The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. U.S.-China Tariff Rollback
2. Newark Airport Troubles
3. Trump’s Middle East Trip / Qatar Jet Gift
4. Prescription Drug Executive Order
5. Big, Beautiful Bill
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/5-9) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Tariffs / The Economy / UK Trade Deal
2. Alien Enemies Act / Deportations
3. Big, Beautiful Bill / Medicaid Cuts
4. India-Pakistan Tensions / Russia-Ukraine War
5. Newark Airport Woes / Air Traffic Control Staffing
6. Conclave Elects New Pope
7. DOJ to Drop Abortion Pill Suits
8. Trump’s Alcatraz Order
9. Surgeon General Nominee
10.Columbia Pro-Palestinian Protests
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Jerome Powell
3. Scott Bessent
4. Mike Johnson
5. Keir Starmer / Mark Carney
6. Pope Leo XIV
7. J.D. Vance
8. RFK Jr.
9. Janette Nesheiwat / Casey Means
10.Elon Musk
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
Audacy names Robby Bowen vice president and director of sales for its Chicago station group that includes WBBM Newsradio, sports talk “670 The Score” WSCR-AM, and several music brands.
Bowen was most recently VP and director of sales for the company’s New Orleans operations. Audacy Chicago SVP and market manager Kevin Cassidy states, “We look forward to welcoming Robby to Chicago. He is a consummate sales professional and will be an inspirational leader for a sales team that proudly represents six amazing brands plus the Bulls and the Cubs!”
The most discussed stories yesterday (5/7) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Big, Beautiful Bill / Potential Medicaid Cuts
2. Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady / The Economy
3. Surgeon General Nomination Swap
4. Columbia Pro-Palestinian Protest
5. Tariffs / UK Trade Meeting
Wisconsin radio company Big Radio names Josh Wescott the morning drive news anchor for its stations in Monroe and Freeport, Wisconsin. Wescott is the former radio news director and morning host at iHeartMedia’s news/talk WIBA-AM, Madison. Wescott comments, “Good journalism requires a
lot of good listening and attention to what matters most to those in the communities they call home. Our news will talk about what people are talking about, be factual, and will ask the next question so people can reconnect with their local communities and schools in a way that journalism hasn’t consistently afforded in recent years. Online and social media disinformation is steadily driving people back to how they used to find out what’s happening, and Big Radio is well-positioned to meet this moment and lead the re-emergence of local radio news in this region and beyond.” Big Radio – owned by father and son Scott and Ben Thompson – owns and operates 10 radio stations in the Monroe, Freeport, Janesville, and Beloit, Wisconsin markets.
Talk radio and podcast personality Brad Krantz died yesterday (5/6) after a battle with myeloma.
Krantz was most recently co-host of “The BradandBrittcast” podcast with Britt Whitmire. He served as host at a number of rock stations during his long radio career as well as morning host on news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte.
The most discussed stories yesterday (5/6) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump-Carney Meeting / Tariffs
2. Trump and the Alien Enemies Act
3. The Conclave
4. Newark Airport Scrutiny
5. Pakistan-India Tensions
Springfield, MA-based multimedia broadcaster, writer, and publicist Mark G. Auerbach passed away this past Friday, May 2 after waging a long, brave battle against kidney and heart disease. Auerbach had an indelible presence – primarily in the local arts & entertainment community – as the long-running host of radio and television programs as well as his print columns and coverage of the region’s active theater and music scenes. Actively developing a legacy that spanned almost a half century, Auerbach was engaged in his dynamic career until the very end, producing and hosting
“ArtsBeat,” “Athenaeum Spotlight,” and “On The Mark” for WCPC, Channel 15 and WSKB-FM 89.5, both in Westfield, MA. He was a regular contributor to Berkshire Onstage and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association. His weekly column “Arts Beat” appeared in The Westfield News. In his youth, Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. During his multimedia career his impact was felt nationwide, and he was an indefatigable fundraiser for public broadcasting. As a publicist, he was a devoted supporter of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and numerous other not-for-profit artistic organizations. TALKERS publisher and local Western Mass resident Michael Harrison states, “I am proud to have been able to call Mark Auerbach a friend for the past 39 years, during which time I have come to respect and admire him as one of the finest media practitioners with whom I have had the pleasure of working. He was a champion of the arts and all that celebrates the humanities in our modern multimedia environment. He was a local giant on a multitude of levels and leaves an irreplaceable void in this part of America’s grassroots media community.” Auerbach requested no funeral services but said if people wish to do something in his memory they can make a gift to either Springfield Chamber Players MOSSO) (www.springfieldsymphonymusicians.com), Northfield Mount Hermon School (nmhschool.org), or the theatre of your choice.
