The most discussed stories yesterday (2/17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
The most discussed stories yesterday (2/16) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
The most discussed stories yesterday (2/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
In a post by Audacy’s Audio Insights, the company says that “when OTT runs alone, conversion rates hover around 38%. Add Audio to the mix, and conversion jumps to 42%. That’s an 11% lift, just by layering in Audio…
Streaming radio and podcasts don’t just add reach. They double down on impact by warming the audience before they ever click.” The company adds, “Audio brings something no other channel can touch. It’s literally in your audience’s ears. It’s personal. It’s focused. And it shows up during moments where screens aren’t competing for attention, like commuting, working, cooking, unwinding. That’s when messaging sticks. Audio builds familiarity and trust early in the journey, so when someone sees your display ad, social post, or paid search result later, they’re not meeting your brand for the first time. They already recognize you. And recognition drives response.” See the complete post here.
The most discussed stories yesterday (1/27) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Cumulus Media is seeking a talk host for the 9:00 am to 11:00 am daypart. The company says, “Candidates must be entertaining, curious, funny, well-read, up on all current events and pop culture, not just
politics! If you live and breathe politics, this is not the job for you. This is an 8-hour-a-day, full-time job doing prep, research, and living life that translates and relates to a 35-64-year-old. Must have an extremely strong work ethic, be sales department and client friendly, a team player and coachable, embrace all social media platforms daily, be a great interviewer, and have a proven track record of radio ratings success. The right fit for this job is extremely reliable, flexible and passionate about radio and digital audio mediums. Get more info and apply here.
The most discussed stories yesterday (1/26) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
The plague of pessimism about the future of radio is fueled internally by radio employees. Doomsayers are logically found in the sales department. All day, salespeople meet with buyers. A buyer’s job is to negotiate a lower price by arguing radio’s negatives. The wall of negativity thrives within the work environment of a seller. Tough. But there is little or no reason for pessimism.
Kevin O’ Leary (a.k.a. “Mr. Wonderful” on TV’s Shark Tank) is a pragmatic investor. When asked about AI’s impact on radio, he says, “It’s the same phobia we had when television hit radio. ‘Oh, it’s going to decimate radio!’ No, it’s not. The art form exists today, even bigger, terrestrial, and in space. To me, AI is just a tool.” (Variety. January 5, 2026)
Surprising to many, radio’s audience numbers today are virtually the same as they were in 1970.
Radio Listenership Today (2020s)
Weekly Reach: As of 2022–2023, approximately 82% to 88% of Americans aged 12 and older listen to terrestrial (AM/FM) radio in a given week.
Monthly Reach: Nielsen data indicates that AM/FM radio reaches 91% of U.S. adults each month.
Daily Listening: Approximately 66% of U.S. adults listen to broadcast or streaming AM/FM radio on a daily basis.
Resiliency: Despite the rise of podcasts and music streaming, 55% of Gen Z in the U.S. still listen to AM/FM radio every day, and it remains the top reach medium, even exceeding social media.
1970s: The era of AM to FM transition and the peak of top-40 terrestrial radio, with 25 million CB radios also becoming popular in the mid-70s.
Today: While reach is still high, the amount of time spent listening is more fragmented, with radio facing competition from streaming (Spotify/Apple Music) and podcasts, although it remains the dominant ad-supported audio choice in cars.
CB radio, cassettes, 8-tracks, CDs, DVDs, Walkman, iTunes, iPhones, SiriusXM, Spotify, podcasts, Pandora… all terminators of radio. None of them made a dent. The killer of radio will be radio’s odd internal pessimism that while predicting doom that never comes drives actions that are suicidal: Elimination of audience qualitative research. Tracking. More Tracking. (Radio Fracking!) No external marketing. Endless talent cuts. No contests. (A $1,000 national contest WOW!) None of those cuts are good business because they cut potential revenues.
And yet there is a relentless, funded determination to end all FCC ownership caps allowing companies to buy more radio stations to operate with great Panglossian efficiency!
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. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. 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 sabowalter@gmail.com.
