Industry News

Travis’ Atlanta, Seattle Travelogue

Clay TravisThis past Tuesday (4/16) in Atlanta, Clay Travis of Premiere Networks’ “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” joined Georgia leaders, lawmakers, and over 300 attendees at Greater Georgia’s Second Annual Legislative Awards Ceremony. Among those at the Travis-emceed  event included Georgia Governor Brian Kemp; Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones; former Senator/Greater Georgia chair Kelly Loeffler; and Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns. Then the following night (Wednesday, 4/17), Travis was in Washington State where he spoke at Hillsdale College’s National Leadership Seminar in Bellevue. The biannual event drew over 500 attendees and addressed politics; economics; and culture. Hillsdale College is a sponsor of “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show,” which airs weekdays 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm (ET) on more than 470 stations. During his trip, Travis visited/broadcasted live from Dickey Broadcasting Atlanta news/talk WFOM “XTRA 106.3 FM,” and iHeartMedia Seattle news/talk KPTR “1090 The Patriot.” Travis formerly hosted FOX Sports Radio’s weekday morning “Outkick The Coverage with Clay Travis.”  Pictured above: Hillsdale College president Dr. Larry P. Arnn (left) and Clay Travis (right) at Hillsdale College’s National Leadership Seminar
Industry News

BFA Honors Industry Leaders

BFASeveral notable industry executives were honored by the Broadcasters Foundation of America during the organization’s annual breakfast held this past Wednesday (4/17) at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Among those cited was RAB president/chief executive officer Erica Farber, the recipient of the Lowry Mays “Excellence in Broadcasting Award.”  Pictured above (l-r): McVay Media Consulting president Mike McVay; Wiley partner Kathleen Kirby; CBS Radio and ABC Radio executive Don Bouloukos; Erica Farber; NBCU Local chief revenue officer/president, commercial operations Frank Comerford; ABC Affiliate Relations, Disney Platform Distribution executive vice president John Rouse; and ABC Radio Network president/ESPN Radio senior vice president Traug Keller.
Industry News

KMJ’s Triple-Play Day At City Hall

Cumulus Media’s Fresno news/talk KMJ was celebrated in triplicate at Fresno City Hall yesterday (4/18), as Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer officially declared April 18thChristopher Gabriel Day”; “Christina Musson Day”; and “Fresno’s Morning News Day.” Gabriel is part of KMJ’s “Morning News” (6:00 am – 9:00 am), while Musson co-hosts the station’s “Broeske & Musson” program (9:00 am – 11:00 am). The proclamations were in recognition of the station’s community service and several awards KMJ has recently received. KMJ’s morning news team – Gabriel, Liz Kern, KMJDon York and Gabe Navarro – won a Golden Mike for “Best Newscast” from RTNA Southern California; Gabriel also notched a “Best Sportscast” Golden Mike. Meanwhile, Musson won her second successive Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Gracie Award for “Best Co-Host, Talk/Personality – Small/Medium Market Radio.” Pictured above (top photo right to left): Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer; KMJ, Fresno’s Christina Musson; her husband Ralph Rendon; and Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld. Also pictured above (bottom photo left to right) Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld; KMJ, Fresno’s Christopher Gabriel; his daughter Cadence; his wife Wendy; and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 15 – 19

The tensions between Israel and Iran escalating from the Israel-Hamas War was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM.   At #2 this week was the presidential race followed closely by former President Donald Trump’s election tampering criminal trial. Other hot topics include the state of the U.S. economy focusing on inflation,  House Speaker Mike Johnson’s struggle with members of his own party per supporting Ukraine and Israel, The U.S. migrant crisis, and SCOTUS and the January 6 case.  The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here

Industry News

Genesis Communications Network to Shut Down

TALKERS has learned that effective Sunday May 5, Genesis Communications Network (GCN) will be ending its broadcasting operations.  In a letter sent to its program producers, signed by GCN owner/CEO Ted Anderson and chief engineer George Prondzinski, it states, “It is with great sadness, I wish to inform you that the Genesis Communications Network will be closing effective Sunday May 05, 2024. im This decision has been most difficult for us to make in lieu of poor economic and industry conditions. We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause you and appreciate your affiliation with GCN.”  GCN was launched in 1998 by Anderson and has featured a diverse line up of daily and weekend programming covering politics, finance, health, self-help, how-to and topics of general interest. At last count the network was carrying 37 hosts and programs including Alex JonesWhen asked by TALKERS if GCN would continue in any form, Anderson replied, “No, I’m done but would entertain proposals from anyone interested.”  

Industry News

AM Radio Legislative Hearing Set

Congressional Seal“Draft Legislation to Preserve Americans’ Access to AM Radio” is the title of a legislative hearing that House Energy and Commerce Committee chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) and ranking member Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) will hold the last day of the month (4/30). Rodgers and Pallone previously released draft legislation that mirrors legislative language the Senate Commerce Committee passed out last year. NAB president/CEO Curtis LeGeyt comments, “NAB is deeply grateful to chair Rodgers and ranking member Pallone for their continued leadership in safeguarding continued access to AM radio in new cars. With 82 million monthly listeners, AM radio is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System and serves as a trusted source of factual news and diverse programming in communities across the country. Local broadcasters look forward to continuing to work with [Rodgers, Pallone] and all committee members to ensure this critical communications medium remains accessible to listeners across the country.” The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S.1669/H.R. 3413) currently has 48 co-sponsors in the Senate and 245 House co-sponsors. In related news KFNX, Phoenix owner Bill Brady will be delivering an address titled “The Case for AM Radio” at the forthcoming TALKERS 2024:Radio and Beyond conference on June 7 at Hofstra University.  More information in stories below and here.
Industry News

