The escalation of violence in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and the danger of it leading to World War III was again the most talked about story. The presidential race, the Mark Robinson flap; the economy including the price of eggs; the Russia-Ukraine war, the migrant issue, and tropical storm Helene were also among the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (9/24), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Remote News Service Continues Growth. 
Remote News Service (RNS), a boutique news network providing hyper local, and custom news and traffic remotely, has added four new affiliates. These include station clusters in Wisconsin in both Prairie du Chien and Viroqua, and in Michigan two more markets, Soo and Sault Ste. Marie. Gabe Buch, OM/PD at Robinson Media’s WQPC, Prairie du Chien tells TALKERS, “Remote News has a been a life saver! Very easy to work with and they went the extra step to make our news local. The transition to Remote News was very easy and the anchor we chose is easy to work with and sounds great.” Michael SanAngelo, OM for Sovereign Communications adds, “Our company is on the Canadian border, and we’ve struggled for years to find the right person to collect, write and deliver solid local and regional news on our seven-radio station group. In just two weeks with Remote News Service, our news content has been night and day better and exactly what we have always wanted.” RNS owner Lesley Lotto tells TALKERS, “I’m floored once again at the tremendous growth! 54% this year so far. But this is not about me, it’s our amazing team who continues to attract new clients due to their dedication and hard work. I’m beyond proud.” To learn more about RNS, click here.
The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network Launches “Normally” Podcast. 
Premiere Networks announces the addition of “Normally” hosted by Karol Markowicz and Mary Katharine Ham to The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network, effective today (9/24). Markowicz is a New York Post and FOX News columnist, author, and host of “The Karol Markowicz Show” podcast. 
Ham is a prominent journalist, FOX News contributor, speaker, author, and co-host of the news podcast “Getting Hammered.” The “Normally” podcast will feature Markowicz and Ham as they discuss the latest happenings in news, politics, and pop culture from the perspective of two “normal moms.” 
The duo will help listeners navigate the headlines that matter most to American families and understand how they affect them. Known for being funny and a bit irreverent, yet serious and thoughtful about important issues, Markowicz and Ham have one purpose in mind: to keep the audience informed without wearing them out.
Salem Radio Network and the Salem News Channel Will Simulcast CBS News VP Debate. Beginning at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday (10/1), Salem will simulcast the 90-minute debate between U.S. Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz that will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, host of “Face the Nation.” Immediately prior to the simulcast, SRN and SNC will broadcast a two-hour Salem “Pre-Debate Special” beginning at 7:00 pm ET. Salem’s Larry Elder will host the program and will be joined by SRN’s Mike Gallagher, Dr. Sebastion Gorka, Dennis Prager, and Tony Perkins. Phil Boyce, SVP for Spoken Word at Salem Media Group, tells TALKERS, “Who better to host our Pre-Debate coverage than Larry Elder who ran for Governor of California and then for President. He’s been in that chair before, so he knows what to say. Stations who sign up for coverage are in for a treat!” Interested stations in the East Coast and Central regions can contact Jim Bligh at jbligh@srnradio.com or 212-419-4663. On the West Coast or in the Midwest region (North Dakota to Texas) contact Kelli DeShan at kdeshan@srnradio.com or 972-707-6882.
The escalation of violence in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict was yesterday’s most talked about story. The presidential race, world leaders (including President Joe Biden) speaking at the UNGA, the economy, the Russia-Ukraine war, the migrant issue, and tropical storm Helene were also among the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member and legendary radio play-by-play announcer Al McCoy has passed away peacefully at the age of 91. The longest tenured team broadcaster in NBA history, McCoy was widely known as the “dean of NBA broadcasters” for his years of service and unique broadcasting style. He served 51 seasons as “The Voice of the Suns,” calling his first game on September 27, 1972 and his last on May 11, 2023. McCoy’s unforgettable calls of the most memorable moments in Suns history, including three trips to the NBA Finals, and his trademark phrases from “Shazam!” to “Zing Go the Strings” to “Heartbreak Hotel” have cemented his legacy throughout Arizona and the NBA. His distinctive voice, vivid descriptions and deep knowledge of the game created a unique style that remained a staple for more than five decades. McCoy will long be known as the Voice of the Phoenix Suns. His many contributions to basketball and sports broadcasting were recognized when he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. The first play-by-play announcer inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004 and a 2009 inductee into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, McCoy earned the team’s highest honor when he became the 15th person inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor in 2017. Funeral services are pending.
