FOX News Radio host and FOX News contributor Guy Benson shared a health update to
listeners describing his recent skin cancer diagnosis. Benson detailed his diagnosis, removal, and treatment process of a melanoma while emphasizing the importance of regular dermatology visits and self-checking for skin abnormalities. You can hear Benson discuss his diagnosis here.
In the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, Salem Radio Network host Mike Gallagher is announcing plans to broadcast his nationally syndicated talk show from Israel. “The Mike Gallagher Show” will originate from Jerusalem on October 29, 30 and 31. SRN says the programs will feature interviews with officials from the Israeli Defense Forces, the Netanyahu government, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee among others. Pictured above is Gallagher (right) interviewing International Fellowship of Christians and Jews president Yael Eckstein (left) and getting her reactions to the news of the impending release of the hostages.
Beasley Media Group reveals in an 8-K filing with the SEC that chief financial officer Lauren Burrows is resigning from the company effective October 17, “in order to pursue other opportunities. The resignation was not due to any disagreement with the Company on any
matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices.” Company CEO Caroline Beasley will serve as principal financial officer on an interim basis. At the same time, the company announces the promotion of Shaun Greening to chief accounting officer. Greening joined Beasley in 2000 and has been serving as vice president of financial reporting. Greening joins John Coury, who was recently promoted to corporate controller and director of treasury. Caroline Beasley states, “Shaun brings extensive experience, deep institutional knowledge, and a proven track record of success to his role. Together with John, their leadership will be instrumental in supporting our continued growth and long-term success.”
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (10/6-10) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
People
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk host Buck Sexton (above left) is seen here with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (right) during his week-long fact-finding mission to the nation. As part of his trip, Sexton sat down for an exclusive interview with President Lai. The two discussed the rising tensions with China, including Xi Jinping’s expanding military presence in the Taiwan Strait and the South and East China Seas. President Lai also emphasized Taiwan’s growing importance in the global AI race and delivered a direct message to President Donald Trump, urging vigilance and strategic focus. Sexton co-hosts “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” for Premiere Networks.
The New York Festivals 2026 Radio Awards announces that broadcaster and publisher of radioinfo and Radio Today Australia Steve Ahern joins the New York Festivals Radio Awards Advisory Board. NYFestivals says Ahern “brings more than four decades of leadership,
innovation, and influence across the global audio and broadcasting industry to the Advisory Board. His extensive experience will further strengthen the Radio Awards’ mission to honor groundbreaking storytelling and celebrate excellence across all genres of audio content.” New York Festivals EVP Rose Anderson adds, “Every year, we work with our advisory board and industry thought leaders to make sure that our categories recognize the innovative audio content being created today world-wide and reflect our commitment to the power of the individual voice. With Steve’s addition to the Board, we gain the 360-degree perspective of someone who is on top of all the new developments in the world of sound in our ever-changing and interconnected world.”
Urban One announces a number of promotions in operations and programming across several of its markets. At the Radio One Washington DC station group, A Plus is named operations manager for the cluster that includes news/talk WOL. In Cleveland Matt Myers is the new
operations manager for the station group that includes news/talk WERE-AM. Urban One SVP of programming Colby Tyner comments, “These leadership changes reflect the incredible depth of talent within Radio One. It’s exciting to see so many of our team members grow within the company and take on new challenges across markets. By empowering our brightest minds to share fresh ideas and perspectives, we ensure our stations remain dynamic, creative, and deeply connected to the communities we serve.”
The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces that the next Media Mixer will take place at NAB headquarters in Washington DC on Thursday, November 6, from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm and will be hosted by NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt, with special guests Kelly O’Donnell
of NBC and Hubbard Radio president and general manager Joel Oxley. The Media Mixer series is designed to “celebrate the camaraderie of the broadcasting community and bring to light the charitable mission of the BFOA to provide a lifeline to colleagues in acute need from illness or disaster.” BFoA chair Scott Herman says, “We thank the NAB for providing this impressive event space at their headquarters, and we’re grateful to Curtis, Kelly, and Joel for their support in making this event a success for all attendees. Our Media Mixers bring together junior and senior level broadcast professionals and on-air celebrities, while raising the profile of our mission to help every broadcaster who qualifies for aid.” Registration for the event is required and you can do that here.