Winding Up A Sterling Career

Industry Views

Lee Harris is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Radio journalist, personality, media manager and tech creator Lee Harris is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” It’s been nearly a year since Harris surprised the world of broadcast journalism when he announced that after nearly 30 years, he would be leaving one of the most important positions in all-news radio – morning anchor at the legendary 1010 WINS, New York. He left by his own choice to accept the position of director of integrated operations with NewsNation, the new and rapidly growing cable news network, where he would be responsible for the development and distribution of the multi-platform operation’s audio content. Based at NewsNation’s New York newsroom, this Edward R. Murrow Award-winner would also assist in news writing and the creation of NewsNation specials. He is also playing a large hand in the programming of the company’s major radio property – the historic WGN, Chicago. Harrison and Harris discuss a variety of subjects from 1010 WINS history back to its top 40 roots to NewsNation’s positioning as an unbiased news platform. (Harris will moderate “The Great Debate” between Mike Gallagher and Thom Hartmann scheduled for TALKERS 2024 on June 7.) Harrison and Harris’s fascinating conversation also covers AI and technology’s impact on programming. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Berliner Resigns From NPR

NPR

As we reported just yesterday (TALKERS  4/17), NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner was suspended one week without pay from the public media organization after writing an essay for Substack publication The Free Press without first seeking permission from NPR as required by his contract. Now comes word from The New York Times that Berliner – who accused the broadcaster of liberal bias in that online piece – has resigned from the nonprofit. In his resignation letter, Berliner called NPR “a great American institution” that should not be defunded. In the letter posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Berliner writes, “I respect the integrity of my colleagues and wish NPR to thrive and do important journalism.” He, however, continues that he “cannot work in a newsroom where I am disparaged by a new CEO whose divisive views confirm the very problems I cite in my Free Press essay.” CBS News notes that Katherine Maher, who became NPR’s CEO last month, wrote a staff memo several days after publication of Berliner’s essay addressing his criticisms of the organization’s editorial process. Among Berliner’s claims are that NPR is failing to consider other viewpoints and that it is fixated on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.   
Industry News

KSL, Salt Lake City Adds “America Tonight”

Kate DelaneyThis past Sunday (4/14) in Las Vegas, Kate Delaney was a keynote speaker for the NAB Leadership Foundation’s “Focus on Leadership” speaker series. The “America Tonight” host comments, “I was honored to speak at NAB this year. Radio, at its best, keeps and grows an audience with great storytelling, innovative use of audio and the experience you create for listeners.” Delaney’s NAB appearance coincided with the announcement that her Talk Media Network show joins the nighttime lineup of Bonneville Salt Lake City news/talk KSL, which just received an NAB Crystal Radio Award. “I’m thrilled ‘America Tonight’ can now be heard on KSL,” Delaney states. “It’s a powerful station with a rich history of serving its listeners.” Program director Kevin LaRue adds, “KSL is excited for overnight news programming with a combination of solid information and a big personality to be a trusted companion to our listeners.” Talk Media Network CEO Josh Leng remarks, “Kate Delaney is a pro’s pro. She’s made her own luck, through hard work and great communication. Talk Media Network is proud to be expanding her audience. Thank you KSL for continuing to invest in radio. Your operation is one of the best, shining examples in our business.” Meanwhile, “Amazing Americans” founder Jerry Schemmel passes hosting duties of the weekly, one-hour show he started in 2019 to Delaney who looks forward “to continuing to share compelling and captivating and inspirational stories of human achievement. Radio listeners are hungry for authentic, true-life stories, to leave them feeling inspired.” Meet Kate Delaney at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond on June 7 at Hofstra University.
Industry News

Triton Digital Releases March Podcast Ranker

imAs measured by Triton Digital’s Podcast Metrics measurement service, SiriusXM Podcast Network remains #1 on March’s “Top Sales Networks Report.” Per the data, SiriusXM Podcast Network’s stats are 42.5 million average weekly downloads/13.2 million average weekly users. It is again followed by (#2) NPR with 25.1 million average weekly downloads/7.0 million average weekly users and (#3) Wondery, 21.0 million average weekly downloads/6.8 million average weekly users. The top three downloaded podcasts were NPR News Now (NPR); Dateline NBC (NBCUniversal News Group); and Crime Junkie (audiochuck). Ranked by total listeners, NPR News Now (NPR); Crime Junkie (audiochuck); and Up First (NPR) are again first, second, and third, respectively. Among March debuts were Three (SiriusXM Podcast Network, both downloads and listeners); Killer Psyche (Wondery, downloads); and Environment (NPR, listeners). Participating Sales Networks include content owners/creators and sales representation organizations. Any sales network or publisher with a United States audience is eligible to participate in the U.S. Podcast Report. The March reporting period is February 26, 2024 – March 31, 2024).
Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/17) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money/election tampering trial; U.S. response to Iran-Israel tensions; Ukraine-Israel aid debate; inflation/economy concerns; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s political struggles; the migrant crisis; and Boeing under pressure were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (4/17) according to the research of TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

March 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Three

imMarch 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 ratings period (February 29 – March 27) has been released for Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus.

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are February 2024 – March 2024 (6+).

