Industry News

Cincinnati to Name Street After Talk Host Lincoln Ware

Longtime Cincinnati talk radio host Lincoln Ware is being honored with a street named after him in the Avondale neighborhood. Ware currently hosts the 10:00 am to 1:00 pm show on Urban One’s WDBZ-AM, Cincinnati. He’s been on the air in the market consistently for the past 50 years, going back to hisim first gig at age 22 in WCIN-AM. WLWT-TV reports that Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney will emcee the street-naming ceremony. She says, “Lincoln Ware is unbelievable. In my office in city hall, we keep the Lincoln Ware show on every day. Somebody’s assigned to listen, and they come back and say, ‘Here’s what they talked about today, listen to this.’ So, you know, we’re always well-informed.” The city says Ware is being honored due to his “lasting impact on the Cincinnati local media community and to health and wellness within the African American community with his Lincoln Ware Walking Club. His legacy, contributions, and dedication to the City of Cincinnati and its citizens will long be remembered.” See the WLWT-TV piece here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

PodcastOne announces that “The Prosecutors,” podcast hosted by Alice LaCour and Brett Talley, is being honored as the “People’s Choice: Creator of the Year.” The inaugural “Creator of the Year” award was voted on by thousands of fans and CrimeCon attendees and bestowed on Saturday (9/23) in Orlando at the second annual CrimeCon CLUE Awards.

FOX Business Network reports that its “Democracy 24: FOX Business Republican Primary Debate” was the most-watched program in linear television, digital and streaming on Wednesday evening, averaging 9.5 million viewers and nearly 2 million in the A25-54 demo on FOX News Channel, FBN, and UNIVISION, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.

Industry News

Meeting of the Heavies

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Nationally syndicated Westwood One host Dan Bongino (left) paid a visit to his South Florida affiliate WFTL, Fort Lauderdale where he was greeted by the station’s local star and fellow TALKERS Heavy Hundred member Joyce Kaufman (right). Kaufman’s popular daily show follows Bongino’s 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm slot on the big-signaled Hubbard Broadcasting-owned news/talk outlet.

Industry News

Damon Amendolara to Host Mornings on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Channel

SiriusXM brings sports talk personality Damon Amendolara, a.k.a. D.A., to the Mad Dog Sports Radio channel to host the morning drive program “The D.A. Show with Babchik,” alongside longtime SiriusXMim personality Mike Babchik. Amendolara has been hosting a program on CBS Sports Radio since 2017. SiriusXM VP of sports programming Eric Spitz states, “D.A. is one of the brightest stars in sports radio today. He delivers a terrific blend of informative and thoughtful sports talk with creative, entertaining humor, which is what our listeners are looking for as they start their day. He and Babs will make a dynamic team as they lead off our programming each morning.”

Industry News

Cumulus Media and Former KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas Hosts Settle

The legal battle between Cumulus Media and former KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas midday sports talk hosts Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp is over as United States District Judge Karen Gren Scholer issues an order stating that the parties have resolved the matter and the parties are to file dismissal documents byim Friday (9/29). Cumulus objected to the two hosts publishing their “The Dumb Zone” podcast arguing that it violates the terms of their contracts, specifically the non-compete clause. McDowell and Kemp left “The Ticket” in July after being unable to come to terms on a renewal due to the two sides’ disagreement over digital initiatives. McDowell and Kemp had argued that Cumulus’ business is “the operation of terrestrial radio stations – old media – and it was only in that business that Plaintiff employed the Defendants.” Ultimately the two sides were ordered into mediation on the matter. The terms of the settlement have not been made public.

Industry News

KMJ-AM/FM, Fresno Raises $620,000 for Central California Food Bank

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Pictured above at last Friday’s 10th annual KMJ’s Feeding Families Fund Drive is station news anchor Liz Kern (left) and station talk host Ray Appleton – with his dog Elvis (right). The Cumulus Media news/talk station helped raise $620,000 for the Central California Food Bank. In the last decade, KMJ’s Feeding Families Fund Drive has raised a total of over $4.4 million to help feed area families in need. The fundraiser is conducted every year in partnership with the Musson family at agribusiness firm GAR Bennett, which very generously matches 50% of the total funds raised through the drive.

