Industry News

KBLA, Los Angeles Kicks Off Year-Long Climate Justice Campaign

SmileyAudioMedia, Inc announces that flagship station KBLA, Los Angeles “Talk 1580 AM” is launching a $2 million, 12-month Climate Justice Campaign with four clear objectives: center the voices of communities of color in the climate conversation, connect at-risk fellow citizens with advocacy organizations, increase climate health literacy, and highlight frontline climate justice crusaders of color.im The company says that the initiative will achieve these objectives with a robust schedule of climate-themed broadcasts and special programming during the next 12 months, four free community events (one per quarter), two town halls broadcast nationally from Los Angeles, and a savvy social media and marketing campaign. KBLA says its public and private partners in this initiative include: LADWP, Metro, the Port of Los Angeles, CalEndow, California Community Foundation, the Sierra Club, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and others who will join the campaign in Q2, Q3 and Q4. Chief visionary officer and nationally imsyndicated talk host Tavis Smiley says, “The harsher impacts of climate change weigh heavily on communities of color. In these underserved communities, families are less likely to have air conditioning, shade trees, bus shelters, water and energy effective appliances and other infrastructure that’s critical to mitigate a changing climate. As the most ‘trusted, credible and reliable’ media source in Southern California for African Americans and beyond, our talk station is committed to do more than just talk in these troubled times. There is a clear connection between Dr. King’s moral consistence on the notion of reverence for human life or the interconnected nature of life and the future of our world house. On this MLK holiday weekend, KBLA assigns itself the task of elevating the climate conversation by amplifying the voices of those who are most impacted by the climate catastrophes we are all witnessing in real time. In a real sense, climate is king.”

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Reflections on the Death of Sears and “Mass Appeal” Radio

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

imSears used to sell everything. Tractors, tires, insurance, investments, chickens. In 2004, Sears was the dominant retailer in America. By the end of the decade, it was feverishly closing stores and dying.

Marketers blame the failure on aging store decor, failure to support the brand online, and merchandise offerings that were too broad. Circuit City, CompUSA, Firestone and other highly targeted stores were super-serving specific product lines and diminishing the appeal of Sears’ profit leaders.

Nope. If a broad product line was the problem, Walmart would be a very small business. Operationally, Sears died from within by centralizing all buying and selling decisions. Local stores had zero autonomy and therefore were unable to stay ahead of customer preference trends. The bureaucracy was poison. Financially, Sears was a publicly traded company managed in the end by Wall Street speculators who probably wanted it to fail for their own gain.

SHOCKING WALMART NEWS: Walmart is the highest grossing company in the world. Larger than Chinese oil refineries, General Motors, Volkswagen, and Microsoft. It is the highest grossing company in the world.

Walmart’s decision strategy is surprisingly decentralized. It learned from Sears’ mistake. The employees you see working in Walmart are in charge. Each employee is assigned to a department. They see the profit and loss for their department and for each item they are selling. Employees are shown those numbers from day one. Walmart associates are expected to keep shelves stocked and to stay ahead of demand by ordering from distribution centers on their handheld computers.

No checking with corporate or clearing adds.

In times of crisis, such as hurricanes, Walmart colleagues can donate food, water, and other supplies to rescue workers without chain of command approval. Just do it. After one local disaster, a Walmart corporate type commented on the vast amount of donations made by a local store: “That’s a good use of autonomy.”

Walmart also learned from Sears how not to finance their company: 50% of Walmart is held by founder Sam Walton’s dependents and the Waltons control the board of directors.

So… what does this mean to you?

Walter Sabo was a founding architect of SiriusXM and began the recruitment of Howard Stern. He has consulted RKO General, PARADE magazine, Hearst Broadcasting, Press Broadcasting, and other premium brands. He launched the first company to engage online video influencers, Hitviews. As an executive, he was EVP of NBC FM RADIO giving Dr. Ruth Westheimer her first media job and fostering the creation of adult contemporary. As VP ABC Radio Networks, Sabo hired Ringo Starr to be a DJ for a 24-hour special.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Cold Calling

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imLet’s take a minute to welcome back an old reliable that has been part of our sales and marketing world since Adam pitched Eve and got the first “yes” on the original cold call. No telling how cold that call really was.

