The Opportunity Before Radio: Boldness with Balance
By Erik Cudd
From my teenage years to today, radio has been the career of my adult life. When I first began listening in my teens, I was drawn less to the music and more to the conversation. I tuned into stations not for my favorite songs, but because I enjoyed hearing people talk, debate, and share ideas. Over my lifetime, I have seen many changes in the medium. The news/talk format, in particular, has always fascinated me for its mix of news, commentary, and immediacy.
In such a time as this, because radio is the medium I know best and love most, I write this appeal to those influential in news/talk. My hope is that you will step forward once again as the architects and innovators you have always been, and raise a rallying cry for this unique moment. The freedoms and ambitions that make the format so vital also create challenges. By design, it invites sharp opinions, spirited disagreement, and cultural edge. Those qualities are its strengths. But in our current climate, they also carry the risk of drifting into tribalism and rhetoric that can spill over into something more dangerous.
This is not an implication that I believe news/talk is responsible for the death of Charlie Kirk. I would like to be crystal clear. What I am saying is that a perfect storm has been gathering for many years, and no one can deny the polarized, charged landscape we now inhabit. And that storm is not radio’s sole responsibility. Television, social media, and digital platforms have found their profit margins in spaces that thrive on provocation. Cable news leans on conflict. Social media algorithms reward outrage. Digital outlets chase clicks and controversy. Radio is part of this broader ecosystem, not apart from it. And while no single medium created our current atmosphere, each has a role to play in reflecting on its impact and considering how best to move forward.
This is not about drawing a simple line between “toxic” and “non-toxic” content. Such judgments are rarely clear, and program directors deserve the benefit of the doubt. Yet it may be worth asking whether radio, like all media, could benefit from a renewed look at how editorial choices can help keep conversations as civil and constructive as possible. Debate and controversy will always be part of the medium, but escalation does not need to be the only outcome.
The September 10 tragedy underscored this in more ways than one. Beyond the event itself, the aftermath played out across digital spaces, where ordinary citizens made comments that, while protected speech, resulted in lost jobs, reputational damage, and news coverage. The lesson is not that speech should be curtailed, but that our civic discourse is increasingly fragile. And because radio is one of the most intimate and influential media, its choices ripple outward into that discourse in profound ways.
Audiences are noticing. As someone in my early 50s, squarely within talk radio’s target demographic, I should be a loyal listener. Yet I find myself tuning in less often, not from a lack of loyalty, but because I long to hear more voices who can thoughtfully engage both sides of an issue, giving each perspective a fair hearing and treating every listener as though their view matters. That is why I believe there may be room to pull back a bit, to allow for more variety, nuance, and genuine curiosity in how issues are approached.
Serious does not mean boring. Civility does not mean dull. Across platforms, authenticity and curiosity consistently earn audiences. Podcasts like SmartLess and Armchair Expert succeed not by stoking outrage but by elevating storytelling and connection. Public affairs series such as Frontline and American Experience continue to attract loyal audiences through rigorous, measured reporting. Nonfiction authors like Malcolm Gladwell and Brené Brown demonstrate that thoughtful exploration can reach mass audiences. These examples are proof that depth and balance can succeed when executed with energy and creativity.
Radio is uniquely positioned to do the same. The path forward is not retreat from controversy but innovation. Maybe it begins by encouraging new hosts who bring curiosity, empathy, and an equal openness to both sides of an issue, alongside conviction. It could include piloting alternative formats in off-peak slots where experimentation can thrive. It will require recalibrating success metrics to value loyalty, digital engagement, and cross-platform trust, not just short-term spikes. And it may also mean weaving national voices together with local conversations so that stations strengthen both their reach and their roots.
I do not write this from a high perch. I write as a member of the audience who also walked the halls of the station and still believes in the power of the medium. My words are not meant as accusation but as an open hand in friendship. What I am asking is simple: perhaps it is time for a more purposeful, deliberate engagement of conversation in the conference room. To sit together and ask if everything that airs is doing what it should. To take a long, hard look at whether anything might need to be discussed, reconsidered, or rebalanced in light of what we have all just witnessed.
Radio, because of its intimacy and reach, is uniquely positioned to lead by example. By being more proactive in its own yard, radio could encourage the same self-reflection across media, and even among the public itself. That is not retreat. That is leadership.
Radio still matters. Its intimacy can at times divide, but it can also renew. The question is not whether talk radio will remain bold, it always will, but whether it can channel that boldness in a way that builds the public square rather than fractures it.
