TALKERS News Notes
Through its partnership with BetMGM, Audacy’s BetQL Network will broadcast exclusively from the new BetMGM Sportsbook in Glendale, Arizona this week. The sportsbook is located next to State Farm Stadium, site of this year’s NFL Super Bowl. Audacy president of sports Mike Dee says, “We’re proud to leverage our partnership with our friends at BetMGM to bring sports bettors and our listeners over 50 hours of live, premier audio content – more than any other sports betting network – to get them ready for the biggest game in American sports.”
iHeartPodcasts and Storyglass are launching a new, eight-part podcast series, “False Profits: Hillsong,” a journey that dives into the Hillsong experience – “from Christian rock music to celebrity pastors and famous fans, to global status, enormous wealth, and shocking scandals. This series traces the rise and fall of Hillsong’s founder and peels back the layers of a culture of submission, exploitation, and discrimination.”
Audacy announces that Twin Cities news/talk WCCO-AM raised over $447,000 to benefit Second Harvest Heartland through its “Let’s Kick Hunger Day Radiothon.” The amount raised during the 14th annual radiothon held on February 2 brought the overall fundraising total to over $3.5 million since 2009. Audacy Minneapolis SVP and market manager Jeff Gonsales says, “Year after year, our fans open up their hearts to those in need. Lives are being impacted in significant ways, and we are incredibly grateful. WCCO’s long-standing partnership with Second Harvest Heartland means so much to us and to so many people who are helped by this community effort.”
Every radio sales presentation should start with one powerful number. This number – often found under the Sphinx – will dazzle any buyer, but is rarely revealed. The number is Homes Using Radio (HUR). Once upon a time it was part of the conversation. HUR shows how many people are using radio at any given time, a total number.
piece’s “background” information and premises. In the article, Harrison supports the observation that the sale of EVs constitutes a small fraction of the current automotive marketplace and it will be years before they achieve a critical mass to impact the health of AM radio. In the meantime, Harrison asserted at this morning’s meeting of the TALKERS editorial board, “There are far more immediate existential threats to AM radio, not to mention FM radio, with which the broadcasting industry must contend.” He points out, “Relevance and identity! AM radio being dumped from dashboards is an innocuous thing to worry about. FM radio will be dumped from the dashboard as well… the entire idea of a radio-exclusive appliance is on the verge of obsolescence… and we’re not just talking about electric vehicles – we’re talking about all vehicles! We’re faced with an all-encompassing computer system at the fingertips and voice control of the driver and passengers.” Harrison continues, “In the meantime, today’s media consumers are savvy enough to know how to find their entertainment and information brands via the combination of Bluetooth and smartphone. Thus, the challenge facing both AM and FM radio – two increasingly irrelevant designations – is to maintain the importance, distinguishability and brand of the medium itself – R-A-D-I-O – and not let it get lost in an endless ocean of options available to the potential audience.” 
advanced their field and made a lasting impression on the industry. “The Kalb Report” was created by Marvin Kalb in 1994 who partnered with former CBS Radio Network general manager Michael Freedman, who served as executive producer of the series for its entire 28-year run. (Freedman went on to become president of the National Press Club in 2020.) New York Festivals says, “During its nearly-three-decade run, the series has provided a forum for prominent newsmakers and journalists to discuss the news media’s impact on American democracy. The guest list included Supreme Court justices, civil rights icons, network news anchors, best-selling authors, members of Congress, and influential leaders from across the media landscape.” Trophy winning entries in the 2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards will be celebrated at the NYF Storytellers Gala on April 18 at the Centennial NAB Show in Las Vegas. 
of a diverse audience while continuing to illuminate Black voices.” Chief executive officer Alfred C. Liggins III says, “For over 42 years, Urban One has understood the need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, especially in sharing our varied experiences. We are proud to be a leader with the largest African American footprint in the media space. As the needs and concerns constantly evolve, we are dedicated to helping brands understand, connect, and best translate to Black and Brown communities. In our next iteration, iONE Digital will continue to be a catalytic force in media.” The company says, “iOne Digital portfolio focuses on key passion points and interests, including men’s and women’s lifestyle, sports, beauty, fashion, and entertainment. The iONE portfolio is comprised of Cassius, HelloBeautiful, MadameNoire, Bossip, NewsOne, GlobalGrind, HipHopWired, BlackAmericaWeb and Elev8; plus the social network for urban millennials, BlackPlanet, and three YouTube brands – The Fumble, Hollyscoop, and Nerdwire… Looking to the future, iONE Digital has also immersed their visual identity into the world of audio and podcasting by conceptualizing a ‘video first’ approach centered around the amplification of the all-new Urban One Podcast Network – a platform which iONE helps to fuel by bringing a wide range of podcasts to life.”
