Industry News

FOX News Digital Leads News Set in Multiplatform Views and Minutes

FOX News Digital reports that, according to data from Comscore, it finished January continuing its streak as the top news brand with both multiplatform views and minutes. FOX News Digital closed outim the month reaching 3.27 billion total multiplatform minutes, compared to CNN.com’s 1.85 billion, and NYTimes.com’s 1.59 billion. FOX News Media attracted 1.66 billion total multiplatform views, compared to NYTimes.com’s 1.49 billion, and CNN.com’s 1.17 billion. When it comes to total digital unique visitors – similar to radio’s cume – CNN.com still holds the lead with 112.7 million. But FOX News Digital (109.7 million) has gradually been gaining ground on CNN.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces that award-winning ABC News correspondent and co-anchor of “20/20,” Deborah Roberts, will honor Deborah Norville as this year’s recipient of the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award. The Award will be presented to Norville during the Golden Mic gala and fundraiser on March 4 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Roberts says, “I’m looking forward to being a part of this well-deserved recognition of Deborah’s outstanding work as a broadcast journalist.”

FOX News Channel’s John Roberts will present a town hall with 2024 Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley on Sunday, February 18 in Columbia, South Carolina. The pre-taped one-hour event will air at 5:00 pm ET with an encore at 10:00 pm ET.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of January 12 – 16

The U.S. migrant crisis was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the military aid package for Ukraine and Israel, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct hearings in Georgia tied at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Compass Media Networks’ Michelle Salvatore to Leave the Company

Compass Media Networks announces that sports division SVP and general manager Michelle Salvatore is resigning after more than 15 years with the company to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity outside of media. The company says Salvatore will continue with the company through the spring and will advise the company on a transition plan. Compass founder and CEO Peter Kosannim says, “Back in Spring of 2009, during the chaos and sleepless nights involved in launching this national media company, the media gods sent me an angel in the form of Michelle Salvatore. Michelle faced down every challenge, worked tirelessly and with good cheer, and set a gold standard of excellence for not only Compass Media Networks, but our industry. We love and will miss Michelle dearly. Our goal is to build upon the greatness she created as we move ahead into the next chapter of our evolution.” Salvatore comments, “Working at Compass Media Networks literally changed my life for the better. I was able to travel the globe, producing games throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe, and had the chance to work with incredibly talented, passionate, and kind people. I am forever grateful to my dear friends at Compass Media Networks.”

Industry News

Triton Digital Releases January U.S. Podcast Ranker

Triton Digital publishes its U.S. Podcast Ranker for January (Jan. 1 – 28) based on weekly average downloads from participating networks and NPR’s “NPR News Now” maintains its #1 ranking, whileim NBCUniversal News Group’s “Dateline NBC” drops two spots to #4 and audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” rises to #2 and NPR’s “Up First” climbs to #3. Other radio related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” steady at #7, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” rising three spots to #15, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” up one place to #24. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia, Inc will report financial results from Q4 2023 and the full year of 2023 on February 29 and will conduct a conference call at 8:30 am ET to discuss its financial results and business outlook. A live audio webcast of the call will be available on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website.

STC Media, LLC announces that its flagship program, “Sports Talk Chicago,” adds two new affiliate stations as WZPN-FM, Peoria “101.1 Peoria Sports Radio” and WRLR-LP FM “98.3 The Life” pick up the show. STC Media president and show host Jon Zaghloul says, “I’m so excited to continue to expand ‘Sports Talk Chicago’ with such supportive partners. We have been looking to add to our reach in both Peoria and Northern Illinois for quite some time, so being a part of 101.1 and 98.3 moving forward is extremely fulfilling!”