Cumulus Media’s KMJ-AM/FM, Fresno “NewsTalk 580/105.9 KMJ” recently partnered with local agriculture company GAR to present the 12th Annual Feeding Families Fund Drive and raised a record-breaking $534,917 for the Central California Food Bank. KMJ broadcast live from The Market in Fresno on September 19. Over the past 12 years the annual event has raised more than $35 million for the Central California Food Bank. Pictured above at the radiothon are KMJ morning drive personalities Greg Lane (left) and Randy James (right). KMJ VP and market manager Patty Hixson says, “Our listeners continue to overwhelm me with their generosity and graciousness. We are so thankful for them and for the GAR team, who always assist us in taking care of those people in need in our community. Such a blessing to have these incredible partners!”
Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR, Detroit promotes award-winning broadcast journalist Marie Osborne to the newly created position of director of community affairs & news. She previously served as senior news analyst. Cumulus regional VP and Detroit market manager Steve
Finateri says, “Marie Osborne is one of Michigan’s most respected broadcasters. Her high standards for broadcasting integrity have earned her this important role with WJR, helping us to maintain our brand as Michigan’s most trusted media outlet serving listeners throughout the Great Lakes region.” Osborne comments, “Being able to help our listeners process all that is unfolding in this impactful moment in history is a privilege and being able to do it at WJR is an honor. The commitment to community and news here at WJR runs deep, it is at the heart of all we do and I’m looking forward to carrying on this vital tradition in my new role.”
The Top Podcasts ranker from Podtrac based on U.S. unique monthly audience for the month of September saw Salem Podcast Network’s “Charlie Kirk Show” rise 28 places to #6 in the
aftermath of his slaying in Utah on September 10. The top three podcasts remain in order from the August ranker with NPR’s “NPR News Now” at #1, followed by The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #2 and NPR’s “Up First” at #3. Other talk radio related shows include FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” rising one place to #4 and DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” falling four places to #12. See the complete ranker here.
FOX Sports Radio’s Rob Parker – co-host of “The Odd Couple with Rob Parker & Kelvin Washington,” MLB Network analyst, and founder/editor of MLBbro.com – was honored by his alma mater, Southern Connecticut State University at the school’s homecoming last Saturday (10/4) as the Jess Dow Field press box was officially dedicated in his honor. Parker, a 1986 grad, says, “I’m so grateful to Southern for laying the groundwork for my career. This is where it all began and where I learned to be a reporter. It’s an absolute honor to have my name on Southern’s press box. I hope this will inspire others to excel and do what most think can’t be done.”
WCBM, Baltimore morning drive personality Bruce Elliott is stepping away from the “The
Morning Drive with Casey & Elliott” after almost six years co-hosting the program with Sean Casey. WCBM announces that the program is being re-branded as “Casey & Company” and will feature newscaster Maggie Hunter, the “king of all traffic” Chuck Whitaker, sportscaster Gary Stein and executive producer Kristen Haegerich. Elliott originally joined the program as a part-time guest in 2015 before rising to co-host in 2019.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr is agreeing to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee about the issues surrounding ABC/Disney’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel form comments about the death of Charlie Kirk. The date for Carr’s testimony is not set
but sources tell Reuters that it would likely be sometime after November. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz criticized Carr for comments he made on the Benny Johnson podcast about late night talk host Jimmy Kimmel’s joke that appeared to threaten ABC/Disney and promise FCC action against the company if it didn’t take action on its own. On his Premiere Networks distributed podcast, “The Verdict with Ted Cruz,” Cruz said of Carr’s comments, “I got to say that’s right out of ‘Goodfellas.’ That’s right out of a Mafioso coming into a bar going, ‘Nice bar you have here. It would be a shame if something happened to it.’” Carr recently said that’s not what he meant and stated, “We don’t want to see weaponization of government by any administration against any perspective – and that’s certainly not what we’re doing here.”
