FCC’s Gomez Comments on Kimmel’s Spiked Talarico Interview
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez issued a statement on ABC’s news that late night host Jimmy Kimmel’s interview with Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico would not air after being pressured by the FCC. She wrote: “Jimmy Kimmel’s decision to 
keep his interview with a Senate candidate off the air shows just how far this Administration’s campaign of censorship and control has gone. This is now the second time in a matter of months that a late-night host has disclosed they had to bury an interview because of FCC intimidation, and there is no way to know how many other editorial decisions across the country have quietly been shaped by this same pressure. No host, local affiliate, or network should have to weigh federal retaliation before booking a guest for a newsworthy interview. Any attempt to pressure broadcasters into self-censorship undermines both press freedom and the public’s right to hear from candidates in their communities seeking public office.
“The FCC has no lawful authority to threaten broadcast licenses over guest bookings or editorial decisions. Unlike other broadcasters who have quietly capitulated, Disney’s ABC has continued to fight this unlawful coercion in court, and episodes like this one only strengthen that case. Ultimately, this decision reflects the real challenges placed on affiliates who have no part in this fight. The burden should never fall on local stations to defend themselves from a federal agency that is being weaponized against speech it doesn’t like. I urge broadcasters everywhere to keep resisting this pressure, and I hope courts will soon make clear that the FCC has no place dictating editorial choices or what viewers are allowed to see.”
up $1.6 billion (+0.9%) from the firm’s April 2026 estimate of $184.5 billion and approximately 9% year over year from 2025. BIA predicts that 6.5% of that ad spend will go to over-the-air radio and digital radio – about $12.2 billion. BIA says the increase is driven primarily by higher political ad spending heading into the midterms, along with continued strength in mobile.
while playing venues such as the Bitter End and TV shows like “Midnight Special,” the band has gained a multi-generational fan base over the past six years due in large part to exposure on talk radio. Talk show hosts have been attracted to Gunhill Road’s engaging themes, sharp lyrics, and provocative YouTube videos that tackle the hottest issues of the day. These include the rise of idiocy, scourge of scammers, threat of censorship, dangers of AI, noise of politics, cruelty to animals, aging, and more. Since 2020, more than 1,500 talk shows, stations, and networks have aired Gunhill Road songs in whole or part, extracted segments for bumpers, and interviewed a member about its provocative messaging.
When in doubt, I recall smart quotes from people in our business who are successful, well paid, kind, and future oriented. I have always focused on what’s next rather than what’s been. These observations drive good results:
wide range of disciplines, from News Programs, Documentaries, and Talk Programs to On-Air Talent, Craft, and Entertainment. Specialized category groups spotlight groundbreaking work in Digital, Podcast, and Audio Book content, while Programming Formats and Promotion/Open & ID recognize the creative standards and imaging innovation driving radio forward.” New York Festivals EVP Rose Anderson says, “Here’s to Radio – the original social media. Awards do more than keep score: they honor creative excellence, mastery of craft, they can change your life, and they offer an opportunity to take your place in industry history!” 
broadcast families, and awards $10,000 to each recipient for college tuition. BFoA president Tim McCarthy states, “This initiative reflects the BFOA’s growing commitment to strengthening the future of the radio and television industries by investing directly in the next generation of broadcasters. We could not be happier with our first two recipients, both of whom received glowing recommendations from their professors. Nathaniel and Inoa exemplify the caliber of communications students we want to attract to broadcast radio and television.”
registered cruise passengers, business owners will pitch their ventures live to a panel of judges for a shot at life-changing promotional prizes. Urban One CEO & president Alfred C. Liggins III says, “My mother, Cathy Hughes, started Urban One as a small business, so supporting entrepreneurs and founders is in our foundational DNA. By partnering with the National Urban League on ONE Voyage Experience, we are doubling down on our steadfast, lifelong commitment to small businesses, Black entrepreneurship, and unstoppable economic empowerment.”
analyst was just diagnosed less than two weeks ago. Detillier had prepared the following: “Last week, I was rushed to the hospital for stomach pain. After several CAT scans and tests, doctors broke the unbelievable news: I have metastatic pancreatic cancer. Stage 4. Incurable. While it’s an incredibly emotional time, I want to thank everyone – the listeners, the whole team at WWL radio and Audacy, New Orleans, and all those who put up with me over the years – from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to let me live my passion: The game of football. Hosting SportsTalk with Bobby J, Deuce, Hoss, Steve, and the whole crew – working for WWL has been the honor of a lifetime.” WWL brand manager Diane Newman comments, “Mike Detillier captured the heart of our community with his honesty, buoyant personality, and his rich and deep fact-loaded analysis. He became a reflection of this region’s pure passion for football better than just about anybody. Mike is dedicated and has a true love of the game at every level – high school, college, and NFL. And he’s navigated his role with the utmost respect and admiration for players and coaches, and you see that respect in return. His connection to them is as authentic as his accent. And, when we made that decision to put our two Cajuns together to host ‘SportsTalk,’ you could almost hear something click. When you turn the dial and put on Bobby Hebert & Mike Detillier – you’ve tuned into unbridled magic. “
On the TV side, FOX News Channel’s “FOX & Friends” is broadcasting live from several locations and will feature interviews with guests about their experiences 25 years ago. FOX News Radio will also offer breaking news coverage of the NYC memorial ceremony on Friday, featuring reporting from Ground Zero. “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” and “The Guy Benson Show” will interview guests and newsmakers impacted by the attacks. On YouTube, “The Brian Kilmeade Show” will provide access to some of Kilmeade’s most notable 9/11 interviews, and FNR affiliates will be offered an anniversary special from Kilmeade that reflects on how America has evolved since then.