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s The Black Effect Podcast Network teams up with John Hope Bryant to launch “Money and Wealth,” a new weekly podcast about financial wellness and developing a wealth mindset. Bryant comments, “Last year, I was honored to join the board of the Black Effect Podcast Network. Now, I’m equally excited to join the incredible lineup of leaders creating content that enlightens and empowers our community. I’ve spent my career as an entrepreneur and executive dedicated to making sure we’re confident and equipped to succeed in the free enterprise system. The color today is not black or white or red or blue – it’s green, as in the color of money. I look forward to sharing not just what I’ve learned about making money, but most importantly, what I know about building wealth.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; today’s misconduct hearing for Fulton County DA Fani Willis; President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the U.S. migrant crisis and the impeachment of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; the House $95 billion foreign aid bill; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

The “Taylor Swift Effect” on Edison Research’s Q4 Podcast Chart

Edison Research publishes its Top 50 U.S. Podcasts chart for the fourth quarter of 2023, based on total audience reach from its Edison Podcast Metrics. “The Joe Rogan Experience” remains ranked #1, with audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” steady at #2 and The New York Times’ “The Daily” maintaining the #3im spot. But the big story is the rise of WSE Originals’ “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” shooting from #67 in the Q3 2023 report to #6 in the Q4 chart. (The show was not in the top 100 in the Q2 2023 survey.) Edison says the show starring Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce “gained four and a half times the number of listeners and saw a change in composition to 50% female listeners.” Other noteworthy moves from radio-related podcasts include The DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rising from #17 in Q3 to #9 in Q4 and Cumulus Podcasts Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” climbing from #29 in Q3 to #26 in Q4. Edison’s Q4 2023 ranker was conducted from October 9, 2023 to December 23, 2023, and is based on surveys of 5,356 weekly podcast listeners age 13+.

Industry News

WTOP Dedicates Studio to Late Production manager George Moshos

Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP News announces the dedication of its production studio as The George Moshos Production Studio, in memory of longtime production manager George Gusim Moshos. Moshos died on January 11 and today (2/14) would have been his 67th birthday. General manager Joel Oxley says, “George helped me so much when I first started at WTOP 30 some odd years ago. I knew little about production and he let me know it. His gruff demeanor and direct style took a minute to get used to. But it didn’t take long for me to realize this guy with the glint in his eyes was a person who cared. Really cared. About his job and doing it right and more importantly about people. He touched so, so many people and made things better for them. Seems only right to name where he spent so much of his time ‘The George Moshos Production Studio.’”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Channel’s Laura Ingraham will present a town hall with former President Donald Trump on February 20 in Spartanburg, South Carolina at 7:00 pm ET on “The Ingraham Angle.”

“The Money Pit Home Improvement Show,” co-hosted by Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete, announces that it adds stations in Los Angeles and Houston, and “upgrades its exposure” in New York, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Boston. The program is now heard on 450 stations across the U.S. Kraeutler says he attributes this growth to radio stations’ interest in programming that addresses homeowners’ Do-It-Yourself solutions, and advertiser demand for related products and services, “especially on weekends, when homeowners are planning and shopping for what they need to get the job done.” Segrete adds, “Taking on a home improvement project can be daunting, so Tom and I offer callers clear, step-by-step suggestions to do the job themselves or guidance on hiring a pro.”

Motor Racing Network is broadcasting live today (2/14) from Daytona 500 Media Day where representatives from the network will talk with every driver attempting to win at the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. The 2024 Daytona 500 is Sunday (2/18) with Motor Racing Network coverage beginning at 1:30 pm ET and airing on 350 radio stations across the U.S.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. House votes to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; Democrat Tom Suozzi wins special election for George Santos’ House seat; concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; former President Donald Trump petitions the Supreme Court in his claim of presidential immunity; Trump’s NATO comments and the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the latest report on inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; and the controversy over country music stations “refusing” to play Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” song  were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Happy World Radio Day 2024

Today (2/13) is the 13th annual celebration of World Radio Day – proclaimed an official “international day” by the United Nations in 2011 and facilitated each year by UNESCO. For last minute ideas and suggestions in taking advantage of the opportunity to acknowledge the medium of radio’s colorful past, present and future please click here. While you’re at it, check out the new two-minute song by the talk radio friendly band Gunhill Road titled, “Over the Radio Waves” on YouTube here and available for license-free broadcast. Happy World Radio Day 2024!

im

Industry News

Saga to Acquire Lafayette, Indiana Cluster from Neuhoff

Saga Communications announces that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of Neuhoff Communications’ Lafayette, Indiana radio stations sports talk WASK-AM, country WKOA-FM, rock WKHY-FM, classic hits WASK-FM, CHR WXXB-FM, and FM translator W269DJ for $5.3 millionim. Saga Communications president and CEO Chris Forgy comments, “We regretted missing the opportunity to acquire these stations a number of years ago when the Neuhoff family acquired them. These stations are a great fit for Saga. We see a lot of opportunity with these stations and this market and are pleased that the family has decided to entrust Saga with continuing these station’s long-standing heritage of serving the Greater Lafayette region. Saga intends to continue building its business in radio by identifying and acquiring middle market stations in dynamic communities.” KALIL & CO., INC was the exclusive broker.

