Industry News

“Talking Real Money” Goes Podcast Only

The Seattle financial talk program “Talking Real Money” – co-hosted by Don McDonald and Tom Cock – leaves its longtime home at Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM, Seattle “Northwest Newsradio” to continue as a podcast only. McDonald tells Podnews.net, “We’ve loved being on the radio in Seattle for more than three decades, but the podcast format is the future of broadcast audio, in the same way streaming is the future of television. Our podcast is the same show, the same conversations, the same advice, but our listeners can join anywhere, anytime, not just Saturdays at noon.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Your Local Advantage

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgSmall businesses often underestimate their greatest competitive edge. It’s not price. It’s not selection.

It’s localness. Big companies spend millions trying to sound personal and relatable. Small businesses already are those things – yet they often fail to exploit their advantage.

Common small business marketing mistake: Trying to sound big, speaking in an unnatural tone, a kind of “corporate costume.” It sounds like: “We are committed to excellence” or “Our mission is to provide unparalleled service” or “We pride ourselves on quality and customer satisfaction.” That’s verbal Styrofoam. Nobody talks like this and nobody remembers this.

Local isn’t just location

It’s a feeling. When customers say they prefer to “shop local,” they don’t necessarily mean geographically close, independently owned/noncorporate. Those things do matter, but they’re not the heart of it.

What customers really mean is:

  • “I feel like these people understand me.”
  • “They get what matters here.”
  • “They’re part of this place.”
  • “They care about the same things I do.”

Local is emotional

It’s relational, human. Show that you understand the place your customers live by referencing familiar landmarks, acknowledging local quirks, using neighborhood names, mentioning local events, speaking the way locals speak. Explaining that the advertiser is “just off the rotary at the bridge” tells would-be customers: “We’re here. We get it.” Big brands can’t fake that.

Tout personal service: 

“You can buy the same shed from Lowe’s or Home Depot, cash-N-carry. Buy yours at Lorraine Lumber and Paul Jr. will set it up in your back yard.”

This is the second installment in a 3-part series about optimizing commercial copy, the fundamentals we’re covering in Sales meetings as I visit client stations this spring. If you missed last week’s column, here’s “If It Doesn’t Matter to the Customer, It Doesn’t Matter.”  Next week here: “Anatomy of a Results-Producing Spot.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Koehl Named Senior Fellow at D2C. Longtime talk radio professional Corny Koehl, whose career includes positions producing Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Suze Orman, Satellite Sisters, and Harpo Radio, is named Inaugural Senior Fellow at The Dedication to Community (D2C) Justice Institute at University of Mount St.Vincent. In this new role. Koehl will play a foundational role in shaping the Institute’s mission to advance justice-centered communication, public engagement and narrative change.

Tom Donahue Show to Launch on April 4. Talk media pro Tom Donahue says his program Truth Matters will debut on April 4 and will transition from SRN satellite distribution to online streaming and podcast audio file delivery to stations. The show will still air at 9:00 pm ET Saturday nights via direct stream from K-Star Talk Radio Network and will be heard on Talk Stream Live, World Broadcasting Network, “930 AM The Answer,” and later Sunday nights on KCAA Radio.

Industry News

Top Podcasts Steady on Podtrac’s Latest Ranker

There was no movement in the top five on Podtrac’s February 2026 Top U.S. Podcasts ranker based on unique U.S. monthly downloads forimg participating networks. In order from #1 to #5 are NPR’s “NPR News Now,” The New York Times’ “The Daily,” “Up First from NPR,” NBC Universal’s “Dateline NBC,” and FOX Audio Networks’ “FOX News Hourly Update.” Other talk radio-related shows of note include DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” at #7 and Silverloch’s “The Dan Bongino Show” at #9.  See the complete chart here.

