WBAL Names Aviles PM Drive Host
Hearst’s news/talk WBAL, Baltimore announces that market media pro Angelette Aviles is the new afternoon drive host. The station says, “Aviles first joined WBAL in January 2024, hosting a weekend show.
She brings to the microphone more than two decades of experience in communications and marketing across both commercial and political sectors, with commentary featured on FOX News Channel and Univision, as well as published opinion pieces in The Baltimore Sun. She grew up attending Maryland schools while her father served as an Army officer and returned home after graduating from the University of South Florida.” Aviles comments, “As WBAL celebrates its 100th year on the air, I’m incredibly honored to join this legacy of broadcasting and to bring my voice to Maryland’s afternoon drive. This show will be about real conversations – local, national, cultural – I’m excited to connect with listeners every day.”
lineup anchored by Shannon Burke (PM drive) and Bubba the Love Sponge (AM drive), and will welcome Panama City’s own Brian Rust to the network as the new 9:00 am to 12:00 noon host. JVC CEO John Caracciolo says, “This is more than a format flip; it’s a statement. By bringing WYOO into the Florida Man Radio Network, we’ve created a single, dominant talk radio platform that spans from Pensacola through Panama City and beyond. The Florida Panhandle is one of the most politically engaged and conservative regions in the country. This move allows us to deliver content that speaks directly to the values, voice, and lifestyle of real Floridians.”
Salzone to operations manager for the 10-station cluster. Salzone will take over for Chris Allinger who is retiring at the end of August. Cayuga Media Group president and GM Chet Osadchey says, “Joe is an incredibly hard-working and knowledgeable broadcast professional. He will be a guiding force in our continued evolution as a local media source.”
and actions prior to the Paramount-Skydance merger. Paramount’s CBS agreed to a settlement with President Donald Trump over a Kamala Harris interview on “60 Minutes.” The complaint says, “Everyone from U.S. senators to CBS employees to a dissenting FCC commissioner has said the settlement appears to have been a bribe to grease the wheels for Carr’s FCC to approve the merger. Even putting Paramount aside, Carr has pursued numerous other frivolous and unconstitutional legal proceedings and threatened more of them in furtherance in his efforts to intimidate broadcast licensees to censor themselves and fall in line with Trump’s agenda.” It goes on to say, “Carr’s actions brazenly violate legal and ethical standards that govern the practice of law and public officials, undermining the First Amendment, the FCC’s credibility, and the laws he is trusted to administer. His abuse of his office to force an unwarranted settlement of a private lawsuit is shameful and warrants disbarment.”
Musers” – starring George Dunham, Craig Miller, and Gordon Keith – is joining the Cumulus Podcast Network. Calling it a natural extension of the daily radio program, Cumulus says “The Musers: The Podcast” will deliver exclusive podcast-only segments that fans won’t hear anywhere else. A new episode drops each Wednesday.
Reviewing radio’s challenges:
media users, and linear TV viewers. Ad-supported audio listeners are more likely to be Amazon Prime members, spend more, and were more aware of Amazon Prime Day 2025; 2) Ad-supported audio (AM/FM radio, music streaming, and podcasts) are ideal media platforms for retailers and e-commerce brands: Heavy audio listeners are more likely to shop online. Heavy AM/FM radio and podcast listeners spend more online than TV viewers; 3) AM/FM radio makes your TV better – “20 gets you 50”: A 20% shift of a TV media budget to AM/FM radio generates a +50% increase in campaign reach. Nielsen Media Impact campaign optimizations reveal shifting media weight to AM/FM radio generates significantly more reach, especially among younger 18-49 demographics. AM/FM radio does an extraordinary job in increasing campaign reach among light TV viewers who will not see retailer TV ads; and 4) Audio holiday AM/FM radio campaigns work: Consumers exposed to an Amazon holiday AM/FM radio campaign have higher brand equity (awareness, ad recall, prior purchase, and purchase intent). Nielsen sales effect studies reveal AM/FM radio campaigns for retailers generate significant return on advertising spend: $15 dollars of incremental sales for every dollar of AM/FM radio advertising. 