News Channel are covering the event. Salem Radio Network vice president of news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “Our city is rolling out the red carpet for the convention delegates and journalists who will be covering them.” Tradup says coverage will include a keynote address by President Donald Trump, speeches by Vice President JD Vance and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson among others.
aggression in Ukraine and helping bring the country back after COVID.” Biden tells Catsimatidis he believes the current political climate has made it difficult for people to judge his father’s presidency clearly, but said historians will eventually take a different view. “I think the historians will look at my dad’s presidency as an incredible success,” Biden said. The interview also touches on Hunter Biden’s recovery, the attacks he faced during his father’s presidency, the future of the Democratic Party, immigration, veterans, addiction and whether he would ever consider running for public office.
frustrating for supporters. National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt comments: “America’s broadcasters applaud House Majority Leader Steve Scalise for his announcement to bring the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to the House floor for a standalone vote the week of September 14. This is an important step forward for legislation that has earned overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and across the country.
conservative hosts across America as he offers encouraging commentary to growing national concerns among Republicans about the Democrats flipping an all-important Senate seat in the traditionally red Lone Star State. Yesterday’s installment of the highly rated “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton” Show featured an in-depth interview with Berry (a.k.a. The Czar of Talk) about the Texas Senate race between AG Ken Paxton and James Talarico, who President Donald Trump has taken to calling “Talacreepo.” 
Premiere adds, “For his achievements, Hannity has been honored with two Marconi Awards for ‘Nationally Syndicated Personality of the Year’ and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2017. For the past five consecutive years, radio industry publication TALKERS has ranked Hannity No. 1 on its ‘Heavy Hundred’ list of the most important radio talk show hosts in America.” Sean Hannity comments, “Reaching 25 years in national syndication is both humbling and a tremendous honor. What began as a passion for engaging in meaningful conversations about the issues shaping our country has become a daily connection with millions of listeners across America. I am deeply grateful to our audience, our affiliate partners, Premiere Networks, our advertisers, and the talented team that makes this show possible every day. Their loyalty, trust and support have made this milestone possible, and I look forward to continuing the conversation for many years to come.”
by Congressman John McGuire of Virginia’s Fifth District. McGuire saluted Jeff for his prior police service, for serving as a law enforcement peer support counselor for more than three decades and for creating the Lieutenant Jan McTernan Blue Friday Award 10 years ago. The award is bestowed publicly on a Central Virginia law enforcement officer during an on-air segment on the last Friday of each month
biggest college football matchups of the 2026 season.” The tour will make 10 campus stops across the country, beginning Saturday, September 5, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when Clemson takes on LSU. Additional stops throughout the season include College Station, Texas; Louisville, Ky.; State College, Pa.; Gainesville, Fla.; Austin, Texas; Oxford, Miss.; and a return to Baton Rouge, with additional tour locations and matchups to be announced. At each stop, ESPN Radio hosts Jonathan Zaslow and Amber Wilson will broadcast live for at least two hours leading up to kickoff. 
Afternoon News. KRMG has such a strong connection with our community, and I am thrilled to be able to spend my afternoons telling stories and interacting with listeners. I’m looking forward to working more with this team and sharing some laughs along the way.” Berg adds, “I’m honored, excited, and humbled all at the same time about the new show. I grew up in Tulsa listening to John Erling on KRMG, interned at the station when I was in college, and ultimately wound up working here. KRMG is kind of in my DNA, so to have my name attached to a KRMG show is almost surreal and very flattering. I’m eager to begin this new phase at the station.”
thrilled to have Tommy join the Salt Lake City team. His winning track record, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence make him a tremendous addition to iHeartMedia. Tommy’s leadership will inspire those around him and help position our team for even greater success in the years ahead.” Castor comments, “I’m honored to join the iHeartMedia team in Salt Lake City and lead such a talented group of professionals. This market has an incredible media landscape and strong community connections. I look forward to building on the SLC team’s success and positioning iHeartMedia as the premier media partner in the marketplace.”
by falsely claiming to offer an AI-powered service that could target localized ads based on conversations captured from consumers’ smart devices and that consumers had opted into such targeting. The FTC had alleged that the companies “deceived customers by claiming they used a special algorithm to listen in on and detect pertinent conversations from smart devices in order to target ads to consumers within a specific geographic region. Contrary to these companies’ claims, however, the marketing service wasn’t based on voice data, and consumers hadn’t opted into this service. If the service had functioned as advertised, this collection and use of consumers’ voice data without adequate consent would itself violate the FTC Act.”
presidents of the New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition to talk about awareness, early detection and getting men and their families to start talking about prostate health. Chidester says, “One of the reasons we created the ‘Morning Update Roundtable’ is to give important issues the time and attention they deserve. Prostate cancer is something that affects so many New Hampshire families, but it’s still a conversation many men are reluctant to have. If this discussion encourages even one listener to talk with his doctor, ask about a PSA test, or start a conversation with someone he loves, then we’ve done something worthwhile. I’m incredibly grateful to Kathy and Peter for being so open with our listeners and for the work the New Hampshire Prostate Cancer Coalition is doing across our state.”