Industry News

“The Breakfast Club” Achieves its Highest New York Ratings Ever

iHeartMedia announces that the talk-intensive urban radio morning show “The Breakfast Club” hits its highest ratings mark in New York City in the show’s history. The program – also nationally syndicated via Premiere Networks – is based at WWPR-FM, New York “Power 105.1” and ranked #1 in Nielsen’s PPM survey in New York in January among Adults 18–49img and 25–54 with double-digit shares of 13.9 and 13.1, respectively. The show is hosted by DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God and plays an important role in urban youth culture. iHeartMedia EVP of programming Thea Mitchem states, “The Breakfast Club continues to set the standard for what a truly multiplatform powerhouse looks like. These record‑setting ratings are a direct reflection of the team’s talent, consistency, and cultural impact. DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, and our exceptional production and digital teams deliver a show that resonates deeply with audiences across every platform. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to the listeners of New York who make ‘The Breakfast Club’ a defining force in media.”

Industry News

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

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

Stories

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

People

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

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

Industry Views

Spring-Forward Show Prep

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgUnless you live in Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) or American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, your clocks will change when we “Spring Forward” on Sunday 3/8.

Every year, that one missing hour becomes a big topic of conversation. So, it’s an opportunity to flex your local radio advantage. Plan now to empathize with the emotional and practical adjustments listeners are confronting, including…  

Darker Mornings
Positive:

  • Later sunrise can feel cozy, especially for people who enjoy easing into the day.
  • Early-morning workers may appreciate the quieter, calmer pre-dawn hours.

Negative:

  • For many, waking up in darkness can be jarring.
  • Kids heading to school and commuters on the road face reduced visibility.

Longer Evenings
Positive:

  • More daylight after work boosts mood, encourages outdoor activity, and feels like the unofficial start of spring.
  • Families get more time outside; businesses tied to recreation, dining, and retail see a lift.

Negative:

  • Evening routines shift, especially for parents managing homework, sports, and bedtime.
  • People who work late may feel the day stretching uncomfortably long.

Sleep Disruption
Positive:

  • Some listeners welcome the psychological “reset” of a seasonal shift.
  • A later sunset can help night owls feel more aligned with the clock.

Negative:

  • Losing an hour can hit hard.
  • Many experience grogginess, irritability, and a few days of circadian chaos.

Health and Mood
Positive:

  • More evening light is a proven mood-booster.
  • For those prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, the extended daylight is a relief.

Negative:

  • The abrupt change can trigger fatigue, headaches, and short-term stress.
  • Sleep-deprived mornings can amplify anxiety.

Productivity and Daily Rhythm
Positive:

  • Longer evenings can inspire productivity, exercise, and social plans.
  • People feel like they “get their life back” after winter.

Negative:

  • Morning productivity tanks for a few days as bodies adjust.
  • Parents, shift workers, and early risers feel the strain most acutely.

Safety Considerations
Positive:

  • More daylight during high-traffic evening hours improves visibility and reduces accident risk.

Negative:

  • Darker mornings increase hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and schoolchildren.
  • Sleep deprivation contributes to slower reaction times.

Energy Consumption
Positive:

  • Longer daylight in the evening can reduce lighting needs.
  • Outdoor activity replaces indoor energy use.

Negative:

  • Darker mornings mean more lights, heat, and coffee makers running earlier.
  • Any savings are inconsistent and vary by region.

Impact on Schedules
Positive:

  • The seasonal shift feels like a milestone — spring is coming.
  • People use the change as a cue to refresh routines.

Negative:

  • Parents, pet owners, and anyone with a rigid schedule face a tough adjustment.
  • “Losing an hour” becomes a shared gripe.

So, What’s a Radio Station To Do?
This is where local radio can shine – being human, helpful, and hyper-local.

  • Songs about time: Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” etc.
  • Explain the history of Daylight Saving Time(NOTE: it’s “Saving,” not “Savings”).
  • Ask callers how they feel about DST. You’ll get strong opinions on both sides…and stories.
  • “What will you do with your longer evenings?”
  • Giveaways that fit the moment: Coffee cards, breakfast treats, outdoor gear, spring-cleaning kits.
  • Partner with advertisers: “Spring Ahead Specials,” etc.
  • Interview a local health pro about sleep.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: What Happened to Sex?

