Industry News

War of Words Breaks Out Between FOX and Newsmax Over Lawsuit

Yesterday, TALKERS reported the anti-trust lawsuit Newsmax is filing against Fox Corporation and Fox News Network, LLC in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in which Newsmaximg accuses FOX of “engaging in an extensive and unlawful campaign to block competition in the market for right-leaning pay television news, including Newsmax.” imgA FOX spokesperson responded with the following: “Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.” Newsmax issued the following statement in response to that saying, “If Newsmax was such a ratings failure, why has FOX spent so much time, energy, and resources to suppress us, block us, and denigrate us? The answer is obvious. Also please note that FOX in its statement does not deny any of our serious allegations.”

Industry News

Beasley and Amazon’s ART19 Partner for Podcasts

Beasley Media Group enters into an agreement with Amazon’s ART19 for its portfolio of podcasts and onimg-demand radio shows to migrate to ART19’s infrastructure that it says will allow it to “unlock new revenue opportunities and offering advertisers enhanced reach , deeper analytics, and improved ROI.” Beasley chief content officer Justin Chase says, “This partnership is an important step in our digital transformation. ART19’s platform will help us expand monetization opportunities while delivering a better experience for audiences and advertisers.”

Industry News

NAB: Support for AM Radio Bill Surges

National Association of Broadcasters says that congressional support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act accelerated during the August congressional recess, with the bill now backed by 280 bipartisan cosponsorsimg in the U.S. House of Representatives and a filibuster-proof 61 in the U.S. Senate. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “We thank the growing, bipartisan group of lawmakers standing up for their constituents who depend on AM radio. This support demonstrates a deep understanding that AM radio remains an essential lifeline for emergency alerts, local news and community connection. With significant momentum behind this bill, NAB urges House leadership to bring it to the floor without delay and preserve this vital service for the American public.”

Industry News

Iowa Rep Announces Senate Bid on Conway Show

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Pictured above broadcasting live on WHO, Des Moines; WMT, Cedar Rapids; and WOC, Davenport from the Iowa State Fair is talk radio host Simon Conway (right) with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) (left) as she announces her bid for the U.S. Senate seat that current Senator Joni Ernst will leave at the end of her term in 2026. Conway says, “Quite the honor to be the exclusive home for such a major announcement.”

Industry News

Joe Concha Joins 77WABC

“The Joe Concha Tunnel to Towers Foundation Show” is joining the weekend program lineup at Red Appleimg Media’s WABC, New York airing in the 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Concha has been hosting the time period since Jeanine Pirro left to become the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez says, “Joe brings the total package, smart, sharp, and fearless. He doesn’t just analyze the news, he makes sense of it, challenges it and connects with America in a way only he can.”

Industry News

Sunrise Broadcasting Launches Hudson Valley Sports Talker

Sunrise Broadcasting launches “FOX Sports 1220AM/94.5 FM” on WGNY-AM/FM, Newburgh, New York and on the HD2 channel of AC WJGK-FM, Newburgh serving the Hudson Valley with content from FOX Sportsimg Radio, including “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe,” “The Dan Patrick Show,” “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” and more. The station will also broadcast FOX Sports Radio around the clock on weekends. Sunrise operations director Robert J. Maines Jr. says, “Sunrise Broadcasting is thrilled to add FOX Sports Radio to WGNY 1220 AM/94.5 FM. We look forward to bringing this exciting sports network to our Hudson Valley sports listeners.”

Industry News

Basilio Moves to WKGN, Knoxville

Sports talk host Tony Basilio is taking his radio program to MH2 Media’s WKGN-AM/W289CU, Knoxville.img He previously hosted his show on crosstown WJBE-AM. In making room for Basilio on WKGN, Bob Baskerville moved to afternoon drive to team up with Russell Smith in afternoons. Basilio says, “Bob has been really accommodating and gracious. They’ve got talented people on that station. I’m proud to be a part of it.” Read the Knox News story here.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Reports New Contracts for Pittman and Bressler

iHeartMedia announces that it is entering into amendments to the employment agreements with chairman and CEO Robert W. Pittman and president COO Richard J. Bressler. These amendments extend theirimg contracts from the end of 2026 to December 31, 2029. The company says that the amendments provide that outstanding equity awards granted at least six months prior to a qualifying retirement termination will remain outstanding and eligible to vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule (and, for performance-based awards, based on actual performance). Additionally, Bressler’s amendment increased his cash severance multiplier from 1.5x to 2x to align his severance payments and benefits (upon a qualifying termination of employment) with Pittman’s existing severance payments and benefits.

