Industry News

Mike Hulvey to Take Over for Erica Farber at RAB

The RAB announces that Mike Hulvey – CEO of Neuhoff Media – is named the new president and CEO of the organization, assuming the role from Erica Farber, effective April 1. The news was announced by RAB board chair and Connoisseur Media CEO and founder Jeff Warshaw. Farber, who has led the RAB for the past 12 years, “decided it is time to step down and pursue other interestsim including continuing to participate in RAB’s Rising Through the Ranks leadership development training and National Radio Talent System, a wholly owned subsidiary of the organization.” The organization goes on to say, “Under Farber’s stewardship, the RAB has reshaped the organization into a full-service integrated membership, business development and training concern as well as forged strong relationships within the advertising marketplace. Additionally, she has diversified and re-invigorated its board of directors to ensure the future of the imtrade association.” Speaking about Hulvey, Warshaw says, “Mike is an excellent selection with the relevant skills and expertise to lead the RAB. He has an impressive track record in corporate management and local radio expertise. In addition, as a past chair of the RAB he has a clear understanding of the organization and what the broadcast industry requires from RAB. He has a tremendous passion for the industry which will serve us all well.” Warshaw adds, “We thank Erica for her leadership over the past decade in helping to shape an organization that meets the needs of broadcasters today as well as for the future of the audio industry. She’s left an indelible imprint on the industry, and we can’t thank her enough for her commitment and passion to radio. It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with her.” Hulvey will work with Farber to ensure a smooth and successful transition during the next few months as her last day with the RAB will be April 30, 2024.

Industry News

Air Staff Cuts at KNBR, San Francisco

According to numerous reports from Bay Area media outlets, Cumulus Media’s sports talk KNBR, San Francisco has let go a number of staffers, including former programmer Lee Hammer, morning show personality Paul McCaffrey, evening host FP Santangelo, and some in the digital department.im McCaffrey has been co-host of the “Murph and Mac” show with Brian Murphy, who appears to still be employed with the station. The dismissal of Santangelo spells the end of the evening call-in show that’s been part of the station for the past 51 years. Station program director Adam Copeland– who also co-hosts the afternoon show with Tom Tolbert – said on the program, “It’s been a really difficult day. I love this building, I love this station, I love working with you, Tom, and I’ve listened to you for years. I love a lot of people. I love the guys we let go of today. I’m looking forward to the future, but I really think we need to tip our cap and applaud the work that those guys have done.” Read the SFGate piece here.

Industry Views

Welcome to No Brand Land!

imConsultant Gary Begin of Sound Advantage Media writes today in a piece for TALKERS magazine in which he says that quite often there is a disconnect between the brand of a radio station and the brand-supporting messages that the sales staff is presenting to prospects. He says, “Experts in branding seem to be coming around to the idea that the power to make or break your brand-building effort lies not in the quality of your advertising but in the customer’s experience at the point of sale. In radio, that’s your over-the-air product and how your ad rep handles the advertiser.” He adds, “To navigate and successfully cross No Brand’s Land effectively, marketers must start by adapting brand message creation and delivery to today’s strategic sales processes.” He says there are two trends that will drive marketers’ efforts to create brand-supporting content that helps salespeople sell.” Read about them in his column here.

Industry News

Round Three of November PPMs Released

imThe third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s November 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. The survey period covered October 12 through November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media news/talk KXL-FM is flat with a 6.9 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises to the #2 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX-AM dips one-tenth to a 1.6 share and remains ranked #21. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia news/talk WOAI adds three-tenths to finish with a 3.1 share but falls back to the #14 rank, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA declines four-tenths to a 2.2 share and slips to the #17 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville news/talk KSL-AM/FM loses eight-tenths and wraps the survey with a 6.1 share that leaves it ranked #4, while iHeartMedia news/talk KNRS-AM/FM rises a full share to a 3.9 share and leaps to the #9 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of November 27 – December 1

The release of numerous Hamas hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the global rise in anti-Semitism and the protests against Israel’s war against Hamas, followed by the death of Henry Kissinger 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.

Advice

Welcome to No-Brand Land!

By Gary Begin
Sound Advantage Media

imBroadcasting executives spend millions building their radio station’s brand in the marketplace. But is it being spent in the right place?

The frontline salesperson is a marketer’s greatest asset in creating brand justice and impact. But if you ask brand managers to look at their brand-building budgets, you’d probably see expenses allocated opposite to what drives brand purchase decisions.

Brand marketers continue to pump big bucks into extensive ad campaigns while doing next to nothing to deliver relevant, brand-supporting messages at the all-important, more significant level—the distance between a company’s sales voice and a prospect’s purchase decision.

What’s the answer?

It probably lies somewhere between (1) the unwillingness of radio stations and brand managers to go further “downstream” with their strategic recommendations and (2) the lack of useful tools to get them there.

Welcome to No Brand’s Land

Increasingly, a company’s branding success depends less on what they sell and more on how they sell it. Selected experts in branding seem to be coming around the idea that the power to make or break your brand-building effort lies not in the quality of your advertising but in the customer’s experience at the point of sale. In radio, that’s your over-the-air product and how your ad rep handles the advertiser.

