According to a report in the U.S. Sun, “The Bob & Tom Show” cast member and standup comic Ron
Sexton died from an overdose of fentanyl and alcohol. Sexton was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Ohio while on tour doing standup as the Donnie Baker character he often played on the nationally syndicated radio show. Sexton leaves behind his wife Tracey and four children. Read the Sun story here.
According to data from Comscore, multimedia sports platform OutKick delivered 20 million total multiplatform minutes and 19 million total multiplatform views during the August 2023 period. The platform
also saw 5.2 million total multiplatform unique viewers, up 9% year over year. Outkick founder (and co-host of the Premiere Networks nationally syndicated “Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show”) Clay Travis says, “OutKick’s growth continues to spotlight our cutting-edge content and fearless talent. I’m excited for what’s to come especially with college football and NFL in full swing.”
According to a report by Andrew Marchand at the New York Post, Good Karma Brands – which is currently leasing WEPN-FM, New York from Emmis Communications for its “ESPN New York sports
radio brand – will not continue the lease after it expires on August 31, 2024. Good Karma owns WEPN-AM, New York and company chief Craig Karmazin tells the Post, “We’re committed to serving the New York sports fan and with the combination of our AM signal, the ESPN New York app, podcasts, smart speakers, YES and other additional audio and video distribution, investing in an FM signal was not relevant in the way it was a decade ago.” The piece states the lease price for the signal is “in the $12.5 million per year range.” It also reports that sources indicate Emmis is seeking roughly $50 million in a purchase deal. Read the Post piece here.
Todd Starnes, president of Starnes Media Group and a nationally syndicated talk radio personality,
announces the publication of his eighth book. Titled, Twilight’s Last Gleaming: Can America Be Saved? (Post Hill Press 2023), is in the pre-order phase. The introduction to the book was written by former President Donald Trump. Starnes is available for interviews by emailing Grace Baker at grace@kwamradio.com. Starnes is a former FOX News personality whose company owns Memphis news/talk radio outlet KWAM “Mighty 990,” the flagship station for Starnes’ syndicated radio show.
Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks announces the release of the latest episode of the “Sound, Sobriety & Success” podcast, hosted by rock journalist Matt Pinfield and featuring guest Slim Jim Phantom, drummer for the Stray Cats. In this episode, Phantom shares how the Stray Cats made it big, how he decided to go sober, and how he lives the rockabilly lifestyle.
iHeartMedia announces that SVP, Inside Sales Division Chuck Deskins will retire from the company on December 31. Deskins has served with iHeartMedia for more than 32 years, beginning his career in
Cincinnati as an AE at 700 WLW in 1987 when it was part of Jacor Communications. He worked his way up through numerous sales positions within the company, assuming his current role in 2019. As SVP of the Inside Sales Division, Deskins managed iHeartMedia’s largest individual sales team and created advertising opportunities for brands and iHeartMedia partners across the company’s vast array of platforms including radio broadcasting, digital, mobile, outdoor, live concerts and events and more. Deskins says, “I’m really going to miss my Inside Sales family and all my iHeart friends across the country. What an awesome group. Thanks to everyone for making this an awesome ride.”
The Bold Gold Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Bold Gold Media Group that supports educational programs to help students prepare for careers in broadcast journalism, announces that this year’s 8th Annual Event and Dinner on October 21 at the Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre will feature General David Petraeus and Lord Andrew Roberts as keynote speakers. This year’s event is being done in partnership with the Churchill Society of Pennsylvania and will pay tribute to the United States Armed Forces and the theme will follow the title of Petraeus’ and Roberts’ forthcoming book, Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine (Harper 2023). Bold Gold president Vince Benedetto says, “This year will be a most extraordinary event as we have the honor of hosting two remarkable leaders, General David Petraeus and Lord Andrew Roberts. General Petraeus is, of course, one of the all-time great U.S. military commanders and strategists, and Andrew Roberts is one of the greatest living historians and scholars. This evening will be historic, educational and prescient. Having these two giants together on the same stage will be a night to remember.” The Bold Gold Foundation is also be honoring Northeast Pennsylvania business leader, James Shook, of Lake Region IGA, with The Atlas Award for Citizenship, an honor that is bestowed on individuals who, through their hard work and bold actions, show what is possible to achieve in a free society, and who exhibit extraordinary dedication to the highest ideals of character, community service, entrepreneurialism, patriotism, leadership, and virtue. A limited number of complimentary tickets are available for students interested in a career in broadcast media, as well as for military members and first responders. Find more information about the event here.
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
Last week, with little time left on the clock, Disney and Charter Communications made a deal so that Charter customers could continue to watch Disney programming. Phew! Just in time for 15 million Charter cable customers to have access to that 53-year-old American institution called “Monday Night Football.”
It’s amazing how the two sides came together just in time to preserve the TV viewing habits of millions of football fans and all those millions of ad dollars sold into the broadcasts. Although both Disney and Charter lobbed streaming options at viewers to help ease the temporary pain, in the end, cooler heads prevailed, and a deal was struck.
Not so fast, somebody buried a headline.
Just before Labor Day, the Charter guys were claiming the current cable TV bundling model ain’t what it used to be, in effect acknowledging the nearly 5 million people a year who cut the cable. The cable bundle value proposition is changing before our blurry gameday eyes, and more options are becoming accessible every day. Does any of this “I can get this somewhere else” ring familiar?
Try this at home. Ask any Gen Z people you know how often they listen to the radio. (Gen Z are roughly between nine and 26 years old.) Now ask the Millennials you know (roughly 27 to 42 years old). The results will frighten you as you realize the greatest freebie electronic entertainment ever invented is losing the future faster than cord cutters on steroids.
If you have been in the terrestrial radio business for longer than five years, you are aware of the melting ice cube future of radio. Even our friends in the newspaper business are changing with the times, looking for writers who will report specifically on Taylor Swift and Beyonce. They tour the world generating crazy numbers in ticket and music sales. Their appearances and social media impact everything from fashion to politics. How is that for changing a future value proposition?