The escalating violence in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the Johnson bill to avert a government shutdown, the Mark Robinson controversy, the Birmingham shooting, the presidential race and the Russia-Ukraine war were the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The presidential race and polls constituted the week’s #1 story in the talk media. It was followed by the migrant crisis at #2 with ongoing conversation about the Springfield, OH controversy. Escalating Middle East tensions took the #3 spot. #4 was the economy, inflation, and interest rates. #5 was the Russia-Ukraine war. 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.
Gunhill Road, the perennial pop music ensemble that has attracted hundreds of thousands of worldwide followers with its growing repertoire of issue-oriented songs and music videos, is currently in production with an anthem celebrating talk radio. Titled “Don’t Stop Talkin’” – the song is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in serving the cause of American freedom of speech. With lines that include “As long as you’ve got a voice, don’t ever stop!” and “As long as you’ve got the truth, don’t ever stop!” the original composition co-written by band members Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch, Brian Koonan, and Michael Harrison encourages talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and great service they provide the nation.
The images accompanying the music will be a dynamic montage of individual radio talk hosts in the process of doing their shows. The group invites talk show hosts from around the country – local and syndicated – to contribute video clips of themselves in action on the mic. The clips need not be longer than one minute and show the face of the host on air in the studio (even if it is a home studio) and, if possible, show the station or program logo in the frame. Obviously, the group cannot guarantee inclusion in the final product, but every effort will be made to do so. Gunhill Road video producer (and TALKERS VP/associate publisher) Matthew B. Harrison states, “The members of Gunhill Road are so grateful for the attention and airplay they have received over the past five years from talk radio that they want to give something special back to the industry and its medium.” Interested hosts should send their video clips to info@talkers.com along with permission to use them in the video. The deadline for clips to be considered is October 11, 2024. For more information about Gunhill Road please visit www.GunhillRoadMusic.com.
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.
WGN, Chicago Names Charlie Roumeliotis as Studio Host of Blackhawks Pre- and Postgame Shows. WGN Radio today named Charlie Roumeliotis as the studio host of Chicago Blackhawks pre- and postgame shows for the upcoming 2024-25 hockey season. Roumeliotis will also serve as the host of WGN’s weekly “Blackhawks Live” show. Long-time broadcast duo John Wiedeman and Troy Murray continue in their roles calling Blackhawks games on WGN Radio. Roumeliotis is extremely familiar with hockey and with the Blackhawks, having worked most recently as Blackhawks Insider for NBC Sports Chicago, where he delivered exclusive coverage of the team through articles, video content, podcast analysis, and TV appearances from 2019 through 2024. He also served as a Chicago Blackhawks correspondent for the NHL. Roumeliotis assumes the role previously held by Joe Brand who was recently named the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
CEO Christopher Ruddy Offers TALKERS Readers the Opportunity to Become Co-owners of Newsmax! The CEO of Newsmax, Inc. tells TALKERS readers and professional members of the broadcasting industry, “You can join and be part of our success! You can even buy shares today in Newsmax’s pre-IPO Preferred Share offering and become a co-owner of Newsmax!” Ruddy continues with the following statement and information:
Newsmax just made major news again when we officially filed with the SEC seeking to go public. And the ratings for Newsmax in Q3 2024 continue to be strong:
• Newsmax viewership is up 25% across key demos
• Newsmax remains a top 10 cable channel, according to Nielsen
• N2, our streaming channel, is up 30% in viewers
• Newsmax.com is up 54% in online viewers
And Newsmax is #1 in Facebook social media interactions per follower!
