Tom Sullivan Announces Semi-Retirement from Daily Radio Show
Nationally syndicated talk radio host Tom Sullivan announces that he is going to semi-retire from the business and his daily talk radio program distributed by Talk Media Network will end on May 30. Sullivan
says, “I am going to hang up the microphone… not completely… this show will come to a screeching halt on May 30. After that going to dabble in world of podcasting… I feel fine, feel healthy, and want to go out on top. I’ve been doing radio for 45 years… how grateful I am for each and every one of you. It’s time to move down the road and take the microphone from radio to podcast.” Sullivan – a successful financial services advisor – began his radio career in 1980 on KFBK, Sacramento doing daily business news reports. He expanded to hosting a general topic talk show first as a fill-host before getting his own program. He would often fill in for Rush Limbaugh on his syndication show and Sullivan later became one of the original hosts on FOX Business Network.
Mariners catcher that will air Thursdays at 5:00 pm throughout the 2025 season. On the program, Raleigh sits down with Mariners insider Shannon Drayer for “engaging and in-depth conversations on “Wyman & Bob.” “Seattle Sports” program director Kyle Brown says, “We’re thrilled to provide our fans with more access to Mariners players and the stories behind the scenes. Cal’s insights into his leadership, his role on the team, and the Mariners’ season will offer fans an even closer connection to the team in 2025.”
comes after Woodward closed on the $4.3 million acquisition of four stations in the market from Neuhoff Media last fall. From that deal, the company spun WCVS-FM to Educational Media Foundation. Woodward’s Springfield market manager Kevin O’Dea says, “All of us at Woodward Community Media look forward to the addition of the Mid-West Family stations to our lineup here in Springfield. These four stations along with our current lineup including Channell450.com and our Digital Services will allow us to enhance our local commitment to our listeners, advertising partners and the Springfield and Central Illinois Community.
$171 billion local advertising marketplace. The study reveals that “key categories are driving investments in radio advertising: investment & retirement, quick service restaurants, supermarkets, commercial banking and hospitals. BIA VP of insights and analysis Celine Matthiessen adds, “Notably, hospitals are projected to be one of the top spenders in local radio advertising in 2025, according to our advertising forecast. As they allocate parts of their media budgets to Radio Over-the-Air (OTA), 
Radio Digital and other platforms like Connected TV (CTV), it’s evident that local radio continues to be a trusted and culturally relevant medium, especially in rural and remote communities.” RAB president and CEO Mike Hulvey comments, “Our continued partnership with BIA allows RAB membership insights into opportunity across local advertising categories. Broadcast radio and its digital assets can deliver the services that local businesses want and need to increase their sales revenue. Local businesses across sectors are dependent upon marketing professionals to help guide their growth. Understanding challenges of advertising categories and potential opportunities that exist is the value that this information brings to RAB members and to their prospective advertisers.” RAB and BIA will host, “Radio Ad Forecast 2025: BIA’s Latest Projections,” at 1:00 pm ET on April 16, for RAB members. 
Carr of “illegally targeting broadcast networks and media companies perceived to be unfavorably covering the Trump Administration – wasting critical agency resources on bogus investigations in the process.” The lawmakers are also questioning Carr’s “commitment to his agency’s independence, given his frequent trips with the president to Mar-a-Lago and his targeting of entities that the president has criticized or sued in his personal capacity.” Committee Ranking Members says that “under Carr’s leadership, the FCC has harassed CBS for routine editing practices, reinstated lawfully denied complaints against ABC and NBC, launched a bogus investigation into KCBS-AM in San Jose simply for reporting publicly available information, and directed the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to launch investigations into NPR and PBS based on false allegations.” The Committee is requesting documents and communications “related to its investigations of media entities,” “all communications between Carr and current White House officials and between Carr and other Trump Administration officials that relate to investigations,” as well as Carr’s travel records. 
fundamental ownership restrictions have remained largely unchanged since the 1990s, imposing undue constraints on broadcasters’ ability to innovate and invest in local content. These regulations are a relic of an era when broadcasters were the only electronic media. Today, any one of the largest Big Tech platforms dwarfs the entire broadcast industry – yet they are held to no similar limitations on their reach. This imbalance places broadcasters at a severe disadvantage in competing for advertising dollars and audience engagement… We urge the FCC to act swiftly in eliminating antiquated ownership restrictions and to embrace a broadcast regulatory framework that reflects the realities of today’s dynamic media ecosystem.” 
