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Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

KUT, Austin Promotes MacLaggan. Public radio outlet KUT, Austin, Texas names Corrie MacLaggan executive editor of KUT News and The Texas Newsroom, effective September 1. She will lead editorial strategy, support collaboration across teams, and focus on growing audiences across digital, radio, and on-demand platforms. She currently serves as managing editor of The Texas Newsroom and will retain oversight of that collaborative, while dedicating more time to KUT News and Texas Standard.

WOR Renews NYC Marathon Deal. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR, New York and New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that produces 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, agree to a new multi-year expansion of their official radio broadcast partnership. The deal is part of New York Road Runners’ newly launched content studio, East 89th St Productions, and aims to bring the transformative stories of the running community to iHeartMedia’s listeners across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.

RMWorldTravel Hosts Secretary Duffy. Last weekend, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy was the guest of hosts Robert and Mary Carey during the live national broadcast of RMWorldTravel during the “Chief Travel Leader” conversation. Secretary Duffy and the Careys talked about what’s been accomplished in the first six months of the Trump administration and what lies ahead. Listen to the segment here.

WFAN and Giants Extend Deal. The New York Giants and Audacy’s WFAN, New York extend their play-by-play partnership. WFAN will continue as the flagship station of the team, and as part of the extension, the team will produce monthly Giants programming throughout the year and will continue its weekly preview show, “Big Blue Kickoff Live.” Tiki Barber joins Giants.com’s John Schmeelk as the new pre- and post-game co-host for Giants gameday broadcasts. The voice of the Giants, Bob Papa, alongside Carl Banks and Howard Cross, will continue their in-game responsibilities.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: News/Talk’s New Fall Season

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgWhy we’re already seeing TV tout its coming attractions: They understand how, after Labor Day, routines settle in. Viewers will be ready to re-engage.

Radio stations that treat September as just another month are missing an opportunity to reintroduce our relevance, refresh our programming, and remind listeners why we matter. After a summer of disrupted routines, school vacation, and scattered attention, commutes return, and schedules normalize. And we want to be the soundtrack. How?

1. Make listeners feel like they’re rejoining a conversation they care about. “Back to the grind? We’re back with what matters.”
2. Freshen your lineup or formatics. It’s a great time to introduce new contributors – analysts, columnists, or rotating guests with fresh perspectives. Debut a new segment: deeper dives, listener town halls, daily fact-checks, etc.
3. Update Imaging.Listeners tune to news/talk for clarity. At client stations, we’re refreshing IDs, show opens, transitions. Convey momentum and immediacy, and that you’ve got your listener’s back. Adjust clocks to improve flow and appointment tune-in. Even subtle changes, well-explained and promoted, can feel significant.

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4. TV has premieres. Radio can, too. Launch a limited-run podcast series and promote it on-air?
5. Promote like you’re running for election. Off-air marketing money may be scarce, but you have other arrows in your quiver: Daily topical on-air promos explain how listening will be helpful. Use social media to tease what’s upcoming, and to post ICYMI “Feature the Moments that Matter.” Ditto e-newsletters and station app alerts and, and partner mentions via local media or civic groups.
6. Sales! Help advertisers freshen their messages similarly.

Any station, any format, should reassert its role. And – as each day’s events impact everyday life – no other format can command more attention than news/talk. So, welcome back.

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

Industry News

Cumulus to Release Q2 Numbers

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Cumulus Media Inc will release operating results for the second quarter of 2025 on Thursday, August 7 at 8:00 am ET and will at host an investors conference call at 8:30 am that day.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Innes to Host Mornings in Detroit. Radio personality Josh Innes, who has worked in the sports talk format in Philadelphia and Houston, is the new morning drive host at iHeartMedia’s rock WLLZ, Detroit. The station says, “‘The Josh Innes Show’ will wake up Detroit listeners with an interactive show that combines live callers, opinions and commentary on a wide variety of topics. From sports to pop culture and local interests, Josh Innes brings a fresh and engaging approach that is both fun and uniquely Detroit.

iHeartMedia Q2 Financial Report Announced. iHeartMedia, Inc will issue financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 on Monday, August 11. The company will conduct a conference call at 4:30 pm ET, following the release of its earnings announcement, to discuss its financial results and business outlook.

