Industry News

Audacy Partners with Super Hi-Fi for Radio Management Platform

Audacy announces its partnership with Super Hi-Fi, a firm focusing on AI-powered radio services for broadcast and digital media companies. This enhanced partnership is expected to drive operational innovation and efficiency across Audacy’s digital ecosystem. “The partnership will streamline Audacy’sim digital content programming, production, and broadcasting processes while creating stickier listener environments and more opportunities for advertisers to engage with them.” Audacy chief technology officer Sarah Foss says, “As the nation’s second-largest radio broadcaster, we’re always integrating cutting-edge technologies into our stack to deliver the best experiences for our 200 million monthly listeners and more efficiencies to our business. This partnership underscores our commitment to building the future of digital audio, and we’re thrilled to see it start coming to fruition.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Longtime WIBC-FM, Indianapolis talk radio host Tony Katz is entering into national syndication via Key Networks, beginning April 22. “Tony Katz Today” will air live Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET from Urban One’s news/talk WIBC-FM and a weekend program is also available for air on Saturday or Sunday.

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s The Black Effect Podcast Network announces a new original series titled, “Family Therapy: The Podcast,” hosted by psychotherapist Elliott Connie. It will document a family’s journey to healing through live group and individual therapy sessions. President of creative development and production Dollie S. Bishop says, “We are excited to announce ‘Family Therapy: The Podcast’ and share this incredible journey with listeners. Elliott Connie is a brilliant counselor, and our hope is that this series will entertain, educate and empower people to prioritize mental wellbeing and strengthen familial bonds.”

Audacy Podcasts adds a new show from Puck, the new media company focused on putting journalists at the center of its business model, with “Fashion People,” hosted by Lauren Sherman, a leading voice in the fashion community and writer of Puck’s private email “The Line Sheet.”

A new podcast from New England Public Media uses a mix of storytelling, psychological insight, and societal commentary to examine the stories we don’t tell, what they say about our world, and what they do to our minds. “The Secrets We Keep,” is hosted by veteran NEPM reporter Karen Brown and uses the lens of secrets to explore societal taboos and stigmas around sexual orientation, abortion, genetic origins, family scandals, and money – through the voices of secret-keepers, and those kept in the dark.

Ratings Takeaways

March 2024 PPM Ratings – Part Two

imMarch 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 ratings period (February 29 – March 27) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included below is that they be a Nielsen Audiosubscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NBA and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are February 2024 – March 2024 (6+).

WASHINGTON, DC

News/Talk

WMAL 4.5 – 4.8, #7 – #5

WFED .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA (Capitals)

News

WTOP & WTLP 7.6 – 7.9, #2 – #2

WDCH .7 – .6, #22 – #22

WDCH Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJFK-FM 2.3 – 2.4, #16 – #17 (Capitals)

WJFK-FM Stream .8 – .9, #21 – #21 (Capitals)

WTEM .4 – .4, #24 – #25 (Wizards)

WTEM Stream .3 – .2, #27 – #27 (Wizards)

WJFK-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Capitals)

WSBN .1 – .1, #30 – #28

Public Radio News/Talk

WAMU 13.0 – 11.0, 29th month in succession at #1

Note: Although it is #1 for the 29th consecutive month, public radio news/talk WAMU registers a -2.0(13.0 – 11.0), the largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease by any station in the 24 PPM-markets surveyed thus far.

