Hunter Biden agrees to a plea deal to failure to pay taxes charges; Donald Trump’s legal battles, the 2024 presidential race; the search for the missing Titanic submersible; U.S.-China relations; the Russia-Ukraine war, and the extreme heat hitting the Southwest were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
During the coming days, videos of all of TALKERS 2023’s numerous sessions conducted June 2 at Hofstra University will be posted, continuing today (6/20) with the panel discussion,
“Generating Talk Radio Revenue in a Digital World.” The session, sponsored by The Ramsey Show, was introduced by syndicated host and radio executive Doug Stephan of the Good Day Show/Stephan Multimedia (pictured at right) and moderated by Lapcom Communications Corp president, Steve Lapa (pictured above). Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Paul Gleiser, host/owner, KTBB-FM-AM, Tyler, TX; Michael “MZ” Zwerling, host/owner, KSCO/KOMY, Santa Cruz; Todd Starnes, host/president, The Todd Starnes Show Syndication/owner, KWAM, Memphis; and Paul Vandenburgh, host/owner, WGDI, Albany, NY. See video of the session here.
Audacy announces that WYRD-FM, Greenville, South Carolina “News/Talk 98.9 WORD” adds the WSB, Atlanta-based, syndicated Erick Erickson show to the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm time slot, effective tomorrow (6/21). Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg SVP and market manager Steve Sinicropi says, “With the arrival of
Erick Erickson as the new afternoon talk show host on WYRD-FM, an unsurpassed team of talent will serve the Upstate, north Georgia and western North Carolina. Erick’s thought-provoking discussions, unyielding insight and captivating presence will be a welcomed addition to our listeners and partners. Erick will complete News/Talk 98.9 WORD’s incredible lineup, allowing us to provide unmatched content for listeners and the largest and most effective platform for advertisers.” Erickson is syndicated via Compass Media Networks.
According to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand, overnight personality Sal Licata will move to the midday
daypart and join current co-host Brandon Tierney as Tierney’s longtime partner Tiki Barber moves to afternoon drive alongside Evan Roberts. Barber’s new role comes as Craig Carton leaves Audacy’s sports talk WFAN, New York to focus on his morning show at FS1. Read the Post story here.
Townsquare Media, Inc is joining the broad-market Russell 3000 Index and the Small-Cap Russell 2000 Index at the conclusion of the 2023 Russell indexes annual reconstitution, effective after the US market opens on June 26, 2023, according to a preliminary membership list. Annual Russell indexes reconstitution captures the
4,000 largest US stocks as of April 28, 2023, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership in the US all-cap Russell 3000 Index, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the Large-Cap Russell 1000 Index or Small-Cap Russell 2000 Index as well as the appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes. Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. Approximately $12.1 trillion in assets are benchmarked against Russell’s US indexes. Russell indexes are part of FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider.
Former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Juneteenth holiday; the 2024 presidential race; the search for the missing Titanic submersible; China’s Cuba ambitions and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s meetings with Xi Jinping; the Rusian-Ukraine war; and the heatwave hitting Texas and Louisiana were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
One of the many highlights of the TALKERS 2023 conference held at Hofstra University on Long Island on June 2 was a fireside chat conducted between Michael Harrison and Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw. The video of that informative conversation is posted here today (6/19). Jeff Warshaw describes himself as a “lifelong broadcaster.” He built his first station while still a student at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1993, he founded Connoisseur Communications Partners
LP, a 39-station group which he later sold to Cumulus Broadcasting in 2000 for $258 million. At this time, he pioneered notable progress in integrating legacy media with emerging digital technology. In 2004, he formed Connoisseur Media which now operates 13 radio station brands and digital assets in five markets. Highly respected and celebrated industry-wide for his outspoken candor and bullish approach to radio station ownership, Jeff Warshaw serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Broadcasters, the executive committee of the Radio Advertising Bureau, and is chairman of the Nielsen Audio advisory council. Harrison describes Warshaw as “one of the most knowledgeable, emerging forces to be reckoned with among radio industry leaders and a potential leader in the next wave of radio station consolidation.” The two discuss the intersection between ratings, revenue, and corporate culture. Not to be missed. See the video here.
iHeartMedia Los Angeles announces it is naming Ann Ingold producer for news/talk KFI-AM 640’s morning shows, “The Bill Handel Show” and “Wake Up Call.” KFI program director Robin Bertolucci says, “Ann’s had
an illustrious career in LA radio, from LOVELINE’s inception on KROQ through the show’s network syndication and MTV. We’re thrilled to have Ann joining our iHeart LA team.” Ingold was most recently serving as producer on ITV’s weekly live Facebook Watch program and consulted Los Angeles radio shows for Audacy and Meruelo Media. She comments, “I want to thank Robin and everyone at KFI for being so welcoming.”
The Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation was the beneficiary of last Thursday’s 16th Annual “Hurley in the Morning” Charity Golf Open held at The Linwood Country Club. Over the past 16 years, WPG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley‘s Hurley in the
Morning Charity Foundation has raised more than $1.4 million and has written hundreds of grants, including a $ 7,000 donation to the Broadcasters Foundation of America presented on June 2 TALKERS 2023 held at Hofstra University. The Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation also presents an annual Charity Gala at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. This year’s event takes place on September 29 and this year’s guest of honor and keynote speaker will be FOX News superstar Brian Kilmeade.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Has this happened to you? Moments after you have met someone, you forget his or her name? OOPS.
How to avoid this faux pas? Even a robot knows! I asked ChatGPT:
— Pay attention: When you are introduced to someone, make a conscious effort to pay attention to their name. Focus on the pronunciation and any unique aspects of their name.
— Repeat the name: After hearing the person’s name, repeat it back to them. This not only helps you reinforce the name in your memory but also confirms that you heard it correctly.
— Use association techniques: Associate the person’s name with something familiar or memorable. It could be a visual image, a rhyme, or a word that sounds similar. For example, if you meet someone named Mark, imagine them leaving a mark on something or wearing a specific item that reminds you of their name.
— Create mental connections: Connect the person’s name with something you already know or someone you know who has the same name. This association can help trigger your memory when you see the person again.
— Use name repetition: In the course of the conversation, try to use the person’s name naturally in your interactions. This repetition can reinforce the memory of their name in your mind.
— Visualize the name: Visualize the person’s name written out in your mind or imagine it spelled out in a particular font or color. This mental image can help solidify the memory.
— Practice active listening: Engage in active listening by asking questions and using the person’s name in conversation. Actively engaging with the person helps create stronger connections in your memory.
— Review and reinforce: After the initial introduction, take a moment to review the person’s name in your mind. If possible, use it when saying goodbye or when addressing them in subsequent interactions. The more you reinforce the name, the better chance you have of remembering it.
Excerpted from the E-book “Even a Robot Knows How to Sell Radio Advertising,” a free download at http://getonthenet.com/EvenARobotKnowsRadioSales.pdf
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” a FREE download; and the E-book and FREE on-air radio features “Inflation Hacks: Save Those Benjamins;“and Multiply Your Podcast Subscribers, Without Buying Clicks,” available from Talkers books. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race; Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to China to attempt to smooth U.S.-China relations; today’s Juneteenth Holiday; the uneasy truce between House hardliners and Speaker Kevin McCarthy over spending cuts; the heatwave hitting the U.S. South; and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research fromTALKERS magazine.
Yesterday (6/15), the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand broke the news that WFAN, New York afternoon drive personality Craig Carton will leave his role with the station at the end of the month to focus full time on his show on cable’s FS1 network. During Thursday’s program, he delivered an emotional farewell to the station, his co-host Evan Roberts, and to Audacy New York senior vice president Chris Oliviero – the man who
brought Carton back to WFAN after he served a year in prison for fraud. He said, “I had a saint in my corner. A gentleman by the name of Chris Oliviero. He has maintained his support of me as a friend and a brother through all the ups and downs of my radio career. When I got myself in trouble, he came and visited me. He told me if I ever got my life back in order and figured out why I made the bad decisions I made, he would be there for me. No guarantees of a job, but that he would never stop being my friend. Having a guy like that as your friend, I’m the luckiest guy in the world. Not only is he my friend, but he paved the way for me to come back to WFAN.” The WFAN website says Carton will continue to do his weekend gambling addiction program, “Hello, My Name is Craig” show that airs on WFAN on Saturday mornings. He added, “WFAN has meant the world to me. If WFAN didn’t give me the opportunity to come back and restart a career, no joke, I’m unemployable… so, walking away from WFAN is not easy. WFAN is my home.”