Industry News

Bold Gold Newsman Mike Sakell to Retire

Bold Gold Media announces that Catskills news & sports director Mike Sakell is retiring from his role with the company after more than four decades broadcasting in the region. Sakell first began working in Sullivan County in 1980 when he joined WVOS. Bold Gold Media NY region general manager Dawn Ciorciari says,img “There are certain sounds that define a place, and for Sullivan County, Mike’s voice is one of them. For 45 years, it’s been the sound of calm, trust, and perseverance. His life has been a true lesson in resilience. His legacy will live far beyond the airwaves.” Bold Gold Media CEO Vince Benedetto adds, “Mike’s retirement is truly an end of an extraordinary and historic era in local broadcasting. In every way, he was ‘The Voice of Sullivan County.’ He will be missed by all of our listeners, and most of all, by all of us in Bold Gold. His example of broadcast excellence will endure and be carried on by all of us who have learned so much from him. We wish him a wonderful retirement and thank him for his long, distinguished service to our communities.” Sullivan County native Dylan Price is assuming the  Catskills news & sports director role.

Industry News

Gary Burbank Dies at 84

Legendary WLW, Cincinnati personality Gary Burbank has died at age 84. Burbank – born Billy Purser – isimg best known for hosting the afternoon drive show on WLW from 1981 through his retirement in 2007. He created numerous voice characters on his program, the most famous of which was Earl Pitts Uhmerikun – which took the form of a nationally syndicated commentary during his time at WLW. He also worked at stations including, WMPS, Memphis; WNOE, New Orleans; WAKY and WHAS in Louisville; and CKLW, Windsor/Detroit during his career. In memory of Gary Burbank, Art Vuolo has posted this video tribute.

Industry News

Spadea Back on “New Jersey 101.5” Mornings

Talk radio host Bill Spadea will return as host of the morning show on Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” on September 2. Spadea took leave of his radio duties in late January of this year to run as a Republican for governor of New Jersey. He lost to Jack Ciattarelli in the June primaryimg election. About returning, Spadea says, “I’m excited to be returning to the airwaves with ‘New Jersey 101.5’ and the largest audience in the state. I’m looking forward to continuing our mission of fighting for common-sense solutions to save New Jersey. Our show has always been about the listeners, and I’m ready to keep amplifying the voices of small business owners, parents, teachers, first responders, nurses, and everyone else committed to digging in and staying in New Jersey. Stay tuned – there’s more to come!” Townsquare Media regional VP Brian Lang says, “Bill’s audience and the team at ‘New Jersey 101.5’ are looking forward to his return. There’s no doubt he’ll have great stories to share. I also want to thank Eric Scott and the entire morning show team for doing an outstanding job while Bill was away.”

Industry News

ESPN Radio’s College Football Tailgate Returns

ESPN announces the return of the two-show ESPN Radio College Football Tailgate starring Amber Wilson and Jonathan Zaslow. The Friday night show is “Amber & Ian: On the Road” airing from 7:00 pm to 10:00img pm ET. The Saturday program is called “College Football Tailgate” hosted by Wilson and Zaslow and airs at 10:00 am ET. ESPN VP of digital & audio production Justin Craig says, “College football is all about passion, tradition, and community. We’re thrilled to bring that energy directly to fans every weekend with ESPN Radio’s College Football Tailgate. Amber and Jonathan are the perfect voices to capture the excitement on campus, and this tour allows us to not only showcase the games, but also connect with the next generation of fans and broadcasters in a truly meaningful way.”