The most discussed stories yesterday (5/5) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump NBC Interview
2. Trump Alcatraz Order
3. Abortion Pill Suits
4. Tariffs / U.S. China Trade War
5. Newark Airport Chaos
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War / The Economy
2. Trump’s Alcatraz Plan
3. Trump’s NBC Interview
4. Houthis Strike Israel
5. Student Loans Payback Resumes
Reporting its operating results from the first quarter of 2025, SiriusXM reveals revenue of $2.07 billion, a decrease of 4% from the same period in 2024. The company reports net income of $204 million. SiriusXM self-pay subscribers decreased by approximately 303,000, a 16% improvement compared to
the same period last year. Self-pay monthly churn was 1.6%, compared to 1.7% in the first quarter of 2024. The company ended the quarter with approximately 33 million total subscribers. In a conference call with investors, 
CEO Jennifer Witz said the company is re-focusing on in-car listening after its less-than-successful attempt to become a leader in streaming content. She says, “We entered 2025 focused on what we do best: delivering standout experiences to our core subscribers, curating compelling content, strengthening our advertising business, and enhancing the value of our service. Today, we’re operating with greater discipline, improving execution across the board, and reallocating capital toward the areas where we see the greatest impact. We’re building a more focused, more efficient SiriusXM — aligned around what matters most to our listeners and our business — and I’m pleased with how we’ve started the year.”
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (4/28-5/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Trump’s First 100 Days / Polling Numbers
2. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War / The Economy
3. U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. DOGE / Musk and Tesla
6. Canadian Elections
7. Deportations / Abrego Garcia Case
8. Trump vs Harvard
9. Kamala Harris Speaks Out
10.Belichick-Girlfriend Flap
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Xi Jinping
3. Volodymyr Zelensky
4. Vladimir Putin
5. Elon Musk
6. J.D. Vance
7. Mark Carney
8. Kilmar Abrego Garcia
9. Joe Biden / Kamala Harris
10.Bill Belichick / Jordon Hudson
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
Radio One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte announces the debut of “The TJ Ritchie Show” that will air from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm weeknights beginning May 27. Ritchie is one half of the longtime syndicated radio show “Ace & TJ” (with the late David “Ace” Cannon) now titled “TJ & Riggins” and
co-hosted by Bryan “Riggins” Weber. Ritchie says, “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and getting to do it on the legendary WBT is such a thrill. The timing is perfect because there are so many people who are just starting to become interested in the political landscape of our culture. Being ‘America’s Coolest Conservative,’ I’ll be able to engage them with a high energy, fun, and humorous show. It’s going to be spectacular. All of that AND I get to keep my day job!” WBT program director Mike Schaefer adds, “WBT’s history of night-time programming boasts some of radio’s biggest names – Bob Lacey, ‘Hello’ Henry Boggan, and ‘Charlotte’s Most Beloved,’ John Hancock. When the opportunity to add TJ to that list presented itself, there was nothing to think about besides a start date. We are beyond excited for TJ to bring entertaining late, live, and local programming back to Charlotte on WBT!”
iHeartMedia names Leon Williamson market president for the Memphis/Tupelo area. Williamson most recently served as market president and SVP of sales for the company’s Indianapolis operations. iHeartMedia Kentucky/Memphis area president Kristy Beebe. She says, “Leon brings a wealth of
experience and a proven track record of success in our industry. His leadership and vision will be instrumental in driving our continued growth and success in the Memphis and Tupelo markets. Leon is not only a seasoned professional but also a dedicated supporter of the community actively involved in various initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact. This passion for service and his strategic approach to market challenges make him the perfect fit for this role. I am confident that under Leon’s leadership, we will achieve new heights and continue to deliver outstanding results for our clients and partners.”