Sports fan or not, are you in touch with the Coach Prime phenomenon happening at the University of Colorado? The story was featured on the soon-to-be 56-year-old “60 Minutes.”
Deon Sanders is changing college football in Boulder as fans gobble up seats at over $500 a piece.
The point of this column is simple. From cable to pop culture to Coach Prime, leadership is innovating, finding new ways to re-invent and re-package a premise as old as song and sport, a premise much older than the terrestrial radio business. Maybe we can all learn from what we sell.
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.
This Thursday (9/21) at 7:00 pm, Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” is presenting a town hall titled, “School Fight: Trans Kids, Parents and Policy,” on gender identification policies in New Jersey’s schools. The discussion will help New Jersey residents understand the complicated and often controversial rules regarding how schools must deal with trans students. New Jersey 101.5’s Eric Scott will lead a discussion “aimed at separating fact from fiction regarding these rules, particularly the ban against parental notification if a student changes gender identity in school.”
iHeartPodcasts and professional dancer Cheryl Burke announce the debut of a new, weekly podcast titled, “Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans.” Burke has been a part of the “Dancing with the Stars” franchise since the beginning. “She knows all the secrets, the behind-the-scenes arguments, the flings, the flirting and the fighting. Cheryl Burke is ready to spill all the tea by taking listeners all the way back to season one and up through today for the dance floor drama like you wouldn’t believe.”
Emmis Corporation is putting its corporate headquarters at 40 Monument Circle in Indianapolis up for sale and it continues to purge itself of its radio-era assets. Emmis chairman and founder Jeff Smulyan
comments, “Monument Circle has been Emmis’ home since 1998, and I’m proud of what we built, and the people who helped build it. As we divested assets, including our local radio stations, we weighed what to do with the building and ultimately decided that it made sense to look for a new owner.” Last year, Emmis sold its Indianapolis radio stations – including heritage news/talk WIBC-FM and sports talk “The Fan” – to Urban One. Those stations are still operating from the Monument Circle studios. FOX59 in Indianapolis reports that “the sale of the building would not immediately impact the current tenants, which include Star Bank and several Urban One radio stations such as WIBC. Emmis did not clarify, however, if these tenants would have to negotiate new leases with the eventual purchasers or if they could be required to relocate within a specific time following a sale.” See the FOX 59 report here.
Hillsdale College announces that its students claimed six spots as finalists for the College Broadcasters, Inc Awards, the winners of which will be announced in October at the CBI convention in Orlando. Scott Bertram is general manager of the school’s WRFH. He says, “I’m very proud of our students for their well-deserved recognition. This is the largest number of CBI finalists in Hillsdale history, and is a testament to the quality work produced by our students.”
C-SPAN announces that Altice USA chairman and CEO Dennis Mathew joins the C-SPAN board of directors, succeeding Altice USA’s former CEO Dexter Goei. A veteran of the telecommunications industry, Mathew joined Altice USA in late 2022 from Comcast, where he spent 17 years in senior corporate and leadership positions.
Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, in association with Telepictures, and Audacy announce the new program, “Extra: The Podcast,” a weekly podcast from the Emmy Award-winning TV show “Extra” as it enters its 30th season. “Extra: The Podcast” will cover the week’s major headlines as well as extended versions of “Extra’s” biggest interviews with no time limit, allowing listeners to hear the raw conversations that go even more in-depth and feature moments that didn’t make the TV show.
Premiere Networks and Amy Brown announce the addition of “What’s God Got To Do With It?” hosted by Leanne Ellington to The Amy Brown Podcast Network. The weekly podcast features “self-image scientist, best-selling author and internationally sought-after speaker Leanne Ellington using her own experience to guide listeners who want to discover their spiritual path and connect with a higher power in a forum that builds confidence and offers support.”
TALKERS founder and longtime radio programming pioneer Michael Harrison has been appointed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to the position of Executive Advisor for the 2024 presentation of World Radio Day (WRD), celebrated each year on February 13.
The theme of the 2024 celebration is Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating.
Harrison issued the following statement: “In an era marked by the dizzying speed of technological innovation and the rapid obsolescence of one shiny new platform after another, radio is beginning its second century of service as one of the most dependable and widely-utilized forms of media in the world. WRD’s mission in 2024 will be to shine a broad floodlight on radio’s remarkable past, relevant present and promise of a dynamic future. The opportunity provided by the 100-year-plus milestone of radio along with the medium’s endorsement by the United Nations begs to be trumpeted at full volume. I am honored and invigorated at this delicate time in history to be able to participate in helping to celebrate this glorious, iconic medium on a global level.”
UNESCO has posted the following statement: “For many generations, radio has remained the most far reaching, easily accessible communication medium that informs and entertains all sectors of society. While in some regions it has been used to fuel hatred, divisions and conflicts, a lot of progressive legislation and regulatory mechanisms have been passed in many countries resulting in radio that broadcasts balanced news, programs and practices independent journalism in general.”
The statement continues: “Over the years radio practitioners have received training to improve their professionalism and adapt to changing editorial and ethical demands as well as technological developments especially radio’s incorporation into new popular digital platforms. Increasing access to reliable information and reaching audiences in remotest parts of countries in different languages, regardless of literacy levels, have been some of the greatest attributes of radio, still to be surpassed by any other media.”
Every year, UNESCO offers radios stations copyright-free material and suggests some ideas that radio stations could include following the annual themes decided by the WRD Committee, such as special radio shows and audios, open house, broadcast exchanges and increased listener interaction, among others. Harrison will play a key role in facilitating these processes for 2024.
While UNESCO coordinates World Radio Day activities at a global level, UN member countries, through their radio stations and media stakeholders, celebrate the day in a variety of ways they see fit, including offerings of some optional 13 program ideas offered by UNESCO, information, news, audio and video resources every year.