BOSTON

News/Talk

WRKO 3.2 – 3.4, #13 – #12

WXKS-AM .8 – .4, #23 – #23

News

News – Talk WBZ-AM 4.9 – 4.6, #6 – #6

Business news WRCA .2 – .3, #26 – #24

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 9.1 – 9.7, third straight month at #1 (Celtics, Bruins)

WEEI-FM 3.3 – 3.0, #12 – #13

WEEI-AM .1 – DNA, #30 – DNA

WEEI-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WBUR 6.1 – 6.4, #3 – #3

WGBH 4.6 – 3.8, #8 – #9

Note: Public radio news/talk WGBH’s -.8 (4.6- 3.8) represents Boston’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

MIAMI

News/Talk

WIOD 1.2 – 1.0, #25 – #26

News

None

Sports Talk

WQAM 1.2 – .9, #25 – #27 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WINZ .6 – .4, #28 – #31

WMEN .1 – .3, #36 – #32

WQAM Stream .1 – .2, #36 – #34 (Heat, Florida Panthers)

WSFS-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WAXY DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 5.1 – 5.6, #5 – #5

WLRN-HD2 .1 – .1, #36 – #36

SEATTLE

News/Talk

KIRO-FM 4.1 – 3.9, #10 – #7

KTTH 1.6 – 1.5, #22 – #23

KVI 1.0 – 1.0, #24  – #24

KPTR .1 – DNA, #28 – DNA

News

KNWN-AM & KNWN-FM 2.5 – 2.5, #17 – #18

KHHO DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

KIRO-AM 2.3 – 2.7, #19 – #17

KJR-FM 2.4 – 2.1, #18 – #19 (Kraken)

KJR-AM .7 – .7, #26 – #26

Public Radio News/Talk

KUOW 7.2 – 7.2, #1 – #3

KSWS .1– DNA, #28 – DNA

DETROIT

News/Talk

WJR 2.5 – 2.3, #14 – #14

WFDF .6 – .6, #22 – #23

WJR Stream .1 – DNA, #29 – DNA

News

WWJ 5.3 – 5.3, #9 – #9 (Pistons)

WWJ Stream .4 – .4, #25 – #25 (Pistons)

WDFN .1 – .1, #29 – #29

Sports Talk

WXYT-FM 7.1 – 7.5, #3 – #2 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-FM Stream 1.1 – 1.5, #21 – #18 (Pistons, Red Wings)

WXYT-AM .2 – .2, #28 – #27

WXYT-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WDET 1.8 – 1.6, #18 – #17

WUOM 1.2 – 1.2, #20 – #19

PHOENIX 

News/Talk

KFYI 3.5 – 3.0, #9 – #10

KTAR-FM 2.7 – 2.2, #12 – #18 (Suns)

News

None

Sports Talk

KMVP-FM 2.2 – 2.6, #18 – #14 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KGME .1 – .1, #34 – #33

KTAR-AM .1 – .1, #34 – #33 (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KDUS DNA – .1, DNA – #33

KTAR-AM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Suns, Arizona Coyotes)

KTAR-FM HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KJZZ 2.3 – 2.7, #15 – #12

MINNEAPOLIS

News/Talk

WCCO 4.7 – 4.1, #8 – #11 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

KTMY 3.0 – 2.5, #14 – #14

KTLK-AM 2.2 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WCCO Stream .1 – .2, #29 – #28 (Minnesota Timberwolves)

News

KQQL-HD2 .1 – .1, #31 – #32

Sports Talk

KFXN 7.1 – 7.4, #3 – #3 (Minnesota Wild)

KSTP-AM .1 – .2, #31 – #28

KQQL-HD3 .1 – .1, #31 – #32

Public Radio News/Talk

KNOW 7.4 – 7.5, #2 – #2

KNOW Stream .7 – .8, #23 – #22

Note: News/talk WCCO’s -.6 (4.7- 4.1) represents a tie for Minneapolis’ largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

SAN DIEGO

News/Talk

KOGO 4.6 – 4.8, #7 – #5

KLSD .5 – .5, #25 – #24

News

None

Sports Talk

KWFN 3.0 – 3.4, #16 – #14

KGB-AM .8 – .9, #21 – #20

KWFN Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KPBS 7.3 – 7.1, #1 – #2

 

TAMPA

News/Talk

WHPT 4.9 – 5.1, #6 – #5 (Lightning)

WFLA 4.2 – 3.0, #10 – #14

News

Business news WHNZ .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA

Sports Talk

WDAE 1.7– 1.9, #18 – #17

Public Radio News/Talk

WUSF 1.9 – 1.8, #16 – #18

WMNF-HD3 Stream .2 – DNA, #28 – DNA

WUSF Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA 

Note: News/talk WFLA’s -1.2 (4.2- 3.0) represents Tampa’s largest (6+) February 2024 – March 2024 decrease.

