Industry News

Bonneville Seattle’s Brynna Rogers First Woman to Engineer Super Bowl Radio Broadcast

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Bonneville Seattle broadcast engineer Brynna Rogers made history yesterday at the first woman in NFL history to engineer a Super Bowl play-by-play radio broadcast. Rogers engineered the game on “Seattle Sports 710 AM” and “KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM.” Prior to the game, Rogers said, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have to stop every once in a while, look around, and take it in – to remind myself that this is really cool and that not many people get to do this.” Speaking about what her duties are during the game, Rogers said, “I mix their mics, I EQ them, I add dynamics, and I apply compression and limiting. Everything happens in real time.” Rogers is pictured above with the Seattle Seahawks radio post-game broadcast crew.

Industry News

Beasley’s WBZ-FM Unveils Super Bowl Week Programming

Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WBZ-FM, Boston “98.5 The Sports Hub,” the flagship station for New England Patriots broadcasts announcesimg Super Bowl Week coverage that will emanate live from live Radio Row in San Francisco culminating with the official local call of the game. Station PD Rick Radzik says, “After an eight-year absence, ‘The Sports Hub’ is thrilled to celebrate the Patriots’ return to the big game with fans across the region. We’ll once again deliver the best coverage all week, capped by the best call of the game on Sunday. Pats Nation will be well represented in San Francisco, and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

Industry News

Dom Giordano Broadcasts Live from Eagles Super Bowl Parade

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Pictured here is WPHT, Philadelphia early afternoon host Dom Giordano during the station’s broadcast from today’s Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parade.

Industry News

Harrison and Neer Dissect Media-Pop Culture Elements of Super Bowl LIX

MH Interview

Harrison and Neer
Harrison & Neer circa 1970

Longtime WFAN, New York sports talk host Richard Neer is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Neer is a five-decade-plus veteran of two heritage Big Apple radio stations – sports talker WFAN (where he still hosts a show) and, before that, seminal album rocker WNEW-FM. He is the author of the landmark best-seller FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (Villard, 2001) and the popular series of Riley King detective novels. Harrison and Neer – whose friendship dates back to their days together in rock radio of the late 60s/early 70s – engage in a fast-paced, spirited conversation about the confluence of pop culture elements surrounding and emerging from the just-concluded Super Bowl LIX, dissecting its ratings, commercials, politics, music, customs, and social impact.  Not to be missed.  To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here. www.MHInterview.com

 

Industry News

Audacy Positions Itself as “The Ultimate Super Bowl LIX Audio Destination”

imgAs the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy has positioned itself to be the “go-to audio home” for football fans nationwide. With flagship stations 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia, the company is set to provide fans with in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and live play-by-play coverage of the big game on February 9.  Additionally, six Audacy sports stations and Audacy’s newly launched BetMGM Network will broadcast live from the radio row, to provide listeners the latest updates, expert insights, and exclusive interviews throughout Super Bowl week. And with Westwood One’s national broadcast on 20 Audacy sports stations, the plan is for fans across the country not to miss a moment.  Audacy tells TALKERS, “Whether on the air or on the free Audacy app, listeners can tune in for every snap, every score, and every story leading up to and following Super Bowl LIX.”  Please click HERE for more information.

 

Industry News

FOX to Air Donald Trump Interview During Super Bowl Pre-Game Show

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FOX News Channel chief political anchor Bret Baier will conduct a wide-ranging interview with President Donald Trump taped at Mar-a-Lago that will air during FOX TV’s Super Bowl LIX pregame show. The interview will air during the 3:00 pm hour. FOX says the interview will “focus on the changes the Trump administration has enacted since the Inauguration and the first 100 days of his presidency.” Additional portions of the interview will air on the Monday (2/10) edition of “Special Report with Bret Baier” on FNC.

Industry News

WSCR, Chicago Announces Winner of Super Bowl Ad Contest

Audacy sports talk outlet WSCR, Chicago “670 The Score” announces that Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar is the winner of its annual “Score Big For Your Business” contest. The restaurant will get a 30-second commercial during the station’s broadcast of the Super Bowl on February 9. The competition ran fromimg December 30 to January 19 and aims to leverage its on-air reach to help a local business brand, rebuild, or grow. Audacy Chicago VP of sports programming Mitch Rosen says, “This contest and promotion embodies everything ‘The Score’ truly stands for: live, local sports and, most importantly, the community. From the hundreds of entries we received, we know how important it is for the community to support local businesses. We’re excited to spotlight Heritage and share their story to help them grow and expand their business. Given the massive audience the game attracts on ‘The Score,’ our goal is to leverage every platform to maximize exposure for the restaurant.”