PORTLAND

News/Talk

KXL 6.9 – 6.5, #2 – #2

KEX 1.5 – 1.8, #21 – #20

KUFO .8 – .8, #24 – #23

KPAM .1 – .2, #34 – #32

News

None

Sports Talk

KFXX 1.6 – 1.5, #20 – #21

KXTG 1.2 – 1.5, #22 – #21

KPOJ .6 – .5, #26 – #26 (Trailblazers)

KMTT .1 – .2, #34 – #32

KFXX Stream  DNA – .1, DNA – #36

Public Radio News/Talk

KOPB 5.1 – 5.8, #4 – #3

KOPB Stream  1.0 – .7, #23 – #25

CHARLOTTE

News/Talk

WBT-AM/FM 4.6– 4.0, #8 – #8

News

WRFX-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFNZ-FM 3.4 – 3.9, #14 – #9 (Hornets)

WSOC-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WFAE 4.9 – 4.4, #6 – #6

WNSC .8 – .8, #18 – #20

WFAE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

SAN ANTONIO

News/Talk

WOAI 2.7– 2.6, #14 – #14 (Spurs)

KTSA 2.3 – 1.9, #16 – #17

News

None

Sports Talk

KTFM .9 – .8, #25 – #24

KTKR .5 – .5, #30 – #29

KZDC .3 – .4, #33 – #32

Public Radio News/Talk

KSTX 2.3 – 2.7, #16 – #13

SACRAMENTO

News/Talk

KFBK-AM 7.3 – 6.5 #3 – #4

KSTE-AM 2.9 – 2.5, #12 – #16

News

None

Sports Talk

KHTK 1.4 – 1.7, #18 – #18 (Kings)

KIFM .9 – .9, #23 – #21

KIFM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KXJZ 2.8 – 2.8, #13 – #13

KQEI .3 – .3, #27 – #22

KQED .1 – .1, #29 – #29

KUOP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

PITTSBURGH

News/Talk

KDKA-AM 4.5 – 3.8, #9 – #10

KDKA-AM Stream  .3 – .2, #23 – #25

News

None

Sports Talk

KDKA-FM 7.6 – 8.4, #3 – #2

KDKA-FM Stream  .6 – .4, #19 – #21

WBGG DNA – .1, DNA – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

WESA 5.2 – 5.2, #8 – #8

Note: Sports/talk KDKA-FM’s +.8 (7.6 – 8.4) represents Pittsburgh’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase.

SALT LAKE CITY

News/Talk

KSL-AM/FM 6.4 – 6.7, #3 – #2

KNRS-AM/FM 3.1 – 2.6, #13 – #17

KKAT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KALL .8 – .9, #23 – #23

KZNS-FM .7 – .5, #24 – #24 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM .1 – .3, #28 – #26 (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-AM Stream  .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KZNS-FM Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Utah Jazz)

KOVO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUER 2.8 – 3.4, #15 – #13

KBYU-HD2 Stream  .3 – .1, #27 – #27

KUMT DNA – .1, DNA – #27

LAS VEGAS

News/Talk

KMXB-HD3 .9 – 1.1, #26 – #26

KXNT .6 – .5, #29 – #30

KMZQ DNA – .1, DNA – #37

KXNT Stream .1 – DNA, #36 – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KKGK .3 – .6, #32 – #28 (Golden Knights)

KWWN .6 – .4, #29 – #32

KRLV .2 – .2, #34 – #33

KENO DNA – .1, DNA – #37

Public Radio News/Talk

KNPR 1.6 – 1.7, #22 – #22

ORLANDO

News/Talk

WTKS 5.0 – 5.9, #7 – #5

WDBO 3.1 – 3.5, #13 – #12

WFLF .8 – .7, #19 – #19

WFYY-HD3 .3 – DNA, #24 – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WYGM .8 – .8, #19 – #18 (Magic)

WOCL-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WMFE 2.4 – 1.7, #14 – #15

CINCINNATI

News/Talk

WLW 10.2 – 11.3, #2 – #1

WKRC 6.1 – 6.0, #5 – #5

News

None

Sports Talk

WCKY 1.1 – 1.0, #19 – #19

WSAI .6 – .6, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WVXU 3.1 – 3.2, #10 – #10

Note: In addition to advancing to #1, news/talk WLW’s +1.1 (10.2 – 11.3) represents Cincinnati’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase.

CLEVELAND

News/Talk

WTAM 5.8 – 5.4, #9 – #9 (Cavaliers)

News

WMMS-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #23

Sports Talk

WKRK 3.7 – 4.3, #11 – #10

WKRK Stream .4 – .4, #21 – #21

WARF .2 – .2, #22 – #22

Public Radio News/Talk

WKSU 6.4 – 7.2, #6 – #5

WKSU-HD4 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KANSAS CITY

News/Talk

KMBZ-FM 4.4 – 5.3, #6 – #4

KCMO-AM 2.3 – 2.0, #14 – #16

KMBZ-AM 1.8 – 1.4, #17 – #18

KMBZ-FM Stream .8 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KCMO-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

KMBZ-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

KCSP 3.0 – 1.8, #12 – #17

KCSP Stream  .3 – .1, #25 – #29

KWOD .1 – .1, #28 – #29

Public Radio News/Talk

KCUR 2.9 – 2.9, #13 – #12

KANU-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Notes: News/talk KMBZ-FM’s +.9 (4.4 – 5.3) represents Kansas City’s biggest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase.

Conversely, sports/talk KCSP’s -1.2 (3.0 – 1.8) is the market’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

COLUMBUS

News/Talk

WTVN 5.3 – 5.2, #7 – #8

News

WYTS DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WBNS-FM 7.2 – 8.6, #2 – #2 (Blue Jackets)

WBNS-AM .3 – .4, #21 #20 (Blue Jackets)

WMNI .1 – .3, #22 – #22

WBNS-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WOSU 5.6 – 5.9, #6 – #6

Note: Sports/talk WBNS-FM’s +1.4 (7.2 – 8.6) represents Columbus’ largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase.

Up next: March 2024 overviews for Austin; Raleigh; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Nashville; Providence; Norfolk; Jacksonville; West Palm Beach; Greensboro; Memphis; and Hartford.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: Tap into The Book of Secrets

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Partners
A.K.A. Walter M. Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network

imGrowing a brand is a memory game. Which message will a target consumer value, remember it and take it to the cash register?  The answer is not complicated but it is complex.

A great amount of energy and brain power goes into brand names, logo design, show topics but very little study is made of how often a company should deliver information to their target. The answer to the question of “how often” is critical to landing marks in the Nielsen diary, seeking for your station online or in-car. Effective frequency is essential to everyone’s success!

