Industry News

Beasley Second Quarter Net Revenue Falls 4.8%

Net revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was $60.4 million, a decline of 4.8% from the same period in 2023. Beasley Broadcast Group’s net loss shrank from $10.4 million in Q2 of 2023 to $276,000 in the second quarter of 2024. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley states, “Beasley’s second quarter results highlight the ongoing progress we are making to position the company for sustainable, profitable growth. The continuedim success of our digital transformation strategy led to a 10.4% year-over-year increase in same-station second quarter digital revenue, partially offsetting ongoing challenges related to softness in the audio advertising spot market. Digital revenue accounted for nearly 22% of total second quarter revenue, in-line with our full-year 2024 goal of 20% to 25% of total revenue. On the new business front, our dedicated sales teams are leveraging the audience reach and engagement of our platform to attract new advertisers. We have and will continue to see the benefit of political revenue through the end of year, and at the same time, we are taking aggressive action to address near-term challenges through expense management initiatives, which drove approximately $2 million in expense savings compared to the prior year. We expect to achieve $10 million in annualized expense savings.”

Industry News

Erickson’s The Gathering Draws 700 to Atlanta

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WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta-based talk radio host Erick Erickson presented the 2024 edition of his conservative politics convention The Gathering in Atlanta over the weekend. Erickson tells TALKERS, “We had 700 people show up in Atlanta from 47 states and Canada. Every one of my radio markets from KYKN in Oregon to WTIC and WICC in Connecticut had listeners present.  Unfortunately, between Tropical Storm Debby and COVID, we didn’t have as many as we expected, but it was still a great turnout. Over two days, I interviewed former Vice President Mike Pence, four governors, three senators, two congressmen, two senate candidates, and more. This was the only interview Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (pictured above) has conducted outside Kentucky since 2019.” He adds, “Next year, we are turning it into a road show. Our sponsors have already agreed to help us take the Gathering into our radio markets.  Since so many radio stations now have limited promotions budgets, we’ll do all the work to get the venue, speakers, and attendees, and let each market find a local sponsor as their own revenue opportunity.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Las Vegas-based talk host Heidi Harris has released her second book, Don’t Pat me on the Head!, as an audio book. She tells TALKERS, “I’ve gotten many requests to do an audio version of the book and now it’s available! My book covers how I ‘lucked into a radio show’ (as a detractor once said), the crazy things I did before I landed in radio, behind the scenes stories, how to be a great guest or caller, interviewing tips, how I survived treacherous bosses, colleagues, and the cancel mob who tried to destroy me, and more!”

The Society of Broadcast Engineers announces that membership re-elected Ted D. Hand to a second, one-year term as president of the organization. Hand is a member of SBE Chapter 45 Charlotte, and an SBE Fellow Member.

Industry News

Newsmax Wins One in Smartmatic Case

The Special Master appointed by the Delaware Superior Court has ruled against voting systems purveyor Smartmatic which was seeking sanctions against Newsmax alleging that CEO Christopher Ruddy and other staffers destroyed evidence. The Special Master ruled that Smartmatic failed to prove that Ruddy and others intentionally or recklessly destroyed evidence in the case. Newsmax says that it informed the Special Master that some of Ruddy’s text messages were accidentally not preserved on his mobile phone, but heim located another device that had many if not all of the text messages. Those messages were produced to Smartmatic in the litigation. Newsmax also notes that it informed the Special Master that neither Ruddy nor any senior staff sought to hide text messages or emails, which in many cases were also collected from dozens of other Newsmax witnesses in the case and produced to Smartmatic. Newsmax separately filed a Motion for Sanctions against Smartmatic on May 13, 2024, and a Motion for Contempt against Smartmatic on July 16, 2024. Both of those motions remain pending. In its motions Newsmax argues that Smartmatic and its executives have misled Newsmax, the Special Master, and the Court about the Department of Justice’s ongoing criminal investigation into Smartmatic in which the agency alleges that Smartmatic and several of its senior executives participated in an international scheme involving a multi-million-dollar bribe allegedly made to an election official in the Philippines in exchange for the company getting nearly $200 million in contracts. See the full (somewhat redacted) complaint here.