Harrison will be reaching out to radio industry leaders worldwide to, as he says, “Do our best to raise awareness of radio’s ongoing importance and value and help the broader industry achieve that worthy goal, integrating into the new technology and social norms of this remarkable new era.”
The national syndication effort of the “Tavis Smiley” talk radio program accelerates with WVON, Chicago and WURD, Philadelphia adding the program to their lineups. Based at SmileyAudioMedia, Inc’s “unapologetically progressive” urban talk KBLA, Los Angeles, the program was recently put into syndication on Equity Media LLC’s talk WBOK, New Orleans. SmileyAudioMedia says WURD began
airing the program yesterday (9/11) and WVON starts on October 2. Additional networks and stations picking up the “Tavis Smiley” show this month include the “We Believe Radio” network in Mississippi and its affiliates. Smiley says, “In little more than a month, our radio show is now heard in three of the nation’s top five markets. We’re excited that more of America now has access to our innovative and empowering programming with groundbreaking and exclusive conversations. Our rapid expansion is filling a void for African American and progressive listeners in a growing number of markets throughout the United States during this critical presidential election season.” WURD Radio CEO Sara M. Lomax comments, 
“WURD Radio is excited to bring the ‘Tavis Smiley’ show to our listeners in Philadelphia and beyond. Tavis brings a powerful mix of dynamic interviews, pointed social and political commentary and a roster of A-list guests. He is a welcome addition to WURD’s lineup of progressive Black talk programming. Our listeners will be informed, entertained and enlightened by the insightful conversations with notable and influential figures Tavis hosts on his program every day.” WVON chief Melody Spann Cooper says, “We’re excited about Tavis’ return to Chicago radio. He has had a long association with WVON. His show is a perfect fit to offer a national perspective on Black America.” Tavis Smiley recently received the coveted “Freedom of Speech Award” at the Talkers 2023 conference held on June 2, 2023.
In what was clearly a timely programming choice, WPHT, Philadelphia “Talk Radio 1210” aired the back-to-school edition of popular midday host Dom Giordano’s acclaimed podcast, “Readin’ Writin’ and Reason.”
Giordano, heard daily 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, is considered “The Dean of Philadelphia Talk Radio.” He is a former teacher and longtime education analyst. The special program, which aired on 8/31 at 9:00 pm emphasized the importance of parental rights and featured noted psychiatrist Renee S. Kohanski M.D. who gave specific guidance on how parents could direct their kids to realize they could come to them with anything that happened in school. Riley Gaines joined to talk about gender issues, particularly in female sports and Kirk Cameron came aboard to discuss getting books that celebrate traditional values back in libraries. Giordano tells TALKERS, “The show showcases the cutting-edge educational issues we face as a country and offers solutions both short and long term.” On his regularly scheduled show today (9/12), Giordano will be interviewing 13-year-old singing/recording rising star Stella Mabry about her song “Mean Girl” which she wrote at the age of 10 to express her experience being bullied in school. Bullying continues to be a growing problem in American education.
A piece by Justin Kaufmann at Axios Chicago quotes former WLS-AM afternoon talk show host Big John Howell saying the reason he’s no longer with the Cumulus Media news/talk outlet is because, “They told
me that they intend to be the most conservative radio station in America. I just didn’t fit the bill anymore.” Although Howell doesn’t profess to be conservative or liberal, he’s been a talk host for years (in addition to his work at country outlet WUSN-FM), not only with WLS-AM but with Salem Media Group’s crosstown conservative news/talk WIND-AM. However, he’s made no bones about his contempt for former President Donald Trump. He laments to Axios, “Nobody broadcasts anymore. Everybody narrowcasts.” WLS-AM has not revealed its permanent plans for the afternoon drive daypart other than to slide the syndicated Mark Levin program into the 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm slot. Read the Axios piece here.
Beloved chronicler of Los Angles Radio People, Don Barrett, has died at 81 after a battle with liver cancer.
The message, “In an ordinary instant – cancer has taken LARadio.com,” is posted on the publication’s site – a reference to the writings of author Joan Didion. Barrett was profiled by the LA Daily News last month after he was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer. You can read that piece here. Barrett built the LARadio.com site to promote his Los Angeles Radio People books that sought to “highlight every radio personality who was ever on the local [Los Angeles] airwaves between the years of 1957-1994 (first edition).” Barrett is survived by his wife Cherie (pictured here).
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
If you are a seller in the terrestrial radio business, please listen carefully. That faint voice you hear could be the Fat Lady warming up – old Brunhilde ready to wrap it up and put an end to that long, sad Wagnerian opera, known as traditional, transactional radio sales.
I’m not kidding here, folks.
When one of the big boys on the ownership side starts getting serious about real-time bidding for radio inventory, we are talking Google– YouTube– AdSense-style modeling and that can move your radio station’s ad inventory faster than the super computers used to create this year’s NFL schedule.
Did you hear about what it takes to appease CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, Paramount, ESPN, Amazon, and YouTube when they spend $112 billion in rights fees? Let us just say, you can’t please all the buyers all the time, but if you want to please some of the buyers some of the time you forget the sticky notes and call in the super-computer guys. I digress.
Not familiar with the bidding process developed by Google for ads primarily on YouTube videos? It is as easy and as much fun as eBay, Vegas, and your favorite silent charity auction all rolled into one.
Recent estimates put Google’s YouTube ad income at about $30 billion, arguably double the size of the entire commercial radio business. This of course does not include the estimated $165 billion from Google search ads, etc. They know the real-time bidding process better than any of us.
Imagine yourself a radio station owner, like I was, only this time having the daily revenue responsibility of 16 commercials per hour on 25 news/talk radio stations. Even if you focus on Monday-Friday and the traditional 6A-7P model, do your math, then think like a pro. NFL 2023-style supercomputer or old school peddle power? The caveat? Has anyone reading this column spoken to a human seller from the Google bidding platform? OOPS! There goes that Fat Lady again, getting a little louder this time.