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (9/29-10/3) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
People
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The National Association of Broadcasters is now accepting entries for the 40th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards that honor outstanding community service efforts by radio stations from
the past year (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025). A panel of judges representing the broadcast industry and community service organizations will review applications and select 50 finalists and 10 winners. Stations must submit an online entry through My NAB detailing their community service efforts from the past year. The deadline for entry submissions is October 31. Finalists will be announced in February.
Beaumont, Texas talk radio host Al Caldwell is named the 2025 Man of the Year by The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. Caldwell is the morning drive host on iHeartMedia’s KLVI, Beaumont “News Talk 560.” iHeartMedia says that Caldwell has been a cornerstone of
Beaumont region for over five decades known for his authenticity, passion, and a deep love for Beaumont and its people. Caldwell is now 89 yet he continues to wake up at 4:00 am to entertain and inform his long standing and loyal fan base. Chamber president Amy Lavoi says, “Al Caldwell is more than just a radio personality – he’s the voice of our community. Through decades of broadcasting and public service, Al has uplifted this city with his humor, insight, and compassion. We are honored to recognize him as our 2025 Man of the Year.” Caldwell comments, “This community has given me so much over the years and being recognized by the Chamber as ‘Man of the Year’ is truly humbling. I love telling stories, sharing laughs, connecting with listeners, and waking up before the sun to be part of their day.” The award will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on October 7 at the Beaumont Civic Center.
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.
Audacy launches “UPSTATE RED,” a new conservative outlet that is broadcasting on three signals in the Greenville, South Carolina market. They are WYRD-AM at 1330, WORD-AM at 950 and WYRD-HD2 at 98.9 FM. Audacy also broadcasts conservative talk in the market on its sister station WYRD-FM “News/Talk 98.9 WORD.” Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg SVP and
market manager Steve Sinicropi says, “We are proud to launch UPSTATE RED and bring a new conservative voice to the Upstate region. ‘UPSTATE RED’ will be a premier destination for principled conversation, insightful news, and engaging talk with some of the biggest names in national talk radio, providing the most important news and information to the Upstate.” The programming lineup includes Premiere Networks’ Glenn Beck, Clay Travis & Buck Sexton, Sean Hannity, and Jesse Kelly, as well as Michael DelGiorno in mornings, Westwood One’s Rich Valdes in late nights and FOX News Radio’s Will Cain.
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
As a media consultant, my team has had the privilege of being engaged extensively by members of the C-Suite. Becoming a member of the C-Suite is a common goal. To get into any group, acceptance often depends on acting and appearing like established members. Here are some of the actions observed of business masters whom we consulted:
Arrive First
Let’s start with Walter Anderson, CEO PARADE magazine. PARADE was then owned by Newhouse and was the most-read publication in the English language with 30-million-plus readers. Walter Anderson was a rock star. For years he was an award-winning editor and proud of his publication. He was a gifted leader. Smart writers and graphic designers want to work for Anderson. He’s that guy! It was an honor to have lunch with him… always at the Four Seasons.
Lunch at 12:30 pm. I’d arrive at 12:25 pm – Anderson was well seated. Lunch at 12:30, I’d arrive at 12:15 pm and Anderson was well seated. I had to arrive at 11:30 am to “beat” him to the 12:30 pm table. When I finally arrived at 11:30, he was startled that I arrived first. Score! I shared this story with the manager of the Four Seasons, Julian Niccolini. Julian smiled and said, “The most powerful person always arrives first.”
Arriving first is control, preemptive and, yes, powerful. Arrive first in all actions. The first one in a room can rearrange the chairs and name plates. Arriving first for a meeting gives a person a moral upper hand!
