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New York Festivals Radio and TV & Film Awards announce a new partnership with JusticeAid, a nonprofit organization dedicated to using art and music to raise awareness about civil rights challenges and inspire action for social justice.Together, they will launch the inaugural JusticeAid Award, a new honor that will recognize the highest-scoring entry across all Social Justice categories in the NYF TV & Film and Radio competitions.

The JusticeAid Award will be presented to the entry that demonstrates outstanding storytelling in addressing critical social justice issues. The winner will be determined by the esteemed NYF TV & Film Awards and Radio Awards Grand Juries, who will evaluate entries across a range of categories.

Categories within TV & Film Awards include News Program, News Report/Feature, Sports, Documentary, Entertainment Program, Entertainment Special, Promo, Streaming, Student, and Corporate Image.NYF Radio Categories eligible for the award include News Program, News Report/Feature, Documentary, Entertainment, Promo, Digital, Podcast, and Student.

“With the JusticeAid Award, NYF shines a spotlight on the Social Justice categories across all genres and platforms encompassing Journalism and Entertainment categories alike. These stories show how individual actions can change the world and the ability of the human spirit to triumph over adversity,” states Rose Anderson, EVP/executive director of New York Festivals Radio and TV & Film Awards.

The first annual JusticeAid Award will be presented at the 2025 Storytellers Gala, a virtual event in the Spring 2025 celebrating global excellence in storytelling. In 2024, over 180 award-winning teams worldwide shared their acceptances, while industry leaders spotlighted their creative journeys in special segments. Additionally, the JusticeAid Award-winning submission will be honored at the JusticeAid Concert in May 2025 in New York City, showcasing the transformative power of music and the arts to raise awareness for civil rights and inspire positive change.

The New York Festivals TV & Film and Radio Awards competitions receive entries from over 50 countries.  Members of the Grand Jury panels vote to determine the Shortlists and final standings for Tower Trophies. The 2025 Storytellers Gala will honor trophy winners of both competitions in the spring.

The official deadline to enter the 2025 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards is December 31, 2024. For more information on the 2025 TV & Film Awards visit: HERE.

The official deadline to enter the 2025 Radio Awards is January 31, 2025. For more information on the 2025 Radio Awards visit: HERE.

Edison Research with support from LWC Studios, Latino Media Network, Libsyn, SiriusXM Podcast Network, and Uforia Podcasts unveiled the fifth-year anniversary of the “Latino Podcast Listener Report 2024” in a webinar hosted by Gabriel Soto, senior director of research at Edison Research, Elsie Escobar, director of community and content at Libsyn, and Briana Mendez, senior sales marketing manager at SiriusXM Media. The webinar offered up to five years of trending data and new findings about Latino podcast listeners as well as video interviews of podcast creators discussing how they’ve utilized the studies throughout the years. According to the study, 43% of U.S. Latinos age 18+ are monthly podcast listeners, a 72% increase since 2020 (25%).

Key findings include:

• Female listenership is up: Women now account for half of the U.S. Monthly Latino Listening population, making the composition of Latino podcast listeners 50% women and 50% men for the first time.

• Social media is a dominant source for podcast discovery: 47% of U.S. Latino monthly podcast listeners age 18+ first discovered podcasting by seeing it on social media, compared with 30% in 2020.

• YouTube gains share as the service used most often to listen to podcasts: 40% of U.S. Latino monthly podcast listeners age 18+ say they use YouTube the most to listen to podcasts – a 12-point increase from 2020. Thirty percent search on YouTube most often to find out about podcasts.

• Latino podcast listeners’ preference for video podcasts is up: Since 2021, U.S. Latino monthly podcast listeners age 18+ have increased their consumption of video that they actively watch while listening by 23% (2021: 70% vs. 2024: 86%), surpassing audio only podcasts at 72%.

• Gen Z and Millennial U.S. Latino listeners are more likely to listen or watch podcasts with other people: 43% of U.S. monthly Latino podcast listeners age 18+ have listened to or watched podcasts with others. Listeners aged 18–24 are 47% likely to share their podcast listening experience with others, those aged 25–34 are 46%, and those aged 35–44 are the most likely to listen to or watch podcasts with others at nearly half (49%).

• Latinos are spending most of their days with podcasts for entertainment: 78% of U.S. monthly Latino podcast listeners age 18+ “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that they listen to podcasts when they want to be entertained – an 8-point increase since 2020.

“Latinos have been trailblazers in podcasting, driving trends from leading the early adoption of YouTube to fueling the rise of video podcast consumption,” said Elsie Escobar, Director of Community and Content at Libsyn. Beyond educational content, Latino listeners are embracing a broader range of podcasts, from entertainment to inspirational stories. This growing diversity creates exciting opportunities for advertisers to connect with a vibrant audience and align brand messaging with their lifestyle interests and values.”

Soto says, “The number of Latinos consuming video podcasts has surpassed the number of those listening to audio-only shows. If the young Latino demographic is any indication of how listening will take shape among the rest of the podcast audience, podcasters will have another reason to consider video as part of their content.”