Urban One to Present Q2 Operating Results. Urban One announces it will reveal the operating results from the second quarter of 2025 on Tuesday, August 19 and will hold a conference call for investors, analysts, and other interested parties at 10:00 am ET that morning.

Industry News

SABO SEZ: Star Search – They’re Out There!

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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

imgConventional industry wisdom: “If our morning star leaves, we’re dead. How could we replace them?”

First, loosen up the criteria. There are actual conversations taking place right now at an AC station between executives afraid to hire a great country jock because she has never “done AC.” Let that nonsense go and pay attention to the qualities of a star.

Consulting work brought regular demands to find star talent. Disruptive. Audience builders. Talent can be found anywhere, everywhere when we put down the notion of an ideal resume.

FAVORITE STORY: I was on the 23rd Street bus a few years ago. It was packed. There was a woman on her cell phone giving advice to a caller about living with a man prior to marriage. She had a big personality, easy to hear. New Yorker after New Yorker listened to this intriguing conversation and then… passenger after passenger started to express their opinions to this passenger, on a New York City bus, at rush hour. By the time she had to get off, half the bus was participating with her in her private conversation.

I wrote her a note on my card and asked her to please get in touch with me.

She did. We had coffee for one hour. It seemed like five minutes. Her life story was intriguing, overwhelming, timeless.

Anna Smith. “Anna on the Bus.” I had her in the production room at Audacy in New York and tough big city radio people gathered around the studio and whispered to me, “She should have her own show.”

Anna tells compelling stories: Her father was an 18-wheeler. He would arrive first with his deliveries. Dispatchers usually sent him to the back of the line because he was Black. After waiting for hours to dock, he was fined for late deliveries.

Anna lost several of her seven children to disease and shootings. No anger. Just “the way of the world.” Stories like that. She’s been on my show many times. She’s a radio star.

“Anna on the Bus.”

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

Industry Views

Monday Memo: The Dog Days of Summer

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgAsk any dog: The humans’ greatest invention EVER? Ice cream. Share summer’s sweetest treat with them, and listeners, during National Ice Cream Month.

Ask dog owners: “What makes YOUR dog happy?” Callers will tell stories.

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And what’s cooler than hot wings? Do something special on July 29 – National Chicken Wing Day – and you will seem more special than non-local and/or robotic audio competitors.

Ditto International Hot Dog Day, August 26.

Convene a meeting to brainstorm opportunities on Thursday (July 24, National Tequila Day). Or August 8, International Beer Day.

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

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Colin Cowherd Adds 400th Affiliate. FOX Sports Radio’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” reaches the 400-affiliate milestone with the addition of iHeartMedia’s “Rip City Radio 620 Portland” (KPOJ-AM). Cowherd says, “I couldn’t be more excited about the move! The Northwest has always held a special place in my heart! I was so fired up when I got the call from iHeart and am extremely honored that of all the cities, Portland’s KPOJ is my 400th affiliate.”

Benztown Partners with APM Music. Benztown is partnering with production music library APM Music to bring the latter’s work to radio stations. The APM Music library includes 1.3 million tracks in every genre and style from around the world and a constant flow of new releases, with more than 180 new curated new albums, 8,000 new tracks, and 2,000 songs with stems added each month.

Mission Media AI Partners with VSiN. Mission Media AI partners with VSiN, The Sports Betting Network to exclusively represent advertising sales across VSiN’s portfolio of content. Mission Media says the partnership strengthens its growing footprint in the sports space and unlocks new revenue opportunities for VSiN across their multitude of consumer touch points, including eight regional sports networks.