Answer Emails Fast
Our clients have included a long list of CEOs, presidents, and CBOs. Who answers their emails first? The most powerful: Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeartMedia; Julie Talbott, president, Premiere Networks; Kelli Turner, CEO, Audacy; Bob McAllan, CEO, Press Broadcasting; Joe Clayton (deceased), CEO Sirius; Scott Greenstein, president, SiriusXM; Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Soundmind; Tim McCarthy, CEO, Broadcasters Foundation; Alan Shaw, CEO, Centennial Broadcasting; and Chris Oliviero, CBO, Audacy all answer their email super fast. (There are other contacts who answer fast, but this is the CEO/president list.) Most of the other CEOs and presidents who answer late or not at all are bankrupt.
Thank You First
Powerful people send thank you notes – fast. After an event, they send thank you to the host before going to bed. Powerful execs study when people in their industry get an award or promotion and then write notes of congratulations – and stamp it. No emails. Those real letters are saved – forever. Thank you, Cathy Black!
Know Thy Numbers
Powerful executives are never vague about numbers. Vagueness invites suspicion and erodes confidence. BUT, the powerful are not driven by the numbers. The numbers are not front and center in conversations.
RKO chairman Tom O’Neil hired my company to consult all of their radio stations. Tom was charming, in charge, and larger than life. RKO owned Frontier Airlines. Over lunch, he casually mentioned the passenger load on Frontier that day. He knew those numbers and the ratings for WOR midday. Pass the bread.
Once a year, PARADE and all Newhouse pubs presented their business plans to the Newhouse brothers directly. Participating in that meeting, I saw that the Newhouses expected the CEOs to know their numbers. The CEOs of their pubs presented the numbers. No CFOs, no accountants, and no business managers were allowed in the business plan meetings. CEO direct to owner.
C-Suite members show up first, answer emails fast, know their numbers cold and send thank you notes.
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.
Bold Gold Media Group is adding to its Upstate New York holdings with the acquisition of two signals that Townsquare Media has ceased operating. The signals – WDLA-FM and WDLA-AM,
licensed to Walton, New York – previously aired a country format and a news/talk format, respectively. Bold Gold Media Group president Vince Benedetto says, “We have a deep love and connection to the Catskill Mountains and Delaware County, and we are very much looking forward to bringing our programming to the wonderful community of Walton. For a long time, we have had the privilege serving the neighboring town of Hancock, and very much look forward to extending our local programming to include even more of the residents of Delaware County.”
By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer
Jimmy Kimmel’s first monologue back after the recent suspension had the audience laughing and gasping, and, in the hands of countless radio hosts and podcasters, replaying. Within hours, clips of his bit weren’t just being shared online. They were being chopped up, (re)framed, and (re)analyzed as if they were original show content. For listeners, that remix feels fresh. For lawyers, it is a fair use minefield.
Playing the Clip, Owning the Take
Audiences increasingly expect their favorite talkers to “play the clip,” whether it is from Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Sid Rosenberg, or Charlamagne tha God on The Breakfast Club (a show that seems to go viral every other week), and then add their own color commentary, the kind of play-by-play that makes it feel like the home team is calling the action. That format works. It gives context, tone, and a sense of immediacy that no transcript can match. Done right, it is what transforms a broadcast from just a recap into a fulfilling cultural conversation.
But with every replay comes a risk. Fair use does not mean free use. Courts weigh factors like how much of the original work you used, whether your purpose was transformative, and whether your use cuts into the market value of the original. Playing a short excerpt of Kimmel’s joke before riffing on it? Likely fair. Running half the monologue and treating it as your A-block? That edges into trouble, both legally and from a programming perspective. Why would anyone want to hear your take if your “take” is mostly replaying someone else? That is not adding to the common zeitgeist; it is just echoing it.
The Podcaster and Broadcaster Dilemma
Radio hosts have long leaned on “newsworthiness” as a shield. Podcasters often assume the same rules apply. But here is the distinction: news clips and comedy bits are not treated equally in court. A station rebroadcasting a press conference is serving public information. A podcast re-airing Kimmel is competing directly with Kimmel’s own clips on YouTube. One informs, the other risks replacing.