Industry News

Reggie Adetula Joins KILT-AM, Houston in Middays

Audacy names Reginald “Reggie” Adetula midday co-host of the “In The Loop” midday show alongside coim-host John Lopez and producer Edward “Figgy Fig” Gilliard on KILT-AM “SportsRadio 610,” beginning August 19. KILT brand manager Parker Hillis comments, “We’re thrilled to have Reggie join ‘In The Loop’ as the newest host. He’s a natural talent whose on-air enthusiasm and innate ability to connect with an audience will make him the perfect fit here in Houston.” Adetula is a native Houstonian who returns home after nine years as the evening host and producer on Audacy’s KRLD-FM, Dallas “105.3 The Fan.”

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: The Myth About Wall Street

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Action Partners
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
Daily host, WPHT Philadelphia
Weekly host, Talk Media Network

imWall Street investors do not put up money for traditional radio and television stations.

That myth has been a burden within our culture for about 10 years and it just is not true. From a 1980s fast-buck perspective, traditional media does not offer the no-effort returns it once did. But major investors continue to seek opportunities from radio and TV acquisitions. Notably, today the money is much “smarter” than that found in the 1980s.

(Side note, the 1980s rush to radio put the business in the hellish financing we live with today. The new money won’t do that.)

Marc Rowan is the CEO of Apollo Advisors which bought Cox TV and radio. Apollo was first money in Sirius radio. Their escrow check closed the deal for Howard Stern and changed the radio industry. Marc explained to me that Apollo is not an investor, they are “owners.” Apollo has a long game plan as savvy operators with decent, moral standards. Marc actually likes, consumes and celebrates media. Apollo is not a chop shop. They build businesses.

George Soros is about to close on Audacy. Mr. Soros is a brilliant business builder. Like Apollo, he is an owner/operator. Soros represents smart money going into the proven medium of radio.

John Malone, builder of the cable industry, saved Sirius within days of bankruptcy. The company was about to miss payroll, Malone pulled it out the fire and through Liberty holdings he continues to control 83% of SiriusXM. Over the years he has grown, not diminished Liberty’s stake in the satellite company.

Rowan, Soros, and Malone have one thing in common: They are not jokers. They each have robust histories of sober, sane investments which has made them billionaires. While you and I shop the price of milk, the new owners of proven media are model guides for future Wall Streeters.

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com

Industry News

Urban One Q2 Revenue Declines 9.2%

Second quarter 2024 net revenue for Urban One Inc. was $117.7 million, a decrease of 9.2% from Q2 of 2023. Breaking down Urban One’s report by segment, the Radio Advertising segment brought in revenue of $45.4 million, basically flat from one year ago. Digital Advertising revenue for Q2 of 2024 was $15.5 million, a decrease of 17.6%. The biggest change for Urban One was Cable Television Advertising, which brought inim $22.2 million, a decline of 26.7% from the same period in 2023. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins III states, “On a same station basis our radio division finished Q2 -5.6% excluding political, and -3.0% with political. We saw a sequential improvement in national revenues vs. Q1, which was offset by weaker local revenues. Q3 core radio revenue is currently pacing down 6.9% on a same station basis, down 5.1% including political, and up 7.0% overall. We are starting to see a significant uptick in political advertising revenues, and remain optimistic for the remainder of the year, which should benefit both our radio and digital divisions. Our Cable TV business continues to suffer from subscriber churn and audience delivery shortfall, impacting both advertising and affiliate revenues, although we are seeing a bounce-back in ratings and delivery in Q3. Our digital business experienced weaker advertising demand than prior year but remains well positioned for the second half of the year, particularly with political and CTV advertising. During Q2 we repurchased an additional $35.5 million of our 2028 notes at 78.0%, and we ended the quarter with approximately $132.4 million of cash.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” – hosted by Greg Gutfeld – will broadcast live at 11:00 pm ET each night following the network’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. From August 19 through 22, the program (which is usually taped earlier in the day) will be joined live by a studio audience in New York City for the first time ever.

Audacy’s sports talk WEEI-AM/FM, Boston and the New England Patriots announce a multi-year extension to their broadcast partnership that includes the continuation of exclusive “Patriots Monday” and “Patriots Friday” programming, featuring head coach Jerod Mayo and Patriots players. This year marks the 30th season of the partnership between WEEI and the Patriots, which began in 1995.

