Trump Selects Brendan Carr to be FCC Chairman
Last night (11/17), President-elect Donald Trump announced his selection of Brendan Carr to be the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Trump praised Carr as a “warrior for free speech” and someone who has “fought against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms and held back our Economy.” Trump further stated, Carr will “end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.” Carr is currently the leading Republican in the FCC. He is one of five commissioners leading the agency, all of whom are appointed by the president pending Senate confirmation. In response to the nomination, Carr thanked Trump in a post on X, saying, “I am humbled and honored to serve as chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work.” In a follow up post, Carr stated, “We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.” Carr was the central figure in the complaint against NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” for having VP Kamala Harris in a skit on the program without extending a similar opportunity to Donald Trump to remain in accordance with FCC rules to ensure equal time is granted on networks. At that time, Carr posted to X, “This is a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule,” he said on X. “The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct – a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election.” (EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the recent information being disseminated about broadcasting “networks” being licensed by the FCC has been misstated or misinterpreted by politicians and the media alike. For the most part, TV networks are non-licensed content providers. The licenses are held by the individual stations, groups of stations and their owners with whom they affiliate.)
NAB response to selection of Carr: In response to the announcement that Commissioner Brendan Carr will be named Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman, the following statement can be attributed to National Association of Broadcasters (NAB president and CEO, Curtis LeGeyt: “NAB congratulates Commissioner Carr on his selection as the next chairman of the FCC. Commissioner Carr has been a steadfast leader in holding Big Tech accountable and supporting policies that will allow local broadcast stations to better compete with these behemoths and thrive. We are excited to continue our work with the chairman-designate to level the playing field and remove regulatory barriers that impede investment in local broadcast newsrooms. Together we will ensure local television and radio stations can innovate and continue to serve communities across the country.”
WTOP Reporter Evan Haning Succumbs to Cancer at 74. Veteran news reporter Evan Haning, whose 50-year radio career included almost a decade as an anchor and reporter at WTOP, Washington, DC has died at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer. Haning’s career began well before his stint as a reporter at WTOP, from the early 2000s through 2011, and showed his flexibility as a broadcaster. Born in 1950 in Sydney, Iowa, Haning’s radio career began in 1970, shortly after graduating from Simi Valley High School, in California. Haning was in Los Angeles for the Boss Radio boom. In 1973, Haning joined KRLA Radio as a disc jockey. “He came to Washington when he joined WJOK in 1983,” his daughter said. Long before Comedy Central, WJOK was the first all-comedy radio format in the country. By the mid-1980s, Haning became the production director at WWRC, the talk radio station featuring hosts like Joel A. Spivak, Bob Kwesell, and the morning duo of Bruce Alan and Ed Walker. Haning is survived by his wife Melissa, daughter Amber, son Garrison, and two grandchildren, Matilda and Seneca. Memorial arrangements are pending.