And while linking to ABC or YouTube is a courtesy, just as crediting them in the video itself might be, it does not replace the traffic (and ad dollars) Kimmel’s team expects. The law does not guarantee creators compensation for commentary, but judges do consider market harm. If your listeners stop watching the original because your show already gave them the “best parts,” you have tilted the scale against yourself. John Oliver is often credited (though no one seems able to find the clip): “People are always going to say stupid things, and you’re always going to be able to make jokes about that, but it should be the last thing you add in, because it is the easiest thing.”
Whether he actually said it or not almost proves the point. Recycling someone else’s words without context is the laziest move in the book. And if you cannot find the source? That is about as meta as fair use gets.
The Takeaway
Here is the smart play: use less and say more. A 20-second clip followed by two minutes of commentary is transformative. A five-minute clip with a shrug and a chuckle is not. Audiences do not tune in to hear Kimmel again. They tune in to hear what you think about Kimmel. The moment you let someone else’s content carry your show, you lose both legal ground and creative authority.
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.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (9/22-26) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Government Shutdown Battle / Firing Threats
2. The Economy / Positive Growth Report
3. ICE Facility Shooting
4. Comey Indicted
5. Trump UN Address
6. Trump vs Kimmel / Kirk Slaying Aftermath
7. Tylenol-Autism Debate
8. SCOTUS OKs Trump FTC Firing
9. Gaza War / Russia-Ukraine War
10.Dem Wins AZ House Seat
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Chuck Schumer / Hakeem Jeffries
3. James Comey / Pam Bondi
4. Greg Abbott
5. Jimmy Kimmel
6. Charlie Kirk / Erika Kirk
7. RFK Jr.
8. Rebecca Kelly Slaughter
9. Benjamin Netanyahu / Vladimir Putin
10. Adelita Grijalva
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
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.
New York Public Radio is announcing that in response to the unprecedented threats facing public broadcasting, it is launching the Station-to-Station Programming Project that will make its roster of nationally syndicated programs – including “Radiolab,” “On the Media,” “The New
Yorker Radio Hour,” and “Terrestrials,” as well as “Freakonomics Radio,” “Science Friday” and “Today, Explained,” which NYPR distributes – available to at-risk public radio stations at no cost. This initiative comes as the CPB prepares to wind down at the end of September, following a $9.4 billion rescission package Congress approved in July, putting the future of more than 1,500 public radio and television stations nationwide in jeopardy. NYPR says, “This initiative will allow stations to redirect funds they would typically use to license our programs toward sustaining their vital local operations and reporting.”
Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington is looking for a new morning drive news anchor after Michelle Basch informed the company she will leave her position at the end of the year to relocate out of DC. WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler wrote in a memo to the stations staff, “Anyone who knows Michelle Basch, knows how much she and her husband Mike adore their cabin in Pennsylvania. Michelle and Mike have decided to move there full-time in the Spring, which means Michelle will be leaving WTOP after nearly two decades. The good news? Michelle will continue to anchor AM Drive through the end of the year. She will then do some reporting for us until she and Mike are fully moved to PA. Michelle’s passion for news, commitment to excellence and drive to ‘first get it right, then get it first’ will be greatly missed in this newsroom.” See more and apply here.