Cumulus Media announces that KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas-Fort Worth “The Ticket” late morning personality Norm Hitzges will retire from the station on June 23 after 48 years in sports media and 23 years with “The Ticket.” Cumulus Media Dallas/Houston regional VP Dan Bennett says, “From the minute Norm hit the airwaves 36
years ago on KLIF and then ‘The Ticket’ you could tell he was a special communicator. He truly is one of Dallas radio’s great storytellers and he kept it going with Susquehanna and then Cumulus all these years. Not many have that kind of staying power. We wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement.” Hitzges states, “I’m so proud to be a part of what ‘The Ticket’ has built – a ratings dominator in a fantastic sports city. I shall so miss the daily ‘rush’ of being on the air. But after 48 consecutive years on the air in Dallas doing sports talk, it’s time to move on to the next phase of my life, whatever that may be.”
The fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 PPPM survey has been release for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM loses half a share to finish the survey with an 8.3 share (weekly, 6+ AHQ share) and stays ranked #2, while Capitol Broadcasting’s news WRAL-HD3 fell two-tenths to a 0.1 share good for the #15 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee tacks on a half share to wrap the survey with a 10.2 share and the #1 rank, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ lost a full share for an 8.2 share finish but remains ranked #3. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM is down 1.7 shares, finishing with a 5.0 share that drops it to the #6 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WLAC-AM lost two-tenths for a 1.1 share finish good for the #20 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.
Edison Research and SXM Media release the Gen Z Podcast Listener Report. The report notes that Gen Z (ages 13-24) has an estimated online population of 24 million Americans. Some of the takeaways from this report include: 1) Podcast listening has grown among those age 13-24: In 2018, 30% of those age 13-24 had listened to a podcast in the last month. Today, 47% of those age 13-24 have listened to a podcast in the last month (24 million Americans), a 57% increase; 2) Gen Z got an early start with podcasts: 16% of Gen Z
monthly podcast listeners started listening as a child, 57% started listening as a teenager and 25% started listening as an adult. This means 73% of Gen Z monthly podcast listeners began listening before the age of 18; 3) Those who began listening earlier in life, listen longer: Gen Z monthly podcast listeners who started listening as a child consume 10.6 hours of podcasts per week; those who started as a teenager consume 7.5 hours per week, and those who started as an adult consume 6.6 hours of podcasts per week. The average for all Gen Z monthly podcast listeners is 7.7 hours per week; and 4) Gen Z act as a result of podcast ads: 82% of Gen Z monthly podcast listeners have taken any action as a result of hearing a podcast advertisement; 70% have either purchased or wanted to purchase the product or service they heard advertised, 61% have visited a company or product website, 44% have used a promo code or discount code mentioned in the podcast, and 42% have recommended a product to a friend or family member. See the study here.
Legendary Baltimore talk broadcaster Larry Young (left) is pictured above interviewing Maryland Governor Wes Moore on June 14 at the Greater Baltimore Chapter gathering of the National Action Network. Young, who retired from his long career at WOLB-AM, Baltimore last year, will feature the interview on his podcast, “In Conversation with LY.”
The arraignment of former President Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents and obstruction was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the 2024 presidential race, including the entrance of Chris Christie, Mike Pence, and Francis Suarez in the GOP primary and RFK, Jr in the Democratic primary, followed by the battle among Republicans in the House over legislation to cut spending 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.