“When you’re sick of the song, that’s when the listener is just hearing it…” isim about all the science any of us have been tutored in on the subject of effective frequency.

Frequency of message has, in fact, been studied for over 100 years and the answers are astonishing!  The most important, useful  frequency of message studies are in the book, Effective Frequency: The Relationship Between Frequency and Advertising Effectiveness.

I bought the book in 1981 to find answers to how much external advertising does a station need to win (remember?)… how often to rotate a song promo or topic? The answers are not found in myth and legends but in hard studies conducted by companies such as Lever Brothers and Procter & Gamble.

The book was assembled by the Association of National Advertisers. It is a collection of landmark major studies on how memory is Impacted by the frequency of message exposure.  Expertise on the workings of memory is obviously the most important knowledge in a Nielsen diary market and vital to growth in metered markets if a station has been starved of a promotion budget. This book was edited by the head of research for Lever Brothers, Michael J. Naples.

The next three Sabo Sez columns will highlight more actionable data from the book. For example, the studies in the book offer hard data about on how many spots your listener can tolerate, how often to state and restate the topic, phone number, your name and more. This book has, by far, offered my work the most powerful guidance of any source.

Here are a few facts you might be able to put to use right now:

1. The first and last spot in a cluster enjoys the greatest recall. Promos work equally well in either position. Spots placed first and last should be charged more.

2. Moving money out of a TV campaign and putting it into a radio campaign will neither diminish nor improve response. BUT holding the money in a TV campaign and adding money for a radio campaign will improve response.

3. Stunning: For many product categories, daypart significantly impacts the likelihood of conversion to sales. Food product commercials, according to an Ogilvy & Mather study, convert to sales significantly better in late night, fringe time than in daytime.  In fact, food product ads in prime time have a negative impact on sales.

4. Properly conducted research for consumer goods products can be successfully applied to media content development.

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. HITVIEWS clients included Pepsi, FOX TV, Timberland, Microsoft, and CBS Television. He can be reached at walter@sabomedia.com and www.waltersterlingshow.com. “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network airs 10:00 pm-1:00 ET, now in its 10th year of success.

Industry News

NPR Suspends Editor Over Critical Essay

NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner has been suspended for one week from the public media organization after writing an essay for the Substack publication The Free Press without seeking permission from NPR first as required by his contract. However, it was the content of the piece that’sim caused controversy as Berliner criticized the organization saying it “had allowed liberal bias to affect its coverage.” This comes as there is renewed interest among conservative legislators in challenging the use of federal funds for public media with allegations of editorial bias as a primary reason to end federal underwriting of media. NPR managing editor for standards and practices Tony Cavin spoke to The New York Times about Berliner’s piece and said it “mischaracterized NPR’s coverage of crucial stories.” Read the NYTimes story here.

Industry News

New York Festivals Announces 2024 Radio Awards Winners

The New York Festivals Storytellers Gala Announces the 2024 Radio Awards winning entries via a virtual event yesterday (4/16) at 6:00 pm ET. The virtual event included global audio highlights, award winners’ acceptance speeches from around the world, and up-close and personal spotlights featuring some ofim radio’s most respected storytellers. Highlights included the BBC being honored with the 2024 Broadcaster of the Year Award. NYFestivals honored legendary sports journalist Donna de Varona with the 14th annual NYF Lifetime Achievement Award. “Murder in Boston: The untold story of the Charles and Carol Stuart Shooting,” produced by the Boston Globe was recognized by NYFestivals with the 2024 National Press Club Award, which honors the highest scoring news program. View the 2024 Storytellers Gala. View the 2024 winners’ showcase.

Industry News

NAB Show: Navigating the Podcast Advertising Landscape

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imYesterday’s column outlined techniques that will make podcast interviews click. And here are my notes from another NAB Show session, about podcast advertising. Panelists included agency people who spend LOT$ advertising in podcasts.

Glenn Rubenstein, CEO, Adopter Media: “Don’t over-stuff your ad breaks.”

Sean King, SVP/GM Media & Entertainment, Veritone: Ads from radio DON’T work. “Podcast listeners really connect to their hosts. So, these ads are viewed more like recommendations from a friend.”

Saying “ads are content too,” Krystina Rubino, GM Right Side Up spoke of “an inherent, very close relationship between the host and the audience. Don’t over-script the ads. The vast majority of podcast ads that are working are host endorsements.”

In Q+A, I asked “What can podcasters learn from broadcasters?” Krystina noted a podcast faux pas: “reading an ad like they’ve never seen the copy before.” 

MORE on podcasting at HollandCooke.com 

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins,” and  The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

Audacy Partners with Super Hi-Fi for Radio Management Platform

Audacy announces its partnership with Super Hi-Fi, a firm focusing on AI-powered radio services for broadcast and digital media companies. This enhanced partnership is expected to drive operational innovation and efficiency across Audacy’s digital ecosystem. “The partnership will streamline Audacy’sim digital content programming, production, and broadcasting processes while creating stickier listener environments and more opportunities for advertisers to engage with them.” Audacy chief technology officer Sarah Foss says, “As the nation’s second-largest radio broadcaster, we’re always integrating cutting-edge technologies into our stack to deliver the best experiences for our 200 million monthly listeners and more efficiencies to our business. This partnership underscores our commitment to building the future of digital audio, and we’re thrilled to see it start coming to fruition.”

