Job Opportunity

Salem New York is Hiring

Salem Media’s New York operations is reaching out to CBS News Radio staffers: “If you enjoyed working at CBS News with all of its professionalism and success, come join the smart and dedicated team at Salem Media of New York! We’re looking for top-notch professionals fromimg all departments who are eager to succeed and chase new opportunities in both terrestrial radio – local and national – and our booming digital business. Between AM 970 with legendary morning man Joe Piscopo, WMCA-NY’s Premier Christian Talk, Salem Radio Network with key hosts like Mike Gallagher and Scott Jennings, Salem Podcast Network, Salem News Channel, Salem Influencer Network, Salem Surround, and more! We have an exciting impactful platform at a flourishing company! Come join us! Email your resume and interest to general manager, Laura Sheaffer laura@nycradio.com

Industry News

New Syndicated Radio Programming Initiative Launches

Maryland Media One announces the launch of Seaboard Networks, a new radio programming and syndication company offering 24/7 turnkey radio formats and syndicated programming to stations nationwide. The company says this initiative involves developing and distributing bothimg music-driven and spoken-word programming. Maryland Media One CEO Steve Clendenin says, “The landscape of radio programming is changing. We’re here to partner with stations to develop and distribute top-tier music and spoken-word formats and content. Our goal is to help stations grow with compelling programming that is affordable, easy to implement, and designed for today’s radio and streaming environment.” Among the first offerings available through Seaboard Networks is the Outdoor Radio Network, a full-time programming format built around hunting, fishing, conservation, and outdoor lifestyle content.

Industry News

Charges Against Former Chattanooga Talk Host Dismissed

According to the Chattanooga Free Press, harassment charges previously filed against former WGOW-AM/FM “Talk Radio 102.3” talkimg host Brian Joyce have been dismissed. Last August, Joyce was arrested following accusations of harassing a woman with whom he’d previously been in a relationship. As district attorney spokesperson said the alleged victim said she did not want to proceed with the case and that the court also found issues with the credibility of testimony prosecutors wished to use in the case. Joyce exited WGOW in February of 2025. See the Times Free Press story here.

Industry News

Radio One & Reach Media Raise $1.7 million for St Jude’s

Urban One’s Radio One and Reach Media held its annual Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon on March 12 and 13 to benefit St. Judeimg Children’s Research Hospital and raised $1.7 million. Audio division co-president Deon Levingston says, “Our partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been one of the most meaningful commitments we’ve made as a company. This event affords the Radio One/Reach Media team the opportunity to play a part in supporting families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We are proud to share the St. Jude mission with our listeners and grateful that they continue to respond each year.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (March 16-20)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (3/16-20) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. U.S.-Israel-Iran War
  2. Strait of Hormuz Blockade / Energy Prices Soar
  3. Allies Decline to Join the War
  4. Kent Investigation / Mullin Confirmation Hearing / Intelligence Directors Testimony
  5. Fed Stands Firm on Rates / Low Level of U.S. Job Creation
  6. SAVE America Act
  7. Bondi’s Epstein Files Testimony
  8. DHS Funding-TSA Staffing
  9. U.S.-Cuba Relations / Cesar Chavez Bombshell
  10. Trump Postpones China Trip

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Benjamin Netanyahu
  3. Mojtaba Khameini
  4. Pete Hegseth
  5. Joe Kent
  6. Markwayne Mullin
  7. Tulsi Gabbard / Kash Patel / John Ratcliffe
  8. Jerome Powell
  9. Pam Bondi
  10. Dolores Huerta / Cesar Chavez

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

NRG Media to Sell Northern Wisconsin Stations to Midwest Communications

NRG Media is divesting its Northern Wisconsin stations in the Wausau and Rhinelander markets in a proposed sale to Midwest Communications’ WRIG, Inc subsidiary. This deal includes sports talkimg WOBT-AM and 11 other signals and FM translators. NRG CEO Mary Quass states, “We are proud of the great broadcasters in Wisconsin that we have proudly worked with and are happy they will continue serving Wisconsin with WRIG, Inc.” Midwest Communications president Peter Tanz comments, “Mary and her entire team have built an outstanding community service organization in Wisconsin. For over a century, the Wright family has proudly called Central Wisconsin home. We are honored to add NRG’s Wisconsin stations to our home market.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (3/18)