Industry News

WURD, Philadelphia Presents Small Business Initiative

Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia is presenting, “Ready, Set, Grow: Preparing Small Businesses for America’s 250th,” a free event designed to equip small business owners with the tools and insights necessary to successfully navigate upcoming opportunities. Philadelphia will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and is aimg host city for FIFA World Cup 2026. “Ready, Set, Grow” happens on September 5 at the Barnes Foundation. Through the end of 2025 and into 2026, WURD will feature on-air programming, live panel discussions, and multimedia storytelling to provide entrepreneurs and neighborhood business corridors with the tools they need to thrive. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Ready, Set, Grow is crafted specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the region who are seeking strategies to leverage the historic momentum of America’s 250th anniversary. We are convening a panel of the experts and decision-makers who are best positioned to share how the small business community can make the most of this moment.” Ready, Set Grow’s panel discussion will feature executives from business and tourism organizations.

Industry News

WABC Gala to Raise Funds for Charities

WABC, New York and Red Apple Media owners John and Margo Catsimatidis are hosting a star-studded gala in celebration of America’s 250th birthday on Friday, September 5 at Cipriani’s 42nd St. in New York City. The Catsimatidis say the gala will serve not only as a celebration of freedom but also as a reminder of the resilience, ideals, and shared spirit that continue to define the United States. Proceeds from the galaimg event will benefit The WABC Radio Foundation, The Tunnel To Towers Foundation, The Police Athletic League (PAL), and Shriners Children’s. The evening will feature performances of patriotic songs including WABC Saturday evening personality and singer Tony Orlando performing “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”; Lee Greenwood performing “God Bless the USA” and America’s tenor Christopher Maccio will sing the National Anthem. Additionally, WABC personality Joe Piscopo will perform Frank Sinatra classics and station host Vinnie Medugno will sing oldies. The gala event will be hosted by 77WABC legendary air personality Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow. Distinguished guests will include United States and New York area politicians, business leaders, and community heroes. See more and purchase tickets here.

Industry News

Report: Bernstein Owns Mistakes That Led to Firing

Chicago sports media personality Dan Bernstein tells Axios that his dismissal from Audacy’s WSCR “Theimg Score” in March as the result of a social media rant against a critic was his fault. He says, “I own my mistakes. This was the culmination of a slow, rolling mental health crisis.” Bernstein recently began working with Hubbard’s 312 Sports platform on the daily podcast “Dan Bernstein: Unfiltered” with co-host Matt Abbatacola. He says, “I learned a lot in therapy, and I’m continuing to learn a lot about the dopamine outrage cycle and how real that is and how my brain chemistry works.” He adds, “I think I’ll be better served by the pace and tone of podcasting.” Read the Axios piece here.

Industry News

Joe Thomas Broadcasts from New Orleans Affiliate

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Talk Media Network nationally syndicated talk radio host and WTON, Staunton, Virginia owner Joe Thomas recently visited New Orleans affiliate station WGSO while in town broadcasting from the State Policy Network annual meeting. He’s pictured above (right) with WGSO operations director BJ Rust (left).

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: What You Need to Know About the “Law of 200”

By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
and TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”

imgThe risk is real. Suggesting that a technique used with great success in the recent past might be beneficial to the present is a perilous course. Is the idea out of touch with today’s reality? Is the author ignoring current trends?

A factual current event from which our industry and our lives suffer: Sales are down. Sales for the radio industry are down every quarter.

Hard research-and-math-people will point to the usual causes. Add to that list the fact that the same dollars that bought spots priced at X for the big morning show are being fed into podcasts for 10 percent of X. But podcasts are digital! Therefore, they are sexy to Wall Street. The result of that dollar transfer is quarterly investor calls featuring CEOs declaring that “digital is a sweet spot.” Actually, “digital” is a cheap whore but back to the topic:

Methods deployed to sell radio today are not working. Salespeople work hard, but the strategies they are given are weak. That’s why sales are down – every quarter. Spreadsheets, ROI, CPP, programmatic are elegant math-major systems. But our product is not math. Our product is emotion. Match sales techniques to the product. Tap the power of emotion.

