Industry News

iHeartMedia Announces AudioGraph to Deliver Attribution to Broadcast Radio

iHeartMedia unveils AudioGraph – a suite of advertising capabilities that the company says will, for the first time, “bring digital-like targeting, identity-based planning and measurement, and outcome-based attribution to broadcast radio at scale.” These capabilities are powered by Triton Digital, the global technology and services leader. iHeartMedia says, “The vast majority of audio imgconsumption (64%) comes from broadcast radio, yet up until today, it has lacked the targeting and measurement infrastructure available in digital. iHeartMedia’s broadcast radio stations reach more than 278 million consumers every month, and now with AudioGraph, for the first time, advertisers can plan, target, measure, and attribute that audience using privacy-safe, ID-informed insights with digital-like precision.”

Powered by Triton Digital, AudioGraph makes it possible by connecting a privacy-safe identity spine, enriched audience attributes built from TransUnion data, and proprietary ID-level listening models that enable planning and measurement at the listener level while activating campaigns at broadcast scale. Proof of concept shows that broadcast radio campaigns planned and measured using privacy-safe AudioGraph IDs can deliver a KPI outcome 75% higher than traditional demo-based plans.

iHeartMedia chief business officer Lisa Coffey comments, “Audio has always delivered unmatched scale and human-to-human connection, but measurement and precision have lagged behind digital. With nine out of 10 Americans listening to broadcast radio every month, it’s extremely important that buyers can access this scale and impact with the precision and efficiency of digital media. With AudioGraph, we’ve closed that gap. Marketers can now use audio as an addressable and measurable performance channel at a national scale; with the same accountability they expect from every other part of their media plan.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 15-19)

Here are the most-talked-about stories of the past week (6/15-19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. U.S.-Iran Agreement
  2. Gas Prices / Financial Markets Activity
  3. Primary Races / Georgia Shelves Redistricting
  4. DNI Hearing Cancelled / Voter ID Law
  5. JD Vance Book-Appearance on “The View”
  6. Newsoms Investigation
  7. AI Concerns / Data Centers Pushback
  8. SpaceX IPO / Musk First Trillionaire
  9. Ukraine Strikes Moscow
  10. Obama Library Opening

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. JD Vance
  3. Marco Rubio
  4. Benjamin Netanyahu
  5. Rick Jackson / Burt Jones / Mike Collins
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. Jay Clayton
  8. Gavin & Siebel Newsom
  9. Elon Musk
  10. Barack & Michelle Obama

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

KBLA, Los Angeles Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

KBLA, Los Angeles “Talk 1580” is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The station was founded by media entrepreneur and broadcaster Tavis Smiley whose vision was “to create a station that serves as a reliable community resource, to provide information people can use to improve their lives and strengthen their families, and to engage more deeply in civic and cultural issues from a decidedly imgprogressive perspective.” KBLA contributor Dr. Cornel West says, “Tavis Smiley’s programming fills a content vacuum across the United States and is needed more now than ever. Under Tavis’ bold leadership, KBLA and its program hosts have helped to influence, educate, and engage previously marginalized people across this country. I’m excited for what the future holds.” Smiley says, “Five years ago, on Juneteenth, we launched KBLA Talk 1580, with the goal of providing news and information to a part of Los Angeles that had been ignored or pushed to the side for decades. We’re now syndicated in almost 50 markets across the United States with more growth on the horizon. The best is truly yet to come.”

Uncategorized

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/17)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

U.S.-Iran Agreement
Gas Prices / Fed Keeps Rates Steady
Primary Races / Georgia Redistricting Shelved
Obama Library Opening
Ukraine Strikes Moscow

Industry News

AWMF Presents 51st Annual Gracie Awards in NYC

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The AWM Foundation presented the 51st Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City yesterday (6/16). Foundation president Becky Brooks comments, “A Gracie Award can affirm a voice, elevate a career and open a door. For our student winners especially, it can be a moment that says, ‘You belong here.’ Through the Gracies, we are not only celebrating excellence – we are helping create the opportunities that strengthen the future of women in media.” Pictured above (from l-r) are Gloria Steinem, Amy Richards, and Better Business Bureau global CEO Rebekah Dopp after Dopp presented the two with the inaugural Gracies Torch Award.  to Amy Richards and Gloria Steinem. “The most important measure of leadership is not what we accomplish for ourselves, but what we make possible for others,” Dopp said. “Amy and Gloria have spent decades showing us that leadership is a torch to carry together.”