Industry News

Salem New York VP/GM Jerry Crowley Announces Retirement at Year’s End

Longtime New York radio market executive Jerry Crowley has announced that he will be retiring at the end of 2024.  Jerry CrowleyCrowley has had a long and illustrious career in New York talk radio.  He has served as vice president/general manager of the Salem Media Group New York – WNYM 970 AM The Answer and WMCA 570 AM The Mission – since 2013. Prior to that, he held key management positions for 18 years as sales manager and VP/GM at WOR, New York.  In an internal memo issued to Salem management and corporate staff (9/17), company senior VP East region Jeff Reisman states, “Jerry has been an integral part of our team since 2013, leading both WMCA and WNYM with visionary guidance and unwavering dedication. His remarkable leadership and unique skills have strengthened Salem’s presence in the New York market.  Throughout his tenure, Jerry has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend his gifts and expertise, fostering a positive impact on our NY staff, our [WMCA] ministry partners, and our local advertising clients. His commitment to excellence and his innovative approach has set a high standard for all of us.”  Reisman concludes, “There is only one Jerry Crowley, and we are deeply grateful for his 11 years of hard work and dedication. While we will certainly miss his presence and leadership, we wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.” 

Industry News

Westwood One’s Kevin Harlan to Call 14th Consecutive Super Bowl

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is the official network audio broadcast partner of the NFL and will present comprehensive live coverage and play-by-play of Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday (2/11) as the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs play the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Lasim Vegas. This will be the 51st time Westwood One will broadcast America’s biggest sporting event. Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties for the 14th straight year, with Super Bowl XXXIV MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner returning for the sixth consecutive year as lead analyst. Dean Blandino joins the radio broadcast booth as rules analyst. For the fifth time, Laura Okmin will patrol the sidelines, along with former defensive lineman Mike Golic, who returns for his third Super Bowl with Westwood One’s broadcast crew. Scott Graham and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty will host Westwood One’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage, with Devin’s twin brother and fellow Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty and former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker also contributing to the pregame coverage.

Industry News

Stoney to Exit WXYT-FM, Detroit After the Super Bowl

Longtime Detroit sports talk personality Mike Stone, a.k.a. Stoney, announced to listeners this morning (8/23) that he will leave Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” after the Super Bowl in February. He co-hosts the morning drive show with Jon Jansen. Stoney told his audience he hopes theim Super Bowl will include the Lions, “There is nothing like an NFL run and nothing like knowing your team has a legitimate chance to get to the Super Bowl. I don’t know if they do, but I think it could be the start of a yearly thing. Them getting to the Super Bowl in my last year of doing the morning show, it would be unbelievable. I’d consider myself the lucky charm.” The 64-year-old Stone has been on Detroit sports radio since helping launch the format on WDFN-AM, Detroit in the early 1990s. Stone says he’ll stay with the station as a fill-in host for two more years.

Industry News

Westwood One Announces Radio Talent for Super Bowl LVII Coverage

This Sunday (2/12), CUMULUS MEDIA’s Westwood One produces its 50th championship game as the official network audio broadcast partner of the National Football League. When the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles face off at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties for the 13th straight year, and Kurt Warner returns for the fifth consecutive year as lead analyst. Gene Steratore will also join the radio broadcast booth. For the fourth time, Laura Okmin will patrol the sidelines, along with former defensive lineman Mike Golic, who returns for his second Super Bowl with Westwood One’s broadcast crew. Scott Graham anchors the pregame, halftime, and postgame shows and Ryan Harris provides pregame, halftime, and postgame analysis. Gameday coverage begins at 2:00 pm ET with “Super Bowl Preview,” co-hosted by Scott Graham, Mike Golic, and Kurt Warner, followed by “Super Bowl Insider” at 3:00 p.m. ET with Scott Graham, Jason McCourty, and Ian Rapoport.

