SABO SEZ: Bad AM Shows Don’t “Get Good” on FM
By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling Every Damn Night
Sterling on Sunday Syndicated, TMN
“Darn, if we were on FM everything would get better.” Not true. This writer launched many of the successful talk formats on FM stations in the early 1990s. The ones that worked, such as KLSX, Los Angeles; WTKS, Orlando; and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton, were produced for the unique demands of FM. Then and today, the FM band cume utilized the radio in a completely different manner than AM audiences. The competition on FM isn’t another talk show. It’s Chapelle Roan and Taylor Swift. Ya know, billion-dollar Taylor Swift. The production values of FM music stations set the expectations of “the sound.” “Let’s pay some bills…” Followed by bumper music! Followed by eight minutes of commercials for Med Alert is just not what FMers are used to hearing on Elvis Duran. (Elvis is doing a talk show.)
FM music stations are laser focused on precise demographics and marketing goals
Every moment of a music station is heavily considered for its ability to capture and hold a listener. Nothing is left to chance. Compare that reality with the odd feature of, “Let’s open the phones for whatever is on your mind!” The ancient demographics delivered by most talk shows are not an accident; it’s the net result of a product that appeals to people who need companionship, a voice talking, a voice to soothe them to sleep. Put that weary product on FM and get the same result.
FM Requirements, the short list
Every city is unique and an FM talk station that will succeed has some key ingredients:
- Well-defined target listener. Everyone at the station has to buy in to this target. Including the sales department.
- A production format. Each show should “sound” the same. That helps the cume flow show to show rather than starting and stopping show to show. Rules for call length, stop sets, and other elements should be the same at 10:00 am and 10:00 pm.
- Topic playlist. Each host should have a clear understanding of which topics make the meters bounce, and which don’t. That’s right, there are some you just shouldn’t do.
- Audio processing. If your chief thinks “those settings” will result in listener fatigueuse them.
- Music on the weekends. No infomercials. The music should be super-tight appealing to your target listener. Music blows off chronic talk radio listeners and brings in young cume for Monday morning.
Happy to share more success strategies for FM at 646-678-1110.
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.
Sports 1450” and six music brands. He joins the Tucson operations from iHeartMedia’s Spokane station group. Southwest area president Steve Earnhart states, “We’re excited to have Bill join our team in Tucson. He brings a deep understanding of how to build strong, relevant brands that connect with listeners and communities. His leadership and programming vision will continue to elevate our stations and deliver compelling content that reflects the energy, culture, and voice of Tucson.”
his new role with iHeartMedia he’ll “be responsible for helping local sales teams operate efficiently by providing them with the tools, training, and best practices needed to deliver strong results and measurable value for advertisers in today’s evolving media landscape.” President of community markets John Karpinski says, “Matt brings a rare combination of experience across every level of sales leadership and enablement. His background 
in developing people, sharpening processes and driving modern revenue strategy will help us to continue to grow and elevate iHeartMedia’s commitment to drive results for advertisers. His understanding of how high-performing organizations operate will help us accelerate what’s working and raise the bar even further. We’re fired up to have him on board and excited for the impact he’s going to make across our division.” In addition, iHeartMedia appoints Wayne Jones metro president for the Texas community markets, overseeing operational sales efficiency in Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Waco, McAllen and Bryan. Jones comes to iHeartMedia from Urban One in Houston, where he served as the director of sales and business.
and content for iHeart’s My Cultura podcast network. The first show from the collaboration will debut early 2026 featuring MLB’s 2025 Comeback Player of the Year and Rimas talent Ronald Acuña Jr. My Cultura Podcast Network head Leo Gomez states, “Sports aren’t just something the Latino community watches, it’s something we live. Sports are part of the culture, heritage and legacy that is woven into who we are. Partnering with Rimas Sports on amazing audio content curated by Bad Bunny and his team will allow us to bring sports and pop-culture icons like Ronald to listeners everywhere and share richer stories about how Latinos experience, elevate and redefine sports every day.”