As we wait for SEC approval on our public offering, you can buy early Preferred Shares now, if eligible. These special shares come with benefits: First, you get a 7% dividend. Second, these shares will trade soon after a public offering is approved at a 25% discount to the IPO share price. This locks in your value early.
So, act today:
Digital Offering, our investment bank, says reaction to this offering has been very strong — beyond anything they have seen before. Please act take a moment today to complete the process.
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.
Elder and Kennedy attend Carlson Event in Milwaukee. Salem Radio Network talk host Larry Elder (pictured above center) joined conservative icon Tucker Carlson (l) and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr yesterday evening (9/16) as the commentator’s “Tucker Carlson LIVE” national tour stopped at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Over 6,000 attendees heard discussion of issues ranging from Sunday’s second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump to immigration and even the federal government’s response to COVID-19 including whether Trump bears any culpability for vaccines produced during Operation Warp Speed. Elder returns to his nationally syndicated SRN talk show this evening (9/17), which will feature highlights of a Donald Trump “town hall” in Flint Michigan, being moderated by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. That event – which begins tonight at 7:00 pm ET – will also be distributed live on the Salem Radio Network longform news channel to affiliates.
WJCT Public Media Appoints Dr. Stephanie Murray as Director of Education. WJCT Public Media, Jacksonville, FL today announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Murray as the organization’s director of education. 
In her new role, Murray will lead WJCT’s early childhood education team, overseeing an expanded program of family engagement workshops at six early learning centers and three Head Start sites throughout the academic year. She also manages long-standing initiatives such as the annual children’s writers contest, the Jax PBS KIDS Club, WJCT’s Parenting Minutes, and more. Murray will also manage WJCT Public Media’s relationships with local and national partners and stakeholders, develop new programs and services, and serve as an early childhood education resource for the Northeast Florida community – all with the goal of expanding WJCT Public Media’s impact in this essential service area. Murray has an extensive background in the field and has worked with WJCT Public Media as a consultant over the past two years – while also consulting for the WNET Group in New York, the Fred Rogers Company, and public media stations throughout Florida.
Wayne Allyn Root Prays for Trump. Colorful commentator Wayne Allyn Root, host of a nationally syndicated radio show on Talk Media Network (TMN) and two national TV shows on Real America’s Voice TV, was the opening speaker for former President Donald Trump at his Las Vegas rally on Friday (9/13)… and then landed his 16th interview with Trump on Saturday in his suite at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. 
At a time when interviews with the former president are a common talk media occurrence, Root tells TALKERS the interview was significant for several reasons. “First, while I’ve done 16 interviews with President Trump (even he admits this might be the all-time media record), he was always my guest on the phone… this was my first exclusive, face-to-face, one-on-one TV interview. Second, this might have been the last interview he did before Sunday’s assassination attempt. I’m so proud I opened and closed the interview by telling him, ‘My fans and I pray for you every day. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us and this country. Thank you and God bless you.’ And third, when President Trump said a certain slide about illegal immigration saved his life… I corrected him and said, ‘God saved your life. And he continues to protect you – because I believe you are the chosen one – chosen by God to save this country, and economy, and secure this border, and make America great again.’” Root concludes, “I’m so proud I said all of that considering what happened the next day that could have changed the future of this country. He needed to know how much he is loved and appreciated by the American people.”
