WCCO Raises $92k in Cancer Auction
Audacy’s news/talk WCCO, Minneapolis raised more than $92,000 during its third annual “Cure Blood Cancer Radio Auction” benefitting the NMDP Registry supporting bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants through research, patient assistance grants and adding more potential donors. WCCO brand manager Brad Lane says, “We are overwhelmed by our fans’ incredible generosity, the considerate financial support from our corporate partners and the innovative contribution of ideas and time from our personalities. We had a blast auctioning off priceless, unique experiences and packages for a cause so close and personal to us and in honor of our friend, teammate and stem-cell transplant recipient Jordana Green (above left)!” Pictured at right above is WCCO host Chad Hartman.
“Fewer than half of Americans plan to travel this Summer,” according to a 
Cox Radio, with Del Nin agreeing that Warshaw would manage the business as CEO upon successful acquisition.” While both parties were doing due diligence on the CMG deal, Warshaw learned that an Audacy majority stake holder was willing to sell its stake in the company. Warshaw says he steered SFM and Del Nin to the deal that made SFM a majority stake holder of the new Audacy in early 2024. Warshaw alleges he was promised he’d be the next CEO of Audacy or that he would get 5% of SFM’s profits from the Audacy acquisition. After that though, Warshaw says Del Nin balked and denied there was ever an agreement, calling any such claims “fabricated.” Warshaw is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and asking that the court award specific performance of their agreement.
meteorologist. Froney most recently served with WLEX-TV, Lexington, Kentucky. She comments, “I’m looking forward to working with the talented group of meteorologists at FOX Weather. I can’t wait to continue exploring my fascination with meteorology and work with some of the best in the industry.”
driving brand preference is ‘mental availability’: how well known a brand is, and how easily it comes to mind. Brands with low mental availability tend to struggle, rejected in favor of more familiar rivals. Or not considered in the first place. Brands with high mental availability don’t have to push so hard to sell, so tend to have higher market shares and better margins.” The authors also advise, “Always aim to get more customers from all segments of the market. It’s the main way brands grow.” The blog post concludes that AM/FM radio makes your media plan better by increasing reach. One example is illustrated as follows: Edison’s “Share of Ear” study of ad-supported audio reveals the combined persons 18+ daily reach of Pandora and Spotify is only 12% of Americans. Adding podcasts causes reach to surge to 29%. The introduction of AM/FM radio lifts daily reach to 74%. 
School with Dom Giordano” – a phrase inspired by the recent TALKERS conference “Generations 2025” held earlier this year in conjunction with IBS NY 2025. The podcast will be carried on the industry’s major platforms.
Dozens of brand-new audio hardware and software companies have been launched during the past 20 years. These start-ups are usually funded by venture capital money. VC money is not invested to return a profit, it’s poured in to – pour it in. Their money is “different” than the cashflow that fuels your business. Start-up money buys time to profit.
together hosted the “Dave & Dujanovic” show. Dr. Holly Richardson is a former state legislator who currently serves as editor of Utah Policy and a columnist for the Deseret News. Greg Skordas is a defense attorney, former prosecutor, and former candidate for Utah Attorney General. Bonneville president and COO Tanya Vea says, “This reflects our commitment to provide Utahns with smart, solution-oriented news and analysis. Greg and Holly bring a rare depth of expertise, perspective, and connection to our community, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the KSL NewsRadio lineup.” KSL program director Kevin Larue adds, “Our evolving lineup reflects what KSL NewsRadio stands for—credible voices, engaging conversations, and a deep connection to the community. No matter the topic or the time of day, our listeners know we have them covered.”
regulatory burdens. We received great feedback from a range of stakeholders already and plan on eliminating onerous, antiquated, and unlawful requirements across the board.” Carr added, “And we have been delivering these results with a focus on efficiency. At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, the FCC employed 1,461 full-time employees. As of April 28, 2025, the FCC employed 1,383 full-time employees. The difference over the last six months can be attributed to many factors, including FCC employees who took advantage of the early retirement window opened by my predecessor, the deferred resignation program offered by President Trump, and natural turnover. The agency is well positioned to continue carrying out its statutory mission for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond.”
hasn’t committed to the run by opening a campaign account but confirms to the paper he’s seriously considering challenging incumbent Sabina Matos. The story notes that Matos’ 2023 run for congress was marred by a “signature-collecting scandal that led to a campaign worker being charged with a felony.” Bartholomew is the producer and sometimes fill-in host for WPRO’s “Dan Yorke Show.” 
In a ruling that should catch the attention of every talk host and media creator dabbling in AI, a Georgia court has dismissed “Armed American Radio” syndicated host Mark Walters’ defamation lawsuit against OpenAI. The case revolved around a disturbing but increasingly common glitch: a chatbot “hallucinating” canonically false but believable information.
launched his first optometry clinic in 1991. Since then, he’s built his businesses on the power of radio advertising and has long championed the value of local broadcast radio.” Dr. Zoellner states, “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible radio stations into the Zoellner Media Group family. Radio has played a crucial role in my business success, and I have always been passionate about its ability to connect communities and drive meaningful engagement. This acquisition allows us to build upon a legacy of excellence while fostering innovation across broadcast and digital platforms. I couldn’t be more excited to get started.” Tapped to manage the station group as president and general manager is Steve Hunter, who served for 22 years as director of operations at Cox Media Group Tulsa and seven years with Griffin Media. The transaction is subject to FCC approval and is expected to close early in the second half of 2025.
current Alpha Media shareholders retaining their interest in the company but ceding control to Connoisseur. Under the terms of the deal, Alpha shareholders will reorganize into a new company which will become part of Connoisseur in exchange for a 3.75% equity stake in Connoisseur, plus two warrants to allow them to acquire more equity – one for 5% at $30 million valuation and the other for up to 5% at $70 million valuation. Connoisseur is acquiring new credit facilities to finance the retirement of Alpha debt plus a new, revolving credit line. Connoisseur is operating the Alpha under an LMA and when the deal closes, the new Connoisseur will own and operate 218 stations in 47 markets. 