Industry News

More Results from Cumulus’ Podcast Download Report

The latest blog post from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group presents more information from the Cumulus Media-Signal Hill Insights Podcast Download Fall 2023 report conducted by MARU/Matchbox. Some of the findings of this survey of 608 weekly podcast consumers include: 1) Podcast consumers connect with their favorite hosts on social platforms. Podcast consumers are lookingim to connect with their favorite hosts and shows on social media. Half of weekly podcasts consumers follow their favorite podcast hosts on one of the social platforms; 2) Younger 18-34 podcast consumers are more likely to follow their favorite hosts on social media. Compared to 35-49 and 50+ podcast consumers, 18-45 podcast consumers are more engaged socially with podcast hosts. 68% of podcast consumers 18-34 follow their favorite hosts on social media. 55% of 35-49s follow favorite hosts on social. 40% of those 50+ follow favorite podcast hosts on social; and 3) YouTube towers as a podcast discovery platform: 19% of weekly podcast consumers use YouTube to find podcasts. When asked which social platform they’ve used to find podcasts, 19% of podcast consumers are turning to YouTube, more than all other social media platforms combined. See the blog post here.

Industry News

UNESCO Takes Strong Position on the Continuing Need to Protect AM Radio in Cars (and All Terrestrial Radio)

im

In conjunction with today’s celebration of World Radio Day 2024 (WRD 2024), the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural agency UNESCO has issued a powerful statement supporting the necessity of AM radios remaining in automobiles and the importance of all “terrestrial” radio for the maintenance of freedom and peace throughout the world. The following position titled “Radio, the Trusted Guide in a Changing World” has been posted on UNESCO’s WRD 2024 web page:

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” World Radio Day 2024 marks 100 years of radio, a period in which it has become the medium that is arguably closest to human hearts and minds, providing news, entertainment and education in all corners of the world. It satisfies our need to be informed both for day to-day decision-making and in times of emergency and crisis. Over the past century, radio has proved itself as a crucial medium in maintaining freedom of opinion and expression, often being the only one still up and running in times of crisis. Studies have repeatedly shown that radio has the greatest trust, with most citizens rating it above television, the internet, social networks or the written press. Radio is a triumph of accessibility, immediacy and intimacy, and there’s a strong public-interest case for protecting it and our access to it. We believe that remaining easily accessible to all people, in all places, regardless of how they receive radio means using terrestrial broadcast networks (both analogue and digital) – still relied upon by the majority of listeners globally – and fostering online access to radio that is just as democratic and open. Cars are a particular concern, consistently among the most popular locations for radio listening. Whether it is terrestrial broadcast or internet, radio in cars should not just be easy to find, it must be impossible to miss. Information is a public good and a shared resource for all of humanity. Radio has its place in the digital transformation of the information ecosystem, complementing the internet and digital platforms. The evolution of communication technologies should advance people’s right to receive information and ideas through any media – instead of regressing it. We call upon governments, regulatory bodies, the technology and automotive industries, and all members of the global radio community to put safeguards in place to ensure that radio continues to thrive; to protect the free and unfettered access radio provides to a plurality of opinions and to trusted information; to allow radio to continue to help communities and all minority language speakers to receive information and participate in democratic processes; and to ensure radio remains available to all people regardless of their financial means or personal circumstances. 

