2024 Presidential Race Taking on Historic Role as Nation’s First “Podcast Election”
Although news/talk radio, cable news/talk TV and all other platforms still lumped under the heading of “legacy” or “mainstream” media remain collectively powerful as venues of exposure for the national conversation in this crucial political year, the 2024 presidential race has significantly elevated podcasting to a seat at the table of influence drawing ongoing guest appearances by the major party candidates. Pictured above: OutKick’s “Maintaining with Tyrus” podcast hosted by George “Tyrus” Murdoch. Murdoch is a FOX News Channel (FNC) contributor and a New York Times best-selling author. The interview was recorded this morning (10/18) at Trump Tower in New York City and can be viewed here.
Podcast industry expert/media writer Ashley Carman aptly describes this year’s cycle as the first real “podcast election” in her Bloomberg Newsletter column. Carman credits the following factors in fueling the rise of podcasting in the presidential arena:
The number of people listening to podcasts monthly has more than doubled since 2016. An estimated 135 million people listen to a podcast monthly while 98 million listen weekly, according to Edison Research’s “Infinite Dial” study this year. This is a significant uptick from 2016 when Trump first ran for president. At that time, 21% of Americans over the age of 12 said they’d listened to a podcast monthly. This year that figure is 47%. The reach of the medium continues to grow. At this point, it’s basically mainstream.
Monthly podcast listeners have more than doubled since the 2016 election. Source: Edison Research “The Infinite Dial 2024”
People trust podcasters. A few different studies suggest people trust podcasters more than other media personalities, particularly when it comes to hearing about the news. Research from Deloitte last year found that 75% of surveyed respondents said they agreed with the statement, “I trust the podcast hosts I listen to.” Pew Research found last year that most people who get news from podcasts either say they trust that news more than the news they receive from other sources (31%) or trust it about the same (55%). We typically see this play out through podcast product endorsements, the backbone of the industry. Promo codes on podcasts have become a parody at this point, but the reality is that they work. People often take action when a podcaster throws their weight behind a product, and if having a guest on counts as a tacit endorsement of sorts, listeners are likely going to pay attention. Podcasters have also turned into superstars in their own right, inspiring fans to spend money to see them live and demonstrating how committed people are to the programs. Just this past week, The Rest Is Politics sold out the O2 arena in London. Some 13,000 fans attended. In August, the popular US-based podcast, “Kill Tony,” performed at Madison Square Garden over two nights. Those events generated $2.4 million in gross revenue with over 25,000 tickets sold, according to Pollstar.
Podcast hosts can influence their audience more than other media formats. Source: Deloitte Digital Media Trends, 17th edition (April 2023)
Young people, and yes, men, are spending time listening to podcasts. Much of the coverage around Trump’s and Vance’s podcast appearances has centered on their efforts to reach young men. More generally, young people are spending time listening to podcasts. Last year, of people between the ages of 13 and 24, 77% had at some point listened to a podcast, according to Edison Research and SXM Media, and 47% had listened to one in the last month. From that same study, men and boys listened slightly more than women and girls in a month — 53% compared to 46%.
Political messaging. But perhaps greater than any single data point is the general recognition of how well the podcast format suits political messaging. Anyone who has listened to a general interview podcast knows these shows often allow guests to speak at length, without interruption, making it an ideal venue for a politician to communicate beyond their worn-out soundbites. Few other media formats provide this kind of access to Gen Z for such prolonged periods of time.
To read Ashley Carman’s entire column, please click here.
Keenan 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).
Bortnick is a successful industry veteran who most recently served as regional vice president of sales at iHeart Media in Washington, DC. Elizabeth Hamma, market president tells TALKERS, “We are fortunate to welcome Danny Bortnick as director of sales for Hubbard South Florida. With his extensive and successful track record of driving revenue growth as well as fostering strong client relationships, we are confident Danny will make a big impact on our team and our advertising partners.” Bortnick states, “I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Hubbard South Florida. I’m humbled to be representing such powerful brands, as well 2060 Digital. Looking forward to helping the Hubbard South Florida team reach new levels of success.”
In his new role, according to the company, Bortnick will oversee sales operations for Hubbard’s South Florida stations, as well as 2060 Digital, focusing on driving revenue growth, building strong relationships with advertisers, and creating innovative solutions to meet client needs.
“My family, Red Apple Media, and WABC Radio have supported numerous causes and organizations,” stated Catsimatidis. 