Click here to download the report.

Vince Benedetto – founder, president and CEO of Bold Gold Media Group – is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview.”  The video version is posted on The TALKERS YouTube channel program, “Up Close Far Out.”  In addition to being a radio industry rising star among station owners, Benedetto is an accomplished history buff. Harrison and Benedetto engage in a fascinating character study of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They draw lessons for a better understanding of the demands of leadership in modern times.  Bold Gold Media Group owns and operates 15 broadcast radio stations throughout Pennsylvania and New York.  Benedetto started the company and acquired his first four radio stations at the age of 29.  This remarkable man is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a former Air Force Captain and Air Force OSI Special Agent, where he worked on counterintelligence, counterterrorism and felony level investigative efforts for the Department of Defense.  With a desire to be a media entrepreneur, Benedetto separated from the Air Force in his late 20s and formed Bold Gold, where his growing portfolio of radio stations has become a leader in social and digital media engagement. Benedetto serves as the chairman of the board of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB).  He is a member of the Radio Advertising Bureau’s ‘Sales Advisory Committee’ (SAC). He also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Churchill Society (ICS) and is president of the Churchill Society of Pennsylvania. Don’t miss this illuminating conversation about vital American/world history and its connection to the most important character issues of modern times. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click HERE.   To view the video in its entirety, please click HERE.

The top story yesterday (12/17) on news/talk radio and related media venues remained the tragic school shooting in Madison, WI followed by continuing heavy conversation about the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder, problems with the health care system, and the ongoing drone sightings mystery/drama.  Discussion also continued about the many facets of the presidential transition currently underway, the economy, and U.S.-Canada relations according to the ongoing research of TALKERS.

Audacy has received the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) Award, highlighting the company’s commitment to serving the military community. This award is presented to organizations that go above and beyond to support fallen heroes, veterans, and military families.  Audacy, led by the Philadelphia team and 1210 WPHT has been a long-time supporter of TMF, raising money and awareness for the organization’s mission. TMF is the beneficiary of WPHT’s annual “Talk Radio 1210 Radiothon” and Sports Radio 94WIP’s annual “WIP Birds at the Bye” event.  The company was honored (12/12) at TMF’s 2024 “If Not Me, Then Who…” Gala. Audacy CEO/president David Field accepted the award and offered remarks: “On behalf of my colleagues at Audacy, we are humbled to receive this recognition. We admire and salute the Foundation for its extraordinary work making a meaningful, often life-changing impact on the lives of veterans, the families of fallen heroes, and young people finding their way in our increasingly challenging world,” said Field. “TMF makes an enormous difference through its various programs that elevate lives, foster strong character and leadership and add meaning, purpose, and comfort. We hope to serve TMF as a loyal partner for many years to come.” The Travis Manion Foundation is a non-profit organization that empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. TMF offers a variety of programs that help veterans and families of fallen heroes to heal, grow, and serve others. The inspiration for the foundation comes from 1st Lt Travis Manion, USMC, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of his patrol in 2007. TMF carries on the legacy of selfless service and leadership embodied by Travis and all those who have served or continue to serve our nation.  Pictured above: members of Audacy Philadelphia at TMF’s 2024 “If Not Me, Then Who…” Gala.

Executives from Triton Digital – a global technology and services leader to the digital audio, podcast, and broadcast radio industries – are providing TALKERS readers with their insights into how audio marketing spending will evolve, how YouTube is impacting the podcasting industry, the growth of contextual targeting tools, and more for the coming year:

• Sharon Taylor, EVP podcast and content delivery: Brands and publishers will respond to a heightened focus on brand suitability by adopting tailored, podcast-specific solutions that integrate contextual curation tools. These tools will not only proactively guide brands on optimal content alignment but also streamline ad buying processes through automation and data-driven insights, reducing the need for extensive manual intervention. This approach will power precise content targeting and scale reach effectively, all while ensuring brand messages align seamlessly with the right contexts and audiences.

• Stephanie Donovan, chief revenue officer: The global advertising industry will exceed one trillion dollars by year’s end and is poised for continued growth in 2025, fueled by economic expansion across the United States, Australia and regions like Europe and Southeast Asia. Digital audio marketing spend worldwide will increase 10% next year, in part due to key drivers including the rise of contextual targeting, allowing advertisers to immerse their message within relevant content, and utilizing the growing versatility of dynamic audio insertion to make scaling campaigns more efficient. Additionally, the rapid growth of influencer marketing on TikTok and X is cooling, with marketers increasing spend on podcasts where creators can cultivate more meaningful audience connections. This growth in audio spending will heighten the insistence for transparency as advertisers demand greater visibility into performance metrics and content alignment to ensure trust and accountability. This convergence will solidify audio’s position as a successful channel for integrated marketing strategies worldwide.

• Daryl Battaglia, SVP measurement: In 2025, the number of podcast listeners will grow at a faster rate than in previous years. While podcasting will remain fundamentally audio-first, driven by convenience and flexibility, consumers now have more options for how they discover and consume content. YouTube is bringing in new, first-time podcast consumers with a different audience profile. In some cases, they are watching shorter length content or on additional devices other than mobile.  Informed by insights about their audience, publishers and creators will be able to deliver an engaged experience across listening platforms and devices, and grow reach.

