Industry News

Compass Media Networks Announces Hire and Promotions in Sales Department

Compass Media Networks names Stephanie Dolan vice president of advertising sales and reveals expanded duties for four other executives. Speaking about her new position, Dolan says, “Compass Mediaimg Networks has a sterling reputation in our industry with a tremendous product line and management team. I cannot wait to get started and superserve our clients.” Additional moves include Laura Peyer being promoted to SVP of advertising sales; Anthony Severino being upped to VP of sales planning; Michael Weiss rising to VP of advertising sales; and Laura Schaefer named as director of advertising sales & manager of sales planning. Compass president of advertising sales & marketing Paul Gregery states, “It is truly my very good fortune to work with such a talented, hardworking, and passionate group of people. We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to our wonderful company and equally thrilled to honor her colleagues with their promotions.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (March 2-6)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (3/2-6) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Operation Epic Fury / War Powers Resolution
  2. Strait of Hormuz Blockade / Oil Prices
  3. Financial Markets React
  4. MAGA Fractures
  5. Bondi Subpoenaed in Epstein Files Case / Clintons’ Testimony
  6. Pentagon-Anthropic-OpenAI Deals
  7. Primary Elections
  8. Tariffs Refunds Issue
  9. Kristi Noem Replaced at DHS
  10. Minnesota Fraud Probe / Austin Mass Shooting

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Pete Hegseth
  3. Benjamin Netanyahu
  4. Mojtaba Khameini
  5. Pam Bondi
  6. Bill & Hillary Clinton
  7. Dario Amodei / Sam Altman
  8. John Cornyn / Ken Paxton / James Talarico
  9. Kristi Noem / Markwayne Mullin
  10. Tim Walz / Keith Ellison

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

Job Opportunity

WVMT, Burlington Seeks PD/Talk Host

Sison Broadcasting’s news/talk WVMT-AM/W242BK in Burlington, Vermont is looking for a program director/talk host. The company says, “Do you have a passion for compelling conversation? Do you live andimg breathe talk radio? We’re looking for a program director to lead our talk radio stations to the next level.

This position requires the talent to host a conservative talk show while overseeing all aspects of programming, talent development, and content strategy for both our news/talk and sports stations. You’ll drive ratings growth, strengthen audience engagement, and ensure our stations remains trusted and influential voices in the community.

Our candidate will have some level of talk radio experience, strong leadership skills and the ability to adapt to Vermont and Upstate New York.  You’ll need to be a quick study and learn the politics of our market while maintaining an understanding of current events nationally.  Experience with digital content strategy including podcasts, streaming and social media is a must.  Experience and knowledge of VT/NY is a big plus but not an absolute necessity.

This position offers a decent starting salary for the market, a nice benefits package and a four-season lifestyle in a beautiful area of New England.  This is an in-market position.

Please send a copy of your resume along with applicable aircheck to operations manager Ted Richards at ted@star929.com.

Industry News

Cumulus Announces Chapter 11 Pre-Pack to Eliminate $600 Million in Debt

In a surprise announcement this morning (3/5), Cumulus Media Inc reveals it has entered into a comprehensive restructuring support agreement (RSA) with a group of its lenders to eliminate approximatelyimg $600 million of debt, “substantially deleveraging its balance sheet and enhancing its ability to execute on strategic priorities.” The company says it will continue operating in the ordinary course throughout the process, with no impact to employees, partners, or listeners.

