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Industry News

MH: Trump on Rogan Podcast Illustrates Talk Media Realignment

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison stated, “Although it has been many years in the making, this past Friday’s (10/25) three-hour appearance by former President Donald Trump on the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast will take its place in communications history as the singular event that clearly symbolized, beyond a shadow of doubt, the realignment of platform influence in the hierarchy of the talk media universe.” Rogan and TrumpAt the Monday morning (10/28) TALKERS editorial meeting, Harrison said, “The hoopla over this podcast appearance and its enormous profile within election news coverage clearly indicates we have arrived at a point where the terms ‘mainstream,’ ‘legacy,’ ‘alternative,’ ‘grassroots,’ and the like have to be reevaluated in conveying impact and importance – both individually, and certainly collectively – in the marketplace of ideas and the industries that serve it.”  Harrison added, “This is especially true of Rogan’s individual impact as indicated by 1) the deference he was paid by a former president and major party candidate in showing up three-hours late for a live rally attended by thousands in which he actually implied that this podcast interview was a priority and more important to ‘winning’ than arriving on time for the event; 2) the tsunami of news coverage this podcast generated; 3) the passive aggressive irreverence granted a somewhat oblivious Trump by Rogan both during and following the interview; and 4) the sheer enormity of Rogan’s raw numbers on Spotify and YouTube, unfettered by FCC regulation.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Len Berman ID

WOR, New York Morning Co-host Len Berman to Anchor Station’s First-Time Ever Live Coverage of New York City Marathon (11/3). iHeartMedia New York announced today (10/28) that Emmy award-winning New York City sports anchor Len Berman, currently heard from 6:00 am – 10:00 am weekdays on 710 WOR’s “Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning,” will anchor 710 WOR’s live coverage of the 53rd TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday November 3.  This first-ever radio broadcast of the iconic New York City event will be heard from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon on 710 WOR-AM, Q104.3HD2, on the free iHeartRadio app, smart devices and at 710wor.com. “When iHeartMedia New York partnered with the New York Road Runners (NYRR) to produce this inaugural radio broadcast of the marathon, it was a no-brainer to put Len at the helm of the broadcast,” said Tom Cuddy, program director for 710 WOR.  “His association with New York sports, during his more than 50-year television career, and his ‘second life’ as co-host of the WOR morning show since 2015, ensure that Len will make this a can’t-miss broadcast.”  “I’m honored to be hosting WOR’s maiden voyage with the TCS New York City Marathon,” said Berman. “I’ve hosted TV coverage of the event many times and it’s consistently one of the best days of the year in the city. We look forward to conveying that same message to our listeners.”

 

WGN, Chicago Renews Contract with Host Lou Manfredini. WGN Radio today (10/28) announced a contract extension with host Lou Manfredini, the station’s do-it-yourself expert and mainstay for nearly 30 years. His call-in radio show “HouseSmarts Radio with Lou Manfredini” airs Saturdays, 6:00 am to 10:00 am, and delivers an entertaining mix of practical and useful home improvement advice. Lou Manfredini “I have been blessed to call WGN Radio home for the past three decades,” Manfredini tells TALKERS. “But in the end, it’s all about our listeners. I’m excited to continue to help them better understand how their homes work, show them they can have fun, and, of course, remind them to never hold a nail for someone else.”  The Chicagoland native will be celebrating his 30th anniversary on WGN Radio in 2025. Mr. Manfredini first appeared on the station as a guest on the Bob Collins Show in 1995 following a letter writing campaign to pitch a call-in home improvement show on WGN.  “We are delighted that Lou will be with us for his 30th year and beyond,” said WGN Radio VP/GM Mary Sandberg Boyle. “In the nearly 30 years since first appearing on WGN Radio, Lou’s presence across the media world has evolved considerably. Yet, what truly sets him apart is his natural gift of connecting to and interacting with our listeners in the special way that only radio does. Making those listener ‘connections’ has historically been – and will continue to be – the very fabric of WGN 720.”  Manfredini can also be heard on weekday segments with John Williams (Mondays), Lisa Dent (Thursdays) and Bob Sirott (Fridays). Lou Manfredini is also a weekly contributor to WGN-TV’s Morning News.

 

Liberty News Radio and The Big Mig Rumble Channel to Present Election RoundTable 2024. Nationwide Broadcast Liberty News Radio and the Big Mig Show on Rumble are presenting what they describe will be a “captivating” live event, “Election RoundTable 2024,” to be held on November 5, 2024, between 7:00 pm – 12:00 midnight ET. Hosted by Sam Bushman, James Edwards, Dr. Scott Bradley, and Lance Migliaccio, the forum will feature a panel of notable experts including Sheri Richard Mack, Alex Newman, George Balloutine, Lew Moore, Lowell Nelson, Dave Krieger, Peter Scoop Stanton, and others. Highlights will include in-depth analysis of election dynamics, key issues, and candidate strategies. The forum is set to be a key resource for political enthusiasts and voters across the nation, providing a comprehensive look at the elements shaping the future of our Constitutional Republic. Liberty News RadioIt will be carried by LibertyNewsRadio.com or video stream at TheBigMigShow on Rumble. For additional information or press inquiries, please contact Sam Bushman at 801-756-9133 or LibertyRoundTable@gmail.com.

Industry Views

TALKERS Legal Series on Fair Use (Part 4): The Amount and Substantiality Factor

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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

Matthew B. Harrison, Esq.With the growing popularity of talk media programs utilizing segments of other shows as key elements of scrutiny and commentary in their programming (“Clip Jockey Format” as coined by Michael Harrison), it is important that media content creators be aware of the subtle and often ambiguous rules applying to the legal aspects of this practice under the heading of fair use.

This is the fourth installment of a multi-part TALKERS Legal Series on Fair Use for the Media Creator. The first installment is here. The second installment is here. The third installment is here.

The “amount and substantiality” factor in fair use focuses on how much of the copyrighted material is used and whether that portion is essential to the original work. Despite seeming obvious, this factor can be nuanced, and determining how much use is fair can be challenging because it’s not just about the quantity but also about the significance of the portion used.


Is It Difficult to Distinguish?

In many cases, it’s not always obvious what qualifies as a “small” or “insignificant” portion. Courts often consider both the quantity, and the quality of the material used:

• Quantity: This factor asks if only a small part of the work has been used. Using a shorter clip from a video or a few sentences from a book could be more justifiable as fair use. But what qualifies as “small” can vary depending on the work—10 seconds from a short film may be seen differently from 10 seconds in a longer documentary.

• Quality: Even if a creator only uses a small part of the original work, using its “heart” or most memorable part might still count as substantial. For example, a few lines from a song’s chorus, though short, could be considered significant enough to impact fair use status.

Example Cases Highlighting Amount and Substantiality

To better understand this, it’s useful to look at cases that illustrate when the amount used was deemed fair or not:

• Harper & Row v. Nation Enterprises (1985): This case involved a magazine that used a few hundred words from an unpublished memoir by President Gerald Ford. Although this was a small percentage of the memoir, the excerpt contained key insights into Ford’s decision to pardon Nixon. The court held that this use was not fair because it included the most “substantial” and critical part of the memoir, even though the total percentage of text used was minimal.

• Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. (1994): Here, the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew used portions of Roy Orbison’s song “Oh, Pretty Woman” to create a parody. Even though the song’s recognizable parts were used, the new work was transformative in its purpose (a parody rather than a love song). Because the group’s use was a small part relative to the song’s total content and had a new purpose, the court found it was fair use.

Many books and law school classes have been devoted to this question – so let’s focus on Application in Media and Broadcasting

In radio and broadcasting, this factor is often relevant when using clips, songs, or interview segments from other sources. Using a small clip to support commentary or criticism is more likely to be considered fair use, especially if it does not contain the “heart” of the original work:

• Commentary on a Speech: If a talk show uses a brief part of a public figure’s speech to critique it, the fair use factor may weigh in favor of the radio station if it doesn’t take the most memorable segment.

• Use of Music in Shows: Music clips used for thematic transitions or commentary must be kept brief, as lengthy or highly recognizable parts can affect fair use status. Playing just a few bars might qualify, but a chorus or instrumental hook would likely cross the line. This is less of a mine field in traditional broadcast radio as existing license agreements, such as with ASCAP or BMI, may allow for such uses anyway. However, when focusing on the internet – it’s a completely different matter as no licenses have been formally given, yet there is an incentive for the copyright holder to have their work shared. It’s not cut and dry – which is why the following takeaways should be helpful when navigating forward.

Key Takeaways for Media Creators

• Use Minimal Amounts: The less you use, the more defensible your case for fair use, especially if you avoid the most recognizable parts.

• Avoid the “Heart” of the Work: Select portions that serve your purpose without including critical or memorable parts of the original material.

• Transformative Purpose Matters: If the use adds new meaning or serves a different function (e.g., satire, critique), it’s more likely to be deemed fair, even if it includes some key elements.

Summary

Understanding how much of the work a media creator can use while staying within fair use guidelines can be tricky, as this factor requires balancing quantity and significance. Media creators should focus on minimal use that contributes meaningfully to commentary, criticism, or other transformative purposes.

Media attorney, Matthew B. Harrison is VP/associate publisher, TALKERS; Senior Partner, Harrison Media Law; and executive producer, Goodphone Communications.  He is available for private consultation and media industry contract representation. He can be reached by phone at 724-484-3529 or email at matthew@harrisonmedialaw.com

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

POWERFUL STORY!  The New York Times: Her Job Was Talking on the Radio. Then Suddenly, Words Wouldn’t Come.  Alison StweartOne day last winter, Alison Stewart, the host of “All of It” on public station WNYC, New York was alarmed to find herself speaking gibberish. Stewart’s health crisis began on February 22, a day jump-started by a 6:00 am workout with her personal trainer. She was pushing herself to get back in shape after having donated a kidney to her sister six months earlier. The workout was routine, though she barely spoke, which was unlike her.  As the morning progressed, she began to feel confusion; she couldn’t engage in a lucid conversation or write a coherent text message. She headed into SoHo, to WNYC Studios, where she hosts the daily interview show “All of It,” and settled into her office to practice reading an introduction to a segment, but her phrasing hit roadblocks instead of flowing smoothly. Baffled, she sought out Kate Hinds, the show’s director. Hinds was taken aback. “She looked very upset, her skin a little gray,” she recalled. “The disintegration was so stark and alarming. I was terrified.” She urged her to see a doctor. Stewart’s doctor listened to her garbled words over the phone and told her to go straight to the emergency room. There, she was able to execute commands like touching her nose and walking backward and forward, signaling that she probably had not suffered a stroke, but a CT scan revealed a mass on her brain. Stewart, 58, was soon talking gibberish, a dreadful and mystifying development for a woman who made her living by talking. Her decline was so rapid that her colleagues wondered whether she would ever be on the radio again.  “I knew she was trapped in there,” said Tracy Christian, one of several friends who had rushed to her side.  Don’t miss a powerful, detailed story by reporter Julie Besonen about Alison Stewart’s remarkable surgery (while awake) under the direction of leading-edge neurosurgeon, Dr. Randy D’Amico, at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and her ongoing challenging recovery in yesterday’s edition of The New York Times. Click here.

 

Dr Daliah WachsMusic Group Gunhill Road Putting Final Touches on Talk Radio Anthem. Gunhill Road, the perennial pop music ensemble that has attracted hundreds of thousands of worldwide followers with its growing repertoire of issue-oriented songs and music videos, is currently in post-production with an anthem celebrating talk radio. Titled “Don’t Stop Talkin’” – the song is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in serving the cause of American freedom of speech.  With lines that include “As long as you’ve got a voice, don’t ever stop!” and “As long as you’ve got the truth, don’t ever stop!” the original composition co-written by band members Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch, Brian Koonin, and Michael Harrison encourages talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and great service they provide the nation.TALKERS Heavy Hundred syndicated host Dr. Daliah Wachs pictured above bopping to the music in a scene from the forthcoming video “Don’t Stop Talkin'” by Gunhill Road.

Gunhill Road
The images accompanying the music blend into a dynamic montage of individual radio talk hosts from different sectors of the industry in the process of doing their shows (and then some). The group invited talk show hosts from around the country – local and syndicated – to contribute video clips of themselves in action on the mic. And according to sources in the band, the number of contributions “more than met our expectations.” Gunhill Road video producer (and TALKERS VP/associate publisher) Matthew B. Harrison states, “The members of Gunhill Road are so grateful for the attention and airplay they have received over the years from talk radio that they want to give something special back to the industry and its medium.” The new song and video are expected to drop shortly after Election Day with a premiere on YouTube.  For more information about Gunhill Road please visit www.GunhillRoadMusic.com.

Industry Views

What is the Meaning of Freedom of Speech?

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison addressed a packed house of New Jersey political, civic, and business leaders at the recent Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner in Atlantic City (10/4) where he delivered a barn burning speech discussing the biological and sociological impact of modern era communications technology.

What is Freedom of Speech UCFO

In this brief excerpt, he discusses the often misunderstood or misused basics of “freedom of speech” that apply to the American media marketplace of ideas. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute keynote address was his observation that there are basically two types of “freedom of speech” – the general “spirit” of the law in an idealized sense, and the actual “letter” of the law specifically per the First Amendment. Harrison notes that many people are shocked to learn that the First Amendment gives citizens and private enterprises the right to curtail the speech of others.  Only the government is prevented from infringing on speech and expression via the Bill of Rights. After that, all bets are off. To view the provocative clip, please click here.

Industry Views

MONDAY MEMO: Bleep?

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

F bomb

As the Dodgers celebrated the win that advanced them to the National League Championship Series, a FOX Sports TV reporter asked LA’s Enrique Hernandez what made this team so special.

First checking “Are we live?” Hernandez replied, “The fact that we don’t give a f**k!” (which was not bleeped).

Earlier that day vice presidential candidate Tim Walz campaigned in Michigan. Reacting to disparaging remarks Donald Trump had made ABOUT Detroit IN Detroit, Walz quipped “All’s they know about manufacturing is manufacturing bullshit.”