On one side of No Brand’s Land, brand marketers can control all the implementation, ensuring the advertising campaign is right on, the media coverage generated by your on-air promotion is consistent, your Web site looks the same, and your corporate design is in place.

But on the other side of the No Brand’s Land, salespeople are still doing their own thing. They are cutting and pasting old proposals with outdated information and incorrect messages. They’re fabricating homegrown collateral tools and PowerPoint presentations that are, at best, inconsistent with corporate positioning or, worse, downright inaccurate.

The most frightening thing for brand marketers is that these cobbled-together documents must walk the halls of prospective customers, representing the company’s brand at the most critical points in the sales process. Ouch.

Adding insult to injury, the field-fabrication virus spreads exponentially as this lousy information is perpetuated across the channel on the brand’s intranet.

Crossing Over No Brand’s Land

To navigate and successfully cross No Brand’s Land effectively, marketers must start by adapting brand message creation and delivery to today’s strategic sales processes. Two trends will drive marketers’ efforts to create brand-supporting content that helps salespeople sell.

Trend #1: Value Selling

For more than a decade, sales training and methodology experts have focused on improving the consultative selling skills of salespeople—especially in complex selling environments. The concept is simple: first, salespeople identify customers’ needs; then, they demonstrate the ability of a solution to respond to that customer’s specific needs successfully.

Often called Value Selling or Solution Selling, this dynamic and interactive sales process replaces previously static, one-way techniques that debate the merits of competing features and functions.

While salespeople move toward creating a much more customized sales experience for each prospect, most marketing departments continue to deliver generic messaging using static collateral tools—a one-size-fits-all approach for a one-to-one world. No wonder salespeople are forced to scramble to create custom content, piecemealed from various sources, to demonstrate they have listened to the customer.

The first thing brand managers can do to help is translate their high-level positioning into street-ready value propositions and solution messaging that speak to customers the way salespeople have been trained to sell:

  • Create customer empathy by identifying and demonstrating a proper understanding of the critical do-or-die issues facing your customers. Do that for each level of the decision-making team and link it back to how they do their jobs today.
  • Next, determine and articulate the risks if they do not address these issues. Also, firmly establish and highlight the rewards if they do act. Take special care to find out how your customers will define success—determine what they want to brag about if they are successful in achieving positive results.
  • Then demonstrate how your company’s solution helps them respond specifically—and successfully—to their key do-or-die issues.

Trend #2: Dynamic, Personalized Collateral Building

Value selling has raised the bar, forever changing customer expectations about sales experiences. Customers expect company interactions to be personal, relevant, and tailored to their specific needs.

Meanwhile, marketing departments have tried to keep pace by adopting segmentation strategies, doing their best to tailor messages and create more customer-relevant positioning. However, the tools to deliver these increasingly sophisticated messages through the sales channels have lagged. So, we’ve seen a proliferation of static collateral tools designed to fit every occasion.

Unfortunately, salespeople are neither warehouse managers nor librarians, and they have difficulty tracking and finding suitable materials when needed. In response, marketers have set up sales intranets to supply 24×7 access to support materials.

While these intranets improve accessibility to materials, they don’t resolve the most significant issue facing today’s value-selling salespeople: the need to provide prospects with dynamic, personalized sales communications. With only static documentation, salespeople begin creating unique, customized documents for each sales situation.

Typically, this happens at the expense of the brand and the company. The lack of consistency between radio stations and from salesperson to salesperson—undermines the millions spent on brand awareness advertising. The extra time spent by salespeople crafting these personalized proposals, presentations, and collateral pieces keeps them from time better spent with customers.

Marketing’s big win is that every radio salesperson, even within a multi-entertainment environment, will now communicate a consistent company message. Imagine the brand-building power unleashed when sales reps begin delivering a persuasive, powerful, and pre-approved message at every point of customer contact.

Gary Begin can be contacted at: garybegin10@gmail.com.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are October 2023 – November 2023 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.9 – 6.9, #3 – #2

KEX 1.7 – 1.6, #21 – #21

KUFO .7 – .8, #24 – #23

KPAM .1 – .1, #34 – #32

News

None

Sports Talk

KFXX 2.0 – 1.8, #18 – #20

KXTG 1.6 – 1.4, #22 – #23

KPOJ .7 – .7, #24 – #24 (Trailblazers)

KFXX Stream  .3 – .2, #28 – #28

KMTT .2 – .2, #31 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 5.9 – 6.4, #4 – #3

KOPB Stream  1.6 – 1.5, #22 – #22

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM/FM 5.3 – 5.5, #5 – #5

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 2.7 – 3.0, #13 – #14 (Hornets)

WSOC-HD3 .1 – DNA, #26 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 4.0 – 5.4, #10 – #6

WNSC 1.2 – 1.0, #18 – #18

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Notes: Public radio news/talk WFAE’s +1.4 (4.0 – 5.4) represents Charlotte’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase.

The Carolina Panthers’ flagship is classic rock WRFX.

