Iverson Joins Key Networks as Senior Account Executive
Key Networks appoints Mike Iverson senior account executive in which he’ll represent Key Networks’ clients, including Bloomberg Radio, to create new sales opportunities and revenue streams for the company. Las Vegas-based Iverson will report directly to Jason Wilberding, president of sales for Key Networks. Iverson
most recently served Ryan Seacrest Enterprises as SVP, sales and corporate partnerships. Wilberding says, “Mike is the consummate marketing and sales innovator with excellent relationships spanning his 30-plus years as a broadcast professional. I have worked with Mike at Viacom/CBS, Spanish Broadcasting and iHeart/Premiere, and have competed with him, as well. His creative approach to working with clients makes him an outstanding addition to Key Networks.” Iverson comments, “I’m excited to be a part of the incredible team at Key Networks and to work with a fresh-thinking, entrepreneurial company setting new standards for radio syndication with pre-eminent brands like Bloomberg Radio. It is energizing to have the opportunity to move quickly and effectively for clients in an environment that feels much like a start-up. I’m also thrilled to join forces once again with Jason Wilberding.”
Answer” and hosts the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon talk program on Cumulus Media’s KCMO-AM, Kansas City. He says, “I want to thank the Salem Podcast Network for bringing our podcast into their family of great shows. As a radio guy my entire career, I wasn’t sure how the podcast version would be received when we launched. Our advertising partners who invested in the show early as well as the smartest audience in the digital space have helped our young podcast crest four million downloads, and we’re just getting started!” Salem SVP of spoken word Phil Boyce adds, “Chris Stigall is a special host who has developed a unique relationship with a very loyal audience. We saw this when we brought him over to ‘AM 990 The Answer’ a few years ago, and we know he will have the same reaction from audiences nationwide with his podcast.”
Salem Media Group announces that the program “Mike Crispi Unafraid” officially joins the Salem Podcast Network. The daily show is hosted by television reporter, talk show host, and political operative Mike Crispi. Salem says, “During the 2020 election, he provided live coverage of political rallies and grassroots conservative events on Right Side Broadcasting. In the last year, he has hosted one of the most popular live shows on Rumble. He has worked on multiple campaigns at both the state and federal levels, including his own congressional campaign in New Jersey. Crispi comments, “It is a great honor to join forces with Salem Media. I have long admired their hosts, programming, and vision for the future of conservative media. This podcast has been a success since we started it last year, and I couldn’t think of a more genuine and authentic partner to help take it to the next level.”
The sharply satirical song “Idiots” from the forthcoming fifth album by heritage rock band Gunhill Road continues to gather an international following on the internet. Released in August 2022, the music video of the catchy song passed the 70,000 unique views mark this weekend on YouTube – making it the most-listened-to song in the 53 year old band’s colorful history since its 1973 hit single “Back When My Hair Was Short” (also a provocative social commentary). TALKERS founder Michael Harrison, who along with Steve Goldrich, Paul Reich and Brian Koonin, is a member of Gunhill Road and co-writer/lead vocalist for “Idiots,” says, “We are so grateful to talk radio for embracing this song and giving it an amazing amount of airplay – either in snippets or the entire piece – that has driven interest in the song, downloads on the internet and views of the video. Fortunately, the words and theme of ‘Idiots’ ties into talk radio’s topic menu, psyche and environment in a non-partisan, ‘equal opportunity offender’ way. I mean, who can stand the negative impact that widespread idiocy is having on our society, culture and democracy?” 
Carson’s program airs from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on WTSN-FM, Dover; WTPL-FM, Hillsborough; WEMJ-FM, Laconia; as well as two HD2 signals. Newsmax says the network reaches a combined population of nearly a million listeners. Newsmax Radio CEO Lee Kinberg says, “I know firsthand the power of Binnie Media’s talk stations and we look forward to working with their great team and bringing Rob Carson to one of the most politically influential audiences in the country.” Binnie Media VP of programming Michael Czarnecki comments, “In the world of talk radio, we find so much of the same programming. We are thrilled at the addition of Rob Carson as this move, along with the recent addition of ‘America at Night’, and the rest of our dynamic lineup, make for a unique form of talk radio. Offering educated discussions and different perspectives on the topics of each day.” Carson’s program is now airing in 16 rated markets. In addition to the radio show and podcast, “Rob Carson’s What in the World,” a humorous review of the week’s news, airs every weekend on Newsmax TV.