TALKERS founder, Michael Harrison, who has served as executive advisor to UNESCO on WRD 2024 and fully supports its stated position on preserving radio, states, “Working with UNESCO in this capacity has sharpened my global perspective on the AM car radio issue in as much as the argument in America focuses primarily on the use of radio for emergencies – a limited and short-sighted proposition to whichim the automobile industry has intelligently responded. The issue however is much larger. As UNESCO’s chief of section for media development and society, Mirta Lourenco puts it, ‘The free flow and easily accessible information provided by terrestrial radio supports the spirit of the First Amendment via the concept of media pluralism and more. This expands to a valid concern about privacy rights – which is equally important to freedom and democracy. With GPS and internet platforms simultaneously in our cars, we are turning the enormous power to invade the privacy of individuals over to a mere handful of Big Tech giants. They know what and who we listen to, including where, when and how we travel.’” Harrison adds, “Finally, I am compelled as a lifelong radio broadcaster and publisher of a major trade journal to protect the viability of radio stations as a going concern and the well-being of their owners, employees, and listeners.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Compass Media Networks announces that Connoisseur Media’s stations in Connecticut and Long Island are charter affiliates for SPECai, a joint venture between Compass Media Networks, Benztown, and ENCO, that provides radio stations with creative custom spec commercials in mere seconds using AI technology.

Former sports talk KKFN-FM, Denver “104.3 The Fan” programmer Raj Sharan joins Cumulus Media’s country KATC-FM, Colorado Springs as afternoon host and promotions director for the station.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/12) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. House passes a $95 billion foreign aid bill; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump petitions the Supreme Court in his claim of presidential immunity; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war; Trump’s NATO comments and the Russia-Ukraine war; and the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Houston mega-church were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Good Karma’s WTMJ Outlines New Programming Lineup

Good Karma Brands announces that news/talk WTMJ, Milwaukee is launching a new programming lineup next Monday (2/19) that includes new shows and hosts. New programming includes “The Mid-West Farm Report” hosted by Pam Jahnke “the Fabulous Farm Babe” airing from 5:00 am to 6:00 am; “The Political Power Hour” with current WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi from 9:00 am to 10:00 am; “The Upswing,” hosted by Jeff Sherman, focusing on “the news, stories, and conversations [listeners] want to hear about Wisconsin business, the local economy, and how it affects them” airing from 10:00 am to 11:00 am; “Wisconsin’s Midday News” co-hosted by former afternoon news host Greg Matzek andim Jessica Tighe, who joins the station from “CBS58” airing from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm; “Spanning the State,” hosted by As Goes Wisconsin founder Kristin Brey, airing from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; and “Wisconsin’s Afternoon News” host John Mercure is joined by new co-host Julia Fello, formerly a lead reporter at WTMJ-TV. Good Karma Milwaukee market manager Greg Scalzo comments, “As a Wisconsin-based media company, we are excited to further our commitment to providing best-in-class news content that unites the state and strengthens the communities we call home. With this new lineup, one thing we wanted to emphasize is a shift in who we hear on the station and how our content can be consumed. Our fans will hear from hosts with new, diverse perspectives and experiences with shows and stories distributed across all mediums to reach fans where they are. We remain dedicated to continuing 620 WTMJ’s storied legacy, delivering purposeful news and telling the stories that matter to you throughout Wisconsin. Our new shows and voices will give us more of an opportunity to relate and be relevant to anyone who tunes in, while staying committed to the mission of being Wisconsin’s News Radio.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Milk It

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIf last week’s column didn’t out me as an utter Smerconish fan-boy, this week’s will. Find his 2/10 CNN show online. It may be the best hour of cable news Talk TV I’ve ever seen; and having hosted several hundred myself, I don’t say so casually.

After Special Counsel Robert K. Hur’s report on President Biden’s mishandling of classified material characterized him as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” Michael’s poll asked: “Should Jill Biden suggest to her husband that he not seek re-election?”

50,504 votes (not a misprint): 63.85% Yes, 36.15% No.

Guest James Carville quipped that “Today is the youngest you’ll ever be for the rest of your life;” and he noted that LBJ didn’t drop out of the 1968 race until March.

Meanwhile, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejects Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution for the potential crimes tied to trying to stay in office despite losing the election…AND polls consistently demonstrate that most Americans don’t want a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. Undaunted, Nikki Haley asks “do we really want two 80-year-olds” to be the choice?