Later that evening, Bill Maher delivered the amusingly plainspoken experience his HBO viewers paid to opt-into. Next day, his uncensored vocabulary jumped to basic cable, via CNN’s free-with-commercials rebroadcast. I’ve heard a CNN talking head say “asshole;” and panelists on other cable news channels now say “bullshit” nonchalantly.

Call me a prude, but I make my living improving the results businesses get by advertising on radio stations I consult…because listeners keep listening. Lotsa luck if they don’t hear the commercial…because they tuned out…because they have kids in the car.

 

im

Admittedly, by simply uttering a term as antique as “prude,” I risk seeming late.

Why I wince when I hear “pissed off” on the air? That’s grown-up talk Homer and Marge Listener might use when Bart and Lisa and Maggie aren’t around. And my clients can recite my spiel about how “parents with children of any age still living at home are the super-spenders local retailers want to meet.” So, wouldn’t “irked” or “chagrined” or “miffed” do?

I asked around…

Bleep Task Force

Salem Media Group CEO David Santrella: “I couldn’t agree more. I’ve never been asked why I DIDN’T use foul language, but a few times, on the occasion that I did, I have been asked why I chose those words. That’s always ended with me needing to apologize.”

Consultant Mike McVay hears “a continual downgrading generation-to-generation of what’s acceptable.” He recalls, “When I was eight years old, some older kids were laughing about the ‘F Word’ being written in chalk on a sidewalk. I asked my mother what it meant. She was horrified. Today it is used in off-air conversation casually. It’s used in many songs” radio plays.

Evolution? Devolution?

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison observes how “the potency of these words has changed over the years. Words like ‘hell,’ ‘damn,’ or even ‘bitch’ were no-no’s.” Now, political correctness has us on the verge of saying what we allude to with initials, “the ‘N’ word, the ‘R’ word, and the ‘F’ word.”

Veteran network radio and TV anchor Ted David reckons that “language is a dynamic thing. ‘Scumbag’ — which meant a condom — is now universally accepted. ‘Sucks’ used to mean fellatio. And in Europe the ‘C’ word is frequently uttered in public. How long till here?”

McVay recalls: “One of my adult children recently used the phrase ‘pissed off’ in a public setting. I said, ‘Not appropriate.’ She said, ‘I didn’t think of it as profanity’ and apologized.”

Is it just a matter of time?

Among Mike’s daughter’s demographic cohort, WJNK VP and Jessamine County Living Magazine president Brittany Moses: “With the changing media landscape, listeners are more conditioned to hearing language we would have gasped at even 5-10 years ago. I do think that while there should be some limitations for the ‘family’ stations, I could see the broadcast community getting more lax on language. I think it’ll be inevitable. SXM, podcasts, etc. are already moving that direction.”

Even as Bill Maher‘s vocabulary leaks from HBO to CNN, Arkansas Broadcasters Association executive director Neal Gladner draws a line: “Where someone is paying to listen to a specific program, I presume they know what they’re going to get and those are not advertiser-based offerings. It’s a different set of concerns.” For broadcasters? “Whether it’s a morning talk show or news on a cable network, I think the best rule to apply is would you use that language in front of your grandmother?”

WABC’s Joe Connolly is among dozens of WDRC/Hartford alumni who advanced to major market success. He recalls venerable PD Charlie Parker‘s advice to “imagine the people listening as a family watching a parade – grandparents, parents and kids.” Joe says “I’ve followed that advice ever since. It hasn’t hurt my career one bit.”

How did we get here?

Lisa Gache has advised Oscar-winning celebrities, and high-profile brands such as Mattel, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, TJX Companies, American Girl, Beverly Wilshire and the Hotel Bel-Air.

“People are negative. They’re angry, they’re fed up, they’re impatient, they’re right and they’re not taking it anymore. And this is what we’re hearing reflected in our vocabulary. It’s everywhere, it’s crass and it’s uncomfortable. But it did not begin with Trump.”

Her advice? “Managing the cringe can only occur through leading by example. This is why I always try to clean up my side of the street first and be the role model I’d like to see in the world. I never tell anyone what to do (including offering advice), unless you’re my kid or you’ve hired me to instruct you.”  Gache adds, “And while we’re on the subject of foul language, I have to admit I started watching VEEP again, and the expletive-laden analogies they spew, one after the other, is some of the smartest dialogue I’ve ever encountered! I cannot stop laughing because it’s too good and it works. But this is the celluloid world and in the real word, you just can’t do that!”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “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 and connect on LinkedIn

 

Industry News

Harris FOX Interview Delivers Blockbuster Ratings

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Harris on FoxIdeology and, as Michael Harrison calls it, “the daily dance of affirmation” aside – perhaps there’s something to be said about booking “opposition” political luminaries as guests on our industry’s highly “targeted” venues.  FOX News Channel’s (FNC) “Special Report with Bret Baier” delivered 7.8 million viewers and 1,126,000 in the 25-54 demo during anchor Bret Baier’s exclusive interview with VP Kamala Harris from 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm ET this past Wednesday (10/6), according to Nielsen Media Research. The interview marked the highest rating of the Harris-Trump political season, outrating Harris’s individual appearances on “60 Minutes,” “The View,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” CNN and MSNBC. For the full 6:00 pm ET hour, “Special Report” drew 6.7 million viewers and 901,000 in the 25-54 demo. Combined with the show’s midnight airing 12:00 midnight -12:30 am ET, the interview with VP Harris nabbed 9.2 million viewers and 1.4 million in the 25-54 demo, beating ABC’s interview with President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the race (8.5 million viewers). FNC averaged more than 12 million viewers on Wednesday between all three airings of its interviews with VP (6:00 pm ET and 12:00 midnight ET) and its town hall with former President Donald Trump (11:00 am -12:00 noon ET). Interestingly, according to Nielsen Media Research, Pittsburgh, PA was the top-rated market in the country for the interview.

Industry Views

So, What Are the Next Big Topics in Talk Radio?

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison addressed a packed house of New Jersey political, civic, and business leaders at the recent Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner in Atlantic City (10/4) discussing the biological and sociological impact of modern era communications technology. Next Big ThingIn this clip, he discusses the “next big topics” that will be discussed in talk radio and its associated forms of spoken word media. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute keynote address was his observation that one of the next big things on the talk media menu is invariably something that is unknown or unexpected that comes out of the blue and literally changes the conversation. He pointed out that the U.S. Rep. Gary Condit (D-CA)/intern Chandra Levy murder mystery scandal was the biggest talk media story for weeks during the middle of 2001 – until the events of 9/11 completely wiped it off the talk shows in one fell swoop.  Beyond that, Harrison discusses the growing national conversation role of such topics as societal anxiety, clean water, time management, privacy and technology’s assault on our humanity. To watch the brief clip on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel, please click here.