Industry News

NAB Announces 2024 Crystal Award Winners

The National Association of Broadcasters announces the 10 winners of the 37th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards that recognize radio stations for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service. This year’s 2024 NAB Crystal Radio Award recipients were chosen from 50 previously announced finalists. They include news/talk KFI, Los Angeles; sports talk KMVP-FM, Phoenix; news/talk KSL-AM/FM, Salt Lake City; talk WHPT-FM, Tampa Bay; and news/talk WNRP-AM, Pensacola. See the complete list of winners here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/16) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. considers sanctions against Iran for its attack on Israel; the hush money case against former President Donald Trump; the presidential race; inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; China is accused of fueling U.S. fentanyl crisis; SCOTUS hears arguments on validity of obstruction charges against January 6 rioters; the move to oust Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House; Mayorkas impeachment articles head to the Senate; a Boeing whistleblower to testify before Senate subcommittee today; and USC cancels a graduation speech by its 2024 pro-Palestinian Muslim valedictorian over safety concerns were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

March 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imMarch 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 ratings period (February 29 – March 27) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are February 2024 – March 2024 (6+).

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.5 – 4.8, #7 – #5

WFED .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 7.6 – 7.9, #2 – #2

WDCH .7 – .6, #22 – #22

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #17 (Capitals)

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

WTEM .4 – .4, #24 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .3 – .2, #27 – #27 (Wizards)

WJFK-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Capitals)

WSBN .1 – .1, #30 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 13.0 – 11.0, 29th month in succession at #1

Note: Although it is #1 for the 29th consecutive month, public radio news/talk WAMU registers a -2.0(13.0 – 11.0), the largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease by any station in the 24 PPM-markets surveyed thus far.

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.2 – 3.4, #13 – #12

WXKS-AM .8 – .4, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.9 – 4.6, #6 – #6

Business news WRCA .2 – .3, #26 – #24

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 9.1 – 9.7, third straight month at #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.3 – 3.0, #12 – #13

WEEI-AM .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.1 – 6.4, #3 – #3

WGBH 4.6 – 3.8, #8 – #9

Note: Public radio news/talk WGBH’s -.8 (4.6- 3.8) represents Boston’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.2 – 1.0, #25 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.2 – .9, #25 – #27 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .6 – .4, #28 – #31

WMEN .1 – .3, #36 – #32

WQAM Stream .1 – .2, #36 – #34 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 5.1 – 5.6, #5 – #5

WLRN-HD2 .1 – .1, #36 – #36

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.1 – 3.9, #10 – #7

KTTH 1.6 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KVI 1.0 – 1.0, #24  – #24

KPTR .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.5 – 2.5, #17 – #18

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 2.3 – 2.7, #19 – #17

KJR-FM 2.4 – 2.1, #18 – #19 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .7 – .7, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.2 – 7.2, #1 – #3

KSWS .1– DNA, #28 – DNA

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.5 – 2.3, #14 – #14

WFDF .6 – .6, #22 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

News

WWJ 5.3 – 5.3, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .4 – .4, #25 – #25 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #29 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 7.1 – 7.5, #3 – #2 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.1 – 1.5, #21 – #18 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #28 – #27

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.8 – 1.6, #18 – #17

WUOM 1.2 – 1.2, #20 – #19

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 3.5 – 3.0, #9 – #10

KTAR-FM 2.7 – 2.2, #12 – #18 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #18 – #14 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KGME .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #34 – #33 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS DNA – .1, DNA – #33

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

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.3 – 2.7, #15 – #12

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.7 – 4.1, #8 – #11 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 3.0 – 2.5, #14 – #14

KTLK-AM 2.2 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WCCO Stream .1 – .2, #29 – #28 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #32

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.1 – 7.4, #3 – #3 (Minnesota Wild)

KSTP-AM .1 – .2, #31 – #28

KQQL-HD3 .1 – .1, #31 – #32

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 7.4 – 7.5, #2 – #2

KNOW Stream .7 – .8, #23 – #22

Note: News/talk WCCO’s -.6 (4.7- 4.1) represents a tie for Minneapolis’ largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.6 – 4.8, #7 – #5

KLSD .5 – .5, #25 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.0 – 3.4, #16 – #14

KGB-AM .8 – .9, #21 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 7.3 – 7.1, #1 – #2

 

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.9 – 5.1, #6 – #5 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.2 – 3.0, #10 – #14

News

Business news WHNZ .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.7– 1.9, #18 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.9 – 1.8, #16 – #18

WMNF-HD3 Stream .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Note: News/talk WFLA’s -1.2 (4.2- 3.0) represents Tampa’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 2.6 – 2.4, #17 – #17

KHOW 1.2 – 1.2, #24 – #21

KDFD 1.4 – 1.1, #22 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 3.7 – 3.6, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.2 – 2.4, #18 – #17 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP .1 – .1, #36 – #34

KKSE-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #34

KEPN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.7 – 2.9, #10 – #14

KUNC 1.1 – .8, #27 – #26

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.3 – 3.7, #10 – #10

WCBM 2.0 – 1.9, #14 – #14

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.3 – 1.6,  #18 – #16

WDCH  .6 – .5,  #20 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 3.1 – 3.3, #12 – #11

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.2 – 3.2, #11 – #12

WYPR HD2 Stream .3 – .3, #26 – #25

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 2.8 – 3.0, #14 – #14

KFTK 2.1 – 1.6, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.1 – 1.1, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .2 – .3, #24 – #22

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #24 – #25

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .2, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 5.0 – 5.1, #9 – #9 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.9 – 5.0, #10 – #11 

Up next: March 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Erica Farber Honored with MIW’s Inaugural “Impact Award”

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc honors RAB president and CEO Erica Farber with the inaugural “Impact Award.” This honor is “dedicated to honoring a woman who has effected positive change on multiple fronts. A true champion of service, this individual actively engages with impactful organizations, generously contributing their time, wisdom, network, and resources. They are deeplyim involved, consistently doing the work necessary to drive meaningful change.” Farber’s long and storied broadcasting career includes her work leading the RAB for the past 12 years. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff says, “What more can be said about Erica that hasn’t yet been said? She is a strategic thinker and true trendsetter who gives generously of her time and wisdom. MIW is a better organization because of her.  The industry has been enriched in countless ways because of her. What an impact this woman has made!” Farber comments, “I am deeply honored. Being recognized by such influential women in the industry is incredibly meaningful and humbling to me. I owe immense gratitude to the mentors and inspirational women who have supported and uplifted me along the way. They are the foundation of my success. My heartfelt thanks go to Ruth and the MIW Board, and to all of you who share my passion for radio and the impactful work we are privileged to do every day.”