• Ben Masse, chief product officer: The audio advertising industry will integrate AI more into their tech stack to scale campaigns and audience targeting. More specifically, the focus will be on enabling humans to automate tasks so they can focus on strategy. AI will be leveraged to drive more effective and efficient spending, including helping achieve yield for publishers and meaningful campaign outcomes for advertisers, as well as content analysis and audience insights. This tech shift will put a bigger emphasis on having robust data-backed insights on audiences, content, and campaign performance.

• Emanuele Rampichini, head of engineering: The podcasting industry will see publishers increasingly diversify into subscription-based revenues and build deeper relationships with dedicated audiences while reducing reliance on traditional ad models. This approach will be particularly transformative for long-tail podcasters and creators with smaller followings, offering a sustainable revenue stream that can be both a growth and retention strategy. For creators with niche audiences, subscriptions provide a viable alternative to ads and ensure the lion’s share of the revenue goes directly to the creator. As platforms invest more in these tools, creators will be able to engage directly with their subscribers through integrated communication features and eliminate the need for third-party tools. This evolution promises to empower indie creators by streamlining their workflows and enhancing their ability to cultivate loyal audiences.

• Rebecca Dalby, vice president of demand: The demand for precision in audio advertising is growing, making nuanced and contextual targeting more essential than ever. As advertisers prioritize accurate audience engagement, the shift toward contextual targeting is gaining significant traction. This trend is expected to drive more ad dollars into solutions that deliver measurable results. Innovative technology that amplifies the ability to connect with highly specific audiences at scale and helps meet advertisers’ evolving expectations will win. For publishers, this surge in demand for targeted ad placements unlocks exciting opportunities to expand inventory and enhance reach through strategic partnerships within digital audio networks.

The top story yesterday (12/16) on news/talk radio and related media venues was the tragic school shooting in Madison, WI. That was followed by continuing heavy conversation about the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder and the ongoing drone sightings mystery/drama.  Discussion also continued about the many facets of the presidential transition currently underway and the economy according to the ongoing research of TALKERS.

Gunhill Road, the perennial pop music ensemble that has attracted hundreds of thousands of worldwide followers with its growing repertoire of issue-oriented songs and music videos, released an anthem late last week celebrating talk radio. “Don’t Stop Talking” is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in supporting American freedom of speech and the First Amendment.  Non-partisan lyrics ring out: “As long as you’ve got a voice, don’t ever stop!” and “As long as you’ve got the truth, don’t ever stop!”  The original composition co-written by band members Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch, Brian Koonin, and Michael Harrison encourages dedicated talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and valuable service they provide the nation. The images accompanying the music include a dynamic montage of almost 100 individual radio talk hosts in the process of doing their shows. Matthew B. Harrison, who produced the video visual components states, “Gunhill Road has achieved enormous internet recognition around the nation and world – much of it fueled by the attention and exposure its unique songs and videos have received on talk radio.  This amazing piece is the group’s way of giving back.”

To view the video in its entirety, please click talkradioforever.com. To arrange an interview with Michael Harrison about the song and talk radio’s vital role in the marketplace of ideas, please email info@talkers.com.  To download the 1:03 or :40 edits of the song, please click HERE or HERE

Fisher House Foundation is announcing a Holiday Season edition of “The Fisher House Story.” Hear the demo and register today at radio.fisherhouse.org. “The Fisher House Story” is provided in varying lengths for news/talk radio stations as well as 30-minute public affairs show for all formats in the U.S. and around the world.  The free 3-hour, 1-hour, 25- and 30-minute radio specials are hosted by long-time WMAL, Washington, DC radio personality Larry O’Connor and feature stories of our nation’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey.  This program is appropriate for the entire Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year season and is a fitting and inspirational holiday programming alternative for all formats.  The 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 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 go through their painful and painstaking recoveries.  Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. For more information on this radio special, available cash and barter free, contact TALKERS Heavy Hundred member Larry O’Connor at 562-665-9537 or loconnor@fisherhouse.org.

The mysterious drones spotted in the skies of New Jersey and across the Northeast took center stage this weekend (12/14-15) on the talk radio and related talk media venues of America. Beyond that, heavy conversation continued to focus on the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder and its many topical tentacles.  Also, among the biggest stories – conversation about President-elect Donald Trump‘s picks for cabinet posts and other government appointments. That was followed by the economy (including tariffs and inflation) and foreign affairs, all in accordance with the ongoing research of TALKERS.

iHeartMedia San Diego’s eight music and talk radio stations participated in the seventh annual “iHeart Rady Children’s Giveathon” in partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego this week (12/11-12).  These include talkers Newsradio 600 KOGO, San Diego Sports 760, and The Patriot AM 1360.  The stations broadcasted live from their studios each day of the Giveathon between 6 am – 6 pm. During the broadcasts, station personalities interviewed former patients, physicians and the parents and families of patients currently being treated at the hospital, who shared their stories and experiences with station listeners.  Over the course of the two-day Giveathon, $437,264 in donations was raised by listeners who made their contributions via phone, text and an online portal. Many listener donations were matched by local businesses, families and individuals. “The generosity of our listeners will help ensure that every child gets the best care possible, right here in our community,” Noreen Ippolito, market president for iHeartMedia San Diego tells TALKERS. Donations made to Rady Children’s Hospital help fund lifesaving technology and research, provide a safety net for children with little or no private medical insurance and create a healing environment for patients and their families.