But seriously, here come two shoutouts that should motivate you to re-evaluate the one strategy that has worked since the very early days of sales. Imagine knocking on 3,000,000 doors, making 3,000,000 cold calls. How many sales would you expect? According to The New York Times, a super PAC has knocked on all those doors nationwide, nearly 1,000,000 or one-third in Iowa alone, asking for the order. That’s a lot of cold calling and leave it to Iowa weather to put the “cold” back into cold calling.

Everyone reading this column would argue, TV, radio – especially r-a-d-i-o – and social media ads are more impactful, more efficient, and often more emotionally compelling than old school cold calling. Only time and results will tell if the boots-on-the-ground technique succeeded over the millions in media spend. No, this isn’t about modern-day political marketing strategy, this is about recognizing an old, proven technique that still has a role in today’s modern, hyper-speed, tech-driven world.

Do you remember the cold-calling contests that ended on a Friday with your team turning in the business cards that proved you met with those brand-new decision makers? Business cards in hand, you were well on your way to winning that weekly cold-calling contest. Talk about cold-call champions! All those business cards represented follow up opportunities that often led to long-term relationships netting many sellers nice commission checks.

Now comes the selfie, the modern-day version of those business cards, documenting proof positive you met the brand-new decision maker on the way to developing that newfound business relationship. Suddenly the old school cold-call strategy has a new world spin showing everyone on the team you are out and about in front of new business prospects, setting appointments and with newly fueled positive energy writing business and achieving your goals.

Hard to believe we are all connected to Adam’s very first sale, the 3,000,000 nationwide cold calls and the political strategists who earn big sums while still advising candidates to make sure they are getting out there, shaking hands and making those cold calls.

What’s on your planner this week?

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.

Industry News

Comrex Launches “Tech Talk Live!”

Comrex announces the debut of a new, live web series called, “Tech Talk Live!” featuring Chris Crump, senior director of sales & marketing, as the host. The inaugural episode of “Tech Talk Live!” will be Friday (1/19) 11:00 am ET. Andy Mikutta, sales director from Yellowtec, will discuss new developments andim TALKERS founder Michael Harrison will talk about UNESCO’s World Radio Day. “Tech Talk Live!” can be streamed on YouTube Live, LinkedIn Live, Riverside.fm or the Comrex Facebook page. Comrex says, “We are excited to regularly share tech tidbits, unfamiliar product features, some of the inner workings of the industry, and more. ‘Tech Talk Live!’ will feature a new episode monthly with each episode comprising four segments: ‘Ask a Techie’ – featuring a member of the Comrex technical support team to discuss a common problem customers run into and how to fix it; ‘Feature Focus’ – a dive into lesser known features of Comrex products that provide even more functionality and ease of use; ‘The Insiders’ – featuring a guest industry expert to chat about a product/service they offer that is complementary to Comrex codecs and how it makes the job of the end user easier; and ‘Nerd Alert’ – exploring different products, features, happenings and more that may interest those with a more technical background.” Get more information on “Tech Talk Live!” via email at ttl@comrex.com and find out more about Comrex here.

Industry News

OpenAI Loses Motion to Dismiss in Talk Host Defamation Case

Artificial Intelligence firm OpenAI was denied its Motion to Dismiss the defamation suit filed against it by talk show host Mark Walters, who hosts radio programs produced by his CCW Broadcast Media company. Walters claims the use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT by journalist Fred Riehl that created contentim stating the Walters was accused of embezzling funds from the Second Amendment Foundation defamed him. No such accusation ever actually took place. In its Motion to Dismiss, Open AI argued several points, including that Georgia is not the proper jurisdiction, but it summarized its argument that Walters’ claims didn’t meet the burden of defamation when it said, “Even more fundamentally, Riehl’s use of ChatGPT did not cause a ‘publication’ of the outputs. OpenAI’s Terms of Use make clear that ChatGPT is a tool that assists the user in the writing or creation of draft content and that the user owns the content they generate with ChatGPT. Riehl agreed to abide by these Terms of Use, including the requirement that users ‘verify’ and ‘take ultimate responsibility for the content being published.’ As a matter of law, this creation of draft content for the user’s internal benefit is not ‘publication.’”