Industry News

Market Manager Tim Wenger to Exit Audacy Buffalo

Audacy Buffalo market manager Tim Wenger announces he’s leaving the company at the end of this month after his position is being eliminated per Audacy’s new organizational strategy. The imgBuffalo Broadcasters Association reports that the company offered Wenger a different position within the company but he’s electing to pursue new opportunities.  Wenger has spent much of his career in Buffalo, beginning in the newsroom at WBEN-AM in 1986. He rose through the programming ranks and eventually into management in his current market manager role. Wenger’s wife, Susan Rose, serves with WBEN-AM as morning news anchor and reporter and she will remain in her position.

Industry News

Salem’s Power to Retire

Salem Media president of broadcast media Allen Power announces he is retiring from the company on September 30. He’ll continue to be involved with Salem as a senior advisor. Power joined Salem in 2000 as the company’s first general manager in Atlanta. He later served as regional vice president, senior vice president, and was named president of broadcast media in 2023. imgSalem Media CEO David Santrella states, “Allen and I have worked together for nearly 25 years in a variety of roles at Salem. His leadership, his ability to inspire those around him, and his incredible understanding of our business will be missed. Beyond his business accomplishments, he has led with integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to serving others. While we will miss his daily leadership, we are grateful that he will continue serving Salem as a senior advisor.” Power looks back at his career saying, “Fifty years ago today, on June 15, 1976, I started my first job in broadcasting. I have spent more than half of my career at Salem and it has been such a blessing to devote my efforts to spreading the message of the gospel through broadcasting. I am grateful to the Atsinger and Epperson families, Joe Davis, Dave Santrella and my many wonderful Salem colleagues and ministry partners. After five decades of hard work, the next chapter will be about investing my time and gifts in faith, family, and worthwhile organizations. After a sabbatical, I will decide where and how to do that.” Salem says it will announce additional leadership appointments and succession plans in the coming weeks.

Industry News

Sports Talk Pioneer Eddie Andelman Dies at 89

Legendary Boston sports talk personality Eddie Andelman has died at 89. Andelman is often described as one of the pioneers of imgsports talk radio. Andelman, along with Jim McCarthy and Mark Witkin, launched “The Sports Huddle” on WBZ-AM, Boston in 1969. The show would move to Boston signals WEEI, WHDH and back to WEEI in 1991 and those who keep track of this sort of stuff say he broadcast more than 13,000 shows. Broadcast historians often refer to the program as one that “came to define the genre.” Andelman retired from radio at the end of 2010.

Industry News

A King and Five Queens

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Pictured above is the “king” of morning drive in Boise – Kevin Miller of Townsquare Media’s news/talk KIDO Talk Radio – flanked by Idaho’s Rodeo Queens as he broadcasts live from the Buckaroo Breakfast.

Industry News

Knicks’ Championship Run Boosts WFAN Ratings

According to a piece in Deadline, the New York Knicks’ NBA championship run has bumped up the 25-54 ratings for Audacy’s WFAN, New York by almost 9%. The piece adds that the station’s cume during the run has been nearly 1 million per week. Audacy chief business officer Chris Oliviero was interviewed for the piece imgand he comments on company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and the rededication to sports programming, “Relieving that financial pressure has been liberating. We’ve got everybody swimming in the same direction. Linear broadcast, streaming digital and on-demand podcasts… they don’t compete with each other. They all sing together, like a maestro with a band.” The Fan produced an NFL Draft watch party on YouTube featuring the station’s hosts and with the success of that decided to do halftime and postgame shows on YouTube during the Knicks’ Finals series. Audacy says those livestreams are part of the reason it brings in one-third of its revenue from digital sources. See the Deadline piece here.