The most discussed stories yesterday (3/18) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. U.S.-Israel-Iran War / Strike on South Pars Gas Field
  2. Strait of Hormuz Blockade / Energy Prices Soar
  3. Kent Investigation / Mullin Confirmation Hearing / Intelligence Directors Testimony
  4. Fed Stands Firm on Rates / Low Level of U.S. Job Creation
  5. Bondi’s Epstein Files Testimony
Industry News

Radio America Unveils Helios Media Podcast Network

Radio America announces the launch of Helios Media – a dedicated podcast network “built to develop, distribute, market and monetize the next generation of podcast content.” In making the announcement, Radio America says it “has a proven track record in podcasting, producing successful shows including, ‘The Dana Show Podcast,’ ‘Chicks on theimg Right,’ and ‘3 Martini Lunch.’” Radio America president and CEO Mike Paradiso states, “Helios Media is the natural progression of what Radio America has been building for decades – trusted content, powerful reach, and authentic voices that resonate with millions of Americans. With Helios Media, we’re giving creators the tools, the platform, and the audience to stand out in the competitive landscape of podcasting and digital media.” Radio America adds, “While Radio America continues its leadership in radio syndication – home to popular shows like ‘The Dana Show’ with Dana Loesch and ‘The Chad Benson Show’ – Helios Media serves as a distinct brand, purpose-built for podcast development, distribution, marketing and sales, amplifying news, culture, and entertainment stories through voices that challenge the mainstream and speak with conviction.” See more about Helios Media here.

Industry News

Gomez Calls Out FCC’s “Intimidation Tactics”

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez responds to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s recent statements tying broadcasters’ public service obligations to reporting about the Iran conflict and warning them about airing “hoaxes and news distortions.” She writes: “Once again, this FCCimg pretends it has the power to control news coverage. In reality, the FCC has vanishingly little power over national news networks. It licenses local broadcast stations, not networks, and no licenses are up for renewal until 2028. Early renewal attempts are exceedingly rare, and the process is so demanding that any effort would almost certainly fail, especially given the well-documented First Amendment violations underlying these moves. These threats are grounded in neither reality nor law and would not survive judicial scrutiny, just as other recent attempts by this Administration to push beyond constitutional limits have repeatedly failed in court.

“The concern over the chilling effect of these actions, however, is very real. Over the past year, this FCC has attacked the media as part of a years-long campaign by this Administration and its allies to discredit factual, independent coverage while blaming the press for growing public distrust. Meanwhile, it is the FCC’s own credibility and public trust that are rapidly eroding.

“Out of the many politically motivated FCC investigations targeting perceived government critics, not a single one has resulted in an enforcement action. This follows a well-established pattern of threatened investigations, broadcast license revocations, and regulatory harassment aimed at pressuring broadcasters and their corporate parents to comply or capitulate in advance. We cannot give this FCC more power than it has. Broadcasters, journalists, and the public should recognize these empty threats for what they are and fight to defend the First Amendment against any attempt to control or intimidate the press.”

Industry News

WPHT Helps Raise $110k for Veterans Charity

img

Audacy news/talk WPHT, Philadelphia “Talk Radio 1210 WPHT” helped raise $110,115 for the Travis Manion Foundation during its March 12 “Talk Radio 1210 WPHT Radiothon.” This was the 9th edition of the radiothon that has seen the station raise a total of more than $1.8 million for military-focused organizations. All proceeds go towards supporting the TMF’s programs that empower veterans and families of the fallen. The radiothon hosted by station personalities Dom Giordano, Rich Zeoli, Nick Kayal, Greg Stocker, and Dawn Stensland, who shared powerful stories from veterans, military families, and community leaders throughout the day.

Industry News

Nielsen Releases National Audio Today Report

Nielsen, using its own data as well as data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear Study, publishes its Audio Today 2026 report. Some of the key findings include: 1) that radio reaches 93% of all U.S. adults monthly, outperforming smartphones (89%), TV (84%), and PCs (76%). Its reachimg is nearly universal among Hispanic (94%) and Black (93%) consumers; 2) AM/FM radio commands more than 80% of all ad-supported audio time in vehicles. Nearly three-quarters of out-of-home radio use during peak drive times occurs in the car, placing brands closest to the point of purchase; 3) however, a significant “perception gap” exists; while marketers often rank radio low for effectiveness, Nielsen data reveals it delivers the highest ROI of any platform trailing only social media; and 4) radio and podcasts combined account for more than 80% of all daily ad-supported audio time, while streaming music accounts for only 15%. See the report here.