Industry News

Report: “The Incredible Shrinking Podcast Industry”

A piece by Max Tani at Semafor looks at the ramifications of Apple’s September 2023 changes in reporting how many people listen to podcasts has dramatically affected the official listener numbers for many of the biggest podcasts. About Apple’s change, Tani writes, “The dominant podcasting platformim had begun switching off automatic downloads for users who haven’t listened to five episodes of a show in the last two weeks. But while few users noticed the shift, some of the biggest podcasts in the world saw their official listener numbers drop dramatically. Long-running shows that publish frequently were hit particularly hard. A user who listened to a show like The New York Times’ ‘The Daily’ a few times, subscribed, but stopped listening would continue to count as a download indefinitely. Even better under the old rules: For people who listened to a show, dropped off for a while, but started listening again later, Apple would automatically download every show in between. The arrangement drove big download numbers, a crucial metric for ad sales and a sign of the vast reach of podcasts as a medium.” Read the full story here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Plan Now for Your Bonus Day

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imTake a day off. You get one free this year.

Programmers: When was the last time you really listened?

— Not the way you usually hear it, at low volume in the office…but “out there,” where/when/how listeners hear radio. Schedule dedicated listening time, away from the station. I promise you will find it an ear-opening experience.

im

— In 2024, you have no excuse NOT to take a day to listen…because it’s a Leap Year. You get an extra day, a February 29, courtesy of Pope Gregory XIII, in 1582 (as in “The Gregorian Calendar”). So, heaven help you if you miss this opportunity.

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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Townsquare Promotes Mike Pettis to Market Manager for Sedalia, Missouri

Townsquare Media promotes Mike Pettis to market president/chief revenue officer for its Sedalia, Missouri media cluster that serves West Central Missouri. That office operates news/talk KSIS-AMim “News Talk 1050” and two music brands. Townsquare regional vice president Robert Wawrzyniec says, “Mike is the ideal executive to lead Townsquare’s broadcast and digital operations in West Central Missouri. Most important, he knows the Sedalia market and what resonates with its listeners and advertisers. His expertise in creating, developing and executing exceptional local multi-platform solutions for advertising and marketing clients, as well as driving new business opportunities and forging important community partnerships, has resulted in deep client relationships and a strong commitment to listeners. I am looking forward to working with him in his new role.”

Industry News

Mike Gallagher Contributor-at-Large Joey Hudson Reports from Iowa

Joey Hudson, election 2024 correspondent and contributor-at-large for “The Mike Gallagher Show” on the Salem Radio Network, is in Iowa today (1/15) for on-site coverage of the 2024 Iowa Caucuses.im Hudson hosted “The Morning Answer” on former Salem property WGTK, Greenville, South Carolina for close to a decade. In addition to providing live updates during “The Mike Gallagher Show,” Hudson will also report throughout the day on SRN News and TOWNHALL News. SRN VP of news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “Joey Hudson’s unique background in Republican party politics as well as his impressive media credentials makes him the ideal person to provide eye-level coverage of today’s important caucuses.”

Industry News

Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Produce New Election Coverage Podcast

Premiere Networks announces the launch of “24,” a weekly election coverage podcast hosted by Clayim Travis and Buck Sexton. The show debuted yesterday (1/14) and will be available as part of The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. Premiere says, “‘24’ is a highlight reel of that week’s most important election news from ‘The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show’ – one of the leading talk radio shows in America reaching millions of listeners on more than 470 stations nationwide. Whether it’s astute political analysis or candidate interviews, ‘24’ is a curated sampling of Travis and Sexton’s comprehensive coverage of the week in politics.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The 2024 presidential race and today’s Iowa caucuses; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to avoid a government shutdown; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Hunter Biden contempt case; Taiwan elects China-named “troublemaker” Lai Ching-te president; the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday; and the brutal winter cold affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

13 Ideas to Celebrate World Radio Day 2024

By Michael Harrison
Founder
TALKERS

imThe United Nations and its specialized agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have given the radio industry all around the globe an invaluable gift. It’s called “World Radio Day 2024.” Now in its 13th installment, WRD takes place annually on February 13 with the purpose of spotlighting the accomplishments, importance, and ongoing relevance of the radio medium as it evolves deeper into the 21st century. This year’s theme is “Radio: A Century Informing, Educating and Entertaining.” By officially designating the platform as worthy of its own officially sanctioned UN International Day, the august world body has recognized, spotlighted, and endorsed radio’s continuing relevance and potential for being a vital force for the betterment of humanity.