The latest episode of Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes’ podcast “Chachi Loves Everybody” features a conversation with National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.

Industry News

Bold Gold Broadcast & Media Foundation Hosts 9th Annual Event & Dinner

The Bold Gold Broadcast & Media Foundation and the Churchill Society of Pennsylvania are presenting theim Foundation’s 9th Annual Event & Dinner at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre on September 20 in the Keystone Grand Ballroom. The theme of the event is “The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution” and will feature keynote speaker Jack Warren, author of Freedom: The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution (Lyons Press, 2023). Each year the Foundation presents its Atlas Award for Citizenship and this year’s honoree is Northeastern Pennsylvania businessman Christopher Hackett. Find out more about the event and how to attend at: info@BoldGold.org.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Red Apple Audio Networks is now syndicating of WABC, New York political reporter and program host Dominic Carter. Red Apple owner John Catsimatidis states, “Dominic’s two shows are the most recent top-quality programming options that we’re offering radio stations through the Red Apple Audio Networks. Dominic is an exceptional broadcast journalist, which gives a sharp perspective to his analysis and commentary. Dominic is one common sense individual.”

FOX News Media promotes Trey Yingst to chief foreign correspondent. FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott states, “During major breaking news in every corner of the world, Trey has been the eyes and ears on the ground for our viewers since 2018. Trey’s indefatigable work ethic and dedication in multiple war zones has made him an incredible asset to FOX News and we are extremely proud of his first-class journalism.”

Industry News

16th Annual Hurley Charity Dinner Set for AC October 4

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The 16th annual “Hurley in the Morning” Charity Dinner and Silent Auction is set for Friday, October 4, 2024, at Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City. Held in the venue’s iconic Ocean Ballroom, the high-profile civic event is a major fund-raising function of one of New Jersey’s most important and enduring charitable initiatives and one of the leading radio industry-powered philanthropic endeavors in America. The non-profit Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation was launched 18 years ago by legendary morning talk show host Harry Hurley of Townsquare Media-owned WPG, Atlantic City and has since raised more than $1.5 million resulting in hundreds of grants donated to worthy organizations and causes throughout the Garden State and beyond. The charity also sponsors an annual Hurley in the Morning Golf Open. TALKERS founder and noted radio pioneer Michael Harrison has been selected to serve as the dinner’s 2024 guest of honor and keynote speaker. Organizers of this year’s gathering are looking forward to raising $100,000 with more than 250 attendees from government, civics, business and the local communities expected to attend what is traditionally a sold-out event. For information on purchasing tables and individual tickets, email HarryHurley@aol.com.

Industry News

KRLD, Dallas Adds FOX News Radio’s Will Cain

Audacy’s KRLD-AM, Dallas adds FOX News Radio’s “The Will Cain Show” to its program lineup, airing fromim 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. KRLD brand manager Drew Anderssen says, “Will’s unique perspective on today’s top headlines will be a welcomed addition to our revamped lineup on KRLD. We’re excited to expand his reach and introduce his wildly popular program to KRLD listeners in Dallas and nationwide via the Audacy app.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartPodcasts joins forces with Thoroughbred Studios to develop a new podcast slate that will delve into some of the biggest stories on what really happened in this American century. As part of the deal, the companies will co-produce a minimum of four podcasts over the next two years. The first show will debut early 2025 and will recount the often-overlooked gritty realities of the renowned astronauts that made it to the moon.

National multimedia sports platform OutKick announces that “The Ricky Cobb Show” will debut on August 12, airing live for 90-minutes beginning at 11:00 am ET. OutKick SVP and managing editor Gary Schreier says, “We’re excited to introduce Ricky Cobb to the OutKick audience as he steps out from behind @Super70sSports and unleashes his engaging personality as a true original.”

Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc will report its 2024 second quarter financial results before the market opens on August 12. The company will host a conference call and webcast at 11:00 am ET that morning to review the results.

Industry News

Beasley Names Snyder Head of Digital Content Marketing

Beasley Media Group names David Snyder head of digital content marketing. For the past 14 years, Snyder has been CEO at content marketing platform Copy Press that served clients including Uber, AirBnB, Indeed,im and Macy’s. In this newly created corporate position, Snyder will be responsible for overseeing digital marketing and building revenue opportunities on behalf of the company with an emphasis on newsletters, SEO, websites and affiliate marketing as well as leading the developers working across the organization. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “We could not be more thrilled to welcome Dave into the Beasley family. His marketing expertise is exactly what we need as we continue to build new revenue streams on behalf of the company.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Don’t Say Goodbye

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

If you’re hosting a weekend ask-the-expert show to attract new clients and customers, DON’T say goodbye at the end of your show.