By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling Every Damn Night
Sterling on Sunday Syndicated, TMN

imgTalk radio has a long incredibly successful run of shows about sex.

SEX SELLS. What happened to shows on radio that talk about sex? In the olden days, numerous shows focused on sex and relationships. Traditionally, time liberates cultural tolerance of conversations about sexual intimacy. Television, films and print have progressed to broaden the variety of subjects welcomed by the audiences.

Our history was lusty:

Dr. Ruth Westheimer launched on WYNY-FM, New York in 1980 on Sunday nights for 15 minutes. She read letters on the air. Quickly the show progressed to one, then two hours taking live phone calls. GM Dan Griffin never blinked. The station was owned by NBC/RCA, which housed the original standards and practices department, a department, not a deeply disliked single corporate attorney. Every week NBC Standards visited my office (I was the EVP in charge of the division not some hack from finance) and Dan Griffin’s office. We invited Standards to share their concerns with Dr. Ruth directly. She was 4’11”, had two bullet wounds in her legs from fighting for the Israeli Army, and two PhDs. That suggestion sent the censors back to their martinis.

After one year, Dr. Ruth, a radio star, was on the cover of PEOPLE and represented by William Morris Talent.

To this day, no one has achieved a higher share of 18–34-year-olds than Dr. Ruth on WYNY. Dr. Ruth was brought to WYNY by Betty Elam and Mitch Lebe. We told Dr. Ruth to say “blow jobs” and “vagina” as often as possible.

Sally Jesse Raphael hosted a show on NBC Talknet for 14 years. Sally’s was a national show about personal relationships and sex. Previously, she had won audience shares on local stations, WMCA, New York and WIOD, Miami. Then she launched 19 years of success on TV talking about relationships and sex!

Dr. Judy Kurianski, Dr. Toni Grant, and Dr. Laura Schlesinger were major, highly paid stars from discussing sex and relationships in highly entertaining shows.

Many top talk stations added relationship shows to their schedule hosted by skilled broadcasters such as on WRKO, Boston’s “Two Chicks Dishing,” Mary Walter on New Jersey 101.5, and Erin Sommers on WTKS, Orlando… “A lot of my friends who don’t like anal sex really enjoy rimming.” Number 1 men 18-34 first book. And, of course, the legendary morning stars such as Bubba the Love Sponge, Steve Dahl, Stevens and Pruitt, and the king, Howard Stern.

Oh, and please no nonsense about advertiser sensitivity to sex talk. Brands are spending billions on “influencers” whose videos run next to images of extreme sex acts and TV shows celebrating drugs, nudity and other good stuff.

Sex talk equals women ratings, younger ratings, engaged listens.  This one’s easy.

Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.  He can be phoned at 646-678-1110.

Industry News

Sales Pros Join Key-United

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

Industry News

iHeartMedia Reports 2025 Q4 Revenue Up 0.8%

Releasing its operating results for the fourth quarter of 2025 and for the full year of 2025, iHeartMedia reports consolidated revenue of $1.12, billion, an increase of 0.8% over Q4 of 2024. For the full year of 2025, consolidated revenue was $3.86 billion, an increase of 0.3% over the full year of 2024. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the company says Audioimg revenue increased $47.7 million, or 14.1%, driven primarily by continuing increases in demand for digital and podcast advertising, as well as increased non-cash trade revenue resulting from strategic marketing initiatives. Multiplatform Group revenue decreased $19.2 million, or 2.8%, primarily resulting from lower political revenues, as 2024 was a presidential election year, as well as a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with continued uncertain market conditions.

Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman says, “We’re pleased with our fourth quarter results, generating Adjusted EBITDA of $220 million, at the midpoint of our previously provided guidance range, and our consolidated revenue was $1.1 billion, up 0.8% compared to prior year and above our guidance; excluding the impact of political, our consolidated revenue was up 7.7%. Our podcast momentum continues, growing 24.5% compared to prior year, above our guidance of ‘up in the mid-teens,’ and we have the number one audience in podcasting as measured by both Podtrac and Triton. In 2026 a major goal of ours is to return the Multiplatform Group to segment Adjusted EBITDA growth and we continue to invest in our broadcast programmatic efforts and working with partners like Amazon DSP, Yahoo! DSP and other to include our broadcast radio inventory on their programmatic platforms. We also see some of our recent announcements as validation of the power of broadcast radio, with companies like Netflix and TikTok coming to partner with us and our broadcast radio assets.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: If it Doesn’t Matter to the Customer, it Doesn’t Matter

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgYour prospect – or, worse, an existing advertiser with cold feet – says “We tried radio. It didn’t work.” Often, the copy is the culprit, because it’s inside-out.

Customers don’t care about the client’s process, or equipment, how many years in business, or its “state-of-the-art” facility. They do care about their time, their money, their children and grandchildren, and their safety and comfort and convenience.

 So, flip-the-script. Rather than reciting the client’s repertoire, solve the listener’s problem:

 Instead of: “At Smith & Sons Plumbing, we are committed to providing quality service with over 25 years of experience. Our trained technicians are available for all your plumbing needs including leaks, clogs, installations, repairs, and more.”

Say: “Got a leak? Call now and we’re on our way.”

Instead of: “At BrightSmile Dental, we offer cleanings, whitening, implants, crowns, veneers, and family dentistry. Our friendly staff is committed to your oral health. Call today for all your dental needs.”

Ask: “Do you cover your mouth in pictures? Or when you laugh? Let us help you smile with confidence.”

Instead of: “At ClearView Auto Glass, we repair chips, replace windshields, fix power windows, and handle insurance claims. Our technicians are certified and experienced. Call today for all your auto glass needs.”

Try: “Cracked windshield? We’ll fix it before it spreads. C’mon in!”

 Instead of: “At Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic, we offer wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, diagnostics, surgery, and emergency services. Our caring staff is here for all your pet’s needs.”

Say: “Is your dog just not-himself lately? Bring your buddy to us. We’ll have a look, and he gets a treat”

This is the first installment in a three-part series about optimizing commercial copy – the fundamentals we’re covering in sales meetings as I visit client stations this spring. Next week here: The Local Advantage.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Podtrac Releases Multi-Channel Podcast Ranker for January

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

Industry News

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

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

Industry News

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

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

Stories

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

People

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

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

Industry News

Salem’s Greg Clugston to Leave for University Post

Longtime Salem Radio Network White House correspondent Greg Clugston is leaving the radio network to join Communications faculty atimg Indiana Wesleyan University, effective July 1. SRN VP/news Tom Tradup says, “Greg is the consummate professional whose solid coverage will be sorely missed by our Washington Bureau and by our listeners nationwide.” Tradup says Clugston served on the White House Travel Pool and often traveled on Air Force One covering President Trump for SRN News.

Industry News

Jackson’s Daughter to Continue Premiere’s “Keep Hope Alive” Show

Premiere Networks announces that the long-running national weekend show “Keep Hope Alive with Rev. Jesse Jackson” will continue under the leadership of the program’s executive producer and host Santita Jackson, the eldest daughter of Rev. Jackson. Premiere Networksimg president Julie Talbott says, “We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson, and it has been an honor to work with him and his family throughout the past two decades of his ‘Keep Hope Alive’ radio show. Santita Jackson is uniquely positioned to carry forward his legacy and his unwavering commitment to community and social justice – values he championed so powerfully for listeners and stations across the country.” iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman adds, “Rev. Jackson has been a transformative voice in American life, and it was a privilege to work with him dating back to ‘The Jesse Jackson Show’ with Quincy Jones in the 1990s. We’ve valued our relationship with him over the years and look forward to celebrating his lasting impact on the national conversation and our culture – an influence that will continue to resonate for generations.”