many of the shows within the Gamut Podcast Network have already been established across Hubbard’s markets, but this marks a transformation: from podcasts as supplemental to radio, to podcasts as a focused, scalable business in their own right. Hubbard CEO Ginny Hubbard states, “The launch of Gamut is more than a rebrand; it’s a pivotal evolution for our company. By establishing Gamut as a core component of our business, we are embracing the future of media and ensuring Hubbard’s relevance for the next century.” John Goforth joined Hubbard in August and is serving as vice president and general manager of Gamut Podcast Network. He says, “Gamut is designed to reflect both where the industry is and where it’s going. Yes, we’re building a national powerhouse – but we’re just as focused on lifting up unique voices and staying true to the communities we serve. It’s about reach and relevance. That balance is what makes Hubbard special, and it will make Gamut special too.”
communicate directly with the Company’s management and directors regarding our views and concerns.” Gate City owns an almost 14% stake in Saga. Melby expresses Gate City’s concerns about Saga, saying, “Gate City’s decision to nominate directors was based on our belief that Saga was determined to pursue its Digital Transformation regardless of the negative impact the transformation could have on Saga’s profitability, cash flow, and share price. Our determination was made following careful analysis and nearly nine months of conversations with the Company’s senior leadership and Board. We repeatedly expressed our concerns 
that Saga lacked the expertise, and the competitive advantages required to succeed in the low-margin and highly competitive digital advertising space. The pursuit of the Digital Transformation would also divert time, attention, and resources away from the Saga’s core broadcast business, where Saga has competitive advantages and earns high incremental margins. Saga also failed to provide investors with any meaningful financial targets or metrics associated with the Digital Transformation including expectations for incremental revenues, costs, margins, and return on investment. Our recommendation that Saga partner with a digitally-savvy company with the capability and experience to execute Saga’s digital strategy without the added costs and risks associated with the transformation was also dismissed.” Melby’s criticism of Saga Communications’ business strategy continues, “In 2024, the Company’s station operating income fell 23.1% year-over-year to $21.1 million, the Company’s operating income fell 79% year-over-year to $2.4 million, and the Company’s operating profit margin fell to 2.1% in 2024 from 10.2% in 2023, a decline of over 800 bps. To make matters worse, this deterioration in financial results occurred during a presidential election year, when Saga should benefit from elevated levels of political spending. Our concern that the pursuit of the Digital Transformation strategy could detract from the Company’s highly profitable broadcast business also appears prescient. On Saga’s Q4 2024 earnings call, the Company noted that it generated $3.3 million in political revenue in 2024. Saga’s 2024 political advertising revenue declined 52% from the $6.9 million generated in 2020 (the last presidential election year) and also fell from the $3.6 million generated in the 2022 midterm election year. The Company’s two largest stations by revenue are located in the battleground states of Ohio and Wisconsin, calling into question the Company’s explanation that Saga’s stations were not in the correct markets. In addition to posting poor financial results, on March 18, 2025, Saga issued a financial filing stating that the Company would be unable to file its 10-K annual report in a timely fashion. This filing further highlights the potential challenges faced by the Company in executing the Digital Transformation.” 
month: KFNX, Phoenix; KMZQ, Las Vegas; KERN, Bakersfield; KSMA, Santa Maria, and WNJD, Cape May, New Jersey. KFNX owner Bill Brady says, “‘Armstrong and Getty’ bring it all: They are funny, knowledgeable, insightful, and always play the hits. They are the prototype of the modern radio talk show. We are thrilled to have them on KFNX. They are a great addition to our lineup.”
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.
is being distributed in the same daypart – 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET – as Dan Bongino’s show prior to the latter’s giving up his media role to take on the deputy director at the FBI. Trump addressed the issue of Greenland and Vice President J.D. Vance’s trip there this week, saying, “We have to have that land because it’s not possible to properly defend a large section of this Earth – not just the United States – without it.” The president also addressed the Signal group chat matter, telling Coglianese that it was possibly an innocent error made by a lower-level staffer for national security advisor Mike Waltz. He noted that it did not impact the success of the attack, but that they would determine how the error happened so it would not happen in the future.
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.” 
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. 
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.” 
Thank you, TALKERS for placing me on two panels at the IBSNYC conference. All student conferences have one underlying goal: Attendees want to know how to land a starter job in media. Here’s the information I shared with the eager crowd.
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. 
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.
KLIX-AM, Twin Falls, Idaho; and more. Premiere Networks EVP of affiliate sales Peter Tripi states, “We couldn’t be happier to celebrate this milestone with Clay and Buck. They’ve worked hard to develop a unique brand that stands out in the marketplace and delivers unparalleled results for our partners. In addition to producing the highest-quality program, their dedication to working directly with our affiliates to drive success in markets across the country is what sets them apart.”
Television Stations; and Peter H. Smyth, former chairman and CEO Greater Media, to its board of directors. Broadcasters Foundation chair Scott Herman comments, “We are delighted that broadcast executives of this caliber will serve on our Board. Their advocacy for our charitable mission is exemplary. Their input and ideas will help us continue to reach out to broadcasters across America to help those in our business who are in critical need.”
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. 
There has never been more news. And news has never been more quotable. It costs two-plus cents to make a penny.