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
For years, “protect your name and likeness” sounded like lawyer advice in search of a problem. Abstract. Defensive. Easy to ignore. That worked when misuse required effort, intent, and a human decision-maker willing to cross a line.
AI changed that.
When Matthew McConaughey began trademarking his name and persona-linked phrases (“alright, alright, alright”), it was not celebrity vanity. It was an acknowledgment that identity has become a transferable commodity, whether the person attached to it consents or not.
A voice is no longer just expressive. It is functional. It can be sampled, trained, replicated, and redeployed at scale. Not as a parody. Not as commentary. As a substitute. When a synthetic version of you can narrate ads, read copy, or deliver endorsements you never approved, the injury is not hypothetical. It is economic.
We have already seen this play out. In the past two years, synthetic versions of well-known voices have been used to sell products the real person never endorsed, often through social media ad networks. These were not deep-fake jokes or parody videos. They were commercial voice reads. The pitch was simple: if it sounds credible, it converts. By the time the real speaker objected, the ad had already run, the money had moved, and responsibility had dissolved into a stack of platform disclaimers.
This is where many creators misunderstand trademark law. They think it is about logos and merchandise. It is not. Trademarks protect source identification. Meaning, if the public associates a name, phrase, or expression with you as the origin, that association has legal weight. McConaughey’s filings reflect that reality. Certain phrases signal him instantly. That signaling function has value, and trademark law is designed to prevent identity capture before confusion spreads.
Right of publicity laws still matter. They protect against unauthorized commercial use of name, image, and often voice. But they are largely reactive. Trademarks allow creators to draw boundaries in advance, before identity becomes unmoored from its source.
This is not a celebrity problem. Local radio hosts, podcasters, commentators, and long-form interviewers trade on recognition and trust every day. AI does not care about fame tiers. It cares about recognizable signals.
You do not need to trademark everything. You do need to know what actually signifies you, and decide whether to protect it, because in an AI-driven media economy, failing to define your identity does not preserve flexibility. It invites identity capture.
Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Notice how often you see one in TV commercials, even when the product has nothing to do with pets? I see spots for a local building supply outlet, in which the owner’s dog ambles through every shot, then plops down – seeming to smile – among employees in the closing shot.
I am disappointed not to hear local radio spots – with a bark toward the end – for that same business. Does a retailer in your area appear in TV commercials with his or her dog? Can radio – the #1 in-car media – can take that business for a “RIDE???”
Dogs appearing in national ads convey loyalty and adventure. Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Target, Volkswagen, and Subaru are among brands that have used dogs to soften their image and boost attention. Why? Research demonstrates that “harnessing the universal appeal of man’s best friend, these advertisements have emerged as a powerful tool for marketers seeking to resonate with consumers on a deeply emotional level.” Dogs evoke warmth and joy. They refine a brand, making it more relatable and trustworthy.
“If only radio had pictures,” you say? We do, in social media posts and on station websites and everywhere else we can take a local advertiser. And beyond dog copy, think: dog content.
I live at the beach — dog nirvana. It’s a sensory symphony: the scent of salt air, warm sun, sand to dig and roll-around in… canine bliss. On the beach here, dogs don’t have to be leashed; and when you let ‘em romp they sure do, chasing waves, and plunging-in to retrieve “BALL!”
In that wonderful moment, they are living like they will never grow old. Sadly, we know better. Thus The Farmer’s Dog tag line “Making old dogs feel young again;” and Blue Buffalo’s “Love them like family. Feed them like family.”
That’s the emotional space radio can own: warmth, loyalty, companionship, trust. Let’s create messages – and moments – that honor the joy and spirit our buddies bring us.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
The most discussed stories yesterday (1/21) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
The most discussed stories yesterday (1/19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
AdLarge Acquires Inlet Media. AdLarge is acquiring the assets of technology platform Inlet Media, Inc that it has used for nearly two years to onboard, distribute, and monetize audio and video content through its AI-powered podcast and creator workflows. As part of the transaction, Patrick Cedrowski, co-founder of Inlet Media, has been named chief technology officer of AdLarge and the fwd. network. Brian Egan, co-founder of Inlet Media and longtime AdLarge and fwd. network team member, has been promoted to vice president and head of product.