DENVER 

News/Talk

KOA 2.6 – 2.4, #17 – #17

KHOW 1.2 – 1.2, #24 – #21

KDFD 1.4 – 1.1, #22 – #22

News

None

Sports Talk

KKFN 3.7 – 3.6, #10 – #10

KKSE-FM 2.2 – 2.4, #18 – #17 (Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche)

KAMP .1 – .1, #36 – #34

KKSE-AM DNA – .1, DNA – #34

KEPN DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KCFR 3.7 – 2.9, #10 – #14

KUNC 1.1 – .8, #27 – #26

BALTIMORE

News/Talk

WBAL 3.3 – 3.7, #10 – #10

WCBM 2.0 – 1.9, #14 – #14

News

WTOP & WTLP  1.3 – 1.6,  #18 – #16

WDCH  .6 – .5,  #20 – #20

WQLL DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WJZ-FM 3.1 – 3.3, #12 – #11

WJZ-FM Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WJZ-AM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WYPR 3.2 – 3.2, #11 – #12

WYPR HD2 Stream .3 – .3, #26 – #25

ST. LOUIS

News/Talk

KMOX 2.8 – 3.0, #14 – #14

KFTK 2.1 – 1.6, #17 – #17

KTLK-FM 1.1 – 1.1, #18 – #18

KMOX Stream .2 – .3, #24 – #22

KFTK Stream .2 – .2, #24 – #25

News

KATZ-FM HD2 .2 – .2, #24 – #25

Sports Talk

WXOS 5.0 – 5.1, #9 – #9 (Blues)

Public Radio News/Talk

KWMU 4.9 – 5.0, #10 – #11 

Up next: March 2024 overviews for Portland; Charlotte; San Antonio; Sacramento; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Kansas City; and Columbus.

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

Round One of March PPMs Released

imThe first of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s March 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The survey covered February 29 through March 27. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media Group’s news/talk WABC rises two-tenths to finish with a 4.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) that lifts it to the #9 rank in the market. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR is steady with a 1.6 share and the #20 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WINS-FM adds one-tenth for a 4.6 share good for the #5 rank. In Los Angeles, iHeartMedia’s news/talk KFI inches up one-tenth for a 5.5 share that keeps it locked into the #3 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s WGN-AM dips three-tenths, finishing with a 3.2 share and the #9 rank, while Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM falls six-tenths to a 1.4 share good for the #25 rank. Audacy all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM is steady with a 5.4 share but falls back to the #4 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Industry Views

NAB Show: Directing Real People on Camera

By Holland Cooke
Consultant 

imIf you’re looking to jump-start – or optimize – your video interview technique, this session alone was worth the trip to Las Vegas. Washington-based video content strategist/producer/interviewer Amy DeLouise and cinematographer/gaffer Anne Saul delivered a soup-to-nuts “Boot Camp” session to an overflow crowd.

For the decks, hit AmyDeLouise.com, click Slide Decks then Real People Boot Camp, parts 1 and 2. You can devour an impressive tutorial of production techniques, including specifics about equipment and how-to-use-it.

Even if you’re just doing radio or podcast interviews, Amy offered some useful tips:

“Nervous Speaker Technique”: Before the interview, chat ‘em up, perhaps asking for a personal anecdote, i.e., “Why did you decide to become a _____?” If you are shooting video, do the B-roll and walk-and-talk shots first. Then, when they’ve gotten used to you and the set-up, start the interview. “Worst case: Let them take a break, ‘Go do some emails,’ then resume in 20 minutes.”