SRN to Present Special Christian Series. Salem Radio Network (SRN) is presenting a special series this week spotlighting Dr. Erwin Lutzer (pictured above left). In interviews with SRN News correspondent Lori Tradup (pictured above right) Lutzer— Pastor Emeritus at Moody Church in Chicago—exposes what SRN describes as “the heart of America’s cultural crisis as it impacts pastors in pulpits nationwide.” In the series, Dr. Lutzer advises Christians to stay rooted in Biblical truths as they grapple with challenges including abortion, transgenderism and other topics. His newest book is titled The Eclipse of God (Harvest House, 2024)
Audacy’s WFAN 101.9 FM / 660 AM announces Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Dave Sims as the new lead play-by-play announcer of its flagship broadcasts of the New York Yankees. Sims replaces recently retired broadcasting legend John Sterling, who held the position from 1989 until his retirement this past season. Dave Sims will join Suzyn Waldman to form the franchise’s new radio broadcast team. “The radio voice of the Yankees is a storied position in the history of baseball,” said Chris Oliviero, Audacy New York Market president. “From [Mel] Allen and [Red] Barber to [Phil] Rizzuto to Sterling, the names are synonymous with the pinstripes. Dave Sims is a worthy successor to that lineage. We are honored to have Dave join the incomparable Suzyn Waldman in the booth in the Bronx.” “It’s great to be home,” said Sims. “What an honor to be part of the iconic Yankees franchise. New York is where it all started for me, and I can’t wait for Opening Day and to work with my good friend Suzyn!” Sims is a Ford Frick Award Baseball Hall of Fame nominee and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and has spent the last 18 seasons as the lead TV play-by-play voice of MLB’s Seattle Mariners. Sims previously hosted talk shows at WNBC-AM, WFAN-AM and the Madison Square Garden Television Network in New York and also spent time at WCBS-TV and the New York Daily News. Beyond baseball, Sims has covered the NFL for Westwood One and college basketball for ESPN. He also launched the “Hey Now! Podcast” with his two sons in July 2024. WFAN has served as the flagship station of the Yankees since 2014. From 2002 to 2014, games were heard on Audacy’s WCBS 880 (WCBS-AM). Games can be heard on WFAN and streamed via the free Audacy app and website within the team’s geographic region.
viewers, and CBS and NBC which saw 4.1 million viewers. On Election Day, FOX News Media’s primetime coverage of election night across FNC, FOX Network, FOX Business Network and FOX News Digital topped all television networks with nearly 13.6 million viewers and 4.4 million in the 25-54 demo. FNC’s “Democracy 2024” primetime coverage averaged nearly 10.3 million in total viewers and 3.1 million in the 25-54 younger demographic beating ABC, NBC, CBS and all cable news networks.
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) tells TALKERS they are thrilled to introduce Nikki Kuniej as the first mentee for the non-profit’s newly launched Digital Sales Mentorship Program. As director of digital strategy at Saga Communications’ Charleston Media Solutions, MIW states, “Nikki exemplifies the spirit of this program with her dedication to growth and community service. She brings a passion for driving strategic growth for local businesses.” Beyond her career, Kuniej is deeply involved in her community, serving as a Big Sister and board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry. She is active with the Charleston Chamber, where she contributes to the Regional Policy Committee, Thrive Ladies Networking, and the Regional Housing Coalition. Her contributions have not gone unnoticed; she was honored as a 2023 “One to Watch,” a Charleston Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient, and a 2024 recipient of the RAB’s “Rising Thru the Ranks” award. Supported by its sponsor, Beasley Media Group, this program will provide Nikki with invaluable mentorship from top digital leaders. As the 2024-2025 mentee, Kuniej will engage in monthly coaching sessions with a Digital Mentor and leading digital experts, gaining valuable insights and guidance to drive her career forward. 
“I am overjoyed to be selected as the MIW Digital Mentee,” says Kuniej. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to have personal access to such accomplished and high achieving women for a year. Heading into 2025, I set a personal goal to focus on professional development, and this is the ideal way to start the year.” “We are thrilled to support such an impactful mentoring program that underscores the critical role of digital innovation in our industry,” said Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff adds, “Nikki’s dedication to her professional growth and community service truly embodies the spirit of this mentorship. We’re eager to see the impact she’ll make as she continues to thrive in her career. With leaders like Nikki, the future of radio is promising – and with the support of companies like Beasley Media Group, our ability to offer meaningful mentorship opportunities is stronger than ever.” For more information on all MIW mentorship programs, please visit
(11/8) – Bertolucci as program director of heritage giant KFI AM 640, Los Angeles and Martin as EVP of programming, iHeartMedia Sports (which includes FOX Sports Radio) and PD of sports talk AM 570 KLAC, Los Angeles.After nearly a quarter century of exemplary service in these positions,
the ambiguous terms cited for the couple’s simultaneous departure do not mask the general industry observation that they were direct victims of the national radio cutbacks being affected by iHeartMedia as severe cost-cutting measures. Chris Berry, iHeartMedia EVP of news, will assume the role as interim program director of both KFI and KLAC.