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.8 – 3.1, #13 – #14 (Spurs)

KTSA 2.6 – 2.2, #15 – #17

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM 1.7 – 1.5, #22 – #22

KTKR .7 – .7, #27 – #27

KZDC .2 – .3, #35 – #33

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 1.7 – 2.4, #22 – #16

SACRAMENTO

 News/Talk

KFBK-AM 8.2 – 7.3 #1 – #2

KSTE-AM 2.7 – 3.2, #13 – #11

News

None

Sports Talk

KHTK 1.3 – 1.4, #18 – #18 (Kings)

KIFM 1.2 – 1.1, #20 – #21

KIFM Stream  .1 – .1, #30 – #29 

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 1.8 – 2.4, #15 – #14

KQEI .2 – .2, #27 – #28

KQED .1 – .1, #30 – #29

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: News/talk KFBK-AM’s -.9 (8.2 – 7.3) represents Sacramento’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 decrease.

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 3.8 – 4.0, #11 – #8

KDKA-AM Stream  .5 – .4, #23 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM 8.0 – 8.0, #3 – #3

KDKA-FM Stream  .2 – .1, #28 – #25

WBGG DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 4.2 – 4.0, #7 – #8

Note: The flagships of the Steelers and Penguins are rock WDVE and alternative WXDX, respectively.

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 6.9 – 6.1, #2 – #4

KNRS-AM/FM 2.9 – 3.9, #15 – #9

KKAT .1 – .1, #29 – #31

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL 1.8 – 2.2, #20 – #20

KZNS-FM .8 – 1.0, #24 – #24 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM .5 – .7, #26 – #25 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM Stream  .1 – .1, #29 – #31 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM Stream  .1 – .DNA, #29 – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KOVO .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 2.2 – 2.7, #19 – #15

KUMT .1 – .4, #29 – #28

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .5 – .2, #26 – #29    

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 1.6 – 1.6, #22 – #23

KXNT .5 – .2, #29 – #34

KMZQ .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KWWN 1.0 – .9, #27 – #27

KRLV .3 – .5, #32 – #30 (Raiders)

KKGK .3 – .5, #32 – #30 (Golden Knights)

KENO .5 – .2, #29 – #34

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.4 – 2.0, #23 – #18

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 3.9 – 3.9, #10 – #10

WDBO 3.5 – 3.6, #13 – #13

WFLF .9 – .8, #19 – #21

WFYY-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM .7 – .7, #22 – #23 (Magic)

WOCL-HD2 .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFE 2.2 – 2.7, #15 – #14

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 13.5 – 12.0, 22nd consecutive month at #1 (Bengals)

WKRC 5.4 – 5.7, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY 1.9 – 2.0, #18 – #15 (Bengals)

WSAI 1.0 – 1.2, #20 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.2 – 3.5, #11 – #11

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 5.5 – 5.1, #10 – #9 (Cavaliers)

News

WMMS-HD2 .1 – .1, #24 – #24

Sports Talk

WKRK 5.9 – 6.0, #8 – #7  (Browns)

WKRK Stream  .9 – .9, #18 – #19 (Browns)

WARF .2 – .3, #23 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 5.9 – 5.0, #8 – #10

WKSU-HD4 DNA – .1, DNA – #24   

Note: Public radio news/talk WKSU’s -.9 (5.9 – 5.0) represents Cleveland’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 decrease.

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 5.5 – 5.5, #4 – #4

KCMO-AM 1.6 – 2.0, #17 – #16

KMBZ-AM 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #18

KMBZ-FM Stream  .9 – .7, #22 – #21

KCMO-AM Stream  .2 – DNA, #26 – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.1 – 3.1, #14 – #14

KCSP Stream  .4 – .2, #23 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 3.2 – 3.6, #13 – #12

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Oddity: With a +.4 (1.6 – 2.0), news/talk KCMO-AM is in an eight-way tie for Kansas City’s largest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase.

Note: Country WDAF is the flagship of the Chiefs.

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 7.5 – 7.4, #4 – #3    

News

WYTS DNA – .1, DNA – #22

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 8.6 – 10.3, #2 – #1 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-AM .1 – .3, #21 #21 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #22

WMNI .1 – DNA, #21 – #DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 3.9 – 4.3, #9 – #8

Up next: November 2023 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Audacy’s “Radio Libre 790” Names Brand Manager and Unveils Local Shows

Audacy’s Spanish language news/talk outlet in Miami names Miguel ‘Mijo’ Irizarry brand manager for the station as it unveils three new local shows. Irizarry is responsible for WAXY-AM Radio Libre 790’s content strategy, talent, operations and branding. Audacy regional president Claudia Menegus states,im “Mijo’s extensive experience and passion for Hispanic radio make him the perfect person to usher in the next chapter of ‘Radio Libre.’ He will play a pivotal role in shaping our content strategy, enhancing the brand, and continuing our vision. Together, we look forward to delivering a fresh and vibrant listening experience that resonates with our diverse audience.” The three new shows include “Despierta Miami” with host Eli Escobar airing from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. She most recently served with the company’s hot AC KHMX-FM, Houston. New to middays is “En este Pais” hosted by Lourdes Ubieta airing from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. In afternoon drive is “El Show de Jorge Bonilla,” airing from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Bonilla has written for FOX News, Newsmax, The Blaze, The Daily Wire, Breitbart and many more conservative news outlets.