Industry News

Salem Announces New Podcast with Author Danielle Gill

The Salem Podcast Network debuts a new podcast hosted by conservative author Danielle Gill. She says, “I’m launching this podcast to create space for thoughtful conversations about culture, politics, andimg Christianity. This podcast is an extension of the conversations I’m already having – about faith, family, and what it means to live with conviction in a liberal culture. I’m excited to bring those discussions to a wider audience.” Salem Media SVP of content Phil Boyce states, “Danielle represents the next generation of conservative voices. As Salem continues to invest in new talent and new platforms, her voice reflects both where the conservative audience is headed and the future we’re building at the Salem Podcast Network.”

Industry News

Salem’s Tom Tradup to Attend SOTU from Visitors’ Gallery

img

Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup will attend tonight’s State Of The Union address from the Visitors’ Gallery inside the U.S. House of Representatives, courtesy of U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK). Tradup tells TALKERS, “Over the years I’ve covered countless national political conventions and presidential inaugurations, but this will be my first time to see history unfold in-person during tonight’s Joint Session of Congress.” SRN’s live State Of The Union coverage will be anchored by Salem White House correspondent Greg Clugston and SRN’s Capitol Hill reporter Bob Agnew. Following Trump’s address, SRN will offer analysis and perspective from Salem personality and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins and former Congressman Ernest Istook (R-OK.) The network’s coverage will conclude with the Democratic Party’s response to the SOTU delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger.

Industry News

Civic Media Unveils New Talk Lineup for Four Stations

Civic Media announces a revamped news/talk lineup for four of its Wisconsin stations as the Civic Media Network programming will air on: WXCO, Wausau; WMDX, Madison; WAUK, Milwaukee; and WISS, Oshkosh-Appleton. The company unveils three new shows in the newimg daily lineup: “Daybreak with Brian and Jamie” airing 6:00 am to 9:00 am (starring Brian Noonan and Jamie Martinson); “The Jeff Santos Show,” airing from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm; and “Nite Lite With Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach” airing from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Civic Media vice president of product Aaron Carreno said, “We’re excited to refresh our programming with the addition of new radio shows and a continuous stream of digital content that meets audiences wherever they are. This growth reflects our commitment to delivering fresh voices, diverse perspectives, and engaging storytelling across every platform. By strengthening both our on-air and digital presence, we’re creating more opportunities for our community to connect, discover, and stay informed—anytime, anywhere.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: “What Matters Next” for Radio?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIf you work in radio, you’ve heard every flavor of AI anxiety. Some fear it will wipe out jobs. Others treat it like a super shortcut – cranking-out spots, promos, and proposals faster and cheaper. Kate O’Neill’s “What Matters Next” lands squarely in the middle of this tension, and its message is one radio people need to hear: AI isn’t the disruptor. Human behavior is. AI just accelerates the consequences.

The book’s central argument is blunt: The organizations that thrive in an AI-driven world are the ones that stay relentlessly human. Not sentimental – human. Curious. Adaptive. Willing to rethink habits that calcified long before the first smart speaker ever said, “Now playing.” That’s a mirror radio hasn’t always wanted to look into.

For decades, the industry has survived by optimizing the familiar: tighter clocks, leaner staffs, syndicated shows, templated production, and “good enough” digital. AI tempts some operators to double down on that instinct – to automate more, localize less, and hope listeners won’t notice. This book argues the opposite: AI punishes sameness and rewards originality. When every business has access to the same tools, the differentiator becomes the people who use them with imagination, empathy, and purpose. That should sound familiar. It’s what radio used to brag about.

O’Neill also warns against the other extreme, the fear-driven paralysis that keeps talented people from experimenting. AI isn’t a job eater; it’s a task eater. It clears the underbrush so humans can do the work only humans can do: judgment, storytelling, connection, and community presence. In radio terms: the stuff listeners actually remember.

