FTC Finalizes Orders Against CMG
The Federal Trade Commission reveals it has issued finalized orders requiring Cox Media Group and New Hampshire-based MindSift LLC and Wisconsin-based 1010 Digital Works LLC to pay a total of $930,000 to settle allegations they deceived customers 
by falsely claiming to offer an AI-powered service that could target localized ads based on conversations captured from consumers’ smart devices and that consumers had opted into such targeting. The FTC had alleged that the companies “deceived customers by claiming they used a special algorithm to listen in on and detect pertinent conversations from smart devices in order to target ads to consumers within a specific geographic region. Contrary to these companies’ claims, however, the marketing service wasn’t based on voice data, and consumers hadn’t opted into this service. If the service had functioned as advertised, this collection and use of consumers’ voice data without adequate consent would itself violate the FTC Act.”
In Las Vegas, talk host Steve Sanchez takes over the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart on Kemp Broadcasting’s KMZQ “The Right Talk for Vegas.” Sanches was previously heard in the market on Audacy’s K-DAWN talk station heard on KMXB-HD3 and K268CS in the early evenings.
mic today and tomorrow (8/31-9/1) to fill in for Michael Smerconish on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Morano – who was a talk host at WABC, New York for many years before running for public office – tells TALKERS, “I’ve got a fun couple of shows lined up, including Kelsey Grammer, along with some other interesting guests and plenty of calls and conversation.” 
About those commercials… which pay for you. When a prospective client says, “We tried radio. It didn’t work,” I ask to hear the commercial. Within seconds I can tell why.
presidents of the New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition to talk about awareness, early detection and getting men and their families to start talking about prostate health. Chidester says, “One of the reasons we created the ‘Morning Update Roundtable’ is to give important issues the time and attention they deserve. Prostate cancer is something that affects so many New Hampshire families, but it’s still a conversation many men are reluctant to have. If this discussion encourages even one listener to talk with his doctor, ask about a PSA test, or start a conversation with someone he loves, then we’ve done something worthwhile. I’m incredibly grateful to Kathy and Peter for being so open with our listeners and for the work the New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition is doing across our state.”
Bill Gates has a useful term for something radio should be thinking about: “Human Reserved.” In an essay about a turbulent AI era, he sketches an unsettling future, and – for broadcasters – has a consequential warning… and an opportunity.
Management and Live Read Management software for the Aggies, while the Roadrunners join as a new client for AdView Inventory Management. San Jose State’s Spartans, meanwhile, are adding production services to round out their existing audio solutions lineup. Skyview COO Andrew Kalb states, “The addition of Texas A&M and UTSA to our NCAA portfolio along with the expansion of services for San Jose State demonstrates the trust our partners have in Skyview and how these partnerships often grow over time as existing clients look to us for additional services and support. Our team is focused on giving our partners the tools they need to run a first-class broadcast, while simultaneously providing valuable inventory opportunities to our sales team for continued revenue generation.”
FCC Media Bureau’s decision that those entities could benefit from the LUC. The plaintiffs argued that the Media Bureau’s public notice “unlawfully dilutes [their] and other candidates’ statutory right to buy advertising time at lowest unit charge by insisting that broadcasters make that same right available to political parties and joint fundraising committees in circumstances where their spending cannot, under campaign finance law, be considered spending by or on behalf of a candidate.” The Court ruled that “the LUC requirement and campaign finance statutes are clear that neither political parties nor joint fundraising committees with non-candidate members can be entitled to the LUC.”
“Rap” was senior vice president of rock promotion at Columbia Records where he served for 33-years during album rock’s golden era, playing a pivotal role in the careers of some of the biggest stars in the business. These included everyone from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd to the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello to Billy Joel, Judas Priest to Alice In Chains, Journey and many, many more.
Bear Walter Payton, Payton brings extensive broadcasting experience alongside a background in business, public speaking, and philanthropy through the Jarrett Payton Foundation.” Payton says, “I’m truly excited and deeply honored to join the team at ‘The Score.’ I’m looking forward to working alongside everyone there and connecting with the loyal listeners who make this station what it is. This place has always felt like family to me. My dad graced these airwaves back in the ’90s, and the thought of being part of that same legacy means everything. Grateful beyond words for this opportunity. Let’s get to work.” The change comes after Audacy dismissed longtime morning host Mike Mulligan and midday co-host Marshall Harris. The midday show continues with incumbent personalities Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote hosting the “Rahimi & Grote Show.”
since 2008, originally with Brian Hanley and most recently with David Haugh. Harris became a full-time co-host of the midday show with Leila Rahimi in 2024. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that former WGN-TV sports anchor Jarrett Payton – the son of Bears legend Walter Payton – will be announced as the new morning drive co-host sometime today. It appears Rahimi and Mark Grote will continue as hosts of the midday show. Audacy has not publicly commented on the changes but it’s reasonable to assume that there was a fiscal component to the moves. 
race. Elci said he intended to not talk about his candidacy or issues relevant to the race but Marx says her request for equal time is in line with FCC regulations and that Elci has to either leave the air until after election day or she gets four hours of airtime to comply with the law. Elci tells CT Insider he’s not involved in the negotiations, “If it were up to me, it would be done a different way. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the final deal is and I guess it’s still a work in progress. Look, I don’t want to come off the air. That’s the last thing I want, and, you know, it’s killing me that I haven’t worked this week. I feel like I’ve let my listeners down. I feel like I let a lot of people down when it comes to this, and I’m getting pulled in a lot of directions for this.” WJJF-FM Saturday morning host Rocky is filling in for Elci. 
held by Chris Salcedo, who is leaving the station after a 14-year stint. KSEV says, “Radio host Craig Collins will bring his youth and experience from major talk stations including WGN Radio in Chicago and 93 WIBC in Indianapolis, as well as national guest-hosting work for ‘The Dana Show’ and ‘The Chad Benson Show.’ Award-winning Houston investigative journalist Wayne Dolcefino will join Collins as a regular contributor.” 
2:00 pm daypart. iHeartMedia region program director Bryan Erickson says, “We’re excited to have Matt and Ross bringing their unique blend of energy, insight and humor to mornings. They’ve built a strong connection with Houston sports fans, and we’re confident they’ll be a great way to start the day. We’re equally excited for Dan Mathews to take over middays, where his deep sports knowledge and strong local perspective will continue to serve listeners throughout the day.”
categories based on average weekly downloads in the following order: Comedy (44.5%), News (25.7%), and Society & Culture (21.2%) and reports that the genres with the largest quarter-over-quarter reach growth are: News (+8.4%), True Crime (+1.8%), Sports (+1.1%), and Comedy (+2.1%). Triton says its data reveals podcasts that grew from Q1 to Q2 of this year on its ranker include: “The Ramsey Show” (up 14 places to #16); “The Shawn Ryan Show” (up 32 spots to #22); “The Dan Bongino Show” (up 16 places to #50); and “The Tucker Carlson Show” (up 10 spots to #9).
growth include: SiriusXM’s “Megyn Kelly Show” – up 115% among weekly U.S. consumers 13+; Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Shawn Ryan Show” up 107%; “The Tucker Carlson Show” – up +13%; Premiere Networks’ “Glenn Beck Program – up 11%; and Premiere’s “Sean Hannity Show” – up +5%. Edison says its data indicates Cumulus Podcast Networks’ “Dan Bongino Show” lost the most audience – down 62% – but notes that Bongino’s leave from the business to serve as Deputy Director of the FBI is likely a factor. Elsewhere, podcasts shedding audience include The Daily Wire’s “Ben Shapiro Show” – down 19%; and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Mark Levin Show” – down 16%.