Industry Views

Talk Radio Mile Markers

By Pamela Garber, LMHC
Grand Central Counseling Group
New York

imgIn a piece I recently wrote for TALKERS I encouraged talk show hosts and producers to book more guests from the mental health profession to provide much-needed relief from the alarming level of anxiety afflicting American society. Since then, the non-stop news cycle, replete with the media pushing people’s buttons to keep them sucked in, has me further convinced this need would benefit the medium as well as the public. Win-win.

People today are negatively impacted by fear, pressure, disgust and confusion. Pressure to keep up with runaway technology. Fear of crushing financial responsibilities and institutional betrayal. Anger over ever-lurking danger from scams, identity theft, and violent assault on the street. Confusion over rapidly changing values, diminishment of ethics, and contentious relationships.

The result: talk radio listeners (as well as potential ones) are drowning in anxiety.

Where does the tumult of an increasingly noisy and uncertain world reach a daily crescendo?  On news/talk radio, of course. That unto itself is not a bad thing. The airing of news and views in the public marketplace of ideas is both therapeutic and a healthy exercise of our First Amendment rights. It is also grimly entertaining.

However, as both a therapist in practice for over two decades and a guest on many talk show interviews, I strongly believe that people need an occasional “spoonful” of relief to “help the medicine go down.” It’s not that I’m advocating sugar coating the content. But even just acknowledging the problems real people are facing from a human perspective can alleviate pain.

Mile markers to the rescue

My experience as a running enthusiast evokes a talk radio reference to the “mile markers” that dot the paths of long-distance races.

It was at mile 18 in the New York Marathon when I first yearned for a mile marker. Mile markers are those coveted little stations along the running races where everyone who extends their arm to offer runners a cup of water or Gatorade is Florence Nightingale to each participant who grabs the “reward.”

A little mile marker has such a big impact on going the distance in races (and in life). Life is hilly, sometimes suddenly downhill, with sprints and injuries, struggling to keep pace, and pretending to be slow. Mile markers in real life give us a boost.  That occasional mental health expert popping up every now and then as a news/talk radio element can put things in context, offer solutions, and stop the spread of those deadly words: “I can’t listen to this anymore; It make me too anxious.”

Check out this talk radio hit, “Close My Ears,” by Gunhill Road by clicking here.

Pamela Garber, LMHC is a practicing therapist based in NYC and South Florida and a longtime guest mental health commentator on radio and television news programs across the nation. She can be contacted by phone at 646-745-6709 or email at Pamelagarber@gmail.com.  Her website is Grandcentralcounselinggroup.com.

Industry News

WJR’s Jamie Edmonds to Take Leave to Battle Breast Cancer

WJR, Detroit morning drive co-host Jamie Edmonds announces to listeners that she will be taking a leave of absence after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Cumulus Media notes on the WJR website that Edmonds shared the news during the program yesterday, “explaining that her absence from some recent shows had been related to her health and imgtreatment schedule. Edmonds, 42, said the diagnosis came unexpectedly about two months ago and described it on the air as a ‘total gut punch.’ A mother of a young daughter, she acknowledged the fear that followed the discovery but said she is confident in her care team and treatment plan at Henry Ford Health. Edmonds told listeners she has already begun chemotherapy and believes she will get through the process.” Edmonds says her oncologist emphasized the importance of consistent sleep and recovery during chemotherapy. She made clear that the change is temporary and that she plans to remain connected to WJR and its audience as she is able while focusing on her health.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Why Local Media Still Moves Communities

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIn “When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows” (Scribner) cognitive scientist Steven Pinker unpacks a deceptively simple idea: Society runs on common knowledge. Not just what people know individually, but what they know OTHERS know-they-know.

Read that again, aloud. It describes the invisible wiring that drives humans to coordinate, trust, cooperate, and sometimes revolt.

If that sounds abstract, it shouldn’t. Radio and television are the most powerful common knowledge machines ever invented. And in an era when media fragmentation has turned audiences into isolated microtribes, broadcasters who understand Pinker’s point gain a strategic advantage.

Broadcasting creates the “Shared Reality” communities run on

When a radio or TV station says, “Schools are closed,” that’s not just information. It’s a signal that everyone else in town heard the same thing. That shared certainty is what lets a community move in sync. Pinker reckons that this is the essence of coordination: people don’t just act on facts – they act on what they believe others believe.

This is why broadcasters remain indispensable during storms, emergencies, elections, and civic moments. Digital platforms can inform individuals. Only broadcasting can inform everyone at once, and – crucially – make it known that everyone else heard it too.