Industry News

Sean Hannity to Moderate DeSantis-Newsom Debate

FOX News Channel prime time star Sean Hannity will moderate a red vs. blue state debate between Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and Democrat California Governorim Gavin Newsom on November 30 from a location in Georgia yet-to-be-determined. It will air from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm ET. FNC says, “Hannity first raised the prospect of a debate with Governor Newsom during his exclusive sit-down this past June, following which, Governor DeSantis officially signed on to participate in July. This will mark the first time the two prominent governors will face off in a debate.” Hannity says, “I’m looking forward to providing viewers with an informative debate about the everyday issues and governing philosophies that impact the lives of every American.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Sell Yourself a Schedule

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imI asked my pal, longtime radio seller, now retired: “How often were you asked, ‘How much would you charge for ONE commercial?’”

“Many times!” he guffawed. “I told ‘em ‘Keep your money! It won’t work!’” And he would explain to the prospect that repetition is the key to radio advertising.

Pitch like your happiest advertisers

Smart reps schedule commercial flights using the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Optimum Effective Scheduling formula (OES), because “message retention and recall begins after three exposures.”

Don’t stop there. I don’t know WHEN I’ll need to buy a tire, but when that next nail finds me, I know WHERE I will buy, because that retailer advertises enough to own “tires” in my mind. Purchasing a whole car is more foreseeable, and I’ve read that it takes many buyers 90 days to pull the trigger. So, if the copy is just right, always-on always works.

Programmers: Are you selling your station, on its own air, with the frequency we preach to clients? And – no matter how often you freshen your imaging – is the benefit statement as consistent as the many ways “Liberty-Liberty-Libbberty” assures us “you only pay for what you need?”

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Sales 101: “Your best prospect is…”

Say it with me: “…an existing customer.”

To be clear: Nothing you say on-air will add cume, because the only people who hear your imaging are already listening.

Hey, who wouldn’t want a bigger budget for billboards over the Interstate? But it’s…the Interstate. Many who give it a glance (at most) don’t even live here. Some of those who do might give you a try. And whether they do or whether they don’t, there’s very little you can do to keep them sitting in a parked car, listening. So how can we invite them back more often?

Tip: On-hour news appointments, “a quick [name of network] update, throughout your busy day” as the world we live in has listeners wondering “What NEXT???” This is increasingly useful for music stations, with music now commoditized by non-broadcast competitors.

Rip me off

On-air promos accomplish three things:

— Defining the station, labeling your button in the listener’s mind.

— Asking for more occasions of listening, thus the newscast tip above.

— Listeners REMEMBER having-listened. Not just opportune in diary markets, where we want diarykeepers to round-up. 😉 In PPM markets, awareness drives use. So, in both cases, ratings are a memory test. And this matters even if you don’t subscribe to ratings, because advertisers need prospects to hear that tire commercial multiple times.

So, it’s worth your time to review all imaging and promos now airing. Of each piece, ask yourself: What does this accomplish? Does this convey why/when/how the listener should/can listen more often?

To hear 21 examples of imaging work I’ve done for client stations, click “DO listeners understand why to spend more time with you?” at HollandCooke.com

OK…ONE exception…

I asked my bud, who sold a lotta radio for a lotta years: “What if the request to buy ONE commercial was a pop-the-question surprise, to air when the hopeful groom knew she would be listening?”

“Ka-CHING!” he winked, “and I’d nick him good! You know what that ring cost?”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” a FREE download; and “Your Trusted Voice: How to Attract New Clients More Efficiently than Competitors Who Spend a Fortune on Advertising.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Former Arizona Talk Host John C. Scott Dies at 80

Tucson.com reports that longtime Tucson market radio personality John C. Scott died on Friday (9/22) at the age of 80. He retired from his “John C. Scott Political Forum” program on Bustos Media’s KVOI-AM in July. Scott relocated to Tucson in 1967 and worked as the news anchor for KTKT-AM. He later became for news anchor for KVOA-TV, and KOLD-TV. He also hosted a talk show on KGUN-TV. In 1972, Scott won a seat in the Arizona State Senate where he served as a Democrat for two years. Current Tucson mayoral candidate Ed Ackerley comments, “He was a progressive conservative. I know that’s an oxymoron, but I believe had the best interests of the city at heart. His overall sense was that we can all come together, work together to make Tucson a better place to live.” Read the Tucson.com obit here.