Industry News

TALKERS 2026 Tackles Radio’s Modern Era Challenges

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Pictured above:  The “Gaining Traction in a Noisy Digital World” panel at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter. Appearing l-r: Moderator Mike McVay, president McVay Media Consulting; Sherry Goldman, founder, Goldman Communications Group; Heather Cohen, president, The Weiss Agency; Rob Carson, host, Newsmax Radio; Ryan McCormick, co-founder, Goldman McCormick PR; and Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, host, “The Joe Pags Show,” Compass Media Networks.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University last Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

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Pictured above: “The State of Sports Talk Radio” one-on-one session featuring (l-r) facilitator, Harry Hurley, morning host, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; and special guest, Ryan Hurley, brand manager, WFAN, New York, NY. NOTE: The Hurleys are not related.

The main themes of the 14-hour conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century.  These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross-section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo, video, and story coverage of the historic event.  Stand by!

Industry News

TALKERS 2026 Generates Treasure Trove of Content and Takeaways

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Pictured above:  The “Programming News/Talk” panel at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter.  Appearing l-r: Greg Stocker, brand manager, WPHT, Philadelphia, PA; Ralph Renzi, CEO, Newsmax Radio;  Lisa Polizzi, brand manager, WBEN, Buffalo, NY;  Michael Czarnecki, program director, WFEA, Manchester, NH;  Allan Lamberti, program director, WICC, Bridgeport, CT; and Phil Boyce, senior VP, Salem Radio Network / Salem News Channel / Salem Podcast Network. imgPictured at left: Moderator, Jeff Katz, host, WRVA, Richmond, VA.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University this past Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

The main themes of the conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century.  These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross-section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo, video, and story coverage of the historic event.  Stand by! 

Industry News

Martha Zoller to Step Away from Daily Radio Show on WDUN; Will Continue as Local Political Correspondent

Longtime Georgia talk radio personality Martha Zoller announces that she is stepping away from her daily program on Jacobs Media’s WDUN-AM/FM, Gainesville but will remain with the station as a senior political analyst for WDUN and AccessNorthGa.com. Zoller says, “This has been one of the great privileges of my professional life. WDUN has allowed me to talk with imggovernors, senators, local leaders, neighbors, and listeners who care deeply about their communities. I’ve had a front-row seat to history, politics, and the people who shape North Georgia. I am grateful for every conversation, every caller, and every experience I’ve had on WDUN.” While Zoller is stepping away from the daily program, WDUN listeners will continue to hear her on the station through the Martha Zoller Minute, as well as in her ongoing role as a local political correspondent for WDUN. The station says it will keep the time slot local, with more details to be announced in the coming days about how local voices, local issues, and local conversations will continue to be featured. Jacobs Media Corporation chairman and CEO Jay Jacobs states, “Martha has been a valued colleague, trusted voice, and dear friend to so many of us at WDUN. For decades, she has brought integrity, intelligence, and passion to every conversation, helping listeners better understand the issues that shape our community, our state, and our nation. We are deeply grateful for her service and thrilled that her voice will remain part of the Jacobs Media family through her continued work as our senior political analyst.”

Industry Views

The Advertiser Gave It To Me. Isn’t That Enough?

Harrison's imagination of reality

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgA local advertiser sends over a ready-made commercial. The music is catchy. The script is polished. The production value is surprisingly good for a company that spends most of its day installing garage doors.

The salesperson approves it. Traffic schedules it. The spot airs.

A few months later, somebody else’s lawyer hears it too.

Many media professionals assume that when an advertiser supplies content, the advertiser has already secured whatever permissions are necessary to use it. Sometimes that’s true. Sometimes it isn’t.

If a commercial contains copyrighted music, photographs, video, artwork, or other protected material, the fact that it came from a client does not automatically end the discussion. The advertiser may have obtained the rights. The advertiser may have assumed someone else obtained the rights. The advertiser may never have asked.

