With a New Heart, Hal Jay Returns to WBAP, Dallas Today
Two months after receiving a heart transplant, longtime Dallas radio personality Hal Jay returns to “WBAP Morning News” on the Cumulus Media news/talk station. Regular TALKERS readers are aware that in early
January, Jay suffered two ventricular tachycardia events within a week of each other and doctors at Baylor Scott & White Hospital told him, “Your heart is done.” He was placed on the transplant list and told his expected wait would be two to six months for a new heart. Fortunately, it didn’t take that long and on February 3, Jay received a call informing him a heart had become available and he would be going into surgery that night. He received the new heart on February 4 and went home nine days later. Today (4/3), Jay returns to the air alongside his WBAP co-host Ernie Brown. Jay has been a key personality on the station for the past 42 years.
personalities have had on Fresno and the greater Central Valley of California over the past century. It debuted last night (3/30). KMJ hit the airwaves with just 50 watts of power on March 23, 1922. Eventually, with the threat of World War II looming, the FCC allowed KMJ to boost its power to a whopping 50,000 watts. “KMJ: 100 Years in the Valley” was written and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Aiello. KMJ program director Blake Taylor served as a producer.
Paul Gleiser says, “We are heartbroken, plain and simple. John was as good as it gets as a radio newsman. But beyond that, he was a kind and gentle soul with a heart to make his community better. The many people from all over East Texas and from across the social and political spectrum who have reached out to us following John’s accident serve as testament to a life well lived. We will miss him more than I can say.” Sims grew up near Philadelphia where his father called radio play-by-play for the Phillies. Sims had been news anchor and editor at KTBB since 1998. He was involved in many local community organizations and was respected and admired by those with whom he interacted.
close out Women’s History Month, it is important to remember the legacy of Gracie Allen, the inspiration behind these esteemed awards. This year’s recipients exemplify Gracie Allen’s spirit through their exceptional talent, innovation, and vision. Their steadfast dedication to their craft and their tenacious resolve to break boundaries serve as a compelling testament to the essential role women play in molding the cultural landscape. We eagerly anticipate celebrating their outstanding accomplishments.” Winners in the radio category (national and local) in commercial news or talk formats include: Jai Kershner, “Good Day Show,” Outstanding News Anchor; Mandy Connell, iHeartMedia, Host Non‐Morning Drive; Christina Musson, KMJ AM/FM Fresno, Co‐host (Talk/Personality) Small/Medium Market; Marcy Williams, WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta, Outstanding News Reporter; “Talking Golf with Ann Liguori,” WFAN, New York, Talk Show ‐ Sports; and “The Gee and Ursula Show,” KIRO-FM, Seattle, Talk Show ‐ Talk. 
them. I was making a seventh of what I made three or four years ago.” As is often the case when a host is let go, they wish they’d had a chance to say good-bye and Harris is no different. He says he’d liked to have said thanks. “Just tell them that they have been great to me over the years. They are what I will miss most.” Harris had been hosting the first two hours of morning drive – from 5:00 am to 7:00 am. “The Ryan Gorman Show” had been airing from 7:00 am to 10:00 am but will absorb the early hours and shift to the 5:00 am to 9:00 am daypart. Harris and the late Ted Webb co-hosted “AM Tampa Bay” for almost 30 years. About his future, the 81-year-old Harris says, “I might look for part-time work on the radio somewhere. Or maybe I will retire. I am an old geezer, after all.” 
will air from 10:00 am to 11:00 am ET. “FOX News Rundown” will “offer the previous week’s best stories, with a deep focus on the biggest stories emanating out of the nation’s capital.” It will be hosted by various FOX News political reporters including Jared Halpern and Chad Pergram. FOX says “The Bret Baier Show” provides listeners with the best of the week from “The Bret Baier Podcast.” 
talk radio is the main reason why. He says, “My new book is out for 48 hours and already it’s a #1 bestseller in many categories at Amazon. And to what do I credit my success at going so quickly to #1? Talk radio. In past 48 hours I’ve been a guest on 30 talk radio shows… plus of course, I’ve promoted my book on my own national radio show. Talk radio works!” Root is an ardent Donald Trump supporter who says the former president linked to his recent opinion piece titled, “Democrats Want to Indict & Arrest President Trump. They Want a War? Let’s Give it to Them” in one of his recent posts on Truth Social.
says, “This position has been a long time coming for us here at WRG. Our audiences are consuming our brands in many different ways now. I have no doubt that Kaytie will be exceptional in this role!” Kelly comments, “I’m excited to work with our talented team to build the digital arm of Woodward. There are so many incredible opportunities that lie ahead and I can’t wait to get started!” WRG owns and operates news/talk WHBY/W292FA and sports talk WSCO-AM/W256DD in the Appleton-Oshkosh market as well as four music brands. 