Everything is ultimately purchased from our emotions. Everything.  Case in point: Joe Girard* understands cars better than anyone in history. No, no, don’t be dismissive of Joe because he was a car salesman; cars are very expensive. Cars have impacted you and your family for years. Cars make you feel great or awful. Powerful purchase.

Happy Birthday! One month a year, Joe would mail out a birthday card to all of his past customers and all of his prospects. All of them. In the same month. One out of 12 recipients were thrilled that Joe remembered their birthday! The other 11 would call Joe and tell him that he had their birthday date wrong. They called Joe. A car salesman.

Joe gave all of them information on the phone about the latest models and deals for… a new car. They called Joe.

The Law of 200. Catholic funeral masses hand out prayer cards featuring a photo of the deceased. Ask a priest how many cards are printed. The answer is 200. Caterers will tell you that the standard number of wedding guests is… 200!

Seems we know 200 people who will come to our wedding and our funeral. Major life events. Buying a car is a major, emotional life event. Joe realized that if he sold a good car, 200 people would learn that the customer was satisfied.

OR 200 were not happy. He gave all car buyers a box, a box of his business cards. 200 cards. He urged customers to hand out Joe’s cards to their friends.

Do those 22-year-old time buyers still want concert tickets, merchandise, meals, autographs, meet and greets? Before the power point presentation starts, book the good seats.

Yes, our product is emotion driven. How many arguments have you had about music repetition? New music? Controversial topics? Borderline morning show jokes? Those are emotional not intellectual discussions. There’s our power – in the center of the rink. Put the commercial on the mat.

How to Sell Anything to Anybody by Joe Girard https://a.co/d/fTpuzoZ

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.

Industry Views

When “Sharing” Becomes Stealing: TALKERS’ 90-Second Lesson in Fair Use

By Matthew B. Harrison

TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgNinety seconds. That’s all it took. One of the interviews on the TALKERS Media Channel – shot, edited, and published by us – appeared elsewhere online, chopped into jumpy cuts, overlaid with AI-generated video game clips, and slapped with a clickbait title. The credit? A link. The essence of the interview? Repurposed for someone else’s traffic.

TALKERS owns the copyright. Taking 90 seconds of continuous audio and re-editing it is infringement.

Could they argue fair use? Maybe, but the factors cut against them:

  • Purpose: Clickbait, not commentary or parody.
  • Nature: Original journalism leans protective.
  • Amount: Ninety seconds may be the “heart” of the work.
  • Market Effect: If reposts draw views, ad revenue, or SEO, that’s harm.

And here’s the key point: posting free content doesn’t erase its market value. Free journalism still generates reputation, sponsorships, and ad dollars. Courts consistently reject the idea that “free” means “up for grabs.”

Enforcement options exist. A DMCA notice can clear a repost quickly. Repeat offenders risk bans. On-screen branding makes copying obvious, and licenses can set terms like “share with credit, no remix.”

But here’s the hard truth: a takedown won’t stop the AI problem. Once a clip circulates, it’s scraped into datasets training text-to-video and voice models. Deleting the repost doesn’t erase cached or mirrored copies. Think of it like pouring a glass of water into the ocean – you can’t get it back. And to make matters worse, enforcement doesn’t stop at U.S. borders. Different countries have different copyright rules, making “justice” slow, uneven, and rarely satisfying.

That TALKERS interview may now live inside billions of fragments teaching machines how people speak. You can win the takedown battle and still lose the training war. Courts are only starting to address whether scraping is infringement. For now, once it’s ingested, it’s permanent.

Creators face a constant tension: content must spread to grow, but unchecked sharing erodes control. The challenge in 2025 is drawing that line before your work becomes someone else’s “content.”

The law is still on your side – but vigilance matters. Use takedowns when necessary. Brand so the source is clear. Define sharing terms up front. And remember: free doesn’t mean worthless.