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Instead, tell ‘em: “THAT’S IT FOR TODAY’S RADIO SHOW. IF YOU MISSED ANY OF IT, YOU CAN LISTEN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE OR DOWNLOAD IT FROM [describe how to find on-demand page on station web site; and/or “ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM”]. AND WE’RE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT [your business’ web site address]. AND WE’LL TAKE YOUR CALL ANYTIME, AT OUR [store, office, etc.], [phone number, nice-and-slow]. OR EMAIL ME AT [address, something memorable, i.e., AskAndy@yourURL.com].

And ICYMI, there’s more guidance from a previous TALKERS issue here.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, announces the appointment of media industry executive Steve Cohen as the network’s EVP, talent and programming. Cohen served for 20 years as the SVP of sports programming at SiriusXM. This comes on the heels of Musberger Media recently buying back VSiN from Draft Kings.

Both Townsquare Media and iHeartMedia will release 2024 second quarter operating results this week. Townsquare will do so on Wednesday (8/7) and iHeartMedia will so the same on Thursday (8/8).

Industry News

Cumulus Media 2024 Q2 Net Revenue Declines 2.5%

Cumulus Media reports its operating results for the second quarter of this year and reveals net revenue of $204.8 million, a decrease of 2.5% that is in line with the company’s pacing guidance. Cumulus’ total broadcast radio revenue was $136.1 million, a decline of 7.3%, with spot revenue down 4.9% and network revenue down 13.6%. On the positive side digital revenue was $39.5 million, up 5.0%. Cumulus Mediaim president and CEO Mary G. Berner says, “In the context of a challenging advertising environment, second quarter total revenue finished in line with our pacing guidance, down 2.5% year-over-year. However, our unrelenting focus on areas of the business that are in our control helped us to mitigate the impact of soft demand while also driving tangible progress in key priority areas. During the quarter, we grew our digital marketing services business by 24%, reduced fixed costs by $4 million, and continued to strengthen our balance sheet through the successful completion of our exchange offer, ABL upsizing, and the buyback of a portion of our remaining 2026 maturity debt. Looking ahead, while the advertising outlook remains uncertain, our advertisers continue to be focused on when – not if – they’re going to return to more typical spending levels. Fortunately, thanks to our success at extending our debt maturities, we have time on our side and the flexibility to pursue multiple paths to create shareholder value.”

Industry News

Mike Missanelli Back on “97.5 The Fanatic”

Philadelphia sports media pro Mike Missanelli is returning to Beasley Media Group’s WPEN-FM “97.5 Theim Fanatic” to host the midday show, effective August 12. “97.5 The Fanatic” program director Scott Masteller says, “I am excited to welcome Mike back to the Fanatic. I know that both previous and new listeners will be anxious to hear his insight and perspective on Philadelphia Sports.” The company also announces that Bill Colarulo, a recent addition to the station, will join Mike Missanelli as part of the show’s new on-air lineup.

Industry News

2024 Marconi Award Finalists Announced

The NAB announces the finalists for the 2024 Marconi Awards, the winners of which will be named at theim NAB Show New York on October 9. News/talk stations WLS-AM, Chicago and WLW-AM, Cincinnati are finalists for Legendary Station of the Year. WWTN-FM, Nashville talk host Dan Mandis is a finalist for Large Market Personality of the Year. KIDO-AM, Boise host Kevin Miller is a finalist for Medium Market Personality of the Year. The finalists for News/Talk Station of the Year are: WSB-AM, Atlanta; KRMG-FM, Tulsa; WLW-AM, Cincinnati; KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh; and WIBC-FM, Indianapolis. See the complete list of finalists here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

SiriusXM announces that Megyn Kelly will host a series of one-hour specials that will air on SiriusXM’s Triumph Channel 111. “Get Closer with Megyn Kelly” will run on Fridays throughout August with video available on the SiriusXM app with topics including marriage, aging, parenting, and sex.