Trust and legitimacy flow from common knowledge

Pinker notes that institutions derive their authority from shared understanding. Money works because everyone knows everyone else accepts it. Laws work because everyone knows everyone else knows the rules.

Local broadcasters occupy that same psychological space.

A trusted anchor or morning host doesn’t just deliver news – they confer legitimacy. When they say, “Here’s what’s happening,” they’re not merely reporting; they’re establishing the community’s shared frame of reference. In a fragmented media world, that’s gold.

Dueling Realities: FOX News vs MSNow

Inside each bubble, people know what everyone-like-them knows. When national narratives clash, local broadcasters become the last shared reality left.

Local radio and TV, by contrast, still operate in the realm Pinker describes: weather, schools (and EVERYTHING ELSE that triggers a parent’s concern), roads, emergencies, local elections, shared rituals and routines. These are not ideological. They’re lived. Local broadcasters still produce the kind of common knowledge that makes a town function. Cable networks and partisan talk radio produce the kind that makes a tribe feel coherent.

Local broadcasting is still where a community becomes a community.

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 Uncategorized

Allen Sliwa Named PM Drive Co-Host at KGB-AM, San Diego

iHeartMedia San Diego’s KGB-AM “Sports 760” appoints Allen Sliwa co-host of the afternoon drive show alongside Jon Schaeffer. “Schaefferimg and Sliwa” airs daily from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Sliwa most recently served with the Los Angeles Lakers Radio Network. Station PD Mary Ayala says, “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Allen to our team. His experience, sports knowledge and natural connection with listeners make him an outstanding addition to our station. Pairing Allen with Jon creates a team we believe will deliver one of San Diego’s premier sports talk shows.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: “Tell Me What Happened”

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgGood News/Bad News: Fender‑benders, slip‑and‑falls, and other “injuries caused by the negligent, careless, or reckless actions of others” will always happen. That’s the good news…for personal injury attorneys. Their bad news is that supply WAY-exceeds demand, and their advertising reflects it.

It all looks the same. The billboards are interchangeable: a headshot and a promise of six-figure settlements. When everyone is saying the same thing, differentiate with gimmicks. TV spots are either goofy shtick or tough-guy talk. Where I live, “The Heavy Hitter” has a phone number jingle Southern New Englanders can sing from memory. Competitors’ numbers are even easier, 444-4444 and 777-7777.

If you will be in Las Vegas for the NAB Show, turn on local TV there. You will howl. Some firms pitch “we charge less,” like a radio station dropping trou’ on rate to grab the whole buy. And there are the nationally syndicated spots, customized for local firms, in which cartoonishly terrified insurance executives beg to settle. Or the hard-boiled attorney threatens to “beat them in court.” Baloney! A jury trial is the last thing most personal injury firms want. Too time consuming, too risky.

Like radio’s, a lawyer’s inventory is perishable. We can’t monetize yesterday’s unsold avail. And lawyers can’t add the client who didn’t come in yesterday for that free, no obligation consultation. No “intake,” no sale. Which is exactly why they should be using radio.

“The lawyer is in, the meter is off” is the proposition when attorneys host brokered weekend talk shows and take listener calls. No look-alike billboard or tacky TV spot can humanize the attorney – and demonstrate comforting counsel – like eavesdropping on a conversation with a caller’s relatable situation. So instead of slogans or shouting about settlements, build the client’s message around four words that are turning callers into clients on weekend talk radio: “Tell me what happened.”

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

Uncategorized

Tom Barnard Announces Alhzeimer’s Diagnosis

Legendary Twin Cities radio personality Tom Barnard announces to his podcast audience that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The former morning host on rock KQRS-FM, Minneapolis has beenimg hosting “The Tom Barnard Podcast” since leaving the station in December of 2022. On the podcast, Barnard was joined by family members including his wife and podcast co-host Kathryn Brandt who said they began to have concerns about Barnard’s health shortly after he retired from KQRS. Barnard says he’s been undergoing treatment that has had a positive effect on him, but he acknowledges that there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s.

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

Job Opportunity

WVMT, Burlington Seeks PD/Talk Host

Sison Broadcasting’s news/talk WVMT-AM/W242BK in Burlington, Vermont is looking for a program director/talk host. The company says, “Do you have a passion for compelling conversation? Do you live andimg breathe talk radio? We’re looking for a program director to lead our talk radio stations to the next level.