Industry News

RTDNA: News Consumers Want Journalists to Ask Tough Questions of Candidates

According to a study by Magid and commissioned by the Radio Television Digital News Association, most U.S. local news consumers want journalists to ask tough, but respectful, questions of candidates and regularly fact check those running for office. RTDNA released the data at its RTDNA23 in Minneapolis. The study finds 62% of local news viewers and listeners say it is “very important” that local sources andim journalists “ask tough, but respectful questions to get answers,” and 61% say it is very important they fact-check those candidates. RTDNA president and CEO Dan Shelley comments, “In our highly polarized society, Americans need to rely on their trusted local sources of news to get the facts about candidates, campaigns and other political issues. These findings offer a clear roadmap to ensure local reporters and news managers are providing voters with the information they crave to make critical decisions in the voting booth.” Other data from the study reflects news consumers’ attitudes about news organizations, finding that 47% of those surveyed said they were in strong agreement that the information they get from local news sources is accurate and correct. That number drops to 41% when local news outlets cover political issues. It also found that just 39% of people were in strong agreement that local news sources were balanced and represented all sides of an issue. See more from the RTDNA here.

Industry News

WXYT-FM, Detroit Announces New Morning Show

Audacy promotes Detroit sports talk personality Jim Costa to co-host of the morning show on sports talk WXYT-FM, Detroit “97.1 The Ticket,” following the conclusion of the Detroit Lions season in February. He’ll join current morning personality Jon Jansen and takes over for Mike Stone who is retiring. Costa hasim been with the station since February of 2021 and has served as evening host, prime-time fill-in host, and co-hosts the “Cash The Ticket” sports betting podcast with WXYT afternoon host Mike Valenti. Audacy Detroit SVP and market manager imDebbie Kenyon says, “I’m thrilled that Jim Costa will be the next co-host of the ‘97.1 The Ticket’ morning show. Jim has spent the last few years building a great relationship with his listeners. We look forward to the talents of Jim Costa and Jon Jansen entertaining and informing the Detroit sports audience and can’t wait to see how the show evolves in 2024.” Costa adds, “This is a dream come true for me. My whole career, I’ve chased the chance to build a show on ‘97.1 The Ticket.’ I grew up listening to this station and rooting for these teams. To start the conversation in Detroit every morning is special. Jon Jansen and I are a good contrast; we play off each other well, and I’m excited for the show we will create along with Heather [Park] and the entire morning show crew.”

Industry News

Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato Joins 77WABC

Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC, New York announces that former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato is joining the station as a regular contributor in which he’ll “provide insights from his years of political service across 77WABC’s talk programs, including ‘Cats & Cosby,’ the afternoon drive show co-hosted by Redim Apple CEO John Catsimatidis and award-winning journalist Rita Cosby. Catsimatidis says, “Senator D’Amato is one of the smartest, most common sense, and knowledgeable people I know. From his many years in the U.S. Senate, Al has a deep understanding of the underpinnings of politics – local, national, and global – and will help 77WABC listeners discern the truth about what’s really going on in Washington and the world.” Senator D’Amato represented the state of New York in the U.S. Senate from 1981 to 1999. Following his departure from the Senate, he founded the lobbying firm Park Strategies. He says, “I am pleased to be part of the greatest news/talk programming in the nation. 77WABC is a station whose people call it the way it is and aren’t wed to a political party but are wed to doing what’s right in America.”

Industry News

Broadcasters Inducted into Rhode Island Hall of Fame

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Pictured above is WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM, Providence morning host and WJAR-TV, Providence 6:00 pm anchor Gene Valicenti (right) with consultants Holland Cooke (left) and Mike McVay (center). Valicenti was one of those inducted into Rhode Island Radio & TV Hall of Fame last night (9/21). This year’s other radio inductee is former WPRO news director Chris Camp, who recently retired back to Rhode Island after 28 years as news director at Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta.

Industry News

Former Radio Executive Burt Sherwood Dies at 95

Burt Sherwood, whose long career in radio spanned over 70 years including on-air work as a WMCA, New York “Good Guy” in the station’s Top 40 days; general manager of WMAQ, Chicago during its highly rated run as a country station; general manager  at WMEE/WMEF, Fort Wayne; WIBG, Philadelphia; and WNHC-AM, New Haven, died peacefully in hospice care in Sarasota, Florida yesterday (9/21). Sherwood celebrated his 95th birthday this past May. He is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Ellen and son Jason.