Artificial intelligence is creating new versions of the same problem.

Recently, I was asked about a commercial generated almost entirely through AI. The advertiser used one platform to create the script and another to generate the voice. Everything sounded original. No famous song. No movie clip. No obvious red flags.

Yet one question remained:

How do you know the advertiser had the right to use it?

That question can lead in several directions. Did the AI platform permit commercial use? Was the voice modeled after a real person? Does it sound enough like a celebrity to create endorsement concerns? Can the advertiser demonstrate where the content came from and what rights accompany it?

Fortunately, the solution is usually simple. Ask the advertiser.

Most legitimate advertisers are happy to explain how the content was created and what rights they possess. The conversation often takes only a few minutes.

Broadcasters, podcasters, streamers, and digital creators all face the same reality. Before a commercial airs, someone should know where the content came from and whether the necessary rights exist.

The technology may change. The question remains remarkably durable: How do you know you had the right to use this?

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at https://harrisonlegalgroup.com.

Industry News

Hubbard’s SKOR North Receives Service to America Award

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Hubbard’s “Purple Daily” – a podcast produced by Hubbard | Media That Connects – was honored with the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award for Original Content Podcast. “Purple Daily” was recognized for their work raising funds for Annunciation Catholic School’s grief counseling and mental health program following a school shooting that killed two students in August of 2025.  Also in 2025, SKOR North (KSTP-AM/KSTP-HD2) and “Purple Daily” raised money for First Tee, Youth on Course and The Bond Between. Pictured above are SKOR North’s Dan Seeman, Phil Mackey, Declan Goff and Ross Brendel and United States Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Industry News

Richards and Steinem to Receive Inaugural Gracies Torch Awards

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announces that Amy Richards and Gloria Steinem will receive the inaugural Gracies Torch Award during the 51st Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 16 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Rebecca Jarvis, chief business, technology & economics correspondent for ABC News, imgcontributing anchor for “Good Morning America,” and creator and host of “The Dropout,” will serve as host of the event. AWMF president Becky Brooks comments, “Amy Richards and Gloria Steinem have spent decades creating opportunities for others, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard, and demonstrating the power of leadership rooted in generosity and shared purpose. Their impact embodies the spirit of the inaugural Gracies Torch Award. We are also honored to welcome Rebecca Jarvis as host of the 51st Gracie Awards Luncheon, where her distinguished career in journalism and commitment to excellence make her a fitting part of this celebration.”

Industry News

TALKERS 2026 Presents 65 Speakers, Draws 338 Attendees, Addresses Hot Issues

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Pictured above: Walter Sterling, host of WABC, New York’s and Red Apple Audio Network’s nightly program, “The Other Side of Midnight,” addressing the topic, “Talk Radio: Past, Present, and Future,” at TALKERS 2026.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University this past Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

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Pictured above: Lee Habeeb, CEO, host, and producer of the wildly successful syndicated program, “Our American Stories,” addressing the crowd about “The Art of Story Telling” at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter.

The main themes of the conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century.  These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo and video coverage of the historic event.  Stand by!

Industry News

TALKERS 2026 Provided Color with Insight Into the Modern Era of Talk Media

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Pictured above: The dynamic duo of Beth Troutman (l) and Bo Thompson (r), co-hosts of the highly successful WBT, Charlotte morning show, “Good Morning BT,” got rave reviews for their presentation “Behind the Scenes at a Major News/Talk Morning Show” at TALKERS 2026 on June 5 at Hofstra University.  In addition to their conference presentation, their four-hour show that morning emanated live from Hofstra’s state-of-the-art WRHU-FM studios. Michael Harrison describes the duo – ranked number 49 on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred – as “engaging, informative, and dazzling.”

Stay tuned to TALKERS for extensive text, photo, and video coverage of the Talk Media conference of the year in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. 