The Talk Media Network syndicated Dr. Daliah Wachs show is now airing on KBJA, Salt Lake City in the 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm slot.

Industry News

Bob Cooney Exits “97.5 The Fanatic”

Bob Cooney exits Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “97.5 The Fanatic” where he’d been hosting the midday show. Crossing Broad’s Kevin Kinkead reports that market sports talk proim Mike Missanelli is a possible replacement. He writes, “Jonny Marks reported last week that the Mike/Fanatic reunion looks to be in place ahead of football season. My understanding is that 97.5 is also high on Bill Colarulo and Amy Fadool as new pieces. Colarulo hosts weekends and has filled in on P.M. drive while Fadool had been co-hosting alongside Cooney.” For his part, Cooney posted the following to Facebook: “Wanted to say thanks to all who listened over the years during my time at The Fanatic. Loved the conversations and getting to know a lot of you. They told me today they are moving in a different direction.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Paragon announces that public radio fundraising consultant and voice coach Christina Shockley joins its consulting roster. Paragon CEO Mike Henry says, “Several Paragon clients raved about Christina’s work for them and once we started talking, I realized why. She is a dynamic thought leader who excels at everything she does. Christina’s long tenure as an on-air host at NPR News stations fuels her creatively effective approach to fundraising and voice coaching. Her unyielding focus on the listener experience is a perfect fit for Paragon’s mission of re-inventing content.”

On Long Island, the Suffolk County District Attorneys office is releasing public safety announcements to remind the public of the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, the importance of staying at the scene of a crash, and the legal and financial ramifications of a criminal arrest.  All of the announcements will be broadcast on all of the JVC Broadcasting Long Island radio stations. JVC president and CEO John Caracciolo says, “All of us at JVC Broadcasting are committed to work with our elected officials to get this important message out. We were happy to donate the airtime to make it possible, this is what live and local radio is all about.”

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Hunt for Humility

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Action Partners
A.K.A Walter M Sterling
Nightly host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Weekend host, Talk Media Network

imHumility means to be teachable. It’s the most important trait of great leaders and managers. For years I looked forward to focus groups to reveal the top-of-mind awareness of media among listeners. These groups always reminded us of a listener’s life priorities which never included radio listening! They taught us the correct secular language to use in promos and slogans, and what they remembered versus what we wanted them to remember.

Today’s hack for focus groups is Google Search Trends. When starting “Sterling on Sunday” 10 years ago, I was kidded by some lame program directors about the inclusion of John Weatherbe weather forecasts in a national show. Since John passed away, the weather is provided by meteorologist Dr. Dave Eiser. Dr. Dave has had a solid career on TV in Chicago and Phoenix. He gives national forecasts with a curious emphasis on cities where we have large affiliates!

Dr. Dave provides a real service on Sunday nights when not one AM station (other than all-news stations) deliver the most important information: Weather.

Google Trends is a humility machine. It shows real-time facts about what a potential listener cares so much about that they enter it in a Google search – right now! What are you talking about today? How does it compare with weather? Here are results from moments ago:

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The results can be filtered for specific cities, time periods, categories of interest. Try it. Seek humility!

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.

Industry News

Edison Research: Digital Continues Eating into AM/FM Listening

Edison Research – celebrating 10 years of its Share of Ear audio survey – is making a topline finding from its subscriber-only dataset available to the public. The company says the data indicates some substantial shifts in the amount of time U.S. listeners age 13+ spend with various types of audio in an average day. “Ten years ago, the average American age 13+ spent just over half of their total daily audio time with AM/FM radio,im including radio over-the-air and radio streams. The next highest portion, 18%, was spent with owned music such as CDs and downloaded audio files, and 11% of their daily audio time went to streaming. Today, we see the increase in listening from linear sources to more on-demand audio sources such as YouTube for music or music videos (not the YouTube Music streaming service), and podcasts. Americans age 13+ now spend an average of 18% of their audio day listening to streaming music from sources such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify, 14% listening to YouTube for music, and 10% listening to podcasts. AM/FM radio still takes the largest portion of the audio day on a 13+ basis with 36%, driven heavily by in-car listening.” Edison director of research Laura Ivey adds, “A decade ago Share of Ear was created to answer the question, ‘What do Americans listen to?’ Today we can understand the listening patterns of Americans and see how audio sources have emerged to vie for our daily listening time. There are surely audio developments that we can’t even imagine that will impact our daily audio time over the next 10 years.” See more about Share of Ear here.