Industry News

Ron Sexton Cause of Death Revealed to Be Overdose

According to a report in the U.S. Sun, “The Bob & Tom Show” cast member and standup comic Ronim Sexton died from an overdose of fentanyl and alcohol. Sexton was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Ohio while on tour doing standup as the Donnie Baker character he often played on the nationally syndicated radio show. Sexton leaves behind his wife Tracey and four children. Read the Sun story here.

Industry News

LABF Announces 2023 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (LABF) announces the industry leaders it will recognize during the 2023 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony in New York on November 14. They are: Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Media Group; Wolf Blitzer,im anchor, “The Situation Room,” CNN; Juju Chang, co-anchor, “Nightline,” ABC News; David E. Kennedy, co-founder & managing director, Aspire Ventures LLC; Eric Shanks, CEO & executive producer, FOX Sports; Valari Dobson Staab, chairman, NBCUniversal Local; and Nina Totenberg, correspondent, legal affairs, NPR. To date, LABF has honored more than 200 leaders in broadcasting since the event’s inception in 2003. Net proceeds from the luncheon will support the preservation and expansion of the Library of American Broadcasting collection, which is curated at the University of Maryland.

Industry News

“Why Is KFI So Successful?”

iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI, Los Angeles gets some love from the Los Angeles Daily NewsRichard Wagoner in his column. Reporting on the station’s recent #3 rank in Nielsen’s August PPM survey,im Wagoner writes, “Why is KFI so successful – isn’t conservative talk dead? Yes, it is… and it’s been decades since KFI was considered ‘conservative talk’ (even when it wasn’t). There have always been a balance of viewpoints on the station; as it moved away from politically centered topics to more general topics, it matched the mood of listeners who wanted to be entertained more than they wanted to be angry.” Read his column here.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Executive Chuck Deskins to Retire

iHeartMedia announces that SVP, Inside Sales Division Chuck Deskins will retire from the company on December 31. Deskins has served with iHeartMedia for more than 32 years, beginning his career inim Cincinnati as an AE at 700 WLW in 1987 when it was part of Jacor Communications. He worked his way up through numerous sales positions within the company, assuming his current role in 2019. As SVP of the Inside Sales Division, Deskins managed iHeartMedia’s largest individual sales team and created advertising opportunities for brands and iHeartMedia partners across the company’s vast array of platforms including radio broadcasting, digital, mobile, outdoor, live concerts and events and more. Deskins says, “I’m really going to miss my Inside Sales family and all my iHeart friends across the country. What an awesome group. Thanks to everyone for making this an awesome ride.”

Industry News

Donovan McNabb Joins Outkick

Sports media platform OutKick today launches a new video podcast starring former NFL star Donovan McNabb titled, “The 5 Spot with Donovan McNabb,” (co-hosted by OutKick senior NFL writer Armandoim Salguero) that will drop every Tuesday and Friday during the NFL season. Outkick founder Clay Travis states, “Donovan McNabb is an NFL legend who I always enjoyed watching, except when he played against the Titans. I’m ecstatic to have him as a teammate now and he will be a great addition to OutKick, where we are continuing to build a unique home for the most insightful personalities in sports media who are free to speak their minds.”

Industry News

WRVA, Richmond’s Jeff Katz Feels Good Vibrations

Pictured at right is WRVA, Richmond afternoon drive talk show host Jeff Katz (left) having fun, fun, fun withim Beach Boys original lead singer Mike Love (right). Love made his only radio appearance on Katz’s program during the band’s stop in Central Virginia for a sold-out performance. Katz says they talked about the impact of the Beach Boys in popular music, as well as Transcendental Meditation and the political landscape.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Salem Media Group announces that the podcast show “Living to 100 Club,” hosted by Dr. Joseph Casciani, joins its SeniorResource.com. The program features experts on everything from nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits to modern medicine and medical advancements. Dr. Casciani says, “Psychologically, healthy aging is all about mindset, attitude, and outlook. I want my listeners to keep moving forward, no matter what gets in the way.”

Audiohook names David “DK” Krulewich its new chief revenue officer (CRO). Krulewich has experience in the audio space including in his more recent position as executive vice president of Programmatic, Podcasting, Data and Product at iHeartMedia’s Katz Digital.

