Bengals and iHeartMedia Cincinnati Extend Deal
The NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and iHeartMedia Cincinnati are extending their broadcast deal to run through the 2028 season. iHM says the broadcasts will continue to be heard on “one of the most powerful ‘triple-casts’ in the NFL, with a flagship station lineup of 700 WLW, 102.7 WEBN and ESPN 1530.” WEBN serves as the broadcast flagship stations for all Bengals games and WLW will carry all games for which there is no conflict with Cincinnati Reds baseball broadcasts.
traffic news, drivers turn to local radio over social media or phone apps. The study asked drivers about their use of their infotainment system use and 69% said they use it for first for controlling audio content; 68% said navigation was their primary use, and 66% said they use it first for making phone calls. Audacy adds, “Today’s drivers – especially the tech-savvy ones – expect their Audio to follow them everywhere. Whether they’re finishing a podcast from the office to the car or switching from music on the road to the gym, they want their content to move with them. Nearly all AI intenders (93%) say seamless podcast listening is a must, and 73% say the same about radio.” 
regulatory burdens. We received great feedback from a range of stakeholders already and plan on eliminating onerous, antiquated, and unlawful requirements across the board.” Carr added, “And we have been delivering these results with a focus on efficiency. At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, the FCC employed 1,461 full-time employees. As of April 28, 2025, the FCC employed 1,383 full-time employees. The difference over the last six months can be attributed to many factors, including FCC employees who took advantage of the early retirement window opened by my predecessor, the deferred resignation program offered by President Trump, and natural turnover. The agency is well positioned to continue carrying out its statutory mission for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond.”
Lou Information Station.” The station’s new lineup includes: “IN YOUR CITY Show” with Kelley Lamm and Gordon Montgomery; “Hot Take Central” with Jim Hayes& Cam Janssen; “Sounds of STL” with Tony Patrico; the nationally syndicated program “The Ramsey Show” and more. Big Toe Media says the station will be “a dynamic new content platform designed to deliver fresh, relevant, and engaging daily programming focused on the news, sports, culture, and conversations that matter to most of the St. Louis community. The press release adds that “The Lou Information Station” is a “modern media platform built for how St. Louis consumes content in 2025 with live and on-demand shows via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.”
manager at KKLA-FM, market manager for Los Angeles, and regional vice president overseeing major markets such as Seattle, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oxnard, San Diego, and most recently, Honolulu. Salem Media Group CEO David Santrella comments, “Terry’s vision, integrity, and deep commitment to Salem’s mission have left a lasting mark on everyone who has had the privilege to work with him. His contributions extend beyond radio programming into building meaningful community experiences and nurturing strong leadership in our teams.” Fahy reflects, “I am grateful for the opportunities and support Salem’s leadership has afforded me to make a spiritual impact in Southern California and other West Coast markets. I also treasure the talented and hard-working broadcast and media professionals I have had the privilege to work alongside. I am proud of what we accomplished, not only on air but also with our community events. Many people hope to look back on their careers with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. By God’s grace that has been my experience and privilege at Salem.”
signals including WQKR, WAMG, WCOR, WRMX, WSM-AM, WSM-FM, WZPC – Power Country 102.9, WFCM / Moody Radio, WJKM, and more. He also served with Cumulus and as chief engineer for 5 Star Radio in Clarksville. During his time with WSM-AM, he also served as an announcer for the Grand Ole Opry. Randall managed and operated WJKM for five years and served as chief engineer for Cromwell Radio (now Cromwell Media) for over 20 years, overseeing engineering for ten stations in the greater Nashville area. Randall’s son, Matt Aaron, serves as a broadcast engineer for Ramsey Solutions. 
and executives and increases awareness of the Broadcasters Foundation charitable mission. This event will be co-hosted by Angela Yee, BFOA Ambassador and nationally syndicated host of “Way Up with Angela Yee.” Also hosting will be Pedro Rivera, reporter and anchor for ABC7’s Eyewitness News. Closing out the night will be Long Island singer-songwriter Camryn Quinlan. BFoA president Tim McCarthy says, “We are thrilled that there has been such an overwhelmingly positive response to our Media Mixers. During today’s dramatic changes in the media landscape, more broadcast professionals – entry, junior, and senior levels – want to get together to exchange experiences and brainstorm for the future.”