Included in the cut – their show’s producer Terry Trahim, after more than 20 years of service to the station.
iHM SVP of programming for the Ohio-West Virginia area and PD /afternoon host of WSPD, Toledo has also been let go.
In San Antonio, although he remains one of the most successful syndicated hosts in American talk radio with a rapidly growing roster of more than 170 stations coast to coast, Compass Media Networks star Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo‘s local highly-rated afternoon show of 19 years at his flagship WOAI (where he is a market legend) has been dropped from the lineup as a cost-cutting measure. Pags is one of talk radio’s most notable rising stars and will undoubtedly be okay – but his departure from WOAI is indicative of the wrecking ball nature of these types of budget-cutting measures.
This presidential election cycle provided a number of insights, revelations, and takeaway lessons for news/talk radio. And by using the term “news/talk radio” I mean all spoken word platforms on the AM/FM dial including commercial, public, educational, and ethnic outlets that provide news, politics, and commentary. They are all RADIO.
moment.” Striegle tells TALKERS, “There are so many amazing memories. For me, what I will miss most are the people. Everywhere we go, we meet wonderful people, great race fans that tell us, ‘We have been listening to MRN for years…’ they always want to thank us for what we do. Without the fans, there would be no need for the Motor Racing Network.” “Throughout his time with the network Jeff has lent his talents to a number of positions around the racetrack before finding his way to the broadcast booth in 2013,” said MRN president Chris Schwartz. “His broadcast career began like so many others by working the public address booth providing the soundtrack for thousands of fans at his local racetrack, in Jeff’s case Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan. He has been involved with calling some of the sport’s most iconic moments, and it is fitting that the checkered flag will fall on his broadcast career by calling the final laps of another NASCAR Cup Series Championship.” Motor Racing Network will have flag to flag coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Sunday, November 10th beginning at 2pm ET. The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will be carried LIVE on approximately 300 radio station partners across the United States, the NASCAR mobile app, and at MRN.com. For affiliation in your area, contact Bob Quick, director, radio partnerships & traffic at Motor Racing Network by email at 
This drop is partly due to selling their Wilmington station and closing some digital businesses. Despite this, Beasley saw growth in digital and political advertising. They earned $1.2 million in operating income this quarter, a significant improvement from last year’s $85.5 million loss, which included large non-cash impairment costs. This quarter’s net loss was $3.6 million, much lower than last year’s $67.5 million loss, as Beasley reduced expenses and interest costs. Digital revenue continues to grow, now making up 19.4% of total revenue. Beasley’s CEO, Caroline Beasley, noted that digital transformation and political ads helped offset challenges in traditional radio advertising. She emphasized ongoing efforts to streamline operations, improve finances, and focus on their digital platforms. To see the full report please 
The Influencer Network leverages the growing impact of HRN’s syndicated personalities on their radio listeners and social media followers. “Radio personalities are the original influencers” says Clark Logan, President of HRN. “Fernando Fiore (a.k.a. Mr. Soccer), Ana Maria Canseco, Riva, (Los 40 USA) and DJ Xtreme are great talents. Their audiences on air and online identify with them while listening to their shows and reading the social posts in a lean-forward fashion. Brands can use association with these influencers to increase awareness and favorability of their brands with consumers.” For more information on the HRN Hispanic Radio Network, contact Clark Logan at 
KUT/KUTX, Austin GM Debbie Hiott has been elected to the NPR Board of Directors by NPR member station peers from across the country. Her term began yesterday (11/4) and runs through 2027. “It felt important to have a seat at the table at a critical time for NPR as it determines how to address challenging audience and underwriting trends, and how it will handle relationships with member stations,” said Hiott. 