With all due respect to Rush Limbaugh for leading the vaunted “Talk Radio Revolution” back then, this format’s golden age is NOW. We are in the suspense business. Milk it.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison asks, “Does the current crop of hosts, trained to preach to their target audience choirs, have the skill and balls to take advantage of the frustrated – even desperate – mood of the greater American public outside their narrow-minded core followers? And will their bosses allow them to even try?”

While I share his concern, I am advising news/talk stations that the “news” component is MUCH more tactically opportune than the “talk” – even for FOX News Radio affiliates which program major syndicated political hosts. ABC and CBS newscasts are also big assets, appointment listening if we promote overtly.

Specific goal: Add occasions-of-tune-in. How: “With SO much changing SO quickly now, stay close to the news. Check-in for a quick [name of network] update, every half hour…here. [dial positions, call letters].”

Local news people: This tactic will better expose your work too. Emulate your network’s writing style, latest-aspect-first, short sentences, use sound, and sound different than last hour.

Hosts: LISTEN. If callers barely let you get a word in edgewise, you’re playing this just right.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins”and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Cumulus Media Inc will host a conference call on February 27 at 8:30 am ET to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2023 operating results. A press release containing a summary of these results will be issued before the call at approximately 8:00 am ET.

Audacy announces that according to Triton Digital’s U.S. Podcast Report 2023, it is the number one sports podcast network, based on average monthly downloads for all networks measured in Triton’s U.S. Podcast Ranker from January to December 2023. Audacy says, “With over 600 titles in its portfolio, Audacy boasts three times more sports podcasts than any competitor and is the industry’s largest provider of sports content.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s Russia-NATO comments; the aftermath of Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin; Israel’s rescue of two hostages as Palestinians say more than 100 are killed in Rafah; the U.S. Senate advances a $95 billion foreign aid package; the uncertain fate of Trump’s immunity claim before the Supreme Court; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized again; and the run-up to Sunday night’s Super Bowl LVIII were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Joe Madison Classic Interview Posted This Week on Harrison Podcast

im

Legendary radio talk show host and civil rights activist Joe Madison, who succumbed last week to cancer at 74, is memorialized on this week’s installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” In addition to expressing his personal view of Madison’s career and historic accomplishments, Harrison presents what he describes as the “most comprehensive interview with Joe Madison available in the extensive TALKERS archives.” Harrison continues, “Joe Madison has appeared as a guest on eight occasions during this podcast’s eight-year history (a milestone achieved this month) in addition to delivering two major keynote addresses and making at least five additional panel appearances at national TALKERS conferences – so we certainly have a wealth of material from which to choose.” The interview presented here was conducted and originally posted in April, 2022 in conjunction with the publication at that time of Madison’s long-awaited book, Radio Active: A Memoir of Advocacy in Action, on the Air and in the Streets. The strikingly candid conversation between the two old friends covers Madison’s personal exploration into his genealogy along with his experiences in dealing with alleged racism in his radio career, life-threatening hunger strikes, and his general complex overview and connection with Black and White relations in America. Harrison states, “As warm as our personal friendship grew over the years, interviewing Joe was never easy.  He challenged me at every turn – even when I agreed with him. At one point in this interview, he bluntly tells me that my question is naïve!” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The latest editions of Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes’ podcast “Chachi Loves Everybody” features two radio executives as Denes interviews Dennis Green, COO, Key Networks and Sun & Fun Media, and Jeff Warshaw, founder and CEO of Connoisseur Media. Listen to the podcasts here.

Edison Research announces that The Infinite Dial 2024 will be presented on March 28 live at Podcast Movement Evolutions in Los Angeles. A free streaming option will be available for those not attending the conference in person. Edison says, “The study provides important benchmark measures for usage and behavior around streaming audio, podcasting, radio, smart audio, social media, and more. The 2024 Infinite Dial will be presented by Edison Research VP Megan Lazovick.

Industry News

Saga Communications Declares Cash Dividend

Saga Communications’ board of directors announces that the company is declaring a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 8, 2024, to shareholders of record onim February 20, 2024. The aggregate amount of the payment to be made in connection with the quarterly dividend will be approximately $1.6 million. The quarterly dividend will be funded by cash on the company’s balance sheet. Including this dividend, the company will have paid approximately $127 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012.