Industry News

Round Two of November PPMs Released

imThe second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period ran from October 12 through November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is up six-tenths for a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM declines seven-tenths to a 7.4 share as it falls to the #3 rank after 10 months at #2. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM adds half a share to finish with a 4.7 share that lifts it to the #6 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM rises four-tenths for a 2.6 share good for the #18 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI falls seven-tenths to a 3.3 share that leaves it ranked #11, while Bonneville’s news/talk KTAR-FM tacks on three-tenths for a 2.7 share finish that lifts it to the #14 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry News

Cumulus Podcast Network Contracts with Barometer for Brand Safety & Suitability

Cumulus Media announces its Cumulus Podcast Network is now providing brand suitability and safety measurement through Barometer, which provides brand-suitability measurement and contextual targeting unique to the podcast space. Cumulus says that this allows marketers and media agencies toim be able to review podcasts to ensure they meet their brand’s safety and suitability standards. Brands are also able to monitor their ad-buys during and after the campaigns to ensure their standards are being upheld. Westwood One SVP, sales and digital partnerships David Cohn comments, “We are proud to provide Barometer’s transparency and accountability to the marketplace. Brand marketers now represent 61% of U.S. podcast revenue. Advertisers deserve a brand-suitability solution that is designed for the unique attributes of podcast content rather than the legacy systems that were designed for display and online video.”

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Two

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are October 2023 – November 2023 (6+). 

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.0 – 4.6, #7 – #6

WFED DNA – .1, DNA – #30 (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 8.1 – 7.4, falls to #3, after ten straight months at #2

WDCH .7 – .6, #22 – #23

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.8 – 2.8, #14 – #14 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .9 – .8, #21 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM Stream .2 – .3, #29 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM .3 – .2, #25 – #27 (Wizards)

WSBN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 11.9 – 12.7, 24th month in succession at #1

The flagship of the Commanders is classic rock WBIG.

Note: Public radio news/talk WAMU’s +.8 (11.9 – 12.7) represents a tie for Washington, DC’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+). Meanwhile, news WTOP & WTLP’s -.7 (8.1 – 7.4) is the market’s highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 2.3 – 2.5, #16 – #14

WXKS-AM .8 – .8, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.5 – 5.0, #8 – #6

Business news WRCA DNA – .1, DNA – #27

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 10.9 – 10.5, #1 for the third straight month (New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.8 – 3.6, #10 – #10

WEEI-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 5.4 – 6.4, #3 – #2

WGBH 3.8 – 3.9, #10 – #9

Note: Public radio news/talk WBUR’s +1.0 (5.4 – 6.4) represents Boston’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+).

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 2.0 – 1.4, #21 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 2.3 – 2.1, #19 – #20 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .5 – .5, #29 – #29 (Dolphins)

WMEN .2 – .4, #35 – #31

WQAM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #37 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 3.9 – 3.9, #5 – #7

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.2 – 4.7, #8 – #6 (Seahawks)

KTTH 1.5 – 1.6, #23 – #21

KVI 1.8 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KPTR .1 – .1, #32 – #32

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #20 – #18

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 4.3 – 3.1, #6 – #12 (Seahawks)

KJR-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #14 – #12 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .4 – .6, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.6 – 6.8, #1 – #2

KSWS DNA – .1, DNA – #32

Note: Sports talk KIRO-AM’s -1.2 (4.3 – 3.1) represents Seattle’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+). 

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #16

WFDF .4 – .4, #24 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – .2, #28 – #26

News

WWJ 4.6 – 4.6, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .7 – .4, #22 – #23 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #28 – #31

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 10.1 – 9.6, #1 for the third consecutive month (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 2.4 – 1.5, #14 – #20 (Lions, Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #25 – #26

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUOM 1.5 – 1.6, #20 – #18

WDET 1.2 – 1.2, #21 – #21 

Note: The -.9 (2.4 – 1.5) posted by the stream of sports talk WXYT-FM represents a tie for Detroit’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 4.0 – 3.3, #7 – #11

KTAR-FM 2.4 – 2.7, #16 – #14 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.7 – 3.5, #14 – #7 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-AM .2 – .2, #31 – #31 (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS .1 – .1, #33 – #34

KGME .1 – .1, #33 – #34

KTAR-FM HD2 .1 – DNA, #33 – DNA

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Arizona Cardinals, Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 3.7 – 3.1, #9 – #12   

Note: News/talk KFYI’s -.7 (4.0 – 3.3) represents the largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+) for Phoenix.

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.6 – 4.0, #10 – #12 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 2.4 – 2.4, #16 – #16

KTLK-AM 1.8 – 2.0, #19 – #17

WCCO Stream .6 – .1, #24 – #30 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #32 – #30

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.8 – 8.9, #2 – #2 (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild)

KQQL-HD3 .2 – .3, #28 – #26

KSTP-AM .2 – .2, #28 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 6.0 – 5.7, #5 – #5

KNOW Stream .7 – .7, #23 – #23

Oddity: Five stations – including news/talk WCCO (4.6 – 4.0, -.6) are tied for Minneapolis’ largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

SAN DIEGO 

News/Talk

KOGO 5.4 – 4.2, #5 – #6

KLSD .3 – .3, #26 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 4.2 – 3.6, #6 – #11