The most discussed stories yesterday (4/30) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump’s First 100 Days
2. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War / The Economy
3. U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal
4. DOGE
5. Russia-Ukraine War
In an op-ed piece published in The Daily Caller, FCC Commissioner Nathan A. Simington – with newly appointed chief of staff Gavin M. Wax – makes the case for American reindustrialization to effectively compete with China. He says, “Today, a growing fraction of China’s manufacturing strength
lies in its ability to deploy high-end, labor-light, automation-heavy processes at scale. It’s a productivity story now, driven by robotics, industrial AI, and, most crucially, advanced 5G infrastructure deployed as an industrial platform — not just as a consumer gimmick.” He adds, “Compare this with our own policy environment, where even the best private sector players are hamstrung by outdated regulations, capricious permitting processes, and the dogma that government shouldn’t pick winners — especially in telecom or manufacturing. That ideology might have made sense in the 1990s, but it’s lethal to the future of our telecommunications industry now, and in consequence, our manufacturing future.” See the entire op-ed here.
Last Saturday (4/26), iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God presented The Third Annual Black Effect Podcast Festival at Pullman Yards in Atlanta. They say, “For the third year in a row, the festival
brought together podcast fans and The Black Effect Podcast Network’s top talent for a day of live podcast recordings from network’s most popular shows including ‘Trap Nerds Podcast,’ ‘Good Moms, Bad Choices,’ ‘R&B Money Podcast with Tank and J. Valentine,’ ‘Naked Sports with Cari Champion’ and ‘Woman Evolve with Sarah Jakes Roberts.’”
The most discussed stories yesterday (4/29) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump’s First 100 Days
2. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War / The Economy
3. Deportations / Abrego Garcia Case
4. Trump vs Harvard
5. Canadian Elections
Afternoon drive talk host Tyrone Johnson exits Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “97.5 The Fanatic” after three years leading the afternoon drive show. Crossing Broad
reports that Johnson tweeted on Friday afternoon: “It was a good run. I regret nothing.” The story notes that Johnson – producer and co-host – took over hosting the afternoon show in 2022 after Mike Missanelli’s departure. The most recent iteration of the show included Rickey Bo and Sylvana Kelleher and Crossing Broad says the show’s ratings were on par with the station’s morning show ratings. Read the full story here.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America is thanking all of those in the broadcasting industry who have supported the BFoA’s mission. The organization says, “The ads that you run and the emails you
send on our behalf help us get the word out to radio and television professionals that the Foundation is here to lend a hand-up to those in our industry who need it most.” The BFoA created the 2025 BFOA Overview Video narrated by Deborah Norville and a second video featuring a BFOA grantee, the Toscano family that benefitted from the Foundation. See the Overview Video here and the Toscano family video here.
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump Approval Ratings
2. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
3. Colorado Underground Nightclub Raid
4. Deportations-Detentions
5. Pope Francis Funeral
Audacy promotes Jenny Nelson chief marketing officer. In this role, Nelson will oversee all Audacy’s
marketing efforts, including brand/design, research, B2B marketing/activation and corporate communications. The company says she will also continue to focus on sales enablement and supporting Audacy’s local and national sales. Most recently, she served as EVP marketing solutions & strategy.
iHeartMedia names David Hillman EVP, chief legal officer and secretary. Hillman will oversee all legal matters for the company, including the compliance, regulatory and corporate governance functions, as
well as the company’s Government Affairs, Business Affairs and Privacy teams. Hillman was most recently chief legal officer for Venu Sports. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “David has very relevant experience across a range of media businesses, as well as specific familiarity with the audio industry. We believe his wealth of experience will make him an ideal addition to the iHeart executive team as we continue to grow our momentum as the #1 audio company in America.”
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (4/21-25) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
2. Financial Markets / Fed Chair Powell’s Status
3. Russia-Ukraine War / Israel-Gaza War
4. Abrego Garcia Deportation Case
5. Pope Francis Dies
6. Google Anti-Trust Ruling/Meta Anti-Trust Case
7. Hegseth Signal Chat Controversy
8. Iran Nuclear Talks
9. State Dept. Reorganization
10.“60 Minutes” Producer Quits
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Xi Jinping
3. Jerome Powell
4. Volodymyr Zelensky
5. Kilmar Abrego Garcia
6. Pope Francis
7. J.D. Vance
8. Elon Musk
9. Pete Hegseth
10.Bill Owens
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
The most discussed stories yesterday (4/23) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
2. Russia-Ukraine War
3. Francis Funeral-New Pope Selection
4. “60 Minutes” Controversies
5. Trump’s Anti-DEI Actions