After Strong 2024, Erick Erickson Show Hits the Ground Running in 2025
After making great strides with ratings, revenue, podcasts, local in-market promotions, and a national, live political forum (“The Gathering”) in 2024, which included expanding to 27 affiliates, the Compass Media Networks syndicated Erick Erickson Show starts today (1/6) with an additional 29 affiliates, bringing the total to 56. Effective today, the following stations will start airing the Erick Erickson Show: KBYR, Anchorage, AK; KLOO, Corvallis, OR; WDBT, Dothan, AL; KSLM, Salem, OR; KSUE, Susanville, CA; WTNY, Watertown, NY; and the Supertalk FM network in Mississippi (WRQO, Brookhaven, MS; WXRZ, Corinth, MS; WTCD, Greenwood, MS; WOSM, Gulfport, MS; WFMM; Hattiesburg, MS; WFMN, Jackson, MS; WLAU, Laurel, MS; WZKR, Meridian, MS; WTNM, Oxford, MS; WKBB, Starkville, MS; WMPK, Summit, MS; WFTA in Tupelo, MS and it will also move into the live spot on KROF in Lafayette, LA. The show is a longtime staple of Cox Media Group’s 95.5 WSB, Atlanta where it airs 12:00 noon- 3:00 pm daily. In 2024, Erickson conducted live events in Las Vegas, Tulsa, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Athens, and Orlando, covering his own costs so stations could make more money. “The Gathering” attracted 1,000 attendees from 47 states to hear from key Republican figures like Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, and Mitch McConnell. In 2025, Erickson tells TALKERS, “We plan to expand this event to other markets.”
BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news network specializing in what it describes as “objective, accurate and trusted continual news with a Black voice and perspective,” today (1/6) announced Terry Foxx has joined as VP, news and content effective immediately. In his new role, Foxx will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of BIN: Black Information Network’s newsroom and its team of journalists, with a focus on development of news content and original programming. “I am excited to have Terry join BIN: Black Information Network,” said Tony Coles, the network’s president. “In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, the role of news in shaping public discourse has never been more important. We’re confident his contributions will strengthen our position as a leader in delivering inclusive and impactful news and content to our audiences.” Prior to his new role with BIN, Foxx served as regional director of talk programming for iHeartMedia Austin/San Antonio. His career includes roles at KUT-FM, University of Texas, and major stations such as WPLJ-FM, New York; B96, Chicago; KKDA-FM, Dallas; and WZGC-FM, Atlanta.
“I am thrilled to contribute to the growth and success of BIN: Black Information Network,” Foxx tells TALKERS. “BIN is a vital platform for amplifying diverse voices and delivering trusted, relevant news to our communities. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and further strengthen the connection between BIN and the audiences we serve.” BIN is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices, as well as on local AM/FM broadcast radio stations across America, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.
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 
Services include access to top-of-the-line podcasting studios and equipment (audio and video), strategy, program production, editing, guest booking, distribution, paywall options and promotion across PodcastOne’s existing network of podcasts. “As the only public pure-play podcast company in the United States, PodcastOne is uniquely positioned to help brands, businesses and content creators reach their target audiences more effectively while keeping loyal podcast listeners entertained and engaged,” said Jim Lally, head of business development for PodcastOne. “Branded podcasts are financially and logistically challenging for many companies to produce in-house. With the official launch of PodcastOne Pro, we’re able to offer a tailored podcast production solution to our clients that leverages our current infrastructure, which ultimately, drives higher margins, diversifies our revenue streams, and lowers costs for clients.” Coinciding with the launch of PodcastOne Pro, PodcastOne is set to debut its new state of the art podcast production studio in Beverly Hills. To learn more about PodcastOne Pro or get a quote for plans starting at $500, please visit 
RNC Chair Michael Whatley Credits WBT Listeners with Delivering NC to Trump. WBT, Charlotte afternoon drive star Brett Winterble was joined by Republican National Committee chairman, Michael Whatley, yesterday (11/25) to talk about the GOP’s election victories. During the conversation in which Whatley discussed the election’s immediate impact on issues ranging from wars in the Middle East and Central Europe to immigration and the economy, Whatley credited Radio One’s WBT listeners with helping secure the victory for Donald Trump in North Carolina. Winterble is a rising star in the talk radio industry currently ranked at # 41 on the 2024 TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. To listen to the conversation between Winterble and Whatley please 
The Performance Racing Network (PRN) Taps Brad Gillie to Assume Role of Lead Anchor Alongside Mark Garrow beginning with the 2025 NASCAR season. Gillie will be replacing longtime lead anchor Doug Rice who has retired after a distinguished 36-year career left a void few could fill. “The obvious choice to succeed me is Brad Gillie,” Rice tells TALKERS. “He has been an integral part of our broadcast team for decades. He is an excellent broadcaster that our fans trust and are very familiar with, which I know will make this a smooth transition.” Gillie has spent more than two decades working in motorsports. His career started in 1998 at Texas Motor Speedway where he spent 16 years in a variety of positions. In 2006, Gillie began broadcasting live NASCAR events with PRN, where he could be heard in any broadcast position. “I am truly grateful to PRN and Speedway Motor Sports for the opportunity to continue building on a long legacy of exceptional broadcasts,” said Gillie. “It is an honor to move up to the anchor chair and, along with our great team, deliver the excitement of NASCAR to our listeners and affiliate stations. I also want to thank Doug Rice for his friendship and mentorship. His values and commitment to excellence have made PRN an elite network recognized throughout the motorsports and radio industries.”