NHPR Partners with The Podglomerate. New Hampshire Public Radio enters into an exclusive sales partnership with Portsmouth-based podcast agency The Podglomerate,, in which The Podglomerate will serve as the exclusive sales partner for podcasts produced by NHPR. NHPR director of on-demand audio Rebecca Lavoie says,“Partnering with The Podglomerate is a natural next step in our relationship. We’ve worked with them on several marketing campaigns, and are impressed with their steadfast advocacy for our journalism. They also have some of the most innovative approaches to monetization I’ve seen in the industry.”
Edison Presenting “Evolving Ear” Webinar. Edison Research will present, “The Evolving Ear: How New Listeners are Shaping Podcast’s New Chapter,” in a webinar on January 27 at 2:00 pm ET. Edison says, “The future of podcasting may be unpredictable, but listener trends offer the best clues about where it’s headed. Drawing from over 20 years of Edison Research data, senior research director Gabriel Soto will explore how the next wave of podcast consumers is shaping the medium.” Get more info and register here.
Radio Mercury Awards Call for Entry. Call for Entry for the 2026 Radio Mercury Awards is officially open. Entrants have the opportunity to be awarded in 17 categories along with the Best of Show recognition. Call for Entry deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026. Finalists for the show will be announced in early May, and winners will be announced at the live Radio Mercury Awards event on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at SONY Hall in New York City. For more information regarding entry categories, guidelines, entry fees and deadlines, available sponsorship information and more, click here.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Hello from Las Vegas, where 150,000+ of us – from around the world — are swarming. Think: hand sanitzer. And comfortable shoes.
To give you a sense of the scope of what’s up, here’s a PDF link to the slide deck from the Consumer Technology Association’s perennial “Tech Trends” research reveal: https://www.cta.tech/media/chwotebs/ces26_techtrendsdeck.pdf
They click “Buy,” then they click “Return.”
Now, Artificial Intelligence is cracking-down on E-commerce return fraud. In 2025, scammers cost us consumers an estimated seventy-six-and-a-half billion dollars, by applying for a product refund, then sending back something else of less value, like a cheap knock-off that can’t be resold.
“Happy Returns” is a UPS-owned company accepting no-box and no-label returns…which scammers LOVE, because it offers immediate refunds. So a new Artificial Intelligence tool called “Return Vision” will flag suspicious returns by analyzing patterns — early or frequent return requests, linked email addresses and past suspicious activity that could evade human detection. So, scammers, no matter how-quick-you-click, AI is watching.
When U.S. senators show up here, you know that CES isn’t just a gadget expo.
Broadband access is the new oxygen, and Artificial Intelligence is quietly creeping into the background of almost everything we do. Washington now sees consumer technology as a policy issue, impacting jobs, national security, and the USA economy. So lawmakers and high-ranking government officials come to CES to get face‑to‑face with companies building the tools they may soon be regulating; and to talk about new rules for how AI is used in phones, cars, and workplaces.
Tech companies want a say in those rules — so this is where the negotiations happen. Most CES coverage you see features shiny new gadgets, but the real action here is the growing partnership — and sometimes tension — between Big Tech and Big Government.
Help yourself to my 60-second CES reports.
They’re updated daily, for air all this week. Simply download from HollandCooke.com. No charge, no paperwork, no spot.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Audacy’s heritage all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia recently concluded its 58th annual Newstudies program in which 102 high school students from across the Greater Philadelphia area had the opportunity to learn at news radio station. The program finished culminated with a graduation ceremony at Temple University on December 13. Since 1968, KYW Newsradio has offered high school students the opportunity to learn about a major market radio station through the Newstudies student reporter program. For four Saturdays, students learned news writing, reporting, ethics and interviewing skills from station managers, editors, reporters, anchors and guest speakers. Each student researched, wrote, and recorded a news story about their school or community and their report will air on KYW Newsradio. KYW brand manager Kristina Koppesar says, “No other program brings students closer to the heartbeat of news and sports media. After nearly six decades, we aren’t just teaching students, we’re building a legacy that spans generations. With the support of Klein College, we are excited to continue shaping the future of young media professionals, in Philadelphia and beyond.” This year, Trey Williams (pictured above, center), a student from Salesianum High School, was awarded the $2,000 Richard Monetti Scholarship. The yearly scholarship is named in honor of a Newstudies graduate who passed away in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and honors a student whose work demonstrates overall excellence. To keep his memory alive, his family speaks at Newstudies every year.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
If you missed yesterday’s webinar, look for the replay which will be posted today at EdisonResearch.com and which explains these trends well.