This position requires the talent to host a conservative talk show while overseeing all aspects of programming, talent development, and content strategy for both our news/talk and sports stations. You’ll drive ratings growth, strengthen audience engagement, and ensure our stations remains trusted and influential voices in the community.

Our candidate will have some level of talk radio experience, strong leadership skills and the ability to adapt to Vermont and Upstate New York.  You’ll need to be a quick study and learn the politics of our market while maintaining an understanding of current events nationally.  Experience with digital content strategy including podcasts, streaming and social media is a must.  Experience and knowledge of VT/NY is a big plus but not an absolute necessity.

This position offers a decent starting salary for the market, a nice benefits package and a four-season lifestyle in a beautiful area of New England.  This is an in-market position.

Please send a copy of your resume along with applicable aircheck to operations manager Ted Richards at ted@star929.com.

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

Reckless Disregard in the Age of AI: What Verification Now Requires

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

imgAI is now embedded in the modern newsroom. Not as a headline, not as a novelty, but as infrastructure. It drafts outlines, summarizes complex reporting, surfaces background details, and accelerates prep for live conversations. For media creators operating under relentless deadlines, that efficiency is not theoretical. It is practical and daily.

That reality raises a quiet but consequential legal question. When AI contributes to your research, what does verification now require?

Professional hosts are not reading raw chatbot answers on air and calling it journalism. That caricature misses the real issue. What is actually happening is subtler and far more common.

AI now sits inside research workflows. Producers use it for background. Hosts use it to summarize reporting. Teams use it to outline controversies or draft rundowns. Most of the time, it works. Sometimes, however, it invents.

When that invention involves a real person and a serious allegation, the legal analysis looks familiar.

For public figures, defamation requires proof of actual malice – knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth. For private figures, negligence is usually enough. In both cases, the focus is not on the tool. It is on the content creator’s conduct.

AI does not change the elements. It changes the context in which reasonableness is judged.

Courts have long held that repeating a defamatory statement can create liability, even if someone else said it first. If you rely on a blog, and that blog relied on AI, and the allegation is false, the question becomes whether your reliance was reasonable.

Was the source reputable? Was the claim inherently improbable? Were there obvious red flags?  Was contradictory information readily available?

AI’s reputation for “hallucinating” facts now forms part of that backdrop. Widespread awareness that these systems can fabricate citations, merge identities, or invent accusations becomes relevant when a court evaluates your verification choices.

This does not mean using AI indicates reckless disregard. It means using AI does not excuse skipping verification when the stakes are high.

The more specific and damaging the claim, the greater the duty to confirm it through independent, reliable sources. Not another prompt. Not a circular reference to the same unverified blog. Rather, a primary record, official statement, or established reporting.

Documentation matters. If challenged, being able to show that you checked multiple sources before broadcast can be decisive.

None of this is new doctrine. What is new is how seamlessly AI blends into ordinary research habits. That integration makes it easier to forget that the legal question is still about human judgment.

The law will not ask whether your workflow was efficient. It will ask whether your conduct was reasonable under the circumstances.

In the age of AI, verification is not a courtesy. It is risk management.

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@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry Views

If the Bot Lies, Who Pays?

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

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A reporter recently asked a clean question with sharp edges: “Who is responsible when an AI defames someone?”
It sounds futuristic. It isn’t. It’s a standard defamation analysis dressed in new technology.
The most publicized early test involved radio host Mark Walters, who sued OpenAI after ChatGPT falsely stated he had been accused of embezzlement. The case was dismissed in federal court in Georgia in 2024. The court concluded the complaint did not plausibly allege the required level of fault. No federal appellate court has yet imposed defamation liability on an AI developer for a hallucinated statement alone.
That matters.
Defamation still requires a false statement of fact, publication to a third party, fault, and damages. An AI system cannot form intent. It cannot know falsity. It is not a legal person. But an AI output can absolutely contain a false statement about a real individual.
Courts will not ask whether “the AI defamed.” They will ask who published the statement.
Publication is broader than many assume. It does not require a broadcast tower. It requires communication to at least one third party. If a chatbot produces a false statement visible only to the person who prompted it and that person is the subject of the statement, there is typically no publication. The moment that output is emailed, posted, quoted, aired, or incorporated into a script, publication is satisfied.
The AI session itself is not the problem. Distribution is.
That is where fault enters the picture.
For public figures, plaintiffs must prove actual malice: knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth. “The computer said it” is not a defense. If a host repeats a serious allegation generated by a system widely known to hallucinate and fails to verify it, a plaintiff will argue reckless disregard. For private figures, negligence is usually enough. Failing to check an AI-generated accusation against readily available sources may meet that standard.
The technology does not lower the bar. Nor does it create a new type of immunity. It simply changes the source of the words.
The unsettled frontier is developer exposure under Section 230 and product liability theories. Courts have not yet produced a controlling appellate decision holding a model developer liable in defamation solely because a model generated a false statement. That question remains open, but it is not yet answered in plaintiffs’ favor.
Here is the practical reality for media professionals.
An AI can generate the sentence.
You are the one who makes it public.
That’s where liability is found.
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@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.
Industry News

