Industry News

Prolific Talk Radio Guest, Dr. Linda Salvin Addresses African Clean Water Crisis at UN.

img

One of talk media’s most popular guests (and former radio host) on a wide range of subjects from metaphysics to epidemiology, Linda Salvin, PhD, recently spoke (7/16), during her current New York City media tour, at a special meeting at the United Nations where she serves as a representative and speaker for the international organization’s Water & Sanitation for Africa. The WSA is a pan-African intergovernmental agency that holds Permanent Observer status at the UN. Operating under this mission, the organization actively promotes clean water, sanitation initiatives, and recently launched Africa’s first Three Tier Sanitation Club to empower youth and students. Dr. Salvin (l) is pictured at the discussion along with Professor Ada Okika (c), and Dr. Nabhit Kapur (r) along with a wide array of international experts and spokespersons. She tells TALKERS, “2.2 million people in the world are still without water. As a former epidemiologist, I know cholera, dysentery dehydration, salmonella, and other diseases are rampant. The goal is to have fresh water – especially for women and children worldwide.  We take it for granted. They walk miles for water. I’m proud of this assignment.”  The Southern California-based Dr. Salvin continues, “I’m going to be a guest with Walter Sterling on his “The Other Side of Midnight” show on WABC Tuesday, July 21st at 1:00 am ET, 10:00 pm PT. I’m really looking forward to joining such an icon.”  Dr. Salvin’s website is www.LindaSalvin.com.

Industry News

Lil Wayne and Craig Carton Partner for Video Podcast

Rapper Lil Wayne and WFAN, New York afternoon sports talk host Craig Carton are teaming up for a new, weekly video podcast titled, “The Joint Venture Show.” Produced by Magillaimg Entertainment, it debuts on Wednesday (7/22) on YouTube and other podcast platforms. Carton comments, “There’s nothing better than swapping takes with Wayne on sports, pop culture and a whole host of other topics. ‘The Joint Venture Show’ gives us a great excuse to keep doing what we’ve been doing for years, while also having some famous friends stop by and chop it up with us. There’s no better job in the world.” See the Music Universe story here.

Industry News

O’Malley Promoted to SVP of Revenue Development for Saga

Saga Communications announces the promotion of Paul O’Malley imgto SVP of revenue development after having served as president and general manager for the company’s Charleston, South Carolina cluster for the past eight years. O’Malley says, “I’m honored by the opportunity to help lead Saga’s next phase of growth by developing innovative revenue strategies, strengthening client partnerships, and working alongside our exceptional fulfillment partners and corporate team.”

Industry News

Skyview Networks Announces Organizational Changes for “More Focused Leadership”

Skyview Networks is unveiling a series of organizational moves that president and CEO Steve Jones says are “designed to sharpen strategy, improve alignment and increase efficiency across the company. These changes create clearer, more focusedimg leadership around the priorities that matter most, and I’m confident they will help us move quickly, enhance innovation and stay at the leading edge of a changing media landscape as we build toward the future.”

Among those changes are Andrew Kalb rising to chief operating officer. Jones says his new title and oversight reflect the leadership role he plays across the organization, a change imgintended to strengthen coordination and execution across our operational functions. Clayton Nix is now chief financial officer. Jones says Nix has become an instrumental member of the executive team in guiding the company’s financial direction, and this title reflects both his growing responsibilities and his impact in shaping our strategic decisions, enhancing partner service and delivering industry insight through reporting and analytics.

Additionally, Sarah Foss joins the company in the role of chief transformation officer in which she’ll work closely with executive leadership to drive key initiatives across the company and ensure disciplined execution. Ethan Aragon rises to senior executive director, business strategy, and Nicholaus Tzineff joins the company as revenue analytics strategist.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (July 13 – 17)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (7/13-17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. ICE Killings
  2. U.S.- Iran War
  3. Graham Death Aftermath / McConnell Health Status
  4. Trump’s Election Integrity Address
  5. Dems Block Defense Bill
  6. Blanche Confirmation Hearings
  7. SCOTUS Requests Increased Security Funding
  8. DOJ Subpoenas NYT Reporters
  9. Judge Rebukes Trump-IRS Deal
  10. Wildfire Smoke Smothers Midwest & Northeast / Texas Floods

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Joan Sebastian Guerrero / Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
  3. Lindsey Graham
  4. Mitch McConnell
  5. JD Vance
  6. Marco Rubio
  7. Chuck Schumer
  8. Todd Blanche
  9. Elena Kagan / Amy Coney Barrett
  10. Kathleen Williams

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Nielsen: Audio Still the Backbone of Podcast Consumption

Nielsen issues the results of data from an analysis of consumers’ consumption of podcasts. The study finds that while more people are seeing video-enabled podcasts, audio remains the absolute foundation of the ecosystem, with 90% of all monthly podcast consumers choosing to listen, while 62% engage by watching. imgOther key findings include: Sports content acts as a unique bridge between listening and watching experiences, drawing the closest parity between listeners and viewers across top genres; Format choice signals entirely distinct consumer mindsets: the highly structured, utility-driven “Pragmatic Listener” versus the entertainment-seeking, visually focused “Interactive Watcher.”; and Conversion mechanics differ by format, with audio consumers acting as direct digital responders and video watchers acting as high-intent brand translators and social amplifiers. See the report here.