KGB-AM 1.2 – 1.3, #20 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 6.3 – 6.2, #3 – #2

Note: News/talk KOGO’s -1.2 (5.4 – 4.2) represents San Diego’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.7 – 4.5, #6 – #6 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.6 – 4.4, #8 – #7

News

None

Sports Talk

WDAE 2.4– 1.8, #16 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.6 – 1.6, #20 – #20

WUSF Stream .5 – .3, #25 – #30

WMNF-HD3 Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #33

Note: Rock WXTB is the flagship of the Buccaneers.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 4.5 – 3.3, #6 – #13 (Broncos)

KDFD 2.1 – 2.0, #19 – #20

KHOW 1.8 – 1.8, #21 – #21

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 4.5 – 4.2, #6 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.0 – 2.1, #20 – #19 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP DNA – .1, DNA – #36

KEPN .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.9 – 4.0, #13 – #11

KUNC .8 – .4, #27 – #31

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 4.8 – 3.7, #8 – #11 (Ravens)

WCBM 1.7 – 1.8, #17 – #17

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.1 – 1.3,  #18 – #18

WDCH  .8 – .9,  #20 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 5.1 – 5.1, #7 – #5

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 4.0 – 4.5, #10 – #9

WYPR HD2 Stream DNA – .3, DNA – #36 

Note: News/talk WBAL’s -1.1 (4.8 – 3.7) represents Baltimore’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 5.0 – 4.0, #9 – #11

KFTK 1.8 – 1.9, #16 – #17

KTLK-FM .9 – 1.0, #20 – #19

KMOX Stream .4 – .2, #23 – #25

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #25

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .3 – .2, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 3.2 – 3.7, #14 – #12 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.0 – 4.9, #11 – #9

Note: While public radio news/talk KWMU’s +.9 (4.0 – 4.9) represents St. Louis’ largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase (6+), news/talk KMOX’s -1.0 (5.0 – 4.0) is the market’s highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease (6+).

Up next: November 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus. 

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Bonneville Denver Names Amanda Brown PD for “104.3 The Fan”

Bonneville Denver names Amanda Brown program director for sports talk KKFN-FM “Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan.” Brown served with ESPN Radio for the past 20 years, most recently as PD of KSPN,im Los Angeles. She takes over for Raj Sharan, who exits the station after four-and-a-half years. Bonneville Denver SVP and market manager Katie Reid says, “We are thrilled to welcome Amanda to the Bonneville family. She brings an extensive amount of experience, knowledge, and leadership to our team. Her understanding of the evolving sports landscape, and tremendous passion for digital media embodies everything we strive for at Denver Sports and on 104.3 The Fan.” Brown begins her new gig on December 4.

Industry News

Round One of November PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including 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). The November 2023 survey covered October 12 – November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC dips one-tenth for a 3.0 share finish and remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR adds one-tenth to finish with a 1.3 share and rises to the #22 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI rises six-tenths to a 5.1 share that lifts it to the #4 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media’s news/talk WGN falls two-tenths to a 3.4 share good for the #10 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM is steady at a 1.5 share but rises one notch to the #23 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part One

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 ratings period (October 12 – November 8) 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).

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are October 2023 – November 2023 (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.1 – 3.0, #11 – #11

WOR 1.2 – 1.3, #23 – #22

WKXW .8 – .8, #25 – #25

WKXW Stream .3 – .2, #37 – #38

News

WINS-FM 4.3 – 4.8, #7 – #6

WCBS-AM 2.3 – 1.9, #15 – #19

Business News WBBR .4 – .5, #34 – #31

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #34 – #34

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #40 – #38 

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.9 – 2.8, #13 -#12 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.4 – 1.5 #21 – #21 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .9 – .9, #24 -#24 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.4 – 4.0, #6 – #9

WNYC-AM 1.3 – 1.1, #22 – #23 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 4.5 – 5.1, #5 – #4

KEIB .8 – .7, #32 – #33  (Clippers)

KRLA .6 – .5, #33 – #36  

News

KNX-FM 3.3 – 3.2, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .1 – .1, #39 – #40  

Sports Talk

KLAC 1.3 – .9, #27 – #30 (Chargers, Clippers)  

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.5 – 2.5, #13 – #15

Flagship of the Rams and Lakers is sports talk KSPN, which is unlisted in this sweep.

Kings’ games are heard on the iHeartRadio app, while games of the Anaheim Ducks are heard on the Ducks stream.

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.6 – 3.4, #8 – #10  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 1.5 – 1.5, #24 – #23

WLIP .3 – .2, #37 – #41

WVON DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WLS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.6 – 5.4, #3 – #3

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .1 – .1, #45 – #44

Sports Talk

WSCR 2.5 – 2.3, #14 – #14 (Bulls)

WMVP 1.6 – 1.7, #22 – #19 (Bears)

WSCR Stream .3 – .5, #37 – #33 (Bulls) 

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 3.2 – 3.1, #12 – #11  

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.6 – 1.6, #20 – #19

KSFO Stream .4 – .4, #28 – #28 

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.6 – 6.5, #2 – #3

KNEW .2 – .3, #32 – #31  

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .1 – .2, #36 – #34

KKSF DNA – .1, DNA – #37 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.2 – 3.4, #11 – #9 (49ers)

KGMZ 1.8 – 2.1, #18 – #15 (Golden State Warriors)

KTCT .3 – .6, #29 – #26  

KGO .3 – .2, #29 – #34  

KGO Stream .2 – .2, #32 – #34    

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 5.3 – 6.7, #3 – #2

KALW .3 – .3, #29 – #31

Note: Public radio news/talk KQED’s +1.4 (5.3 – 6.7) is tied for the highest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets.