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are April 2023 – May 2023 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 5.5 – 5.4, -.1, third to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 4.7 – 4.4, -.3, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, fifth month in succession, 9.7 – 10.5, +.8
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult hits KBPA (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classical KMFA (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 8.8 – 8.3, -.5, anchored in the runner-up slot
News: Capitol Broadcasting-owned WRAL-HD3 “WRAL News+” .3 – .1, -.2, flat at #15
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” 3.4 – 3.1, -.3, eighth to ninth
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 8.0 – 7.9, -.1, locked in third-place
Number One 6+: Urban One urban AC WFXC, fifth straight month, 9.3 – 9.4, +.1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRAL (+1.2)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WTKK and contemporary Christian WRTP (-.5)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 6.4 – 6.6, +.2, fourth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” 2.6 – 3.3, +.7, repeats at #13
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 5.1 – 4.6, -.5, seventh to ninth
Number One 6+: Urban One adult contemporary WYXB, fourth month in a row, 8.4 – 7.8, -.6
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WJJK (+1.0)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country WLHK (-1.2)
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 9.7 – 10.2, +.5, #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Brewers) 9.2 – 8.2, -1.0, repeats in third-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, flat at #16
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” 1.0 – .9, -.1, #17 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM 2.8 – 3.3, +.5, #13 to #12
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, second straight month, 9.7 – 10.2, +.5
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WMIL (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WTMJ (-1.0)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 6.7 – 5.0, -1.7, fourth to sixth
iHeartMedia-owned WLAC “Talk Radio 1510” 1.3 – 1.1, -.2, #17 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 4.1 – 4.4, +.3, eighth to ninth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” 1.3 -1.4, +.1, #17 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 2.9 – 3.3, +.4, #13 to #14
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, fourth month in succession, steady at 13.3
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WKDF (+1.2)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WWTN (-1.7)*
*Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 5.7 – 5.2, -.5, repeats in seventh-place
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” unchanged at .4, continues at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” 3.8 – 3.5, -.3, locked in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.5 – 2.2, -.3, #10 to #11
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.4 – 2.1, -1.3, #9 to #12
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 1.5 – 1.6, +.1, #13 to #14
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, eighth month in succession, 9.0 – 9.5, +.5
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: rock WHJY (+1.0)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk WGBH (-1.3)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 2.8 – 3.0, +.2, #12 to #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group’s WVSP “94.1 ESPN” 2.0 – 2.2, +.2, remains at #15
Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” flat at .3, remains at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, fifth straight month, 9.4 – 10.7, +1.3
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WGH-FM (+1.5)**
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country WUSH (-.9)
**Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 6.1 – 5.5 -.6, sixth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.2 – 3.5, +.3, remains at #11
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WJGL, first month, 7.6 – 8.7, +1.1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WJGL (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: gospel WKSL-HD3 (-.7)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” .8 -1.9, +1.1, #16 to #12
iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 1.8 – 1.4, -.4, #11 to #13
WZZR cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.5 – 1.3, -.2, #13 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” flat at .5, locked at #18
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” unchanged at .2, repeats at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, fourth straight month, 11.8 – 11.9, +.1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: news/talk WFTL (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: hot AC WRMF (-1.1)
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 5.2 – 5.0, -.2, locked in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD flat at 2.0, remains at #12
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 1.1 – .9, -.2, stays at #13
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, fifth month in a row, 13.4 – 13.3, -.1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WMAG (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country WTQR (-1.1)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.8 – 2.2, -.6, locked at #11
Starnes Media Group-owned KWAM “News Talk Memphis The Mighty 990” flat at .2, unchanged at #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” 3.2 – 3.1, -.1, tenth to eighth
WFMS’ internet stream .5 – .4, -.1, #16 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.4 – 1.5, +.1, #14 to #12
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, third straight month, 11.0 – 11.8, +.8
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRVR (+1.3)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: gospel WHAL (-.8)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 5.3 – 4.9, -.4, sixth to seventh
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, repeats at #14
WTIC-AM’s internet stream .6 – .4, -.2, #17 to #18
WTIC-AM cluster-mate WPOP “News Radio 1410 AM & 100.9 FM” unchanged at .2, #21 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.3 – .9, -.4, stays at #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 5.2 – 5.6, +.4, seventh to sixth
New England Public Media’s WFCR .4 – .7, +.3, #18 to #17
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 40th month in a row, 11.0 – 10.0, -1.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: Spanish tropical WMRQ-HD2 (+.8)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRCH (-1.0)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
During the coming days, videos of all of TALKERS 2023’s numerous sessions conducted June 2 at Hofstra University will be posted, continuing today (6/15) with the panel discussion, “Talk Radio and
Podcasting.” The session, sponsored by Our American Stories, was introduced by syndicated talk show host Guy Benson of FOX News Radio (pictured at right) and moderated by talk show host Lisa Wexler of WICC, Bridgeport, CT (pictured above). Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Steve Goldstein, CEO, Amplifi Media; Gary Krantz, CEO, Krantz Media Group; Greg Stocker, brand manager, WPHT, Philadelphia; Ron Hartenbaum, managing member, WYD Media; and Larry Young, host/producer, “In Conversation with LY” podcast. See the video of this session here.