“The Contradict Me Technique”: Because “some speakers are very reserved, they won’t show emotion unless they feel they need to correct your misunderstanding.” So, bait them: “Isn’t A.I. just a gimmick?”

“The Shorter Answer Technique”: Some speakers have a LOT to say,’ so Amy says let them get it out of their system, THEN ask “How would I explain this to my children?”

“Two Do-Over Techniques”: If you want to re-ask a question, fib: “The part about X was really great. But we had a little bit of noise, do you mind if I ask you that one more time?” Or “lean in as if you didn’t quite hear the answer, and they will repeat it;” a ploy which “only works for the last part of what they said.”

“The Finish My Sentence Technique”: Amy says “When all else fails, ask ‘Finish this sentence: The biggest value we bring at ABC Company is…’” 

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins,” and  “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

Futuri: Audiences Expect Media to Use AI

According to a study from Futuri and CMG Custom Research, not only do radio and television audiences expect media to use artificial intelligence in broadcasts, 20% believe they’ve already listened to a radio station using it and 49% of TV news viewers believe they’ve seen it. Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig presented the results of the nearly 5,200-person study at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Other takeaways from the study include that for radio, people cannot easily distinguish between human and AI audioim content: Participants were presented with paired samples of AI-generated voices created using Futuri’s AudioAI and human voices. 60% of the time, they identified the AI as human. The study also found respondents open to the use of AI with many believing that AI will improve content across news, video, and audio. For example, 45% of TV news viewers believe AI can assist in selecting better news stories; 54% of local TV news viewers believe AI can enhance weather forecasts, showcasing the potential for AI to elevate traditional news through proper newsroom integration; and respondents also indicated a high level of trust in AI-generated content, specifically when informed by reputable sources like local and national news outlets. Anstandig comments, “Futuri’s study shows that audiences are open to media’s adoption of AI for content creation. In fact, they already believe they’ve experienced AI in use on radio and television. We learned that audiences believe that AI will assist media in creating more relevant and engaging content. They just want to be informed of its use, and for it to be used in the right scenarios.

Industry News

Jomboy Media Shows Join Dan Patrick Podcast Network

iHeartPodcasts announces that sports media brand Jomboy Media’s podcasts “Jimmy’s Three Things”im and “Wake N’ Jake” are joining The Dan Patrick Podcast Network, effective immediately. “Jimmy’s Three Things” is hosted by Jimmy “Jomboy” O’Brien (left) and “Wake N’ Jake” is hosted by Jake Storiale (right). Dan Patrick says, “Moments with Jimmy ‘Jomboy’ O’Brien and Jake Storiale are rarely predictable. I love entertainment that surprises and informs, which makes ‘Jimmy’s Three Things’ and ‘Wake N’ Jake’ great additions to my podcast network.”

Industry News

SBE Releases Station Self-Inspection Guides

The Society of Broadcast Engineers is releasing new Broadcast Station Self-Inspection Guides for FM and TV broadcast stations. The SBE partnered with the National Association of Broadcasters to produce the documents, which are the first part of a planned series to cover all broadcast services. These Guides are designed to aid stations and Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program inspectors in evaluating a broadcast station’s compliance with FCC rules and regulations. The Guides will be available for download on April 16 from the SBE website under the Legislative/Regulatory tab after the 2024 NAB Show. They are free to SBE members, and available for purchase by non-members.