Industry Views

NAB Show: Directing Real People on Camera

By Holland Cooke
Consultant 

imIf you’re looking to jump-start – or optimize – your video interview technique, this session alone was worth the trip to Las Vegas. Washington-based video content strategist/producer/interviewer Amy DeLouise and cinematographer/gaffer Anne Saul delivered a soup-to-nuts “Boot Camp” session to an overflow crowd.

For the decks, hit AmyDeLouise.com, click Slide Decks then Real People Boot Camp, parts 1 and 2. You can devour an impressive tutorial of production techniques, including specifics about equipment and how-to-use-it.

Even if you’re just doing radio or podcast interviews, Amy offered some useful tips:

“Nervous Speaker Technique”: Before the interview, chat ‘em up, perhaps asking for a personal anecdote, i.e., “Why did you decide to become a _____?” If you are shooting video, do the B-roll and walk-and-talk shots first. Then, when they’ve gotten used to you and the set-up, start the interview. “Worst case: Let them take a break, ‘Go do some emails,’ then resume in 20 minutes.”

“The Contradict Me Technique”: Because “some speakers are very reserved, they won’t show emotion unless they feel they need to correct your misunderstanding.” So, bait them: “Isn’t A.I. just a gimmick?”

“The Shorter Answer Technique”: Some speakers have a LOT to say,’ so Amy says let them get it out of their system, THEN ask “How would I explain this to my children?”

“Two Do-Over Techniques”: If you want to re-ask a question, fib: “The part about X was really great. But we had a little bit of noise, do you mind if I ask you that one more time?” Or “lean in as if you didn’t quite hear the answer, and they will repeat it;” a ploy which “only works for the last part of what they said.”

“The Finish My Sentence Technique”: Amy says “When all else fails, ask ‘Finish this sentence: The biggest value we bring at ABC Company is…’” 

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins,” and  The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

Futuri: Audiences Expect Media to Use AI

According to a study from Futuri and CMG Custom Research, not only do radio and television audiences expect media to use artificial intelligence in broadcasts, 20% believe they’ve already listened to a radio station using it and 49% of TV news viewers believe they’ve seen it. Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig presented the results of the nearly 5,200-person study at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Other takeaways from the study include that for radio, people cannot easily distinguish between human and AI audioim content: Participants were presented with paired samples of AI-generated voices created using Futuri’s AudioAI and human voices. 60% of the time, they identified the AI as human. The study also found respondents open to the use of AI with many believing that AI will improve content across news, video, and audio. For example, 45% of TV news viewers believe AI can assist in selecting better news stories; 54% of local TV news viewers believe AI can enhance weather forecasts, showcasing the potential for AI to elevate traditional news through proper newsroom integration; and respondents also indicated a high level of trust in AI-generated content, specifically when informed by reputable sources like local and national news outlets. Anstandig comments, “Futuri’s study shows that audiences are open to media’s adoption of AI for content creation. In fact, they already believe they’ve experienced AI in use on radio and television. We learned that audiences believe that AI will assist media in creating more relevant and engaging content. They just want to be informed of its use, and for it to be used in the right scenarios.

Industry News

Jomboy Media Shows Join Dan Patrick Podcast Network

iHeartPodcasts announces that sports media brand Jomboy Media’s podcasts “Jimmy’s Three Things”im and “Wake N’ Jake” are joining The Dan Patrick Podcast Network, effective immediately. “Jimmy’s Three Things” is hosted by Jimmy “Jomboy” O’Brien (left) and “Wake N’ Jake” is hosted by Jake Storiale (right). Dan Patrick says, “Moments with Jimmy ‘Jomboy’ O’Brien and Jake Storiale are rarely predictable. I love entertainment that surprises and informs, which makes ‘Jimmy’s Three Things’ and ‘Wake N’ Jake’ great additions to my podcast network.”

Industry News

SBE Releases Station Self-Inspection Guides

The Society of Broadcast Engineers is releasing new Broadcast Station Self-Inspection Guides for FM and TV broadcast stations. The SBE partnered with the National Association of Broadcasters to produce the documents, which are the first part of a planned series to cover all broadcast services. These Guides are designed to aid stations and Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program inspectors in evaluating a broadcast station’s compliance with FCC rules and regulations. The Guides will be available for download on April 16 from the SBE website under the Legislative/Regulatory tab after the 2024 NAB Show. They are free to SBE members, and available for purchase by non-members.

Industry News

Former OK City Talk Host Carole Arnold Dies at 85

The Oklahoman reports that former Oklahoma City talk radio host Carole Arnold died last Friday at age 85 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Arnold worked for then-Clear Channel Communications for about 20 years, including eight as a host at news/talk KTOK. She left KTOK in 1996 and later worked at KNOR, Norman and KOMA, Oklahoma City (now KOKC). Read the full obit here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial begins in New York; Iran’s attack on Israel and the Israel-Hamas war; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to provide U.S. aid to Israel and Ukraine; SCOTUS to hear January 6 obstruction charges case; the presidential race; U.S. migrant crisis; SCOTUS gender-affirming care ruling; and the selloff in stocks on the world’s financial markets were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

March 2024 PPM Ratings – Part One

imMarch 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 ratings period (February 29 – March 27) has been released for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey).