Cumulus president and CEO Mary G. Berner states, “While we have outperformed the market on many of our most important metrics, including share gains in both local and digital revenue, the broader imgmacroeconomic and industry-wide pressures we have faced have remained unrelenting. Against that backdrop, it became clear that Cumulus’s remaining debt burden limited our ability to fully realize the company’s potential, and this agreement represents a major step forward. The prepackaged process is intended to address the company’s debt efficiently with no disruption to our operations, our people, and our strategies. On emergence, a stronger financial foundation will better position Cumulus to continue investing in premium content, enriched audience experiences, advertiser performance enhancements, and the ongoing growth of our digital marketing offerings.” Cumulus has filed a proposed Plan of Reorganization that incorporates the terms of the RSA and is subject to approval by the Court. The requisite majority of debtholders committed to vote in favor of the Plan, which calls for the cancellation of 100% of the company’s existing funded indebtedness in exchange for 100% of the company’s reorganized equity and $50 million of new convertible notes, as well as the amendment and restatement of the company’s asset-based revolving credit facility to provide continued liquidity. Cumulus expects that the Court will hold a hearing to consider the approval of the Plan within 60 days of the filing date and that the company will emerge from bankruptcy following receipt of required regulatory approvals from the Federal Communications Commission.

Industry News

Sid Rosenberg Apologizes for Mamdani Post

For the second time this week, a talk radio host has apologized for a social media post. WABC, New York morning personality Sid Rosenberg apologized yesterday (3/4) for the post in which he referred to New Yorkimg Mayor Zohran Mamdani an “America hating, Jew hating, Radical Islam cockroach running our once beautiful city.” He also addressed President Trump, asking him to “stop complimenting the mayor.” Rosenberg removed the post and stated, “To the mayor, and anyone else that I offended with my tweet on Saturday, I send out a heartfelt apology,”

CBS News reports Mamdani’s reaction: “Muslims in this city for almost as long as we have been in this city have had to deal with those with power and platform dehumanizing us. And to be called animals, insects, to be called a jihadist mayor, to be called a cockroach, this language is both painfully familiar to me as a Muslim New Yorker, but also as someone who was born in East Africa. It is difficult to hear, but there is a reminder that the silence that often greets this kind of bigotry, this kind of Islamophobia is what allows it to fester, the temptation to treat it as politics as usual… I am not ashamed of who I am. I am not ashamed of my faith. I am not ashamed of being the first Muslim mayor in the history of our city. And there’s no amount of racism that will change that I lead or the commitment that I hold to each and every New Yorker in this city.” See the CBS News story here.

Industry News

Audacy: Podcasts Eating into Social Media and Streaming Music

An analysis by Audacy senior manager, research & insights, Deepika P Das concludes that the rise in podcasting is coming at the expense of social media scrolling and music streaming listening. Citing data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear study that notes podcast consumptionimg among adults has surged from just 6% of audio listening in 2015 to 23% in 2025. The two factors responsible for his are new people listening to podcasts (reach) and existing podcast consumers listening more (frequency).  Das says that additional listening is replacing other behaviors. “Nearly four in 10 podcast listeners say the time they spend with podcasts is replacing time spent scrolling social media. Another 34% say it’s replacing time spent listening to streaming music.” Das cites data indicating that “U.S. adults spend an average of 103 minutes per day listening to podcasts, outpacing TikTok (77 minutes), Facebook (69 minutes), and Instagram (65 minutes); and “Podcast listening surpassed streaming music in 2023, and now commands an 11 point share advantage in daily digital ad-supported audio listening.” See the Audacy report here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (3/4)

The most discussed stories yesterday (3/4) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. Operation Epic Fury / War Powers Resolution
  2. Bondi Subpoenaed in Epstein Files Case
  3. Rising Oil Prices / Financial Markets React
  4. Primary Elections
  5. Kristi Noem Testimony
Industry News

Curtis Sliwa Joins Larry Mendte for WOR Mornings

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iHeartMedia news/talk WOR, New York announces that longtime NYC media personality Curtis Sliwa is joining the station’s morning drive show alongside Larry Mendte. “Curtis Sliwa and Larry Mendte in the Morning” will debut on Monday (3/9) in the 6:00 am to 10:00 am daypart. Sliwa had been working for crosstown news/talk WABC but took leave to run for mayor of New York on the Republican ticket. He says, “It’s been four months since the end of the New York City Mayoral election and most places I go people have asked me to come back to talk radio, so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to the best radio station in New York City, joining my friends of 30 years Mark Simone and Sean Hannity. It’s a full circle moment for me as my first radio station appearance for me was in 1971 when WOR’s Arlene Francis interviewed me as a kid, and I’ve been talking on the radio since.” Larry Mendte comments, “I couldn’t be more excited. Curtis is not only a legendary talk radio host, but an iconic New Yorker. What an honor to get to team up with him to get New Yorkers started every weekday.” The station adds that Gracie Award winner and 29-year WOR veteran Natalie Vacca will serve as executive producer for the new show.