Industry News

Audacy Names Ryan Hurley WFAN, New York PD

The new brand manager for Audacy’s sports talk WFAN, New York is Ryan Hurley, who comes from a two-decade stint with crosstown competitor “ESPN New York” (WEPN-FM). Hurley takes over programming WFAN and the Infinity Sports Network (formerly CBS Sports Radio) from Spike Eskin,im who is returning to Philadelphia as a host at the company’s “SportsRadio 94WIP.” Audacy New York market president Chris Oliviero says, “Ryan knows radio, sports and New York, making him a triple threat to take the reins of WFAN, which continues to be the city’s most influential and dominant sports platform. In addition, with Infinity Sports Network, Ryan will have a major impact on the sports conversation nationwide. All of us at Audacy are excited to welcome him to the team.” Hurley, who joined ESPN New York as an intern in 2004 after graduating from Hofstra University and worked his way up to PD in 2017, says, “I am excited and grateful to have the opportunity to join this legendary station. The term ‘dream job’ can get thrown around a lot, but as someone who grew up listening to ‘The Fan’ religiously, that is exactly what this is. There is an incredible team here led by Chris Oliviero, and I look forward to this journey ahead with them.” Additionally, David Mayurnik has been named assistant brand manager of WFAN and Infinity Sports Network and will report to Hurley.

Industry News

WLS-AM, Chicago Celebrates 100 Years of Service

Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM celebrated 100 years on the air on Friday (4/12) and over the weekend. The station launched on April 12, 1924, at 6:00 pm. The station aired a two-part special hosted by Jeff Davis on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Cumulus Chicago viceim president and market manager Marv Nyren says, “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there’s nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It’s been a place where people can go for entertainment and information – and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history. We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”

Industry Views

Pending Business: Dizzying Media Headlines

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imThe media headlines are dizzying these days, yet they all share one common thread. See if you can solve this puzzle.

1. The “Golden Batchelor” is getting divorced, three months after tying the knot.

2. Netflix is changing their film strategy, that according to The New York Times, may mean fewer big advances to stars.

3. NCAA Women’s basketball final delivered more TV viewers than UConn’s back-to-back championship finale vs. Purdue.

4. Retail media networks are real and could replace terrestrial radio as the true purchase influencer.

These headlines reflect what great radio programmers learned a long time ago, and what smart sellers practice every day. The concept is elegantly simple: give the people what they want, and the rest will take care of itself.

The “Golden Batchelor” was targeted at the 55+ audience. The biggest demographic watching traditional TV. The finale drew over 6 million viewers and gave millions of seniors hope for romance at any age. Give the people what they want, and the audience and advertisers followed. The breakup, well maybe that leans more Dr. Phil, and he is starting his own network!

Netflix has a new film boss, Dan Lin, and according to a recent article in The New York Times, he wants the Netflix film lineup to have a wider appeal to more of us 260 million Netflix subscribers. Sound familiar? Give a bigger share of the audience more of what they want.

Pioneering radio programmers learned that strategy before Netflix was a business model.

Start with Top 40 music radio, go to the all-news model and park your pick on your favorite pioneering talk radio talent. Listeners got what they wanted, as audience and advertisers followed.

Nearly 19 million watched as Caitlin Clark tried one last time to drive her team to victory. Her final push wasn’t enough to defeat a determined South Carolina team. It didn’t matter to the millions who tuned in and the advertisers who were smart enough to jump on board. Give the fans a superstar from Iowa named Caitlin and an audience of millions will follow.

Don’t look now, but that old-school pitch of radio being the final purchase influencer as the radio plays in the car on the way to the store, is fading fast. I can’t tell you how many times I made that classic pitch, until I heard “Attention ______ shoppers” as I pushed my cart down the aisle.

Retail media networks are now online as well as “on-the-air” in store, and we are spending more and more time shopping online.

What does it all mean to you, the seller? Simple! Just find what your advertisers want and sell it!

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry News

Cumulus Extends Exchange Offer Again

Cumulus Media’s subsidiary, Cumulus Media New Holdings Inc., has further extended the Expirationim Time in its previously announced Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, in which it is offering to exchange any and all of its outstanding 6.750% Senior Secured First-Lien Notes due 2026 for new 8.750% Senior Secured First-Lien Notes due 2029, to April 16, 2024 at 5:00 pm New York City time. As of Friday (4/12), approximately $15 million aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes had been validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation and not withdrawn.