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
Detroit Broadcast Exec Kevin Adell to Sell All Stations, Including 910 AM, WADL-TV. According to a report in the Detroit Free Press (9/12) by reporter Violet Ikonomova, longtime Detroit broadcast executive Kevin Adell has listed all his media properties for sale as he seeks to retire. Adell launched WADL-TV (Channel 38) 35 years ago. He later started The Word Network, a religious television station, and WFDF-AM (910), a longtime, locally-focused urban talk radio station that abruptly flipped to a largely syndicated conservative talk format last year. According to the report, Adell texted, “Passion is somewhere else,” adding, “Decided to [engage in] sport fish.” Adell also attributed his decision to industry turbulence as more people abandon traditional television and radio for streaming services. 
“Our industry is going to take a while to reset itself, like the newspaper industry,” he said, estimating that this “reset” would come in 10 years, or not at all. “This might be the new normal.” Pictured above: Adell (l) with radio historian and videographer Art Vuolo (r). Vuolo tells TALKERS, “He invited me to video in studio the launch of Super Station 910 the first week of September a year ago as he re-branded WFDF-AM 910 as news/talk. He wanted to go after WJR, but with mostly syndicated programming from Premiere Networks. Interestingly 910 now with 50 kw is the third biggest AM signal in Michigan!” For more info, see the entire Detroit Free Press article here. https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2024/09/12/kevin-adell-sell-radio-tv-staions-wadl-wfdf-world-network/75189174007/
MIW and NABLF Announce Rachel Haggerty as the 2024 MIW NABLF Launch Program Mentee. 
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF), name Rachel Haggerty as the 2024 MIW NABLF Launch Program mentee. Started in 2023, Launch is a partnership between MIW and the NAB Leadership Foundation dedicated to supporting and guiding women in radio who are relatively new to the industry. 
The first of its kind, this program fosters the development and curation of talent. Haggerty graduated from Seton Hall University in 2019, where she was actively involved with WSOU-FM, serving as assistant technical operations director and later as student manager. After graduation, she completed the National Association of Broadcasters Technology Apprenticeship Program, interning with iHeartMedia’s New York City radio stations. She then worked locally and with a national support team at iHeartMedia before becoming the assistant chief engineer at WABC-AM. Since 2023, she has returned to iHeartMedia New York, working with Premiere Networks on nationally syndicated talk shows. Rachel is also an active member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and holds a Certificate in Broadcast Radio Engineering.
MH Interviewed by Heidi Harris about AI. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison was interviewed by former Heavy Hundred Las Vegas-based talk veteran Heidi Harris (KXNT, KDWN, Salem, and others) on her rapidly growing independent video “Heidi Harris Show” posted to Rumble.
Harrison addressed the issue of artificial intelligence’s impact on talk show hosts as well as society in general presenting a mixed forecast of both good and bad news. To watch the video in its entirety please click here https://rumble.com/v5f32ed-will-ai-replace-talk-radio-hosts-or-djs-guest-talkers-magazine-publisher-mi.html. For more info about Harris, visit HeidiHarrisShow.com.
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.
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.
98.5 The Sports Hub Names Ryan Johnston as New Boston Bruins Play-By-Play Announcer. Beasley Media Group’s 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-FM, Boston has named Ryan Johnston to take over play-by-play duties for the Bruins NHL broadcasts. Johnston replaces Judd Sirott, who recently left the radio seat to move over to TV. The sports radio veteran has been with The Sports Hub since 2009. He’s been the PBP fill-In on 98.5 and the Boston Bruins Radio Network since 2010. Johnston has also been the main host of the station’s Saturday morning “Sports Hub Hockey Show” since 2012. For the past three years he’s been a regular fill-in for the “Toucher & Hardy” (Fred Toucher and Rob “Hardy” Poole morning program.)
Joe Thomas Morning Show Now in Syndication by TMN. 2024 has been quite a year for talk broadcaster Joe Thomas of Charlottesville, VA. 