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 4.5 – 3.5, #4 – #11

KEGL 1.4 – 1.6, #27 – #25  (Mavericks)

KSKY .6 – .6, #33 – #32

KLIF-AM .4 – .5, #37 – #33

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 2.1 – 2.0, #21 – #21 (Cowboys)

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – .1, DNA – #39 (Cowboys)

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.7 – 5.6, #3 – #1  (Stars)

KRLD-FM 3.6 – 4.1, #10 – #5 (Cowboys)

KRLD-FM Stream .2 – .5, #38 – #33 (Cowboys)

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 2.4 – 3.8, #18 – #6

Note: Public radio news/talk KERA’s +1.4 (2.4 – 3.8) is tied for the highest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 increase by any station in these 12 PPM-markets; conversely, news/talk WBAP’s -1.0 (4.5 – 3.5) is Dallas’ largest (6+)October 2023 – November 2023 decrease.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 4.0 – 4.1, #9 – #9  (Rockets)

KPRC .9 – .6, #26 – #28  

News

None

Sports Talk

KBME 1.5 – 1.3, #22 – #22  (Rockets)

KILT-AM 1.5 – 1.3, #22 – #22 (Texans)

KFNC .3 – .2, #29 – #30

KILT-AM Stream .2 – .2, #31 – #30 (Texans)

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 1.8 – 2.2, #21 – #20

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 8.1 – 8.8, #2 – #1

WFOM .4 – .4, #30 – #29

WGKA .3 – .2, #32 – #33

WSRV-HD3 Stream 2 – .2, #33 – #33

WAOK .1 – .1, #37 – #36

WAOK Stream .1 – .1, #37 – #36

News

WBIN  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WZGC 3.0 – 3.4, #14 – #11 (Falcons, Hawks)

WCNN 1.8 – 1.2, #18 – #21

WZGC Stream .6 – .4, #27 – #29 (Falcons, Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.6 – 3.2, #10 – #13

WRAS  .6 – .9, #27 – #24

Note: Sports/talk WCNN’s -.6 (1.8 – 1.2) is tied for Atlanta’s highest (6+) October 2023 – November 2023 decrease. 

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.1 – 2.2, #15 – #15

WKXW DNA – 1.0, DNA – #24

WPHT Stream .5 – .6, #23 – #26

WURD Stream .6 – .3, #25 – #26

WURD .5 – .4, #23 – #28

WDEL-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #31

WKXW Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

News

KYW & WPHI 5.4 – 5.3, #6 – #6

KYW & WPHI Stream .1 – .1, #27 – #31

Sports Talk

WIP 8.2 – 8.5, #2 – #2 (Eagles)

WIP Stream 1.5 – 1.7, #20 – #19 (Eagles)

WPEN-FM 1.2 – 1.3, #21 – #22 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.1 – 2.9, #11 – #11      

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 2.2 – 2.1, #18 – #17

WOR 1.1 – 1.3, #22 – #20

WLIR .2 – .2, #30 – #31

News

WINS-FM 3.7 – 4.1, #7 – #7

WCBS-AM 2.7 – 2.4, #12 – #13

WINS-FM Stream .6 – .6, #25 – #25

Business News WBBR .3 – .3, #29 – #30

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #31

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.9 – 3.9 #6 – #8 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 3.0 – 3.3, #11 – #11 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream 1.2 – .9, #21 – #22 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #30 – #31

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO .1 – .1, #24 – #22

Sports Talk

KPWK DNA – .1, DNA – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .5 – .4 #19 – #20

KPCC .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 1.1 – 1.4, #23 – #21

KSFO Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #31  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.0 – 5.9, drops to #2 after four consecutive months at #1

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .3 – .3, #29 – #28

KNEW .2 – .3, #30 – #28  

Sports Talk

KNBR 5.2 – 4.0, #5 – #7 (49ers)

KGMZ 2.1 – 1.7, #16 – #18 (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream 1.0 – .8, #25 – #26  

KTCT .8 – .8, #27 – #26   

KGO .6 – .3, #28 – #28    

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

Note: Sports/talk KNBR’s -1.2 (5.2 – 4.0) represents the highest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease by any station in these 12 PPM-markets (6+).