Not so fast, Fat Lady, there is a silver lining for the skilled, high-achieving seller in this high stakes, real-time bidding future. Remember, Bugsy Siegel started some of this “bidding” on the Vegas strip in 1946. “Monday Night Football” launched in 1970 moving TV coverage into a multi-billion-dollar ad machine and Google started the online version of all this somewhere in 2005. My point is that fine-tuning for profit takes time and resources. The big boys just gave you a peek behind the curtain and showed you the future. The sellers who worked for me heard this opera in 2007, when one million iPhones were sold. That number now is over 2.3 billion. The future is here and moves fast. Refine your skills daily, learn, grow, and become so valuable to your organization, your name is always at the top of the “Don’t even think about it” list.
Someone please tell the Fat Lady to stop warming up and find a different stage… for now.
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
The fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee iHeartMedia news/talk WISN adds a full share for a 10.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish and the #1 rank, while Good Karma Brands crosstown news/talk WTMJ rises eight-tenths to finish with an 8.7 share lifting it to the #3 rank. In Providence, Cumulus Media news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM adds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 6.8 share good for the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WHJJ rises two-tenths for a 0.4 share and the #18 rank. In West Palm Beach, iHeartMedia talk WZZR-FM dips one-tenth for a 1.8 share but rises to the #10 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s crosstown news/talk WFTL, rises three-tenths for a 1.6 share finish that lifts it to the #12 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets here.
August 2023 PPM Data – Information for the August 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are July 2023 – August 2023 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk: Waterloo Media Group’s KLBJ-AM “News Radio” 4.0 – 3.3, -.7, #10 to #12
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Texas’ KUT 5.4 – 6.1, +.7, fifth to third
Number One 6+: Waterloo Media Group adult hits KBPA, eighth month in succession, 10.4 – 9.7, -.7
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: rhythmic CHR KPEZ (+.9)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country KASE (-1.3)
RALEIGH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WTKK “106.1 FM Talk” 7.9 – 9.2, +1.3, third to second
News: Capitol Broadcasting-owned WRAL-HD3 “WRAL News+” flat at .1, repeats at #16
Sports Talk: Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM “99.9 FM The Fan” 1.8 – 2.3, +.5, #12 to #9
Public Radio News/Talk: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC 9.9 – 9.5, -.4, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WUNC, second consecutive month, 9.9 – 9.5, -.4
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: news/talk WTKK (+1.3)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WRAL (-.7)
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk: Urban One’s WIBC “93.1 FM Indy’s Mobile News” 5.7 – 6.0, +.3, sixth to fourth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Urban One-owned WIBC-HD2 “The Fan” 2.2 – 2.8, +.6, #16 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting-owned WFYI 6.6 – 6.3, -.3, remains in third-place
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult hits WJJK, third successive month, 8.4 – 7.8, -.6
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: hot AC WNTR (+2.7)*
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WLHK (-1.5)
*Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 increase (6+) of any station in all 48 PPM-markets
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WISN “News Talk 1130” 9.7 – 10.7, +1.0, #1
Good Karma Brands-owned WTMJ “Wisconsin’s Radio Station” (Brewers) 7.9 – 8.7, +.8, fourth to third
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRNW “97.3 The Game” 1.0 – 1.4, +.4, steady at #17
Good Karma Brands-owned WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee” .8 – 1.0, +.2, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Wisconsin-owned WUWM flat at 2.5, #13 to #14
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board’s WHAD 1.5 – 1.7, +.2, repeats at #16
Number One 6+: news/talk WISN, fifth straight month, 9.7 – 10.7, +1.0
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: news/talk WISN (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: rock WHQC (-.7)
NASHVILLE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WWTN “Super Talk 99.7” 5.6 – 5.8, +.2, sixth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Cumulus Media’s WGFX “104.5 The Zone” 4.3 – 4.8, +.5, ninth to eighth
Cromwell Radio Group-owned WPRT “102.5 The Game” 1.3 – 1.6, +.3, #20 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN-FM 3.4 – 4.2, +.8, #13 to #11
Number One 6+: Midwest Communications adult contemporary WJXA, seventh month in succession, 11.4 – 10.3, -1.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult hits WCJK (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WJXA (-1.1)
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WPRO-AM & WEAN “News Talk 630 AM & 99.7 FM” 6.2 – 6.8, +.6, sixth to fifth
iHeartMedia-owned WHJJ “News Radio 920” .2 – .4, +.2, repeats at #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group-owned WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, continues in eighth-place
Audacy’s WVEI “Sports Radio 103.7” 2.1 – 2.6, +.5, tenth to eighth
Cumulus Media’s WPRV “790 The Score” steady at .1, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, unchanged at #11
Rhode Island Public Radio’s WNPN 1.5 – 1.4, -.1, anchored at #14
Number One 6+: Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI, second month in a row, 9.6 – 9.7, +.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: Spanish tropical WKKB (+.8)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: CHR WPRO-FM (-1.0)
NORFOLK
News/Talk: Sinclair’s WNIS “News Talk AM 790” 3.9 – 3.1, -.8, ensconced at #11
News: iHeartMedia-owned WNOH “BIN 105.3 Because Truth Matters” flat at .2, #22 to #20
Max Broadcast Group’s business talk WGH-FM-HD2 “Money Radio” steady at .2, #22 to #20
Sports Talk: Max Broadcast Group-owned WVSP “Sports Radio 94.1 ESPN” 2.5 – 2.6, +.1, repeats at #14
WVSP cluster-mate WGH-AM “Fox Sports 1310” unchanged at .2, #22 to #20
Sinclair’s WTAR “Sports Radio 850” flat at .2, #22 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: None in the top twenty
Number One 6+: Audacy urban AC WVKL, eighth straight month, 10.0 – 11.3, +1.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WWDE (+2.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WTWV (-1.0)
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM “104.5 Jacksonville’s News & Talk” 6.1 – 6.5, +.4, sixth to fifth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: WJCT, Inc.’s WJCT 3.6 – 3.2, -.4, #10 to #12
Number One 6+: Renda adult contemporary WEJZ, first month, 9.5 – 9.3, -.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WQIK (+1.4)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: classic hits-oldies WJGL (-.8)
