Industry News

Nielsen: Podcasts Make Up 19% of Ad-Supported Audio Listening

Nielsen releases its latest Podcasting Today report that reveals a number of things including that podcasts represent about one-fifth (19%) of daily ad-supported audio listening time – second only to radio in theimg U.S. Other takeaways include: Listeners aged 18-34 spend 32% of their daily ad-supported audio time with podcasts; and podcasts consistently drive top funnel advertising impact. Nielsen says its Podcast Brand Impact Database draws on nearly 2,000 case studies and shows that podcast ads continue to drive strong brand awareness, motivate listeners to learn more, and purchase products. See the full report here.

Industry News

Starnes Address Gun Owners of America

Independent (Starnes Media Group) nationally-syndicated radio host and KWAM, Memphis owner Todd Starnes delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Gun Owners of America Summit in Knoxville, Tennessee. Some 6,000 gun owners and defenders of the Second Amendment attended. GOA also hosted a signing for Starnes. His latest book is titled Star-Spangled Blessings: Devotions For Patriots.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Top 40 is Always the Answer

By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
And TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”

imgReviewing radio’s challenges:

— Trouble attracting and growing younger demos
— Trouble appealing to youth-oriented advertisers
— Trouble generating excitement in our culture
— Trouble owning a seat in the news media
— Trouble attracting out of college/high school employees
in sales, management on air.

The answer is: Top 40 or, if you must, CHR. The answer has always been Top 40.

The brilliant Allen Shaw, president ABC FM Radio, CEO Beasley Broadcasting, CEO/owner Centennial, said, “And Top 40 will always have an important place in radio because it plays the most popular music therefore it will always have an audience.”

In reviewing Spring Nielsens, it is hard to find a Top 40 station that is #1 6+ in any city. Consider how odd that is. Since 1955 there have been hundreds of Top 40 stations that attracted dominant shares of audience.

No, not audience: fans. Passionate fans because music is passion. New music is more passion. Cultural pebbles between the songs dropped by passionate radio stars compel even more passion.

Big contests. Big promotions. Breaking music trends. Huge voices. Pounding jingles. Prizes: Trips to see Taylor Swift in the studio – in England. A week off from school, on us! Free pizza for 50 of your friends – for a year. A new red, customized Z-93 car in your driveway on your birthday. Ed Sheeran plays your prom! A limo to school on opening day. Big Time Rush sings at your street fair.

Alex Warren writes a song for you – and performs it for you. Gift certificates for CAMEO. The Apple package… an iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air.

Media Buyer: Hop on the station yacht this summer, let’s go for a sunset party cruise. One buyer wins this custom Mustang. Wherever you go on vacation, tab’s on us.

Excited? Radio is good at contesting, better than any other medium. Excitement in thin air is what radio does… well, used to do.

Of course radio is a low choice among fresh grads, 18-24s, and media buyers. Radio stopped making the best radio, stunning, pulsing, sexy, unpredictable. We stopped rolling out the red carpet: Hot, current, daring, dangerous… Top 40.

You were drawn to radio because of Top 40. Make that.

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 “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. 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.

Industry News

Date and Details Set for 10th Annual Music Industry Reunion in SoCal

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Many readers and subscribers of TALKERS trace their radio industry roots back to the golden days when the radio programming and record promotion businesses were so symbiotic that the major trade publication serving this two-headed conglomeration was actually called Radio & Records: “The Industry’s Newspaper.”

On September 10, 2025, music and radio industry veterans from across the USA will come together at the 10th Annual Music Industry Reunion. The event will again take place at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, CA. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The Music Industry Reunion prides itself on bringing together the best of the music business from around the world for this special evening of memories, laughter, and hugs. Past reunions in New York and Los Angeles have reunited over 500 industry influencers, industry legends and icons as well as the brightest radio, music, management, publicity, and marketing professionals in the business. Attendees can enjoy hot hors d’oeuvres as well as chips and salsa, along with $5 tequila shots. Additionally, the Sagebrush Cantina’s full menu will be available to purchase.