said, “Having our meaningful discussions about world and local issues, as well as more mundane issues with you has been one of the highlights of my career.” In a piece posted to KDKA’s website, the station says Moore’s health and mobility issues, combined with the recent winter weather forced him to consider his future. “‘The Moore of Pittsburgh’ has been a local weekend staple since 1994 and Chris has provided countless hours of entertaining radio that made listeners smile, think and participate.” Moore is also the founder and co-chairperson of the educational committee of the Frank Bolden Urban Journalism Workshop of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation where a Chris Moore Internship was named in his honor in 2024.
slot. The station notes that Godbolt is a former University of Texas running backs coach and the station is the radio flagship of Longhorns football. Station PD Bryan Erickson states, “‘Bucky & BK’ is already a proven, fan-favorite show and we’re thrilled to add it to The Zone’s afternoon lineup. Bucky & BK’s credibility, insight and strong UT sports connection further strengthens our unrivaled coverage of UT athletics.”
deal to provide a one-minute news update hosted by one of the network’s anchors to over 15,000 taxis across the country, including in New York City. In a January 21 letter to Mamdani and Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Midori Valdivia, Hoylman-Sigal stated the cabs should not carry Newsmax because of its “politically charged content.” The letter went further, stating Newsmax “is not a credible news source for New Yorkers. I urge you to summarily suspend the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission’s partnership with Curb… and demand that Curb cease its collaboration with Newsmax as a condition of licensure given the platform’s history of misinformation and disingenuous reporting.” Newsmax says, “This is a pure act of censorship targeting a news organization reaching over 50 million Americans regularly. Newsmax plays it straight and that drives the far left crazy.” 
founders, world-leading investors, media and more than 1,600 startups to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 1-4. iHeart Media says that this year’s Centre Stage sessions will welcome Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group along with other leading podcast talent including Questlove, host of “The Questlove Show”; Steven Bartlett, host of the podcast “The Diary of a CEO”; Arabic sensation Islam Fawzy and more. The event will also serve as the official launch of iHeartArabi, iHeartPodcasts Arabic show slate. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “At iHeart we believe in fostering conversations that lead to creative and innovative ideas and solutions, and our partnership with the GCO continues to expand the boundaries of podcasting. Our goal is to work together to generate the kind of discussions and interactions that enhance and grow the future of this medium for audiences everywhere.”
Madson and Jesse Tapia airs live from 7:0 am to 9:00 am with a replay airing from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm the same day. The station notes that this is Tapia’s first on-air role and that he’ll continue producing the “D-Lo and KC” show. That program, starring Damien Barling & Kenny Caraway, is moving to the 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm daypart. The station adds that James Ham is expanding his role as the Sacramento Kings insider as he’ll provide breaking news updates and analysis weekly on “The Jump” and “D-Lo & KC.” Station brand manager Kyle Madson says, “Jesse brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for sports, and we’re excited to evolve our lineup with the launch of ‘The Jump,’ bringing high-energy to Sacramento mornings. By moving the unmatched wit of D-Lo & KC to the full afternoon drive and having James as our Kings Insider across all shows, we’re doubling down on the local insight and personality that defines Northern California sports radio.”
end-to-end, cloud-native operating system designed specifically for radio… powered by a suite of proprietary AI technologies that master, schedule, produce, and deliver each station directly to a Super Hi-Fi playout device at the transmitter.” Warshaw says, “Our mission is to have the best live and local radio experience in every market across America and Super Hi-Fi’s unique capabilities will allow us to do that in ways the industry just didn’t have before. We’re excited to work with them to drive forward and deliver the most compelling radio products in the industry.”
Notice how often you see one in TV commercials, even when the product has nothing to do with pets? I see spots for a local building supply outlet, in which the owner’s dog ambles through every shot, then plops down – seeming to smile – among employees in the closing shot.
the way the commission is operating. She took issue with FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s interpretation of how the Commission should ensure that licensees operate in the public interest. She stated, “For months, this FCC has asserted an apparent roving mandate to police speech that this Administration does not like, invoking an undefined and unchecked concept known as the ‘public interest’ standard.
more than 270 stations nationwide as well as on FOX Sports Radio’s channel on iHeartRadio and on FOXSportsRadio.com. The full radio show will also be available as a podcast immediately following each broadcast. In December, TALKERS reported that longtime Dan LeBatard producer and co-host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner would join FSR in a deal that would also feature an upcoming slate of original sports talk programming, including Stugotz’s podcasts “Stugotz and Company” and “God Bless Football.”