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WZZR “92.1 Real Radio” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #12 to #10
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WFTL “News Talk 850” 1.3 -1.6, +.3, #13 to #12
WZZR cluster-mate WJNO “News Radio 1290” 1.1 – 1.3, +.2, repeats at #14
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WMEN “Fox Sports 640 AM South Florida” .2 – .4, +.2, anchored at #18
iHeartMedia-owned WBZT “Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler” flat at .2, #18 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board’s WLRN 2.8 – 2.3, -.5, eighth to ninth
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting classic hits-oldies WEAT, second straight month, 10.2 – 9.2, -1.0
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: contemporary Christian WAYF (+1.3)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WOLL (-1.7)**
**Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
GREENSBORO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WPTI “News Talk 94.5” 3.9 – 4.7, +.8, anchored in eighth-place
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Wake Forest University’s WFDD 2.3 – 2.8, +.5, #11 to #9
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-owned WUNC flat at 1.4, repeats at #13
Number One 6+: Audacy adult hits WSMW, eighth month in a row, 12.3 – 12.5, +.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WPAW (+1.6)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WTQR (-1.0)
MEMPHIS
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WREC “News Talk 600 AM” 2.5 – 2.0, -.5, eighth to ninth
Starnes Media Group-owned KWAM “News Talk Memphis The Mighty 990” steady at .2, #16 to #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WMFS “Sports Radio 92.9” 2.5 – 2.8, +.3, eighth to seventh
WFMS’ internet stream .4 – .2, -.2, #13 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Mid-South Public Communications-owned WKNO 1.4 – 1.8, +.4, #11 to #10
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia urban AC KJMS, sixth straight month, 13.7 – 12.9, -.8
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRVR (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: gospel WHAL (-1.6)
HARTFORD
News/Talk: Audacy’s WTIC-AM “News Talk 1080” 4.7 – 4.8, +.1, repeats in seventh-place
Red Wolf Broadcasting-owned WDRC-AM “The Talk of Connecticut” 1.6 – 1.5, -.1, flat at #14
WTIC-AM’s internet stream steady at .8, unchanged at #17
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia’s WUCS “97.9 ESPN” 1.6 – 1.3, -.3, #14 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: Connecticut Educational Communications-owned WNPR 3.7 – 4.0, +.3, eighth to ninth
New England Public Media’s WFCR unchanged at .6, continues at #18
Number One 6+: Audacy adult contemporary WRCH, 43rd month in a row, 9.6 – 10.1, +.5
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WRCH; rhythmic CHR WZMX; and CHR WKCI (+.5)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: alternative WMRQ (-1.4)
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com.
The U.S. Senate confirms Anna Gomez to a five-year term as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. Gomez’s confirmation puts an end to two years of gridlock that’s left the Commission with four instead of the full complement of five commissioners. FCC chair Jessica
Rosenworcel says, “Congratulations to Anna Gomez on her confirmation by the United States Senate. I look forward to welcoming her to the Commission. Anna brings with her a wealth of telecommunications experience, a substantial record of public service, and a history of working to ensure the United States stays on the cutting edge of keeping us all connected. Her international expertise will be a real asset to the agency. I look forward to working with her to advance the agency’s mission to ensure the benefits of modern communications reach everyone, everywhere and that the United States can continue to lead in the digital age.”
The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 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. Nielsen’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM jumps nine-tenths to finish with a 6.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #3 rank in the market, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KEX adds a half share for a 1.9 share finish good for the #18 rank. In San Antonio, Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA tacks on one-tenth to wrap the survey with a 2.6 share and rises to the #15 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WOAI dips two-tenths for a 2.4 share finish and falls to the #17 rank. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville news/talk KSL-AM/FM jumps six-tenths for a 4.9 share finish that lifts it to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk KNRS-AM/FM drops 1.2 shares to finish with a 3.4 share that drags it down to the #11 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.
The RAB announces that it will present a webinar next Wednesday (9/13) at 1:00 pm ET to reveal the results of the study it commissioned in collaboration with Engagement Labs titled, “Radio Drives Brand Conversations: Unveiling the Untapped Potential of Radio Conversations” that “uncovers the extraordinary impact of radio on purchase intent, societal discourse and the bottom line for advertiser brand goals.”
Some of the key findings of the study include: 1) Heavy radio listeners engage in a staggering 4.7 billion weekly brand conversations, outpacing heavy users of other media channels, including TV, social media, magazines and newspapers; 2) The study underscores for advertisers’ radio’s dominance across 15 business categories, including sports, financial services, technology and more; 3) A staggering 51% of brand conversations among heavy radio listeners result in an intent to purchase, surpassing the national average of 49%. This remarkable impact is particularly pronounced in sectors like automotive, sports, telecom, technology, beverages and healthcare. RAB CEO Erica Farber states, “Radio is often referred to as the original social medium because of its ability to engage listeners through conversation, entertainment and information. This study underscores radio’s ability to drive word of mouth brand conversations for advertising partners, more so than any other media.” The webinar is free for RAB members. Register for the webinar here.
Next Tuesday (9/12), Ramsey Solutions presents a free livestream program titled, “Student Loan Debt in America: How We Got Here and How We Get Out” at 8:00 pm ET. Nationally syndicated radio host and bestselling author Dave Ramsey and “The Ramsey Show” co-hosts Rachel Cruze and Jade Warshaw will offer insights to make student loan repayments easier and more manageable. Ramsey says, “We want everyone in America who is scared and feeling the burden of student loan debt payments to know there’s hope. You can get through this. Making a plan now, and preparing for these payments to resume, will help you feel less anxious and more confident. And we’re here to walk you through it. In the process, you’ll learn how to better handle your finances now and in the future.” You can register for and watch the livestream here.
