in March. What’s your station’s cume? CNN grossed $1.1 BILLION dollars. They aren’t selling numbers. They are selling their brand: CNN or FOX or MSNBC. Cable networks, all with tiny viewership compared with WCBS-AM, WBZ-AM, or KFI’s cume, deliver ancient demos yet they are grossing a billion bucks by selling their brand and their environment. They sell shows. A show is as big as the seller and buyer can imagine. Imagine bigger.

Put simply: 1010 WINS has more listeners in New York City than the “Tonight Show” has viewers in New York City.  There’s your second slide.

Media buyers want a deal. They want radio to bring in the buy. But the CEO of the brand wants an environment for their message that moves product. Your hosts can move product. Your listener can name your hosts, which instills trust and listeners can recall copy points from hosts’ live reads. To an investor, the relationship between your listener and your host is defined as goodwill. Goodwill adds considerable value to your station. Selling the dynamic of listener engagement will justify much higher rates than TSL.

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. HITVIEWS clients included Pepsi, FOX TV, Timberland, Microsoft, and CBS Television. He can be reached at sabowalter@gmail.com. His nightly show “Walter Sterling at Night” is debuting next week on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, now in its 10th year of success.

Industry News

Veteran Music Industry and Rock Radio Figures Set to Gather in LA for Ninth Annual Reunion

im

In what has become somewhat of an informal annual tradition, on May 22, 2024, music industry and rock radio veterans from across the nation will come together at the Ninth Annual Music Industry Reunion. The event will take place at the legendary live music venue, the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, California (just outside of LA). Doors open at 6:30 pm. A special component of this year’s event will be celebrating the lives of three recently departed legendary radio DJs: Jim Ladd (KMET, KLOS, SiriusXM, KLSX, KNAC); Geno Michellini (KLOS, KOME, KMEL, KFI, KLSX); and Dusty Street (KROQ, KSAN, KLOS, SiriusXM, KMPX). All were pioneers in the days of free form rock radio, breaking barriers and leading the way for generations to come. The special tribute will be hosted by Frazer Smith, legendary radio personality, actor and stand-up comedian. Smith’s unique on-air style at KROQ, KLOS, KMET, KLSX, and KRTH annoyed most parents and broke ground for countless zany or morning zoo radio programs, before he went on to movies (The Fisher King, Electric Dreams), TV (Dr. Ken, Quantum Leap), and stand-up comedy performances. According to organizers Jon Scott and Kenny Ryback, “The Music Industry Reunion prides itself on bringing together the best of the music business from around the world for this special evening of music, laughter and memories. Past reunions in New York and Los Angeles have reunited over 500 industry influencers, legends and icons as well as the brightest radio, music, management, publicity and marketing professionals in the business.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison adds, “So many folks currently in talk radio have roots in the fabulous ‘radio & records’ scene of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This cool event is a positive and emotional coming together of old friends, enemies, colleagues and competitors. Very special!” New this year, attendees can enjoy light hors d’oeuvres as well as chips and salsa, along with $5 tequila shots. Additionally, the Sagebrush Cantina’s full menu will be available to purchase. Advance tickets are $30 (+ 3.85 Eventbrite service processing fee) and are available here. Find more information about the event here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/8) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in NYC; Georgia Appeals Court to review Fani Willis status; the pro-Palestinian protests and the U.S. policy on arms to Israel; U.S. House blocks Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resolution to oust Speaker Mike Johnson; the presidential race; the state of the U.S. economy and voters’ feelings about “Bidenomics”; the Russia-Ukraine war; Barron Trump named Florida at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention; and the severe weather that hit much of the central U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