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION (New Jersey)

News/Talk

WKXW 6.0 – 6.3, #2 – #3

WKXW Stream 1.0 – .6, #19 – #22

WOR .6 – .6, #23 – #22  

News

WINS-FM 2.3 – 2.1, #11 – #12

WCBS-AM .9 – 1.1, #21 – #18

WINS-FM Stream .3 – .3, #27 – #26

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 3.4 – 3.6, #9 – #9 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM 1.2 – 1.4, #17 – #17 (Jets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

WFAN FM & AM Stream 1.2 – 1.1, #17 – #18 (Giants, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Up next: November 2023 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

“New Jersey 101.5” and Bill Spadea Partner to Expand Common Ground Podcast

Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” and morning drive host Bill Spadea announce a new partnership that will allow the “Common Ground with Bill Spadea” podcast to reach more viewers throughout the state. The new program will be titled “New Jersey 101.5 presentsim Common Ground with Bill Spadea” and will feature live episodes of the podcast on location from towns, landmarks and businesses across New Jersey. The station says the deal will give Spadea the resources to focus on hard-hitting conversation and longer form interviews with leaders from New Jersey (and beyond). Spadea adds, “This partnership is the next step in the great success of our morning show, which has seen ratings skyrocket in recent years. We’re excited to be bringing multiple remote podcasts to our audience every month and look forward to seeing everyone on the trail!”

Industry Views

Pending Business: Coffee Talk

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imHave you tried the $7 cup of coffee at Starbucks?

A recent visit to my neighborhood location was an eye-opener. The demographics were broader than a trip to Disneyland. The service was average, as the baristas gave a hearty Moe’s welcome shoutout, heads down cranking out the orders.

A recent study showed 63% of millennial coffee drinkers are good with that $7 price because the coffee experience made them feel good. I was wowed at the acceptance of the price point. If the average consumer goes to Starbucks 16 times a month, that is over $100 a month on coffee. No wonder there more than 16,000 locations in the U.S. We just can’t get enough!

Yes, I am a student of successful marketing no matter what the product or service is. Tide, Starbucks, iPhone – what is it about the product that drives the value proposition? Quality? My gym socks do just as well in the less expensive laundry detergent. Dependability? My iPhone needs rebooting more than I would like to admit. Consistency? Ever taste Pike Place when it is from the bottom of the canister? No product or service is flawless, yet we consistently pay more for some over others. Is it marketing, packaging, or genuine performance? A little of everything.

Let us connect to our sales world.

1) There is no shortage of Tide. Yet it is still the most expensive brand on most supermarket and big box store shelves. Consumers have paid a premium for nearly 80 years because we trust the product. And therein lies the lesson for talk radio sellers. The trust your audience has in your on-air hosts is hard-earned equity reinforced every day.

2) The sit-down experience and service in a Starbucks is unique. From Manhattan to Carmel, California, locally owned coffee shops try, and some may succeed but the overall sit-down experience and service at Starbucks is consistently high-quality, meeting our expectations no matter where you are and so price barriers come down. Lesson #2 for sellers. Is your buyer-seller exchange always at a consistent important level no matter how close your relationship with your advertiser? Even when business is down?

3) There is no way to Google that answer. Put yourself in the shoes of your advertiser, especially a first-time advertiser when the wrong copy runs, an invoice is incorrect, or another issue comes up. Is it quick and easy to resolve a discrepancy? Will you invest the time and patience to ease the process?

Our talk radio business rarely integrates intangibles when it comes to pricing. Competitive, efficiencies and demand traditionally drive pricing. Yet the talk radio personalities are the ones with all the intangibles. From political influencers and offering emergency weather information to life changing news storylines that need interpretation to become more acceptable. Yet through it all, we are still the $1 cup of coffee.

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Expects $100 Million in Proceeds from BMI Deal

iHeartMedia, Inc announces that in connection with the previously announced acquisition of Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) to a shareholder group led by New Mountain Capital, LLC, it expects to receiveim approximately $100 million of proceeds related to its equity interest in BMI, subject to approval of the transaction by BMI shareholders and customary regulatory approvals. iHeartMedia says it plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2024.

Industry News

Michael Harrison to Keynote and Be Honored at Next Hurley Charity Dinner in AC

im

TALKERS founder Michael Harrison has been named keynote speaker and guest of honor at the forthcoming 16th Annual Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation Dinner Gala and Silent Auction. The event, organized annually by WPG, Atlantic City morning host and noted radio industry philanthropist Harry Hurley, has raised more than $1.4 million for worthy causes across New Jersey and beyond.  It has become one of the most important annual civicim events in the Garden State drawing 250 guests including government officials, media representatives and community-minded business leaders. The gala will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Harrison says, “This is a huge honor and I’m looking forward to addressing this distinguished event with observations about the media’s position at the crossroads between politics, journalism and changing social norms.” Hurley tells TALKERS, “Our special event will be taking place four weeks before one of the most consequential national elections in American history… arguably, the most important election since the Civil War era.  It deserves to have a keynote speaker as eloquent as Michael Harrison.”

Industry News

Urban One Files Q1 and Q2 2023 Reports

Urban One has been late with its last few quarterly reports due to issues with its former independent accounting firm’s assessment of the company’s sale of its interest in the MGM Harbor Casino. Now, months after obtaining a new independent accounting firm, the company files 10-Q reports with theim Securities and Exchange Commission for the periods ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Briefly, the company’s net revenue for Q1 2023 was $110 million, down 2% from the same period in 2022. The company posted a net loss of $2.7 million for the first quarter. For Q2 of 2023, net revenue was $129.7 million, an increase of 9.2% over the same period in 2022. The company posted a net income of $71 million for that period.