served as a media consultant. He states, “WTOP is setting the pace for the radio industry in our digital world. It’s a leader both in Washington and in the country. I look forward to joining its award-winning newsroom and evolving business reporting in the age of social video, YouTube, podcasts, and whatever comes next.” WTOP says it will expand the scope of its business reporting under Wordock’s leadership, including by Wordock producing original video content and written articles for WTOP.com and the station’s social media channels. WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler comments, “Evolution is more important than ever in the news industry. We need to meet our consumers where they are and bring them the stories they need in the formats they want. John brings a wealth of multi-platform experience and business expertise to WTOP, and we can’t wait for news consumers in the DMV to be reintroduced to him.”
will support our strong team and help WHO continue delivering the high-quality programming listeners rely on every day.” Henson most recently served with Cumulus Media as PD and morning host at classic rock WLAV-FM and country WTNR-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During his career he’s programmed news/talk outlets including WRVA, Richmond; WPGB-FM, Pittsburgh; and WOWO, Fort Wayne. Henson comments, “I’m incredibly excited to return to iHeartMedia and work with the legendary staff at NewsRadio 1040 WHO. WHO’s legacy of trusted news and strong local voices is unmatched, and I’m focused on building on that foundation and continuing to deliver relevant, impactful programming for listeners across Iowa.”
Media | Westwood One says, “The relaunch marks Bongino’s most extensive digital commitment to date, designed to meet increasing audience demand for long-form and in-depth content. The two-hour format strengthens the show’s position as a major voice in independent media, offering a highly engaging, daily destination for listeners seeking headline analysis, guest interviews, cultural commentary, and special ‘Bongino Army’ segments.” Bongino comments, “I’m excited to get back behind the mic and reconnect directly with the audience. This show has always been about cutting through the noise and talking honestly about what matters. We’re coming back bigger, bolder, and always unfiltered — exactly how people want it.” Westwood One and Cumulus Podcast Network president Collin Jones adds, “Dan Bongino is back! Few voices in talk media command the loyalty and firepower that Dan brings. His audience? Formidable. His influence? Undeniable. This promises to be an incredible journey as Dan drives the national conversation daily on the most important issues at hand, with authority that has been hard-fought and well-earned. Westwood One is beyond proud to help power the next chapter of ‘The Dan Bongino Show.’”
Cars were some of the big stars at CES. Not flying cars, which were news there, years ago. But cars that drive themselves, and how the cars we still drive are safer and smarter — some smaller, very inexpensive — and electric cars that go longer between charges. Solar powered cars are coming, among other sustainability breakthroughs like farming with less chemicals and appliances that use lots less energy.
dashboards and API access that support automated reporting and portfolio-level insights. The collaboration will also support select broadcast attribution initiatives within Audacy’s radio portfolio, complementing existing measurement partners. Audacy president of digital sales Michael Biemolt says, “Audacy consistently strives to deliver measurable results for advertisers, and our partnership with Podscribe further strengthens that promise. With enhanced attribution and transparency across our portfolio, we’re giving clients even greater confidence in how Audacy drives performance at scale.”
president. NYSBA chairman Chris Musial states, “David is doing an outstanding job, but he believes the time has come to turn over management of the Association to the next generation. The Board of Directors is delighted he will continue to lead our lobbying efforts in Albany and Washington. The NYSBA Board and Executive Search Committee look forward to advancing the important work of Broadcasters on Multiple Platforms as we begin this search.” Donovan comments, “It has been a great run. Our goal is to bring someone on board earlier in the year to have a smooth transition. NYSBA has an outstanding Board of Directors and the best staff of any association in America.” Resumes will be accepted until February 28, 2026. 