He purchased his own station – WTON, Staunton, VA after serving the Charlottesville market for years as morning host of WCHV. Now he has put his morning talk show into syndication through Talk Media Network. It has already been cleared on WZXI in Lancaster, KY and WTTB on Florida’s ‘Treasure Coast’ (as well as his own WTON in Central Virginia). Joe tells TALKERS, “This is such an honor to work with people like Josh Leng and Willis Damalt at TMN. We’re up every morning to help the new listeners get their day started just like we have been for over 20 years!” He adds, “Just like that ‘other’ guy named Thomas [Jefferson] from Charlottesville, my show promises free speech and independence and I hope that it too spreads across America.” For information about “Joe Thomas in-the-morning,” contact Willis Damalt at TMN. 917-603-7148 or willis@talkmedianetwork.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.
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.
PodcastOne Names Steve Lehman Vice Chairman. PodcastOne – a leading podcasting platform – announced today (9/10) the appointment of Steve Lehman as its vice chairman, focusing on helping the firm drive both organic and inorganic growth opportunities, as well as advising its senior management with regard to mergers and acquisitions efforts, as well as overall strategy and increasing its shareholder value. Lehman will leverage his extensive background in business and finance having headed both Nasdaq and NYSE companies, as well as start-up businesses in the media, entertainment, and tech industries. “We are pleased to welcome Steve Lehman to PodcastOne. His unique knowledge of content and media, and his successful track record and history in merger, roll-up, and consolidation, perfectly aligns with PodcastOne’s strategy and vision for its long-term growth. We continue to launch new revenue channels with high margins atop of our existing strong infrastructure, and we look forward to leveraging Steve’s experience, leaning into his expertise and relationships as PodcastOne further builds its global brand,” said company president and co-founder, Kit Gray.
Dylan Douglas to Host New Gen Z Political Program Exclusively for SiriusXM’s Progress Channel. 
SiriusXM announced today the launch of a new “limited engagement” political program, “Young American with Dylan Douglas,” designed to engage Gen Z and other young listeners during the run-up to the highly-anticipated November elections. Starting September 14, “Young American with Dylan Douglas” will air every Saturday at 11:00am ET on SiriusXM’s Progress channel 127, with replays throughout the weekend. Douglas, a ‘22 graduate of Brown University has spent much of his young adult life working on political campaigns and grassroots movements, including as a deputy campaign manager for a high-profile congressional race. Despite growing up as the son of Academy Award-winning actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dylan has to this point chosen to work mainly behind-the-scenes in the political world. He’s now stepping in front of the microphone because he feels strongly that his generation needs to play a more active and integral role in shaping the future of the country. Douglas will focus on topics that will be driving young voters to the polls in this year’s election, including some of the defining issues of his generation, such as reproductive rights, climate change, gun control, and much more. He will also speak with politicians and activists to exchange ideas on how Gen Z and politicians can work together to address issues and reach goals that are important to young Americans. Dylan will also regularly engage with his social media followers, including on Instagram, and have them submit questions and topics they’d like him to ask our nation’s leaders.
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.
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.
The presidential race was the dominant topic in news/talk media over the weekend, including anticipation of the forthcoming debate between former President Donald Trump and VP Kamala Harris. This was followed by the Israel-Hamas war, the Russia-Ukraine war, the economy-inflation, the migrant crisis and the kickoff of the NFL season with attention given to the detainment of Dolphins star Tyreek Hill by Miami police on his way to the game which were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Connoisseur Media tells TALKERS about a variety of significant changes for its Western Connecticut news/talk powerhouse, WICC 600 AM, Bridgeport – changes inspired by the closing of Audacy’s WCBS 880 in adjacent New York City. 