The third of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. Nielsen’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In San Antonio, Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA falls three-tenths and finishes the survey with a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that leaves it ranked #12, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOAI also dips three-tenths to wrap with a 3.1 share good for the #14 rank in the market. iHeartMedia’s talk WTKS-FM, Orlando declines six-tenths for a 4.5 share finish and the #10 rank, while Cox Media Group’s crosstown news/talk WDBO adds two-tenths to finish with a 3.7 share that leaves it locked in the #11 position. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.
Triton Digital releases its May 2023 U.S. Podcast Report that ranks podcasts listened to in America based on weekly average downloads and NPR’s “NPR News Now” is again the #1 podcast on the ranker. At #2 is
audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie,” followed by Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Ben Shapiro Show,” which rises from #4 to #3. Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” was steady at #7, while the company’s “The Matt Walsh Show” climbed two spots to #19. The Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” fell two spots to #21. See the complete ranker here.
Audacy announces a new leadership team at is podcast unit Pineapple Street Studios as it promotes head of operations Bari Finkel and executive producer Je-Anne Berry to co-heads of the studio, reporting to Jenna
Weiss-Berman, Audacy’s EVP of podcasts. Also, Pineapple Street co-founder Max Linsky is been named senior podcast strategist for Audacy’s podcast division. In this 
role, he will continue to executive produce projects, as well as collaborate on podcast strategy for the company overall, advise Finkel and Berry in their new roles and work closely with key partners. Linsky says, “As everyone who has worked with Bari or Je-Anne knows, they are the perfect team for this job. Bari has been here since day one, and Je-Anne joined once we were part of Audacy — the combination of those two vantage points, plus the shared vision for where podcasting is headed, makes me just so excited for this next era.”
The arraignment of former President Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents and obstruction; the 2024 presidential race, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez joining the GOP race and RFK Jr’s Democratic challenge to Joe Biden; U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff dodges Republican censure attempt; the Fed votes to not raise interest rates at its latest meeting; concerns about AI and the European Union’s AI Act that would put limits on use of the technology and ban public face-scanning; the Biden administration’s immigration policies and the bussing of migrants to Democrat-led cities; Louisiana Army fort renamed for Black American WWI hero; the intensifying fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war; and the aftermath of the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 ratings period has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.
Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are April 2023 – May 2023 (6+).
PORTLAND
News/Talk: Alpha Media’s KXL “FM 101 News” 5.3 – 5.8, +.5, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Oregon Public Broadcasting’s KOPB 7.5 – 5.8, -1.7, locked in third-place
KOPB’s internet stream 2.0 – 2.1, +.1, #19 to #18
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KKCW, third straight month, 10.4 – 9.0, -1.4
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: triple A KINK (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk KOPB (-1.7)
CHARLOTTE
News/Talk: Urban One-owned WBT AM & WBT-FM “Charlotte’s News Talk” 5.2 – 4.7, -.5, fifth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One’s WFNZ-FM “Sports Radio 92.7” flat at 2.0, anchored at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: University Radio Foundation’s WFAE 3.7 – 4.6, +.9, tenth to eighth
South Carolina Educational Television Commission-owned WNSC .7 – .5, -.2, remains at #20
Number One 6+: Urban One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSF, first month, 6.0 – 6.9, +.9
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: urban contemporary WPEG (+1.2)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: urban AC WBAV (-2.1)
SAN ANTONIO
News/Talk: Alpha Media-owned KTSA “Stay Connected” 3.6 – 3.3, -.3, #10 to #12
iHeartMedia’s WOAI “News Radio 1200” 3.4 – 3.1, -.3, #12 to #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies KONO-FM, fifth consecutive month, 8.3 – 7.6, -.7