Gunhill Road, the perennial pop music ensemble that has attracted hundreds of thousands of worldwide followers with its growing repertoire of issue-oriented songs and music videos, has released an anthem celebrating talk radio. “Don’t Stop Talking” is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in supporting American freedom of speech and the First Amendment.  Non-partisan lyrics ring out: “As long as you’ve got a voice, don’t ever stop!” and “As long as you’ve got the truth, don’t ever stop!”  The original composition co-written by band members Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch, Brian Koonin, and Michael Harrison encourages dedicated talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and valuable service they provide the nation. The images accompanying the music include a dynamic montage of individual radio talk hosts in the process of doing their shows. Matthew B. Harrison, who produced the video visual components states, “Gunhill Road has achieved enormous internet recognition around the nation and world – much of it fueled by the attention and exposure its unique songs and videos have received on talk radio.  This amazing piece is the group’s way of giving back.” To view the video in its entirety, please click talkradioforever.com. To arrange an interview with Michael Harrison about the song and talk radio’s vital role in the marketplace of ideas, please email info@talkers.com.  For more information about Gunhill Road please visit www.GunhillRoadMusic.com.

TALKERS encourages its readers in the professional media community to post the brand-new music video for the talk radio anthem “Don’t Stop Talking” by Gunhill Road on their websites.  The song is a non-partisan celebration of talk radio, liberty, and the First Amendment and should proudly be shared with the public.

Here’s what to do:   

Go to www.TalkRadioForever.com. The exact YouTube page featuring the song will load. If you haven’t already liked the video and subscribed to the channel – please do so.

Underneath the video is the “Share” button. Press it and a window will pop up.

The first option for sharing is “Embed.” Press it and another window will pop up.

Press the copy button in the lower right corner. This highlights and copies all of the code necessary to paste into your own site.

This code creates a YouTube player with the song ready to go.

There are other sharing options including linking, posting to Facebook, Linked-in and the like, and sharing with a friend directly via text, email or What’s App.

Plus there’s always www.TalkRadioForever.com.

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (12/9-13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

1. CEO Murder Suspect Apprehended / Health Care
2. Trump Nominations and Appointments
3. Trump Tariff-Trade War Plans
4. Migrant-Border / Economy / Crime
5. Biden Pardons
6. DOGE / Trump-Musk-Ramaswamy Relationship
7. Russia-Ukraine War / Israel-Hezbollah Cease Fire
8. Syria Overthrow
9. Abortion Rights
10. Big Tech Influence / Media Bias

To see the complete charts of the most talked about stories and people, please click HERE.

Triton Digital®, the global technology and services provider to the digital audio, podcast, and broadcast radio industries, announced today (12/12) the release of its November 2024 reporting period (November 4, 2024 – December 1, 2024), U.S. Podcast Ranker as measured by Triton’s Podcast Metrics measurement service.

iHeart Audience Network earned the #1 spot again on the Top Sales Networks Report for the month of November, with 66.0M Average Weekly Downloads and 19.4M Average Weekly Users. NPR came in again at #2 with 25.8M Average Weekly Downloads and 6.7M Average Weekly Users, followed by Wondery again at #3 with 19.2M Average Weekly Downloads and 7.1M Average Weekly Users.

For this reporting period, the top three podcasts based on downloads included “NPR News Now” (NPR) again at #1, “Up First” (NPR) again at #2, and “The Dan Bongino Show” (Cumulus Podcast Network) again at #3.

For listeners, the top three podcasts included “NPR News Now“ (NPR) again at #1, “Up First” (NPR) again at #2, and “The Dan Bongino Show” (Cumulus Podcast Network) climbing to #3.

There were several debuts for the month of November including “Someone Knows Something” (CBC/Radio-Canada) for both downloads and listeners.

“The Sports Junkies” (Audacy Podcast Network), “It’s Been a Minute With Sam Sanders” (NPR), “The Chris Plante Show” (Cumulus Podcast Network), “The Ben Ferguson Podcast” (iHeart Audience Network) and more debuted for downloads.

“Brooke and Jeffrey: Second Date Update” (iHeart Audience Network), “Against The Odds” (Wondery) and more debuted for listeners.

Any sales network or publisher with an audience in the United States is eligible to participate in the U.S. Podcast Report. To learn more, contact: solutions@tritondigital.com.

By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling, Host
Sterling Every Damn Night, WPHT, Philadelphia
Sterling On Sunday, TMN

A grim day. They fired the whole band. You know who “they” are! Bloated management. The future of radio… ruined!