The real question isn’t just “Is it fair use?” It’s “Who controls the story?”

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com

Industry News

Urban Talk WURD, Philadelphia to Hold Founder’s Day Gala

Philadelphia urban talk WURD Radio is holding its annual Founder’s Day Gala on October 3, honoring the life and legacy of station founder Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D. at Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. The station says this year’s gala marks the exciting launch of “Freedom Journeys: Celebrating the Lives of 250 Phenomenal Philadelphians.” Additionally, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States,img WURD, in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will spotlight 250 iconic Philadelphians in the 250 days leading up to July 4, 2026. The series begins at Founder’s Day with a tribute to Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Freedom Journeys is a celebration of the people who have shaped Philadelphia’s culture, history, and future. This storytelling project ensures that significant Philadelphia figures are not overlooked as we mark the semi quincentennial of this nation’s founding. We’re thrilled to launch Freedom Journeys at Founder’s Day and to honor my father’s extraordinary legacy with a night of joy, music, and community.”

Industry News

WWO: Case Study of Minnesota Law Firm Shows Importance of “Being Known Before You’re Needed”

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog is written by Chuck Mefford of BrandsFormation and is a case study of St. Cloud, Minnesota law firm Bradshaw & Bryant. The firm spends almost 70% of its media budget on AM/FM radio with spots that include a catchy jingle with the phrase,img “justice for the injured… Bradshaw & Bryant.” Key takeaways from the blog include: 1) Through its longterm use of AM/FM radio advertising, Bradshaw & Bryant dominates unaided brand awareness; Across all stages of the consumer journey, Bradshaw & Bryant leads the market; 2) Bradshaw & Bryant offers Madison Avenue a master class on creating future demand and how building a brand is the main driver of longterm growth and profit; 3) Every advertiser has two jobs: Creating future demand and converting existing demand; Bradshaw & Bryant excels at creating future demand; and 4) AM/FM radio advertising works: Among AM/FM radio listeners, Bradshaw & Bryant’s awareness is +19% greater than in the overall market. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

GAB to Honor 2025 Rising Stars

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters announces the 2025 Class of Rising Stars, what it calls “a select group of young professionals” who will be honored during the association’s annual convention September 19-20 at Truist Park. GAB says the Rising Star Award recognizes station employees in the early stages ofimg their careers who have demonstrated exceptional promise, drive, and passion for broadcasting. Honorees are selected based on their strong work ethic, eagerness to learn, and willingness to go above and beyond their daily responsibilities to create outstanding content that informs, entertains, and inspires their audiences. GAB President Randy Gravley states, “By recognizing these incredible young professionals, we’re not just celebrating their accomplishments today, we’re investing in the future of broadcasting. The Rising Stars program highlights the innovation, creativity, and passion that will drive our industry forward.”

Industry News

MIW/NAB’s “LAUNCH” Mentorship Program Underway

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation announce the opening of the submission window for the 2025 LAUNCH Mentorship Program. The organizations say, “LAUNCH is a groundbreaking initiative developed to champion and cultivate emerging female talent in radio, with a specific focus on careers in engineering, audio production, andimg technical operations. This one-of-a-kind, year-long mentorship pairs a rising professional with a seasoned industry leader to provide one-on-one coaching and deep exposure to the technical side of the broadcast industry.” The selected mentee will gain hands-on insight into critical areas including FCC compliance, RF systems, EAS, IP-based broadcast systems, automation, and network operations. The program also explores key aspects of IT, remote broadcasting, digital audio, streaming, and systems integration, equipping participants with both the knowledge and connections to lead confidently in the evolving audio landscape. In addition, the chosen mentee will attend the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas. MIW Board President Sheila Kirby says, “The LAUNCH program is a cornerstone of MIW’s mission to open doors for women in every corner of broadcasting. By focusing on engineering and technical operations, we’re not only providing critical skills and mentorship, but also ensuring that women have a strong voice in shaping the future of our industry. We are deeply grateful to Mr. Master, Premiere Networks, and of course the NAB Leadership Foundation for their support in helping us prepare the next generation of broadcast leaders.”