Imagine a morning show that uses AI not to replace prep, but to deepen it, surfacing hyperlocal stories, analyzing listener sentiment, or generating alternate angles on a topic the hosts want to explore. Or a sales team that uses AI to tailor proposals to each client’s issues instead of reshuffling the same deck. How about a newsroom (remember those?) that uses AI to sift data so stations can spend more time delivering what’s special to listeners (and sponsors): helpful local news they can’t get anywhere else. None of that eliminates jobs. It elevates them.

This book’s most important warning is this: AI widens the gap between organizations that learn and organizations that cling. Radio has lived through this before – streaming, podcasting, social media, smart speakers. The winners weren’t the ones who panicked or the ones who ignored the shift. They were the ones who adapted early, experimented often, and stayed close to their audience.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry Views

TALKERS Magazine Enthusiastically Supports the 2026 IBS Conference in New York as its Presenting Sponsor

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

imgTALKERS magazine, the leading trade publication serving America’s professional broadcast talk radio and associated digital communities since 1990, is pleased to participate as the presenting sponsor of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference for the second consecutive year. The conference is currently underway in New York.

IBS NYC 2026 – America’s preeminent annual college radio and media gathering began last night (2/19) and continues today and tomorrow (2/20-21) at the Sheraton Times Square Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The non-profit, volunteer-driven, IBS has been diligently serving student broadcasters since 1940, and its services are needed today more than ever.

Campus broadcasting continues to take on growing importance as theimg radio industry (and its related fields) seeks to connect with and develop a next generation of professional practitioners as well as engaged audiences. TALKERS is honored to again provide financial support, encouragement, experience, and advice to the dedicated organizers of this very special event.

We highly recommend that radio and media professionals attend this dynamic gathering because the grass roots future of the field oozes out of its content-rich meeting rooms, exhibition areas, and hallways. It provides fertile ground at which to network with almost a thousand wide-eyed up and coming stars in both talent and management – the next generation of professional industry movers and shakers. From the high school, college, and university perspective, the fact that it continues to be a must-attend conference for dedicated students of communication and professional media hopefuls remains a self-evident truth. Here, in the early stages of the second quarter of the 21st century, everybody’s in show biz and everybody’s a star. To quote Ray Davies, “There are stars in every city, in every house and on every street.”

The skills of modern communication are a vocational necessity well beyond entering a career in radio, TV or podcasting. The abilities to produce a podcast, YouTube video, social media campaign, cogent press release, or “talk show” constitute a minimal level of modern age literacy needed in almost all fields of endeavor going forward.

Since its launch nearly four decades ago, TALKERS magazine has been a potent presence at the intersection of media creation, education, and accountability. That’s why our support of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference isn’t just symbolic – it’s practical.

The next generation of broadcasters, podcasters, digital hosts, producers, and media entrepreneurs is already building the future of this industry. IBS has been helping them do that – consistently, seriously, and without shortcuts – for decades.

Campus stations are often where experimentation happens first:

  • New formats
  • New voices
  • New distribution models
  • New cultural conversations
  • New technology
  • New legal frontiers

IBS recognizes that reality and treats student media creators with the same seriousness the industry demands at the professional level. This aligns directly with our TALKERS mission: supporting informed, responsible, creative media across emerging platforms.

We’re not simply sponsoring a conference.  We’re investing in the people who will define the next era of media.

For more information on the 2026 IBS conference, please click HERE.

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

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Anarchy Wins in Radio

By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling Every Damn Night
Sterling on Sunday Syndicated, TMN

imgI am pleased to be speaking this weekend at the IBS New York 2026 conference in New York City. Thank you, TALKERS magazine, for being the presenting sponsor of this important, timely annual event along with the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS).

Attention college students. I will help you get a job in radio because radio wants you and needs you. Call me any time at the number below but read this first:

You got a job and are now going to work at a radio station. You have an idea for a promotion or a promo or a new… anything.

You arrive at the station, and your idea goes on the air. Then get yourself coffee. All before 10:00 am.