Paragon Welcomes Mikel Ellcessor. Paragon adds longtime public radio professional Mikel Ellcessor as an on-air fundraising consultant. Paragon says Ellcessor’s expertise will complement on-air fundraising consultant Christina Shockley’s specialized and proven approach to strategizing and producing modern, listener-focused, and impactful on-air fund drives and membership campaigns and adds that Paragon is fully situated to provide new fundraising strategies at a time when public radio stations are seeking new revenue solutions.

Industry News

Audacy Promotes Deegan to SVP and Market Manager

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Audacy promotes Tatjana Deegan to SVP and market manager for the Austin station group that includes news/talk KJCE-AM and three music brands. Deegan has been serving as vice president of sales for theimg cluster and will continue in that role. Audacy regional president Brian Purdy comments, “Over the past few months, Tatjana has seamlessly led the team with the powerful combination of her contagious passion for this business and people-first leadership. Since stepping in as vice president of sales a little over a year ago, she has been a driving force in the market’s success, and we’re confident she’ll bring that same energy and creativity to her expanded role. We’re excited to see how she continues to uplift our Austin brands.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

“Latino USA” Joins My Cultura. Futuro Media and iHeartMedia announced that the “Latino USA” podcast joins iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network. Maria Hinojosa’s long-running “Latino USA” airs weekly on 387 public radio stations across the United States and Canada. PRX continues to distribute “Latino USA” via public radio stations while iHeartMedia’s My Cultura Podcast Network distributes the podcast version of the show on iHeartRadio and more.

“Thank a Teacher” Campaign Launches. iHeartMedia launches iHeartRadio’s “Thank a Teacher” campaign with longtime partner DonorsChoose – an education nonprofit that empowers U.S. public school educators to request the classroom supplies they need to serve their students. The one-month media campaign is dedicated to recognizing public school teachers who are shaping the future of America’s youth and will highlight the important role that teachers play in educating, mentoring and inspiring students, despite facing limited resources and funding challenges.

Industry News

Hubbard Names Beyer VP/ Market Manager for Seattle

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Hubbard Radio names Nick Beyer the new VP/market manager for its Seattle cluster that includes alternative talk KKNW-AM, four music brands and the 2060 Digital Seattle office. Beyer began his radio career at theimg Hubbard Seattle stations (then owned by Sandusky) and rose through the ranks in promotions, sales, and on-air roles, and was selected for Hubbard’s inaugural NextGen Leadership program. Most recently, Beyer held senior sales leadership positions at CRISTA Media and iHeartMedia Seattle. Beyer says, “I’m incredibly honored to return to where it all began. Hubbard Radio Seattle is home, and I can’t wait to work with this amazing team to serve our listeners, clients, and community.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

PodcastOne Announces the Return of “Chrisley Confessions.” The podcast hosted by reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley relaunches as “Chrisley Confessions 2.0.”  PodcastOne president Kit Gray says, “We are excited to welcome Todd and Julie back to PodcastOne and support them in sharing their voices once again. ‘Chrisley Confessions’ has always resonated with audiences for its authenticity, vulnerability, and signature Chrisley humor — and we know that listeners and advertisers are anxious for the show relaunch and hearing firsthand from Todd and Julie.”

Networks Join NRCC. The Network Radio Research Council (NRRC), a coalition of network radio vendors and subscribers dedicated to advancing national radio audience measurement research, is pleased to announce the addition of key research leaders from Audacy Networks, Compass Media Networks, Entravision, Key Networks-United Stations, and Reach Media to its roster.

Industry News

Monday Memo: We’re There, Too

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgHow obsolete does this sound? “Newsweek magazine.” News, gathered during most-of the week, had to be frozen by week’s-end, on deadline, to roll the presses in time for hard copy to be delivered in Monday’s snail mail. Back then – picture people dressed like “Mad Men” characters – enough subscribers felt informed-enough to deliver Return On Investment for the magazine’s advertisers. Seems antique. Now, news is reported moment-to-moment, on any device. And newsweek.com is there… along with everyone else competing for attention.