The opportunity is here: to prove that freedom and responsibility can coexist, and that doing so is good for the culture, and good for the business.
Erik Cudd has worked in radio and media since 1991. He can be emailed at erik@cudd.us.
New York’s Cipriani 42nd Street once again played host to one of radio’s most anticipated annual events of the year: the annual “77 WABC Gala,” held this past Friday (9/5). The spectacular evening blended star-studded entertainment, heartfelt tributes, and plenty of radio family camaraderie – all while raising funds for three cornerstone charities: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Police Athletic League, and Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Superman just flew into court – not against Lex Luthor, but against Midjourney. Warner Bros. Discovery is suing the AI platform, accusing it of stealing the studio’s crown jewels: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, and more.
Hillsdal 101.7 FM – is managed by Scot Bertram, who says, “‘The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour’ is designed to bring listeners as close to the Hillsdale experience as possible without having to be on campus. You can’t get [to Hillsdale] unless you intentionally want to be here. We have many people who like Hillsdale, love Hillsdale, admire Hillsdale. The show is an attempt to allow them to be close to what we’re doing without being here on campus.” Bertram says that Vince Benedetto, president and founder of Bold Gold Media Group, airs the “Radio Free Hillsdale Hour” on two of his 15 stations and says the show gives variety to his stations, which mostly broadcast conservative talk radio focused on current events.
Beshear will host a new series of live specials, “Andy Beshear Presents,” airing exclusively on SiriusXM Progress. The series will premiere Tuesday, September 9 at 12:00 noon ET. Beshear will be joined by fellow Progress host John Fugelsang and will take calls from listeners across the country. Governor Beshear says. “I want this podcast to be a space to bring people together – especially in such a stressful and divisive time in our country. This is a conversation with friends and we talk about things that matter to all of us: sports, politics, pop culture, our kids. I’m excited to expand this conversation with listeners across the country on SiriusXM, highlighting a wide range of voices and ideas that can help move us all forward, together.”
significant role in shaping Salem’s growth and direction. Under his leadership, Salem launched and developed four major digital properties: Salem Web Network, Salem Church Products, Townhall Media, and Eagle Financial Publications. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “David has been an important part of Salem’s journey, and we are deeply grateful for his dedication, professionalism, and leadership over the years.” Salem co-founder Ed Atsinger adds, “David’s impact on Salem has been profound. From his early days as CFO to his leadership in building our digital media presence, his contributions have helped define who we are today. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him continued success in the future.”
in the U.S. House of Representatives and a filibuster-proof 61 in the U.S. Senate. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “We thank the growing, bipartisan group of lawmakers standing up for their constituents who depend on AM radio. This support demonstrates a deep understanding that AM radio remains an essential lifeline for emergency alerts, local news and community connection. With significant momentum behind this bill, NAB urges House leadership to bring it to the floor without delay and preserve this vital service for the American public.”
exclude or marginalize competitors like Newsmax. Further, Newsmax alleges that FOX News, “described in the complaint as a ‘must-have’ channel for distributors, leverages its market power to impose restrictions that harm consumers, stifle competition, and drive-up costs across the pay TV ecosystem.” Specifically, Newsmax alleges that “FOX conditions access to FOX News on 
agreements by distributors not to carry or to restrict competing right-leaning news channels. If distributors carry Newsmax, FOX forces them to also carry low-demand channels like FOX Business or FOX Sports 2 in their most widely viewed tiers, triggering potentially tens of millions in extra fees. These clauses penalize distributors for placing Newsmax in basic packages by requiring simultaneous promotion of FOX less popular channels.” Also, Newsmax alleges that FOX has pressured its guests to not appear on Newsmax, as well as has run online smear campaigns and hired private investigators targeting Newsmax executives to damage the Company’s credibility. Newsmax is asking the court to: 1) Declare FOX’s conduct unlawful under federal and state antitrust laws; 2) Award monetary damages as permitted by law; 3) Enjoin FOX from continuing exclusionary contracts and monopolistic practices; and 4) Order equitable relief to restore competition in right-leaning pay TV news.