No, that would not happen in any other medium. Local TV is the medium that could be spontaneous, filled with local audiences and hosts and entertainment programs but… it’s not! Local TV does local news. The cameras on set don’t move, the format for the newscast is determined by corporate. After the news, the prime-time schedule is determined by corporate. There will be no surprises, no ideas from you at all. “Hey, could you get me a coffee,” says the anchorman to you.

All before 10:00 am.

Movies? Great. You have an idea. You start writing a script.  Great idea. Send it to studio after studio. Rejection, rejection.

You get depressed. You start drinking. Rejection. Finally, you get a meeting with a studio. You’ve been in LA six years, finally a meeting. It goes ok. You drink more. Then you find an AA meeting in the Valley. Any Valley, it’s LA. After seven years, you get on-set to see every word you wrote changed by idiots who don’t get you. All before 10:00 am.

Radio gives you the most control of your creativity and your hard work. Idea? Yes, please. Get a job at a radio station and cause trouble. Challenge everything. Demand change. Many, many of the elements you hear on the radio are ideas I brought to life with co-workers. I rarely point that out, but it’s true. Your turn. Here’s the torch.

Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.  He can be phoned at 646-678-1110.

Industry News

Triton Digital Releases 2025 U.S. Podcast Report

Triton Digital releases its fourth annual U.S. Podcast Report for 2025 investigating how Americans are listening to podcasts across devices, platforms, genres, and demographics. Triton says, “Podcasting now reaches 53% of the U.S. population each month, surpassing the halfway mark for the first time and underscoring podcasting’s growing influence as a core channel for entertainment, information, and advertising.” Triton SVP, measurement product strategy Daryl Battaglia comments,img “Podcasting’s momentum strengthened in 2025, with audio remaining the foundation of the medium while video helped bring in new audiences. What’s most compelling is the diversity podcasting now delivers across content, platforms, and consumers. Triton’s report highlights where new listeners are engaging and how their evolving behaviors – including shopping and purchase intent – are creating a highly engaged audience that is increasingly attractive for brand investment.” One key finding from the study is that “consumption preferences vary sharply by genre. Categories primarily consumed via audio are Science (58%), History (56%), Fiction (54%), Arts (51%), and True Crime (50%), while Music (34%), Sports (32%), Kids & Family (31%), Comedy (30%), News (30%) skew more heavily toward exclusive video consumption. This emphasizes a need for differentiated content and monetization strategies.” See more about the report here.

Industry News

Compass Promotes Sperling to Director of Affiliate Sales

Compass Media Networks promotes Sydney Sperling to director of affiliate sales. In her new role, Sperling will help create the affiliate salesimg strategy and drive expansion across Compass Media Networks’ national audio portfolio. Compass SVP affiliate sales and content Nancy Abramson says, “Sydney has consistently demonstrated exceptional sales skills and a deep understanding of the affiliate marketplace. This promotion is well deserved and recognizes her ability to build strong partnerships and deliver results.”

Industry News

WXYT-FM and Detroit Lions Renew Broadcast Deal

Audacy sports talk station WXYT-FM, Detroit “97.1 The Ticket” extends its broadcast partnership with the NFL’s Detroit Lions in which it will continue to serve as the team’s radio home, broadcasting all pre-, regular and post-season games. Audacy Detroit SVP and market managerimg Debbie Kenyon states, “In Detroit, the Lions represent our resilience and our pride. We are honored to extend our long-standing partnership with the team, serving as the bridge between the field and the fans. This extension underscores our deep commitment to the team and to delivering the most authentic and highest quality game-day experience to the dedicated Lions fans across the region and beyond.” “97.1 The Ticket” will continue to air the “Lions Review Show” hosted by play-by-play voice for the Lions Radio Network, Dan Miller and “97.1 The Ticket” hosts Will Burchfield and Bob Wojnowski. Throughout the season, guests, including starting quarterback Jared Goff and head coach Dan Campbell, will make weekly appearances on the morning and midday shows.