“NPR’s health is our health, and vice versa. It’s important that the member stations and NPR work together on solutions to our audience and revenue challenges. I’m hoping I can help contribute to those solutions.”
Take advantage of the new media order. Initially, TiVo was a hit because you could pause live TV and go to the bathroom whenever you wanted. Bathroom breaks while watching live TV was a revelation. As you were going to the bathroom, your relationship with media was being re-wired in your brain. In a matter of months, you were able to watch what you wanted, whenever you wanted. DECADES of TV scheduling strategies became anachronistic. It’s November. Do you know when your favorite shows are airing on TV? No! No need you’ll watch them whenever you want!
WURD Radio Endorses Kamala Harris for President. For the first time in its 20+ year history, Philadelphia’s only Black-owned radio station, WURD Radio has endorsed a political candidate — Kamala Harris for President of the United States. Prompted in part by the decision from owners of the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post to overrule planned endorsements by their editorial boards, sources at the station tell TALKERS, this decision underscores the importance of independent media ownership. From the endorsement: “Our founder, Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., understood that the media has the power to shape perceptions, images, narratives and, most importantly in this election, to tell the truth. He understood that the media can demonize or humanize, destroy or exalt, diminish or elevate. Dr. Lomax knew that mainstream media often marginalizes, caricatures and maligns Black people. WURD is in a unique position to speak honestly and emphatically about what matters most to our community because we are independently owned.” To read the entire text of the endorsement, please 
SiriusXM Tips Off College Basketball Coverage with 74 Games on Opening Night, November 4. SiriusXM will deliver college basketball fans an extensive schedule of live games throughout the 2023-24 college basketball season, starting with a slate of 74 women’s and men’s matchups to choose from when the season tips off this Monday (11/4). The men’s schedule includes all 19 teams from the Associated Press Top 25 that are in action on Monday night, including the season’s first matchup of Top 25 ranked teams – #8 Baylor @ #6 Gonzaga (11:30 pm ET). The opening day schedule of women’s games on SiriusXM includes 12 teams from the Associated Press Top 25 and features a couple of Top 25 matchups – #20 Ole Miss @ #3 USC (noon ET) and #5 UCLA @ #17 Louisville (2:30 pm ET). Throughout the season SiriusXM listeners will get access to dozens of game broadcasts each week involving teams from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, Big East and more.
Newsmax Launches in France on Molotov. Newsmax TV, one of America’s most popular news channels, just launched on Molotov, one of France’s leading TV platforms, as U.S. voters go to the polls to pick their next president. The Newsmax channel went live on Molotov’s platform on October 24, 2024, expanding its global footprint with 19 million Molotov users in France and French-speaking territories. Molotov is one of France’s main TV services offering streaming television to internet users across the nation and its territories. Molotov subscribers can tune to Newsmax via the platform’s free tier.
Cumulus Media Inc. today (11/4) announced operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. Mary G. Berner, president and CEO of Cumulus Media, said, “During the third quarter, we delivered revenue and EBITDA in-line with pacing commentary and analyst estimates. Given the market challenges, we maintained our focus on what we can control. Specifically, we continued investing to drive growth in our digital businesses, including in digital marketing services which increased revenue nearly 40% in the quarter; capitalizing on areas of improvement in national and political ad spending; maximizing operating cash flow; and improving operating leverage through ongoing expense reductions.” Berner continued, “Looking forward, the advertising environment remains uncertain. Nonetheless, Cumulus has a valuable set of assets with which to navigate that uncertainty including: profitable and fast-growing digital businesses; a vast national platform that can reach audiences whenever and wherever they choose to listen; extensive feet-on-the-street local sales capabilities which allow us to walk product through the door; premium programming with particular strength in sports and news/talk; an extensive untapped audio library; and a leadership team with a strong track record of expense management and disciplined stewardship of capital. As we continue to execute against our priorities, we see many paths for leveraging these assets to maximize the value they produce for our shareholders.”