Why we’re already seeing TV tout its coming attractions: They understand how, after Labor Day, routines settle in. Viewers will be ready to re-engage.
and more in alleging that he had a deal with Del Nin in 2022 and began working together “to try to acquiring Cox Radio, with Del Nin agreeing that Warshaw would manage the business as CEO upon successful acquisition.” Warshaw also says he steered SFM and Del Nin to the deal that made SFM a majority stake holder of the new Audacy in early 2024 and 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. As for the change of venue, both parties agree the case involves both complex legal issues and a claim for monetary damages. The defendants says it’s likely to require resolution of “complicated legal and factual issues.” (Del Nin has already moved to dismiss on jurisdiction grounds, which involves questions of constitutional law.) Plus, SFM anticipates the case will benefit from careful discovery oversight as it will need discovery from Warshaw as well as potentially from third parties, including from Connoisseur and the other investment firms Warshaw references in the Complaint.
station ownership. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt issued a statement expressing his pleasure with that move but said he’s disappointed the Court didn’t do the same for radio. LeGeyt says, “At the same time, we are disappointed that the court stopped short of addressing the decades-old radio ownership restrictions that defy economic reality and weaken broadcasters’ ability to compete, invest in local journalism and serve their communities. Fortunately, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has long been a champion for empowering local stations, and we look forward to working with this FCC to modernize its local radio ownership rules and ensure local broadcasters can thrive in the communities they serve across the nation.”
Angeles’ “Mason & Ireland” show to continue in that role. ESPN EVP, executive editor, sports news and entertainment David Roberts says, “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Steve and John. They bring energy, humor, and perspective that resonate with listeners across Los Angeles. There’s nothing quite like ‘Mason & Ireland’ in the market or in sports radio.”
have ever consumed a podcast, 55% have consumed a podcast in the last month, and 40% have consumed a podcast in the last week, each measure being an all-time high; 2) Video podcast consumption has redefined the podcast landscape: Over half (51%) of the U.S. 12+ population has ever watched a video podcast; 37% have watched a video podcast in the last month and 26% have watched a video podcast in the last week. Those who actively watch video podcasts are younger and more diverse than those who only listen to audio-only podcasts; and 3) Podcasts offer high engagement and trust from listeners: 88% of weekly podcast consumers agree that hearing ads is a fair price to pay for free content; 68% say they don’t mind hearing ads on podcasts. You can see 
People Mover, the city of Detroit’s elevated public transportation system. The city makes the announcement as the People Mover celebrates its 38th anniversary and Jackson becomes the first new voice for the system’s on-board station announcements in over 30 years. The WJR personality’s voice will now greet thousands of riders daily, both on the trains and from the station platforms. In addition to station announcements, Jackson will also be heard on a series of welcome messages, greeting riders from the station platforms. 
live in the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm daypart. The show will be simulcast live on Disney+ every day and on ESPN+ during select weeks in the year. In addition to his weekday show, Eisen brings his full podcast lineup from The Rich Eisen Podcast Network to ESPN platforms. Eisen says, “Once we struck a deal with Disney for the video version of The Rich Eisen Show, it made complete sense to migrate the audio version to ESPN Radio, where I got started in the terrestrial radio world almost 30 years ago. It’s just another way to return to my roots with my old and now new friends at ESPN and GKB. I couldn’t be more excited about our future together on multiple platforms.”
Conventional industry wisdom: “If our morning star leaves, we’re dead. How could we replace them?”
retirement of Jeff Austin. The station the serves as flagship for University of Oregon Ducks football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. Along with these changes, the station unveils a tweaked program schedule that includes the debut of “The Firm of Harris and Marang,” airing daily from 10:00 pm to 1:00 pm and hosted by Danny Marang and Patrick Harris; “Dirt and Sprague” extending their show an hour from 6:00 am to 10:00 am; and “The Happy Hour with Luke Andersen” airing weekdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Audacy Portland SVP and market manager Ryan Cooley says, “We’re incredibly excited to bring ‘The FAN’ to the FM dial. This move is long overdue and all about delivering a better listening experience for our audience with clearer sound and great content our fans know and love. For the first time in our history, our entire primetime on-air lineup will be 100% local and led by our new brand manager, Dusty Harrah, a native Oregonian.”