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country KCYY (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country (-.8)
*Represents a (three-way) tie for the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
SACRAMENTO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM “News 1530 AM & 93.1 FM” 9.4 – 9.9, +.5, #1
KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM cluster-mate KSTE-AM “Talk 650” 3.7 – 4.2, +.5, repeats in ninth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville-owned KHTK “Sacramento Sports 1140” 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, flat at #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Capital Public Radio-owned KXJZ 3.1 – 3.2, +.1, unchanged at #12
Number One 6+: news/talk KFBK-AM & KFBK-FM, fifth month in succession, 9.4 – 9.9, +.5, #1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: adult contemporary KBEB (+1.5)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country KNCI (-1.5)
PITTSBURGH
News/Talk: Audacy’s KDKA-AM “News Radio 1020 AM” 3.8 – 3.7, -.1, repeats at #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KDKA-FM “93.7 The Fan All Sports All The Time” (Pirates) 7.1 – 7.3, +.2, locked in fourth-place
Public Radio News/Talk: Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting’s WESA 4.0 – 4.1, +.1, ninth to eighth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WWSW, sixth month in a row, 10.1 – 11.5, +1.4
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies WWSW (+1.4)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: alternative WXDX (-1.4)
SALT LAKE CITY
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KNRS-AM & KNRS-FM “Talk Radio” 5.0 – 5.7, +.7, sixth to third
Bonneville-owned KSL “News Radio 102.7 FM & 1160 AM” 6.5 – 4.9, -1.6, second to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Utah’s KUER 3.0 – 2.6, -.4, #14 to #17
Number One 6+: Bonneville adult contemporary KSFI, seventh straight month, 11.9 – 11.3, -.6
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic rock KAAZ (+.9)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk KSL (-1.6)
LAS VEGAS
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMXB-HD3 “101.5 K-Dawn The Talk Of Las Vegas” 1.8 – 1.9, +.1, #20 to #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult contemporary KSNE, eighth successive month, 11.2 – 7.5, -3.7
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country KWNR and classic rock KXPT (+1.1)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KSNE (-3.7)**
**Represents the largest April 2023 – May 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from all 36 PPM-markets analyzed thus far
ORLANDO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKS “Real Radio 104.1” 5.1 – 4.5, -.6, eighth to tenth
Cox Media Group-owned WDBO “Orlando’s News Talk” 3.5 – 3.7, +.2, locked at #11
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WYGM “96.9 The Game” flat at .7, continues at #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Community Connections-owned WMFE 2.2 – 2.5, +.3, #14 to #15
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group classic rock WMMO, second month in a row, 9.4 – 9.5, +.1
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic rock WOMX (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: country WWKA (-.7)
*Represents a (three-way) tie for the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
CINCINNATI
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WLW “700 Cincinnati’s News Radio” (Reds) 11.6 – 12.0, +.4, #1
cluster-mate WKRC “55 KRC The Talk Station” 3.5 – 4.2, +.7, ninth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Cincinnati Public Radio’s WVXU flat at 4.9, repeats in sixth-place
Number One 6+: news/talk WLW, 16th consecutive month, 11.6 – 12.0, +.4
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: news/talk WKRC and classic country WNKR (+.7)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: rock WEBN and classical WGUC (-1.2)
CLEVELAND
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTAM “News Radio 1100” (Guardians) 6.6 – 5.9, -.7, sixth to eighth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WKRK “Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan” 4.4 – 4.1, -.3, #10 to #11
WKRK’s internet stream 1.1 – .6, -.5, #16 to #18
Public Radio News/Talk: Kent State University-owned WKSU 6.0 – 6.5, +.5, ninth to sixth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WMJI, seventh month in a row, steady at 10.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic rock WNCX’s internet stream (+.6)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: news/talk WTAM (-.7)