Industry News

Legendary NHL Champion Coach Mike Keenan is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Interviews

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Engaging in a conversation focused on the tenets of leadership, generational change, and more, legendary NHL Stanley Cup champion coach Mike Keenan is this week’s guest on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel program, “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison” and the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.”  Iron Mike LogoKeenan coached big time teams in the Soviet Union, Russia, Canada, China, the U.S. and more for over five decades!  What does it take to be a leader in the competitive and often cutthroat world of major league professional sports?  How have the generations of young athletes changed over this stretch of time?  What is the state of sportsmanship in today’s culture?  What is it like dealing with the media from a professional sports perspective? How is sports culture different around the world? How is gambling impacting sports? Is hockey enjoying healthy growth as both a sport and a business?  These questions and more are tackled in an informative and universally interesting conversation between Harrison and Keenan.  Keenan, considered one of hockey’s most controversial and intriguing figures, has just released an autobiography titled Iron Mike: My Life Behind the Bench (Randon House Canada, 2024).

To watch the video interview on YouTube, please click here.

To listen to the audio podcast, please click here.

Industry Views

MH: Why is “Talk Radio” Predominantly Conservative?

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

UCFO - Why is Talk Radio predominantly conservative.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison addressed a packed house of New Jersey political, civic, and business leaders at the 16th annual Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner in Atlantic City (10/4) discussing the biological and sociological impact of modern era communications technology. In this clip, he answers his most frequently asked question – why is talk radio predominantly conservative?  According to Harrison, it comes down to the popular interpretation and skewed definition of the term “talk radio” coupled with the media business’s trend toward “targeting” audiences by affirming what they already want to hear.  To see a brief clip of Harrison’s comments please click here.

Industry Views

Can Radio Talk Show Hosts Be Replaced By AI?

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

imTALKERS publisher Michael Harrison addressed a packed house of New Jersey political, civic, and business leaders at last Friday’s Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner in Atlantic City (10/4) discussing the biological and sociological impact of modern era communications technology. In this clip, he discusses the potential influence of AI on the talk show host job market. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute keynote address was his observation that it is very possible for robots powered by artificial intelligence to be able to hold multi-faceted on-air conversations with each other or with guests or callers by tapping into their ability to instantaneously access every talking point already out there in cyberspace – left, right, or center – and to present them with an endless array of voices and attitudes. To protect their jobs and future against this formidable competitor, Harrison advises talk show hosts to significantly “up their game” and operate with more originality outside the realm of hackneyed talking points.  To see a brief clip of Harrison’s comments please click here.

Industry News

MH: Modern Digital Tech Inducing Artificial Telepathy

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

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TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison went into self-described “woo woo” mode on a packed house of New Jersey political, civic, and business leaders at last Friday’s Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner in Atlantic City (10/4) discussing the biological and sociological impact of modern era communications technology. He discussed the potential impact of AI on the talk show host job market, and the shortening of attention spans, as well as a variety of modern era developments in 21st century communications. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute keynote address was his observation that the digital rewiring of the Homo sapiens brain within a burgeoning information environment is artificially evolving humanity into a “technologically induced telepathic species.” Harrison said that we already can communicate with just about anyone in the world, at lightning speed, about all the information on the planet and beyond, with our ever-shrinking devices. The next step is to implant chips directly into our sensory lobes. “Then we can communicate without devices by simply twitching our noses or thinking an algorithmic code.” Harrison added, “The children born since 2015 are aliens from the future. We are on the verge of an unprecedentedly huge generational divide.”  To see a brief clip of Harrison’s comments please click here. 

Industry News

Hurricane Milton

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Talk Radio/Media Prepares to Serve Public Hurricane Emergency at Hand

TALKERS is receiving reports from radio stations, TV outlets, and programming support companies across Florida and up the East Coast (too numerous to cite all) indicating an abundance of vigilance in preparing to serve the public need as Hurricane Milton intensifies at an alarming speed.  In yesterday’s edition of TALKERS, we reported on the extensive plans underway by the Florida-based Beasley Media Group not to be caught flat-footed in rising to the occasion (scroll below).  The following are two more examples of talk media’s preparedness in meeting the brewing challenge:

 

FOX Weather to Present Continuous Coverage of Hurricane Milton

FOX Weather, FOX News Media’s free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) weather service, will present continuous coverage of Hurricane Milton including non-stop live programming from Wednesday (10/9) morning through Friday evening. FOX Business Network will also extend its FOX Weather simulcast from 4:00 am – 6:00 am ET on Thursday morning.

MiltonStorm specialist Mike Seidel is currently reporting from Madeira Beach, FL while correspondent Robert Ray is in Fort Myers Beach, FL. On Tuesday, Seidel will report from St. Petersburg, FL with Ray remaining in Fort Myers. FOX Weather will also deploy meteorologists Britta Merwin and Steve Bender to Sarasota, FL, Bob Van Dillen to Tampa Bay and Haley Meier to Daytona Beach, FL while meteorologists Michael Estime, Craig Herrera, Ari Sarsalari, Ian Oliver and Kiyana Lewis will anchor coverage from FOX Weather headquarters in New York. FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross will also provide continuous updates from New York. FOX Weather Digital will provide comprehensive coverage of Hurricane Milton, available 24/7 on FOXWeather.com and in the FOX Weather app, including the exclusive Hurricane HQ tab. FOX Weather Digital will include leading meteorological analysis, exclusive expertise from Norcross, coverage from all FOX Weather field resources and related content of every angle related to US impacts of the storm.

Skyview Networks Offers Extended Services to Partners and Clients in Preparation of Hurricane Milton

(October 7, 2024) – Skyview Networks, an audio solutions and broadcast technology company, announced (10/7) it is extending services to its network and franchise partners, sales clients, and syndication affiliates as Hurricane Milton gains frightening strength and intensity. SkyviewWith its state-of-the-art technology capabilities that includes satellite and IP distribution and live sports production, the company is available to offer additional services to those in need. “At Skyview Networks, our top priority is the safety of our partners and the continuity of their operations,” Aaron Mellis, VP, business services, Skyview Networks tells TALKERS. “With Hurricane Milton approaching, our team is fully prepared and ready to step in with services to support our clients’ needs, ensuring they are met seamlessly.”  For inquiries on extended services in preparation of Milton, please contact affiliaterelations@skyviewsat.com or call Skyview’s Network Operations Center at 877-503-8910.

Industry News

10% AM/FM Radio Listening Growth Expected as Nielsen Eyes Methodological Tweak

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

According to Cumulus and other reliable sources, in a series of private meetings with customers, Nielsen has reportedly revealed potential plans to enhance the way it generates average quarter-hour audiences in the 48 markets which utilize the Portable People Meter. Crediting to AM/FM radio listening in local PPM markets will increase by +24%. For national marketers and media agencies, the expected impact in 2025 will be a +10% increase in total U.S. listening levels. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog examines the implications for AM/FM radio.  Here are some key points

• The trend of AM/FM radio surpassing TV in ratings will accelerate: Over the last five years, AM/FM radio has overtaken linear TV in ratings. Based on TV and AM/FM radio audience forecasts, 2025 will see AM/FM radio overtake TV in the all-important 25-54 demographic by 13% and widen its ratings lead over TV among 18-49s by 47%.

• 2025 post-buy analyses will overachieve 2024 media plans: In PPM markets, expect up to +24% increases in audience deliveries based on prior year schedules. For local buys, outcomes will vary by demographic, markets utilized, and AM/FM radio programming format mix.

