Industry News

Edison Research to Present at Podcast Movement Evolutions

On the heels of the release of its most recent edition of The Infinite Dial research project, Edison Research will have a presence at next week’s Podcast Movement Evolutions event. The research firm will presentimg sessions including The Fandom Phenomenon that looks at the listening habits of podcast “fans,” “The Business of the First Podcast Election” that analyzes the role that news podcasts played in last fall’s presidential election. Edison says that according to its research, news is the second most-listened-to podcast category after comedy at #1 and ahead of true crime at #3.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (March 24-28, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (3/24-28) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories/Topics 

1. Signal Chat Controversy
2. The Economy-Jobs-Inflation
3. Trump Tariffs / Trump vs Judiciary
4. Musk-DOGE Activities / Federal Firings & Cutbacks / Tesla Under Attack
5. Israel-Hamas War / Russia-Ukraine War
6. Stefanik Withdrawn for U.N. Nomination
7. ICE Deportation Crackdown
8. First Amendment Issues / GOP Town Halls
9. Big Tech / Misinformation / Censorship / Healthcare-Vaccines
10.March Madness / MLB Season Opens 

People 

1. Donald Trump / Elon Musk
2. Benjamin Netanyahu
3. Vladimir Putin
4. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
5. Pete Hegseth / Tulsi Gabbard / Mike Waltz
6. Jeffrey Goldberg
7. Elise Stefanik
8. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
9. JD Vance / Marco Rubio
10.Karoline Leavitt 

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

Industry News

RTDNA Announces Scholarship and Fellowship Recipients

The RTDNA Foundation announces the recipients of the 2025 scholarship and fellowship program that is awarding more than $35,000 to 14 students and early career journalists. Scholarship and fellowship winners will attend RTDNA25, taking place June 11-13 in New Orleans. RTDNA says, “Since itsimg establishment in 1970, the RTDNA Foundation has provided more than $1 million in scholarships and fellowships to about 600 aspiring journalists, fulfilling its role as the educational and charitable wing of the Radio Television Digital News Association. Some have gone on to become reporters, producers and news directors, covering local and national issues that matter to their communities. Others have ventured into related professions, such as White House speechwriters, media regulatory attorneys and journalism educators. Several former recipients have also contributed to RTDNA’s leadership by serving as board members, while many have been honored with prestigious Murrow Awards.” You can see more about the 14 winners here.

Industry News

WWO: Study Says Podcast Reach Matches TV

This week, Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group blog looks at data from the recently published Edison Research project The Infinite Dial. The focus is on podcasting’s rise in reach and the blog points to several takeaways for marketers: 1) Podcasting is now a mass reach media vehicle.img Podcasting is no longer a niche platform lacking scale. Podcasts deserve a larger role in media plans as opposed to “test and learn” experimental buys. 158 million Americans, 55% of persons 12+, are reached monthly. Among persons 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54, monthly reach is now 65% to 73%; 2) It is feasible to consider shifting TV budgets to podcasting given that podcast 18-34 weekly reach (52%) is as big as TV’s (52%); 3) Brands targeting women should give podcasts a starring role in media plans: Podcast female audiences have hit record highs in habituation and reach; 4) Among male demographics, monthly reach is now in the low 70% range; and 5) Adopt agency media legend Arnie Semsky’s “5% solution” to podcasts: Allocate 5% of digital ad budgets to podcasts. See the complete blog post here.

Industry News

Audacy Philadelphia Raises $117,198 for Veterans

img

Audacy’s WPHT, Philadelphia “Talk Radio 1210” announces that it raised $117,198 benefiting the Travis Manion Foundation during its 8th annual “Talk Radio 1210 WPHT Radiothon.” The funds raised will go towards benefit programs, training opportunities and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen. Pictured above is the staff of Audacy Philadelphia that participated in the radiothon.

Industry News

AWMF Announces Gracies Winners

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation unveils the winners of the 50th Annual Gracie Awards, celebrating five decades of amplifying women’s voices, stories, and achievements in media. AWMF says, “This landmark anniversary marks not only a reflection on past trailblazers but also a declaration of the continued power of women shaping the cultural and media landscape.” The winners across all categoriesimg include: Megan Thee Stallion, Mayim Bialik, Kathy Bates, Angela Yee, Keke Palmer, Rita Cosby, Jill Schlesinger, Kristin Klingshirn, Letty Peniche and more. They will be honored at the Gracie Awards Gala on May 20, 2025, at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles, which will be hosted by actress, comedian, and podcaster, Fortune Feimster. Local and student award recipients will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 18 at Cipriani’s in New York City. AWMF president Becky Brooks says, “For 50 years, the Gracie Awards have honored the storytellers who push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. This is more than an awards show – it is a movement that has championed inclusion, representation, and truth in the media. The women we celebrate today are shaping the next 50 years, ensuring that our narratives are not just seen or heard, but felt and remembered. And we are excited to have Fortune Feimster join us as the host for our Golden Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles, bringing her incredible wit and energy to this unforgettable celebration.” You can see all the winners here.