Seattle Sports Brings Back “The John Schneider Show”

Bonneville’s  KIRO-AM “Seattle Sports” announces the return of “The John Schneider Show,” the exclusive weekly program featuring Seattle Seahawks EVP and general manager John Schneider. The show airs beginning today (2/19) and every Thursday through the NFL Draft in April. Schneider joins hosts Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton on “Wyman & Bob” for in-depth conversations about the Seahawks’ offseasonimg following their Super Bowl LX win, roster-building strategy, draft preparation, and the evolving landscape of the NFL. “Seattle Sports” program director Kyle Brown comments, “In the wake of an unforgettable Super Bowl run, we’re excited to give fans even deeper access to the leadership guiding the Seahawks into their next chapter. John’s perspective on team-building, the draft, and what it takes to construct a championship roster will be invaluable as the Seahawks look to build on the momentum of their 2026 title.”

Industry News

Audacy PA Stations Win 12 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards

Audacy is celebrating its Pennsylvania radio stations that received 12 Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters 2026 Excellence inimg Broadcasting Awards. Stations honored include: NewsRadio WILK, Wilkes-Barre for “Special Edition – Paul Miller’s Law”; KYW Newsradio, Philadelphia for “I’m Listening”; SportsRadio 94WIP, Philadelphia for “WIP: Philadelphia Eagles Championship Parade Coverage” & “WIP: Coverage of Super Bowl LIX”; and KDKA Newsradio, Pittsburgh for “The Colin Dunlap Show.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 9-13, 2026)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (2/9-13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. ICE Operations / End of Minnesota Surge
  2. The Economy / Record Dow / Jobs Report / Falling Crypto
  3. The Epstein Files / Bondi Testimony
  4. Super Bowl Aftermath / Bad Bunny
  5. House Canada Tariffs Vote
  6. Olympics / Political Statements
  7. Artificial Intelligence
  8. U.S.-Iran Tensions
  9. Nancy Guthrie Case
  10. El Paso Anti-Drone Laser Incident

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Jeffrey Epstein
  3. Pam Bondi
  4. Howard Lutnick
  5. Bad Bunny/ Kid Rock
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. J.D. Vance / Hunter Hess
  8. Benjamin Netanyahu
  9. Savannah Guthrie / Nancy Guthrie
  10. Sean Duffy

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

Industry News

Report: Jim Miller Gone from SiriusXM NFL Channel Under Mysterious Circumstances

According to a report from Awful Announcing, sports talk host Jim Miller is no longer co-hosting the SiriusXM NFL Radio channel’s “Movin’ the Chains with Pat Kirwan.” Kirwan and Miller were supposed to work together from Super Bowl week in San Francisco, but Miller was noticeably absent,img causing listeners to speculate about his status. Earlier this week Kirwan addressed the matter saying, “As most of you have noticed, Jim Miller was not with us last week at the Super Bowl. We’re going to let all of you know, today, that Jim is no longer a member of the SiriusXM team. We’re grateful for all of Jim’s insights and contributions through his many years on SiriusXM, and I’m personally grateful to have him as my on-air teammate for a long time. I wish him the best going forward, as all of you will as well. For the sake of Jim, we should leave this subject as it is and hope and pray that he gets on with his life and things go well.”