suitable for all formats. All are hosted by WMAL-FM, Washington, DC morning personality Larry O’Connor. Fisher House says, “The inspiring and patriotic radio show features interviews with wounded warriors and veterans including heroes from Operation Enduring Freedom, the Vietnam War, and an incredible, emotional story of one of America’s World War II living legends. Listeners will hear their emotional stories fighting for our freedoms, the injuries and illnesses they endured, and the welcoming homes Fisher House provides for them and their loved ones while they endure their painful and painstaking recoveries.” For more information on this radio special, contact Larry O’Connor at: 562-665-9537 or 
2022. Prior to joining WGFX-FM, Anderson was a sports anchor, reporter, and digital contributor at WKRN-TV, Nashville. While this sounds like a budget move on the station’s part, Anderson didn’t mention the reason she’s out in her X post: “First and foremost, thank you so much to our loyal listeners, you made my time in radio here so amazing. You all are so passionate about your teams here in Middle Tennessee and I love that. I’m gearing up for the next chapter of my book to write itself. All I’ve ever known is to keep navigating it to the best of my ability.”
earned a Peter Lisagor Award for their 2023 interview with the student editor of The Daily Northwestern. Williams also accepted the William Booth Award from The Salvation Army at their annual Chicago Civic Luncheon held May 8 at Navy Pier. The William Booth Award is one of the highest awards conferred upon an individual by The Salvation Army and honors people who show strong character and commitment to their community. Williams hosts a radiothon on WGN Radio every December for the organization. In addition to his on-air work, Williams also hosts “The Mincing Rascals” award-winning podcast featuring a roundtable discussion with Chicago journalists about top news stories released every Wednesday.
LLC, owner of news/talk KIVA, Albuquerque and hosts the afternoon drive “Rock of Talk” show. The seat is currently held by Democrat Gabe Vasquez. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Aragon ran for congress in the state’s 1st Congressional District in 2021 and previously ran for mayor of Albuquerque. He tells the paper, “I can win this race… We need more privatization of education. I think the approach that’s being taken at the national level is important. We don’t want to do without the money, but we definitely want to do without the bureaucracy.” 
great results for the country and doing so in an efficient manner. That starts with being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. From day one, we have been combing through every FCC contract to eliminate redundancies and wasteful spending. No stone is being left unturned. To date, we have reduced more than $567 million in authorized contract spending, including by ending bloated or unnecessary IT contracts. This is an important step towards ensuring long-term efficiency and maintaining our focus on the FCC’s core responsibilities.”
Fame. Root tells TALKERS that he was a friend of Pete Rose. They both lived in Las Vegas, Rose was a guest on Root’s radio show and that led to Root and Rose starring in a national TV commercial together and becoming fast friends. Root wrote a column in 2020 imploring the president to pardon Rose, but it was this February when Root felt compelled to text the president. Root says that within 15 minutes of his sending that text the president announced he would pardon Rose. Root adds, “This all started with an interview on my radio show. I’m sure Pete is looking down from heaven with a big smile. His final dream was to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s about to come true. All because of a Vegas friendship late in Pete’s life with a guy who just happened to know the President of the United States! Thank you, President Trump.”
Right now, dozens of well-suited, over-priced, unpleasant lawyers are fighting in Hollywood over the title credit their client should receive on a movie, TV show, or book cover. Placement within the credit roll at the end of a show is a battleground of egos and legalities. Part of the process of securing proper credit is governed by multiple union rules negotiated by multiple unions and corporate dictates of corporate masters. (You don’t get to be CEO of Paramount by being a nice guy.)
expectations: core radio advertising finished at -12.4% excluding digital, and Cable TV advertising was -6.3%. Our cable TV ratings stabilized significantly in the first quarter of 2025 and are performing in line with our 2025 budget. Second quarter core radio advertising pacings have weakened over the past several weeks and are now -8.7%. Our first quarter 2025 digital revenues were down 16.1% driven by expected weakness in streaming and podcasting revenues. Based on our year-to-date performance, we reaffirm our full year guidance of $75 million in Adjusted EBITDA. Our cumulative debt repurchases so far in 2025 are $88.6 million at an average price of 53.9%, resulting in reduced gross debt of $495.9 million, and we currently have approximately $79.8 million of cash on hand. In a challenging marketplace, our focus remains on controlling costs, managing leverage and retaining a strong liquidity position.”