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

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

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are February 2024 – March 2024  (6+).

NEW YORK

News/Talk

WABC 3.8 – 4.0, #11 – #9

WOR 1.6 – 1.6, #20 – #20

WKXW 1.0 – 1.0, #23 – #23

WKXW Stream .3 – .3, #35 – #34

News

WINS-FM 4.5 – 4.6, #7 – #5

WCBS-AM 1.7 – 2.0, #19 – #14

WINS-FM Stream .4 – .4, #33 – #32

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #33 – #32

WCBS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #46 – #45

Sports Talk

WFAN FM & AM 2.0 – 1.9, #15 -#15 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream .8 – .6, #25 -#26 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)   

Public Radio News/Talk

WNYC-FM 4.7 – 4.0, #4 – #9

WNYC-AM 1.1 – 1.0, #22 – #23

Notes: News WCBS-AM’s +.3 (1.7 – 2.0) represents a tie for New York’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase.

Conversely, public radio news/talk WNYC-FM’s -.7 (4.7 – 4.0) represents the market’s largest (6+)February 2024 – March 2024 decrease. 

LOS ANGELES

News/Talk

KFI 5.4 – 5.5, #3 – #3

KEIB .7 – .7, #32 – #33  (Clippers)

KRLA .6 – .7, #34 – #33  

News

KNX-FM 3.3 – 3.0, #10 – #10

KNX-FM Stream .3 – .2, #37 – #39

Sports Talk

KLAC .7 – .8, #32 – #32 (Clippers)

Public Radio News/Talk

KPCC 2.4 – 2.2, #15 – #17

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

CHICAGO

News/Talk

WGN 3.5 – 3.2, #8 – #9  (Blackhawks)

WLS-AM 2.0 – 1.4, #18 – #25

WVON .1 – .2, #40 – #38

WLIP .4 – .1, #34 – #40

WLS-AM Stream .1 – .1, #40 – #40

News

WBBM-AM & WCFS 5.4 – 5.4, #3  – #4

WBBM-AM & WCFS Stream .3 – .1, #35 – #40

Sports Talk

WSCR 3.1 – 2.9, #10 – #11 (Bulls)

WSCR Stream .3 – .4, #35 – #31 (Bulls)

WSHE-HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #40

WMVP DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBEZ 2.4 – 2.0, #16 – #18   

Note: News/talk WLS-AM’s -.6 (2.0 – 1.4) represents Chicago’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

SAN FRANCISCO

News/Talk

KSFO 1.4 – 1.4, #22 – #22

KSFO Stream .3 – .1, #32 – #34

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 6.7 – 6.5, #3 – #3

KNEW .4 – .3, #28 – #30  

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

KKSF DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.2 – 3.0, #9 – #10

KGMZ 2.1 – 2.0, #16 – #18 (Golden State Warriors)

KNBR Stream DNA – .4, DNA – #28

KGO .1 – .1, #34 – #34  

KTCT .1 – .1, #34 – #34  

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors)

KGO Stream .1 – DNA, #34 – DNA  

Public Radio News/Talk

KQED 7.6 – 7.2, #2 – #2

KALW .4 – .2, #28 – #33

DALLAS

News/Talk

WBAP 3.3 – 3.6, #12 – #10

KEGL 1.3 – 1.3, #29 – #28  (Mavericks)

KSKY .8 – .7, #33 – #33

KLIF-AM .3 – .4, #38 – #35

KSKY Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

News – Talk KRLD-AM 1.5 – 1.3, #27 – #28

News – Talk KRLD-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News KKGM .1 – DNA, #42 – DNA

Sports Talk

KTCK 4.9 – 3.6, after back-to-back months at #1, falls to #10 (Stars)

KRLD-FM 2.3 – 1.7, #19 – #24

KRLD-FM Stream 1.0 – 1.1, #30 – #31

Public Radio News/Talk

KERA 4.0 – 4.2, #8 – #5  

Note: Sports talk KTCK’s -1.3 (4.9 – 3.6) represents a tie for the most significant (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease by any station in these twelve PPM-markets.

HOUSTON 

News/Talk

KTRH 3.4 – 3.2, #14 – #13  (Rockets)

KPRC .4 – .3, #28 – #28  

News

KXYZ .1 – .1 #33 – #32

Sports Talk

KILT-AM .7 – .8, #25 – #26

KBME .5 – .5, #27 – #27  (Rockets)

KFNC .1 – .2, #33- #30

KILT-AM Stream .1 – .1, #33 – #32   

Public Radio News/Talk

KUHF 2.8 – 2.9, #17 – #17

ATLANTA

News/Talk

WSB-AM & WSBB 7.3– 7.7, #3 – #2

WFOM .5 – .5, #26 – #26

WGKA .3 – .3, #30 – #30

WAOK .1 – .1, #34 – #34

WAOK Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WSRV-HD3 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

WBIN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WZGC 3.6 – 3.8, #11 – #9 (Hawks)

WCNN 2.1 – 2.5, #17 – #17

WZGC Stream .5 – .4, #26 – #28 (Hawks)

Public Radio News/Talk

WABE 3.6 – 3.7, #11 – #10

WRAS  .5 – .5, #26 – #26

WABE-HD3 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

PHILADELPHIA

News/Talk

WPHT 2.0 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WKXW 1.1 – 1.1, #24 – #24

WURD .4 – .6, #27 – #26

WPHT Stream .8 – .5, #26 – #27

WURD Stream .2 – .2, #29 – #29

WKXW Stream .1 – .1, #32 – #31

WDEL-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #31 

News

KYW & WPHI 6.0 – 5.8, #5 – #4

KYW & WPHI Stream .3 – .2, #28 – #29

WTEL DNA – .1, DNA – #31

Sports Talk

WIP 5.7 – 5.5, #6 – #6

WIP Stream 2.0 – 3.2, #15 – #12

WPEN-FM 1.2 – 1.2, #22 – #23 (76ers, Flyers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WHYY 3.3 – 3.1, #12 – #13      

Note: Sports talk WIP’s internet stream registers Philadelphia’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 increase (2.0 – 3.2, +1.2). 