If you’re in broadcast radio, reading this list – which presenters offered “in no particular order” – you might feel like you’ve missed a memo… or a decade:
Recommendation for radio broadcasters: Make #4 our Priority Number One, defending a hill radio still holds. Audit your station’s app experience. And consider that Bonus Finding evidence that morning drive survived the pandemic shutdown after all.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group blog reveals data from Edison Research’s ongoing Share of Ear study, specifically data from the third quarter of 2025. Among the key takeaways from the study are: 1) AM/FM radio dominates ad-supported audio with a 64% share, followed by podcasts at 20%;
2) Marketers and media agencies significantly overestimate audience shares to Pandora/Spotify and massively underestimate AM/FM radio audiences; and 3) Interestingly, as older demographics flock to podcasts, the median age of the podcast audience ages sharply from 29 in 2017 to 39. The study notes that “in 2017, podcasts’ daily reach was greatest among 18-24s. Eight years later, podcasts’ daily reach has surged, especially in older demographics. The older the age group, the greater the growth in the podcast daily audience. Today, podcasts’ greatest reach centers on 25-44s, with significant growth among 45-64s.” See the full blog post here.
Edison Research to Present The Top 10 Findings of 2025. Research firm Edison Research says it will present a 30-minute webinar on December 11 at 2:00 pm ET to highlight its Top 10 Findings of 2025. This report is the result of the company examining it Weekly Insights, custom studies, and syndicated services research.
WYPR’s Tom Hall Transitioning to New Post. Baltimore Public Media’s WYPR 88.1 FM announces that midday talk host Tom Hall will step down from the daily host role in early 2026 and transition into a new role as WYPR’s senior news analyst. In January, he’ll move to a three-day hosting schedule while WYPR conducts a search for the show’s next full-time host. When the new host is chosen, Hall will shift fully into his new role, contributing interviews, features, and essays and spearheading special projects.
105.3 The Fan Raises Funds for Charity. Audacy’s KRLD-FM, Dallas “105.3 The Fan” raised $77,000 during its 12th annual Piece-a-Thon Fundraiser benefiting two local organizations, My Possibilities and Sandlot Children’s Charity. Station midday hosts Kevin Hageland and Cory Mageors from “K&C Masterpiece” broadcast live from RJ Duke’s Sports and were joined by special guests throughout the day.
The most discussed stories yesterday (11/12) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Wisconsin media firm Civic Media is looking for a news/talk network program director based in Madison. The company says the person in this position “oversees all on-air content and staff for
Civic Media’s news/talk network, managing schedules, talent, quality control, and compliance with broadcast regulations. Key responsibilities include selecting programs, coaching on-air personalities and shows, developing promotional strategies, and ensuring the station’s sound and content align with its brand and audience needs. They blend creativity and business acumen, using audience research and ratings data to shape programming and achieve business goals.” Get more information and apply here.