Industry News

NPR Names Zylstra Chief Content Officer

NPR appoints Nadine Zylstra its new chief content officer. NPR president and CEO Katherine Maher states, “To meet the evolving needs of our audiences, we knew we needed a visionary leader who understands both the responsibility of our public service mission and imgthe dynamic strategies required to serve audiences in a crowded ecosystem. Nadine brings an extraordinarily rare blend of creative foresight, business acumen, and deep personal commitment to mission-driven storytelling. She is the right leader at the right time to ensure NPR’s journalism and cultural programming find new ways of serving and enlivening American discourse.” Zylstra most recently served as global head of programming and originals for Pinterest

Industry News

Legacy Sports Network Detroit to Launch

Detroit entrepreneur and media executive Drew Campanelli partners with NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. and two-time NBA champion Lindsey Hunter to launch Legacy Sports Network, “a new athlete-driven sports and entertainment network built in imgDetroit and designed to change the media landscape.” The network will feature original sports programming, athlete-led podcasts, live events, entertainment content, music, comedy, and authentic conversations from some of the biggest personalities in sports and culture. Campanelli states, “We’re building a true Detroit-based sports and entertainment platform powered by championship experience, authentic voices, and real relationship. With Tim, Lindsey, Brandon [Dent]and the rest of our incredible team we’re creating something special that fans can genuinely connect with.”

Industry News

TALKERS 2026 – Hailed as a Stunning Industry Revival

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TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (l) and Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis (r) pictured above in ‘Keynote One-on-One” conversation at TALKERS 2026.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University this past Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

The main themes of the conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century.  These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross section of talk media professionals from the words of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

TALKERS founder Michael Harrison expressed his deep gratitude to the industry: “We worked day and night for months putting this one together, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Heartfelt thanks to our speakers, attendees, and sponsors, as well as our dear friends and partners at Hofstra University, where it all started for me.”

TALKERS VP / executive editor Kevin Casey states, “We have enough text, photos, and video from this historic media event to keep us busy putting it together and maximizing the intellectual riches for a long time to come. It was a content motherlode!”  TALKERS will provide full coverage of TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter over the coming days, weeks and months on its website, newsletter and video channel. Stand by!

Industry News

Doug Hamand to Retire at Month’s End

imgCumulus Media VP of programming operations Doug Hamand says that he is retiring at the end of June. Hamand served for more than two decades with iHeartMedia and its predecessors before joining Cumulus Media in the corporate programming role. He posts to Facebook, “I’ve had a ball. It’s hard to believe that when I started 48 years ago, this day would ever come — but here we are. I’m excited to share that I will be retiring at the end of June.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 1-5)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/1-5) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Iran War / War Powers Resolution
  2. Primary Races
  3. Pelley Firing / Status of “60 Minutes”
  4. “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Nixed
  5. The Economy / Gas Prices
  6. Redistricting
  7. Delaney Hall Protests
  8. Ballroom Project
  9. 250th Celebration Performers Controversy / Kennedy Center Ruling
  10. Bolton to Plead Guilty

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Thomas Massie / Tom Barrett / Brian Fitzpatrick / Warren Davidson
  3. Scott Pelley / Bari Weiss / Nick Bilton
  4. Todd Blanche
  5. Scott Bessent
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. Joe Biden
  8. JD Vance
  9. David Venturella
  10. John Bolton

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Nielsen: News/Talk Remains Top Format for Total Radio Listening

Nielsen issues its quarterly “report card” – called The Record- on listening by U.S. consumers and says that, for persons 18+, 62% imgof Americans listen to AM/FM radio as part of their daily audio consumption. Podcast listening gets 20% with ad-supported streaming getting 16%, and ad-supported satellite radio accounting for 2%. The report also indicates that the news/talk radio format maintained its position as the top format with 10.9% share of total radio listening (P18+), a slight uptick from the 10.8% it captured in Q4 2025. All-news listening also increased, climbing from 2.7% to 2.9%. See more about the report here.