and Fayetteville. Dunn says, “After much thought and reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. Beasley Media Group has been more than just a workplace – it’s been my extended family. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent over 30 years doing what I love, with people I deeply respect and admire. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with late company founder George Beasley, Caroline, Brian and Bruce over the years.” CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “Kent’s contributions to Beasley Media Group – and to the radio industry at large – have been nothing short of exceptional. His strategic insight, collaborative spirit, and passion for radio have guided teams and inspired generations of broadcasters. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
and networks revenue – decreased $20.5 million, or 4.2%, primarily resulting from a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with continued uncertain market conditions. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman says, “We are pleased with our Q1 results given the uncertain environment in which we are operating now, and we think these results demonstrate the resilience and relevance of our products and the tremendous growth opportunity we have with our podcast business in particular.” Company president, COO and CFO Rich Bressler adds, “In the first quarter, we generated Adjusted EBITDA of $105 million, flat to prior year, consistent with our previously provided guidance, and our consolidated revenues for the quarter were up 1% compared to the prior-year quarter, above our guidance of down low-single digits, driven by the Digital Audio Group revenues and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 16% and 28% respectively.”
successful there, will have a general election campaign to run in the fall for the next term. Morano issued a statement over the weekend regarding his status. He said, “When I was elected, I had expected to continue hosting my radio show until the swearing-in. However, due to concerns about equal-time rules for the upcoming election and uncertainty around what outside work I’ll be allowed to do once I take office, the decision was made that I would no longer host ‘The Other Side of Midnight’ and would step away from the Red Apple Audio Network for now. This wasn’t a decision I made lightly—or one I made at all, frankly—but I completely understand the reasoning behind it. I’m incredibly grateful to the station’s ownership and management for the opportunity to do a show I loved, with a team I respected, for an audience I adored… I do hope to be back on the radio in some form soon. But for now, I’m off the air. 
some changes in our lifestyle, our geography and our living standards to protect our safety and sanity that include an international move. That simply makes this job no longer feasible.” Reflecting on his career, Grayson remembers getting into the business. “As a kid I was always steered away from potential careers that depended on personal talent alone, since my mom was convinced that people who made their living that way were somehow possessed of a magic that us regular folks don’t have. But the day I first heard talk radio – a day I remember very clearly – I fell in love. I had no choice in the matter. From calling in to talk shows as a college student to beating down the doors of my local station to hire me, this business always held a kind of allure I found irresistible.” During his career, he worked in Tampa, Nashville, and St. Louis, where he worked at KTRS and KMOX. At KMOX he hosted the syndicated “Overnight America” program. 
Music radio’s competitors were vinyl, then tape, then CDs – before smartphone streaming and satellite radio offered more portability and variety. And before consolidation, broadcasters were under less of the revenue pressure that now commercializes many stations beyond listeners’ tolerance. 
company “did not keep secure including social security numbers, financial account details, and health insurance data.” But the thrust of her complaint is that iHeartMedia delayed notifying users. iHeartMedia didn’t conclude its investigation until last month and began the notification process on April 30. 
those consumers report having taken an action based on radio ads, in particular. Such actions can be recommending something to others, posting or following on social media, visiting a website, going to a retail location, or actually making a purchase. While we do not know which advertisers’ messaging they responded to, we do know that these radio-influenced consumers are highly engaged across categories, making them advantageous to brands – and more valuable than ad-influenced adults in general. Radio-influenced consumers are more likely to be spending money on sports betting, vacations, cars, movies, and retail than the average adult, and even more than other ad-influenced adults.” 
after four years to take a job on Capitol Hill in Washington. The ideal candidate must have at least three years of talk radio experience with a strong background in politics and news. This position is based in Memphis. Send resume and air check to 
decreased 2.2% for the quarter to $22 million compared to the same period last year. Saga reports a net loss of $1.6 million for the quarter consistent with the same period last year. Looking ahead, the company says revenue pacing for the second quarter remains uncertain but is improving as the quarter progresses. For the second quarter Saga is currently pacing down mid-single digits. April was down high-single digits. May improved to being down low-single digits and June is approximately flat with the same period last year.
Bowen was most recently VP and director of sales for the company’s New Orleans operations. Audacy Chicago SVP and market manager Kevin Cassidy states, “We look forward to welcoming Robby to Chicago. He is a consummate sales professional and will be an inspirational leader for a sales team that proudly represents six amazing brands plus the Bulls and the Cubs!”