Industry News

KNSS, Wichita’s “Steve and Ted” to Celebrate 7,000 Shows

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The award-winning morning drive show on Audacy’s news/talk KNSS-AM/FM, Wichita is celebrating its 7,000th broadcast next Tuesday (8/26). “Steve and Ted” show hosts Steve McIntosh (left) and Ted Woodward (right) have been on air together since 1998 and during that run have won the Edward R. Murrow Award, an NAB Marconi Award, and are in the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. McIntosh, who is retiring at the end of the year, says, “It’s been a professional and personal pleasure to work with Ted for nearly 28 years. Thank you to all our loyal listeners and advertisers.” Woodward adds, “The road to our 7,000th show has been a long journey for me, nearly half my lifetime. What a cherished gift, as listeners have invited us into their homes, cars, phones, computers, devices, and AI microchip implants (maybe?) for 27-plus years. It’s been our honor, and we’re truly blessed!”

Industry News

KABC, Los Angeles New Flagship for UCLA Sports

Cumulus Media’s Los Angeles news /talk “Talk Radio 790 KABC” signs a multi-year agreement with the UCLA Bruins to be the new official radio broadcast home of Bruins football and men’s basketball. KABC will serve as the flagship station of the UCLA Bruins Audio Network. In addition, KABC will air four UCLAimg women’s basketball games this season and a total of 28 episodes of the “Bruin Insider Show” on Thursdays at 7:00 pm. KABC program director Luis Segura comments, “With KABC’s powerhouse signal and UCLA’s legacy teams, Southern Californians will get some of the best in sports programming starting Fall 2025! We are tremendously excited to partner with UCLA as the new official broadcast home of Bruins football and men’s basketball and look forward to turning up the volume on Bruins coverage for our passionate 790 KABC listeners and Southern California sports fans.”

Industry News

Beasley Launches Florida Sports Talker

Beasley Media Group transitions WJBR-AM, Tampa from “Podcast Radio US” to sports talk as “Florida Alumni Radio.” Beasley says the “new sports-focused station is designed exclusively for Florida sports fans,img with a spotlight on alumni pride and community connection.” The station is featuring the syndicated “Miller and Moulton Morning Show” starring Mark Miller and David Moulton. Beasley Tampa VP and market manager Ron deCastro says, “Florida Alumni Radio is more than a station – it’s a destination for Florida sports fans and alumni to come together and celebrate the teams and traditions they love. We’re proud to provide a platform that not only delivers great sports content, but also connects alumni, students, and fans across the Tampa Bay community in a meaningful way.” The station will also serve as the exclusive home for USF Athletics content.

Industry Views

Could Your Own Podcast Become Your AI Competitor?

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

mattybharrisonImagine a listener “talking” to an AI version of you – trained entirely on your old episodes. The bot knows your cadence, your phrases, even your voice. It sounds like you, but it isn’t you.

This isn’t science fiction. With enough content, it’s technically feasible today. A determined developer could transcribe archives, fine-tune a language model, and overlay a cloned voice. The result wouldn’t be perfect, but it would be recognizable.

Whether that’s legal is another question – one circling directly around fair use.

Why It Matters

For most content creators, archives are their most valuable asset. Yet many contracts with networks, distributors, or hosting platforms quietly grant broad rights to use recordings in “new technologies.” That language, once ignored, could be the legal hook to justify training without your permission.

Fair use is the fallback defense. Tech companies argue training is transformative – they aren’t re-broadcasting your show, only using it to teach a machine. But fair use also weighs market harm. If “AI You” pulls listeners or sponsors away from the real thing, that argument weakens considerably.

Not Just Theory

Other industries are already here. AI has generated convincing tracks of Frank Sinatra singing pop hits and “new” stories written in the style of Jane Austen. If that can be done with a few books or albums, thousands of podcast episodes provide more than enough material to train a “host model.”

Talk media is especially vulnerable because its product is already conversational. The line between “fan remix” and “AI imitation” isn’t as wide as it seems.