as a major ‘go-to’ source across the nation and continues to grow as a major political and social thought leader in the Peach State utilizing her local radio platform most effectively. She is truly a gem in this field.” Over the years, Zoller pivoted her multi-faceted career at different times between being a local and regional radio talk show host, a student, a political operative, a congressional candidate (where she made it to a run-off) and a businesswoman as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother. After graduating in 1979 from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism from the prestigious Grady School of Journalism, she worked in the corporate world in addition to raising a family. She states, “I know there is no glass ceiling and women can have it all, just not at the same time.” A lifelong learner, Zoller completed her MA in Political Science in 2021 at the University of Georgia’s School of Politics and International Affairs. Her thesis was on women’s electoral success in the GOP. Among her political experiences, she served as the State Director of Field Offices for Gov. Brian Kemp. From 2014 until 2018, she worked for Sen. David Perdue in senior staff positions. Martha began her talk radio career in 1994 after being a regular caller to WDUN. Her first call to the station was prompted by Hillary Clinton’s lament that “she could have stayed at home and baked cookies.” In addition to being a perennial member of the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred,” Zoller has been named to James magazine’s list of Most Influential Georgians and Georgia Trend magazine named her as one of Georgia’s most influential members of the media. She also serves as the 9th District Representative on the Georgia State Board of Education since 2020. Meet Martha Zoller at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University. For more information see story below.
A reverse stock split reduces the number of shares that each shareholder owns but increases the value of each remaining share. Audacy says, “We are seeking shareholder approval for the authority to effectuate the reverse stock split as a means of increasing the share price of our Class A Common Stock to be at or above $1.00 per share in order to attempt to avoid delisting by the NYSE. We expect that the reverse stock split will increase the closing price per share of our Class A Common Stock to be above the $1.00 per share minimum price for the required number of days, thereby satisfying this listing requirement. However, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will have that effect, initially or in the future, or that it will enable us to maintain the listing of our Class A Common Stock on the NYSE. We are not aware of any present efforts by anyone to accumulate our Class A Common Stock, and the proposed reverse stock split is not intended to be an anti-takeover device.” Audacy was put on notice last August 1 that it was not in compliance with the minimum average closing price of $1.00 per share and faces delisting. 
The fourth and final round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s February 2023 sweep covered February 2 – March 1. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM falls three-tenths to finish with an 8.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but remains locked in the #2 rank, while Curtis Media Group’s crosstown news/talk WPTF adds six-tenths to wrap the survey with a 2.4 share good for the #14 rank. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee rises two-tenths for a 9.8 share finish that keeps it ranked #1, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ dips half a share to finish with a 7.0 share but rises one spot to the #4 rank. In West Palm Beach, iHeartMedia’s talk WZZR is up four-tenths to a 2.1 share good for the #10 rank, while sister news/talk WJNO falls two-tenths to a 1.5 share leaving it ranked #13, and Hubbard Broadcasting’s crosstown news/talk WFTL is up one-tenth for a 1.0 share finish and the #14 rank. 
additional 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 of the company (the “2028 Notes”), a portion of the proceeds of which was used to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the 2024 Notes on March 20, 2023 and to complete the redemption on March 27, 2023. The additional 2028 Notes and the related guarantees were sold to certain existing holders of the company’s outstanding 2028 Notes whom the company believes to be qualified institutional buyers, in a private placement. The company believes that the completion of this refinancing will strengthen its balance sheet.
February 2023 PPM Data – Information for the February 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
On a scale of one to 10, where would you rank yourself on planning and organization?
last Friday (3/24) at 8:00 pm. Titled, “State of the City, State and Nation,” the show allowed Cuomo to offer his takes on the job his former Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is doing, as well as his thoughts on other political issues. WABC says Cuomo, who has been hosting a podcast of his own, requested the time on WABC and owner John Catsimatidis replied via a press release, “Let him speak! I have said many times that 77 WABC is about truth and hearing from all sides. Let the listeners decide.”
Hofstra – the site of our very successful 2022, 2021 and 2016 events – and enjoy the remarkable resources that its Lawrence Herbert School of Communication brings to the table.” As was the case last year, this event will be held in a COVID-19 compliant environment based upon the circumstances at the time of the convention. TALKERS 2023 will boldly address key issues – some existential – facing the talk radio and talk media industries at this dramatically critical juncture of rapidly accelerating technological and societal change as well as identifying the remarkable opportunities inherent in these developments. It will also provide participants with unique and powerful networking opportunities.
million. NPR CEO John Lansing says, “We literally are fighting to secure the future of NPR at this very moment by restructuring our cost structure. It’s that important. It’s existential.” The report notes that “NPR intends to cut back its workforce from approximately 1,200 to about 1,050 employees. The nonprofit network’s layoffs represent its largest reduction in staff since the 2008 recession.” In other moves, NPR is bringing its newsroom and programming divisions together as Lansing notes the “current separation artificially cleaved NPR’s journalism and editorial creations.” At this time, none of the NPR radio programs have been canceled.