NASSAU-SUFFOLK (LONG ISLAND)

News/Talk

WABC 1.8 – 1.5, #17 – #18

WOR 1.2 – 1.0, #19 – #21

WLIR .2 – .2, #27 – #27

News

WINS-FM 5.1 – 4.9, #3 – #5

WCBS-AM 1.7 – 1.8, #18 – #17

WINS-FM Stream .7 – .6, #23 – #24

Business News WBBR .4 – .4, #26 – #26

WCBS-AM Stream .2 – .2, #27 – #27

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.7 – 2.4, #12 – #12 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN-FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WSUF .2 – .2, #27 – #27

RIVERSIDE

News/Talk

None

News

KFOO DNA – .1, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

KPWK .5 – .2, #19 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

KVCR .5 – .3 #19 – #19

KPCC DNA – .1, DNA – #25

SAN JOSE

News/Talk

KSFO 2.1 – 1.8, #15 – #19

KSFO Stream .2 – .2, #30 – #27  

News

KCBS-AM & KFRC 5.4 – 4.7, #4 – #5

KCBS-AM & KFRC Stream .3 – .2, #26 – #27

KNEW .3 – .2, #26 – #27  

Sports Talk

KNBR 3.6 – 2.8, #7 – #10

KGMZ 2.0 – 2.0, #19 – #18 (Golden State Warriors)

KNBR Stream DNA – .5, DNA – #26

KGO .2 – .2, #30 – #27  

KGO Stream .3 – .2, #26 – #27  

KTCT .3 – .2, #26 – #27   

KGMZ Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Golden State Warriors) 

Public Radio News/Talk

None

Sharks’ games are carried on the Sharks Audio Network.

MIDDLESEX-SOMERSET-UNION (New Jersey) 

News/Talk

WKXW 7.2 – 7.5, #2 – #1

WOR 3.6 – 3.6, #9 – #9

WKXW Stream 1.1 – .7, #18 – #19         

News

WINS-FM 2.4 – 2.4, #11 – #11

WCBS-AM .8 – .8, #19 – #18

WINS-FM Stream .5 – .3, #23 – #22

WCBS-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WFAN-FM & AM 2.9 – 2.9, #10 – #10 (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WFAN FM & AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils)

WEPN-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Knicks, Islanders, Rangers)

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

Up next: March 2024 overviews for: Washington, DC; Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

WLS-AM, Chicago Celebrates 100 Years of Service

Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM celebrated 100 years on the air on Friday (4/12) and over the weekend. The station launched on April 12, 1924, at 6:00 pm. The station aired a two-part special hosted by Jeff Davis on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Cumulus Chicago viceim president and market manager Marv Nyren says, “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there’s nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It’s been a place where people can go for entertainment and information – and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history. We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”

Industry News

Urban One Receives Non-Compliance Notice from NASDAQ

Urban One reports that it received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on April 8 notifying the company that it was not in compliance with requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) as a result of not having timely filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K forim the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Urban One now has 60 calendar days, or until June 7, 2024, to submit a plan to regain compliance. If Nasdaq accepts the compliance plan, the Nasdaq staff may grant the company an exception of up to 180 calendar days from the filing’s due date, or until September 11, 2024, to regain compliance. Urban One says it is working diligently and expects to file its 2023 Form 10-K within the 60-day period, which would eliminate the need for it to submit a formal plan to regain compliance.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Dizzying Media Headlines

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imThe media headlines are dizzying these days, yet they all share one common thread. See if you can solve this puzzle.

1. The “Golden Batchelor” is getting divorced, three months after tying the knot.

2. Netflix is changing their film strategy, that according to The New York Times, may mean fewer big advances to stars.

3. NCAA Women’s basketball final delivered more TV viewers than UConn’s back-to-back championship finale vs. Purdue.

4. Retail media networks are real and could replace terrestrial radio as the true purchase influencer.

These headlines reflect what great radio programmers learned a long time ago, and what smart sellers practice every day. The concept is elegantly simple: give the people what they want, and the rest will take care of itself.

The “Golden Batchelor” was targeted at the 55+ audience. The biggest demographic watching traditional TV. The finale drew over 6 million viewers and gave millions of seniors hope for romance at any age. Give the people what they want, and the audience and advertisers followed. The breakup, well maybe that leans more Dr. Phil, and he is starting his own network!

Netflix has a new film boss, Dan Lin, and according to a recent article in The New York Times, he wants the Netflix film lineup to have a wider appeal to more of us 260 million Netflix subscribers. Sound familiar? Give a bigger share of the audience more of what they want.

Pioneering radio programmers learned that strategy before Netflix was a business model.

Start with Top 40 music radio, go to the all-news model and park your pick on your favorite pioneering talk radio talent. Listeners got what they wanted, as audience and advertisers followed.

Nearly 19 million watched as Caitlin Clark tried one last time to drive her team to victory. Her final push wasn’t enough to defeat a determined South Carolina team. It didn’t matter to the millions who tuned in and the advertisers who were smart enough to jump on board. Give the fans a superstar from Iowa named Caitlin and an audience of millions will follow.

Don’t look now, but that old-school pitch of radio being the final purchase influencer as the radio plays in the car on the way to the store, is fading fast. I can’t tell you how many times I made that classic pitch, until I heard “Attention ______ shoppers” as I pushed my cart down the aisle.

Retail media networks are now online as well as “on-the-air” in store, and we are spending more and more time shopping online.

What does it all mean to you, the seller? Simple! Just find what your advertisers want and sell it!

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.