Also quaint: that “clock radio” on the nightstand, which accomplished two-of-many functions now on smartphones. And the “transistor radios” heard all along the beach this time of year in the 1960s? In Providence, the capital city here in The Ocean State, an AM 630 signal superior to its AM 1290 Top 40 competitor led WPRO to brand itself as “The Station That Reaches the Beaches.” Now, there are smart speakers on those beach blankets. I live at the beach and hear them playing Pandora and Spotify.

Good news, but…

Radio is still the #1 in-car audio; increasingly ported there via smartphone app, if stations have explained theirs well. And there’s plenty of other audio on those phones, and on the smart speakers that brought radio back in-home… unless we ask Alexa to instead “play hotel poolside music” or ask her for the weather or some other heretofore radio content.

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Repetition builds habit, and to best explain that we’re there too, you should audit the user’s experience consuming your stream. Does “Just say ‘Alexa, play 102.3 WXXX’” or “Hey Siri, play KXXX on TuneIn” get you there? Does the smartphone app instantly play your on-air programming, or are multiple clicks required?

More important than Where and How to listen: Why?

Radio’s real-time nature is still its superpower, and if your station has earned a news reputation, listeners will find you – however they listen – when the fit hits the shan. And between bombshells, diligent stations whose real-time audio seems helpful and relevant and uniquely local will be habit-forming and keep ‘em comin’ back for more. Adding push notifications, breaking news alerts, and other direct engagement can bridge the gap, prompting more live listening.

Beyond that “linear” delivery, our on-demand culture favors predictable utility. Smart stations repurpose their best moments into snackable content: a daily local news roundup, your morning show’s funniest bit, or the weather and event calendar for the weekend; all sponsorable. ICYMI, my recent TALKERS column: Feature The Moments That Matter.

Your over-the-air signal is still the beating heart of your operation. Your call letters are a family surname, these new platforms are siblings. They’re extensions, not threats; extra doors into your house. Make sure they’re open wide, easy to find, and lead to something welcoming. Ideally something they can’t hear anywhere else.

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

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Covino & Rich Broadcasting from All-Star Game. FOX Sports Radio’s “Covino & Rich” are broadcasting from the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta this week. While “The Dan Patrick Show” is on vacation, a special edition of “Covino & Rich” will broadcast in the show’s 9:00 am to 12:00 noon ET timeslot. Post-game coverage will continue Wednesday, July 16 with a broadcast from iHeartMedia Atlanta’s studios.

iHeartMedia Memphis Presenting Chicken & Beer Festival.  iHeartMedia Memphis, including news/talk WREC, is presenting the seventh annual Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival on Saturday, August 16 on the field of the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit local charity Merge Memphis.

Townsquare to Reveal Q2 Financial Results. Townsquare Media will release second quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The company will host a conference call to discuss certain second quarter 2025 financial results that day at 8:00 am ET.

Industry News

2025 TALKERS Heavy Hundred Posted

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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The editors of TALKERS magazine, with input from industry leaders, present the 2025 edition of “The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America” – a popular feature that has come to be known as “The Heavy Hundred.”

Debuting in 1996, this marks the 29th consecutive year of the TALKERS Heavy Hundred existing as an iconic radio industry standard. It actually launched one year earlier in 1995 but only focused on 25 hosts in that first installment.

The criteria used to determine the individual broadcasters included in the list are clearly detailed in a disclaimer posted at the beginning of the feature. According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “In addition to the standard 11 factors considered – which include [in alphabetical order] courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness – the editors strongly considered the quality of entrepreneurship for 2025 which has become increasingly important as the industry hurtles deeper into the digital era and faces emerging challenges which require an expanded set of business skills and layers of emotional fortitude.”