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, DC, Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP-FM adds two-tenths for a 9.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #2 in the market, while Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL-FM is steady with a 3.5 share but rises to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville news/talk KIRO-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.7 share and falls to the #7 rank, while Lotus Communications all-news KNWN-AM/FM declines three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 2.0 share good for the #19 rank. In Phoenix, iHeartMedia news/talk KFYI adds a full share for a 3.9 share finish that lifts it to the #10 rank, while Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KTAR-FM adds three tenths to finish with a 3.0 share but remains ranked #15 in the market. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.
iHeartMedia names Joe Donnarumma SVP of sales for the San Francisco market that includes business news KNEW-AM “Bloomberg 960” and KKSF-AM “Black Information Network,” plus five music brands.
Donnarumma most recently served with Univision as president and GM for the company’s radio and TV assets in Arizona. iHeartMedia region president AJ Punjabi comments, “Joe epitomizes the excellence we champion across broadcasting, streaming, podcasts, live events, and our digital frontier. His vast experience magnifies our dedication to leading the audio-digital realm. With Joe, we’re not just adding a title – we’re harnessing a powerhouse of industry insight.”
August 2023 PPM Data – Information for the August 2023 sweep has been released for Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Nielsen Audio’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16.
TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian provides “Takeaways” for spoken-word stations finishing in their respective markets’ top twenty.
Cited as well are each particular city’s #1 station (6+) and loftiest (6+) upticks and drop-offs.
All comparisons noted are July 2023 – August 2023 (6+).
WASHINGTON, DC
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” steady at 3.5, ninth to seventh
News: Hubbard Broadcasting-owned WTOP & WTLP “Washington’s Top News” 9.1 – 9.3, +.2, anchored in the runner-up slot
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” (Nationals) 2.4 – 2.6, +.2, repeats at #16
Public Radio News/Talk: American University-owned WAMU unchanged at 11.6, #1
Number One 6+: public radio news/talk WAMU, 21st month in succession, flat at 11.6
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: classic rock WBIG (+.5)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian WGTS (-1.3)
BOSTON
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s WRKO “AM 680 The Voice Of Boston” 3.4 – 3.5, +.1, #13 to #12
News – Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WBZ-AM “News Radio 1030” 4.5 – 4.2, -.3, seventh to eighth
Sports Talk: Beasley Media Group’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” 4.9 – 5.6, +.7, fifth to third
Audacy-owned WEEI-FM “93.7 Boston’s Sports Station” (Red Sox) 3.5 – 3.7, +.2 #12 to #11
Public Radio News/Talk: Boston University’s WBUR 6.1 – 5.6, -.5, second to third
WGBH Educational Foundation-owned WGBH 3.8 – 3.9, +.1, #11 to #10
Number One 6+: Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies WROR, third month in succession, 6.2 – 6.5, +.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WBWL (+1.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult hits WBGB (-1.0)
MIAMI
News/Talk: None in the top twenty
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Dade County School Board-owned WLRN 3.6 – 3.9, +.3, tenth to eighth
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT, sixth straight month, 8.0 – 7.9, -.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: adult contemporary WLYF and country WKIS (+.7)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary WFEZ (-1.1)
SEATTLE
News/Talk: Bonneville-owned KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” 4.9 – 4.7, -.2, fifth to seventh
News: Lotus Communications-owned KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM “Northwest News Radio” 2.3 – 2.0, -.3, #17 to #19
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KIRO-AM “710 AM ESPN Seattle” (Mariners) 4.0 – 4.7, +.7, ninth to seventh
iHeartMedia’s KJR-FM “93.3 FM Seattle’s Sports Leader” 1.6 – 2.4, +.8, #22 to #17
Public Radio News/Talk: Northwest Public Radio-owned KUOW 4.5 – 6.8, +2.3, seventh to second
Number One 6+: Audacy country KKWF, third straight month, 7.7 – 7.9, +.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: public radio news/talk KUOW (+2.3)*
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: rhythmic hot AC KHTP (-1.1)
*Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 increase (6+) of any station from these 12 – and the previous 12 – PPM-markets
DETROIT
News/Talk: Cumulus Media’s WJR “News Talk 760 AM” 2.1 – 1.9, -.2, #17 to #16
News: Audacy-owned WWJ News Radio 950” 3.9 – 4.0, +.1, #10 to #11
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” (Tigers) 6.7 – 7.2, +.5, third to second
WXYT-FM’s internet stream 1.8 – 1.3, -.5, #18 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Michigan-owned WUOM 1.7 – 1.6, -.1, #19 to #17
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia CHR WKQI, third successive month, 9.6 – 9.2, -.4
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: country WYCD (+1.5)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WDRQ (-1.4)
PHOENIX
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KFYI “News Talk 550” 2.9 – 3.9, +1.0, #13 to #10
Bonneville-owned KTAR-FM “News 92.3 FM” 2.7 – 3.0, +.3, repeats at #15