FOLLOW UP TO YESTERDAY’S STORY: 77WABC, New York Partners with AARP NY, Gristedes and D’Agostinos Supermarkets, and Catholic Charities for Annual 10,000-Turkey Giveaway During Holiday Season. WABC Radio continues its self-stated “commitment to the community” with its annual 10,000-Turkey Giveaway, in collaboration with AARP New York, Gristedes and D’Agostinos Supermarkets, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. The first 5,000 turkeys will be handed out before Thanksgiving, and the remaining 5,000 will be distributed before Christmas and the Holiday Season. The annual Turkey Giveaway kicked off at 10:00 am yesterday morning (11/25) when turkeys were handed out by John and Margo Catsimatidis, Curtis Sliwa, Sid Rosenberg, and other WABC Radio and New York celebrities from the 77WABC Trolley at St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church on W. 49th St. in New York City. “WABC Radio is an emergency broadcast station, a responsibility that extends to helping people in the greater New York City community year-round,” said John Catsimatidis, owner of Red Apple Media, 77WABC, and Gristedes and D’Agostinos Supermarkets. “Working with AARP New York and The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, we are bringing much-needed help, and hopefully joy, to those in our community who are in need and deserve happiness and a good meal for the Holiday Season.” Pictured above, John and Margo Catsimatidis participating in the holiday initiative.
Cumulus Media announces(11/21) that it has promoted Marv Nyren to regional vice president of Cumulus Media in Chicago, IL, and Minneapolis, MN. Nyren currently serves as VP/MM for Cumulus Chicago and adds oversight responsibilities for Cumulus Minneapolis to his purview. Nyren joined Cumulus Media in 2017 as VP/MM of Cumulus Chicago. Prior to that, he was vice president, corporate sponsorships for Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ-FM. Nyren also held roles as president/regional vice president for iHeartMedia’s 13 radio stations in Jacksonville, FL, and Brunswick, GA, and was regional VP/MM for Emmis Media for 12 years, managing the company’s stations in Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Indianapolis. Dave Milner, president, operations, Cumulus Media, tells TALKERS, “Marv brings a wealth of experience across multiple U.S. markets to this expanded role. Known for his highly effective and impactful leadership in Chicago, Marv will be a tremendous asset to our talented teams and strong brands in the Twin Cities.” Marv Nyren comments, “I’m deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Cumulus Chicago team, and now, expanding to the Minneapolis market is truly a dream come true. Being part of both teams is a privilege, and I’m excited to contribute and make a positive impact in both markets.”
By Andy Gladding, Ed.D.
Last night (11/17), President-elect Donald Trump announced his selection of Brendan Carr to be the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Trump praised Carr as a “warrior for free speech” and someone who has “fought against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms and held back our Economy.” Trump further stated, Carr will “end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.” Carr is currently the leading Republican in the FCC. He is one of five commissioners leading the agency, all of whom are appointed by the president pending Senate confirmation. In response to the nomination, Carr thanked Trump in a post on X, saying, “I am humbled and honored to serve as chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work.” In a follow up post, Carr stated, “We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.” Carr was the central figure in the complaint against NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” for having VP Kamala Harris in a skit on the program without extending a similar opportunity to Donald Trump to remain in accordance with FCC rules to ensure equal time is granted on networks. At that time, Carr posted to X, “This is a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule,” he said on X. “The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct – a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election.” (EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the recent information being disseminated about broadcasting “networks” being licensed by the FCC has been misstated or misinterpreted by politicians and the media alike. For the most part, TV networks are non-licensed content providers. The licenses are held by the individual stations, groups of stations and their owners with whom they affiliate.)
This presidential election cycle provided a number of insights, revelations, and takeaway lessons for news/talk radio. And by using the term “news/talk radio” I mean all spoken word platforms on the AM/FM dial including commercial, public, educational, and ethnic outlets that provide news, politics, and commentary. They are all RADIO.