increase of 348,000 for the year, aided by a growing base of streaming-only subscribers. Net income for Q4 of 2022 was $365 million, up from the $318 million posted in Q4 of 2021. For the year, net income was $1.2 billion, down from the $1.3 billion reported in 2021. CEO Jennifer Witz says, “2022 was a strong year for SiriusXM, as we continued to focus on bringing consumers the best in audio entertainment both in-car and on the go, reaching record high revenue and record low churn. Our strong operating and financial performance in 2022 are a testament to our resilient business model and growing contribution from streaming, which helped us deliver 348,000 net new self-pay subscribers. In 2023, we expect SiriusXM to deliver strong operating performance and generate significant cash, even as we face a challenging economic environment and continue to make material investments in our technology infrastructure.”
Steve DeLusant says, “Victor and Travia are the perfect combination to lead our sales efforts for ‘Power 105.1’ and the WWRL 1600 AM ‘Black Information Network.’ Both 
Victor and Travia have strong experience and knowledge working in the multicultural space. I am excited to have them join our team and watch them take our brands to the next level. Their additions will position our team for long-term success at iHeartMedia New York.” Giacomelli joins the iHeartMedia New York team from Audacy Denver where he was the director of sales. Charmont joins the iHeartMedia New York team from Audacy Atlanta where she was a senior AE.
hosted programs at WFLA, Tampa; KHOW and KKZN, Denver; and WLS-AM, Chicago; among others. Salem Radio Networks VP news & talk programming Tom Tradup hired Marvin at WLS. He tells TALKERS, “I brought Jay to WLS in Chicago by helping negotiate his way out of a contract he had with Carl Gardner at WTMJ, Milwaukee. We added him 10:00 pm-1:00 am and he was an instant hit, billing himself as “Chicago’s lovable manic-depressive” who championed striking cab drivers and teachers’ unions… so unlike our other conservative hosts at the time. Fans even turned out by the thousands for his annual “JayStock” festivals in Wisconsin. Jay was one in a million.”
maximizing revenue opportunities, product acquisitions and original content creations for the company. AURN CEO Chesley Maddox-Dorsey adds, “Andy’s success in developing a vision and providing strong leadership for growing company-wide activities and strategies focused on generating, maintaining and increasing revenue is unparalleled. This is a well-earned promotion.” The company adds that under Anderson’s tenure, it has seen its station affiliations grow, launched the AURNGAMING division and realized various digital expansions including podcasts and programmatic marketing. 
consulting and development company. Prior to that, he was the executive producer of podcasts and audio for NBC News and MSNBC. Lickteig will report to Katie Hinman, CNN’s vice president of development. He begins on February 6.
In last week’s column, 
Holiday 2022 PPM Data – Information for the Holiday 2022 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
Stations at 70,695 AAS, with Audacy in the #3 position with 56,158 AAS, and Cumulus Streaming Network at #4 with 36,692 AAS. Other companies that stream spoken word content in the top 25 include #6 Beasley Broadcasting Corporate (16,506 AAS), #8 Hubbard Broadcasting (13,313 AAS), #10 New York Public Radio (10,356 AAS), and #11 Salem Communications(7,648). 
Barry Armstrong. The program is hosted by Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong and is heard on 14 affiliate stations. Wolfe began his tenure with Money Matters in August of 2014 after many years serving as the VP of programming and operations for sports talk WEEI and news/talk WRKO in Boston. Money Matters says, “Since joining Money Matters, Wolfe has led the growth of the show’s radio network as well as creating new content and sponsorship opportunities for current and prospective clients, negotiating all network contracts, and expanding the show’s digital footprint through a daily live video stream which can be seen on Facebook, Twitch and the show’s website.” In his role as COO, Wolfe will oversee all aspects of the company’s policies and procedures, including finance, network operations, sales, and marketing.
As The Beatles sang, “It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.” Baseball – even Spring Training while it’s still chilly in March – says “Here Comes the Sun.” That’s what baseball means… to listeners.
Minneapolis. Mansour most recently served the cluster as digital content director and air personality with “KFAN Sports Radio” and the Vikings Radio Network. Yang says, “AJ has always been at the forefront of digital innovation here at iHeartMedia Minneapolis. He is the root behind the success we are now seeing with our radio stations’ brands both digitally and socially. As we continue to expand our scale and reach, we couldn’t be more excited to have AJ join our sales leadership team to lead the charge for us.” Mansour comments, “I’m incredibly excited to embark on this new adventure with iHeartMedia Minneapolis as the new vice president of digital sales. My skills and expertise in digital and social content development along with the excitement and energy being pumped into the world of digital sales will offer unique opportunities and perspectives for our partners.”