“Brad vs. Everyone” is joining iHeartPodcasts. Polumbo’s podcast featured him covering “the most interesting and entertaining stories in politics and on the internet from a center-right, independent perspective.” He comments, “I’m thrilled to launch this partnership with Premiere Networks and iHeartPodcasts, and to work with their fantastic team to bring ‘Brad vs. Everyone’ to new audiences. It’s an honor to join a network with incredible talent and massive reach, and I look forward to the podcast reaching new heights!”
suitable for all formats. All are hosted by WMAL-FM, Washington, DC morning personality Larry O’Connor. Fisher House says, “The inspiring and patriotic radio 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 emotional 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 endure their painful and painstaking recoveries.” For more information on this radio special, contact Larry O’Connor at: 562-665-9537 or 
radio.” Nielsen says delineating between total listening (or viewing) and the ad supported universe is vital in today’s burgeoning media landscape where consumer choice grows by the day and marketers are looking at every available opportunity to cut through. In the first quarter of 2025, ad supported audio represented 64% of total listening. This is similar to TV, where 72% of total viewing was spent on ad supported platforms, in Q1 according to Nielsen’s recently launched Ad Supported Gauge report. Looking at ad-supported audio, consumers spent 66% of their daily listening time with radio, 19% with podcasts, 12% with streaming audio services and 3% with satellite radio. Radio accounts for anywhere from 47% of daily ad supported audio time among people 18-34 to 73% among 35+. Meanwhile, podcasts are the inverse, representing 15% of daily audio time for people 35 and older compared with 32% among those 18-34. 
same period in 2024. The company reports that net broadcast revenue was $39.8 million, down 13.6% from Q1 in 2024, and digital media revenue also fell to $10.2 million, a decline of about 4.5%. Salem’s net loss for the quarter was $7.1 million compared to the net loss of $5.1 million it reported in Q1 of 2024.
current events.” Roeper says, “I’m thrilled to be joining my friend Bob Sirott every week so we can exchange views about whatever Chicagoans are talking about, whether it’s the new pope, the prospects for his Cubs and my White Sox, to what’s happening with pop culture or news. Bob was instrumental in launching my TV career back in the day, and I look forward to this new collaboration.” Roeper and Sirott last collaborated on air when Sirott co-anchored “Fox Thing in the Morning” on Fox32 in the 1990s. Roeper won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy for commentary and the duo teamed up for a second Emmy on a half-hour special that aired in 1998.
great results for the country and doing so in an efficient manner. That starts with being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. From day one, we have been combing through every FCC contract to eliminate redundancies and wasteful spending. No stone is being left unturned. To date, we have reduced more than $567 million in authorized contract spending, including by ending bloated or unnecessary IT contracts. This is an important step towards ensuring long-term efficiency and maintaining our focus on the FCC’s core responsibilities.”
Fame. Root tells TALKERS that he was a friend of Pete Rose. They both lived in Las Vegas, Rose was a guest on Root’s radio show and that led to Root and Rose starring in a national TV commercial together and becoming fast friends. Root wrote a column in 2020 imploring the president to pardon Rose, but it was this February when Root felt compelled to text the president. Root says that within 15 minutes of his sending that text the president announced he would pardon Rose. Root adds, “This all started with an interview on my radio show. I’m sure Pete is looking down from heaven with a big smile. His final dream was to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s about to come true. All because of a Vegas friendship late in Pete’s life with a guy who just happened to know the President of the United States! Thank you, President Trump.”
expectations: core radio advertising finished at -12.4% excluding digital, and Cable TV advertising was -6.3%. Our cable TV ratings stabilized significantly in the first quarter of 2025 and are performing in line with our 2025 budget. Second quarter core radio advertising pacings have weakened over the past several weeks and are now -8.7%. Our first quarter 2025 digital revenues were down 16.1% driven by expected weakness in streaming and podcasting revenues. Based on our year-to-date performance, we reaffirm our full year guidance of $75 million in Adjusted EBITDA. Our cumulative debt repurchases so far in 2025 are $88.6 million at an average price of 53.9%, resulting in reduced gross debt of $495.9 million, and we currently have approximately $79.8 million of cash on hand. In a challenging marketplace, our focus remains on controlling costs, managing leverage and retaining a strong liquidity position.”
and Fayetteville. Dunn says, “After much thought and reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. Beasley Media Group has been more than just a workplace – it’s been my extended family. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent over 30 years doing what I love, with people I deeply respect and admire. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with late company founder George Beasley, Caroline, Brian and Bruce over the years.” CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “Kent’s contributions to Beasley Media Group – and to the radio industry at large – have been nothing short of exceptional. His strategic insight, collaborative spirit, and passion for radio have guided teams and inspired generations of broadcasters. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
and networks revenue – decreased $20.5 million, or 4.2%, primarily resulting from a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with continued uncertain market conditions. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman says, “We are pleased with our Q1 results given the uncertain environment in which we are operating now, and we think these results demonstrate the resilience and relevance of our products and the tremendous growth opportunity we have with our podcast business in particular.” Company president, COO and CFO Rich Bressler adds, “In the first quarter, we generated Adjusted EBITDA of $105 million, flat to prior year, consistent with our previously provided guidance, and our consolidated revenues for the quarter were up 1% compared to the prior-year quarter, above our guidance of down low-single digits, driven by the Digital Audio Group revenues and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 16% and 28% respectively.”