Industry News

Audacy and Royals Extend Their Partnership

Audacy and the MLB’s Kansas City Royals announce a multi-year extension to their partnership in which KFNZ-FM “96.5 The Fan” serves as the team’s flagship station, airing all of its games. Games will also beimg streamed via the Audacy app within the Royals broadcast territory. Audacy Kansas City SVP and market manager Roxanne Marati says, “We’re thrilled to extend our longstanding partnership with the Royals and, for the first time ever, bring every pitch, hit, and home run to fans on crystal-clear FM. As the premier home for everything Kansas City sports, we’re proud to be the go-to destination for Royals fans and keep them connected to their favorite team throughout the year.”

Industry News

Edison Research: Podcast Consumption Reaches New High

Edison Research releases its research project The Infinite Dial 2025 (with support from Audacy, Cumulus Media, and SiriusXM Media) that provides insights into “podcast consumption, online audio trends, in-car audio usage, smart speaker usage, social media behaviors, and other digital media habits.” Some of theimg key findings of this edition of the study include that podcast consumption has reached an all-time high with 70% of Americans age 12+ having listened to a podcast; 51% of those Americans age 12+ having watched a podcast; 73% of Americans age 12+ having consumed a podcast in either audio or video format, representing an estimated 210 million people; and 55% of Americans age 12+ now being monthly consumers. The study also looked at in-car audio use and finds that among americans age 18+ who have driven or ridden in a car in the past month (88%), 40% have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and 33% actively use one of these systems. You can download the study here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (March 17-21, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (3/17-21) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories/Topics

1. Trump Dismantles Department of Education
2. Trump vs Judiciary
3. The Economy-Jobs-Inflation
4. Musk-DOGE Activities / Federal Firings
5. Israel-Hamas War-Gaza Cease Fire Broken / Russia-Ukraine War
6. Astronauts Return
7. ICE Deportation Crackdown
8. First Amendment Issues / GOP Town Halls
9. Big Tech / Misinformation / Censorship
10.Healthcare / Avian (Bird) Flu / Measles Outbreak

People

1. Donald Trump / Elon Musk
2. Benjamin Netanyahu
3. Vladimir Putin
4. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
5. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
6. Jeff Bezos
7. Mike Johnson
8. John Roberts / James Boasberg
9. Butch Wilmore / Suni Williams
10.JD Vance / Marco Rubio

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

Industry News

SRN Moves Charlie Kirk to Dennis Prager’s Affiliates

Salem Media Group’s Salem Radio Network is putting host Charlie Kirk onto the Dennis Prager affiliate stations, effective March 31. This move comes as the result of Prager suffering a debilitating injury lastimg November after a fall in his home in which he suffered a spinal cord injury. Prager is going through extensive rehabilitation. Charlie Kirk has been hosting his show live in the same 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET daypart as Prager since October of 2020 and SRN says this will be an easy transition for most stations. Prager and imgSalem have agreed to his return for one hour a day, airing 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET, starting Tuesday, June 3. Salem SVP of spoken word Phil Boyce says, “Dennis may have some physical limitations at the moment, but his wit, wisdom, insights and passion are as strong and as clear as ever and we are delighted at his spirit and resolve to return to his audience. We want Dennis to remain a part of the Salem family and want his millions of loyal fans to continue to hear his voice. Affiliates of Charlie will continue to get the Kirk show with no interruption, and affiliates of Dennis will soon get Charlie Kirk as a strong and able replacement.”

Industry News

New York Festivals Radio Awards Unveils 2025 Shortlist

The New York Festivals 2025 Radio Awards announces the 2025 Radio Awards Shortlist. NYFestivals says, “This year’s impressive shortlist features entries across a range of categories, including audiobooks, podcasts, dramas, documentaries, breaking news coverage, entertainment, and music specials.img Pioneering work was submitted by radio stations, networks, prominent production companies, and independent producers worldwide.” Additionally, the 2025 National Press Club Award will go to the highest scoring entry in news program categories including: Coverage of Breaking News Story, Coverage of Ongoing News Story, Nonfiction Series, Investigative Journalism podcast, and News Podcast. The winner will be announced during the New York Festivals 2025 Storytellers Gala virtual event on May 22, 2025. See the entire 2025 Radio Awards Shortlist here.