John Curley to Receive 2024 Humanitarian of the Year Award

The TALKERS editorial board has announced the selection of colorful radio talk show host John Curley of KIRO “Newsradio 97.3 FM,” Seattle as the 2024 recipient of the publication’s Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service. Curley will be presented the honor at the forthcoming TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond conference on Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY. Curley has co-hosted 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm afternoon drive on the Bonneville-owned news/talker for the past several years after serving in various time slots during the past decade, includingim mornings and late nights at the heritage station. Prior to that he served for 15 years as the local host of the evening magazine program on Seattle’s KING5 NBC. During his career on KIRO, Curley has spearheaded a number of extremely creative and high-profile charitable promotions in addition to operating an independent business as a fund-raising auctioneer for charitable causes and organizations across the nation.  He raises an average of $80 million per year with this endeavor. In making the announcement, TALKERS founder Michael Harrison stated, “John Curley is a true on- and off-air original… iconoclastic, candid, and smart. His charity work as a radio personality over the years has been creative, entertaining, and effective.  However, it is his remarkable skill and productivity as an auctioneer for non-profits around America that is absolutely stunning. When John gets on that stage, he raises auctioneering to a heart pounding art form and drags every ounce of generosity out of his spellbound audiences. His patter is song and his moves are dance.” To see John Curley in action click here. Curley will be one of 60 industry leaders speaking at TALKERS 2024: Radio and BeyondFor more information about the conference click here. (EDITOR’S NOTE: There were several personnel changes at KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM this week including in the afternoon drive co-host position. See story below for more details.)

Industry News

Beasley Cuts 7% of its Workforce

Beasley Media Group began cost-saving personnel cuts yesterday (5/7) that the company says amountsim to about 7% of its workforce. Reports of who has been let go are just trickling in but so far some of the people who’ve been let go include (according to a report in Crossing Broad) WPEN-FM, Philadelphia afternoon drive co-host and producer Jen Scordo.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/7) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Stormy Daniels’ testimony in the NYC “hush money” trial of former President Donald Trump; Judge Aileen Cannon postpones the Trump classified records case indefinitely; the U.S. pauses a shipment of bombs to Israel as it begins its incursion into Rafeh after not accepting Hamas’ most recent ceasefire offer; the status of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s plan to force a vote on Mike Johnson’s House Speaker future; TikTok parent Bytedance sues the U.S. over its ban on the social media platform; and the severe weather affecting south central part of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

KXNT, Las Vega to Host Live Mayoral Debate

Audacy news/talk KXNT-AM, Las Vegas “News Talk Radio 840 AM” is hosting a live mayoral debate featuring the top polling candidates ahead of the Las Vegas general election at the Plaza Hotel & Casinoim showroom on Thursday (5/9) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Talk show host Alan Stock and afternoon host Sam Mirejovsky will moderate the event that will be free to the public. KXNT brand manager Mark Bonilla states, “As the premier talk radio station in Las Vegas, ‘News Talk Radio 840 AM’ is dedicated to providing a platform for informed discussion and debate by offering voters the opportunity to hear directly from the leading candidates about their visions for the future of the city.”

Industry News

Audacy Releases Guide to Busting Media Myths

Audacy’s new Marketer’s Guide to Audio says it will “bust the biggest myths in media and promote theim Audio advantage.” The guide provides data to counter prevailing myths that marketers often believe. Some examples include: 1) the notion that “apps have all the audience” is not true as “ad-supported platforms are key to marketer’s winning and Audacy’s 200 million+ is miles above Spotify (48.6M) and Pandora (41.2M)”; 2) “young people don’t listen to audio” isn’t true as 96% of Gen Z listen to audio daily – with 44% being daily radio users; and 3) “I can’t measure audio” is also false because marketers can “track, measure and analyze results for both broadcast and digital campaigns.” See more about the guide here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/6) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Israel moves forces into Rafah and the pro-Palestinian protests at American universities; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Russia announces “nuclear drills”; the U.S. migrant crisis; Social Security and Medicare solvency report; House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a new ouster vote; and the Oklahoma tornadoes were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry Views

Pending Business: The 40% Factor

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imThere is something about 40.

40% of Q1 2023 podcast advertisers did not return for Q1 2024, according to Magellan AI.

40% of small businesses failed within the first three years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

40% of all workers were prepared to quit their jobs two years ago, according to a McKinsey Study. 43% of email professional recipients open email on a mobile device, according to Statista.

44% of sellers quit the pursuit after the second call according to Scripted. Really? Almost half of the sellers reading this column give up after the second call? That statistic must be wrong.