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: None in the top twenty
Public Radio News/Talk: Maricopa County Community College-owned KJZZ 6.5 – 4.1, -2.4, second to seventh
Number One 6+: Hubbard classic rock KSLX, third consecutive month, 7.8 – 7.6, -.2
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: news/talk KFYI and rock KUPD (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: public radio news/talk KJZZ (-2.4)**
**Represents the largest July 2023 – August 2023 decrease (6+) of any station from these 12 PPM-markets
MINNEAPOLIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s WCCO “News Talk 830” (Minnesota Twins) flat at 3.5, #13 to #14
Hubbard Broadcasting-owned KTMY “My Talk 107.1” 2.3 – 2.2, -.1, continues at #16
iHeartMedia’s KTLK-AM “Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130” unchanged at 1.3, repeats at #19
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned KFXN “FM 100.3 K-Fan” 3.8 – 4.8, +1.0, #12 to #9
Public Radio News/Talk: Minnesota Public Radio’s KNOW 6.7 – 6.2, -.5, stays in fourth-place
KNOW’s internet stream 1.2, #20 (unlisted in July 2023)
Number One 6+: Northwestern Media contemporary Christian KTIS-FM, fifth consecutive month, 11.6 – 10.7, -.9
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk KFXN (+1.0)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian KTIS-FM (-.9)
SAN DIEGO
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOGO “News Radio 600” 4.6 – 4.7, +.1, eighth to seventh
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Audacy-owned KWFN “97.3 The Fan” (Padres), 5.0 – 4.9, -.1, fifth to sixth
Public Radio News/Talk: San Diego State University’s KPBS 5.2 – 5.8, +.6, fourth to third
Number One 6+: Local Media San Diego rhythmic hot AC XHRM, first month, 6.9 – 6.6, -.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: regional Mexican KLNV (+1.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: adult contemporary KYXY (-1.1)
TAMPA
News/Talk: Cox Media Group’s WHPT “102.5 The Bone – Real, Raw, Radio” steady at 5.2, sixth to fifth
iHeartMedia-owned WFLA “News Radio 970” 4.1 – 4.3, +.2, tenth to eighth
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: iHeartMedia-owned WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” (Rays) 1.3 – 1.8, +.5 #21 to #20
Public Radio News/Talk: University of South Florida’s WUSF 2.7 – 2.2, -.5, #15 to #19
Number One 6+: Cox Media Group adult contemporary WDUV, 25th month in a row, 8.1 – 7.8, -.3
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: hot AC WMTX (+.8)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: contemporary Christian WCIE (-1.1)
DENVER
News/Talk: iHeartMedia’s KOA “News Radio 850” (Colorado Rockies) 2.8 – 2.7, -.1, repeats at #16
KOA cluster-mate KDFD “Freedom 93.7” 1.9 – 2.0, +.1, #19 to #20
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Bonneville’s KKFN “104.3 The Fan” 2.7 – 3.8, +1.1, #17 to #11
KSE Radio Ventures’ KKSE-FM “Altitude Sports Radio 92.5” 1.8 – 2.1, +.3, #20 to #19
Public Radio News/Talk: Colorado Public Radio-owned KCFR 3.7 – 4.0, +.3, #11 to #10
Number One 6+: Bonneville country KYGO, first month, 6.1 – 6.6, +.5
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk KKFN (+1.1)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: classic rock KQMT (-1.3)
BALTIMORE
News/Talk: Hearst Television’s WBAL “News Radio 1090 AM & 101.5 FM” (Orioles) 3.5 – 3.2, -.3, locked at #12
WCBM Maryland-owned WCBM “Talk Radio AM 680” 1.2 – 1.5, +.3, #19 to #18
News: Audacy-owned business news WDCH “Bloomberg 99.1 FM” 1.0 – 1.4, +.4, #21 to #19
Sports Talk: Audacy’s WJZ-FM “Baltimore Sports Radio 105.7 The Fan” 3.8 – 4.4, +.6, tenth to eighth
Public Radio News/Talk: Your Public Radio Corporation-owned WYPR 4.3 – 4.4, +.1, repeats in eighth-place
Number One 6+: iHeartMedia adult hits WQSR, first month, unchanged at 6.7
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk WJZ-FM and urban AC WWIN-FM (+.6)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: classical WBJC (-.8)
ST. LOUIS
News/Talk: Audacy’s KMOX “The Voice Of St. Louis” (Cardinals) 5.5 – 5.9, +.4, eighth to sixth
KMOX cluster-mate KFTK “Talk 97.1 FM” 1.9 – 1.8, -.1, #15 to #16
iHeartMedia-owned KTLK-FM “104.9 The Patriot” .7 – .9, +.2, #21 to #18
News: None in the top twenty
Sports Talk: Hubbard Broadcasting’s WXOS “101 ESPN” 1.7 – 2.4, +.7, #16 to #15
Public Radio News/Talk: University of Missouri-owned KWMU 3.9 – 3.6, -.3, repeats at #12
Number One 6+: Hubbard Broadcasting adult hits WARH, eighth month in a row, 11.4 – 10.3, -1.1
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Increase: sports talk WXOS (+.7)
Largest 6+ July 2023 – August 2023 Decrease: country WIL (-1.4)
Up next: August 2023 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.
Email Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
New York City talk radio personality Mark Simone signs a new, three-year deal with iHeartMedia’s news/talk 710 WOR to continue hosting the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon show. Simone says, “There’s no better
place to be in the radio world than iHeartRadio. Thanks to the finest broadcasting executives around, Tom Cuddy, Thea Mitchem and Bernie Weiss for making it all happen. Walking to work every day is like walking through the Radio Hall of Fame. Just to get to my studio, I pass Elvis Duran, Jim Kerr, Charlamagne tha God, Angela Yee and other all-stars.” WOR program director Tom Cuddy adds, “When I joined WOR almost 11 years ago, Mark was my first hire. Since then, it’s been a blast watching Mark grow into becoming the highest-rated radio talk host in his time slot, along with digital numbers that are among the highest in the country.”