Year: 1936. Bandleaders took WNEW, New York, to court claiming that it was illegal to play recorded music on the air. Recorded music, conductors believed, stole performance rights fees from musicians. Consequently, Radio stations hired live bands to play music and networks offered live bands to affiliates until the court made a decision on the complaint.

Ultimately, the courts said that as long as a radio station owned the record, they could play it on the air.

Local bands were fired, network bands were fired. The radio industry embraced recorded music when it realized that WNEW’s

DJ Music show, “The Make-Believe Ballroom” was pulling a 25 audience share.

Airing recorded music was legal and moral. But many talented, capable, often union musicians lost their jobs. The radio industry changed.  That change resulted in the viability of modern radio.  Recorded music birthed the business of top 40.  Kids in an Akron record shop discovered “race” music in the back of the store and bought it with passion and speed compelling the retailer to reveal the phenomenon to local DJ Alan Freed. Freed put the songs on the air for a few hours a week… then he labelled the music rock ‘n’ roll.

Rock might never have defined our culture if music selection had been left up to the in-studio live bands. And a one and a two.

But a lot of musicians were fired in 1936.

This month, tragically at the holidays, many of our colleagues have lost their jobs. Time to challenge the aging legacies and rock.

The stage awaits.

Consultant Walter Sabo A.K.A. Walter M Sterling has a nightly show “Sterling Every Damn Night” heard on WPHT, Philadelphia 10:00 pm – 1:00 am. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs Sundays 10:00 pm – 1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at waltermsterling@gmail.com or Sabowalter@gmail.com.

By Robert Pearl

EXCLUSIVE TO TALKERS

Noted real estate industry figure and radio personality Suzanne Miller, the founder of Empire State Properties and host of “The Miller Report,” was honored last night (12/11) in a dazzling awards party featuring speakers, food, music, and dancing in the Manhattan offices and studios of WABC Radio. The event brought together New York media luminaries, and close friends of Miller for a night, in a packed room, celebrating not only her accomplishments but the resilience and vibrancy of the city she loves.

WABC Radio and Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis set a festive tone by introducing legendary entertainer (and multi-station NYC radio personality) Joe Piscopo. Piscopo delivered an unforgettable performance of Frank Sinatra classics, including “New York, New York,” igniting a chorus of guests singing along. “This is what makes New York the greatest city in the world!” exclaimed Catsimatidis, who shared the stage with WABC stars Rita Cosby, Sid Rosenberg, and Frank Morano, alongside his wife (and WABC co-owner), Margo Catsimatidis, and WABC/Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez.

Lopez lauded Miller’s career. “Suzanne has achieved over $5 million in sales and transactions, created 500 jobs, and played a pivotal role in rebuilding Battery Park after 9/11,” he remarked. “But if you ask Suzanne, she’ll tell you her greatest accomplishments are her two children. That humility is what makes her so special.”

Miller, visibly moved, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the audience. “A year and a half ago, I was at my kitchen table with my kids, dreaming about ‘The Miller Report,’” she shared. “Today, we’ve touched over 5.5 million people, discussing New York, real estate, and life itself. This city, these people, it’s what drives me.”

She recounted her journey as a Brooklyn-born daughter of immigrants, whose parents arrived with just $30 after surviving immense hardships during World War II. Recounting her humble beginnings in Canarsie, she gave a shout out to another Canarsie kid, radio host and Guardian Angels founder, Curtis Sliwa, also in the room. Her mother’s investment in a Brooklyn property sparked Miller’s lifelong passion for real estate. “That’s when my love for New York began,” she said. “This city is tough, but its heart is unbreakable. Never bet against New York!”

Rita Cosby highlighted Miller’s impact on the city. “Suzanne, you’ve been a cornerstone of WABC and a vital part of New York’s growth,” Cosby praised. “You embody what makes this city thrive – vision, grit, and compassion.”

Sid Rosenberg delivered his assessment of the Big Apple: “Real estate is booming here in New York, but we’ve got to vote smart. It’s time to bring back our beautiful city and state to what they should be – but we need to have the right leadership,” he said in his signature New York style.

As the evening progressed, Miller’s humor and candor shone. She thanked her team, family, and key supporters, including Gary Brody, who helped brand “The Miller Report.” She also paid tribute to Margo Catsimatidis, calling her “the First Lady of New York” for her “elegance and influence.” As for the city’s future. “We’ve got work to do,” she said passionately. “But New York isn’t just going to survive – it’s going to thrive.”

The WABC Awards Party was a testament to the enduring spirit of New York City and the power of community. In the words of Chad Lopez, “Tonight, we honor Suzanne Miller not just for what she’s done, but for what she inspires us all to be.”

Robert Pearl is a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes about New York City media, politics, and culture.  He can be emailed at pearlknows@yahoo.com.  