KANSAS CITY
News/Talk: Audacy-owned KMBZ-FM “98.1 FM News, Traffic, Weather” 4.6 – 4.8, +.2, ninth to fifth
KMBZ-FM cluster-mate KMBZ-AM “Talk 980 AM” 1.3 – 1.5, +.2, #20 to #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s KCSP “Sports Radio 610 Our Teams, Our Town” (Royals) 3.2 – 2.8, -.4, #13 to #14
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KCUR 4.6 – 3.8, -.8, ninth to tenth
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM, first month, 8.4 – 10.0, +1.6
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: classic hits-oldies KCMO-FM (+1.6)*
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KCKC (-1.6)
*Represents a (three-way) tie for the largest April 2023 – May 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
COLUMBUS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WTVN “News Radio 610” 6.4 – 7.1, +.7, third to second
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Tegna-owned WBNS-FM “97.1 FM The Fan” 5.3 – 5.8, +.5, fourth to fifth
Public Radio News/Talk: Ohio State University’s WOSU 4.9 – 4.3, -.6, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia country WCOL, seventh straight month, 9.2 – 10.2, +1.0
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Increase: country WCOL and classic rock WLVQ (+1.0)
Largest 6+ April 2023 – May 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WNND (-.8)
Up next: May 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
WDUN-AM/FM, Gainesville, Georgia mid-morning talk show host Martha Zoller was the 2023 recipient of the TALKERS Woman of the Year award. The award, that has continuously been presented since 2001, is officially titled The Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in Talk Radio. Zoller was presented the honor at TALKERS 2023 on June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island. In making the presentation, TALKERS broadcast operations director David Bernstein stated, “Martha’s developed a national reputation in the talk media industry as a reliable go-to observer of the dynamics of Georgia politics from an even-handed, conservative perspective.
Over the years, she’s pivoted at different times between being a local and regional radio talk show host, a student, a political operative, a congressional candidate and a businesswoman… as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother. After graduating in 1979 from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, she worked in the corporate world in addition to raising a family. She says, ‘I know there is no glass ceiling and women can have it all, just not at the same time.’ A lifelong learner, she completed her M.A. in Political Science in 2021 at the University of Georgia’s School of Politics and International Affairs. Among her political experiences, she served as the state director of field offices for Governor Brian Kemp. From 2014 until 2018, she worked for U.S. Senator David Perdue in senior staff positions. She began her talk radio career in 1994 after having been a regular caller to WDUN. In addition to being a perennial member of the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred,” she has been named to James magazine’s list of Most Influential Georgians and Georgia Trend magazine named her as one of Georgia’s most influential members of the media. She also currently serves as the 9th District Representative on the Georgia State Board of Education. See a portion of Martha Zoller’ acceptance speech at TALKERS 2023 here. (EDITOR’S NOTE: TALKERS regrets that the opening portion of Martha Zoller’s speech was lost due to a technical mishap.)
The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s May 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s May 2023 sweep covered April 27 – May 24. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Rating Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM rises a half share to finish the survey with a 4.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and stays ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM dips six-tenths to an 8.0 share but remains ranked #2. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO, Boston rises eight-tenths to finish with a 4.4 share and jumps two spots to the #9 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM tacks on four-tenths for a 4.5 share finish and stays in the #8 spot. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM sheds one-tenth to wrap the survey with a 4.3 share stays ranked #8, while Lotus Communications’ crosstown all-news KNWN-AM/FM loses six-tenths for a 3.4 share finish that moves it to the #14 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways here.