On a global level, the scope of radio is huge. However, we, practitioners of radio in America, face formidable challenges keeping the spirit and uniqueness of the platform viable as both a business and iconic connector as it faces the growing risk of simply getting lost in the noise and distractions of the ceaselessly evolving digital era. I strongly encourage my American colleagues to embrace WRD 2024 for the fabulous opportunity it offers our industry to make a compelling case for the ongoing importance and positive impact of radio to inform, educate and entertain.

Please read and consider any or all of the following “13 Ideas to Celebrate World Radio Day 2024” posted on the UNESCO website and in TALKERS magazine.

1. World Radio Day Minutes. Air the UNESCO package of 20 pre-produced “World Radio Day Minutes”. They are 60-second audios discussing interesting aspects of the radio medium during its first 100 years of service to humanity. The texts figure in their descriptions so that you have the option of producing your own episodes in other languages. These short-form audios can be programmed on a schedule of your choosing leading up to and on February 13, World Radio Day (WRD). You can run them as non-commercial announcements or offer them for local sponsorships.

2. Talk Shows Celebrating Radio. Program (pre-produced or live) talk shows with local and national experts talking about the importance of radio for quality information, highlighting its 100-year history and continuing relevance. Recruit legendary and retired radio personalities known to your audience to participate in these programs supplemented by real clips from the past to be aired leading up to or on February 13.

3. World Radio Day 2024 Live Event.  Schedule a live indoor or outdoor event (depending upon climate) on February 13 celebrating World Radio Day 2024. Invite listeners free (or charge admission in conjunction with a charity). Feature a panel discussion about the relevance of the entire audio sector in a changing media world as well as local legends telling stories about their service to the public through radio. Supplement it with display tables presenting local businesses and sponsors. Consider holding it on a local college or university campus in conjunction with the school’s communication department. Organize a group of diverse stations (either under one corporate umbrella/cluster or actual competing ones) to join forces in support of information, entertainment and education through radio in general. The results will be beneficial for everyone involved.

4. World Radio Day 2024 Sponsorship with Local Consumer Electronics Store/Chain. Arrange a sales promotion with a local store or chain of stores within your market to offer listeners a significant one-day discount (February 13) on all AM/FM radios and radio-related equipment.

5. International Dialogue. Schedule interviews/conversations (either live or prerecorded) with your broadcast colleagues from other countries to compare and contrast the history and strength of radio in their respective countries on or leading up to February 13. These shows can be simulcast on both stations or simply be one host interviewing another.  For Partnership Opportunities, please check here which stations or partners around the world are interested in collaborative programming and you could contact now.

6. The Greatest “Radio Songs” of All Time.   There are songs in almost every pop music format that contain the word “radio” in them or refer to the medium of radio.  Highlight the “Greatest Radio Songs of All Time” into your playlist intermittently or as a “countdown show” on February 13 in commemoration of World Radio Day 2024. This is an easy and simple way to highlight World Radio Day and create a fun and entertaining programming element.

7. Visit to a Radio Station. Offer guided tours of your facilities to listeners or local school classes leading up to and on February 13 in celebration of World Radio Day 2024. This will be an effective outreach to a younger generation of new listeners and create community goodwill.

8. Radio and Emergencies. Emphasize radio’s impact as an informational public safety net entering its second century of service. Use World Radio Day 2024 as a reason to talk about and remind listeners of the value of the medium to provide a lifeline to the public when the electricity goes out and the internet goes down. There are numerous examples in just the past year alone to draw from in terms of earthquakes, wildfires, and storms in which radio news helped people in distress in real time. This is also a talking point in the current issue about some automobile manufacturers choosing to not equip new car models with AM radios.