Casey continues, “A number of this year’s inductees have ‘put their money where their mouth is’ and own their own stations or syndication businesses. In 2025, we see that as a deeply personal commitment to the future of the radio medium.”

This year’s list is sponsored by GuestBooker.com and co-sponsored by C. Crane Radio for which TALKERS is grateful.

To see the 2025 TALKERS Heavy Hundred, please click here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Edison Research Unveiling Podcast Report. Edison Research is presenting its The Podcast Consumer 2025 in a webinar on July 23 at 2:00 pm ET. Edison says a key focus in the new report is the evolving definition of podcast “consumption,” exploring podcast viewing as well as listening. You can register for the webinar here.

Saga to Present Q2 Financial Data. Saga Communications, Inc announces that it will release second quarter 2025 operating results at 9:00 am on August 7 and will hold an investors conference call the same day at 11:00 am ET.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

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BFoA Adds Hopkins to Board. The Broadcasters Foundation of America elects Ray Hopkins, president of Paramount U.S. Distribution, to its board of directors. BFoA chair Scott Herman comments, “Ray is a leader in broadcasting, and we are grateful that he is donating his time and energy to our charitable mission. Ray’s addition to our board of directors will inspire fresh ideas on how to effectively reach broadcasters across America with our message of hope.”

NYPR Appoints Three to Board. New York Public Radio appointments three media professionals to its board of trustees. Gary Knell’s career includes tenures as president and CEO of Sesame Workshop, NPR, and National Geographic. Jenna Weiss-Berman co-founded Pineapple Street Studios, and is currently head of podcasts at Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions. Jeremy Kuriloff is managing director and partner at the Boston Consulting Group.

WYPR Wins Journalism Awards. WYPR, Baltimore “88.1 FM, Baltimore’s NPR station,” wins four awards from the Public Media Journalists Association. The PMJA Annual Awards are designed to recognize the very best in public media work done by local public media outlets.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Beasley Sells Tampa Signal to EMF. Beasley Media Group is entering into a definitive agreement to sell WPBB‑FM, Tampa “98.7 The Shark” Educational Media Foundation. The transaction will mark EMF’s official entry into the Tampa Bay market. Beasley Media Group has owned and operated the 98.7 FM signal since acquiring the station as part of a swap agreement with CBS Radio in 2014, when Beasley officially took ownership of WHFS‑FM, along with five other Tampa Bay stations.

Starnes Delivers Keynote Addresses. Newsmax host and nationally syndicated radio host Todd Starnes was the keynote speaker at the recent National Right to Life Conference and the Kansas Republican Party Convention in Kansas City. He was also a keynote speaker at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s Road to the Majority Conference in Washington, D.C. Starnes is currently on a nationwide tour promoting his new book, Star-Spangled Blessings.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Feature the Moments That Matter

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgAre archived shows – whole hours – your station’s only on-demand offering? It’s an easy checkbox: post the aircheck, call it a podcast.

And why not? In our on-demand culture, why expose this work – and its sponsors – only to those who happened to be listening in real-time? But few listeners will sit through an hour – or three – of linear audio. Most don’t when listening live. They’re busy. The only person who hears the whole show is the host (which is why I cringe when I hear “hour number three”).

Trim the fat, serve the steak 

Many more will be interested in highlights, those couple minutes of Pet Pro Dr. Donna Stone’s tips for “Helping Your Critters Keep Their Cool During a Long Hot Summer,” or whatever “money moments” aired.

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— Give these excerpts a title, incorporating words someone might include in Search. Add a sharable description. Let MS Copilot or ChatGPT make you a graphic. For this example, make it a cute puppy.
— In addition to the station’s website, these clips should be all over your social media. Think of your whole show as a movie. Hashtag-laden Tweets that include a click-to-listen link are the trailer. Script several versions and post at intervals.
— Get good at this, and your posts will get shared.
–And Dr. Donna can share her moment to her followers.