Industry News

WCHV, Charlottesville Celebrates 90 Years of Service

Monticello Media’s news/talk WCHV-AM, Charlottesville, Virginia celebrated its 90th Anniversary servingim the Central Virginia and Charlottesville area this weekend (9/16-17) with a star-studded gala that raised thousands of dollars for the local United Way chapter and the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society and included a Gubernatorial Proclamation making September 15 “WCHV Radio Day” in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Pictured here is WCHV program director and morning host Joe Thomas (right) and Albemarle county supervisor Ann Mallek (left) reading the proclamation.

Industry News

Audacy Chicago Names Doug Levy GSM

Audacy appoints Doug Levy general sales manager for its Chicago cluster that includes all-news WBBM-imAM/WCFS-FM. Levy began his radio sales career with Katz Media and later became the director of sales for Univision. Doug went on to lead both the television and radio divisions as president and general manager of Spanish-language multimedia company TelevisaUnivision. He also served as a weekend personality on rock WXRT-FM, Chicago for 10 years.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

This Thursday (9/21) at 7:00 pm, Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” is presenting a town hall titled, “School Fight: Trans Kids, Parents and Policy,” on gender identification policies in New Jersey’s schools. The discussion will help New Jersey residents understand the complicated and often controversial rules regarding how schools must deal with trans students. New Jersey 101.5’s Eric Scott will lead a discussion “aimed at separating fact from fiction regarding these rules, particularly the ban against parental notification if a student changes gender identity in school.”

iHeartPodcasts and professional dancer Cheryl Burke announce the debut of a new, weekly podcast titled, “Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans.” Burke has been a part of the “Dancing with the Stars” franchise since the beginning. “She knows all the secrets, the behind-the-scenes arguments, the flings, the flirting and the fighting. Cheryl Burke is ready to spill all the tea by taking listeners all the way back to season one and up through today for the dance floor drama like you wouldn’t believe.”

Industry News

FNC Adds Lawrence Jones to FOX & Friends

FOX News Channel expands the lineup of its morning drive program “FOX & Friends” with the addition of Lawrence Jones as a co-host. Beginning Monday (9/18), Jones joins co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade from 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET and will also continue in his role as theim franchise’s enterprise reporter. The announcement was made on this morning’s program with Doocy, Earhardt and Kilmeade as well as Will Cain, Rachel Campos-Duffy and Pete Hegseth who co-host “FOX & Friends Weekend,” senior meteorologist Janice Dean and Todd Piro & Carley Shimkus who helm “FOX & Friends First.” Jones’ current weekend program “Lawrence Jones Cross Country” will be sunset, and “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade” will now air at 9:00 pm ET on Saturday evenings. FNC SVP of morning programming Gavin Hadden says, “Lawrence has his finger on the pulse of what matters to communities across America and his insight has proved invaluable to the ‘FOX & Friends’ audience. We look forward to welcoming him to our family as he wakes up America alongside our star co-hosts each morning.”

Job Opportunity

FOX News Media Seeks Full-Time News Anchor

FOX News Media has an opportunity for a full-time news anchor for “FOX News Headlines 24/7” onim SiriusXM. The company says, “As a radio news anchor, you will work under tight deadlines and deliver top-notch newscasts. You have a passion for breaking news and the flexibility to work on a day’s notice.” Requirements include at least five years’ experience as a news anchor and strong writing skills & audio editing experience. Find out more and apply here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the NBA’s Timberwolves will not renew their deal with Audacy’s WCCO-AM for the team’s game broadcasts beginning with this 23-24 season. Team spokeswoman Sara Perez states, “We appreciated our partnership with WCCO and the radio broadcast opportunities we were able to accomplish with them. However, we are looking forward to announcing a new radio broadcast partnership in the weeks to come.”

FOX News Channel chief political anchor Bret Baier will present an exclusive interview with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his “Special Report” program on September 20 at 6:00 pm ET. This is bin Salman’s first interview with a major American news network since 2019. FNC says, “The pre-taped, no-holds-barred interview will cover a range of topics about the future of the kingdom and relations with the United States. Baier will anchor “Special Report” from Saudi Arabia on September 19 and 20 and present a behind-the-scenes look at the kingdom, conducting adjacent interviews with other Saudi officials as well.