Advice columns blanketing sites like LinkedIn, the Skimm, and Forbes 2.0 – aimed at recent graduates – encourage their readers to seek and bond with an at-work mentor. After years of skimming “5 bullet” articles, I have reached the tipping point and I’m not going to take it anymore: Seeking a mentor as a career strategy is horrible advice. Just horrible.
sports talk show just a couple of weeks after being ousted from WFAN due to the return of Craig Carton to that station’s afternoon daypart. Tierney and co-host Sal Licata were let go on December 19. Tierney’s new show “BT Unleashed” is streamed on YouTube and other platforms. Tierney tells the Brooklyn Reporter, “I thought it was a pretty easy decision. I felt the iron was hot. I certainly felt a desire for more of my work and I wanted to get right back out there. People understand that it was an abrupt ending at the FAN and that this is a pretty dramatic transformation.” 
airing from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Concha has been hosting a Sunday show from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon and will continue in that role. Red Apple CEO John Catsimatidis says, “Joe is exactly the kind of smart, credible, non-nonsense voice we promised our listeners. Listeners trust Joe and his ratings success backs that up. We are delighted to add him to our weeknight programming.” Concha is a columnist, author, and FOX News contributor.
iHeartMedia’s studios in South Florida and airing in the 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm slot being vacated by Doug Gottlieb. iHeartMedia says, “Designed as a live radio extension of his popular podcast ‘Stugotz and Company,’ the show will bring together his regular crew along with a rotating cast of guest co-hosts, blending old friends and new voices.” Additionally, the Stugotz Podcast Network will launch with iHeartPodcasts, featuring “Stugotz and Company” and “God Bless Football,” plus more content to be launched later. Weiner says, “There was a ton of interest and a lot of great conversations, but it became obvious to me rather quickly that iHeart and FOX Sports Radio were going to be the landing spot. I miss doing live radio, and I was looking for a partner to grow my two existing podcasts and help us build out a network. To be able to partner with the biggest and best digital company on the planet – and host a daily, two-hour live radio show with two Hall of Famers, Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd, as lead-ins – is a place, quite frankly, I never imagined arriving at, and an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up.”
Network TV often delivers Nielsen hashmarks. No viewers! The no numbers reports started coming in over 20 years ago and they met with silence. Often on Holiday nights, long weekends, NBC, CBS, ABC or FOX delivered no measurable audience. Simultaneously, online video stars were attracting millions of views. In 2007, the media world witnessed the audience shift from broadcast TV to online video. In the following years, media buyers made the definition of a bad investment: Between the time a buy was placed on network TV to the day of air, the audience diminished. Every month. Year after year.
Benjamin Yount is taking over the 6:00 am to 9:00 am show hosting duties. Yount has been with the station since 2018 as host and news director. He comments, “WISN has always been about serving Wisconsin with smart, honest conversation, and I’m honored to take on 
morning drive. Our listeners count on us to start their day informed and engaged, and I’m excited to continue that in a new time slot while keeping the same commitment to strong local coverage.” Jason Goch, who has been a fill-in host on WISN, moves into the morning news anchor and late morning talk host role. He’ll handle news duties during Yount’s program and host his own talk show from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Station program director Jerry Bott states, “This lineup builds on WISN’s momentum and reflects our focus on serving listeners with strong, credible voices throughout the day. Benjamin has earned the trust of our audience and brings proven ratings success to morning drive, while Jason is a terrific addition whose experience and versatility strengthen our local programming bench.”
appreciate this real estate, and your feedback.
regions. President of community markets John Karpinski says, “Mark and Jeff consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership in developing business, cultivating long-standing client relationships, and building high-performing sales teams. Their strategic vision and deep understanding of our business will be instrumental as we continue to invest in our people and platforms. I am excited to see the impact they will have across even more markets.” Additionally, Marshal Burgess, currently president of the Portland market, is promoted to region president of the Pacific Northwest Area expanding his responsibilities to include Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. Division president Nick Gnau states, “Marshal has been a cornerstone of iHeart’s success in the Pacific Northwest, consistently driving growth and fostering strong relationships throughout the region. With a deep understanding of the business and a proven leadership track record, he is well-positioned to lead the region and drive success.”
company’s currently outstanding common stock, based on 6,556,621 shares outstanding as of December 11, 2025. After closing, these shares were returned to treasury and are no longer outstanding. Chief financial officer Samuel Bush says, “We are pleased to announce the completion of a privately negotiated stock repurchase transaction, which underscores our ongoing commitment to deliver value to our shareholders. This transaction reflects our confidence in the company’s long-term strategy and financial strength, while providing us with greater flexibility to manage our capital structure. We remain focused on disciplined capital allocation and generating a meaningful return for all stakeholders.”