Industry News

Edison: Car Infotainment Systems Drive Digital Listening

As it gets easier to connect to the internet from one’s vehicle, more people are doing just that and are using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay to listen to digital audio. Edison Research says that according to its Share of Ear study, in 2019 18% of those ages 13+ imgowned an in-car infotainment system, and 40% own one today. In 2019, 86% of in-car listening time among those who have an Android Auto or Apple CarPlay went to non-digital sources such as AM/FM over-the-air, SiriusXM satellite radio, and owned music like CDs. Now, seven years later, in-car infotainment owners spend 36% of their total in-car audio time with digital sources including streaming music, AM/FM streaming, podcasts, and audiobooks. Even on, 64% still goes to non-digital sources like AM/FM over-the air radio and satellite radio.

Industry News

Buffalo Bills Radio Network Adds Affiliates in NYC and West Palm Beach

During the spring, the NFL’s Buffalo Bills announced they would, through a deal with Good Karma Brands, take production and distribution of Bill radio play-by-play in house after years of imgAudacy’s sports talk WGR-AM, Buffalo serving as the flagship station. Now, the team announces that it has 23 stations signed up as affiliates, including Good Karma-operated WHSQ-AM, New York City (formerly WCBS-AM at 880 kHz) and WESP-FM, West Palm Beach “ESPN West Palm” – both stations operated by Good Karma. In the Buffalo market, games will be heard on Cumulus Media’s rock WGRF-FM.

Industry News

Beasley Promotes Roldan to Head of Tech & Infrastructure

Beasley Media Group promotes Jose Alberto Roldan to head of technology and infrastructure. In this newly created position, Roldan will oversee the company’s technology strategy, information technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, imgand enterprise systems. Beasley says Roldan, who most recently served as vice president of IT, joined Beasley Media Group in 2019 and has played an instrumental role in modernizing the company’s technology environment, enhancing cybersecurity, improving operational efficiency, and advancing strategic technology initiatives across the organization. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “Jose has been an exceptional leader and trusted member of our technology team since joining Beasley Media Group. His expertise, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to innovation have helped strengthen our technology infrastructure and position the company for continued growth. We are pleased to recognize his many contributions with this well-deserved promotion.”

Industry News

Nielsen: Removing Radio from Cars a “Multi-Billion Dollar Gamble”

Nielsen is saying that an In Car Radio Study that it conducted in partnership with iHeartMedia in May 2026 shows that auto manufacturers are risking alienating their customer base by not including AM/FM radios in new cars. Nielsen says, “Despite the influx of modern infotainment options, the study of over 1,000 recent and prospective car buyers highlights that traditional radio imgremains bedrock equipment.” Some of the findings include: 1) Around half of all respondents stated they would outright refuse to purchase a vehicle that lacks an AM/FM radio; 2) More than seven in 10 consumers view AM/FM radio as an essential feature that should come standard as basic equipment in all new vehicles. This places its perceived importance on par with smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) and significantly ahead of satellite radio or built-in subscription music apps; 3) Around half of respondents indicated that if an OEM decided to completely remove AM/FM radio from its lineup, they would instantly have a less favorable perception of that car brand; and 4) This brand erosion and purchase refusal is significantly more pronounced among buyers aged 55+, creating a massive hurdle for brands relying on loyal, returning buyers. Read the report here.

Industry News

Broadcasters Press Congress to Pass AM Radio Bill

Yesterday (7/14), broadcasters from 31 states, along with representatives from AARP, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and local emergency managers were on Capitol Hill pushing Congress to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. According to the National Association of Broadcasters, the legislation, which would ensure AM radio remains available in new vehicles, has united an extraordinary coalition of support, including an overwhelming number of bipartisan cosponsors in Congress, imgthe endorsement of President Donald J. Trump and backing from first responders, emergency managers, public safety organizations and community leaders nationwide. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “The time for Congress to act is now. Hundreds of broadcasters from across the country alongside nearly one million AM radio listeners have reached out to their members of Congress to support the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and protect this essential public safety resource. We are grateful to our congressional champions who have led this bipartisan effort every step of the way. Congress has everything it needs to act. It is time to finish the job and send this bill to the president’s desk.”