9. Theater of the Mind. Use World Radio Day 2024 as a focal point for radio being the “Theater of the Mind” by producing your own locally produced radio dramas and airing them on February 13. You’ll provide intelligent entertainment, support cultural expression, and stimulate listener interest.

10. Radio, the Original Interactive Mass Medium. Recognize radio’s claim to the title “The Original Interactive Mass Medium” and “The Original Social Media” by using these phrases as often as appropriately possible on February 13. Radio pioneered the concept of taking live calls from listeners on the air to give opinions and receive advice in addition to playing musical requests and announcing dedications in real-time on the air. Highlight the interaction with listeners.

11. Take Me Out to the Stadium. Radio was the first mass medium to provide live, real-time play-by-play coverage of sporting events. The history of radio’s connection to sports is deep and rich. There is a lot of colorful sports broadcasting history to discuss in celebration of World Radio Day 2024 and nourish vibrant conversations.

12. Podcasts. Post several new and timely podcasts featuring quality conversations and panel discussions with experts and leaders in the radio profession from around the world as supplemental World Radio Day 2024 content on your station or network website.  You can also generate your own podcasts and programs about radio for placement on your website or general distribution.

13. Positive and Pro-Active – Accomplishment, Pride and Hope. World Radio Day 2024 provides you with a supportive platform and focal point to pursue business, civic and social relationships within your community, and protect free, independent, pluralistic radio.  WRD 2024 symbolizes radio’s century of accomplishment, pride in the present and hope for the future.  Celebrate World Radio Day 2024 spreading this optimistic perspective leading up to, during and following February 13.

For more information, visit https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio

Michael Harrison is a legendary American broadcaster who has served as executive advisor to UNESCO for World Radio Day 2024. He can be contacted via email at michael@talkers.com.

Industry News

Radio Vermont Group Sells WDEV-AM/FM, Waterbury

The family-owned Radio Vermont Group is selling full service WDEV-AM/FM, Waterbury, Vermont to Manchester, Vermont-based Mermel & McClain Management LLC for an undisclosed price. The station had been led by Ken Squier – who took over management from his father Lloyd Squier – for the pastim 44 years. Ken Squier passed away in November and his daughter Ashley tells WCAX-TV, Burlington that the station that’s provided local sports, news, commentary, and more will be in good hands. “I feel that this is a very good day and a very good development. Dad loved community radio.” The station says that former Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former Ethan Allen Institute leader Myers Mermel will serve as owner-operator. Mermel tells WCAX-TV he wants the station to remain local. “We want to look at different ideas and new ideas in order to increase our ability to discover and identify and bring in content.” Read the WCAX-TV story here.

Industry News

WBT-AM/FM to Present Congressional GOP Primary Debate

Urban One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte is hosting a debate between candidates in the Republican primary race for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District seat on Wednesday, January 31,im at Wingate University’s Batte Fine Arts Center. The event will be moderated by personalities Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman and will feature questions for the candidates presented by the station’s late morning host Vince Coakley, afternoon host Brett Winterble, evening host Brett Jensen, and news director Mark Garrison.  It will also include a 30-minute lead-in show hosted by Thompson and Troutman. All six registered candidates for the seat have accepted invitations to take part in the commercial-free broadcast.

Industry News

Dan Patrick to Broadcast from Fontainebleau Las Vegas During Super Week

Fontainebleau Las Vegas will welcome sports media personality Dan Patrick and “The Dan Patrick Show” to Las Vegas for five days of live “Big Game” coverage leading up to the 58th professional football championship at Allegiant Stadium. Patrick’s show, part of FOX Sports Radio’s 24th annual “Superim Week” coverage, will be staged before a live audience – February 5 through 9 on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas third floor Oasis Pool Deck. Patrick says, “Every year when we plan where to take the show for this week – the biggest week in sports – we look to try something new, something fresh and the Fontainebleau is the newest and freshest spot in Las Vegas. The coolest part of this partnership is that over the past few months the people at the Fontainebleau have sent us pictures and videos of the final stages of development. We got a sneak peek. This place is cutting edge with a big nod to old school Vegas throughout. We can’t wait to get out there to do the show, see the fans and enjoy the property.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of January 8 – 12