A fascinating example of early cable news/talk television history has been posted today (9/22) on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel series “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.” The episode presents key segments from a vintage program that served as one of the forerunners of modern cable news/talk television. This particular installment preserves what was likely the first documented appearance of Sean Hannity hosting a national network cable television program. The series, titled “Talk Live,” ran for several years in the mid-1990s on CNBC. It covered news and politics, as well as a wider scope of popular culture including arts & entertainment. Not only did it feature an array of guest panelists, but it also showcased a variety of guest hosts. Several of them were drawn from the ranks of radio. Talk radio was the hot new thing in the exploding world of interactive post-fairness doctrine media at the time and television executives were trying to identify hosting candidates from radio to make the transition from audio to video. This particular installment was spearheaded by media impresario Roger Ailes, who went on to form the FOX News Channel. It originally ran 31 years ago, on October 15, 1994, and holds particular interest for students and fans of talk media history. Hannity was, at the time, a rising star as a local host on WGST in Atlanta and was most likely being scouted by Ailes for consideration as a TV host for his forthcoming projects. The episode also featured a noteworthy panel booked by then-CNBC producer Vicky Pomerance that included the late radio talk show legend Bob Grant, then of WABC, New York; international talk media mainstay Victoria Jones, then of WWRC, Washington, DC (currently executive director of PR firm, the DC Radio Company); and TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison. Their conversation delivers fascinating retrospective insight into the issues surrounding the burgeoning talk radio medium, circa the mid-1990s, such as the Fairness Doctrine, as well as the growing rift between liberals and conservatives, and the public’s growing disillusionment with the legacy media and political establishment. Looking back at the video, Harrison states, “Watching his performance more than three decades ago, it was evident that Sean was a natural for the medium – displaying remarkable looks, poise, knowledge and glibness that would serve him well as he went on to become a top-rated, long-running superstar at FOX News Channel and one of the most successful radio talk show hosts of all time.” Check out the video by clicking here.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces that Mike Hulvey, president and chiefexecutive officer of the Radio Advertising Bureau, and Chris Oliviero, chief business officer of Audacy, are elected its board of directors. BFoA chairman Scott Herman says, “Mike and Chris each bring unique experience to our board. As head of the RAB, Mike interacts with radio groups of all sizes across the country and can help ensure those broadcasters are aware of our charitable mission should a colleague be in need. Chris is a respected executive, with roots in radio’s biggest companies and in major markets and can help spread our message of hope to that sector of the industry. We are grateful that they have committed their time, knowledge, and expertise to our cause.”
Members of the talk media industry were among the thousands of mourners who traveled to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday for the memorial service for slain Salem Radio Network talk host and activist Charlie Kirk. Pictured above at the service are SRN talk hosts Mike Gallagher (right) and Larry Elder (left). Also attending from Salem were host Eric Metaxas and Salem Media CEO David Santrella and senior vice president Phil Boyce were among thousands of mourners attending Sunday’s memorial service for slain SRN talk host Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Don’t let Halloween sneak-up on you. The only holiday Americans spend more for is Christmas. So – to seem more in-touch than your robotic and/or non-local audio competitors – plan something spook-tacular.
DJs will play all the occasion-pertinent songs, good bumpers if you’re a talker. For you, the living, this mash was meant too.
— Do an event? A “safe space” parents can bring costumed kiddos? Maybe to benefit a local charity?
— Or a grown-ups-only party? 😉Sell a sponsorship. Try a big-box liquor store; or if your bash is at a bar, they might line-up a booze brand from the distributor.
— Costume suggestions? In years past, this has been a productive call-in topic. With family budgets tight now, those pop-up costume stores are less-affordable to some; and many funsters are imagination-challenged. Back when we “went to the movies,” Harry Potter-level characters were more obvious.
— Sell Halloween Safety Tips, PSA-sounding commercials. It’s a low-price way to give new advertisers a taste, and another way for existing advertisers to show-up.
Copy points:
1. Make sure costume masks don’t block your kids’ vision.
2. Go out early, stay in groups.
3. Warn young boys & ghouls not to run into the street from between parked cars.
4. Stick with well-lit streets in your neighborhood.
5. Give young trick-or-treaters flashlights.
6. Stay on sidewalks or walk facing traffic.
7. Tell children not to eat anything before getting home, so you can inspect goodies.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
WTOP, Washington is announcing that its business reporter Jeff Clabaugh died last Thursday at the age of 63 after a yearlong battle with cancer. WTOP says that Clabaugh, “whose steady-paced voiceconversationally delivered money news to the D.C. region for three decades,” was “a master of consumer business news” who “gave reports twice an hour on WTOP’s airwaves and wrote punchy, popular stories for WTOP.com.” WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler wrote to the staff, “Jeff Clabaugh made WTOP’s Business Reports what they are today. His work ethic was incredible. And his voice was so smooth. He was one of the best storytellers in the WTOP newsroom.” Read the WTOP story here.