Author/actress/stand-up comic and aspiring talk radio host Karen Knotts is this week’s guest on the PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview.” According to Harrison, “You never know who you are going to meet at the TALKERS conference. I had the good fortune of crossing paths with the delightful, articulate and notably talented daughter of one of the 20th century’s most beloved show business icons and immediately booked her for the podcast. We had a great conversation!” Karen Knotts is the daughter of the legendary actor/comedian Don Knotts of the Andy Griffith Show and Three’s Company fame who passed away in 2006 at the age of 81. Karen Knotts is an actress, author, stand-up comic, former librarian and, as Harrison describes, “an all-around positive, fun person with lots to say about lots of things.” During the pandemic, Knotts finally had the opportunity to pen the book everyone’s been telling her to write about her memories of life growing up in California as the daughter of one of America’s funniest and most iconic entertainers – Tied Up in Knotts: My Dad and Me (Chicago Review Press, 2021). She’s been touring the country with an informative and funny one-woman show based on the book and her experiences growing up with a famous father. Harrison and Knotts discuss her life with a show biz dad, along with anecdotes about her encounters with celebrities and her interest in talk radio, covering topics such as the evolution of public libraries in the digital era, changes in TV over the years and dealing with the present-day cultural abuse of the name “Karen.” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces the selection of the 24 Radio Hall of Fame 2023 nominees chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame nominating committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. Voting – by more than 800 industry members – for inductees begins tomorrow (6/16) and runs through June 30. The top six vote recipients will gain induction as part of the 2023 Radio Hall of Fame Induction class. The two additional inductees that will make up the eight-person induction class will be selected by the
Radio Hall of Fame nominating committee. The nominees are: Bert Weiss, Bob Rivers, Charles Laquidara, Dyana Williams, Gerry House, Jaime Jarrin, John & Ken, John DeBella, Johnny Magic, Kevin Matthews, Kid Leo (Lawrence Travagliante), Larry Elder, Laurie DeYoung, Lee Harris, Rev. Louise Williams, Bishop, Mark Simone, Mary McCoy, Matt Siegel, Mojo in the Morning, Monica May, Nina Totenberg, Pat St. John, Shadoe Stevens, and Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart. 2023 Radio Hall of Fame inductees will be announced Monday, July 24, and honored in-person at the 2023 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, November 2, at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel in New York City. Radio Hall of Fame co-chairman Kraig Kitchin states, “Congratulations to each of this year’s’ nominees on this recognition. Behind this slate of nominees, the nominating committee reviewed more than 2,500 incoming suggestions from industry members and listeners before determining this group of talented individuals. Each nominee is deserving of induction, and I look forward to the results of the forthcoming confidential voting results.”
LiveOne provides an update on the planned spin-out of PodcastOne. The previously announced plan would make PodcastOne a separate, publicly traded company on the Nasdaq exchange. LiveOne states that after the spin-out, it would own 74% of PodcastOne’s outstanding shares. For LiveOne shareholders, they would receive
.048 shares of PodcastOne in the special dividend for each LiveOne share they own. LiveOne also says that the spin-out would allow for repayment of $3 million of PodcastOne’s convertible debt. However, LiveOne also states that “PodcastOne’s planned direct listing, amount of the special dividend and LiveOne’s shareholders’ dividend eligibility shall be subject to obtaining approval from the applicable national exchange and compliance with applicable rules and regulations and trading and listing requirements. There can be no assurance that PodcastOne’s efforts will result in the consummation of the proposed direct listing and/or special dividend.”
CRN Digital Talk Radio’s food, wine, travel and lifestyle daily broadcast “What’s Cookin’” – hosted by CRN founder and president Michael Horn and actor-writer-director Swayde McCoy – was honored with a top award
from the 2023 TASTE AWARDS. “What’s Cookin’” won its award for Best Food or Drink Radio Broadcast in a ceremony that took place in Beverly Hills. Horn says, “We are thrilled to have been selected as the TASTE AWARD winner in the all-important Best Food or Drink Radio Broadcast. It’s quite an honor to be recognized by those who voted for “What’s Cookin’ Today” and it’s quite an honor to bring the show daily to our incredible national listening audience.”
iHeartMedia Miami announces a new, multi-year deal for Spanish hits WZTU “TÚ 94.9 FM” to serve as the Spanish language flagship radio station for the Miami Dolphins. The station plans to expand affiliate stations in
Florida, nationally, and internationally to make Dolphins games accessible to Latino fans in new markets. The Dolphins’ gameday broadcasts will feature the familiar voices of Roly Martin and Eduardo Martell, who have called Dolphins games a tandem since 2018.
According to a report at TheDesk.net, Disney has sold the last remaining radio station it owned and initially used to broadcast kids programming via the Radio Disney format. The company will, pending FCC approval, sell KRDC-AM, Pasadena to religious broadcaster Calvary Costa Mesa for $5 million. The signal was most recently simulcasting Good Karma Brands’ sports talk KSPN-AM, Los Angeles. The deal will include lease agreements for several broadcast towers that KRDC uses to transmit its programming, as well as a low-power FM translator that covers parts of Pasadena. Read TheDesk.net story here.