Imagine an AI trained on millions of books – and a federal judge saying that’s fair use. That’s exactly what happened this summer in Bartz v. Anthropic, a case now shaping how creators, publishers, and tech giants fight over the limits of copyright.
host city for FIFA World Cup 2026. “Ready, Set, Grow” happens on September 5 at the Barnes Foundation. Through the end of 2025 and into 2026, WURD will feature on-air programming, live panel discussions, and multimedia storytelling to provide entrepreneurs and neighborhood business corridors with the tools they need to thrive. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Ready, Set, Grow is crafted specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the region who are seeking strategies to leverage the historic momentum of America’s 250th anniversary. We are convening a panel of the experts and decision-makers who are best positioned to share how the small business community can make the most of this moment.” Ready, Set Grow’s panel discussion will feature executives from business and tourism organizations.
WURD, in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will spotlight 250 iconic Philadelphians in the 250 days leading up to July 4, 2026. The series begins at Founder’s Day with a tribute to Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Freedom Journeys is a celebration of the people who have shaped Philadelphia’s culture, history, and future. This storytelling project ensures that significant Philadelphia figures are not overlooked as we mark the semi quincentennial of this nation’s founding. We’re thrilled to launch Freedom Journeys at Founder’s Day and to honor my father’s extraordinary legacy with a night of joy, music, and community.”
women’s basketball games this season and a total of 28 episodes of the “Bruin Insider Show” on Thursdays at 7:00 pm. KABC program director Luis Segura comments, “With KABC’s powerhouse signal and UCLA’s legacy teams, Southern Californians will get some of the best in sports programming starting Fall 2025! We are tremendously excited to partner with UCLA as the new official broadcast home of Bruins football and men’s basketball and look forward to turning up the volume on Bruins coverage for our passionate 790 KABC listeners and Southern California sports fans.”
with a spotlight on alumni pride and community connection.” The station is featuring the syndicated “Miller and Moulton Morning Show” starring Mark Miller and David Moulton. Beasley Tampa VP and market manager Ron deCastro says, “Florida Alumni Radio is more than a station – it’s a destination for Florida sports fans and alumni to come together and celebrate the teams and traditions they love. We’re proud to provide a platform that not only delivers great sports content, but also connects alumni, students, and fans across the Tampa Bay community in a meaningful way.” The station will also serve as the exclusive home for USF Athletics content.
Imagine SiriusXM acquires the complete Howard Stern archive – every show, interview, and on-air moment. Months later, it debuts “Howard Stern: The AI Sessions,” a series of new segments created with artificial intelligence trained on that archive. The programming is labeled AI-generated, yet the voice, timing, and style sound like Stern himself.
The station is at 104.3 FM and boasts a 100,000-watt signal. Audacy regional president Claudia Menegus says, “Miami’s sports fans have an unrivaled passion, and they deserve a destination that matches their energy. By adding this powerful FM signal, we’re not just expanding our reach – we’re solidifying WQAM’s position as the undisputed leader in South Florida sports radio.” The weekday lineup consists of “The Joe Rose Show with Hollywood” (6:00 am to 10:00 am), “Tobin & Leroy” (10:00 am to 2:00 pm) and “Hochman, Crowder & Solana” (2:00 pm to 6:00 pm).
says, “While the advertising backdrop for legacy media remains challenging, in the quarter we continued to outperform our radio peers, gaining market share across all broadcast spot revenue channels. We also significantly outperformed in digital, delivering double the growth rate of our radio peers, driven by the 38% year-over-year increase in our digital marketing services business. Additionally, we executed $5 million of annualized cost reductions, bringing total annualized cost reductions to $175 million over the last 5 years. These results underscore our disciplined focus on optimizing performance and investing in growth opportunities despite capital constraints. Looking ahead, while we do not expect near-term relief from market headwinds, we are confident in our ability to position the business for long-term success through strong execution and by capitalizing on the Company’s valuable underlying assets.”
saying Stern is mulling retirement and that he might consider a shorter-term deal than the usual five-year pacts he’s been signing. Still other sources say Stern isn’t the draw he once was, and a renewal of his current $500 million deal is not going to happen. Another report indicates SiriusXM may make a bid for his library of shows instead of a renewed contract for new content. 
company’s media platforms, bringing her energy, expertise, and signature charisma to a wide array of content.” Crull will be full-time co-host of “The Buck Belue Show” and will make regular appearances on “The Locker Room” morning show, in addition to leading efforts to expand Dickey Broadcasting’s digital footprint through original podcast content and cross-platform storytelling. Station president and GM David Dickey says, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Kelly on board full time. She’s the kind of multi-talented broadcaster that elevates everyone around her. Whether she’s behind the mic, in front of the camera, or developing digital content, Kelly brings a passion and professionalism that align perfectly with our mission to inform, entertain, and connect with sports fans across Georgia and beyond.”
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.
Mark Walters