Industry News

WWJ, Detroit Announces News Staff Additions

Audacy’s all-news WWJ, Detroit brings Tim Pamplin aboard as a news reporter and promotes Darrylinim Horne to a full-time reporter position. Pamplin has spent the past 30-plus years with WDIV-TV as a photojournalist and reporter. Horne has been a part-time producer and imreporter at WWJ since 2021. Previously, she was a weekday reporter and weekend fill-in producer at WLNS-TV. Audacy Detroit market manager Debbie Kenyon states, “We couldn’t be more excited for Tim to join our news team. We plan to leverage his renowned breaking news reports to provide our listeners with quality coverage of each day’s top stories. We’re also looking forward to supporting Darrylin in this new role as she applies her skillful storytelling in everything from feature stories to contributions on our digital platforms.”

Industry News

Beasley’s “97.5 The Fanatic” Extends Ricky Bottalico

Beasley Media Group and air personality Ricky Bottalico agree to a multiyear contract extension in which he’ll continue serving as co-host of “The Best Show Ever with Tyrone Johnson.” Bottalico – a former MLBim relief pitcher – joined the afternoon drive show in August of 2022. Beasley Philadelphia cluster manager Paul Blake comments, “Ricky was a fierce competitor on the mound during his 12-year career in Major League Baseball. His grit, toughness, and strong work ethic make him an ideal co-host for our afternoon show on ‘The Fanatic.’ We’re thrilled to announce his renewal.” Bottalico says, “I am happy to be back with Tyrone and ‘The Best Show Ever.’ I will continue to work hard to bring my best every day. As a group, we are striving to be better every chance we get!”

Industry News

WSB Care-a-Thon Raises More than $2 Million

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Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta hosted the 24th annual 95.5 WSB Care-a-Thon on July 25 and 26, raising $2,037,439 for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. During the two-day radio broadcast WSB hosts Scott Slade, Clark Howard, Mark Arum, Erick Erickson, Eric Von Haessler and Shelley Wynter were joined on-air by patients and families as they shared their stories of resilience, loss and hope. Adding a unique perspective to the broadcast was 95.5 WSB’s newest and youngest host, 15-year-old cancer survivor Lex Stolle, who spoke as both a Children’s patient and a teenager.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Talk host Stephanie Miller says, “The Sexy Liberal Show is back with a bang, featuring myself, John Fugelsang, Hal Sparks, and Frangela! We are hitting the stage at the VIC Theatre in Chicago for a Democratic National Convention Special on Saturday, August 17. Thanks to our awesome friends at Meet Hook, listeners can join the fun from the comfort of their own couch!”

Conservative broadcaster AUN TV Network is seeking help after the Northern California wildfires destroyed the transmitters for two of their most popular stations, crippling their ability to communicate with a large portion of their audience. Those interested in donating can find more information here.

CRN Digital Talk Radio announces the third anniversary of “The Divorce Hour with Ilyssa Panitz.” She says, “While some people have a negative perception when it comes to the topic of divorce, Mike Horn, CEO of CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks, saw it differently and for that I will always be grateful. His vision was the same as mine and because of that, I was able to create an hour-long educational radio series that explores anything and everything that can happen during every stage of a divorce.”

Industry News

Townsquare Media to Sell WNJE to The Voice Radio

Townsquare Media has struck a deal to sell WNJE-AM, Trenton to Edwin Andrade’s The Voice Radio Newim Jersey for $133,000. The former sports talk outlet has been dark since late last year due to what at the time was reported as being the result of problems with its nighttime antennae. This deal leaves Townsquare with three signals in the Trenton market: news/talk WKXW-FM “New Jersey 101.5”; CHR WPST-FM, and religion WCHR-AM.