Industry News

Montana Talk Host Wins Congressional Primary

Montana talk radio host Aaron Flint is projected to win the Republican primary for the U.S. House seat for Montana’s 1st imgCongressional District. Flint is host of the morning drive show “Montana Talks” heard across Townsquare Media news/talk stations in Montana, including KBUL, Billings and KMMS, Bozeman. Flint took leave of his radio show to run for office. According to the Associated Press, Flint will face the winner of the four-way race in the Democratic primary. Flint’s campaign says he is emphasizing “making the Montana dream affordable again,” by reducing regulatory burdens on building homes, encouraging trades education and boosting the U.S. timber industry.

Industry News

John Kincade to Leave “97.5 The Fanatic” This Summer

Beasley Media Group announces that Philadelphia sports media pro and current morning drive co-host John Kincade will leave the “Kincade & Salciunas Morning Show” after the duo’s last program on July 31. Andrew Salciunas will continue to host the imgprogram. WPEN-FM “97.5 The Fanatic” program director Scott Masteller states, “John has brought tremendous passion, professionalism, and authenticity to our morning show and to the Philadelphia sports community. He’s been an important part of the station’s success, and we’re grateful for everything he has contributed both on the air and behind the scenes. We fully support his decision and wish him and his family nothing but the very best in this next chapter.” About his decision to leave the show, Kincade says, “After a great deal of thought, I’ve decided that this summer will be the right time for me to step away from mornings at ‘The Fanatic.’ This decision comes after a lot of reflection following my cancer battle and thinking carefully about what’s best for me and my family moving forward. I’m incredibly grateful to Beasley, to my teammates, and most importantly to the Philadelphia listeners who welcomed me back home in 2021 and supported me every step of the way. I’m proud of what we’ve built on the morning show and very confident in the future of ‘The Fanatic.’ There’s a tremendous team here both on-air and behind the scenes. I’m not retiring, and I’m excited to eventually explore what comes next professionally. Philadelphia has meant so much to me, and I can’t thank the fans enough for their support, especially during my health journey.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/2)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. Iran War / Peace Negotiations
  2. Primary Elections / Alabama Redistricting Ruling
  3. “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Nixed
  4. CBS Fires Scott Pelley
  5. Trump’s AI Executive Order
Industry News

TALKERS 2026 to Present “The Big Picture” Super Panel

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TALKERS 2026 will continue to present one of the iconic conference’s most popular and impactful panel discussions – “The Big Picture.”

This year’s lineup of panelists is nothing short of superb: Steve Jones, president, CEO & Chairman, Skyview Networks; Chad Lopez, president, WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Networks; Chris Oliviero, chief business officer, Audacy; Frank Morano, Member, New York City Council / former host, WABC, New York; Tavis Smiley, owner/host, KBLA, Los Angeles; and Rich Valdés, host, “This Is America with Rich Valdés,” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison will moderate.

“The Big Picture” panel is more pertinent this year than ever before. According to Harrison, “Our goal will be to do exactly what the title implies – present a big picture overview of the state of radio and talk media as we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, drawing upon the expertise and experience of a remarkably diverse and accomplished set of panelists. We will examine the relentless cultural, political, financial, and technological forces at work in America (and the world) that will impact the future of our field and its role in society at present and during the turbulent days ahead.”

The panel discussion that will tackle the big questions facing the talk media and radio industries will take place this Friday, June 5 – just three days from now – between 2:20 pm and 3:00 pm on Television Soundstage “A” at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. This is the location at which all of the conference events will unfold.

All of the sessions at TALKERS 2026, including this one, will be video recorded for later playback on a number of platforms including the TALKERS MEDIA channel on YouTube.  For more information about registration, hotel and sponsorship, please click here.

Industry News

Bolster Named GSM at JVC Panama City

JVC Broadcasting brings Panama City, Florida sales pro Stacie Bolster as general sales manager for the cluster that includes talk WYOO “Florida Man Radio” and three music brands. JVC says, “Bolster brings decades of experience in broadcast advertising, client development, team leadership, and revenue imggrowth. Her extensive market knowledge, longstanding relationships throughout the business community, and proven ability to help local businesses succeed make her an outstanding addition to the JVC Broadcasting leadership team.” Bolster comments, “I am honored to join JVC Broadcasting and excited for the opportunity to lead the sales efforts in Panama City. JVC has built an outstanding reputation for local programming, community involvement, and delivering results for advertisers. I look forward to working with our clients, our stations, and our growing sales team to help local businesses connect with consumers and achieve their goals.”