The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the U.S. migrant crisis tied with the related move to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, followed by the closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil trial in New York at #3. 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

WHNZ-AM, Tampa Returns to English-Language Talk as “Impact Radio”

iHeartMedia Tampa Bay flips WHNZ-AM from Spanish-language news back to English-language talk radio as “1250 WHNZ, Impact Radio.” It is also heard on 105.9 FM in Hillsborough County. iHeartMedia says, “1250 WHNZ’s programming will bring informative content focused on financial talk as well asim national news and entertainment. The station will play host to nationally syndicated programs like “The Ramsey Show,” “The Michael Berry Show,” “The Joe Pags Show,” “Armstrong & Getty” and “Michael DelGiorno” as well as “Bloomberg Radio.” iHeartMedia Tampa Bay SVP of programming Tommy Chuck adds, “Tampa Bay is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. As the region’s economy continues to grow, we are pleased to offer programming tailored to the people making that happen. Around the clock, the programming will keep listeners informed on issues affecting their everyday lives and pocketbooks.”

Industry News

NAB’s LeGeyt Testifies on AI Impact on Broadcasters

NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law yesterday (1/10) at the hearing, Oversight of A.I.: The Future of Journalism. LeGeyt testified that while broadcasters embrace technologies thatim can advance their mission and enable them to better-serve communities with quicker alerts and more local news, he shared broadcasters’ concerns about AI without appropriate guardrails in place. He presented three primary concerns; 1) that the use of broadcasters’ news content in AI models, without authorization, diminishes their audience trust and their reinvestment in local news; 2) the use of AI to doctor, manipulate or misappropriate the likeness of trusted radio or television personalities risks spreading misinformation or even perpetrating fraud; and 3) the rising prevalence of deepfakes make it increasingly burdensome for both newsrooms and users to identify and distinguish legitimate, copyrighted broadcast content, from the unvetted and potentially inaccurate content being generated by AI.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Central Florida’s Barbara Latham to Retire

Longtime iHeartMedia Central Florida executive and current area president Barbara Latham will retire, effective March 29. The 39-year iHeartMedia veteran has served as region president for Central Florida that includes talk WTKS-FM and news/talk WFLF-AM in Orlando, plus numerous music brands since April 2021. iHeartMedia division president Tom McConnell states, “Barb has excelled in multiple roles throughout her tenured career at iHeart. Although we will miss her leadership and strategic thinking, we wish her nothing but the best as she begins this exciting new chapter.” Latham says, “I am so excited about this new chapter in my life. Thirty-nine years flew by! I’m happy to have worked for iHeart for almost four decades, and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work with and lead a tremendous team of professionals and iconic brands.”

Industry Views

CES2024: AI, Sustainability, “TV,” Inclusivity

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imAfter 4G enabled Uber and other apps now-common, inventors are flexing 5G. And grab-the-armrest for what 6G and 7G will bring. Just when we’re blasé about Wi-Fi, we are told that Li-Fi will use light to transmit data.

Artificial Intelligence? ChatGPT was training wheels. AI’s impact is just beginning to unfold. As it does, Consumer Technology Association research points to concerns over privacy, disinformation, safety, and job loss. 74% believe the federal government should regulate AI safety.

Sustainability is huge here: Solar panels – some are small foil strips — will replace batteries in many applications. And we’re seeing a cube-shaped portable inflatable “smartfarm” that can grow produce anywhere.

What we used to call “a television” becomes the Intelligent Hub for your home, connecting with appliances, security cameras, and thermal imaging for tele-health. It’s an e-commerce platform, like your smartphone… interactive – like betting on live games – and with immersive experiences Netflix is rolling out.

Inclusivity is big business at CES: We’re seeing hearable glasses for people who are vision AND hearing impaired, including some “chic” designs. And lots of tech here helps us as we age. With women’s health a $1.2 trillion market, mattress sensors can trigger cooling during menopause. And Artificial Intelligence will bring drug discovery breakthroughs.