• AM/FM radio, already America’s number one mass reach media, will experience reach growth in advertising schedules: With an estimated daily reach growth of +7% and weekly week growth of +4%, reach and frequency analyses are expected to experience growth.

• AM/FM radio ads will become more effective as stations increase the number of commercial breaks with shorter durations: With a 3-minute quarter hour qualification, stations could create more breaks of shorter duration. This will significantly benefit advertisers.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison’s reaction to this possible course of action is, “The game is played the way the game is scored.  However, we in radio must be careful not to fool ourselves by what could simply be a lowering of the bar. If the fences are moved in an extra hundred feet, the result will be more home runs… but not necessarily better hitting.”

Industry News

New Jersey Honors Harrison and Hurley at Charity Dinner – MH Tells Attendees Technology is Rewiring the Human Brain to Induce Artificial Telepathy

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

In the wake of the enormous success of the 16th Annual Hurley in the Morning Foundation Charity Dinner this past Friday evening (10/4) in Atlantic City (see full story below) in which the amount of money raised by the philanthropic initiative has now exceeded $1.75 million to be distributed to worthy non-profits across the Garden State and beyond, the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly issued separate proclamations honoring the event’s organizer and founder, Harry Hurley and its guest of honor/keynote speaker Michael Harrison.  The joint resolutions praise both media figures for their outstanding work and careers in radio and service on behalf of the public good.  In addition, Harry Hurley, 33-year veteran morning host on WPG, Atlantic City, was honored by the designation of October 4, 2024 as “Harry Hurley Day” in Atlantic Country, NJ.

MH at dinner

Michael Harrison discusses the enormous changes taking place in the human nervous system as a result of digital and AI technology at New Jersey Charity Dinner.

Michael Harrison tells attendees that modern digital technology is rewiring the human brain with shocking results. One of the many highlights of Harrison’s 48-minute presentation was his observation that due to the rewiring on the human brain by rapidly evolving digital mechanics, we humans are evolving into a “technologically induced telepathic species.”  To see a clip of Harrison’s comments please click here.

Industry News

16th Annual Hurley in the Morning Charity Dinner Ups Total Raised to $1.75 Million

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

The 16th annual Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation Dinner took place Friday evening (10/4) at the historic Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.  The event is a key component each year of the philanthropic work performed by 33-year veteran WPG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley on behalf of non-profits across New Jersey and beyond.

Harry and Van Drew
Harry Hurley (l) is joined by U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) – one of hundreds of elected officials, media, and business dignitaries in attendance Friday evening (10/4) at the 16th Annual Hurley in the Morning Charity Dinner at the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

The gathering was literally a who’s who of the Garden State’s political, business, health care, and cultural communities including U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), U.S Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw, and literally dozens of members of the New Jersey legislature, county leaders, mayors, council members and a broad section of business and industry leaders at the highest level. The gala event, which drew the largest attendance in the event’s colorful history, opened with a video welcome message from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. More than $100,00 was raised at the gathering that evening, which included a remarkably curated silent auction, bringing the foundation’s total to more than $1.75 million.

MH at dinner
Michael Harrison, pictured here addressing the gathering, was the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the Hurley charity dinner, now considered one of the most important radio-related annual philanthropic civic initiatives in America.

TALKERS founder/publisher Michael Harrison served as the dinner’s keynote speaker and guest of honor. In his 40-minute presentation, Harrison discussed a variety of topics including the consequential impact of changing technology on society, the state of radio and journalism, the importance of the First Amendment and education in preserving democracy and the challenges facing unique cities such as Atlantic City in carrying on their meaningful legacies in the brave new world of the 21st century. Highlights of Harrison’s speech will be posted to the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel in the coming days.

Harrison stated, “The positive impact Harry Hurley has on South Jersey – economically, politically, and culturally – is a thing of beauty when witnessed up close as I just did this past weekend.  I salute Harry, WPG, and Townsquare Media for setting a stunning example of just how consequential this enduring medium of radio can be when operated by such dedicated, resourceful, and community-minded individuals. I was humbled and deeply honored to be able to play a small role in their magnificent efforts.”

Industry News

GOP Eyes New York City WABC Owner John Catsimatidis as Preferred Candidate for Mayor if Adams Resigns

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

According to a story by reporter Kerry Picket in yesterday’s issue of The Washington Times (10/6), Big Apple Republicans want WABC owner John Catsimatidis to run for mayor of New York City if embattled Mayor Eric Adams resigns from the post and a special election follows.  The article says, according to a New York GOP source, the city’s five county chairmen prefer Catsimatidis, over any other potential Republican looking to become the next mayor of the city.  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison reacted to the story by saying, “John Catsimatidis would make a great mayor for New York – but NYC’s gain would be radio’s loss.  He’s one of the shining lights among the ranks of today’s radio ownership.” Harrison adds, “As far as I know, this is news to Catsimatidis as well as the rest of us.  I do not believe he has spoken to anyone about this prior to the speculation based on The Washington Times sources.  Regardless, it sure makes sense.” Catsimatidis owns multiple businesses, including a chain of supermarkets in Manhattan and WABC, where he hosts two political talk shows. He also heads up the Red Apple Group, a real estate and aviation company worth about $2 billion in holdings. To read the entire article, please click here.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Smart Quotes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter Sterling, Host
Sterling Every Damn Night, WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling On Sunday, TMN

Walter M. SterlingLike you, my guideposts come from innovators, leaders in our business. These are the words I “work” by every day that have led to consultant and host success.

“We will just have to improve security of the building. Next time you are going to stir people up, let me know so I can tell the sales department to raise the rates.” –  Bob McAllan CEO Press Broadcasting, original owners of New Jersey 101.5.

“It’s a simple business, people make it hard. In any situation there are three options: Yes, No, Do Nothing. Do nothing is usually the best option.”  – Edward F McLaughlin president ABC Radio Networks, founder of Rush Limbaugh syndication.

“Local news is the most important thing a radio station does. It must be accurate, and it is our business.” – Nick Dirienzo,  New Jersey Radio Hall of Fame inductee; owner WCRV Radio, Washington Borough, NJ.

When asked why he never discusses current events on his # 1 nightly WOR show, Jean Shepherd said, “Because that’s too easy.”

While others found trouble with every single new idea, Al Brady Law, program director always said, “It just might work.”

“There is no reason a station can’t own the ‘news’ image and the ‘cool music’ image.” – George Gilbert, PD WARM, Scranton – who pulled that off.

Being offered a significant marketing budget, Donnie Simpson PD of WKYS, Washington replied, “No thank you… if we put out one wrong image or message, we could ruin our relationship with the listener”  Mr. Simpson earned # 1 in DC with an Arbitron 10.0 share.

About Spotify and Pandora: “There has always been a box of records next to the radio.” – Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeartMedia.

“If they’re not fearless and having fun, they are useless.” On high powered, talented DJs. – Ruth Meyer, Radio Hall of Fame inductee and PD of New York’s top 40 WMCA, WNEW, and WHN.

“For WABC, as a top 40, 7:00 pm to midnight was their morning drive.” – Steve Goldstein, CEO Amplifi Media.