Industry News

Gallagher and Hudson Emcee South Carolina Candidates Forum

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Salem Radio Network host Mike Gallagher (left) and his regular guest host & WORD-FM, Greenville host Joey Hudson (right) served as co-emcees at a Statewide Candidates Forum in Upstate South Carolina sponsored by 989 WORD-FM. During the forum, South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Everette surprised hudson by presenting him with the state’s highest civilian honor “The Order of the Palmetto,” issued by Governor Henry McMaster.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Look at the Actual Numbers

By Walter Sabo
A.K.A Walter Sterling
Host, The Other Side of Midnight
WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Networks

imgBillionaires make predominantly good investments, which is why they are billionaires.

John Malone saved Sirius with a $500 million investment just days from the company missing payroll. He remains the controlling shareholder.

Warren Buffett just made a significant investment in highly profitable SiriusXM.

George Soros owns Audacy. Audacy’s robust list of major market radio stations are jewels that require a better financial structure. Soros Fund Management bought $400,000,000 of the company’s debt and controlling ownership. Note that Soros now owns all but one of the country’s all-news stations.

Apollo Advisor’s billionaire CEO Marc Rowan  a former candidate for Secretary of the U.S. Treasury – owns Cox Radio and Television. Apollo was an original investor in Sirius.

John Catsimatidis wrote a check for WABC-AM and is buying more properties. Radio properties. Cats owns an oil refinery, land, and the Gristedes supermarket chain, but his focus is on WABC Radio.

The health of radio? The future? Those sharp investors, brutal businesspeople, determine the business future of radio, and they are apparently very optimistic!

Failing industries don’t expand

In 1970, there were 2,126 commercial stations in the U.S.

Today there are:

  • AM stations: 4,342
  • FM commercial stations: 6,589
  • FM noncommercial (educational) stations: 4,755

Sell the biggest number

Cable channels are investor valued by “Homes Passed.” Not audience or cash flow. How many people who can see the programming rather than how many people actually see the programming.  Now apply that logic to radio station values.

BILLBOARDS sell impressions. Impressions represent the total number of people who could potentially see a billboard ad.  That is the biggest number by which billboard can be measured, so that’s what they sell.

DIRECT MAIL is the number one local ad medium. It is data driven beyond your wildest dreams. Direct mail automation uses real-time signals and integrated data to deliver mail at the most meaningful point in the customer journey. For example, when someone abandons a shopping cart or repeatedly views a product online, you can design a programmatic mailing campaign to automatically send print pieces in response to that specific consumer behavior.

Rather than pushing the biggest, stable number – CUME – radio sells the smallest measurements. Radio’s 100+ years of success, astonishing outlet growth, 92% penetration of American homes, 65% daily population usage deserve has earned a much higher commercial unit price.

Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “The Other Side of Midnight” is heard on WABC, New York and the Red Apple Audio Network 1:00 am – 5:00 am. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.  He can be phoned at 646-678-1110.

Industry News

Lisa Wexler Endorsed by Democrats for Another Term as Probate Judge

Connecticut probate judge and WICC, Bridgeport talk host Lisa Wexler has earned the Democratic Party endorsement to run for another four-year term as probate judge for the Westport/Weston District. This will be the second time Wexler is running as a Democrat, having been elected previously as both a Democrat and as a Republican. Westport attorney Andrew Nevas nominated Wexler. He says, “I have been practicing law for many years, and have appeared before hundreds of judges. I have also appeared imgbefore Judge Wexler hundreds of times in connection with a variety of different matters. I feel confident in saying that I have never appeared before a judge with as much compassion and empathy as Judge Wexler… She always homes in on the issues that are most important to the people involved. For while many judges view cases as purely legal matters, Judge Wexler knows that for the people involved, it can be a daunting, intimidating and frightening experience. She never forgets that the individuals before her are people with hopes, dreams and fears, not just parties to a legal case. She understands the importance of letting people who appear before her have a voice and be heard.” Wexler’s radio program is heard daily from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Industry News