Journalism is alive and well within certain college radio circles. On Election Night (11/5), the WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM student broadcast team hosted live coverage from the Searle Center on Hillsdale College’s campus in Hillsdale, MI and invited students, faculty, and staff to attend and watch election results roll in and listen to analysis. Student anchors were joined by the presidents of Hillsdale College Republicans and Hillsdale College Democrats, three members of the Hillsdale faculty, a candidate for the Michigan State House, a candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court, and reporters from the Detroit News, the Daily Caller, the Center Square, and the Daily Signal. Back at the WRFH studios, the station’s news team worked to update listeners with results from state and local races all night long. More than 200 people came out to the broadcast in action. WRFH GM Scot Bertram tells TALKERS, “It was a home-run event! Students work hard to prep for this quite unpredictable night. There’s an enormous amount of planning and research involved to set everything up. Then the night unfolds, and they realize it’s a ton of fun, as well. I’ve heard from more than a few students who took part in our previous Election Night events that it’s one of their best experiences on campus and really drew them deeper into the journalism program here at Hillsdale.”
moment.” Striegle tells TALKERS, “There are so many amazing memories. For me, what I will miss most are the people. Everywhere we go, we meet wonderful people, great race fans that tell us, ‘We have been listening to MRN for years…’ they always want to thank us for what we do. Without the fans, there would be no need for the Motor Racing Network.” “Throughout his time with the network Jeff has lent his talents to a number of positions around the racetrack before finding his way to the broadcast booth in 2013,” said MRN president Chris Schwartz. “His broadcast career began like so many others by working the public address booth providing the soundtrack for thousands of fans at his local racetrack, in Jeff’s case Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan. He has been involved with calling some of the sport’s most iconic moments, and it is fitting that the checkered flag will fall on his broadcast career by calling the final laps of another NASCAR Cup Series Championship.” Motor Racing Network will have flag to flag coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Sunday, November 10th beginning at 2pm ET. The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will be carried LIVE on approximately 300 radio station partners across the United States, the NASCAR mobile app, and at MRN.com. For affiliation in your area, contact Bob Quick, director, radio partnerships & traffic at Motor Racing Network by email at 
In response to the recent lawsuit filed against CBS News, the following statement was released by NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt: “A free press must report, inform and scrutinize without fear of reprisal. Frivolous lawsuits aimed at stifling this essential role risk undermining democratic principles and ignore the First Amendment’s protection of how news is reported. NAB stands firmly with our members against any attacks on their First Amendment-protected reporting.”
Hear the demo and register today at 
“When iHeartMedia New York partnered with the New York Road Runners (NYRR) to produce this inaugural radio broadcast of the marathon, it was a no-brainer to put Len at the helm of the broadcast,” said Tom Cuddy, program director for 710 WOR. “His association with New York sports, during his more than 50-year television career, and his ‘second life’ as co-host of the WOR morning show since 2015, ensure that Len will make this a can’t-miss broadcast.” “I’m honored to be hosting WOR’s maiden voyage with the TCS New York City Marathon,” said Berman. “I’ve hosted TV coverage of the event many times and it’s consistently one of the best days of the year in the city. We look forward to conveying that same message to our listeners.”
“I have been blessed to call WGN Radio home for the past three decades,” Manfredini tells TALKERS. “But in the end, it’s all about our listeners. I’m excited to continue to help them better understand how their homes work, show them they can have fun, and, of course, remind them to never hold a nail for someone else.” The Chicagoland native will be celebrating his 30th anniversary on WGN Radio in 2025. Mr. Manfredini first appeared on the station as a guest on the Bob Collins Show in 1995 following a letter writing campaign to pitch a call-in home improvement show on WGN.
“We are delighted that Lou will be with us for his 30th year and beyond,” said WGN Radio VP/GM Mary Sandberg Boyle. “In the nearly 30 years since first appearing on WGN Radio, Lou’s presence across the media world has evolved considerably. Yet, what truly sets him apart is his natural gift of connecting to and interacting with our listeners in the special way that only radio does. Making those listener ‘connections’ has historically been – and will continue to be – the very fabric of WGN 720.” Manfredini can also be heard on weekday segments with John Williams (Mondays), Lisa Dent (Thursdays) and Bob Sirott (Fridays). 
It will be carried by LibertyNewsRadio.com or video stream at TheBigMigShow on Rumble. For additional information or press inquiries, please contact Sam Bushman at 801-756-9133 or LibertyRoundTable@gmail.com.
With the growing popularity of talk media programs utilizing segments of other shows as key elements of scrutiny and commentary in their programming (“Clip Jockey Format” as coined by Michael Harrison), it is important that media content creators be aware of the subtle and often ambiguous rules applying to the legal aspects of this practice under the heading of fair use.
One day last winter, Alison Stewart, the host of “All of It” on public station WNYC, New York was alarmed to find herself speaking gibberish. 
Music Group Gunhill Road Putting Final Touches on Talk Radio Anthem. 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, is currently in post-production with an anthem celebrating talk radio. Titled “Don’t Stop Talkin’” – the song is an uplifting and infectiously catchy tune about the vital role talk radio plays in serving the cause of American freedom of speech. With lines that include “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 talk radio practitioners to keep up the good work and great service they provide the nation.TALKERS Heavy Hundred syndicated host Dr. Daliah Wachs pictured above bopping to the music in a scene from the forthcoming video “Don’t Stop Talkin'” by Gunhill Road.
If a shark doesn’t swim, it dies. Radio is just fine, thank you, but it’s not swimming. Water, check. Tank, check, Sharks, check. Swimming to the next meal, nope. For the past 10 years at least, the radio show in every city is stuck in place and that sound in the distance that wakes you up at night is a death rattle.
Triton Digital has just released its