I’m reporting for TALKERS readers, every day this week. Help yourself to today’s report here: http://getonthenet.com/CES2024-Thursday.mp3. It can air until Friday. And I’ll be posting daily 60-second reports you can download 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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Audacy sports talk KRLD-FM, Dallas-Fort Worth “105.3 The Fan” announces a multi-year extension to its flagship broadcast and digital partnership with the MLB’s world-champion Texas Rangers through 2027. As part of the extended partnership, English broadcasts of Rangers baseball will continue to be heard on “105.3 The Fan” and streamed digitally via the Audacy app for fans within the Rangers broadcast territory.

PodcastOne announces the January 24 premiere of “Varnamtown,” a limited eight-episode true crime genre podcast from Epic Magazine, Picture Perfect Federation and Full Picture. Hosted by Golden Globe Award winning actor Kyle MacLachlan and investigative journalist Joshua Davis, the series tells the little-known story of a small fishing village in North Carolina that reputedly did a deal with drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Audacy and Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Podcasts announce the launch of “The Chris Chatman Do-Over,” an improvised comedy podcast series starring actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer Ike Barinholtz. In the series, Barinholtz plays controversial shock jock Chris Chatman striving to improve his reputation after his hit podcast is canceled. Guest stars include Fred Armisen, Ashley Nicole Black, Jessica St. Clair, Ego Nwodim, Busy Philipps, and Alice Stanley, Jr.

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God announce that the podcast “Woman Evolve with Sarah Jakes Roberts” joins The Black Effect Podcast Network. Charlamagne Tha God says, “The way she is able to showcase the intersectionality between GOD, faith, the word and how to navigate our mental health is extremely powerful. It is a privilege and honor to partner with ‘Woman Evolve’ and assist in amplifying her life changing messages.”

AdLarge announces today that “Infertile AF” has joined the company’s podcast portfolio. The program is hosted by New Jersey-based journalist, author and mother of two, Ali Prato, who keeps it “very real” while diving into the messy, frustrating, painful, absurd and sometimes humorous journey to have a baby. Or in some cases, to not have a baby.

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation extends the deadline to submit entries for the 49th Annual Gracie Awards through January 25 (11:59 pm ET). The regular deadline, with no additional fee, is January 18 (11:59 pm ET). The Gracie Awards, presented by AWMF, has recognized programming and individual achievement by women across all media for nearly five decades. Submissions from television, streaming, radio, audio, and digital media are encouraged.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (1/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The 2024 presidential race, the Nikki Haley–Ron DeSantis CNN debate, and Donald Trump’s FNC Town Hall; today’s Trump Organization civil trial closing arguments; the Israel-Hamas war; Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s ex-husband is arrested following an incident between the two; Hunter Biden attends congressional committee meeting about his contempt of congress: U.S. regulators approve ETFs investing in Bitcoin; House Speaker Mike Johnson under fire for spending deal; Houthi Red Sea attacks; and the Aaron Rodgers–Pat McAfee-ESPN relationship were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

UNESCO Offering Radio Broadcasters License-Free Series of “World Radio Day 2024” 60-second Vignettes

World Radio Day 2024 (WRD 2024) takes place on February 13 and TALKERS encourages its subscribers to get involved and take advantage of its many resources. Among these elements, broadcasters around the globe are invited to tap into a set of preproduced “World Radio Day Minutes” – a series of 20 one-minute vignettes exploring and celebrating radio’s past, present and future being made available license-free by the United Nations. Stations, networks and shows can run these in any way they choose as a promotion for radio either commercial-free or attach them to sponsorships by local advertisers. The produced versions in English feature the voices of Michael Harrison and noted commentator Victoria Jones (of DC Radio Company). Unvoiced scripts are available for broadcasters who choose to produce their own versions of these vignettes. Subjects include the invention, history and influence of radio – suitable for every format. Harrison, who has served as executive advisor to the UN for World Radio Day 2024 and wrote the vignettes, says, “The UN’s endorsement of radio as a vital platform for the 21st century by devoting an ‘official day’ honoring it is a welcome credential underscoring the ongoing viability of the medium on a global level. It is to the advantage of every radio broadcaster in America to get on board with this.” The theme of this year’s edition of World Radio Day is “A Century Informing, Educating, and Entertaining.” Hear and download these 20 one-minute produced programs and scripts here.