EDITOR’S APOLOGY: The above story about Mark Simone’s new contract at WOR originally ran yesterday (9/5) in TALKERS. Unfortunately, our art department utilized a combination of hand-rendered illustration, CGI and AI in creating a headline banner image that apparently missed its mark. The premise was to depict Simone as the proverbial “800 pound gorilla” of New York radio in which his avatar – a Simone lookalike – inspired by the legend of King Kong, was depicted as a determined figure climbing the Empire State Building. As it turned out, the King Kong reference was not clear to our readers because there was no actual ape depicted and Simone received a large number of emails telling him that TALKERS ran a photo of the wrong guy. We meant it to be a caricature but our creative plan backfired. Simone was upset by the image telling TALKERS, “I have had dozens of caricatures done of me in the past. They are usually somewhat cute. Never had a problem with them. Yours looked hideous and really cheap. When radio people try to do it, they have no skill at it… no one thought it was a caricature and no one thought it was me. The 13 emails I got from radio execs asked me why you used a picture of someone else, so they never thought for a second it was supposed to be a caricature and no one noticed anything to do with the Empire State Building.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison issued the following statement, “Simone is right. Looking back at it now, with the increased objectivity of having a full day to think it over, I can understand why he was upset, although there was nothing specifically disparaging about the image. It just wasn’t clear that it was meant to be him and that he was supposed to be climbing a building in an iconic scenario. After all, a media personality’s sound and image are their brand and they must be protective of its depiction. We have subsequently pulled the banner from the website and replaced it with a more standard format with the same copy but a different graphic (see above). The irony is Mark Simone and I have been friendly for more than three decades and I’ve often stated that he is one of the greatest and most successful radio personalities in New York and the nation, not to mention a top notch human being. I still think that. All of us at TALKERS deeply regret this mistake which was the result of an overly-zealous attempt at being creative. In the world of publicity there’s the old saying ‘as long as they spell your name correctly.’ Well, I guess in this case we spelled Mark Simone’s face wrong.”
The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s August 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). Nielsen’s August 2023 sweep covered July 20 – August 16. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York City, Red Apple Media news/talk WABC-AM/WLIR-FM dips one-tenth to finish the survey with a 3.1 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises to the #10 rank. At Audacy’s crosstown all-news WINS-AM/FM, the station is flat at a 4.9 share but falls to the #7 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia news/talk KFI adds six-tenths for a 4.8 share finish that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Audacy’s crosstown all-news KNX-FM rises one-tenth for a 2.9 share good for the #12 rank. Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP, Dallas rises four-tenths to a 4.3 share that lifts it from the #9 to the #4 rank, and Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta tacks on one-tenth to finish the survey with a 6.6 share and remains ranked #3. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways here.
Cumulus Media and sports media personality Rich Eisen announce a new deal with the Cumulus Podcast Network to distribute, market, and monetize all existing and forthcoming podcasts with the newly formed Rich Eisen Podcast Network. This includes Eisen’s latest production, “What The Football with Suzy Shuster and Amy Trask,” which debuts on September 12. Most recently, Eisen launched
“Overreaction Monday” on September 4 that expands on the most popular segment of his flagship podcast, “The Rich Eisen Show,” into its own weekly podcast with Eisen and co-host Chris Brockman reflecting on the biggest fan- and hysterical media-driven overreactions from the previous weekend’s professional and college football games. To support his growing podcast network, Eisen has built an expanded studio and team in El Segundo, California with state-of-the-art recording equipment and set design. Eisen says, “Since joining the Cumulus family, they have shown unwavering support for my vision in growing my brand. As I have expanded my suite of services, they were the only ones I wanted to do business with, and I couldn’t think of a better place for my voice and productions to be heard over the coming years.” In addition to his podcast network, Eisen hosts the pregame and halftime shows for Westwood One’s syndicated “Monday Night Football” coverage and anchors “The Rich Eisen Show,” also syndicated by Westwood One for national radio.
Audacy’s mental health initiative, “I’m Listening,” is being presented on September 20 this year. In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the broadcast will bring
together artists, athletes, medical experts and others to highlight why talking about mental health is important and discuss how they manage their own mental health. Carson Daly, radio personality and co-host of NBC’s “TODAY” and “The Voice,” returns to host the special and is being joined by Katie Neal, Audacy’s nationally syndicated country host and Dr. Alfiee M. Breland-Noble, psychologist, author and scientist who founded the mental health nonprofit The AAKOMA Project.
77WABC and owners John and Margo Catsimatidis are honoring music radio pioneer and legendary air personality Cousin Brucie (Bruce Morrow) in recognition of his more than 60 years entertaining listeners.
The gala event being held in New York tomorrow (9/7) will also celebrate 102 years of WABC broadcasting “the best in news and entertainment to millions of listeners across the greater New York City area and now – with streaming, podcasting, and the 77WABC mobile app – to listeners around the world!” John Catsimatidis comments, “I grew up listening to 77WABC and Cousin Brucie. My dream was to return 77WABC to its glory with compelling and entertaining programming and big-name personalities. Plus, I wanted to bring back music on weekends when we all need a break from news, politics, and business. I called Cousin Brucie and got him back where he belongs – on 77WABC.”
The son of WIP, Philadelphia midday host Hugh Douglas, also named Hugh Douglas, died in a car crash in Georgia on Monday (9/4). The younger Douglas – a student at Morehouse College – was traveling with fellow student Christion Files Jr. who also perished in the crash. The elder Douglas is a former star defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles. He co-hosts the WIP show with Joe Giglio.
iHeartMedia, Inc announces that chairman and CEO Bob Pittman and COO and CFO Rich Bressler will participate in a question and answer session during the BofA Securities 2023 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on Wednesday, September 13 at 9:40 am ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the general public at the start of the session through a link on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website. A replay of the webcast will be available in the Events & Presentation section of iHeartMedia’s Investors homepage.
In celebration of yesterday’s (9/5) International Day of Charity, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, in association with Telepictures, debuted the “Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon” podcast in collaboration with iHeartPodcasts and SixDegrees.Org. In his new show, Bacon will encourage listeners to make a difference in the world around them and will help them to lean in, learn and be inspired to act.
CNN Audio announces that CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is leading listeners into an exploration of the human body’s most intricate and fascinating organ – the brain – when the eighth season of his podcast “Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta” returns, premiering Tuesday (9/12).