Jennings, CNN political commentator and longtime conservative strategist, who expands his current SRN program to 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. Salem Media SVP of content Phil Boyce comments, “This is an important moment for Salem. Salem has earned the trust of conservative audiences for decades, and we don’t take that lightly. Scott Jennings and Alex Marlow each bring a distinct voice, a rare 
ability to engage audiences, and real seriousness to the conversation. Together, they will carry the Salem legacy forward.” Meanwhile, “The Charlie Kirk Show” will continue as a podcast on Salem Podcast Network, and Salem Media will maintain its relationship with Turning Point USA. Executive producer Andrew Kolvet will continue as co-host of the podcast show. He says, “Salem has been so gracious through this process and even encouraged us to continue broadcasting the show on the Salem Radio Network. While ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ team is excited to continue the live show and podcast in other venues, ultimately we agreed that Alex and Scott were the perfect hosts to take over on the radio portion. Both are great friends and extremely talented broadcasters. We are also grateful that Salem Media Reps will continue to represent and sell the time inside the show. While some of the details around how we want to distribute the show will change, our friendship and trust in Salem does not.”
and #2 in most past surveys – are gone from the ranker entirely. With that change, iHeartRadio’s “Stuff You Should Know” is the new #1, with Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” at #2. Other changes for talk radio-related podcasts include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Shawn Ryan Show” rising five places to #4, Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” climbing two places to #10, and iHeartRadio’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” moving up seven places to #11. 
president of news/talk for Cumulus Media for nine years. Cumulus Media chief content officer Brian Philips states, “Bill is an esteemed leader, teacher and journalist. He possesses intellect, a gift for talent development and strict high standards. It has been our good fortune to work in the trenches with Bill during the overheated recent news cycle. Bill will always be our trusted advisor. We wish Bill great things in retirement and thank him for his uncountable accomplishments with Cumulus Media and our high-performing news/talk stations – particularly for his work programming our news/talk flagship, WMAL. His legacy is forever secure.” Hess comments, “I am grateful for these 48 years in the business I love, programming both music and spoken-word stations, and working with the most exciting and entertaining teams in radio. Concluding with the past 15 years at WMAL and Cumulus Media has been a true highlight.”
the multiyear deal, the Newsmax channel will continue to be available in YouTube TV’s Base Package. Newsmax SVP of distribution Andy Biggers says, “This agreement keeps Newsmax, the fastest growing cable network in the U.S., on YouTube TV, the fastest growing pay TV platform in the U.S., for years to come. YouTube TV have been great partners, and we look forward to continuing to grow together.”
rate increases. Cumulus argued, “Nielsen, a monopolist engaging in anticompetitive behavior, holds all of the power during contract negotiations, resulting in an unequal bargaining dynamic that is ripe for retaliation. For example, Nielsen can and has raised its rates significantly during negotiations. 
If identifying information is revealed to Nielsen’s businesspeople, Nielsen can retaliate with additional rate increases, resulting in manifest injustice to these third parties actively involved or who will be involved in negotiations with Nielsen.” After denying Cumulus’ request on December 4, Cumulus filed a supplemental brief and on December 15 Judge Jeannette Vargas agreed with Cumulus, writing, “Cumulus has established that sufficient countervailing factors – in particular, the privacy interests of these non-party declarants, the lack of bearing these narrowly tailored redactions have on the merits of this action, and the non-party declarants’ susceptibility to economic retaliation – outweigh the strong presumption in favor of public access to judicial documents.” 
station featured a strong anti-communist tone. Station general manager Mike Sena says the reason for the change is financial. “Like our beautiful city, Radio Mambí, its audience and the media industry are evolving rapidly, which presents financial challenges for many in the market.” The station is continuing to broadcast, airing archived programming, music, and Spanish-language broadcasts of the NBA’s Miami Heat and MLB’s Miami Marlins. The Miami Herald says staffers that have lost their jobs include Jorge Luis Sánchez Grass, José Luis Nápoles, José Carlucho, Lilliet Rodríguez and Lucy Pereda. 