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
The most discussed stories yesterday (10/22) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
The most discussed stories yesterday (10/21) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
iHeartMedia announces the publication of its third annual study titled, “AudioCon 3.0: The Human Consumer.” The company says this “Human” Consumer study, which brings together research across age groups and demographics, “demonstrates the impact that media and technology are having on consumers, shaping their beliefs and behavior. The study also
provides insights for marketers on how to curate advertising strategies that authentically connect with audiences and build trust in an increasingly fragmented and technology driven world.” The study was fielded through Critical Mass Media for iHeartMedia and found that 82 percent of respondents worry about AI’s societal impact, and 9 in 10 believe it’s important to know the media they consume is created by a real person. iHeartMedia president of insights Lainie Fertick says, “The data shows us that consumers are emotionally driven, digitally fatigued and yearning for authenticity in an increasingly algorithmic world. This is especially critical with rapid technology advancements and the growing use of AI in the media industry. For marketers, it creates both hurdles and unique opportunities to connect with audiences in this new environment.” Key findings from the study include: 1) Children are struggling to be independent in a tech-forward era; 2) Consumers are all online, but they aren’t happy to be there; 3) Trust in online information is at an all-time low; 4) 
Algorithms rule our lives, and consumers know it; 5) Media is dividing us on current events, but all agree that there’s “something going on with those Epstein files”; and 6) Though 97 percent of consumers know what AI is, with 70 percent actually using AI, distrust remains high. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “It’s important for us to remember, as marketers, that we’re in a very delicate position within a turbulent time, both in America and around the world. In a world of digital saturation and AI acceleration, this study reveals that consumers are not just looking for convenience – they’re searching for meaning. Sports, radio, live media and human-led storytelling offer a rare sanctuary of trust, empathy and shared experience. Above all, we must continue listening to Americans more closely than ever before and focus on ways to foster real connection and amplify our collective humanity.”
AURN Exec Honored with NAN Award. The CEO of American Urban Radio Networks parent company A Wonder Media Company, Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, received the President’s Award for her role in amplifying Black voices in media at the National Action Network’s 2025 Triumph Awards on October 6. at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
iHM Recognizes Five Years of The Black Effect Podcast Network. iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God are celebrating five years of The Black Effect Podcast Network – a podcast publisher dedicated to Black listeners. Charlamagne Tha God says, “Our mission has always been to build a dedicated platform where Black voices can thrive. We have accomplished that mission and more. The past five years have been extraordinary, and the future of the Black Effect excites us. We will keep inspiring, empowering and creating culture and opportunities for all.”
Saga to Present at Noble Capital Markets Conference. Saga Communications executives Christopher S. Forgy, president and CEO, and Samuel D. Bush, EVP, chief financial officer and treasurer, will presenting at today’s Noble Capital Markets’ Emerging Growth Virtual Equity Conference at 4:00 pm ET. The presentation will feature a fireside style Q&A session with Michael Kupinski, director of research and senior media & entertainment analyst at Noble Capital Markets.
Trust in the news and journalism is an issue that all news platforms are struggling with during this ear of increasing mis- and disinformation. The Radio Television Digital News Association notes that this is especially true with younger news consumers. Working with research and
solutions organization Magid, the RTDNA examines trust in journalism among younger news consumers in 2025. It published the findings earlier this summer. Now, news pros can watch a recording of the webinar that the two organizations conducted to walk journalists through the findings and help them understand how they can improve trust among the next generation of news consumers. Magid VP Pat Maday presents the webinar you can view here.
Urban One commissioned a study titled, “Influence to Impact: Black Culture’s Role in Brand Growth,” that the company says quantifies “just how deep that influence runs and demonstrates that brands failing to authentically engage with Black consumers risk missing out on exponential opportunities for growth in relevance, trust, and revenue.” Urban One EVP, head of branded
entertainment & integrated marketing Jeff Meza says, “Cultural ROI is the vehicle for us at Urban One to further our mission to help educate the industry and brand partners alike on the importance that intentions must be rooted in strategy, and this new economy requires development of total market plans that are inclusive and representative of authentic experiences.” Urban One VP, television and digital research Audrey Cochran adds, “I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to quantify the undeniable impact that Black consumers have on U.S. culture. This study not only demonstrates their impact and influence on broader consumer behavior but also underscores the value of authentically connecting with this segment – and the business risks of failing to do so.” See more about the study here.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Sure, radio’s superpower is that we’re live. But 75% of all advertising dollars are now spent on digital. And Netflix, YouTube, and podcast platforms have conditioned consumers to expect that their content will wait for them (“on-demand”), not the other way around (“linear,” meaning real-time on-air). If your best content disappears the moment it airs, you’re leaking value. Think: time-shifted, searchable, and shareable.