Industry News

Hannity’s DeSantis vs Newsom Debate Set for November 30

FOX News Channel star Sean Hannity is moderating a live, 90-minute televised debate between Florida Governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Thursday, November 30 in Alpharetta, Georgia. “DeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Redim vs. Blue State Debate” will air on FNC from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm (and simulcast on FOX News Radio) with a half-hour, post-debate analysis featuring Hannity and a panel of guests. FNC says, “Focusing on the major issues impacting the country, the debate will examine the vastly different approaches the two governors have and offer insights into their political philosophies as well as ambitions for the nation. Throughout the debate, Hannity will highlight a variety of issues in each state, including the economy, the border, immigration, crime, and inflation. Presented without an audience, the governors will have equal opportunity to respond and address each issue.”

Industry News

Bearman Guests on McCain Podcast

im

Former TALKERS Heavy Hundred radio talk show host Ethan Bearman, of KGO, San Francisco; KSCO, Santa Cruz; and KABC, Los Angeles fame, recently participated as a guest on Meghan McCain’s new podcast titled, “Meghan McCain Has Entered the Chat,” discussing the disturbing wave of anti-Semitism being expressed in the US as a result of the Israel-Hamas War. Bearman left day-to-day talk radio several years ago for a burgeoning career in his own entertainment law firm, as well as teaching at Loyola Law School and engaging in environmental projects in Los Angeles. He’s also an active guest on radio and TV talk shows. Bearman (right) and McCain (left) are pictured when they met several years ago at a TALKERS conference.

Industry Views

Pending Business: The Dilemma

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imWhat’s old is new again.

From Jonathan Swift and Mark Twain to Winston Churchill, Peter Allen and Carole Bayer Sager, historic influencers have been credited with owning that phrase as long as I can remember.

That single concept is one of the foundational principles of media sales, even today. If you have been selling or managing long enough to remember pay phones on street corners, in hotel lobbies and airports, you should have a special appreciation for what follows. Let’s start with:

1. The “Golden Choice: Ratings or Results.” Which would you rather be selling? Top-rated content, or content that generates top performance results? No, they do not necessarily go hand in hand. Just because you sell major-scale delivery, doesn’t necessarily mean your audience will meet the advertiser’s expectation of performance. Like many of you reading this column, I’ve had the privilege of representing both sides of the dilemma; top-ranked content in radio, TV, digital and social media that did not meet the Key Performance Indicator requirements and smaller scale content that delivered annual renewals, year after year. I work with content that generates millions of impressions weekly and content that does not participate in Nielsen surveys, or delivers moderate scale, yet the old dilemma of ratings or results seems new to the newer digital/social media sales teams making calls today.

2. Does the creative match the audience? This is one of my favorite questions, especially when it comes to host-reads. The greatest talents I’ve worked with are never afraid to ask for the creative freedom to tweak copy points to match their audience. Every great host knows the audience. Sometimes it pays dividends to allow for creative freedom and sometimes it becomes a fast track to a cancellation. The difference is the confidence the advertiser has in you and the talent you represent.

3. Just say no, or go with the flow? When business is soft, most sellers and managers will take the short-term test dollars. Thirteen-week minimums become two-week tests and thus a product or service is given a short-term ride on what should be a longer-term campaign. But let’s face it, we’ve all compromised somewhere to help make the cash register ring a little louder. With a respectful nod to every seller and manager, that timeless call is totally up to you.

From local radio sales and podcasts to digital and social media sales, what’s old is new again and again.

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Be Conspicuous When Competitors Are MIA

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIn a recent column, I outlined win-win radio/TV station alliance tactics. This week, as stations are finalizing 2024 budgets, a tip for advertising your station on TV.

Dominate in January. Why:

— It’s a buyer’s market then, and your message won’t compete with other stations’ promotion. Slaves to conventional wisdom, they will be running DURING the Spring book, because they forgot that radio listening is habit, which will be set long before diaries and PPM will collect data. Smart stations derive a benefit message and set that habit BEFORE the book.

im

— If you can trade for over-the-air stations, the price is right. In January they’re lean too. Can you trade – or afford to pay cash for – cable? Two reasons cable might be a better deal:

1. You can target your signal pattern better than over-the-air channels, whose coverage footprint is bigger than yours; and

2. You can buy channels with programming similar to yours. FOX News Radio affiliate? Buy FOX News Channel (and Newsmax).

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

Industry News

WTVN, Columbus Unveils New Morning Program

iHeartMedia’s Columbus news/talk WTVN-AM launches a new 5:00 am to 9:00 am show called “Columbus’ Morning News” hosted by station program director Mike Elliott. Contributors to the program include sports director Matt McCoy, news reporter Scott Jennings, traffic reporter Johnnyim Hill, and producer Michael Campana. The station says, “Thirty-year market veteran, Elliott, who started at WTVN in 1999 as the producer for Columbus radio legend Bob Conners, will continue to serve as program director for 610 WTVN. ‘Columbus’ Morning News’ will also feature timely guests and newsmakers to wake up information-hungry listeners with the local and national news they need to start each day in Ohio’s Capital City. Elliott adds, “I’ve done everything on WTVN except host my own show, and now I get that chance. I’m grateful to be working with the most talented team in the business every morning to bring the news to the best audience out there!”