“At this time of great need for colleagues catastrophically impacted by these storms, I will match the next $25,000 in donations to help them get back on their feet. I applaud all those who have already donated any amount because every dollar helps.” “We are grateful to John and Red Apple Media for their generous patronage of our charitable mission,” said Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “It is with the support of industry leaders like John that the Foundation can provide assistance to those in our industry who need it most, including in times of emergency. I ask every broadcaster to consider giving an individual or corporation donation so that we can continue our charitable mission for broadcasters in need.” Additionally, WABC is running PSAs to appeal to listeners for donations. In addition, the station has produced a version of the PSA that can be tagged by a radio station with their own call letters. Interested stations should contact WABC. To make a donation to the Broadcasters Foundation of America Hurricanes Helene and Milton Emergency Fund, please click 
language sports network FOX Deportes. It will also be available in podcast form via FOX News Audio. Ahead of the debut, FOX News Digital will launch a Spanish-language version of the FOXNews.com website beginning today which will be machine translated. Campos-Duffy comments, “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to host ‘FOX Noticias.’ As the fastest-growing electorate, accounting for nearly 20% of the population, the Hispanic American community is thriving, and I am proud to bring a new show that breaks down the news of the day with a focus on the kitchen table issues that matter most to our community.”
This edition explores game-changing shifts in creativity, artificial intelligence, measurement, and audience activation—highlighting key trends crucial for navigating the evolving ad environment. KEY FINDINGS: According to research compiled in the guide, emotional messaging is gaining renewed importance in audio advertising, driving an 8.2% increase in consumer action with ads that evoke positive feelings. In the creator economy, “test and see” strategies are becoming obsolete, as authentic creator partnerships are now essential to media plans. In fact, 40% of advertisers are shifting from one-off campaigns to year-long collaborations with creators, recognizing the lasting value these partnerships offer.
As most readers of TALKERS magazine know, dedicated and alert radio stations rise to the occasion of abundant vigilance and public service in providing their communities with vital information and support during natural disasters. Such has been the case with Hurricane Helene and the same thing will take place as Hurricane Milton threatens Florida and the East Coast.
Castiglione, who announced his retirement prior to the conclusion of the 2024 Red Sox season spent 42 seasons in the Red Sox booth, making him the longest tenured radio broadcaster in Red Sox history. A native of Hamden, CT, he began his career calling Colgate University football and baseball games while earning a B.A. from the university. He would later graduate from Syracuse University’s prestigious Newhouse School with a master’s degree in Radio and Television. Castiglione’s Red Sox legacy started in 1983 when he was paired with another Red Sox legend in Ken Coleman. In his 40+ years with the Red Sox, Castiglione was the voice for millions during the lowest lows and highest highs of the franchise. He’s maybe most famous for his call at the end of the 2004 World Series which ended an 86-year World Series drought for the Sox, exclaiming “for the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox have won baseball’s world championship. Can you believe it?” The phrase would become a signature call. Joe Castiglione was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015, and was named the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award winner, presented annually by the Hall of Fame for excellence in broadcasting, in 2024.
The one-hour show is live weekdays from 6:00 -7:00 pm. WGCH covers Fairfield County, CT as well as neighboring Westchester County, NY. The station serves the community with extensive local news, sports and talk programming. Boyer tells TALKERS, “My show will be fast paced, very informative, full of joy and very uplifting, for my listeners.” Boyer hosts two other syndicated shows – “Cannabis Talk A-Z” and “Frankie Boyer Radio.” For more information contact 508-878-1782 or 
He will report directly to PodcastOne’s president Kit Gray and will leverage his industry expertise to expand internal sales and publishing synergies, increase talent revenues and the company’s prominence with both media buyers and content creators. 
philanthropist Harry Hurley, has raised more than $1.4 million for worthy causes across New Jersey and beyond. It has become one of the most important annual civic events in the Garden State drawing 270+ guests including government officials, media representatives and community-minded business leaders. The gala will be at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Harrison says, “This is a huge honor and I’m looking forward to addressing this distinguished event with observations about the media’s position at the crossroads between politics, journalism and changing social norms.” Hurley tells TALKERS, “Our special event will be taking place four weeks before one of the most consequential national elections in American history… arguably, the most important election since the Civil War era. It deserves to have a keynote speaker as even-handed and eloquent as Michael Harrison.”
featuring Brady Quinn, LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox. The program will continue to air in the network’s 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET weekday timeslot on 380 stations nationwide. FSR and iHeartMedia executive Don Martin and Scott Shapiro say in a statement, “We’re so proud of what this trio has built with ‘Two Pros and a Cup of Joe.’ The unique combination of these dynamic personalities has created one of the most fun and entertaining sports morning shows, and we continue to hear excellent feedback from advertisers, affiliates and listeners alike. They are the perfect kickoff to our weekday lineup, and we look forward to extending our relationship for years to come.”
Like 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.
Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, voiceovers, programming, podcasting, and jingles, has released two new episodes of “Chachi Loves Everybody,” an original podcast series hosted by its president Dave “Chachi” Denes. The episodes feature Chachi’s special guests Steve Jones, president and CEO, Skyview Networks, and Mike McVay, president, McVay Media Consulting. 
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