According to TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, “For those of us who were lucky enough to be a part of that wild and crazy chapter of pop culture biz history – especially as it played out in Southern California – this is one of the greatest, most beloved industry events of the year… pure history, nostalgia, and fun!”

Advance tickets are $35 (+Eventbrite service processing fee) and available at this link: https://tinyurl.com/mir10th

The luxurious Anza Hotel has King Suites available at a special Music Industry Reunion rate of $118, which includes access to the hotel’s bar, pool, gym, and free parking. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to the event. Use Code: 250911LA10 at 818.222.5300 or follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/mir10hotel

Connect with The Music Industry Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MusicBusinessReunion The 10th Annual Music Industry Reunion is coordinated by legendary music biz promoters Jon Scott and Kenny Ryback. Jon Scott 818.601.1283 jonpaulscott@gmail.com Kenny Ryback 747.666.5465 kenny.ryback@gmail.com

Industry News

Edison: Podcast Consumption Hits Record High

Edison Research releases its latest study, The Podcast Consumer 2025 that it says “charts the continued rise of podcast listening in the U.S and underscores the significant appeal of video podcasts.” Among the takeaways from this report are: 1) Podcast consumption continues at a record high: 73% of those ages 12+img 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 The Podcast Consumer 2025 here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: The Dog Days of Summer

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgAsk any dog: The humans’ greatest invention EVER? Ice cream. Share summer’s sweetest treat with them, and listeners, during National Ice Cream Month.

Ask dog owners: “What makes YOUR dog happy?” Callers will tell stories.

im

And what’s cooler than hot wings? Do something special on July 29 – National Chicken Wing Day – and you will seem more special than non-local and/or robotic audio competitors.

Ditto International Hot Dog Day, August 26.

Convene a meeting to brainstorm opportunities on Thursday (July 24, National Tequila Day). Or August 8, International Beer Day.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Carr: FCC to Address Public Safety

Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr, in a blog post, says the FCC is beginning to address public safety as part of its Build America Agenda. He says, “In three weeks, we will vote to begin a ground-up re-examination of the Emergency Alert Systems (EAS).  EAS sends life-saving information using TV and radio outlets, and our Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) distribute the emergency notices weimg 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.” See the full blog post here.

Industry News

Gomez Speaks Out on CPB Funding Cuts

FCC commissioner Anna M. Gomez says in a statement that Congress’ vote to claw back money appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is not about saving money but about controlling speech. She says, “This action is a key step in a coordinated campaign to silence public media, and the latest attempt by this administration to censor and control speech. We’ve yet to see any effort to probe,img 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.”

Industry News

SABO SEZ: Cash Comes from Ideas, Not Budgets

By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
and TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”

imgThere are two broad categories of thought: Task. Creative. When in creative mode, a person innovates, imagines, plans, and solves problems. An idea bank is a bank! Money grows from the results of imagination: new products, new music, new formats, new sales strategies. Business growth depends on new!

Task mode is focused on the past. Accounting, legal, sorting, painting, mowing, eating, surviving. Tasks are essential activities but financially break even, at best.

Your colleagues probably suffer from thoughts of radio industry consolidation and cutbacks. Personally, there was a moment in my career that still haunts me at this writing. A moment more profound than consolidation or repeal of FCC ownership financial requirements.

The crash moment in the history of radio was when a program director uttered these words:

It’s not in the budget.”

The words were less shocking than the source. Owners and general managers had said, we don’t have the money, but never the program director. Program directors, in my experience, lived in a charged creative fantasy. They imagined better shows, contests, DJ patter, bigger, better, fun-er radio for bigger ratings. Programmers thrived in an environment of creative challenges rather than tasks. PDs were often not even shown their budgets.

Creative-mode results in breathtaking promotions (win a house, win your rent, win a six pack of Corvettes.) Audience-daring formats such as album-oriented rock and all sports. Exciting air talent: Howard SternNeil RogersJake FogelnestJohn Kobylt.

Programmers heard general managers say, “A good salesman is one with a good product.” Or, “If you deliver ratings, the sales department will sell it.” Intuitively, general managers and owners knew that if they kept their programmers and talent on the creative side of their brains, the station could succeed.