Industry News

iHeartMedia: Study Reveals Disconnect Between Consumer and Marketers

iHeartMedia and Malcolm Gladwell’s Pushkin Industries release the results of a study conducted by Morning Consult and Advertiser Perceptions that explores the growing disparity between consumer values and behaviors and marketing priorities in the U.S. They say that the report “underscores the increasing urgency for marketers to reset and realign their marketing and media plans with American consumers to ensure the success of campaigns in an increasingly polarized post-COVID economy.” iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “This research is a reminder of how different we marketers are from today’s consumers, especially post-pandemic. Based on these results, we need to challenge ourselves as we build marketing and media plans to be sure we use real consumer data and not just trust our instincts and personal experiences. These personal biases are too detached from the consumers most marketers are trying to engage, and which are often behind major marketing misfires. This study aims to level-set the conversation to benefit both our audiences and advertisers.” Some of the key findings from the report include: 1) While 40% of consumers report that they’ve never heard of NFTs, that number drops to 0% for marketers; 2) 62% of consumers have never heard of the TV show “Succession,” while less than 5% of marketers have never heard of “Succession”; and 3) Almost one-third of consumers have never heard of pickleball, while all marketers [surveyed] have heard of pickleball. The findings were presented by iHeartMedia’s Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group, and author and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell at iHeartMedia’s AudioCon 2023 on Wednesday (9/13).

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Compass Media Networks kicked off year 15 of college football coverage this month that’s part of its 16-game CFB schedule. Compass SVP and general manager for sports Michelle Salvatore states, “There is nothing quite like the fan frenzy and pageantry of the college game day experience. Each week Compass Media Networks brings our national audience the absolute best matchups from the Power 5. We cannot wait to broadcast #5 LSU at Mississippi State this weekend!”

Art Vuolo of Vuolo Video shot video of the flip of WFDF, Detroit to news/talk on September 5. The video includes a history of the 910 AM frequency in the market and its most recent programming under owner Kevin Adell’s Adell Media. See the video here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (9/13) News/Talk Media Stories

The impeachment inquiry opened into President Joe Biden over the Biden family’s business dealings; Mitt Romney won’t run for re-election to his U.S. Senate seat saying it’s time for a new generation of leaders; a judge rules the Obama-era DACA program is illegal; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race; the looming UAW strike; the Justice Department versus Google; the meeting between North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin; and Mexico’s congress holds a hearing at which it’s presented with what are claimed to be alien mummies were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Bret Baier Signs Extension with FOX News Media

FOX News Media and Bret Baier agree to a multi-year contract extension that allows him to continue his roles as chief political anchor and anchor & executive editor of “Special Report.” Baier will continue to coim-anchor 2024 election coverage and host “The Bret Baier Podcast” on FOX News Audio. President and executive editor Jay Wallace says, “We are thrilled to have Bret continue leading our political coverage as we head into the 2024 election season and beyond.” Baier has been the anchor of “Special Report” on FOX News Channel since January 2009, when he took over for the legendary Brit Hume who created and launched “Special Report” in 1998.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Hillsdale College announces that its students claimed six spots as finalists for the College Broadcasters, Inc Awards, the winners of which will be announced in October at the CBI convention in Orlando. Scott Bertram is general manager of the school’s WRFH. He says, “I’m very proud of our students for their well-deserved recognition. This is the largest number of CBI finalists in Hillsdale history, and is a testament to the quality work produced by our students.”

C-SPAN announces that Altice USA chairman and CEO Dennis Mathew joins the C-SPAN board of directors, succeeding Altice USA’s former CEO Dexter Goei. A veteran of the telecommunications industry, Mathew joined Altice USA in late 2022 from Comcast, where he spent 17 years in senior corporate and leadership positions.

Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, in association with Telepictures, and Audacy announce the new program, “Extra: The Podcast,” a weekly podcast from the Emmy Award-winning TV show “Extra” as it enters its 30th season. “Extra: The Podcast” will cover the week’s major headlines as well as extended versions of “Extra’s” biggest interviews with no time limit, allowing listeners to hear the raw conversations that go even more in-depth and feature moments that didn’t make the TV show.

Premiere Networks and Amy Brown announce the addition of “What’s God Got To Do With It?” hosted by Leanne Ellington to The Amy Brown Podcast Network. The weekly podcast features “self-image scientist, best-selling author and internationally sought-after speaker Leanne Ellington using her own experience to guide listeners who want to discover their spiritual path and connect with a higher power in a forum that builds confidence and offers support.”