Industry News

Salem Promotes Mosher in Pittsburgh; Names Cuddihy GSM

Salem Media promotes Jason Mosher to regional general manager overseeing the Pittsburgh and Atlanta markets and brings Dave Cuddihy aboard as general sales manager for the company’s Pittsburgh radio and digital operations that includes news/talk WPGP-AM “The Answer.” Cuddihy most recently served as publisher of the Latrobe Bulletin and Ligonier Echo in Westmoreland County. The company says he bringsimg more than two decades of proven media and advertising leadership, along with deep-rooted relationships throughout the Pittsburgh business community. Salem president of broadcast media Allen Power says, “We are excited to combine Jason’s leadership track record at Salem with Dave’s deep market knowledge of Pittsburgh. They are focused on growing our sales team in the market with a commitment to providing outcome-based solutions for advertisers.” Mosher is based in Salem Media’s Atlanta office. He has been with Salem Media for six years and was recently promoted from regional sales director where he led sales efforts for Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Cleveland.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (2/9)

The most discussed stories yesterday (2/9) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. ICE Operations / DHS Funding
  2. The Epstein Files / Maxwell Clemency Request
  3. U.S.-Iran Tensions
  4. Super Bowl Aftermath / Bad Bunny
  5. Olympics / Nancy Guthrie Case
Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (2/7-8)

The most discussed stories over the weekend (2/7-8) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. The Epstein Files
  2. ICE Operations / Protests
  3. Super Bowl 60 / Bad Bunny Halftime Show
  4. Olympics / Athletes Criticize Trump Policies
  5. Measles Outbreak-Vaccine
Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 2-6, 2026)

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

Stories

  1. Trump ICE Activities, Policies and Backlash
  2. Epstein Files Revelations
  3. The Economy / Inflation / Interest Rates / Tariffs
  4. U.S.-India Trade Agreement
  5. Trump Floats Controversial Election Reform / FBI Raids GA Election Headquarters
  6. Middle East Tensions – Iran – Gaza / Russia-Ukraine War
  7. Trump’s Health Concerns – POTUS Poops Pants at Presser
  8. Nancy Guthrie Missing
  9. Measles Outbreak
  10. Melania Movie / Pre Superbowl Hype, Speculation, and Politics / Trump to “Renovate” Kennedy Arts Center

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Kristi Noem / Gregory Bovino / Tom Homan / Pam Bondi
  3. Jeffrey Epstein / Ghislaine Maxwell / Bill and Hillary Clinton / Melania Trump / Tulsi Gabbard
  4. Alex Pretti / Renee Good
  5. Jerome Powell / Kevin Warsh
  6. Masoud Pezeshkian / Narendra Modi / Marco Rubio / Vladimir Putin
  7. Nancy and Savannah Guthrie
  8. Bad Bunny
  9. Drake Maye / Sam Darnold / Mike Vrabel
  10. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr / Maria Shriver

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

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (2/4)

The most discussed stories yesterday (2/4) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. ICE Operations / Trump’s NBC Interview
  2. Epstein Files / Resignations
  3. Nike DEI Investigation
  4. WaPo Layoffs
  5. Super Bowl / Bad Bunny / TPUSA Halftime Show
Industry News

WIND-AM, Chicago Announces “The Real Story” Midday Show

Salem Media’s Chicago news/talk station WIND “AM 560 The Answer” is expanding its Jeanne Ives-hosted weekend show, “The Real Story,” to a daily airing from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon with the addition of former WIND personality Amy Jacobson (left) joining as co-host. Regional VP andimg station general manager John Gallagher states. Bringing Amy Jacobson back to the station fills a huge void for our audience. She has been relentless in her quest for the truth, and she gets answers that our listeners need to hear. Jeanne Ives (right) is one of the most politically connected people in the state of Illinois. She brings a wealth of knowledge regarding so many issues that affect everyone within our listening area. I am looking forward to the in-depth conversation and new perspective this team will offer.” Ives says, “I am thankful and excited to be a part of the Salem family. Information is power and Amy and I want to bring the ‘Real Story’ on policy along with informed commentary from years of experience knowing the players and politicians to our listeners. We want listeners to be informed, so they can hold the politicians accountable.” Amy Jacobson adds, “I am thrilled to be returning home to ‘AM 560 The Answer.’ Jeanne and I will be part of the strongest conservative lineup in Chicago radio! As many of you know, life takes some unexpected turns, but when you love what you do, the signal always finds its way back.”