This is something music station morning shows do better than talk stations, because archiving whole songs is taboo. They’re forced to cull. 

Find the time

It’s an investment in reach, relevance, and revenue. Don’t just archive – curate. You can find new ears, using these audio appetizers to offer people who don’t know your show to try the entrée.

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

Industry News

KNCU, Newport, Oregon Relaunches as Sports Talker

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

KORE Broadcasting is relaunching KNCU-FM, Newport, Oregon as a sports talk outlet under the brand “FOX Sports Newport.” KORE Broadcasting acquired the station from Dave Miller and flips the station fromimg the country format Hank FM. In addition to FOX Sports Radio content, the station also features Portland, Oregon based “The Bald-Faced Truth with John Canzano” and local show “Danny and Justin,” airing from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm daily. Station manager Steve Woodward comments, “We’re excited to bring high-quality sports radio to the Oregon Coast. KNCU has one of the strongest sports lineups in the entire state. We hope to be your #1 choice for sports on the coast.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

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FOX News Media signs conservative podcaster and influencer Brett Cooper as a contributor in which she’llimg provide cultural, social, and political commentary across all FOX News Media platforms. Cooper launched her podcast, “The Brett Cooper Show” in January 2025. From 2022-2024, Cooper hosted “The Comments Section,” a video podcast on The Daily Wire.

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez traveled to rural Kentucky for a stop outside of Washington on her First Amendment Tour in which she talked with community leaders and members of the public about what she considers recent attacks by the Administration and the FCC against the First Amendment. She said, “This Administration’s unprecedented efforts to censor and control speech reach every community, including the coal towns and mountain communities of Eastern Kentucky. I was grateful for the opportunity to visit Fleming-Neon in Fletcher County, Kentucky — a rural community like many others that embody the importance of America’s labor and civil rights struggles — to better understand the steps an independent FCC must take to protect every citizen’s right to speak freely and hold power to account. My message to the people of Kentucky was simple: now is the time to stand up and push back against this assault on free expression and remind those in power that the First Amendment is not optional.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

“Building the Black Agenda” Set for Sunday. Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia is presenting its next “Building the Black Agenda” mobilization and live broadcast on Sunday (6/29). The station says its “Building the Black Agenda” initiative has hosted three “Cash Mobs” to support small, Black-owned businesses, the cornerstone of the initiative. This Sunday’s cash mob aims to mobilize listeners and supporters to contribute to WURD Radio’s continued survival and growth. The station has set a $20,000 fundraising goal.

NHPR Files Friend of the Court Brief. New Hampshire Public Radio filed a friend of the court brief making the case for blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order that would defund public media. Along with 28 other public radio organizations, NHPR contends in the brief that Trump’s executive order is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, that it would upend a system Congress devised to maintain the editorial independence of public media, that it would strip stations of the right to make their own programming choices, and that it violates the Constitutional separation of powers.

Industry News

Starnes Draws Hundreds to New Book Launch

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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KWAM, Memphis owner and nationally syndicated talk host Todd Starnes (center) is pictured above with his co-author Michelle Cox (left) and Newsmax correspondent Caleb Parke at the launch gala for Starnes’ and Cox’s new book, Star-Spangled Blessings: Devotions For Patriots (2025, Post Hill Press). Also joining the launch celebration were: KWAM morning show host Steve Gill and Paul Shanklin, the former parody writer for Rush Limbaugh.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

PodcastOne Extends A+E Deal. PodcastOne extends its agreement with A+E Networks for the exclusive sales and distribution rights to five true crime podcasts: “Cold Case Files,” “I Survived,” “American Justice,” “City Confidential,” and “Ancient Aliens.” PodcastOne co-founder and president Kit Gray says, “Whether it is a limited series or a weekly production, we provide premiere podcasting services for companies and networks who have been hesitant or lack the internal resources to adapt existing programming into a podcast. By leveraging our strong infrastructure and expert technology within the medium, we can offer tailored services to bridge the gap between television and the world’s fastest growing media platform, podcasting.”