“Imagine if TV started on a cable distribution system. Then one day, it became possible to distribute without wires… over the air! That would have been considered a spectacular advancement!” – Michael Harrison who gives us daily permission to think different!

“No, please we don’t need to hear that story. We hear your show all day in the house. Save it for your show.” – Any one of the four women who have to live with me.

Your turn.

Consultant Walter Sabo A.K.A. Walter M Sterling has a nightly show “Sterling Every Damn Night” heard on WPHT, Philadelphia 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs Sundays 10:00 pm – 1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at waltermsterling@gmail.com or Sabowalter@gmail.com.

Industry News

Pop Music Band Invites Radio Talk Show Hosts to Appear in Music Video

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Gunhill Road, the perennial pop music ensemble that has attracted hundreds of thousands of worldwide followers with its growing repertoire of issue-oriented songs and music videos, is currently in production with an anthem celebrating talk radio. Titled “Don’t Stop Talkin’” – the song is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in serving the cause of American freedom of speech.  With lines that include “As long as you’ve got a voice, don’t ever stop!” and “As long as you’ve got the truth, don’t ever stop!” the original composition co-written by band members Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch, Brian Koonan, and Michael Harrison encourages talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and great service they provide the nation. The images accompanying the music will be a montage of individual radio talk hosts in the process of doing their shows.  The group invites talk show hosts from around the country – local and syndicated – to contribute video clips of themselves in action on the mic. The clips need not be longer than 15-30 second and show the face of the host on air in the studio (even if it is a home studio) and, if possible, show the station or program logo in the frame.  Obviously, the group cannot guarantee inclusion in the final product, but every effort will be made to do so. Gunhill Road video producer (and TALKERS VP/associate publisher) Matthew B. Harrison states, “The members of Gunhill Road are so grateful for the attention and airplay they have received over the past five years from talk radio that they want to give something special back to the industry and its medium.”  Interested hosts should send their video clips to info@talkers.com along with permission to use them in the video.  The deadline for clips to be considered is October 11, 2024.  For more information about Gunhill Road please visit www.GunhillRoadMusic.com.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Beasley Hits Pause: Extends the “Note” Worthy Exchange Deadline. Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. has extended the deadlines for its exchange offer, tender offer, and new notes offering to October 4, 2024, at 5:00 pm ET , with the settlement date moved to October 8, 2024. This extension follows a request from key holders of the company’s existing 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due in 2026 to adjust their participation in the offers. As of yesterday (9/30), about 93% of the outstanding notes were submitted for exchange or tender. The offers are detailed in the Exchange Offer Memorandum and its supplements, available to existing note-holders. The company emphasizes that this announcement does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any securities, and only eligible institutional buyers can participate. The extension aims to finalize changes to existing holders’ participation without altering the total number of notes tendered or exchanged.

 

John Catsimatidis is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast.  WABC, New York owner/CEO John Catsimatidis is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” The fascinating conversation between the two seasoned media dynamos was repurposed for the audio-only platform from its original configuration as a video presentation on the TALKERSMEDIA YouTube channel.  Harrison and Catsimatidis talk about a wide array of issues – past present and future – touching upon radio, media, real estate, sports, energy, and inflation.  Don’t miss this! To listen to the podcast, click here.  To watch the video version, click here.

Industry News

EXCLUSIVE DEBUT: Richard Neer’s New Radio Short Story, “Invisible Airwaves”

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Invisible Airwaves

Legendary WFAN, New York personality Richard Neer, an accomplished author as well as a radio broadcasting pioneer in both the album rock and sports-talk genres, has written a fascinating short story that takes place in a contemporary radio setting. TALKERS is proud to publish its world debut today (9/30) marking the first time in its 34-year history that the trade journal is presenting a work of literary fiction based on the media.  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Our talk media industry readers will find this short story relatable, dramatic and compelling.”

Kelly Sterling, a lifestyle reporter for The Washington Post, sets out to find Greg Campbell, a once-prominent DC radio talk show host who vanished from the airwaves more than two decades ago. His search leads him to a small town in rural Virginia, where Campbell broadcasts from a tiny station with little reach. Now in his nineties, Campbell continues to deliver thoughtful, reasoned commentaries, offering a rare voice of moderation in an increasingly polarized media landscape. Sterling meets Campbell and his daughter, Grace, who cares for him and supports his passion for broadcasting. Despite the station’s humble setting, Campbell’s love for radio and dedication to the principles of journalism shine through as he prepares for each broadcast. As Sterling digs deeper, he discovers there’s more to the story of Campbell’s life and career than he initially expected, revealing layers of resilience, purpose, and the enduring impact of one man’s voice.

To read the story in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News

Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Video Podcast

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Harrison Pags

What topics beyond politics work well on news/talk radio?  How is YouTube becoming an amazingly fertile platform for the next wave of talk media and commentary open to all sides, subjects, and viewpoints?  What the heck is Screenis Envy?  What’s life really like in the great state of Texas?  What made the Righteous Brothers such a remarkable recording act?  Does an in-studio camera take away from the “theater of the mind” aspect of modern radio? What is authentic versus inauthentic in the emerging world of video talk media? These questions and more are tackled in a fascinating non-stop-rat-tat-tat conversation between two titans of talk… TALKERS publisher and radio pioneer Michael Harrison and top 10 Heavy Hundred syndicated talk media star Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo. It all unfolds on the new TALKERSMEDIA edition of Up Close Far Out.  Don’t miss this!  To view the entire conversation, please click here.

Industry News

Hundreds Gather for RI Radio-TV Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

More than 320 broadcasters from the vibrant Rhode Island radio and television industries turned out last night (9/25) in celebration of the state’s industry Hall of Fame inductions at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, RI.Hall of Fame Logo  Six members of the state’s broadcasting community were inducted including Betty-Jo Cugini of WERI/WRX Radio/WLNE-TV/WJAR-TV;  Chris DiPaola of WBLQ-AM Radio (posthumously); Joe Hassett, color commentator Providence College Basketball;  Dan Yorke of WPRO-AM Radio/WPRI-TV; Paul Zangari of WEAN-AM Radio/RI PBS/ WPRO-AM Radio; and Sean Daly, WLNE-TV/WPRI-TV.  An emotional high-point of the ceremony took place when the late Chris DiPaola was inducted as the inaugural recipient of the Ron St. Pierre Radio Innovator Award – named after the late RI radio legend who passed away earlier this year. The award was accepted by DiPaola’s father and son. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison attended the event, noting, “Last night’s beautiful gathering was a reminder that local radio and television are very much alive and well in Rhode Island.  There were laughs, tears, pride, camaraderie, and an abundance of good vibes. It was inspirational!”

For more information, please click here.

Huggies
Hug of Fame. Inductee Dan Yorke, afternoon host at WPRO and longtime TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, and Michael Harrison share an emotional moment.
HC MH JC JM
(L-R): Consultant Holland Cooke, Michael Harrison, WABC commentator Joe Connolly and agent John McConnell.
Gene and Mike
(L) WPRO-AM/FM morning legend and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member Gene Valicenti. (R) Consultant Mike McVay.