There were conversations between general managers and program directors when the PD would have “suggestions” about sales and the GMs would say, “That’s the sales manager’s job” and shut down the PD! Therefore, PDs were kept on the creative side of their brains, the idea bank.

Driving a new idea, a new format, promotion, or on-air technique demands a programmer’s knowledge and passion. Without passion, few new strategies are launched. Birthing a new idea in radio is way too difficult to achieve with just logic. New ideas come to exist by fighting for budgets, fighting to win acceptance from staff.

New ideas are worth the fight because they can bring audience growth and fresh cash.

As the industry puzzles over declining sales, declining youth listening, and declining buzz, don’t blame consolidation and streaming. Blame owners that have given programmers the ultimate excuse to not try new ideas, not push new promotions, not embrace fresh talent, not take risks that lead to growth. “It’s not in the budget.” 

Shut the door on your way out. 

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 “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. 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.

Industry News

FCC Continues Deregulation Campaign

The Federal Communications Commission announces its latest effort to remove outdated and unnecessary rules and regulations as part of its “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative. Specifically, the action will remove from its regulations approximately 2,991 words and 41 rules or requirements concerning utility-style burdens on theimg Internet adopted under the Biden Administration and network interconnection. FCC chairman Brendan Carr says, “We’re continuing to clean house at the FCC, working to identify and eliminate rules that no longer serve a purpose, have been on our books for decades, and have no place in the current Code of Federal Regulations. Today’s action is just the latest step the FCC is taking to follow the Trump Administration’s effort to usher in prosperity through deregulation.  And it’s just one of many, with more on the horizon, so stay tuned.”

Industry Views

Michael Harrison Interviews C. Crane CEO Jessica Crotty About the Future of the AM/FM Receiver and Radio-Oriented Devices

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In its latest post (7/2), “Up Close Far Out” – a YouTube video series hosted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison – takes a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of radio, examining the state of the radio device itself – the actual appliance – from the perspective of those on the front line of its development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution.

What is the state of the gizmos we call “radios” in the early decades of the digital era?

Is radio an obsolete technology on its last legs or is the device going through an exciting evolution in terms of its technology, content and broader societal purpose going forward into a brave new world?

What is the difference between “radio” and the broader term “audio?”

What impact does the prospect of ongoing tariff wars have upon the domestic radio manufacturing industry?  And what exactly does it take to move back and develop a new product such as a modern radio in the USA?

Harrison’s guest, Jessica Crotty, is an important player in that industry. She is the CEO of a small, but highly influential, Northern California-based company – C. Crane – that for more than three decades has specialized in manufacturing, aggregating, distributing and marketing radios and radio-oriented devices for the platform’s most ardent fans.

The company’s focus on radio literally began as a “mom & pop” operation by draftsman, designer and electronics engineer Bob Crane, his wife Sue, and Grandma Faye who ran the fledgling business at the kitchen table of their home north of the “Redwoods Curtain.”

Since selling their first AM antenna, C. Crane has grown into a nationally respected “boutique” electronics company. They have developed several outstanding radios to serve radio listeners who prefer information, talk radio and audio tuned for voice clarity. After several near 7.0 earthquakes, in 1992 they added radio and light products that would become essentials during an emergency event anywhere in the country.

Jessica Crotty launched her professional career with C. Crane almost three decades ago working her way through the ranks from customer service all the way up to being CEO and a company principal.

Crotty and Harrison engage in a candid, information-packed conversation exploring the evolving technical and cultural intersection between radio’s glorious past, underrated present, and potentially impactful, but somewhat ambiguous, future. If you are interested in radio as a broadcaster or a fan, you do not want to miss this interview.