Industry News

WISN, Milwaukee’s O’Donnell Apologies for Post Calling for Death to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz

WISN, Milwaukee afternoon drive host Dan O’Donnell issues and apology for a social media post in which called for the killing of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. After the U.S. military killed Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, O’Donnell posted an image of Walz in a black turban with the copy, “Now take out the Supremeimg Leader of Minnesota. We will be greeted as liberators. Death to fraud investigations!” Via social media, O’Donnell posted: “I want to take a moment to offer my sincerest apologies for a post I made about Minnesota’s Governor that, quite frankly, I am deeply ashamed of. It was irresponsible and completely inappropriate and I have since taken it down. It served only to deepen divisions at a time when unity and basic human decency are most needed. My primary responsibility as a broadcaster, a father, and a person is to always comport myself professionally, appropriately, and compassionately, and I failed to do that. Again, I am truly, deeply, unequivocally sorry.” Read the BringMetheNews story here.

Industry News

LeGeyt Reiterates Need for Ownership Deregulation at NAB State Leadership Conference

During yesterday’s gathering of broadcasters in Washington, DC for the National Association of Broadcasters’ annual State Leadership Conference, NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt delivered remarks to some 570 attendees, “outlining the urgent need to modernize outdated regulations that prevent local stations from competing on a level playingimg field with global technology platforms.” He underscored broadcasters’ unique and essential role in public safety, civic engagement and strengthening local democracy. Additionally, broadcasters heard from key policymakers shaping broadcast policy, including Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), who spoke about the enduring value of broadcast radio and his leadership on the bipartisan effort to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act… and U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, who spoke about the need for broadcast ownership rules to reflect today’s landscape and the importance of keeping AM radio in cars.

Industry News

Crystal Radio Award Winners Unveiled

The National Association of Broadcasters announces the 10 winners of the 39th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards that recognize radio stations “for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service.” Spoken-word stations among the group of 10 include: news/talk WCCO-AM, Minneapolis; sports talk WEEI-FM, Boston; news/talk WOKV-FM, Jacksonville; and WSB-AM, Atlanta.

Industry News

Sales Pros Join Key-United

Key-United, a joint venture between Key Networks and United Stationsimg Radio Networks names two media sales pros to the organization. Rosanne Tipton joins Key-United as VP, sales and brand partnerships, and imgRobbie Eisen, joins as director of strategic research and planning. Key-United president of sales Ron Russo, says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome both Rosanne and Robbie to the sales organization. Their energy, drive, and passion for building meaningful relationships perfectly align with our commitment to service and partnership. We’re confident they will make an immediate impact and accelerate the outstanding results our agency and client partners have come to expect from Key-United.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

New York Archbishop to Host New Program. SiriusXM announces that new Archbishop of New York Ronald Hicks will host a new program for SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel, titled, “All Good Things with Archbishop Hicks. The program takes over the time slot previously held by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who hosted “Conversations with Cardinal Dolan.”

Louisville Public Media Adds New Programs. Louisville Public Media expands its lineup with three new programs: “Sports in America” with David Greene from PRX and WHYY; “Click Here” with Dina Temple-Raston from PRX and Recorded Future News; and “Eastern Standard” from WEKU in Richmond, Kentucky. LPM president and CEO Kenya Young comments, “In listening to our audiences — those who have supported LPM for years and those we have yet to reach — one thing is unmistakably clear: people value programming that speaks to where they live. They want journalism and storytelling grounded in their communities, their state and the issues that shape their lives.”