At the very first CES in 1967, audio cassettes were disrupting 8-track tapes. Back to the future: Artificial Intelligence now threatens to disrupt almost everything.
If you missed yesterday’s webinar, look for the replay which will be posted today at 
The Problem Is No Longer Spotting a Joke. The Problem Is Spotting Reality
across documentary, entertainment, news, sports, and corporate audio.” NYFestivals EVP Rose Anderson adds, “The robust world of audio storytelling today is fully represented in the 2026 edition of the Grand Jury. From audiobooks to podcasts and video podcasts, from investigative journalism to live events, and from mystery to social justice, this year’s men and women of the jury volunteer their time and lend their expertise.” 
the top three remain unchanged – #1 “NPR News Now,” #2 “The Daily,” and #3 “Up First from NPR” – Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Shawn Ryan Show” climbs two places to #4. Other news/talk media-related podcasts of note include the “FOX News Hourly Update” falling two places to #6, “The Tucker Carlson Show” rising two places to #17, and Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” regressing eight places to #19. 
Andy Economos, the founder of Radio Computing Systems (RCS), was a leader in bringing digital tech into the radio industry. In 1980, he was leaving his position as head of technology for NBC Inc. to start his own company. I was EVP of the NBC FM stations. Andy and I were walking to lunch, crossing Sixth Avenue at 49th street and he asked me, “Is there any software your radio stations could use?”
co-host of “The Bottom Line,” beginning Monday (12/8). Brenberg will continue his role with the network co-hosting “The Big Money Show” alongside McDowell, Jackie DeAngelis and Taylor Riggs. Brenberg says, “It’s been great to work with Dagen on ‘The Big Money Show’ and I am excited to join her on ‘The Bottom Line’ where we can continue our conversations surrounding the biggest market movers and business drivers that are impacting Main Street, Wall Street, and everyday Americans.”
My introduction to Rush Limbaugh begins in the fall of 1992. I began listening to Rush’s radio show after seeing him campaigning on stage with George H.W. Bush during the 1992 fall presidential election. Bill Clinton would win the election and so would begin the greatest, media political rivalry ever between Rush Limbaugh and Bill Clinton. Rush’s middle America authentic voice was cutting through the mainstream media noise of the day from a generationally unique perspective. He was the perfect counterculture combatant to Bill Clinton’s political philosophy. Being a baby boomer myself and two years younger than Rush, I was immediately hooked on the EIB radio network!
MLB Network analyst, and founder/editor of MLBbro.com – is a finalist for the 2026 National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame Sportswriter (Living category). Winners will be notified the first week of January, and the awards will be presented during the NSMA’s 66th Awards Weekend & National Convention, June 28-29, at Grandover Resort & Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina. Parker says, “It’s an absolute honor to be considered with so many journalism heavyweights.”
from its WXYT-FM, Detroit 97.1 The Ticket – and its deal with Townsquare Media to air the format on Townsquare stations in Michigan. Now, Townsquare is flipping WFGR-FM, Grand Rapids from classic hits to sports talk as “Sports Radio 98.7.” Townsquare Media COO Erik Hellum says, “Townsquare Media is excited to bring such high-caliber, Michigan-focused sports programming to West Michigan. This is a big win for listeners who want strong, local sports conversation without having to rely on national networks.”
By now, a music station in your market – hopefully in your cluster – is all-Christmas-music-all-the-time, a great perennial franchise.
Running a successful radio station, hosting a show, or producing a podcast is a lot like hosting Thanksgiving dinner. You need a plan. You need to deliver something satisfying to a crowd with varying tastes. And most of all – if you get it right – you’ll have leftovers you can turn into even more value long after the main event.
former Milwaukee County attorney, and former Republican legislative staffer Todd Allbaugh are no longer airing. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Allbaugh announced his exit via social media and said the reason was budgetary – for “the long-term financial viability of the company.” Allbaugh noted that he was told of the change before his did his final show, adding, “They did not have to give me a last show. It was immensely appreciated.”