Industry News

KYW, Philadelphia to Present Attorney General Primary Debate

Audacy all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia is hosting a primary debate moderated by award-winning anchor Ian Bush leading up to the Pennsylvania attorney general election. Democrats Keir Bradford-imGrey, Eugene DePasquale, Joe Kahn, Jared Solomon and Jack Stollsteimer will face each other live on April 17 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am during KYW Newsradio’s “Philadelphia’s Morning News with Ian Bush & Carol MacKenzie.” All candidates will be on stage in the KYW Newsradio studio space, except DePasquale, who will join remotely via Zoom. KYW brand manager Kristina Koppeser says, “We’re proud that KYW Newsradio continues to be the place for comprehensive coverage of Pennsylvania politics, especially in such a crucial election year. Giving voters details on candidates and their platforms is a vital part of our mission to inform.”

Industry News

WPHT, Philadelphia Launches Live “Politics and Pints” Series

im

Audacy’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Philadelphia launched the first in a series of live presentations titled, “Politics and Pints,” hosted by its legendary midday (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm) personality Dom Giordano. It took place at the Zlock Performing Arts Center at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA last evening (4/12) between 7:00 pm and 8:15 pm. The event featured U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) as its inaugural guest, pictured above (r) in conversation with Giordano (l). A cash bar for soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails available for purchase was set up in the lobby of the Center. Tickets for the successful presentation were $50.00+fees and included a signed copy of Senator Paul’s book: Deception: The Great COVID Cover-Up.

Industry News

Salem Launches “This Week on the Hill”

im

Pictured above at the Salem Media Group studios in Washington, DC are (from l-r): Family Research Council president (and program host) Tony Perkins, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and Salem Radio Network v.p./news and talk programming (and program executive producer) Tom Tradup. Early this morning, they taped the first edition of the new, hour-long weekly news program, “This Week on the Hill,” that premieres this weekend on the Salem Radio Network with additional releases on the Salem News Channel, Salem Podcast Network and on TOWNHALL.com. Topics covered this weekend include Johnson’s invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s “motion to vacate” the Speaker’s position, the battle over reauthorization of the FISA program, and the latest controversy over abortion laws in America. Tradup states, “We are so proud to have Speaker Johnson as the centerpiece of our ‘This Week’ program. He brings a depth of experience that delves beyond the surface skirmishes in Congress and really gives our audience eye-level insight that only a man two-heartbeats from the presidency can offer.”

Industry News

KNX, Los Angeles to Host Mayor Karen Bass at Town Hall

Audacy all-news KNX, Los Angeles is presenting a live, one-hour town hall broadcast featuring Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at the Audacy SoundSpace on Wilshire Boulevard on Tuesday (4/16) atim 7:00 pm. KNX says, “In her first broadcast town hall as mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass takes the stage at KNX News to take questions from Angelenos on a broad range of public safety-related topics the day after her State of the City address. As the City searches for a new chief to shape the future of the LAPD, Mayor Bass will hear from constituents about what they want that future to look like.” The show is being aired on KNX News 97.1 FM, the Audacy app, and streamed live on YouTube.

Industry News

Cumulus Announces Further Extension of Exchange Offer

Cumulus Media’s subsidiary Cumulus Media New Holdings Inc further extends the expiration time in its previously announced Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation in which it offers to exchange any and all of its outstanding 6.750% Senior Secured First-Lien Notes due 2026 (the “Old Notes”) for new 8.750% Senior Secured First-Lien Notes due 2029 (“New Notes”). The new expiration time is 5:00 pm New York City time on April 12, 2024. As of April 9, approximately $15 million aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes had been validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation and not withdrawn.