Industry News

Cumulus Subscribes to Xperi’s In-Car Measurement Service

Cumulus Media announces that it is the first commercial licensee to sign up for Xperi’s AutoStage Broadcaster Portal Premium, the radio audience intelligence platform that Xperi says “delivers near–census-level insights into in-car radio consumption, where the majority of radio listening occurs, providing unprecedented visibility into actual, nearly-real-time listener behavior.” Cumulus says that imgfor advertisers, “the platform supports more informed media planning through observed audience behavior, large next-day samples, and market-level consumption trends, enabling more precise audience- and market-level planning and better alignment between campaigns and listening trends.” Cumulus Media president of operations Bob Walker says, “We’re proud to be the first broadcaster to deploy AutoStage Broadcaster Portal Premium as part of our broader effort to bring new sources of audience insight to radio. The platform gives us access to a level of audience intelligence that hasn’t previously been available, creating new opportunities for content creators, sales teams, and advertisers alike. The AutoStage heat maps are a particularly compelling example, visually illustrating where listening is concentrated, on an aggregated basis, relative to advertiser locations. By giving advertisers a richer understanding of audience distribution and listening trends, the platform helps them plan more effective campaigns, optimize audience-level planning, and maximize the impact of their radio investments.”

Industry News

Report: Howard Stern Lays Off Staffers; Will Do One New Show Per Week This Fall

According to a report in the New York Post by Oli Coleman, SiriusXM’s Howard Stern Show laid off “around a dozen” staffers imgas the show prepares to offer just one fresh program per week when Stern returns from his summer break after Labor Day. When Stern renewed with SiriusXM last December, he said the new deal gave him more flexibility and that apparently means fewer workdays. The Post reports that a core group of producers is being retained but with the new schedule, “he just doesn’t need that much content anymore.” Read the Post story here.

Industry News

Weather Channel Radio Net Recognizes Meteorologists for 30 Years of Service

The Weather Channel Radio Network is recognizing meteorologists Ray Stagich and Scott Lawrimore, each of whom has completed 30 years of dedicated service to the network. The imgWeather Channel president Tom O’Brien states, “Ray and Scott represent the very best of what The Weather Channel Radio Network stands for. Their careers are a testament to more than longevity; it is the genuine sense of public responsibility that has guided every forecast, emergency and broadcast for 30 years. We are immensely proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone with them.”

Industry News

Appeals Court Sides with Cumulus in Suit Against Nielsen

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rules in favor of Cumulus Media in this latest aspect of the company’s anti-trust suit against Nielsen. The ruling keeps the preliminary injunction preventing Nielsen from forcing national radio audience clients from having to buy local market data as well in effect while the case returns to district court. The appellate court held that constructive tying – where pricing effectively conditions the purchase of one product on another – can violate the Sherman imgAct. The ruling affirmed the district court’s findings regarding coercion, anticompetitive effects, irreparable harm, and the tailored injunction, and held that Cumulus’ current bankruptcy did not require a stay of the appeal. In 2024, Nielsen instituted a policy requiring national broadcasters to purchase its local data in every market where they operate in order to access the full nationalimg report. This policy forced Cumulus’ Westwood One to choose between buying all local data from the firm or losing access to the essential national data product. Cumulus is suing Nielsen United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that the Nielsen’s policy constitutes an unlawful tying arrangement. The district court found that Nielsen used its monopoly power in the national data market to coerce customers into buying local data products, resulting in anticompetitive effects in local markets by excluding competitors.

Industry News

Heidi Raphael to Lead NYSBA

The New York State Broadcasters Association appoints Heidi Raphael its next president and chief executive officer, succeeding longtime president and CEO David Donovan. Western New York native Raphael is currently chief communications officer for Beasley Media Group. She also served for 20 years in a similar imgrole with Greater Media. NYSBA board chair Chris Musial says, “We are thrilled to welcome Heidi Raphael as the next president and CEO of the New York State Broadcasters Association. Heidi brings an exceptional combination of leadership experience, industry knowledge, and passion for broadcasting. We are confident she is the right leader to guide NYSBA into its next chapter while continuing the outstanding work David Donovan has led over the past decade and a half.”

Industry News

Bonneville Seattle and Premier Media Group Announce Content Deal

Bonneville Seattle begins a partnership with the Premier Media Group that will allow Bonneville’s local news destination MyNorthwest.com to share select content from Premier Media imgGroup’s network of magazines. Bonneville Seattle SVP Cathy Cangiano says, “We’re excited to partner with Premier Media Group to bring compelling, high-quality content to our audiences across the Pacific Northwest. By combining the trusted brands of KIRO Newsradio and MyNorthwest.com with Premier Media Group’s exceptional storytelling, we’re creating new ways to inform, inspire, and engage our communities.” 

Uncategorized

Cumulus Ups Lewis to Regional Vice President

Cumulus Media promotes John Lewis to regional vice president in which he’ll oversee the company’s stations in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola, Florida (including news/talk WCOA-AM/FM) in imgaddition to his current role overseeing the Huntsville and Chattanooga operations. Lewis comments, “I’m honored and excited to work with the Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach teams. Having spent a couple of years early in my career with Cumulus Pensacola, it’s especially meaningful to return. With outstanding teams, great brands, and a strong track record of success, I look forward to building on that momentum and helping both markets reach their full potential.”