Consider your typical sales day – prioritized, focused, clear goals established, with all seasonal and timely deadlines plugged in and ready for execution. Successful sellers put as much time and focus into planning and organization as they do into the sales process. So, why quit the process after the second attempt? There are only three reasons any experienced sellers would give up after the second attempt.

1. Poor targeting.

2. Unrealistic expectations.

3. A negative business condition requires a new approach.

Reason #3 is the answer to why I listed the 40% factor. Professional sellers and managers sometimes lose touch with the realities of local business conditions. Attrition has always been the enemy of local sales, yet managers and sellers rarely plan for it. Budgeting and analysis are easy paper exercises. Old fashioned ear-to-the-ground market “research” is equally important. Those who learn to balance the formal and the informal find themselves winning the battle of the 40% factor.

As we approach the second half of the year, with elections, seasonal sports, and major holidays ahead of us, time to sharpen our pencils and tweak the projections for the remainder of the year. And always remember your pencil should have an eraser.

Happy Selling!

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Cliché Alert!

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imRatings – and advertisers’ results – reward what listeners remember, what sticks-out, not clichés that blend-in. So, avoid blah-blah-blah such as…

“on tap for…”

Instead of “…and more sunshine on tap for Sunday,” say “…and more sunshine Sunday!” 

“The best _____ around” or “the best _____ in town.”

Commercial copy Styrofoam. “The best wings?” Say WHY, in a way that makes the listener salivate.

“conveniently located”

Zzzz… 

“weaponized”

The word itself has been weaponized. It’s talking-about-talking.

“spot-on”

Translation: What you expressed affirms my predisposition. Talk radio is more interesting, and habit-forming, when sparks fly. So, pique curiosity. Have your screener move callers who disagree to the head of the line.

im

“Too clever by half.”

Measured how? Not self-explanatory, this is distracting. And it always sounds condescending. 

“all-important”

As in “let’s check that all-important forecast,” often heard when weather is severe or changing quickly. Rookie stuff. If it’s important, get right to it.

“In this day and age…”

‘Makes you sound like an immigrant from the 20th Century, speaking with an accent. 

“THAT’S the $64,000 question.”

From a TV show in the 1950s, when $64K was big money. 

“shuttered.”

If something closed, say “closed.”  Listeners don’t say “shuttered” in conversation…which is where we want to end up.

“unmitigated gall”

“in any way, shape, or form”

And on THAT note…kidding…

“Period, full-stop.”

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.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The pro-Palestinian student protests and the Israel-Hamas war; Xi Jinping’s European tour; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; House Speaker Mike Johnson faces new ouster vote; the Russia-Ukraine war; Kim Godwin steps down from ABC News president post; and the Texas floods were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Powerful Agenda Being Set for TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

imThe forthcoming 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national gathering will be meticulously documented on video for posterity. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state of the art television soundstage ‘A’ at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on the adjacent TV soundstage ‘B,’ the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ for the ages reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. People all over the world and for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’” This power-packed, one-day event will again be presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. To register for TALKERS 2024 or to obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. For a look at the full list of speakers, stories about key panel discussions & presentations, as well as a list of nearby hotels, click here.

Industry Views

Doug Stephan is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Nationally syndicated talk radio host Doug Stephan is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” After starting out as a music DJ more than a half century ago, Stephan has chalked up a remarkable career as a pioneering syndicated talk show host heard on hundreds of stations weekday mornings with his general-appeal program titled, “Good Day.” After 36 consecutive years on the air, the durable show, currently co-hosted by Jai Kershner, recently surpassed the late Rush Limbaugh’s mark as the longest running Monday thru Friday syndicated talk property in the business. Stephan is now in the process of reconfiguring “Good Day” to suit the demands of the digital era and radio economics to ensure further longevity by transitioning it into a fresh weekend news/talk entity with modular application to weekday broadcasts. Stephan’s firm, Stephan Multimedia, is also a major radio producer/syndicator of several specialty radio programs hosted by Stephan and others including, “Good Day Health,” the “Talk Radio Countdown Show,” and a program that is achieving notable traction in the world of agriculture called the “American Family Farmer.” The latter taps directly into his qualifications to tackle the challenges facing independent 21st century farmers and champion their causes. In addition to his work in radio, the indefatigable Stephan is the longtime owner/operator of a well-known dairy farm located just outside of Boston in Framingham, Massachusetts. Harrison and Stephan talk about the state of radio, syndication, media entrepreneurism, food, health, and agriculture including his educated take on the current bird flu/cow issue. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 29 – May 3

The pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. college campuses were the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the Israel-Hamas War and the attempts to broker a cease-fire, followed by the anti-Semitism bill being debated in the U.S. House 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.

Industry News

House Committee to Investigate Allegations of NPR Bias

Next Wednesday (5/8), the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold an oversight hearing titled, “Examining Accusations of Ideological Bias at NPR, a Taxpayer Funded News Entity.” Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffithim (R-VA) will lead the investigation. They say, “NPR is entrusted with Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. Serious allegations from a then-senior editor who spent decades at NPR reveal NPR engages in viewpoint discrimination and ideological bias that caters to a narrow, leftwing audience. From dismissing all debate over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic to statistics about NPR’s editorial staff significantly skewing to the Democratic party, these allegations are deeply troubling and merit congressional investigation. This hearing will provide Members an opportunity to question NPR’s leadership directly about concerns we’re hearing from our constituents across the nation.” NPR president and CEO Katherine Maher is invited to testify.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/1) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the country and the attempts to broker an Israel-Hamas cease-fire; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial in NYC; the House anti-Semitism bill; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s campaign to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson; the U.S. migrant crisis; and Florida’s six-week abortion ban & Arizona’s repeal of the 1864 anti-abortion law were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Spann-Cooper Testifies on Behalf of AM Radio Bill; Shapiro Argues Against

During testimony on Tuesday (4/30) before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce titled, “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio,” Midway Broadcasting Corporation chairwoman and CEO Melody Spann-Cooper testified on behalf of theim National Association of Broadcasters. She said, “AM Radio is important to communities across the country not only because it is a cultural, news and sports oasis that educates the public, but also because it is a resilient lifeline during public safety emergencies. To put it as simply as I can, the foremost reason that Congress should care about AM radio is that it is a lifesaver. No other communications medium has the reach or resiliency of AM radio. A single station can be heard as far as 700 miles away. The signal cuts through buildings and mountains. In remote areas where no cell signal or FM station can be found, AM imis there. When the power goes out, radio stations can still be found on battery or crank radios, or in your car.” She argued that cell phone notifications alone in emergency situations are unreliable as power outages can affect cell service. Read her full statement here. Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro testified against the AM radio legislation saying, “The power to determine what entertainment technologies belong in their cars should rest with American consumers, not with radio broadcasters.” He added, “On principle, we do not ask the U.S. or any other government to fund our industry, to mandate our products, or require consumers to spend extra money to buy them. We believe that marketplace competition, not dictates from the federal government, should determine which technologies thrive and grow. Absent a compelling reason for government to interfere in the marketplace, we believe that the appropriate government role is to let consumers decide what products and services they want.”  Read Shapiro’s full statement here.

Industry News

SiriusXM Reports Q1 Financial Results

Satellite and internet broadcaster SiriusXM reports its 2024 first quarter financial results and reveals revenue of $1.68 billion, a decrease of less than 1% from the same period in 2023. The company reports net income of $265 million, an increase of almost 14% over Q1 of 2023. However, the figure getting the most notice from industry watchers is the loss of 359,000 self-pay subscribers. Additionally, self-payim subscriptions to Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium services fell by 64,000. During the analyst conference call, SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz admitted that the focus on the company’s new streaming app has been disruptive, but she says they feel good about their goal of getting new, younger subscribers for the streaming-only service. “We are confident that our app platform relaunch and the product improvements coming in the car are putting us on the right path.” She says in a press release, “We have significantly stepped-up the pace of experimentation and innovation, a critical lever in our mission to deliver improved subscriber performance while maintaining a disciplined approach to spending in our focus on profitability.”