Kevin Frazier to Appear at BFOA Gala. Broadcasters Foundation of America announces that “Entertainment Tonight” co-host Kevin Frazier will introduce Stephen A Smith, the recipient of the BFOA’s inaugural Broadcast Personality of the Year Award at the organization’s Gala and Fundraiser taking place Monday (3/9) at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (3/3)

The most discussed stories yesterday (3/3) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. Operation Epic Fury / MAGA Fractures / Oil Prices
  2. Primary Elections
  3. Lutnick to Give Epstein Testimony
  4. Minnesota Fraud Probe
  5. Noem Testimony
Industry News

Dan Brady Promoted at Take On the Day LLC

Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s Take On the Day, LLC and Crossover Media Group Dan Brady is promoted to vice president/general manager in which he’ll oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. Brady moves up from chief call producer, director of podcast operations &img program audio, and vice president of operations roles. Take On The Day CEO Ron Hartenbaum says, “Dan has been critical to the on-going success of the radio program, podcast, live events, and pushing the growth of the video product to new levels of engagement. His ability to get things done is simply amazing.” Brady comments, “I’m humbled to be recognized in this elevated role by the managing partners and more importantly Dr. Laura as we continue to propel her legendary brand. Continuing to work with our partners at SiriusXM and their team in this new capacity is a true honor.”

Industry Views

Reckless Disregard in the Age of AI: What Verification Now Requires

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgAI is now embedded in the modern newsroom. Not as a headline, not as a novelty, but as infrastructure. It drafts outlines, summarizes complex reporting, surfaces background details, and accelerates prep for live conversations. For media creators operating under relentless deadlines, that efficiency is not theoretical. It is practical and daily.

That reality raises a quiet but consequential legal question. When AI contributes to your research, what does verification now require?

Professional hosts are not reading raw chatbot answers on air and calling it journalism. That caricature misses the real issue. What is actually happening is subtler and far more common.

AI now sits inside research workflows. Producers use it for background. Hosts use it to summarize reporting. Teams use it to outline controversies or draft rundowns. Most of the time, it works. Sometimes, however, it invents.

When that invention involves a real person and a serious allegation, the legal analysis looks familiar.

For public figures, defamation requires proof of actual malice – knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth. For private figures, negligence is usually enough. In both cases, the focus is not on the tool. It is on the content creator’s conduct.

AI does not change the elements. It changes the context in which reasonableness is judged.

Courts have long held that repeating a defamatory statement can create liability, even if someone else said it first. If you rely on a blog, and that blog relied on AI, and the allegation is false, the question becomes whether your reliance was reasonable.

Was the source reputable? Was the claim inherently improbable? Were there obvious red flags?  Was contradictory information readily available?

AI’s reputation for “hallucinating” facts now forms part of that backdrop. Widespread awareness that these systems can fabricate citations, merge identities, or invent accusations becomes relevant when a court evaluates your verification choices.

This does not mean using AI indicates reckless disregard. It means using AI does not excuse skipping verification when the stakes are high.

The more specific and damaging the claim, the greater the duty to confirm it through independent, reliable sources. Not another prompt. Not a circular reference to the same unverified blog. Rather, a primary record, official statement, or established reporting.

Documentation matters. If challenged, being able to show that you checked multiple sources before broadcast can be decisive.

None of this is new doctrine. What is new is how seamlessly AI blends into ordinary research habits. That integration makes it easier to forget that the legal question is still about human judgment.

The law will not ask whether your workflow was efficient. It will ask whether your conduct was reasonable under the circumstances.

In the age of AI, verification is not a courtesy. It is risk management.