 

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Remote News Service Continues Growth. Remote News ServiceRemote News Service (RNS), a boutique news network providing hyper local, and custom news and traffic remotely, has added four new affiliates. These include station clusters in Wisconsin in both Prairie du Chien and Viroqua, and in Michigan two more markets, Soo and Sault Ste. Marie. Gabe Buch, OM/PD at Robinson Media’s WQPC, Prairie du Chien tells TALKERS, “Remote News has a been a life saver!  Very easy to work with and they went the extra step to make our news local. The transition to Remote News was very easy and the anchor we chose is easy to work with and sounds great.”  Michael SanAngelo, OM for Sovereign Communications adds, “Our company is on the Canadian border, and we’ve struggled for years to find the right person to collect, write and deliver solid local and regional news on our seven-radio station group.  In just two weeks with Remote News Service, our news content has been night and day better and exactly what we have always wanted.”  RNS owner Lesley Lotto tells TALKERS, “I’m floored once again at the tremendous growth! 54% this year so far. But this is not about me, it’s our amazing team who continues to attract new clients due to their dedication and hard work. I’m beyond proud.”  To learn more about RNS, click here.

The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network Launches “Normally” Podcast.  NormallyPremiere Networks announces the addition of “Normally” hosted by Karol Markowicz and Mary Katharine Ham to The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network, effective today (9/24). Markowicz is a New York Post and FOX News columnist, author, and host of “The Karol Markowicz Show” podcast. MKM Ham is a prominent journalist, FOX News contributor, speaker, author, and co-host of the news podcast “Getting Hammered.”  The “Normally” podcast will feature Markowicz and Ham as they discuss the latest happenings in news, politics, and pop culture from the perspective of two “normal moms.” KMThe duo will help listeners navigate the headlines that matter most to American families and understand how they affect them. Known for being funny and a bit irreverent, yet serious and thoughtful about important issues, Markowicz and Ham have one purpose in mind: to keep the audience informed without wearing them out.

Salem Radio Network and the Salem News Channel Will Simulcast CBS News VP Debate.   Beginning at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday (10/1), Salem will simulcast the 90-minute debate between U.S. Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz that will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, host of “Face the Nation.”  Immediately prior to the simulcast, SRN and SNC will broadcast a two-hour Salem “Pre-Debate Special” beginning at 7:00 pm ET. Salem’s Larry Elder will host the program and will be joined by SRN’s Mike Gallagher, Dr. Sebastion Gorka, Dennis Prager, and Tony Perkins. Phil Boyce, SVP for Spoken Word at Salem Media Group, tells TALKERS, “Who better to host our Pre-Debate coverage than Larry Elder who ran for Governor of California and then for President. He’s been in that chair before, so he knows what to say. Stations who sign up for coverage are in for a treat!” Interested stations in the East Coast and Central regions can contact Jim Bligh at  jbligh@srnradio.com or 212-419-4663.  On the West Coast or in the Midwest region (North Dakota to Texas) contact Kelli DeShan at  kdeshan@srnradio.com or 972-707-6882.

Industry News

WABC Owner John Catsimatidis is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Video

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Harrison CatsWhat’s it like to be a self-made billionaire mogul with powerful ownership interests in the media, grocery, energy, real estate, political, and sports industries?  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison presents a candid one-on-one dialogue with Red Apple Group CEO and WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis that covers all the above bases and then some. “Cats” discusses his ongoing plans for WABC Radio; the future of the AM radio dial; roots of the inflated cost of food and gasoline; his development of beach front condo properties in Coney Island, NY and St. Petersburg, FL; and what he describes as his “common sense” approach to today’s political environment. Catsimatidis’ life is the embodiment of the American Dream – a true rags-to-riches story of a Greek immigrant who came to New York City with his family at the age of six months and worked his way to success, starting in his parents’ humble grocery store, to become one of the most influential individuals in the nation.  Harrison and Catsimatidis take the viewer on an amazing “fun” journey from the nostalgic sidewalks and baseball stadiums of old New York to the pinnacle of 21st century business, media, and technology.  To view this exciting new entry on the TALKERSMEDIA YouTube channel, please click here.

Industry News

Monday Memo: Plan Now… or Ghost

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

im

The only holiday Americans spend more on than Halloween is Christmas. So set a reminder, so dutiful DJs spin Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” theme and the Classics IV’s “Spooky” and other durable perennials. Talk hosts: For you, the living, this mash was meant too.

Meantime: Plan for an early-October topic parents will appreciate: Halloween costume ideas. With family budgets tight now, those pop-up costume stores are less affordable to some. And as listeners are now coping, many are imagination-challenged. Back when we “went to the movies,” characters like Harry Potter were more obvious. And with campaign fatigue mounting, non-political costumes offer respite.

im

In years past, this has been a welcome call-in topic. And inviting listener snapshots of previous years’ costumes – possibly offering a prize for Best – can bring clicks to your web site. Sell a sponsorship, possibly to the big local liquor-warehouse store.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “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 and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Radio Hosts Invited to Appear in Forthcoming Gunhill Road Music Video Celebrating Talk Radio

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Gunhill Road Needs You!

Gunhill Road, the perennial pop music ensemble that has attracted hundreds of thousands of worldwide followers with its growing repertoire of issue-oriented songs and music videos, is currently in production with an anthem celebrating talk radio. Titled “Don’t Stop Talkin’” – the song is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in serving the cause of American freedom of speech.  With lines that include “As long as you’ve got a voice, don’t ever stop!” and “As long as you’ve got the truth, don’t ever stop!” the original composition co-written by band members Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch, Brian Koonan, and Michael Harrison encourages talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and great service they provide the nation.Gunhill Road Logo The images accompanying the music will be a dynamic montage of individual radio talk hosts in the process of doing their shows.  The group invites talk show hosts from around the country – local and syndicated – to contribute video clips of themselves in action on the mic. The clips need not be longer than one minute and show the face of the host on air in the studio (even if it is a home studio) and, if possible, show the station or program logo in the frame.  Obviously, the group cannot guarantee inclusion in the final product, but every effort will be made to do so. Gunhill Road video producer (and TALKERS VP/associate publisher) Matthew B. Harrison states, “The members of Gunhill Road are so grateful for the attention and airplay they have received over the past five years from talk radio that they want to give something special back to the industry and its medium.”  Interested hosts should send their video clips to info@talkers.com along with permission to use them in the video.  The deadline for clips to be considered is October 11, 2024.  For more information about Gunhill Road please visit www.GunhillRoadMusic.com.

Industry News

Today is Constitution Day

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

ConstitutionWritten in 1787, signed on September 17, 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government.  Today is the anniversary of that initial signing.  After spending all summer crafting the original seven articles of the historic document, an assemblage of the nation’s founding fathers in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention, under the leadership of George Washington, created what would prove to be the ideological and legal backbone of the United States of America.  The 39 remarkable individuals who put their signatures to the document included such icons as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris.