Industry News

2026 iHeartPodcast Awards Held Last Night

Last night (3/16), the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards Live at SXSW were presented at t ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas. The showimg was hosted by comedian Ego Nwodim and streamed live exclusively on VEEPS. The event also broadcasted on select iHeartMedia radio stations at 11:00 pm local time and was available live on the iHeartRadio app. Among the numerous awards bestowed based on category, Jonathan Goldstein presented the Audible Audio Pioneer Icon Award to “Fresh Air” host Terry Gross, who accepted her award via video message. She recounted her beginnings as a volunteer at her college radio station and gaining her skills by “broadcasting in front of nearly no audience.” See all the winners and more here.

Industry News

Dennis Prager Suing Health Care Providers

As reported by Courthouse News, former Salem Media talk host Dennis Prager is suing Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as well as Barlow Respiratory Hospital, which specializes in weaning patients off of ventilators, and Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center for medical malpractice and elder abuse, accusing them of failing to properly treat his severe spinal injury and causing “costly complications.” Prager suffered a severe spinal cord injury falling in the shower. In his civil complaint, filedimg in Los Angeles Superior Court, he says he “still had some feeling and ability to move his toes” but was “otherwise unable to move his limbs and/or breathe on his own” when he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai. Prager accuses the staff at Cedar Sinai of failing to routinely turn him over and as a result he developed stage four pressure ulcers. The suit charges that the other two facilities “failed to take steps to adequately treat the pressure wounds. He claims his wife Susan begged Rancho Los Amigos staff to perform ostomy surgery so that Prager would not be in constant danger of sepsis, but Rancho Los Amigos refused.” The suit adds, “Thus, Prager did not heal, and he continued to be exposed on a daily basis to fecal bacteria pouring into his very deep open wounds.” The suit says his medical costs have exceeded $5 million over the last 13 months, a bill that “continues to grow at a staggering pace with each and every day.” See the Courthouse News report here.

Industry News

Chicago Radio News Pro John Hultman Dies

Radio and television news pro John Hultman has died at the age of 89. Hultman’s first major market job was in Detroit at WWJ-TV and radio in Detroit. He moved to WBBM-AM in 1968, just months before the station would get the orders from corporate to flip to all-news. He would move up to news director in 1972 though remained on the air. He gave up news director duties in 1982 and in 1984 he was partnered on-air with Felicia Middlebrooks. He remained with WBBM to his retirement in 2020. See the CBS News story here.

Industry News

AURN Partners with AdGrid for Cultural Audience Accelerator

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) announces a strategic partnership with advertising technology platform AdGrid to launch the “Cultural Audience Accelerator.” AURN says the new initiative isimg “designed to help brands reach and engage multicultural audiences across today’s digital media landscape.” AURN CEO Chesley Maddox-Dorsey says, “AURN has always been committed to helping brands connect authentically with multicultural audiences. Our partnership with AdGrid allows us to expand that connection beyond audio and into the broader digital ecosystem, giving advertisers new ways to reach these influential audiences with scale, cultural relevance and measurable results.”

Industry News

Townsquare Media Reports 2025 Q4 Revenue Down 9.6%

Townsquare Media releases its operating results for the fourth quarter of 2025 and for the full year of 2025. The company reports net revenue of $106.5 million in Q4, a decline of 9.6% from the same period in 2024. For the quarter, the company posted a net loss of $4.8 million after notching net income of $25 million in Q4 of 2024. Reporting on its segments, theimg company says Total Digital Segment Profit decreased 14.8%; Digital Advertising Segment Profit decreased 28.0%; Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions Segment Profit increased 12.0%; and Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased 17.8%. Townsquare CEO Bill Wilson comments, “I am pleased to share that Townsquare’s fourth quarter and year end results met our previously issued net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance, reflecting our team’s hard work in the current environment. We are proud that the execution of our Digital First Local Media strategy allowed us to deliver excellent results for our clients, while also outperforming competitors and gaining market share. In 2025, net revenue decreased -2.8% year-over-year excluding political, and -5.2% in total, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased -3.0% year-over-year excluding political, and -12.2% in total. Importantly, due to our strong expense management, Adjusted EBITDA margins excluding political were constant year-over-year, despite revenue declines. In addition, our full year net loss improved by $1.2 million year-over-year, to a net loss of $9.8 million.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Anatomy of a Results-Producing Spot