Industry News

NewsTalkSTL Announces Programming Changes

NewsTalkSTL announces programming changes on its trio of signals in the St. Louis metro that includes KNBS-FM, Bowling Green; KLJY-HD2, St. Louis; and translator K270BW, Bellefontaine in Missouri. Theimg “NewsTalkST” brand is filling the hole in middays due to the end of the “Dan Bongino Show” by moving “The Allman Report” with Jamie Allman to the 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm daypart and expanding the “The Vic Porcelli Show,” hosted by Porcelli and Ken Williams to 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. NewsTalkSTL president of programming Jeff Allen says, “This is the first major change to our prime time weekday lineup since we launched nearly four years ago, which speaks to how important this expansion is for our station and our listeners. Listener feedback over the past few weeks made it clear this was the lineup they wanted, and we’re excited to deliver it.”

Industry News

Democrat Starks to Leave the FCC

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announces he is resigning from the Commission. He issued the following statement: “Today I sent a letter to the president and leader Schumer indicating that I intend to resign my seat as a commissioner this spring. Serving the American people as aimg commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of my life. With my extraordinary fellow commissioners and the incredible career staff at the agency, we have worked hard to connect all Americans, promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure national security. I have learned so much from my time in this position, particularly when I have heard directly from Americans on the issues that matter to them. I have been inspired by the passion, engagement and commitment I have seen from colleagues, advocates, and industry. Over the next few weeks, I look forward to working with the chairman and my fellow commissioners, and all FCC staff, to further the mission of the agency.” Starks is one of two Democrats currently serving on the Commission.

Industry News

WWO Presents Multiplatform Coverage of NCAA Tournament

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, as the official network audio broadcast partner of the NCAA, isimg presenting coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. The network will present all of the games through the National Championship on Monday, April 7. The trio of Kevin Kugler, Robbie Hummel, and P.J. Carlesimo will announce all the action for the Final Four and the National Championship.

Industry News

Audacy Announces Executive Changes

Audacy makes a number of changes to its senior management team beginning with interim CEO Kelli Turner being named permanent president and CEO. In addition to a couple of promotions, the company has parted ways with four of its senior managers as COO Susan Larkin, chief digital officer J.D. Crowley, chief marketing officer Paul Suchman, and general counsel and EVP Andrew Sutor all exit. Promotionsimg include Chris Oliviero rising from market president for New York to chief business officer; Bob Philips shifting from president of networks and multi-market sales to chief revenue officer; and deputy general counsel Mike Dash rising to EVP and general counsel. Audacy chairman and lead media investor in Soros Fund Management Michael Del Nin says, “On behalf of the Audacy board, we are delighted that Kelli Turner has agreed to take on the permanent president and CEO role and lead Audacy through its next phase of reinvention and growth. She is an exceptional media executive who, along with Chris Oliviero and the rest of the Audacy team, will ensure we continue to invest in high-quality content to engage our audiences and provide best-in-class solutions to our partners.”

Industry News

Rich Herrera to Host “Richmond’s Morning News”

Broadcasting pro Rich Herrera is the new host of “Richmond’s Morning News” on Audacy’s WRVA/WTVR-HD2, Richmond. Audacy Virginia SVP and market manager Bennett Zier says, “Rich brings an authentic voice to the morning airwaves and a strong commitment to his community. His sharp analysis and ability toimg engage listeners in meaningful and entertaining conversation make him a valuable addition to the WRVA team. We’re excited to welcome Rich and continue delivering the news that matters most to our community.” Herrera comments, “I am thrilled to join the WRVA team, a legendary station with a great lineup of hosts and shows. After meeting with Bennett Zier and Zach McHugh and getting the chance to host Richmond’s morning news, I fell in love with the station. My family is excited to make Richmond our home. I want to thank Chris Oliviero and Jeff Sottolano for their support and mentorship, as well as Drew Anderssen, our format vice president, who encouraged me a year ago to transition from sports talk to general news.”