A radio (or video podcast) host grabs a viral clip, tosses in some sharp commentary, and shares it online. The goal? Make some noise. The result? A takedown notice for copyright infringement – and then a letter threatening a defamation suit.
Ask any dog: The humans’ greatest invention EVER? Ice cream. Share summer’s sweetest treat with them, and listeners, during National Ice Cream Month.
receive on our mobile phones. With underlying frameworks that are 31 and 13 years old respectively, we think it’s time to explore if structural changes to these systems are needed, with an eye towards making sure we are leveraging the latest technology to save lives. Similarly, we will also vote to initiate a review of our system for collecting real-time data on network outages and restoration during and after major disasters. Since its inception in 2007, our Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) has proven to be a valuable tool for collecting actionable information to help with recovery efforts. While the DIRS reports are valuable, they can be time-consuming to produce, drawing resources away from responding to an ongoing disaster. The Commission will vote on reforms to streamline DIRS to make sure that its benefits outweigh its burdens. We’ll close our August meeting by removing unnecessary regulations and injecting common sense across the Commission’s policies—critical features to streamline the implementation of our Build America Agenda.” 
defund, or threaten news outlets that support the government’s views, and there’s a reason for that. This has never been about saving money. It’s about silencing those who report the news accurately, without fear or favor. The true cost of this one-sided attack on free speech will be felt most by small and rural communities across the country. Much like the disappearance of local newspapers, cutting off support for public stations could create a new kind of ‘news desert.’ In many hard-to-reach areas, these stations may be the only source for the public to receive emergency alerts, traffic updates, and information about local events and ways to stay engaged in their own neighborhoods. Defunding them strips away these essential services and further isolates the very communities these stations seek to serve. The FCC is playing a dangerous game with its own baseless attacks on public broadcast stations. Its role should be to protect and expand the public’s access to timely, accurate news that is free from political interference. I will continue fighting this FCC’s politically motivated efforts to investigate and harass these stations.” 
cluster and will continue in that role. Audacy regional president Brian Purdy comments, “Over the past few months, Tatjana has seamlessly led the team with the powerful combination of her contagious passion for this business and people-first leadership. Since stepping in as vice president of sales a little over a year ago, she has been a driving force in the market’s success, and we’re confident she’ll bring that same energy and creativity to her expanded role. We’re excited to see how she continues to uplift our Austin brands.”
Amarillo markets. Those markets include news/talk KFYO and talk KKAM/K280GU in Lubbock and news/talk KIXZ, Amarillo. Most recently, he served as president of iHeartMedia’s Nashville station group.
available free of charge to the first 200 TALKERS readers who respond to the offer. This valuable resource is packed with contact information to reach Members of Congress and their key staffers. 
“Eric from Dominion saying he was going to make sure President Trump lost the 2020 election.” That was picked up and broadcast by OAN network and further repeated by the Trump campaign and Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. Coomer also sued MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and won a $2.3 million judgement. Courthouse News also reports that Coomer is also suing Salem personality Eric Metaxas who recently filed with the court to settle and is awaiting approval from the court. Interestingly, Corporon – a practicing attorney – is representing Gateway Pundit owner James Hoft who is also being sued by Coomer for defamation. That case is scheduled to go to trial in April of 2026. 
and NPR’s most popular podcasts – “NPR News Now” and “Up First” – maintain their first and second-place finishes, respectively. Changes of note from May to June include Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” rising three places to #5, Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” rising one spot to #10, and iHeartRadio’s “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton” falling two places to #16. 
Consumer. Edison says the webinar will cover the current size and habits of the U.S. podcast audience and explore how things have changed over time. The webinar is July 23 at 2:00 pm ET. 
In radio and podcasting, editing isn’t just technical – it shapes narratives and influences audiences. Whether trimming dead air, tightening a guest’s comment, or pulling a clip for social media, every cut leaves an impression.
operations for the cluster that includes sports talk KILT-AM, sports betting KIKK-AM and four music brands. Logan says, “I’m so excited to be returning to Audacy and Houston! Thanks to Sarah Frazier, Brian Purdy, Tim Roberts, Dave Richards, Jeff Sottolano and Chris Oliviero for once again handing me the keys to these legendary Houston brands. I know Houston is hot, I know it’s where to find the best queso in the world, and I know how to help teams achieve success! We start immediately.”