The lead story yesterday (12/11) on news/talk radio and related media venues remained the unfolding drama of the NYC shooting murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson with the apprehension of suspect, Luigi Mangione. This conversation has expanded into a number of directions and topics including an overview of American’s unhappiness with the health care system.  The Middle East remained hot focusing on the aftermath of the overthrow in Syria of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and its implications on world events going forward. That was followed closely by discussions about pending legal moves President-elect Donald Trump might carry out as revenge measures against his political opponents such as members of the January 6 Committee, more on his appointments and nominations, and analysis of President Joe Biden‘s relatively large pardons spree. Also in discussion: the economy and the migrant/border/crime situation according to the ongoing research of TALKERS.

According to a piece by writer Kase Wickman published yesterday (12/10) in Vanity Fair, Kylie Kelce‘s new podcast, “Not Gonna Lie,” has unseated Joe Rogan‘s “The Joe Rogan Experience” from its lofty position at the top of the most-listened charts on both Apple and Spotify.”  Kylie Kelce, wife of former Philadelpia Eagles star Jason Kelce, sister-in-law of Kansas City Chiefs star (and Taylor Swift boyfriend) Travis Kelce, mother of three (with a fourth on the way), and Dunkin’ Donuts enthusiast, can add another descriptor to that incomplete list: No. 1 podcast host.  Wickman writes, “I suspect Rogan will be back in first place soon, but for now, this ranking reinforces the Kelce family’s cultural dominance. (‘If everyone’s going to be talking about me and my family, you might as well hear it from me,’ she says in the show trailer.)”  Kelce’s husband Jason and brother-in-law Travis host the popular “New Heights” podcast. The inaugural episode of “Not Gonna Lie,” featuring “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” star Kaitlin Olson as a guest, was published on December 5, with new episodes planned to drop each Thursday. To read Wickman’s entire VF piece, please click HERE.

The lead story yesterday (12/10) on news/talk radio and related media venues remained the unfolding drama of the NYC shooting murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson with the apprehension of a suspect, Luigi Mangione. This conversation has expanded into a number of directions and topics including an overview of American’s unhappiness with the health care system itself.  The Middle East remained hot focusing on the aftermath of the overthrow in Syria of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and its implications on world events going forward. That was followed closely by discussions about pending legal moves President-elect Donald Trump might carry out as revenge measures against his political opponents such as members of the January 6 Committee and whether President Biden should enact blanket pardons.  Also in discussion: the economy and the migrant/border/crime situation according to the ongoing research of TALKERS.

iHeartMedia Milwaukee’s News/Talk 1130 WISN, the most listened-to radio station in Wisconsin, today announced its new prime-time lineup for 2025, effective January 2, 2025. Michael Harrison describes WISN as “one of talk radio’s pound-for-pound ratings champions.” The new programming lineup features well-known, highly rated show hosts who have decades of broadcasting experience and achievement in the Milwaukee market. “WISN is one of the great success stories in the radio industry over the past decade, in terms of both ratings and overall influence,” said Jeff Tyler, area president for HeartMedia Wisconsin. “We are confident that this latest evolution of WISN’s powerful lineup will meet and exceed the expectations of our listeners and our sponsors.”

Here is the Monday – Friday lineup with brief descriptions:

“The Jay Weber Show” (6:00 am – 9:00 am). The new WISN lineup is built on the same solid foundation as the previous lineup. “The Jay Weber Show” continues its legacy as the highest-rated morning show in Milwaukee, with Jay Weber drawing upon 30+ years of broadcast experience in Milwaukee to offer analysis on the biggest stories of the day, delivered with insight and irreverence.

“The Benjamin Yount Show” (9:00 am – 11:00 am). WISN news director Benjamin Yount retains that title and those duties, while adding an opinion-based analytical show in this late morning slot. For the past several years, Yount has been a primary guest-host on all of WISN’s local programs, and has become known for his candid, no-nonsense perspective.

“Clay Travis and Buck Sexton” (11:00 am – 2:00 pm). Syndicated by the Premiere Radio Networks, Travis and Sexton have amassed the largest radio audience in America, with over 500 affiliates nationwide. Their show tackles the highest profile topics from politics to pop culture, and everything in between.

“The Vicki McKenna Show” (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm). McKenna has been a WISN mainstay since 2007, entertaining and informing listeners with opinions and insights delivered with unparalleled passion. This hour can also be heard in Madison, via simulcast on WIBA-AM.

“The Dan O’Donnell Show” (3:00 pm – 6:00 pm). O’ Donnell takes his top-rated midday show, expands it from two to three hours in length, and moves it to afternoon drive. A former winner of an Edward R. Murrow Award for radio journalism, O’ Donnell blends investigative reporting and hard-hitting commentary with a contemporary style of using audio and the overall radio medium to craft a unique, compelling program that has exploded in popularity.

KBLA Talk 1580 today (12/10) announces a bold new weekday line-up of some the nation’s “most progressive and provocative voices” beginning Monday, January 6, 2025. Dr. Cornel West , renown scholar and former independent candidate for president, and former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. will join KBLA White House correspondent Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey and nationally syndicated hosts Tavis Smiley (9:00 am – 12:00 noon) and D.L. Hughley (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PT) who already appear weekdays on KBLA Talk 1580, the flagship station of SmileyAudioMedia, Inc., based in Los Angeles.