MPR Adds Trustees. The Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio welcomes two new members. Sarah Karon, board president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and District 5 Town Commissioner in Longboat Key, Florida, and Dr. Brian Harrison, political scientist and author, were recently elected to the board. MPR CEO Jean Taylor states, “We’re delighted to welcome Sarah and Brian to the MPR Board of Trustees. Both of these new Trustees have great passion for service to their communities and are huge fans of public media. At the same time, they will each bring incredible expertise, perspective, and a track record of success in their own right in the areas of philanthropy and inclusion. Their presence and engagement will make an already strong board even stronger.”

Denes Hosts Warshaw and Parenti on Podcast. Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes talks with Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw and Radio Ink president and publisher Deborah Parenti on the two current episodes of his podcast, “Chachi Loves Everybody.”

Industry News

Joe Thomas and TMN Broadcast from “Freedomfest”

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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Pictured above at the weekend’s “Freedomfest” in Palm Springs, California is Joe Thomas (right) host of “First Thing Today” – syndicated nationally by Talk Media Network – and owner of WTON, Staunton, Virginia speaking with “Freedomfest” founder Mark Skousen (left).  Thomas tells TALKERS, “During a weekend where libertarians faced the debate over Israel’s missile strikes against Iran and whether US borders should be open or not, we brought all of it to our listeners from Portland to Daytona each day!”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

WCBM Adds Ted Cruz Podcast. The Baltimore news/talk station adds Premiere Networks’ podcast starring Ted Cruzand Ben Ferguson. Station PD Sean Casey says, “Talk Radio 680 WCBM is thrilled to add Senator Cruz and Verdict to our weekend lineup. We feel it’s important to feature strong conservative voices like Senator Cruz and Ben Ferguson during this crucial time. I’m confident our listeners will look forward to hearing ‘Verdict with Ted Cruz’ every Sunday night.”

America Tonight Adds Affiliate. The nationally syndicated “America Tonight” program starring Kate Delaney adds new affiliate WVLK, Lexington, Kentucky “Newstalk 590 and 97.3 FM.”

Juju Chang to Host Gracies Luncheon. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announce that ABC News “Nightline” co-anchor Juju Chang is hosting the 50th Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon in New York City on Wednesday, June 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The Luncheon will also feature presenters including Arielle Chambers (ESPN), Boomer Esiason (WFAN), Medha Gandhi (iHeartMedia), Erica Hill (CNN), and Vicky Nguyen (NBC News).

WWO Presents College World Series. Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is the official network audio broadcast partner of the NCAA, and in conjunction with the NCAA Radio Network, will be home to the NCAA Division I Men’s College World Series Championship Finals, live from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska beginning June 21. Kevin Kugler will call all the action and will be joined in the booth by Scott Graham and field reporter Connor Happer.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Dear Old Dad

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgThis coming Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day. For that day – and the Friday before (hint-hint) – you might have already readied Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s In The Cradle” and The Winstons’ “Color Him Father” and Dan Fogelberg’s wistful “Leader of the Band.”

Regardless of your format – yes, news/talk stations – hear-me-now-and-believe-me-later: “The Men in My Little Girl’s Life” by Mike Douglas. Guaranteed Kleenex material. Don’t even intro it. Just hit it cold and play the whole thing. You’ll hear about it.

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GREAT call-in topic: “The best advice he ever gave you?” You will save the aircheck. Callers – some chuckling, others choking-back-tears – tell stories.

And if you still have your Dad, give the lug a hug. If he’s not still around, I suspect that you will find, as my brothers and sisters and I have, that he never really leaves you.

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

Industry News

Starnes Named to Board of NACL

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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Pictured above is nationally syndicated talk host Todd Starnes delivering a keynote address at the National Association of Christian Lawmakers’ national policy conference at Liberty University. Starnes was recently named to the board of the NACL.