WICC is now “The Voice of Connecticut” expanding its reach by simulcasting on 95.9 FM, previously home to classic rock formatted “The Fox.” This strategic move is designed to strengthen WICC’s position as Fairfield County’s premier source for news, talk, and information. A pivotal part of this transformation is WICC’s new affiliation with CBS News, which will provide national news coverage at the top of every hour. Station officials tell TALKERS, this partnership reinforces WICC’s role as the region’s trusted news source, delivering timely and credible information to the communities it serves. “This rebranding and expansion to 95.9 FM represents a pivotal moment for WICC,” stated Keith Dakin, VP of Programming for Connoisseur Media. “The talent on our team, coupled with our new affiliation with CBS News, will allow us to meet the demand for news and talk programming in Southern Connecticut. We’re excited about this next phase and looking forward to serving a much wider geography and bigger audience.” But, as the saying goes, that’s not all. A new local daytime show from 12:00 noon-2:00 pm ET will be added beginning September 30th hosted by Brigitte Quinn who was the creator, host, and managing editor of “Newsline” on WCBS 880. She was the station’s first female morning-drive anchor and later anchored mornings on 1010 WINS. Quinn’s TV career includes roles at MSNBC, NBC News at Sunrise, and Fox News Channel. Quinn remarks, “Ever since my family and I moved back to beautiful Connecticut, I’ve become a faithful WICC listener. I’m delighted to be joining such a great news/talk radio station, ‘The Voice of Connecticut.’” Quinn’s addition brings WICC’s entire daytime lineup local as she joins talk hosts Melissa Sheketoff 5:00 am -10:00 am, Lisa Wexler 10:00 am-12:00 noon and Paul Pacelli from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm. New additions to weekend programming also include Emmy nominee Chef Plum, Mike Cerulli of WTNH, New Haven, and Dave Ruden of the Ruden Report covering local high school sports. The station plans to continue evolving in this direction with one more critical news reporter position to fill. “We invite Fairfield County listeners to tune in to ‘The Voice of Connecticut,’” says Kristin Okesson, SVP of Connoisseur Media Connecticut. 
“Our affiliation with CBS News paired with these exciting changes in programming reinforces our commitment to deliver modern, engaging content and we’re confident that our audiences will appreciate the new ‘voice’ they hear. I’m especially proud that our daytime shows are hosted by four incredibly talented hosts – three of them in particular are outstanding women in their own right.” WICC can be streamed at voiceofct.com. For more insight into these changes, check out WICC host Lisa Wexler’s interview conducted on air yesterday with company CEO Jeff Warshaw by clicking here.
Newsmax Inc. tells TALKERS it has confidentially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission an offering statement and expects to conduct an initial public offering later this year or in early 2025. The company seeks to raise up to $75 million in its public offering under Regulation A+, the largest offering of its kind to date on a national securities exchange. The company expects to apply to be listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “NMAX.”
The company’s subsidiary, Newsmax Media Inc., operates the nation’s fourth highest-rated cable news channel. In July, Nielsen reported that Newsmax was the seventh highest-rated cable channel overall among daytime viewers. Newsmax reaches more than 40 million Americans regularly through its platforms in television, streaming, online, and in print. “The success of our mission to provide Americans with honest and real news is reflected by our loyal and growing following,” Newsmax founder and CEO Christopher Ruddy tells TALKERS. In advance of this contemplated initial public offering, Newsmax has launched a private placement offering to raise $150 million.
For a limited time, eligible investors will be able to invest in this private offering. The private offering is solely available to accredited investors. Individuals interested in learning more about these Newsmax investment opportunities and registering an indication of interest can go to the green sign-up box at www.NewsmaxInvest.com to receive information.
The presidential race including claims of Russian interference is #1 this first week in September followed by the tragic Georgia school shootings at #2. Tied at #3 are Donald Trump’s legal issues and Hunter Biden’s plea change. #4 is the economy, inflation, and the job report. #5 is the migrant crisis. 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 New York Festivals® 2025 Radio Awards competition is officially open for submissions. The New York Festivals Radio Awards offer a platform to celebrate creative storytellers from around the world. NYF has recognized both innovation and exceptional quality in broadcast audio content across all genres and platforms since 1957. “This year, we are thrilled to announce the debut of multiple new categories for fiction and nonfiction reflecting the ways today’s audio storytellers are encouraging audiences everywhere to tune in and stay engaged,” said Rose Anderson, EVP and executive director, New York Festivals. “They join our existing categories for Sound Art, Audio Books, Podcasts, and Social Justice.” Always at the forefront of the evolving global landscape of audio content creation, the 2025 Radio Awards has kept pace with global industry trends and introduced seven new categories further showcasing the wide range of talent and creativity that drives the industry. The entry deadline for the 2025 Radio Awards competition is January 31, 2025. To enter the 2025 Radio Awards please visit: HERE, for additional information visit: Rules and Regulations and 2025 Radio Awards categories.