To view the video in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News

WABC Partners with Shriners Children’s for Charity Softball Game

WABC Radio is partnering with Shriners Children’s for a charity softball game called Day of Champions on Sunday, July 20, at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park. It will feature a softball game between members of the NYPD versus members of the FDNY with net proceeds going to Shriners Children’s. Johnimg Sterling, who hosts a Saturday afternoon sports talk program on 77WABC, will provide play-by-play of the game, as well as the Little League pre-game.  This event includes pre-game activities for families including meet-and-greet opportunities with 77WABC on-air personalities and sports legend Dwight Gooden, Fastest Pitch and Home Run Derby contests, Kids Zone, Sports Memorabilia Silent Auction and more!  Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis says, “Shriners Children’s gives hope to children and their families across the country and around the world, regardless of their ability to pay. At WABC Radio, we are proud to partner with Shriners Children’s and, together, provide a fun-filled day for our community while supporting this great mission.”

Industry News

KMOX and MLB’s Cards Extend Broadcasting Deal

Audacy’s news/talk KMOX-AM/FM, St. Louis announces a multi-year extension of its broadcast partnership with the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals. KMOX will continue to provide play-by-play coverage of all regular,img postseason and select Spring Training games. KMOX recently integrated new Cardinals coverage, including the “Gas House Gang,” airing weekdays at 12:00 noon and the “Red Bird Rush Hour” airing weeknights at 5:00 pm. Audacy SVP and market manager Becky Domyan says, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to delivering the content our community loves, and with KMOX now on FM, we’re even more fired up to bring every single game, plus exciting new programming, to more fans than ever before.”

Industry News

FCC Chairman Carr Promotes Build Agenda in Sioux Falls

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota yesterday (7/2) to promote the FCC’s “Build America Agenda.” Carr said, “Our ‘Build America Agenda’ will focus on delivering on a number of core objectives. We will unleash high-speed infrastructure builds. We will restore America’s leadership in wireless. We will boost the U.S. space economy. We will advance our national security. And we willimg strengthen America’s tower and telecom workforce.  We will deliver on all of this by implementing smart policies while carrying out a massive and comprehensive deregulatory agenda. As we do so, we will be guided at the agency by a few simple ideas. For one, we will keep the Gretzky test front and center. We want to keep our eye on where the proverbial puck is going, not where it has been. For another, we are going to take a first principles approach. Just because a regulation has been on the books for 30 years, we are not going to keep it there simply out of a sense of inertia. For still another, we will focus on competition as it exists today. The old regulatory silos have been breaking down for quite some time, so the agency must move forward with a keen understanding of today’s converged markets.  We are going to focus on outcomes, rather than process to nowhere. We are going to have a bias towards action. After all, delay has an unappreciated economic and social cost. We are going to push for simple, clear rules, rather than complex and bespoke frameworks. And we are going to support U.S. businesses and domestic onshoring.”

Job Opportunity

Lotus Seeks Weekend Anchor/Editor/Reporter

Lotus Seattle is seeking an experienced weekend anchor/editor/reporter for all-news station KNWS-AM/FM, Seattle “Northwest Newsradio 97-7, AM 1000.” Lotus says, “The ideal candidate will help prepare and deliver engaging news content, report on breaking news events, and produce special projects and programming as assigned. This position at Northwest Newsradio is a vital news delivery and content creatorimg for our station. Your material is used throughout the day on several different broadcasts. This individual in this position is also an overall ambassador for our brand, and is expected to also work at special events, and alongside our sales staff promote the station to Northwest Newsradio clients. The perfect candidate has a minimum of two years’ experience in large market media, is proficient and aggressive in social media, is an excellent writer, and embraces using digital platforms (podcasting, streaming audio, streaming video) to promote the Northwest Newsradio brand. Candidates need to submit an audio demonstration of their on-air ability with their resume, along with a sample of radio news writing. Candidates should also be prepared to take a writing test if requested. Applications should be sent here.