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgLet’s start with what NOT to do, The 7 Deadly Sins Of Small Business Advertising:

  1. Talking about yourself too much. Customers care lots less about your story than their problem.
  2. Using clichés. “Quality service,” “relaxing atmosphere,” “friendly staff,” and “committed to excellence” are noise. WORST: the hollow “for all your ____ needs.”
  3. Listing everything you do. Think: message, not menu.
  4. Trying to sound big. Avoid that corporate sound I described in last week’s column here. It distances you from your prospect.
  5. Trying to be clever instead of clear. If they don’t get it instantly, they move on. And you risk seeming unserious.
  6. Too much copy, so the spot sounds rushed, a motor-mouth pitch. Instead, let it breathe.
  7. Ending with a weak call to action. “Visit us today” is not a call to action. It’s a shrug.

Your messaging will instantly improve if – in the words of George Constanza – you “do the opposite” of committing these sins.

A strong ad has four parts:

  1. A clear, strong opening line. “When you lie in bed at night, do you hear a scratching sound?” The opening line should speak directly to the customer’s life. Note Magic Words “you” and “your.” Start in their world – with their dilemma – and walk-them-into your world, how you fix it.
  2. A simple promise. Tell them what they get —  not what you do. “Call before noon and sleep on a new mattress tonight.” Problem solved. A promise is emotional, not technical.
  3. A reason to believe. Keep it short. “Sameday service, even on weekends,” or “We’ve solved this problem for 20 years.”
  4. A strong call to action. Tell them exactly what to do next. Be specific and immediate. “Click to find out – in just seconds – to find out what your house is worth.” Or “Instant cash for your car. Call for our offer.”

This is #3 in my 3-part series about optimizing commercial copy, the fundamentals we’re covering in Sales meetings as I visit client stations this spring. If you missed the first two installments, here are “If It Doesn’t Matter to the Customer, It Doesn’t Matter” and “Your Local Advantage.” And help yourself to my free E-book, “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” 12 more pages of what-worked, collected in my travels.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Andy Hooser Show Goes National Via Talk Media Network

Wichita-based talk radio host Andy Hooser announces that his radio program “The Voice of Reason with Andy Hooser” is going intoimg syndication via Talk Media Network. The program will be fed live weekdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET. Hooser says his program is a “one-hour conservative talk program that focuses on recapping the day’s events and brings a fresh perspective on the big stories of the day with fun conversation and great daily guests.” The program is based at Steckline Communications’ KQAM, Wichita where he serves as operations manager.

Industry News

Take On the Day LLC President Geoff Rich Dies

Media figure and entrepreneur Geoff Rich passed away suddenly on March 12 in Los Angeles. Geoff Rich was a serial entrepreneur who coimg-created Radio Today and led “The Dr. Laura Program” through Take On the Day, LLC as its president. Rich also served as executive director of The New Group, which produced the Tony Award-winning play “Avenue Q.” Most recently, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Dr. Laura Schlessinger commented on his passing, “I have lost my best friend, whom I spoke to every day for the last 30 years.” Geoff Rich is survived by his wife, Koni, his children, Jaremy and Gabrielle, and his grandchildren.

Industry News

FOX News Reporter Accepts RTDNA First Amendment Award

img

Pictured above is FOX News Channel chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin receiving the RTDNA First Amendment Award at the organization’s annual dinner at The Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. Griffin attended the event with her husband Greg Myre (NPR) and her mom Carolyn Griffin, as well as FOX News executives including EVP of news programming Kim Rosenberg, EVP of Washington News and Politics Doug Rohrbeck, SVP of Politics and senior executive producer of “FOX News Sunday” Jessica Loker and SVP and Washington bureau chief Bryan Boughton.

Industry News

New York News Icon Ernie Anastos Dies at 82

Longtime Emmy-winning New York City news anchor Ernie Anastos hasimg died at the age of 82. Anastos worked at the local New York affiliates of ABC, CBS and FOX. In recent years, he hosted a feature on WABC Radio titled, “Positively Ernie.” Red Apple Media Group CEO John Catsimatidis commented on Anastos’ passing saying, “Ernie was a friend for 50 years. He was always there for every charity and worked tirelessly to help people — especially New Yorkers.”