Audacy’s KYW Newsradio celebrated its 60th anniversary at Philadelphia’s Bellevue Hotel on September 17. The event was a highlight of the station’s year-long celebrations, including events and on-air programs throughout 2025. The company says the gala marks six decades since the station adopted its all-news format in September 1965 and honors KYW’s enduring legacy as a trusted source for breaking news, traffic, weather and local service journalism. Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “This celebration is the perfect opportunity to bring together the people who have made KYW Newsradio what it is today – clients, partners, community leaders, station friends, staff and alumni. When you’re a part of an institution that has been the constant voice of a city for six decades, you feel the weight and honor of that history every day. It’s a tribute to all those who have contributed to the station, devoted their lives to telling the story of the Delaware Valley, and built the trust we hold with our community.”
Audacy’s WYRD, Greenville, South Carolina “News/Talk 98.9 WORD” is partnering with the Fourth District Republican Club to host a candidates debate on October 16. The three Republican candidates for the South
Carolina Senate District 12 seat – Justin Bradley, Lee Bright and Hope Blackley – will take part in the 90-minute debate in which WORD hosts Joey Hudson and Bill Frady will moderate the debate. Audacy South Carolina operations manager Mark Hendrix says, “This debate will give our listeners and the community a chance to hear directly from the candidates, understand their positions, and make informed decisions as election day approaches.”
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (9/15-19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Kirk Slaying Aftermath / Public Figure Safety Fears
2. ABC Suspends Kimmel / First Amendment Issues
3. The Economy / Fed Rate Cut
4. Trump Visits UK
5. Israel’s Gaza City Takeover
6. Trump Sues NYTimes
7. ICE Raids / Guard to Memphis
8. Russian Incursion into NATO Airspace
9. Lisa Cook Case
10.Robert Redford Dies
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Charlie Kirk
3. Pam Bondi / Stephen Miller / JD Vance
4. Jimmy Kimmel
5. Barack Obama
6. Jerome Powell
7. Benjamin Netanyahu
8. Vladimir Putin
9. Lisa Cook
10. Robert Redford
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” during a full committee markup on a 50-1 vote. The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote. Amendments to the bill include a shortening of the sunset of the proposed law from 10 to eight years as well as the bill now directing the Government Accountability Office to study the potential impacts of the requirement on automotive innovation and vehicle safety, as well as the feasibility of alternative emergency alert systems. National Association of Broadcasters notes that public sentiment if behind the bill as a recent survey indicates 83% of respondents strongly support keeping AM radio in new cars so drivers can access free emergency warnings and public safety information while on the road. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “Today’s decisive committee vote sends a clear message: AM radio remains essential to public safety, and every American deserves access to it in their car. We thank Chairmen Guthrie and Bilirakis, Ranking Member Pallone and members of the committee for overwhelmingly advancing this bipartisan legislation. Policymakers and consumers alike recognize AM radio’s essential role in delivering emergency alerts and reliable information when it matters most. We urge House and Senate leadership to move swiftly to pass this bill and preserve this vital service for the American public.”
Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk host Glenn Beck will host “The Charlie Kirk Show” on the Salem Radio Network today (9/17). According to SRN, Turning Point USA arranged for Glenn Beck to act as
guest host because he specifically asked for the honor, so he can share his thoughts and remembrances on the passing of his personal friend. SRN adds, “We have received permission from Premiere Networks to allow Glenn to do this, even though he may be on a competing station in some radio markets. This is one of those rare times where competitors unite for the common good. We wanted our stations to know this special broadcast has been approved. It promises to be memorable radio.” SRN says other major stars will fill in during the coming days. Vice President JD Vance guest-hosted live from The White House on Monday and Tuesday’s show was hosted by Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles and Ben Shapiro.