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry News

Compass Media Networks Presents Big 10 Basketball Tournament Action

Compass Media Networks is presenting complete and exclusive coverage of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament beginning onimg Tuesday, March 10 and culminating with the championship game broadcast on Sunday, March 15. “We cannot wait for tip-off,” says Robert Blum, general manager of Compass Media Networks/Sports. “With the expansion of the Big Ten Tournament the six days will be packed with extremely compelling games that will help power the ratings of our affiliates and dazzle our audience.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (3/2)

The most discussed stories yesterday (3/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. Operation Epic Fury / MAGA Fractures / Oil Prices
  2. Clintons’ Epstein Testimony
  3. Texas Senate Primary
  4. Austin Mass Shooting
  5. Tariffs Refunds Issue
Industry News

Edison Research to Unveil The Infinite Dial 2026

Edison Research will present the findings of The Infinite Dial 2026 during a webinar next Thursday (3/12) at 2:00 pm ET. Edison says, “The studyimg provides important benchmark measures for usage and behavior around streaming audio, podcasting, radio, smart audio, social media, and debuting this year, never-before-seen data on AI usage. Annual results and trending data from The Infinite Dial are relied upon by its audience of content producers, media companies, agencies, and the financial community.” The webinar will feature Edison vice president of research Megan Lazovick with special guest James Cridland, editor of Podnews.

Industry News

Connoisseur Closes on Sale of Minnesota and Missouri Stations

Connoisseur Media closes on the sale of 19 signals to two companies. The first is the sale of KLQL-FM and KQAD-AM, in Luverne, Minnesota to Christensen Broadcasting LUV, LLC. That company also operatesimg eight stations in Minnesota. The second deal transfers 17 signals in a number of small markets in the state of Missouri to Carter Media Too, LLC., a Carrollton, Missouri‑based limited liability company led by the Carter Media family. Carter Media Too also operates three radio stations in Missouri plus the streaming platform, MidVid.com. Exclusive broker Kalil & Co says Miles and Michael Carter expressed their enthusiasm for expanding the organization’s footprint and restoring a strong local presence in news, weather, sports, and agriculture.

Industry News

Audacy’s KYW, Philadelphia Honors Community Leaders in GameChangers Series

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Audacy’s all-news KYW, Philadelphia honored 11 exceptional leaders driving meaningful change and uplifting lives in and around Philadelphia’s communities of color. This year’s 2026 class of GameChangers was recognized at a celebration on February 25 hosted by KYW community impact reporter Racquel Williams. KYW brand manager Kristina Koppesar says, “The GameChangers initiative reflects KYW Newsradio’s deep commitment to the communities we serve. These 11 extraordinary leaders embody the resilience, vision, and compassion that define Philadelphia at its best. We are honored to spotlight their achievements and celebrate the powerful, positive impact they are making every single day.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (2/28-3/1)

The most discussed stories over the weekend (2/28-3/1) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERSresearch:

  1. U.S. and Israel Attack Iran / Khamenei Killed
  2. Oil Prices Spike / Financial Markets React
  3. Pentagon-Anthropic-OpenAI Deals
  4. Texas Senate Primary
  5. Candace Owens’ Erika Kirk “Investigation”
Industry Views

Progressive Talk Media Star Thom Hartmann Interviewed

UFCO Hartmann copy

WYD Media nationally syndicated progressive talk show host, Thom Hartmann is Michael Harrison‘s guest this week on Up Close Far Out – a YouTube video presentation of broadcast industry trade publication TALKERS magazine.  Hartmann is one of – if not THE – most influential and longest running progressive radio and talk media commentators on the scene today.  His daily program is heard on several hundred radio stations as well as the SiriusXM Progress 127 channel, Free Speech TV, Substack, YouTube, and Facebook. He is a prolific best-selling author and publishes a widely read daily newsletter, the Hartmann Report. Hartmann is currently ranked number 8 on the prestigious TALKERS Heavy Hundred list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America.  Harrison and Hartmann discuss the state of news/talk media, the challenge of covering the Trump presidency, and both commentators’ concern about the administration’s escalating infringement on First Amendment rights. To experience the video in its entirety please click HERE.