National Blood Donation Week. Yesterday (9/4) was National Blood Donation Day in America and this is National Blood Donation Week (9/1-9/7). Las Vegas-based TMN syndicated and TALKERS Heavy Hundred host Dr. Daliah Wachs was instrumental in creating these established annual events during which governors across the U.S. unite to help generate blood donations and raise awareness in support of the nation’s blood banks. A former recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award, she is pictured above giving blood while being interviewed yesterday by media personality Everett Cardwell on Las Vegas TV station KSNV channel 3. Drives are being held across the country and can be found by visiting the American Red Cross website. For media inquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Dr. Daliah Wachs at doctordaliah@hotmail.com or (702) 279-4123.
Toyota and Lexus Join New Three-Year SiriusXM Subscription Program. 
SiriusXM today (9/5) announced that Toyota is now participating in its new three-year Extended Service Subscription program designed to empower automakers and dealerships in the United States to deliver even more value to new-vehicle buyers. Through this program, participating Toyota and Lexus retailers across the nation are now able to include the Extended Service Subscriptions to SiriusXM’s leading audio entertainment services with the purchase of select new vehicles, expanding the Toyota and Lexus Connected Services features available for customers while providing flexibility in payment options. 
SiriusXM capability is a standard feature in all Toyota and Lexus models sold in the United States. Now, participating Toyota and Lexus dealerships can choose to add the three-year Extended Service Subscription to new models featuring the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia and Lexus Interface. The three-year subscription’s cost will be added to the vehicle’s purchase or lease price. Vehicles that do not include the three-year Extended Service Subscription will continue to include a standard three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM.
iHeartMedia New York and Charlamagne Tha God in Partnership with Mental Wealth Alliance. iHeartMedia New York and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God, in partnership with Mental Wealth Alliance, will celebrate World Mental Health Day by hosting the fourth annual Mental Wealth Expo on October 12, 2024 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm ET at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, New York City. The free event will feature experts on everything mental health, panels, live podcasting and breakout rooms, including MEternal addressing the complexities of the Black maternal health crisis.
The horrific Georgia school shooting topped the list of yesterday’s topics followed closely by the presidential race. Donald Trump’s ongoing legal issues, the economy, the migrant crisis, the Israel-Hamas war, and the Russia-Ukraine war were also some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (9/4), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Cumulus/Westwood One Study: Sports Listeners More Engaged than Sports Viewers. According to a brand-new season-long Nielsen analysis of Portable People Meter tuning for the 2023-2024 season, a total of 64 million people listened to the NFL on Westwood One. This week’s Cumulus Media/Westwood One Audio Active Group blogs break down the findings which indicate among other talking points that the sports listener is more passionate than the TV viewer, giving audio commercials greater impact; that audio is usually closest to the point of purchase reaching busy on-the-go people whose “best available screen” is their in-car AM/FM radio; and that audio reaches desirable consumers – young, employed, upscale, and with greater spending power. Just in time for the NFL 2024-2025 season, click here for the full study: Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog
Kelvin Washington to Replace Chris Brousard as Co-host of FOX Sports Radio’s “The Odd Couple.” It was announced live on the air yesterday (9/3) that Kelvin Washington will join FOX Sports Radio’s lineup as co-host of the weekday evening program “The Odd Couple” with Rob Parker, effective Monday, September 16. Current co-host Chris Broussard officially announced his decision to leave the program to focus on his TV duties with FS1. His final radio broadcast will be Friday, September 13. Watch the announcement on YouTube here.