The document opens with its iconic preamble:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

 In noting this historic milestone, TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Although the Bill of Rights wasn’t ratified until December 15, 1791 – which, of course, includes the all-important First Amendment – the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution should not go unacknowledged by practitioners of talk media, especially during this tense time of political strife and turmoil.  Honoring and analyzing the tenets of this precious document is the very foundation of this vital medium. Constitution Day provides an opportunity to promote understanding and clarity when most needed.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Detroit Broadcast Exec Kevin Adell to Sell All Stations, Including 910 AM, WADL-TV. According to a report in the Detroit Free Press (9/12) by reporter Violet Ikonomova, longtime Detroit broadcast executive Kevin Adell has listed all his media properties for sale as he seeks to retire.  Adell launched WADL-TV (Channel 38) 35 years ago. He later started The Word Network, a religious television station, and WFDF-AM (910), a longtime, locally-focused urban talk radio station that abruptly flipped to a largely syndicated conservative talk format last year. According to the report, Adell texted, “Passion is somewhere else,” adding, “Decided to [engage in] sport fish.” Adell also attributed his decision to industry turbulence as more people abandon traditional television and radio for streaming services. Kevin and Art “Our industry is going to take a while to reset itself, like the newspaper industry,” he said, estimating that this “reset” would come in 10 years, or not at all. “This might be the new normal.” Pictured above: Adell (l) with radio historian and videographer Art Vuolo (r). Vuolo tells TALKERS, “He invited me to video in studio the launch of Super Station 910 the first week of September a year ago as he re-branded WFDF-AM 910 as news/talk.  He wanted to go after WJR, but with mostly syndicated programming from Premiere Networks. Interestingly 910 now with 50 kw is the third biggest AM signal in Michigan!” For more info, see the entire Detroit Free Press article here. https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2024/09/12/kevin-adell-sell-radio-tv-staions-wadl-wfdf-world-network/75189174007/

MIW and NABLF Announce Rachel Haggerty as the 2024 MIW NABLF Launch Program Mentee.  Rachel Haggerty  Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF), name Rachel Haggerty as the 2024 MIW NABLF Launch Program mentee.  Started in 2023, Launch is a partnership between MIW and the NAB Leadership Foundation dedicated to supporting and guiding women in radio who are relatively new to the industry. The first of its kind, this program fosters the development and curation of talent.  Haggerty graduated from Seton Hall University in 2019, where she was actively involved with WSOU-FM, serving as assistant technical operations director and later as student manager. After graduation, she completed the National Association of Broadcasters Technology Apprenticeship Program, interning with iHeartMedia’s New York City radio stations. She then worked locally and with a national support team at iHeartMedia before becoming the assistant chief engineer at WABC-AM. Since 2023, she has returned to iHeartMedia New York, working with Premiere Networks on nationally syndicated talk shows. Rachel is also an active member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and holds a Certificate in Broadcast Radio Engineering.

Industry News

Bill O’ Reilly is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Video Podcast

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Click Heree
Is the new communications technology a threat to free speech and privacy?  Has the presidency become too much of a media and cultural focal point in our society?  How important is character versus competency in judging public officials?  What impact is AI having on academic honesty?  Is YouTube creating a sea change in the national media landscape?  These questions and more are tackled in a fascinating interview conducted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison with radio, TV, and online talk icon, Bill O’ Reilly on this week’s installment of “Up Close Far Out” presented by the new TALKERS Media YouTube channel.  In addition to being a major cable news/talk TV pioneer and a successful cross-platform talk media commentator still going and growing in the digital era, O’ Reilly is the author of 18 consecutive #1 New York Times best sellers.  Harrison and O’ Reilly discuss his new release, Confronting the Presidents: No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden among an array of topics.  Don’t miss this!  To view the program in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

PodcastOne Names Steve Lehman Vice Chairman.  PodcastOne – a leading podcasting platform – announced today (9/10) the appointment of Steve Lehman as its vice chairman, focusing on helping the firm drive both organic and inorganic growth opportunities, as well as advising its senior management with regard to mergers and acquisitions efforts, as well as overall strategy and increasing its shareholder value. Lehman will leverage his extensive background in business and finance having headed both Nasdaq and NYSE companies, as well as start-up businesses in the media, entertainment, and tech industries.  “We are pleased to welcome Steve Lehman to PodcastOne. His unique knowledge of content and media, and his successful track record and history in merger, roll-up, and consolidation, perfectly aligns with PodcastOne’s strategy and vision for its long-term growth. We continue to launch new revenue channels with high margins atop of our existing strong infrastructure, and we look forward to leveraging Steve’s experience, leaning into his expertise and relationships as PodcastOne further builds its global brand,” said company president and co-founder, Kit Gray.

 

Sirius XMDylan Douglas to Host New Gen Z Political Program Exclusively for SiriusXM’s Progress Channel. Dylan DouglasSiriusXM announced today the launch of a new “limited engagement” political program, “Young American with Dylan Douglas,” designed to engage Gen Z and other young listeners during the run-up to the highly-anticipated November elections. Starting September 14, “Young American with Dylan Douglas” will air every Saturday at 11:00am ET on SiriusXM’s Progress channel 127, with replays throughout the weekend. Douglas, a ‘22 graduate of Brown University has spent much of his young adult life working on political campaigns and grassroots movements, including as a deputy campaign manager for a high-profile congressional race. Despite growing up as the son of Academy Award-winning actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dylan has to this point chosen to work mainly behind-the-scenes in the political world. He’s now stepping in front of the microphone because he feels strongly that his generation needs to play a more active and integral role in shaping the future of the country. Douglas will focus on topics that will be driving young voters to the polls in this year’s election, including some of the defining issues of his generation, such as reproductive rights, climate change, gun control, and much more. He will also speak with politicians and activists to exchange ideas on how Gen Z and politicians can work together to address issues and reach goals that are important to young Americans. Dylan will also regularly engage with his social media followers, including on Instagram, and have them submit questions and topics they’d like him to ask our nation’s leaders.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Podcasting and Broadcasting

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

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Listeners now expect what-they-want when-they-want-it. And advertisers want their attention wherever they can get it. So, yes, archiving on-air programming for on-demand consumption has value. Respecting how scarce attention is, this tip: In addition to whole-hour airchecks, offer short, single-topic show excerpts, and title them as obviously as possible. Don’t expect listeners to click-click-click through or sit-through an hour-long aircheck for three great minutes about “How to keep Alexa from spying on you.” So post-and-Tweet that.  Otherwise, understand how broadcasting and podcasting are cousins, not siblings.

How podcasting is unlike radio: AM/FM broadcasters’ content is mass-appeal, and locally-oriented. But the best podcast topics are “narrowcast” stuff. And you’re on what we used to call “the Worldwide Web.” So going real narrow is opportune. Example?

Do a podcast about gardening, and you’ll get lost-in-the-weeds. Do one about growing vegetables year-round in a vertical hydroponic garden in a closet and you’ll click.

 

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How successful podcasts are like radio: You’re asking for attention. And with so much competition for it now, that’s a big ask.

That’s where professional broadcasters have an advantage over amateurish podcasters. Best practices that radio has spent 100 years proving are techniques that can earn you habitual listening.

More, including what TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison considers the #1 success factor in podcasting, here: http://getonthenet.com/podcasting.html

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “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 and connect on LinkedIn.