What You Can Do

This isn’t about panic – it’s about preparation.

— Review your contracts: confirm you own your recordings and transcripts.
— Register your work: enforceable rights are stronger rights.
— Decide your stance: licensing your archives for training might be an opportunity – if you control it.
— Emphasize authenticity: audiences still value the human behind the mic.

The Takeaway

Could your podcast be turned into your competitor? Yes, in theory. Will it happen to you? That depends on your contracts, your protections, and the choices you make.

Fair use may ultimately decide these battles, but “fair” is not the same as safe. Consider this example a reminder: in the AI era, your archive is not just history – it is raw material.

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry News

Christian Broadcaster James Dobson Dies at 89

Psychologist, Christian leader and broadcaster Dr. James Dobson – founder of the Focus on the Familyimg ministry – has died at age 89. Dobson launched a radio program titled, “Focus on the Family” and, after leaving Focus on the Family to his successor Jim Daly in 2010, Dobson founded Family Talk and a new radio program. He later founded the James Dobson Family Institute and the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal defense firm.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Portland Renews with Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers and iHeartMedia Portland announce a multi-year agreement to their partnership as the official broadcast carrier for Trail Blazers games across the Trail Blazers Audio Network. As part of theimg deal, KPOJ-AM “Rip City Radio 620 AM” continues as the flagship station. Travis Demers enters his seventh full season as the team’s radio play-by-play announcer with Michael Holton as color commentator and Rip City Radio’s Chad Doing hosting both pre- and post-game shows.

Industry News

KTKZ, Sacramento Helps Draw Crowd to Protest California Bill

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Salem Media Group says its news/talk KTZK, Sacramento “1380 The Answer” help bring the crowd pictured above to the California State Capitol Building to support the protest against AB 495 organized by Calvary Chapel Chino Hills pastor Jack Hibbs yesterday (8/19). Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup says the rally was “the latest example of how talk radio’s one-on-one relationship with listeners can help promote citizen action when lawmakers endanger the rights of parents and children in California or anywhere else across America.” The bill was subsequently returned to committee pending further study.

Industry News

Newsmax Settles with Dominion Voting; Claims a Fair Trial Was Impossible

Newsmax Media, Inc announces it has reached a settlement agreement with Dominion Voting Systems in which it will pay $67 million over three years to resolve the suit. The suit revolved around Newsmax’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election in which Dominion claimed certain statements made byimg Newsmax were defamatory. However, Newsmax is not admitting guilt; just the opposite. “Newsmax believed it was critically important for the American people to hear both sides of the election disputes that arose in 2020. We stand by our coverage as fair, balanced, and conducted within professional standards of journalism.” The company says Delaware Court Judge Eric Davis would not provide a fair trial wherein the company could present standard libel defenses to a jury. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy says, “The Delaware Court under Judge Davis effectively enforced a confiscation of our property because our reporting was not always sympathetic to Joe Biden. The actions taken against Newsmax, and earlier against FOX News, represent a direct attack on free speech and a free press.”

Industry News

Missanelli’s Exit from “The Fanatic” Appears to Be Budget Related

Philadelphia sports talk host Mike Missanelli was abruptly let go from Beasley Media Group’s sports talkimg WPEN-FM 97.5 The Fanatic on August 8 after almost a year back behind the mic at the station. Missanelli joined sister rock WMMR’s Kathy Romano – a cast member of the “Steve and Preston Show” – was also let go. Beasley issued the following public statement: “We are very grateful for his contributions to the station and our listeners, and we wish him all the best.”

Industry News

PBS cutting its budget by 21%

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According to a report in The New York Times (8/14) by writer Ben Mullin, PBS is cutting its current budget by more than a fifth in response to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s defunding. The cutback is in reaction to the fact that approximately 15% of PBS’s budget derived from the federal grants are about to be slashed per Congressional decision. This move eliminates roughly $500 million in federal funding from public radio and television. This is having a negative rippling impact on the entire PBS local station system. Read the entire NYTimes report here.