Industry News

Salem Media Group to Sell Remaining Hawaii Stations

Salem Media Group is selling its remaining Hawaii broadcast properties and digital assets to Malama Media Group. Malama is acquiring country KHCM-FM, sports talk KGU-AM and KHCM-AM/K236CR,img Christian KGU-FM, classic hits KKOL-FM, and news/talk KHNR-AM/K232FL. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “While Salem closes our chapter in Honolulu, I am thrilled to know that these stations are going to a buyer that has a shared passion for the formats we have there and plans to keep those formats intact, particularly the Christian teach and talk and conservative news/talk formats.”

Industry News

ESPN Chicago Names Meller White Sox Shows Host

Good Karma Brands’ sports talk WMVP “ESPN Chicago” announces that Jeff Meller is named the host of the Pregame and Postgame shows for Chicago White Sox broadcasts this season, Meller is a longtimeimg producer and host at the station. “ESPN Chicago” director of content Danny Zederman says, “We are excited to add Jeff to the ‘ESPN Chicago’ White Sox broadcast crew. We know fans of the Sox will appreciate his knowledge and will connect with him as a lifelong fan of the club. Meller has been a member of the ESPN Chicago team for 20 years! He has great passion for the Sox and all Chicago sports. This is a ‘dream job’ for him and we know he will add great value to our broadcasts.”

Industry News

Talk Radio Host Joe Pags Swatted; Armed Police Swarm His Home

img

Nationally syndicated talk radio host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo’s home was swatted last week, bringing heavily armed police officers to his home at 2:35 in the morning. Pags recounted the events for his listeners and posted video of the segment to X. In it, says that he’s usually up until 5:00 am and therefore was awake when his cameras app told him there was something outside his house. Hisimg camera app showed the image you see in the photo here – a man who appears dressed as a cop with an AR-15 outside his house. Pags says he quickly called 911, identified himself, told the operator he thought he was being swatted and asked if the police were at his house. After confirming that it was the police, Pags was able to get the officers to stand down and they were assured there was no reason to be there. Pags tells his listeners that the goal of the swatters was to get him to grab his gun and go outside, in which case he likely would have been killed. You can listen to the show segment here.

Industry News

Cumulus Media Shuts Down Stations in Cost Saving Move

Cumulus Media is undergoing a corporate mandate to shutter underperforming stations across the country. As reports of dark stations tickle in TALKERS can report that according to the Fulton Sun, Cumulus Mediaimg has ended operations of news/talk KLIK-AM and its translator K278CT. The station ceased broadcasting on March 14. Read the Sun story here. The company also ended operations at sports talk WLZR-AM, Melbourne, Florida and its translator W300DL at 107.9 FM. Last week it was reported that Cumulus ceased operations at KZAC-AM, formerly KSFO-AM.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Matter, and Money Will Follow

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgThere has never been more news. And news has never been more quotable. It costs two-plus cents to make a penny.

Events impacting everyday life are unfolding around-the-corner, around-the-world, around-the-clock. The listeners our advertisers want as customers are in “What NEXT???” mode.

There have never been more places to get news. And the broadcasters that monetize information best have evolved what we used to call “a radio station” into a multiplatform source of content pertinent to its target listener. Trusted call letters are the surname shared by digital siblings.

Being known for helpful information is key. My client stations image relentlessly as “Your Only Local News Radio.” If you are too, rip me off, and burn-it-in.

But imaging merely talks-the-talk. All the promos in the world won’t walk-the-walk. We become habit-forming by delivering information that is relevant and useful and enabling and easily understood and seems up-to-date.

im

Accordingly:

  • When we report information-given-to-us (press releases, etc.), rewrite to succinctly convey what the story means. Typically, press releases are about the sender. Our lead sentence needs to be about how-it-matters-to the listener.
  • Keep it fresh. The second and third time someone hears a story word-for-word, the little voice in his/her head says, “You already told me that.” Every effort we make to update copy is worth it.
  • Listen to your on-hour network, for three reasons: Emulate their crisp copy style, which conveys the consequence of items being reported. And emulate their delivery. Note how FOX News Radio morning anchor Dave Anthony sounds like he’s talking, not reading. And listen for opportunities to localize big national/international stories.

What is being reported by national media, how does it hit home, and who locally can comment or explain?

  • How is DOGE government downsizing impacting people in your state, in your city? Most of the federal workforce does not live in Washington/Maryland/Virginia.
  • We pray for ailing Pope Francis. When he passes, who from your diocese or parish can you interview? “The Conclave” won an Oscar and was nominated for eight.

Music radio is in the fight of its life with streams, and too much talk radio is an angry caricature. Matter most, and money will follow.

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