Industry News

WWO: Podcast Advertising Intention Up 59%

Today’s blog post from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group looks at how marketers’ attitudes toward advertising on podcasts had changed over the last 11 years. The blog post notes that “in advance of the first IAB Podcast Upfront in 2015, the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group commissioned Advertiser Perceptions to study agency and brand sentiment on podcast advertising. For theimg  last 11 years, the study has been reprised annually to track buy-side podcast advertising consideration and intention. The latest Advertiser Perceptions study, conducted in June 2025 with 302 marketers and media agencies, reveals advertiser/agency podcasting usage and interest has reached an 11-year high.” Some of the notable takeaways from this study include: 1) Nine out of 10 marketers and media agencies say they have discussed podcast advertising for potential investment; 2) Podcast advertising consideration surges to an eleven-year high: 74% of brands and agencies say they are likely to consider advertising in podcasts; 3) Podcast spending intention jumps to 69%, an eleven-year record; and 4) 78% of agencies and advertisers currently advertise in podcasts, a 5X increase since the first IAB podcast upfront in 2015. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 23 – 27, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/23-27) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Iran Strikes Aftermath / MAGA “Civil War”
2. SCOTUS Friday Rulings
3. Trump at NATO
4. Big, Beautiful Bill
5. ICE Raids / SCOTUS Deportation Ruling
6. Mamdani NYC Primary Victory
7. Powell Testimony / Trump Fed Nomination
8. SCOTUS Planned Parenthood Ruling
9. ASIP RSV Recommendation
10.Bezos-Sanchez Wedding

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
3. Pete Hegseth
4. Marjorie Taylor Greene / Rand Paul
5. Tucker Carlson / Steven K. Bannon
6. Mark Rutte
7. Mike Johnson
8. Zohran Mamdani / Andrew Cuomo
9. Jerome Powell
10.Jeff Bezos / Lauren Sanchez

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

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/23)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/23) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Israel-Iran Truce / U.S. Iran Strikes
2. SCOTUS Deportation Ruling
3. MAGA “Civil War”
4. Powell’s House Testimony
5. NYC Mayoral Primary

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 16 – 20, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/16-20) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Israel-Iran Conflict / Trump Mulls Involvement
2. MAGA “Civil War”
3. ICE Raids / Protests & Arrests
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. Hortman Assassination / Lawmakers Safety Concerns
6. SCOTUS Transgender Ruling
7. Big, Beautiful Bill / Fed Holds on Interest Rates
8. DC Military Parade
9. Tariffs / China Trade Negotiations
10.Hurricane Erick

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Benjamin Netanyahu / Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
3. Pete Hegseth / Tulsi Gabbard
4. Vladimir Putin
5. Tucker Carlson / Steven K. Bannon
6. Brad Lander / Alex Padilla
7. Kristi Noem
8. Vance Boelter / Melissa Hortman
9. Jerome Powell
10.Barack Obama

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

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

PodcastOne Extends A+E Deal. PodcastOne extends its agreement with A+E Networks for the exclusive sales and distribution rights to five true crime podcasts: “Cold Case Files,” “I Survived,” “American Justice,” “City Confidential,” and “Ancient Aliens.” PodcastOne co-founder and president Kit Gray says, “Whether it is a limited series or a weekly production, we provide premiere podcasting services for companies and networks who have been hesitant or lack the internal resources to adapt existing programming into a podcast. By leveraging our strong infrastructure and expert technology within the medium, we can offer tailored services to bridge the gap between television and the world’s fastest growing media platform, podcasting.”

MPR Adds Trustees. The Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio welcomes two new members. Sarah Karon, board president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and District 5 Town Commissioner in Longboat Key, Florida, and Dr. Brian Harrison, political scientist and author, were recently elected to the board. MPR CEO Jean Taylor states, “We’re delighted to welcome Sarah and Brian to the MPR Board of Trustees. Both of these new Trustees have great passion for service to their communities and are huge fans of public media. At the same time, they will each bring incredible expertise, perspective, and a track record of success in their own right in the areas of philanthropy and inclusion. Their presence and engagement will make an already strong board even stronger.”

Denes Hosts Warshaw and Parenti on Podcast. Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes talks with Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw and Radio Ink president and publisher Deborah Parenti on the two current episodes of his podcast, “Chachi Loves Everybody.”

