Yesterday’s (6/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories
Former President Donald Trump is formally arraigned on charges of mishandling classified documents and obstruction; the deal between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and far-right Republicans to call off the procedural impasse; the economy and whether the Fed will raise interest rates again or hold off for now; U.S.-China relations ahead of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s trip to Beijing; and the EU’s A.I. Act that puts limits on the potential uses of artificial intelligence 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 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
indelible and immeasurable.” Since 2008, Kitchin has been president of the talent management firm, Sound Mind LLC, with a focused effort toward managing the businesses of high-profile radio and podcast personalities as well as production companies. He also serves as a strategic advisor to Oxford Road, a media placement agency specializing in audio advertising, with a focus on podcasts and audio integrations. The nine-year-old agency is a leader in the audio space on behalf of more than 50 clients. Kitchin also serves as chairman of the National Radio Hall of Fame to which he was appointed in 2014. Since assuming the role, he has reinstituted national public voting for two of the six categories of induction and has doubled the voting participant panel. Under his leadership, more than 75 radio icons have been inducted. Prior to launching his own firm, Kitchin was one of the founders of Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., in 1987. The company grew to be the number one radio network in the country syndicating 90 radio programs and services to more than 4,600 radio affiliates, reaching 190 million listeners weekly. He started as executive vice president of sales and by 1998 at the age of 37, he assumed the role of president/COO, one of the youngest in the country to run a $300 multi-million-plus radio company. During his 10-year tenure at Premiere, Kitchin directed and oversaw all talk and music programming and services featuring a wide array of the nation’s most popular personalities. In addition, he supervised Premiere Radio’s other properties: Mediabase 24/7, the industry’s leading music monitoring service, MJI Programming, and FOX Sports Radio. Kitchin started his career in station management at WFMK-FM in Lansing, MI, and KTYD-FM in Santa Barbara, CA before serving as sales manager of the Katz Radio Group Network in Los Angeles. 
streaming platforms. Attendees will discuss the latest radio and automotive trends and how AM operators can prepare their stations for the future. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) will also offer insight into recently introduced legislation aimed at preserving AM radio in automobiles and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will discuss AM radio’s critical role in the National Public Warning System. Following the conference, attendees will travel to Capitol Hill to speak with lawmakers about the importance of in-vehicle AM radio, especially during times of emergency and they will encourage congressional passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. 
Dominion Voting Systems settlement but Carlson remains under contract to FOX (through the end of 2024) and is still being paid by FOX. This is a fairly standard non-compete situation found in most television and radio contracts. Carlson and his attorney, Harmeet Dhillon, argue that FOX is attempting to stifle Carlson’s First Amendment rights. This case appears to be headed to court. 
has reached epidemic levels.” Station senior political director Eric Scott will lead the discussion with safety and security experts to help listeners identify and safeguard themselves from these threats. He says, “From home break-ins, catalytic converter thefts and internet scams, there is no shortage of ways that bad actors try and take advantage of you. This program will help New Jersey residents protect themselves from bad actors who are operating throughout New Jersey.”
May 2023 PPM Data – Information for the May 2023 ratings period has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey).
delighted to have him as a guest in this setting and at this time.” In a fast-paced session sponsored by Collette guided travel tour specialists, Ruddy and Harrison engaged in a candid conversation about positioning, programming and navigating the infrastructure of modern media including print, digital and radio as well as cable news/talk television. 
Mark Twain reckoned that “the difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
These DMA analyses are based on all radio stations in the U.S., not just Nielsen subscribers. The top DMA is Glendive, Montana with 72.1% of the population using AM radio. While the most AM radio listening tends to be done in Midwestern DMAs, there is still substantial AM listening done in Eastern markets. For example, Chicago is the #8 DMA for AM listening with 51.2%, but Seattle-Tacoma is not far behind at #14 with 42.8%, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose is #20 with 41.3%, and the top two DMAs by population – New York and Los Angeles – show AM listenership is done by 31.8% of the population. 
Last week I had the privilege of moderating a panel at the TALKERS conference. Confession: I listen to speech patterns and tones more than words.
Second Amendment Foundation. The complaint states that journalist Fred Riehl was researching the case of The Second Amendment Foundation v. Robert Ferguson and asked ChatGPT to provide a summary of that complaint and received one that stated the suit’s plaintiff is Second Amendment Foundation founder Alan Gottlieb who accuses Walters as treasurer and chief financial officer of embezzling funds. Walters says, and Gottlieb confirms, that he didn’t serve in either position and didn’t steal anything. In the AI world, false text from services like ChatGPT are called “hallucinations.” As with any defamation case, Walters will have to prove he’s suffered damages, but this case will be interesting to watch as it appears to be the first such legal case involving the work of AI. 
Innings with Pledger,” airing from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Pledger says, “I’m excited for the opportunity. This has legitimately been a dream to have a weekday show.” Pledger will continue to produce the “The Blitz” as well as host “The Saturday Morning Hangover” program. He adds, “I’ve worked for this for so long. I have long wanted to be in both worlds because of the creativity that I use when producing, how it differs from creating a show. I love flexing both of those creative muscles.” 