Industry News

Podtrac Releases Multi-Channel Podcast Ranker for January

Earlier this year, Podtrac announced its new multi-channel podcast ranker that takes into account audio, video and video clips. Today, the company releases its first multi-channel ranker for January 2026 and Meidas Touch Network’s “The Meidas Touch Podcast” is #1 on theimg strength of the video podcast and podcast clips, while “The Joe Rogan Experience” is #2 with consumption split almost evenly between audio and a combination of video podcast and podcast clips. Perhaps not surprisingly, NPR’s “NPR News Now” (#4) consumption came primarily from audio with about 20% coming from podcast clips. Candace Owens’ “Candace” leapt 71 places to finish the January period at #10. Her program’s consumption was primarily a split between video podcast and podcast clips. See the chart here.

Industry News

Charlie Kirk Show Still Ranks High on Triton Digital’s U.S. Podcast Chart

Triton Digital releases its U.S. Podcast Ranker for January 2026 based on weekly average downloads for participating networks and the top twoimg posts remain unchanged – iHeart Audience Networks’ “Stuff You Should Know” at #1 and Audacy Podcast Network’s “48 Hours.” Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” falls only one spot to #4. Other noteworthy shows include iHeart Audience Network’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” rises on place to #10 and Audioboom’s “The Bulwark Takes” climbs nine places to #21. See the complete chart here.

Industry News

Hillsdale Students Win Awards at IBS NYC 2026

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Two Hillsdale College students took home first-place awards at last weekend’s Intercollegiate Broadcasting System College Media Awards given out at the 86th International IBS Conference in New York City. TALKERS was a presenting sponsor of the conference. Erika Kyba ’26 won first place in the Best Specialty Show (Non-Music) category for her WRFH show, “The Poetry Fix,” a five-minute weekly podcast feature that makes the beauty of classic poetry accessible to a modern audience. Lauren Smyth ’25 was named Best News Director, Radio. Smyth’s role was to ensure that news coverage on WRFH was accurate, timely, educational, and fun. WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM general manager Scot Bertram says, “Our students are dedicated and creative. They consistently produce outstanding content, and it is exciting to see their work recognized among some of the finest programs in the country.”

Industry Views

Michael Harrison Reveals Roots as an Immigrant

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TALKERS magazine publisher Michael Harrison reveals and openly discusses his perspective as an immigrant in this country disclosing his irrevocable inability to ever return to his land of origin. In a brief 2 1/2-minute video commentary described by TALKERS editors as “experimental,” Harrison is presented as a thoughtful figure who candidly talks about the natives in this “peculiar” new world. He admits to making adjustments to blend in and get along. As an old, seasoned man humbly seated on a bench just across chilly New York Harbor from Ellis Island, Harrison captures a profoundly original view of 21st century America seen though his eyes as an outsider attempting to assimilate into a new culture. He ultimately examines the evolving state of his humanity.  Check it out here.

Industry News

FSR’s Colin Cowherd to Air on WJBR, Tampa

Beasley Media Group is adding FOX Sports Radio’s “The Herd withimg Colin Cowherd” to the program lineup at WJBR-AM, Tampa “Florida Alumni Radio 1010AM” in the 112:00 noon to 3:00 pm daypart. The program will also be simulcast on 92.1 FM in Hillsborough County, 103.1 FM in Pinellas County, and 104.7 HD2. The show will air weekdays from Noon – 3:00 p.m. ET.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 23-27, 2026)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (2/23-27) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Trump’s SOTU Address
  2. Epstein Files Fallout / Clinton Testimonies
  3. U.S.-Iran Talks
  4. Cuba Speedboat Incident
  5. Economy / Tariffs / Mortgage Rates
  6. Trump-Vance Withhold Medicaid Funds from Minnesota
  7. Russia-Ukraine Talks
  8. Gaza Instability / North Korea Nuclear Threats
  9. Winter Weather / Mamdani-NYC Police Relations
  10. Nancy Guthrie Case