Industry News

ENCO, Benztown and Compass Partner with vCreative for SPECai Integration

ENCO Systems, Inc., Benztown, Compass Media Networks, and vCreative announce that they have entered into an innovative new partnership to bring SPECai, the leading AI spec ad service, to vCreative’s customers by integrating SPECai into its suite of creative workflow platforms for broadcasters. For stations affiliated with both vCreative and SPECai, the integration will streamline the process of requesting a spec spot, as well as save time. Account executives can prepare for client meetings ahead of time, or be ready to create on the spot, by utilizing the integration to select the SPECai option from within the vPPO or vProMedia order form to create compelling spec spots to present to their clients. SPECai is a game-changer for media organizations and their sales reps, allowing them to create spec commercials in seconds using AI right in front of clients. SPECai blends AI scripts and AI voices with Benztown music beds to easily create fully produced spec commercials in seconds.

Industry News

Sheila Kirby Named President-Elect of MIW

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc announces Sheila Kirby as its president-elect. Her term will begin January 1, 2025. She most recently served as SVP, sales acceleration for Audacy. Prior to her role at Audacy, Kirby held key executive positions, including SVP of talent development at Tribune Salesim Solutions and president of Strategic Sales Development at Interep. In her role as president-elect, she will continue to champion the mission of MIW, supporting and empowering women across all facets of the radio industry. She states, “I am deeply honored to serve as president of Mentoring and Inspiring Women. Nothing is more meaningful to me than helping women advance in their careers, especially at a time when women in various industries are finally having a well-deserved surge of recognition.” She will succeed current president Ruth Presslaff, who says, “Working with our extraordinary board to become a 501 (c)(3) and create new mentorships for programming, engineering, on-air and our Speak Up program, as well as multiple state association partnerships has been immensely rewarding. I know under Sheila’s incredible leadership, MIW will continue to soar and serve.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Arizona Supreme Court abortion ruling; the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. Israel relations; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; President Joe Biden’s student debt reduction plan; James and Jennifer Cumbley are sentenced to 10-15 years in prison; the Russia-Ukraine war; Ashley Biden diary thief sentenced; and the U.S. Senate’s impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is moved to next week were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Townsquare Purchases Management Options

Townsquare Media announces that it has bought and retired 3 million options held by certain members of the management team and board of directors for a net purchase price of $3.62 per option. The purchase price reflects the spread between the closing price on April 3, 2024, of $12.36 and the option strike price of $8.74. The options, all of which were set to expire in July 2024, were granted to members of management and the board at the company’s initial public offering in July 2014. This transactionim follows last week’s repurchase of 1.5 million shares from MSG at $9.76 per share, the June 2023 repurchase of 1.5 million shares from MSG at $9.70 per share, and the March 2021 repurchase of 12.6 million shares and warrants from Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. at $6.40 per share. Like last week’s 1.5 million share repurchase from MSG, the purchase price of $10.8 million will be funded entirely with cash on hand. Townsquare CEO Bill Wilson comments, “We are very pleased to share that we were able to buy the IPO options at a net purchase price of $3.62 per option, eliminating the overhang and the shareholder dilution that would have occurred had these in-the-money options been exercised in the open market before they expired this July. The members of management and the board that were involved in this transaction have been with Townsquare for over a decade, demonstrating that our longterm incentive plan was, and continues to be, effective in retaining top talent. In total, our management team owns approximately 11% of shares outstanding today and are well aligned with the company’s investors to build shareholder value.”