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root, “We Did This!”

Las Vegas-based, nationally syndicated talk radio host Wayne Allyn Root celebrates the 8th anniversary of his talk radio show (2/7). The anniversary coincides with the Nevada GOP primary that saw GOPim candidate Nikki Haley come in behind “None of the Above Candidates.” (“None of the Above Candidates” is choice that has been on Nevada ballots since 1975.)  Root tells TALKERS that he came up with the strategy of convincing his audience to vote “None of the Above” to support Donald Trump and claims, “This is Exhibit A for the power of talk radio. Look at the vote totals. The number of ‘None of the Above’ voters almost exactly matches the number of listeners to my Vegas and statewide Nevada radio show. We did this. My Nevada audience almost single-handedly ended Nikki’s presidential ambitions.”

Industry News

RTDNA to Honor 2024 First Amendment Honorees

The RTDNA Foundation announces its class of 2024 First Amendment Award honorees, recognizing 13 individuals and organizations for their efforts to promote responsible journalism and preserve the constitutionally guaranteed rights to do so. Recipients will be honored March 9 at the 33rd annual First Amendment Awards at The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. RTDNA Foundation president Danim Shelley says, “It is our sacred duty to promote, protect and defend the First Amendment, which makes journalism the only vocation specifically protected in our Constitution. The individuals represented in this group of recipients embody the spirit of such journalism. And their work reminds us why it is so important to defend the First Amendment each and every day.” The honorees include: Gio Benitez, ABC News; Lauren Chooljian, New Hampshire Public Radio; Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews, CBS News; Evan Gershkovich, Wall Street Journal; Dylan Lyons, Spectrum News 13 “Citation of Courage”; Joan and Eric Meyer, Marion County Record, “Citation of Courage”; ProPublica; Rep. Jamie Raskin; Jesse Walden, Spectrum News 13, “Citation of Courage”; Clarissa Ward, CNN; Kristen Welker, NBC News; and Phil Williams, WVTF-TV, “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/7) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. migrant crisis and Congress’ failure to pass border control and aid to Ukraine and Israel legislation; SCOTUS to hear the Donald Trump election eligibility case; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Russia-Ukraine war and Tucker Carlson’s claim he’ll interview Vladimir Putin; U.S. military strikes on an Iran-backed militia in Iraq; Super Bowl LVIII and MAGA’s Taylor Swift-NFL conspiracy theory; the atmospheric river bringing floods and mudslides to Southern California were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Mysteries Explained: The Radio Hall of Fame

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network

imFor several years I’ve had the surprising privilege of serving as a member of the nominating committee of the Radio Hall of Fame. How does the process work? Let me clear up some of the mystery. FAQ:

Who chooses the nominations? You have input. Right now, the Hall is seeking recommendations from you without restriction. Who do you think belongs in the ROF? Suggest your nominations until March 31 https://www.radiohalloffame.com/nominate. After the nominations close, a list of hundreds of respected names are reviewed by the nominating committee.

Who is on the Nominating committee? The members are listed on the website: https://www.radiohalloffame.com/committee. They represent radio companies of all sizes and no one company is over-represented. Many of the members are not affiliated with any one company. Some are inductees, themselves.

Do committee members “push” people just from their own company? Not from my experience.

Can companies buy favor with sponsorship participations? No. The event sponsorship process happens after inductees are determined.

Is there geographic favoritism? Every nominee is considered for accomplishment, tenure, geography, format. It is fair to say that the committee agonizes over each of those qualities.

Who votes? The committee of 25 narrows it down to 24 nominees and that list is sent to approximately 1,000 broadcasters representing all formats, parts of the country and owners. An accounting firm receives and counts those votes.

Can’t the committee unilaterally select an inductee? Yes, but it is usually just one person, someone who is not an on-air talent.

What are the terms of the committee members? The positions rotate. Three to seven years seems to be the typical tenure.

What is a Legacy?  If a broadcaster is deceased, they can be fully honored as an inductee in the Legacy category.

Support is needed. Every year the induction ceremony is a beautiful, well-executed event celebrating our passion for quality radio. At the moment, it is one of the few pure “radio” gatherings. (Don’t annoy me about the NAB – they used to have a pure, big tent radio event but now that’s a sales event.).