Industry News

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:

1. Israel-Iran Strikes / U.S. Weighs Military Action
2. Russia-Ukraine War
3. ICE Raids-Protests / NY Comptroller Arrested
4. Big, Beautiful Bill
5. Hortman Assassination

Industry News

Podcast Download – Spring 2025 Report Released

Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights are releasing the Podcast Download – Spring 2025 Report, what they call “a comprehensive evaluation of the latest podcast audience trends” that examines the habits of weekly podcast consumers. Cumulus says, “A key finding uncovered in the Podcast Download Report is that audio remains the primary mode of podcast consumption despite growing video options and the rise of YouTube as a podcast platform.” Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group senior insightsimg manager Liz Mayer says, “There is no denying that YouTube is playing an important role in the podcast ecosystem, especially when it comes to discovering new podcasts. However, over half of weekly podcast consumers indicate they consume via audio primarily. So, while the new video capabilities are exciting and need to be focused on, the industry can’t forget that it’s what consumers are hearing that is most important.” Highlights from the report include: 1) Audio remains the primary mode of podcast consumption (58%) despite growing video options; 2) YouTube is the leading podcast platform, yet it is not a walled garden as consumers listen to podcasts across multiple platforms; 3) Podcast discovery: YouTube is the place to be found; 44% of new podcast audiences started listening on YouTube; 4) Downloads and listens underestimate the actual audience: The current download impression model fails to account for co-listening; and 5) Why podcast advertising works so well: Podcasts hosts are three times more influential than social media influencers. See more about the study here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/16)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/16) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump at G7
2. Israel-Iran Strikes
3. Hortman Assassination
4. Russia-Ukraine War
5. ICE Protests

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (6/14-15)

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Minnesota Lawmaker Assassinated
2. DC Military Parade
3. Israel-Iran Strikes
4. ICE Protests / “No Kings Day”
5. Big, Beautiful Bill

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 9 – 13, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/9-6/13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

                 Stories

1. LA Protests / Trump Calls in Military
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Trump Musk Feud
3. U.S.-Iran Tensions / Middle East Diplomats Recalled
4. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations / Tariffs
5. Saturday’s Military Parade
6. Russia-Ukraine War
7. FEMA Phaseout / RFK Jr Fires CDC Vaccine Panel
8. Israel-Gaza Unrest / Greta Thunberg Deported
9. Brian Wilson Dies
10.Air India Crash

                 People

1. Donald Trump
2. Gavin Newsom / Karen Bass
3. Elon Musk
4. Mike Johnson
5. Benjamin Netanyahu / Greta Thunberg
6. Howard Lutnick
7. Xi Jinping
8. Vladimir Putin
9. RFK Jr.
10.Brian Wilson

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

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/11)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/11) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. LA Protests / Trump’s Use of Military
2. U.S.-Iran Tensions / Middle East Diplomats Recalled
3. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations / Tariffs
4. Saturday’s Military Parade
5. Brian Wilson Dies

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/10)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/10) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. LA Protests / Trump vs Newsom
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / Musk Apologizes
3. U.S.-China Trade Talks
4. FEMA Phaseout
5. Russia-Ukraine War

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/9)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/9) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump Orders National Guard and Marines to LA Protests
2. RFK Jr Fires CDC Vaccine Panel
3. U.S.-China Trade Talks
4. Israel Deports Greta Thunberg
5. Russia-Ukraine War

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (6/7-8)

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. LA ICE Protests-National Guard Callup
2. Abrego Garcia Returned to U.S.
3. Gaza Aid Ship Intercepted
4. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations
5. ABC Suspends Terry Moran

Industry News

FCC Commissioner Simington Announces Surprise Resignation

Republican FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington – who joined the Commission during President Trump’s first term – surprised the industry on Wednesday (6/4) by issuing a statement announcing his exit from the Commission. He said, “I will be concluding my tenure at the Federal Communications Commission at theimg end of this week. It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve the American people as a Commissioner. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility by President Donald J. Trump during his first term. The Commission is in excellent hands under the leadership of my distinguished colleague, Chairman Brendan T. Carr, and is supported by an extraordinary staff whose dedication to public service is second to none. Throughout my tenure, I worked to defend free expression, safeguard national security, and promote infrastructure investment to benefit all Americans… I look forward to continuing to serve the public interest in the years ahead and to contributing to the vital conversations surrounding our communications infrastructure, national security, and technological leadership. I remain committed to advancing the cause of limited government, free speech, and American innovation. These principles guided my time at the Commission and will continue to shape my future endeavors. As I move forward, I remain committed to shaping the future of communications policy and will continue to advocate for the values and priorities that have guided my public service.”