Industry News

AWMF Announces Milestone 50th Gracie Awards

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation releases the dates for the highly anticipated 50th Annual Gracie Awards, to celebrate half a century of honoring excellence of women in media. The Gracies Gala will take place on May 20, 2025, at the Beverly Wilshire and the Gracies Luncheon will happen on June 18,im 2025, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. In commemoration of this golden milestone, AWMF unveils a newly refreshed logo, shown here. AWMF president Becky Brooks says, “As we approach the 50th Annual Gracie Awards, we reflect on five decades of tremendous progress made in advancing women in media. The Gracies have been a beacon of recognition for the incredible talents and contributions of women in our industry. Next year’s celebration is not only a tribute to our past but also a spotlight on the bright future ahead. We are eager to honor the trailblazers who have paved the way and the rising stars who continue to shape the media landscape.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Talking About Abortion

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imMany Americans have been, in the two years since the Supreme Court punted the issue down to the states. For suburban women voters in swing states, it is – by far – the number one issue, per a Wall Street Journal poll. It tipped 2022 midterms and 2023 elections and swung other elections in battleground states.

As the 2024 vote looms, your reporting will likely be criticized, by both sides; and experience recommends a useful posture when listeners question your coverage and threaten to shun your advertisers.

im

No local radio market enjoys – or suffers – more politically outspoken listeners than Washington DC. I programmed all-news WTOP there for seven years in the 80s and 90s. Even then – with Roe’ the law of the land – this was a white-hot issue.

The quickest way we could make EVERYONE angry was by reporting crowd estimates for abortion rallies. Half the callers accused us of inflating the numbers, the other half said we low-balled it.

Here, from my files, are an actual complaint letter, and our standard reply.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

NBC iHeartMedia is NBCU’s exclusive audio partner for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which kick off this week. In addition to listening to events on iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations, fans can tune-in to events through dedicated 24-7 digital stations – which include – NBC Olympics Radio Plus and NBC Olympics Radio – on the iHeart app. Among big events tomorrow (Saturday, 7/27) are: men’s/women’s swimming (NBC Olympics Radio Plus); men’s/women’s swimming finals (NBC Olympics Radio); women’s beach volleyball – USA versus Canada (NBC Olympics Radio); and men’s soccer – USA versus New Zealand (NBC Olympics Radio Plus). On Sunday (7/28), it’s men’s/women’s swimming finals (NBC Olympics Radio); women’s soccer – USA versus Germany (NBC Olympics Radio Plus); and men’s basketball – USA versus Serbia (NBC Olympics Radio).

 

To honor the late Gracie Allen on her birthday, The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation holds the inaugural “Gracies Day of Giving” today (Friday, 7/26). “Gracies Day of Giving” is dedicated to raising funds that directly impact the foundation’s mission of creating positive change in media by producing educational programs, recognition events and scholarships benefitting students pursuing media careers. Funds raised will support the continuation of programs including the Gracies Leadership Awards Fellowship, which will celebrate the profound influence women have made in the media industry. That award ceremony will be held November 19 at New York City’s Tribeca 360°. Those interested in participating in “Gracies Day of Giving” should visit AWMF’s donation page or may give via Venmo @AWM-Foundation. On social media, use the hashtag #GraciesDayOfGiving. Vaudevillian, singer, actress, comedian Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen was born on July 26, 1895 in San Francisco; Gracie Allen was 69 years old when she died 60 years ago (August 27, 1964) in Hollywood.

Richard Neer (l) and Mark Chernoff (r), two Big Apple radio legends, with a long history of having worked together at heritage stations spanning both rock music and sports talk for more than four decades, grabbed some lunch and caught up on both old and current times this past Wednesday (7/24) while crossing paths in Charlotte, NC.  Chernoff, who led all-sports WFAN-AM/FM, New York (660/101.9) for nearly 30 years before exiting in 2021 as an honored format pioneer also played a major programming role “back in the day” at album rocker WNEW-FM (as well as other historic outlets). Richard and Mark  Neer – a past PD and air personality at WNEW-FM – still serves as a weekend host on WFAN where he’s been a market staple for decades in addition to being an accomplished author of a series of “Riley King” murder mysteries as well as the historic evergreen FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (Villard Books, 2001).  Chernoff still keeps his hand in both formats where he serves as a sports reporter and part-time DJ at Press Communications’ classic rock “107.1 The Boss” WWZY, Monmouth, NJ.

Salem Media Sacramento contemporary Christian KKFS music director/morning show host Mike Wilson is elevated to program director of the group’s three-station cluster, which includes news/talk KTKZ “1380 The Answer.”