Dr. West is co-hosting the show “Truth Time” with public intellectual, former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner (12:00 noon – 1:00 pm PT). Each day the two will sound off on the news of the day from what the station describes as an “unapologetically progressive” perspective. “The Jesse Jackson Jr. Show” (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PT) will feature daily commentary from the former congressman on trending topics and a broad range of guests who will mix it up with Jackson.  “A More Perfect Union” with Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PT) will serve as a daily pop culture and political news digest with unfiltered conversations, unafraid to say the quiet part out loud “without fluff, fear, or favor.”

“I am both humbled and deliciously proud that Dr. Cornel West, Nina Turner and Jesse Jackson Jr. have decided to join us at KBLA Talk 1580 as we continue to build the most innovative and empowering Black talk media platform in the nation,” Smiley, founder of SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. and chief visionary officer for KBLA Talk 1580 tells TALKERS. “No talk station in America can match the intellectual firepower that we will be launching on Monday, January 6th.  KBLA Talk 1580 is proud to have more Black women hosts than any talk station in the country including Dominque DiPrima, the first Black woman to host her own radio talk show in L.A. morning drive, and Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC.  “After all the bickering about Black men during the recent presidential campaign, now is the time to pass the mic to more Black men of different generations to facilitate conversations you won’t find anywhere else,” concludes Smiley. “It’s going to be a rough four years. This is what resistance looks like.”

Listeners can tune into KBLA Talk 1580 live daily by downloading the KBLA1580 app, listen online at the KBLA1580 website, or by watching on the KBLA1580 YouTube Channel. All shows hosted by Smiley, West/Turner, Jackson and Quartey will be available daily on all major podcast platforms after live broadcast.

The lead story yesterday (12/9) on news/talk radio and related media venues switched back to the unfolding drama of the NYC shooting murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson with the apprehension of a suspect. This conversation includes an overview of the health care system itself.  The Middle East remained hot focusing on the aftermath of the overthrow in Syria of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and its implications on world events going forward. That was followed closely by discussions about pending legal moves President-elect Donald Trump might carry out as revenge measures against his political opponents such as members of the January 6 Committee.  Also in discussion: the economy and the migrant/border situation according to the ongoing research of TALKERS.

A series of tracking studies measuring American use of video services reveal podcasts and AM/FM radio are ideal marketing platforms for video streamers like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Paramount+, Hulu, and Disney+. Each quarter, Screen Engine/ASI, a leading market researcher for movie studios, video streamers, and TV networks, conducts a study of 2,000 Americans to understand their awareness and usage of video services. The Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® conducted an analysis of six recent quarterly studies spanning Spring 2023 to Fall 2024.

Check out the findings that are highlighted on this week’s blog – click here.

Key findings reveal:

• Nielsen: Since 2021, video streaming’s share of TV time spent has soared from 26% to 40%

• Americans are cutting back on the number of ad-free video subscriptions while increasing the number of video services with ads

• Screen Engine/ASI: The audience profile of video streamers closely aligns with podcast and AM/FM radio listeners, not linear TV viewers

• While the profile of heavy audio consumers is a perfect match for the video streaming audience, most of the media budgets go to linear TV

• Despite massive spending on linear TV, ad recall levels for video services among heavy TV viewers are identical to those among heavy audio listeners

• A wide variety of AM/FM radio programming formats provide reach for the video streaming target audience

• Nielsen: At any spend level, AM/FM radio dramatically outreaches linear TV

• Nielsen Media Impact: AM/FM radio makes your TV better: Hulu experiences a +76% increase in reach with a 20% reallocation to AM/FM radio; Much of the reach growth occurs among younger demos and light TV viewers.

To read the full blog post, click here.

View a 17-minute video of key findings here.

To download the accompanying slide set, click here..

The Middle East took center stage this weekend (12/7-8) on the talk radio and related talk media venues of America as conversation turned to the overthrow of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and its implications on world events going forward. That was closely followed by wider speculation growing out of the NYC shooting murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.  That was followed by discussions about pending legal moves President-elect Donald Trump might carry out as revenge measures against his political opponents such as members of the January 6 Committee.  Another new story discussed this weekend was Jay-Z being accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old in 2000 with fellow rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. All in accordance of the ongoing research of TALKERS.

FOX Nation’s sixth annual Patriot Awards ceremony took place last evening in a sold-out event at the Tilles Center for Performing Arts in Brookville, New York on Long Island. Emceed by Long Island native and FOX News Channel’s top-rated primetime host Sean Hannity, the Patriot Awards honor and recognize America’s finest patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes. President-elect Donald Trump (pictured above) spoke at the event and was honored with the inaugural “Patriot of the Year” award.  Introduced by Hannity, who presented the award, Trump delivered an upbeat address in which he outlined his goals, thanked FOX News and specifically praised Hannity for his friendship and service to the country.