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Jeffrey Epstein / Ghislaine Maxwell
  3. Bill & Hillary Clinton
  4. Mike Johnson
  5. Abbas Araghchi / Badr al-Busaidi
  6. JD Vance
  7. Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  8. Benjamin Netanyahu
  9. Zohran Mamdani / Kim Jong Un
  10. Nancy Guthrie / Savannah Guthrie

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

Industry News

FCC Seeking Public Comments on Sports Broadcasting Practices and Marketplace Developments

The FCC’s Media Bureau is asking for the public’s comments on the current state of sports broadcasting. In making the announcement, the Commission says, “Many games are still available for free over broadcast TV, but there has been a surge in recent years of games going behind the paywalls of various streaming services.  While this can increase the number of games and sports available to fans, many consumers today find it more difficult to find the events they want to watch and are now paying to sign up for one or more video distribution platforms that consumers can find difficult to navigate.”

With that said, it is asking for consumers to “address the current and emerging trends in the distribution of live sports programming.  How does the present marketplace benefit or harm consumers?  How does theimg recent trends towards fragmentation facilitate or inhibit the ability of local broadcast television stations to meet their public interest obligations, including their production of local news and reporting?  In what ways is the marketplace continuing to evolve and how will future changes impact consumer access to free over-the-air news and information, including public safety information?”

NAB president Curtis LeGeyt issued the following statement in response: “NAB thanks Chairman Carr for his leadership in examining the rapid changes in the sports broadcasting marketplace and what they mean for American viewers and local communities.

“Consumer access to premier games through free, over-the-air television has long been a cornerstone of the American sports fan experience. As distribution becomes more fragmented across streaming services and paywalls, fans face higher costs and greater confusion just to follow the teams they care about. Local broadcasters provide the widest reach for live events, bringing fans together to celebrate their favorite teams.

“As the Commission evaluates these marketplace trends, it is important to ensure that local stations have a fair opportunity to compete for premium sports rights. That includes modernizing outdated ownership restrictions that limit broadcasters’ ability to achieve the scale necessary to compete in today’s media marketplace. We look forward to participating in this proceeding and providing real-world insight into how disruption in the media landscape is affecting viewers and local stations.”

Industry News

Craig Collins Show to Air on KSEV/KGBC in Houston

Patrick Communications’ news/talk KSEV/KGBC, Houston announces the addition of “The Craig Collins Show” to its daily lineup airing fromimg 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, beginning March 9. The station says, “Craig is a veteran talk show host having previously worked at WGN Radio and 93 WIBC. He is also a frequent guest host with Radio America’s ‘The Dana Show’ and ‘The Chad Benson Show’ and WIBC’s ‘Tony Katz and the Morning News.’” Colling says, “How awesome is it to be at the same radio station I remember reading about in The Way Things Ought To Be! I can’t wait to get started. A big thank you to Bonny, Russell and the entire team at KSEV!”

Industry News

MIW: Gender Analysis Study Reveals Best Management Opportunities for Women Remain in Sales

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc releases the results of its 25th Annual Gender Analysis Study in which it compiles and analyzes the number of women rising to management roles within the radio industry. MIW says the ongoing study “provides one of the longest-running benchmarks of female leadership progress in broadcasting.”img According to the study, 22.07% (2366 stations) had women holding the general manager position in 2025. This is a slight increase from last year where the number was 21.67% and compared to 2004 continues to show solid growth when the percentage of female general managers was only 14.9%. MIW says, “Overall, the best management opportunities for women in radio continues to be in sales management. 35.31% (3561 stations) had a woman sales manager in 2025 which is basically flat from 35.67% in 2024. The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be in the area of program directors/brand managers. Women currently program 13.02% (289 stations) which is a slight gain from 12.38% in 2024. MIW board president Sheila Kirby comments, “Twenty-five years of data give us clarity. We are encouraged to see movement in general manager and programming roles, particularly within the Top 100 markets. At the same time, flat growth in sales leadership and the continued underrepresentation of women in programming nationally remind us that progress is not automatic. Sustainable advancement requires intention. MIW remains committed to mentoring, advocating, and creating pathways for women to lead at every level of the industry.”