WIP Extends PNC Bank Advertising Contract with Eagles in Philly. Audacy Philadelphia and PNC Bank have extended their longtime relationship with PNC continuing as the presenting sponsor of the Eagles Radio Network on SportsRadio 94WIP (WIP-FM), the flagship radio station of the Philadelphia Eagles. The sponsorship also includes on-air promotional reads and collaboration for client events throughout the year.
The presidential race/latest polls/U.S. accuses Russia of trying to influence election; Israel-Hamas tensions/protests; the Russia-Ukraine war; the economy/inflation; the migrant crisis; and a former NY State official accused of spying for China were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (9/3), according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Here’s an industry experiment worthy of widespread attention. United Stations Radio Networks (USRN) has launched an exclusive radio “pop-up” station on 98.7FM WEPN, the former home of ESPN Radio in New York City. This past weekend (8/31), the Emmis Corporation station became “TJ98.7: A Pop-Up Station” as a limited engagement, and features an ambitious mix of contemporary programming, including the rapidly growing morning program, “The TJ Show,” hosted by Z100 Alumni, TJ Taormina. 
The innovative project marks TJ Taormina’s return to the NYC radio market with the mission of offering listeners a fresh blend of music and what is described as “joyful talk” content, aiming to redefine what’s possible for the radio experience by blending traditional broadcasting with modern, interactive elements. The station also features voices from YES Network and Inside Edition’s Steve Kamer, and former “Good Day” talk show co-host, Jai Kershner. Radio.Cloud powers the project with its leading-edge cloud-based automation platform, allowing the network to customize local and national content. United Stations COO Charles Steinhauer tells TALKERS, “I want to thank Emmis Corporation for helping us continue our long-standing commitment to fun and new ideas in the audio space. The TJ Show has been growing in each market of operation – it’s unique and joyful and I’m looking forward to the reaction of the NYC audience.” The pop-up station will be available for a limited time. TJ Taormina, is a multi-dimensional radio talent who deserves the attention of talk stations looking for new directions as well as those with music formats. Now reaching over 60 markets, the TJ Show continues to grow and it will be interesting to see how this adventurous experiment develops. For more information, click here www.thetjshow.com and for radio affiliation, click here. www.thetjshowdemo.com
TALKERS Heavy Hundred mainstay and Radio Hall of Fame inductee Kim Komando, in addition to broadcasting a tremendously successful syndicated show heard on over 510 radio stations, has developed a newsletter titled The Current that has amassed more than 509,000 subscribers. Komando – known as “America’s Digital Goddess” – is the nation’s leading talk media technology specialist and as computerization, social media, AI, VR and other manifestations of the high-tech world continue to gain importance in the lives of people, so has her program grown in pertinence and dominance. Although she has been sending newsletters since the 1990s, Komando tells TALKERS, “This one is different” adding, “It’s a way for me to truly connect with my audience. Today, if you’re not tech aware you are tech left-behind in the dust.” Each morning, The Current goes out to more than 509,000 followers. Kim covers the tech news of the day (focusing only on the news that impacts everyday people), along with her trusted tips and advice. She edits and approves every single issue herself. She says, “In a world of impersonal social media and overproduced advertising, email is a rare opportunity to speak directly to the reader. The inbox is a powerful place to build trust and share important information.” She’s looking to grow The Current from over half a million to a million subscribers. And she’s looking now for other hosts and broadcasters to help spread the word. Through an exclusive affiliate program, Komando is offering fellow broadcasters $1 per subscriber that they send her way. Her team does all the back-end work to track it, and participants get a check each month. Komando states, “Hosts, stations, and shows make money and their audiences find a great new way to keep up with tech. The math is simple: They give me 1,000 subscribers and I send them $1,000!” Use this link to get started.