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streaming, podcasting, and wagertainment properties. Under Davis’ leadership, the team will be responsible for sales and execution, managing the entire client lifecycle.” Audacy chief revenue officer Brian Benedik comments, “No medium delivers more value for sports than audio. People are spending more time than ever with broadcast radio, streaming and podcasts, and the demand for compelling sports content across these channels is growing exponentially. Through our best-in-
class sports audio portfolio, powered by over 150 flagship team partnerships, iconic local broadcast brands, award-winning podcasts and sports betting content, Audacy is uniquely positioned to capitalize on a new sales strategy in this arena.” Audacy says, “From 1990 to 2005, Davis was key in building WFAN into America’s #1 sports radio station, overseeing local and national sales, programming and marketing, helping shape it into the highest-grossing station in the country.” Davis rejoined Audacy in 2018 to lead the reboot of Traffic Weather Information Network’s on-air content and ad operations teams. 
“The Star Spangled Banner” in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol by Capitol Police. Gallagher says, “We had already scheduled an evening of lively discussion about politics and current social issues when a video of these wonderful kids being cut off went viral. When we meet at the historic Greer Depot on Friday night, I can assure you the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir will perform our National Anthem unencumbered and will only be interrupted by thunderous applause from our listeners.”
Orlando among numerous music outlets. iHeartMedia area president for Central Florida Barbara Latham says, “I’m thrilled to have Andrew join us in Central Florida and bring his tenure with iHeartMedia, along with his extensive digital experience, to our team. Hryciw was most recently division VP of digital sales in the company’s Portland, Oregon market.
News/Talk Radio in the Digital Era – Part 2.” The session, sponsored by “Our American Stories,” is introduced by Alex Fife, VP operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia – Total Traffic & Weather Network (pictured at right) and moderated by Walter Sabo, CEO, Sabo Media and host (Walter Sterling) of Sterling on Sunday (pictured above). Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Dan Mandis, program director and host, WTN-FM, Nashville; Ross Kaminsky, host KOA, Denver; Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group/ops VP, New York region/WMCA/AM 970; Josh Leng, CEO, Talk Media Network; and Matt Meany, program director, WABC, New York/Red Apple Media. 
SalemNOW for rental or purchase. SalemNOW general manager Robert Ellis comments, “It’s a privilege to partner with The Epoch Times to offer their incredible film, LEAVING CALIFORNIA, on SalemNOW.” The film’s writer and producer Siyamak Khorrami 
comments, 
hosts “Lifestyles Unlimited” from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, followed by Premiere Networks’ “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, “The Sean Hannity Show” from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Outkick’s “Hot Mic” with Chad Withrow and Jonathan Hutton from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tri-State Radio president Evan Stone says, “We felt like there was a void for more regional and local news, talk and sports – that was the motivation behind putting this lineup together. The ability to add the two biggest shows in conservative talk in Hannity and Clay and Buck was a no-brainer. It’s hard to find a bigger name in news talk than Sean Hannity and Clay Travis with his connection to the state of Tennessee… aligns us very well for success. Throughout the day we’ll feature local and regional newscasts and sportscasts every hour.”
at Hofstra University will be posted, beginning today with the panel discussion “Programming News/Talk Radio in the Digital Era – Part 1.” The session, sponsored by Premiere Networks, is introduced by Larry O’ Connor, morning host at WMAL, Washington, DC and moderated by Mike McVay (pictured at right), CEO of McVay Media Consulting. Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Joe Thomas, program director/host, WCHV, Charlottesville, VA; Eric Stanger, SVP operations, Sean Hannity Show/Premiere Networks; Brett Winterble, host, WBT, Charlotte; Kevin DeLany, VP news & talk programming, Westwood One; and Tom Cuddy, program director, WOR, New York. (Note: Matt Meany, program director, WABC, New York who was originally scheduled to appear on this panel switched to the “Programming News/Talk Radio in the Digital Era – Part 2” session which will be posted tomorrow.) 
streaming content, the industry is at a critical crossroads. TuneIn On Air digitally optimizes the reach of audio content to over 30 million TuneIn users across the country. Accessibility of AM content also increases to over 200 connected devices that partner with TuneIn, including, but not limited to, Amazon Alexa; Google Home; Sonos and Bose speakers; all iPhones and Android-based phones; and Tesla, Fisker and VinFast electric vehicle integrations.” TuneIn CEO Rich Stern adds, “The future of AM Radio is on the top of all of our minds. TuneIn is committed to helping AM radio thrive in the digital world. It offers such a vast and rich library of audio programming that is integral to millions of Americans’ daily lives. Offering AM broadcasters the opportunity to digitize through TuneIn On Air for free is one way we can build a brighter future together.”
with Colin Cowherd,” “The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard & Rob Parker,” “The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon” and “The Ben Maller Show.” It will also feature FOX Sports Radio around the clock on weekends. Advanced Media Partners operations manager Scott Hecathorn says, “Moving to FOX Sports is both creating an opportunity to give our listeners even more local sports content with our expanded local lineup, and also giving us the top-notch personalities from FOX Sports throughout the rest of the day. This is the biggest victory for Peoria since the Rivermen brought home the President’s Cup!”