Industry Views

Mark Walters v. OpenAI: A Landmark Case for Spoken Word Media

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

imgWhen Georgia-based nationally syndicated radio personality, and Second Amendment advocate Mark Walters (longtime host of “Armed American Radio”) learned that ChatGPT had falsely claimed he was involved in a criminal embezzlement scheme, he did what few in the media world have dared to do. Walters stood up when others were silent, and took on an incredibly powerful tech company, one of the biggest in the world, in a court of law.

Taking the Fight to Big Tech

Walters, by filing suit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, become the first person in the United States to test the boundaries of defamation law in the age of generative artificial intelligence.

His case was not simply about clearing his name. It was about drawing a line. Can artificial intelligence generate and distribute false and damaging information about a real person without any legal accountability?

While the court ultimately ruled in OpenAI’s favor on specific legal procedure concerns, the impact of this case is far from finished. Walters’ lawsuit broke new ground in several important ways:

— It was the first known defamation lawsuit filed against an AI developer based on content generated by an AI system.
— It brought into the open critical questions about responsibility, accuracy, and liability when AI systems are used to produce statements that sound human but carry no editorial oversight.
— It continued to add fuel to the conversation of the effectiveness of “use at your own risk” disclaimers when there is real world reputational damage hanging in the balance.

Implications for the Radio and Podcasting Community

For those spoken-word creators, regardless of platform on terrestrial, satellite, or the open internet, this case is a wake-up call, your canary in a coal mine. Many shows rely on AI tools for research, summaries, voice generation, or even show scripts. But what happens when those tools get it wrong? (Other than being embarrassed, and in some cases fined or terminated) And worse, what happens when those errors affect real people?

The legal system, as has been often written about, is still playing catch-up. Although the court ruled that the fabricated ChatGPT statement lacked the necessary elements of defamation under Georgia law, including provable harm and demonstrable fault, the decision highlighted how unprepared current frameworks are for this fast-moving, voice-driven digital landscape.

Where the Industry Goes from Here

Walters’ experience points to the urgent need for new protection and clearer guidelines:

— Creators deserve assurance that the tools they use are built with accountability in mind. This would extend to copyright infringement and to defamation.
— Developers must be more transparent about how their systems operate and the risks they create. This would identify bias and attempt to counteract it.
— Policymakers need to bring clarity to who bears responsibility when software, not a person, becomes the speaker.

A Case That Signals a Larger Reckoning

Mark Walters may not have won this round in court, but his decision to take on a tech giant helped illuminate how quickly generative AI can create legal, ethical, and reputational risks for anyone with a public presence. For those of us working in media, especially in formats built on trust, voice, and credibility, his case should not be ignored.

“This wasn’t about money. This was about the truth,” Walters tells TALKERS. “If we don’t draw a line now, there may not be one left to draw.”

To listen to a longform interview with Mark Walters conducted by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, please click here

Media attorney, Matthew B. Harrison is VP/Associate Publisher at TALKERS; Senior Partner at Harrison Media Law; and Executive Producer at Goodphone Communications. He is available for private consultation and media industry contract representation. He can be reached by phone at 724-484-3529 or email at matthew@harrisonmedialaw.com. He teaches “Legal Issues in Digital Media” and serves as a regular contributor to industry discussions on fair use, AI, and free expression.

Industry News

Lionel to Host WABC’s “The Other Side of Midnight”

Red Apple Media Group announces that Lionel is assuming hosting duties for the station’s overnight program, “The Other Side of Midnight,” formerly hosted by newly elected New York City Councilor Frankimg Morano. Lionel comments, “I’m honored beyond words to be back at WABC – where it all began, my alma mater, the greatest talk radio station in the world. Legendary, historic, storied, unmatched in its legacy. This isn’t just radio, it’s home. It’s the gold standard, the birthplace of giants. And now, I’m back where I belong.”