The constant refrain that radio does not get appropriate credit as a viable, MAJOR medium can be mitigated when our Hall of Fame evening is a sell-out. Every single company should buy tables, ads and send their C-suite. The well-produced show is available for broadcast and should be broadcast! The speeches are much funnier than the Oscars or Emmys.

Walter Sabo is a leading media industry consultant and syndicated talk radio personality.  He can be emailed at Walter@Sabomedia.com. Website: www.waltersterlingshow.com

Industry News

Jim Rome Moving Video Simulcast of Radio Show to X

The Big Lead reports from the Super Week radio row in Las Vegas that Jim Rome has announced thatim his CBS Sports Radio-syndicated program will cease its video simulcast with CBS Sports and that simulcast will move to X (formerly Twitter) soon. Rome had nothing but praise for CBS Sports and added that the video simulcast will disappear for a period before resurfacing on X at a date yet to be determined. There are no reported changes coming to the radio program itself. Read the story here.

Industry News

Pew Research: Majority of Podcasts Employ Guests

Pew Research Center says that according to its study of the podcast landscape focusing on analyzing guests featured on top-ranked shows, “most top-ranked podcasts in 2022 (76%) brought on at least one guest, with over 7,000 people appearing on these shows.” Other findings include: 1) Podcasts about certain topics tend to have guests more often, including top-ranked sports (100%), entertainment (85%)im and politics (78%) shows. In addition, 89% of news-focused podcasts (across topics) brought on at least one guest in 2022; 2) Most podcasts aren’t bringing the same guests on over and over. More than 99% of all guests only appeared once on any top podcast in 2022. In addition, about half (49%) of top podcasts brought on at least one guest more than once, and 23% hosted more than five different people more than once. The most common guests represent a range of professional backgrounds, including entertainment figures, scientists, journalists and political commentators. Pew senior computational social scientist Galen Stocking comments, “Our research has shed light on the variety of topics and approaches within the podcasting landscape. Here, we found that most top-ranked podcasts are bringing on guests, and often from a wide range of professional backgrounds. This can add to the perspectives heard on each podcast.”

Industry News

Spotify Posts Q4 2023 Financial Date: Revenue Up 16%

Reporting both its fourth quarter 2023 and full-year 2023 operating results, Sweden-based Spotify reveals Q4 2023 revenue of €3.67 billion, an increase of almost 16% over the same period in 2022. Forim the full year of 2023, Spotify posted revenue of €13.25 billion, an increase of almost 13% over the full year of 2022. However, the company also reports a net loss of €70 million for Q4 of 2023 and a net loss of €532 million for the full year of 2023, the latter an increased loss of almost 24% from 2022 to 2023.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Benztown will release the 10th Annual Benztown 50 List of Radio’s Biggest Imaging Voices, “the radio industry’s exclusive listing of the top 50 voiceover artists in the U.S. and Canada.” The Benztown 50 list is based on several criteria, including number of radio station affiliates, station size and market. Benztown has partnered with P1 Media Group to compile and analyze industry data that will be the foundation for this distinction. Apply now through March 1. Voice talent can apply here.

Syndicated Solutions, Inc celebrates its 25th Anniversary. The company was founded in February 1999 by Robert Carey and has successfully syndicated many radio shows over the years, including the current travel show “RMWorldTravel with Robert & Mary Carey and Rudy Maxa,” and the “Rick & Bubba Show” that is in the process of being transitioned into “The Rick Burgess Show.” Carey says, “It’s incredibly gratifying to have incubated SSI from a business trip conversation with George Green while working for Disney/ABC and successfully growing it into the company that SSI became for so many of our operating years, as well as the evolution into the more focused firm that we are today.”

FOX Sports Radio’s “The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show” was awarded the 2024 Sports Podcast Award for “Best Sports Comedy,” from The Sports Podcast Group. “The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show” is a satire of sports talk radio and “hot take” media personalities. It is written, produced, and hosted by veteran sports talk producers Andrew Samson and Sharief Ali, who play two Philadelphia Eagles fans who claim to have the “smartest” sports takes, when in reality their takes are terrible.