Repackaging doesn’t just mean repeating
Is posting airchecks – whole hours – your news/talk station’s only on-demand offering? Hey, why not. It’s easy, and – mathematically – no listener hears everything live. So, archiving offers convenience.
But few people sit through a whole hour, even when listening live, as Nielsen’s 3-minute gimmick reminds us. So do what music stations do, because music rights issues force them to: Extract chunks of what aired.
— Smart stations, in every format, are curating familiar recurring morning show bits.
The juice is worth the squeeze
Repackaged content does more than just fill your feeds:
The bottom line? Yours. Future-proof your station.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
Have you noticed a profile pattern for the mass shooters and political assassins? 20-30 years old. Living at home or close.
Here’s a deep dive, highly predictive profile that was written by a true radio GREAT:
“He’s a crown prince as a teenager. A crown prince when he suddenly finds his crown gone and he’s just a commoner and he must enter the next stage of life – well I’ll tell you what happens: He generally doesn’t, that’s why you have a new generation of guys who have not taken on family or familiar responsibilities.
They are not about to give up the Crown Prince role and so we have a whole new generation of porn readers who will forever and ever and ever be catered to, and they get to the point where they cater to themselves. Many of them never grow up.
There is more than one guy who is 30 years old today who is totally, completely being supported by his mother and father. And as a matter of course, because he is after all a Crown Prince and a Crown Prince has prerogatives and one of them is to live off the family larder, he will continue to do this throughout most of his life.
This is a very new thing in America, and I say we have not seen the end of it. We’ve only seen the very beginning of it now. He who is really searching for identity.
I’m gonna make a suggestion here. I will suggest that this man is a dangerous man. Any man who has been suppressed, any man who has lost identity is a man who is prone to take up with wild, divergent, and often quite dangerous and irrational political crusades merrily to give himself his own identity, something, some charge that he can ride on.”
Jean Shepherd
WOR Radio Star
Author, A Christmas Story
from audiobook, LIFE IS, 1965
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.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. 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 sabowalter@gmail.com.
Edison Research data indicates that while among all Americans 13+, 38% of time is spent listening to audio on a mobile device, and 30% of time is spent listening to audio on an AM/FM radio receiver, when it comes to rural Americans, AM/FM is just as important. Edison says that
the popularity of mobile devices for audio listening is the most dominant in urban communities. Within that audience segment, 40% of time is spent listening to audio on a mobile device, vs. 28% of time spent listening on an AM/FM radio receiver. The mobile device also holds a strong lead in suburban communities, with 36% of time spent listening on that device compared to 30% of time on a radio receiver. However, the radio receiver is strongest in rural communities where it matches the listening time of the mobile device, each receiving 34%.
By Charles Heller
Talk Host / Account Executive
KVOI, Tucson
Grief for the loss of Charlie Kirk is palpable around the world. Broadcasters who interviewed him or had anything to do with the Turning Point organization were deeply touched by his tragic death.
Sunday, I played a tribute song to Charlie Kirk that I thought was by English singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran. Later I played one supposedly by Adelle. It seemed rather strange that they could produce and publish songs in three days, but I could find no evidence on YouTube that they were artificially generated. I should have looked a little further in my research before I stated on air that the songs were authentic. How can I be in talk radio for 27 years, be 68, and that naïve?
The fact is that I wanted to believe it was true. I overcame cognitive dissonance by wanting to believe that these two great artists would do tributes to someone I hold in high esteem. On reflection, I should have thought about the likelihood that either of them would write such songs…
In putting these thoughts to paper (electrons, anyway…) I found dozens of tribute songs to Charlie Kirk from many famous voices, and now I notice that most of them are “generated content.” That really made me re-evaluate my method of bringing facts to the audience, a job I feel as a calling as much as a profession. It forces me to question the authenticity of everything I bring to the microphone. My desire to believe that those songs were real, overcame my natural skepticism. I lost, as they say in self-defense instruction, “situational awareness.” (I’ve been a state certified CCW instructor for 31 years.)