Industry News

WJR, Detroit Named MAB Station of the Year

Cumulus Media news/talk WJR-AM, Detroit is named Market One Commercial Radio Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The station was additionally honored with a total of 10 MAB Broadcast Excellence “Best” Awards, including Best Regularly Scheduled Broadcast Personality or Team, for 760 WJR’s “JR Afternoons with Chris Renwick” and another recognizing the station’s effortsim in community involvement, along with multiple merit awards. The annual MAB Broadcast Excellence Awards gala was held on Saturday, April 6 at the Sound Board inside MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. WJR program director Ann Thomas states, “Thank you to everyone associated with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for this tremendous honor. As you can imagine… because WJR is more than a hundred years old, the archives in the Golden Tower of the Fisher Building are amazing. While doing some spring cleaning the other day, I came across boxes of awards and plaques from non-profit organizations applauding our work and ‘thank you’ notes from community leaders and listeners. It reminded me that all of us here in this room stand on the shoulders of the broadcasting greats who came before us. They set the bar for excellence, and I am grateful that in 2024, the talent, producers, engineers, production, digital, and sales teams at WJR are still working to be the best in the business.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/8) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the presidential race; Trump’s abortion views divide MAGA; Monday’s solar eclipse; President Joe Biden’s student debt reduction plan; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S.-Israel relations; the Fed’s Janet Yellen visits China; the mercurial valuation of Truth Social; the U.S. Senate’s impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; and the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball championships were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Personal

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imThe work-life balance concept is up for a new spin. Let us start in California.

A recent article in the LA Times discussed the California “right-to-disconnect” bill, “guaranteeing workers the right to ignore after-hours call, emails and texts from employers.” It is not a law yet, but if Assemblyman Matt Haney has his way, the workday could be redefined, again.

We have moved from being overworked and underpaid to the covid-driven culture of work from home and working remotely. Dress codes took on a new meaning as we Zoomed and Teamed our way through meetings, calls, and brainstorming sessions.

As the total remote work concept is being revisited by many media companies we have moved towards a hybrid of the number of in-office days vs. total remote days. Many ad agencies and rep firms are getting increasingly comfortable leaning into mainly remote work as commercial office space vacancies hit all-time highs in many cities.

With the warp speed advances of communication in the digital world, we now have the 24/7/365 always-on mindset. Some companies hire sales and customer service reps in all time zones to align unique sales and marketing with a heightened level of customer expectations.

How disappointed do you get when you hear, “our normal business hours are_____, please call back.” Are you kidding me with “normal?” One contract required my own company, considered a small business, to maintain production teams on both the East and West Coasts to adhere to final edits and posting deadlines.

The new world truly is business unusual. The “right-to-disconnect” does have a key place in the blurred workplace. The question is how to manage such a unique concept as not answering the phone when caller ID says, “Boss.”

Let us complicate the picture with my favorite growing trend, “The 4-day Work Week.” If you are in sales or marketing, you could be drooling at the opportunity this will create. No, not more time AT the beach or golf course for you the seller. I am thinking about the new opportunities to talk to the marketing director of the resort, golf course, family get-away or any other leisure activity that could make that long weekend a permanent lifestyle fixture. Some phenomenally successful businesspeople have already placed their bets. As we redefine the work-life balance, new categories will open right in front of you. Stay focused. Pickleball, anyone?

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry News

Happy Eclipse Day!

im 

Stations and hosts around the nation report to TALKERS that they are getting mileage and traction out of today’s rare eclipse of the sun that is presenting the exciting phenomenon of totality in many parts of the country and near-totality in others. The story covers a range of angles from how to avoid the dangers of viewing the event without appropriate eye protection, to the tourism and travel implications, to the scientific basis of the event, and to myths and legends attached to it from a historical perspective. A number of hosts say the eclipse provides a welcome opportunity to provide a brief and fascinating natural topical alternative that is neither political nor a disaster. Some radio stations are providing listeners with safety-approved disposable glasses imprinted with their logos. Pictured above are almost exact similar takes on two topical themes depicted by world-renowned American ex-pat artist/musician and TALKERS contributor Bobbie Winston (a.k.a. La Femme Bobbie) based in Copacabana, Brazil for the past 35 years. The first is her 2020 piece titled “The New Normal” depicting life during the pandemic. The new one, “Total Eclipse,” just released is her impression of today’s cosmic event. Check her out here.