“104.3 The Score” Raises $805,000 During “Cubs for a Cure”

Audacy sports talk WSCR-FM, Chicago “104.3 The Score” recently partnered with the Chicago Cubs and Cubs Charities for the third annual “Cubs for a Cure” radiothon and raised more than $805,000 with all radiothon proceeds go towards BrainUp, a nonprofit imgcommitted to raising awareness for brain cancer. Audacy Chicago VP of sports programming Mitch Rosen says, “More than 1,900 listeners rallied together to pledge donations, and we are deeply moved by their incredible generosity. Through the stories shared by our hosts and guests, we see firsthand how cancer impacts families. This radiothon is a reminder that no one has to fight alone. Our heartfelt thanks go out to our community, sponsors, team, and our great partner, the Chicago Cubs.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 25-29)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/25-29) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Iran War
  2. Trump Candidates’ Primary Success
  3. Redistricting Cases
  4. The Economy / Gas Prices
  5. DOJ to Investigate E. Jean Carroll
  6. Ballroom Project
  7. Biden Recordings Suit
  8. Pope Leo’s AI Encyclical
  9. White House Attacker Shot
  10. Ebola Outbreak

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Benjamin Netanyahu
  3. Ken Paxton / John Cornyn
  4. James Talarico
  5. Howard Lutnick
  6. Jean Carroll
  7. Todd Blanche
  8. Joe Biden
  9. JD Vance
  10. Pope Leo XIV

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Mike McVay to Moderate Key Panel at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter

 

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Radio Hall of Fame inductee Mike McVay, president of McVay Media Consulting, will serve as moderator of a panel discussion titled, “Gaining Traction in a Noisy Digital World,” at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter. The panel, sponsored by C. Crane Radio, will be introduced by Heavy Hundred talk show host Lee Elci of WJJF, New London, CT.  Speakers include (in alphabetical order): Heavy Hundred member Rob Carson, host, Newsmax Radio; super-agent Heather Cohen, president, The Weiss Organization; publicity specialist Sherry Goldman, founder, Goldman Communications Group, Inc.; PR wizard Ryan McCormick, co-founder, Goldman McCormick Public Relations; and Heavy Hundred star Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, host, “The Joe Pags Show.”

The session will be exploring insights and answers to such timely questions as: How does an individual performer, or even an entire company, gain traction in achieving recognition against a backdrop of noise, distraction, ever-changing technology, shrinking attention spans, and endless exotic competition?

TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter will be held just over a week from now, Friday, June 5 at Hofstra University on Long Island. For registration, hotel and sponsorship information, please click here.

Industry News

Scott DeLucia Retiring from WTAW, College Station; Frito Young Joins “Infomaniacs” Show

Morning drive host Scott DeLucia (pictured here) is retiring from his role as ringleader of Bryan Broadcasting news/talk WTAW, College Station’s “The Infomaniacs” program, effective June 5. Last week, DeLucia told listeners, “It’s been the tradition of the show generally that when one of us leaves to go do something different or not do imganything at all we kind of announce it ahead of time. And so today it’s my turn.” He added, “I figure if I’ve done it for 59 years it’s probably enough. Everything’s fine, my health is fine, my wife’s health is fine, we’re just deciding that it’s time to go enjoy the rest of our life that won’t include getting up at 4:20 in the morning. So, we’re going to do that.” A succession plan is in place as DeLucia introduced Tucker “Frito” Young as the newest member of “The Infomaniacs” yesterday (5/27). Young says, “I was excited by the opportunity, mostly because growing up in College Station and Bryan and around the area, if you listen to radio, you would listen to you (Scott) and Jay and Tom and everybody else. So, this is kind of like being on the radio show of record for the Brazos Valley.”