I came to radio through print journalism, having run my high school newspaper as managing editor (The Lane Warrior) with a circulation of 5,000. We printed it in house too, back when it was still done hot type. The Chicago Tribune sponsored my Junior Achievement Company, and my associations there got me a job. I spent time in the newsroom while still in high school, learning a lot about how a real paper is made. They cared a lot about accuracy, and it stuck with me. I used to smoke my pipe at the city desk with Clarence Paige. (Wow have things changed…)
Fast-forward 50 years, and now I sit behind the microphone of four talk radio programs on KVOI, engineering and hosting by myself, alone in the building with the exception of my broadcast dog, Charger. It’s an awesome responsibility, bringing infotainment to an audience, but the age of AI now causes me to ask, is everything I put out, correct? I’ve said on air for a long time, “I don’t need to be right, but need to be correct.” Am I alone in this concern for accuracy? Give me your thoughts, please.
Charles Heller is in his 27th year on air, hosting “Swap Shop,” “Liberty Watch,” “America Armed & Free,” and “America’s Fabric,” on Bustos Media’s KVOI-AM, Tucson. During the week he is a seller, producing his own spots. Charger is a seven-year-old rescue from the Humane Society who prefers AM Radio. He’d especially like to communicate with people who do other swap type shows. charles@libertywatchradio.com
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
Amazon learned that there are high volume sales for specific categories of products. High demand equals high value to the seller. Items such as diapers, printer ink, staplers, batteries, etc. Being brilliant, Amazon created “Amazon Basics.” Same products, white labeled. Amazon doesn’t manufacture batteries; they just slap their logos on what America needs most. That’s why Mr. Bezos has a bigger boat than you.
Radio listeners have high demand for basic elements. The demand for these ingredients is often based on need rather than preference. Needed ingredients delivered by radio represent high value to the radio industry:
– Weather reports
– Traffic reports
– Is everything ok? News reports
– News bulletins
– Local news
– Closings
The first sign of trouble was when radio stations chose to promote a cable channel by presenting “Weather Channel Weather.” Tip: research shows the most respected source of weather is the National Weather Service and a station can pull that for free, any time. No disrespect to the Weather Channel but, can’t radio do weather? Giving away that position to TV is foolish.
Weather is even more important than one might think. Yes, a listener can get it from multiple online sources, but the listener is listening to the radio. The listener needs the weather NOW, live, local. Failing to do weather forces the listener to leave you. (That’s why, on the local and national “Sterling” show, we have meteorologist, Dr. Dave Eiser and Brad Your Grandma’s weatherman presenting the weather through the program.)
Do a Google trend search. Compare WEATHER, SEX, JESUS, TRUMP. Weather will win.
TRAFFIC. An argument I lost was with a 50kw station that had the traffic image because they had a traffic copter. To save $200,000 they were going to take it down. I said, “Fire me but don’t take down the copter.” They took it down. The reason to do traffic is not 100% to give traffic reports, it is – more importantly – to prove that the station is live, and to prove the station sees everything. Breaking news will compel listeners to check with the station that can report it from the air, live!
There is no reason to stop doing traffic and weather because an all-news station is doing it. Those are essential must-have elements for all listeners regardless of format. If we want to own the dashboard, it is best to present top-of-mind information to drivers. Live!
FOX News seems to present a “Bulletin” every few minutes… FOX NEWS ALERT. A radio station doesn’t have to follow the AP Style Guide to define “bulletin.” You can air a bulletin or an alert whenever you want. Urgent, compelling, turn up the radio. Pulling the listener in with sounders, big intros, all that stuff claims your position as the source of better-know-it information.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED. By stripping a station of the costs of bulletins, weather, traffic, and local news we have made radio less valuable. Those “costs” were/are investments in content valued by listeners. Too many stations have trashed essential ingredients for the sake of a false economy. Radio revenues go down each quarter as stations cut costs each quarter.
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.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. 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 sabowalter@gmail.com.