iHeartMedia announced yesterday (12/5) that Paul Lambert has been named region president for iHeartMedia Houston, effective immediately. He will report to Eddie Martiny, division president, iHeartMedia.  In this newly appointed position, Lambert will work closely with the sales, programming and digital teams in the market and will also have direct oversight of the respective sales teams.  “I have had the pleasure of working with Paul for over 20 years; I have witnessed him excel in numerous management roles and his track record has been remarkable. I am confident that Paul’s knowledge and leadership skills will allow iHeart Houston to continue its winning ways,” Martiny tells TALKERS.  Lambert, a Louisiana native, has been working for iHeartMedia for the past 24 years and most recently served as SVP of Sales in Houston. He started as an account executive and rose through the ranks, working as local sales manager, general sales manager and director of sales.  “Under Eddie’s leadership, iHeartMedia Houston has had an almost unmatched winning record.  I’m honored to carry the torch on behalf of our wonderful clients and the amazing team of iHeart individuals who make magic happen every day!” said Paul Lambert.

SiriusXM announced yesterday (12/5) the launch of the “Women’s Empowerment Network,” a new podcast network executive produced by SiriusXM Urban View host and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Karen Hunter. Launching on Monday, December 9, the “Women’s Empowerment Network” will debut with two new podcasts, with more original content set to premiere in the coming months.  Available on the SiriusXM app and all other major podcast platforms, “The Women’s Empowerment Network” will offer a variety of new original shows, which will feature interviews with influential women from various industries and backgrounds, self-improvement tips, financial advice, mental health discussions, and more news relevant to women’s lives and careers. The network will also spotlight stories of resilience, activism, entrepreneurship, and community, with a focus on uplifting women in all walks of life.  Among the first podcasts to premiere under the network is “Karen Hunter Is Awesome!”, a daily podcast where Hunter dives deep into a wide range of thought-provoking topics. In what she considers a companion piece to her regular Urban View radio show, Hunter will set out to challenge her listeners in new ways, covering everything from Bible prophecy to the purpose of race, and even the latest TV shows and movies, while still delivering her signature blend of intellect and candidness.  Also launching on December 9 is “Financially Speaking,” a daily podcast designed specifically to help women navigate the complex and evolving financial landscape. Hosted by a team of renowned financial experts, including Dr. Tonya Evans (cryptocurrency and intellectual property), Dr. Tisa Silver Canady (financial wellness and student loan debt eradication), Jacquette Timmons (financial behaviorist), and Ruchi Pinniger (financial coach and founder of “Watch Her Prosper”), this podcast will offer listeners practical advice and insights to help them make informed financial decisions and build lasting wealth. “The Women’s Empowerment Network is a destination where women can come together and be heard in ways that are authentic, uplifting, and transformative,” said Karen Hunter. “I’ve always believed in the power of women supporting each other, and I’m excited to have this new platform where we can rise together.”  “Karen has a great talent for identifying emerging voices and building communities through audio,” Dave Gorab, VP/GM of SiriusXM’s talk programming. “I’m excited to see Karen’s vision for a new podcast network thrive while it has a meaningful impact on all who listen.”  In addition to her new podcast, Hunter will continue to host “The Karen Hunter Show” weekdays from 3-6pm ET on Urban View channel 126.

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (12/2-6) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

1. 1. Trump Nominations and Appointments
2. 2. Trump Tariff Plans
3. 3. Hunter Biden Pardon
4. 4. Migrant-Border/Economy/Crime
5. 5. DOGE / Trump-Musk-Ramaswamy Relationship
6. 6. Russia-Ukraine War
7. 7. Israel-Hezbollah Cease Fire/South Korea Turmoil
8. 8. Fatal Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
9. 9. Abortion/Health Care
10. 10. Big Tech Influence / Media Bias

To see the complete charts of the most talked about stories and people, please click HERE.

FOX Nation’s Patriot Awards  will be held this evening at the Tilles Center for Performing Arts in Brookville, NY on Long Island featuring an array of the network’s top personalities and a variety of award recipients. The Patriot Awards honors and recognizes America’s patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes. America’s heroes will be honored in a number of categories, including the “T2T Stephen Siller Back the Blue Award,” “FOX Weather Ultimate Patriot Award,” “FOX Nation Award for Service to Veterans,” “FOX Nation Salute to Service Award,” “FOX Nation Young Patriot Award,” “FOX Nation Culture Warrior Award,” “FOX Nation Award for Bravery” and “FOX Nation Award for Courage.” It will be streamed live on FOX Nation beginning at 8 pm ET. An encore presentation will air on FNC on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 10 pm ET. It was announced last night by Sean Hannity (who will serve as emcee of the event) on FOX News Channel that president-elect Donald Trump will be attending the event and receive the Patriot of the Year award. For more information, please click HERE.

Although President Joe Biden‘s controversial pardoning of his son, Hunter Biden remained a hot topic yesterday.  The conversation switched back to the transition of presidential power and controversy over President-elect Donald Trump‘s department nominations and appointments focusing now on the embattled nomination of Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense. There was a lot of talk about the NYC assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Tariffs and a looming trade war came in fourth followed closely by Trump’s proposed budget cuts and layoffs of Federal employees, the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, the Russia-Ukraine war, the migrant crisis, and health care/abortion rights, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.