During this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, the iHeartRadio podcast “The Verdict with Ted Cruz” was recorded before a live audience at the Trinity Three Irish Pub. Pictured above at the taping are (from l-r): podcast co-host Ben Ferguson, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Pennsylvania State Senate Candidate Dave McCormick.
One of the legends of radio, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, died this past Friday July 12 at the age of 96. Much has been written and said about this one-of-a-kind person all across the media since the news broke less than a week ago. She achieved enormous success on radio and television as a multi-media purveyor of information and advice about human sexuality. She was without question an historic figure whose media career was launched and flourished in the second half of her long and colorful life. It all started on radio with a program titled, “Sexually Speaking,” unveiled by brave NBC executives on WYNY-FM, New York in 1980. And Walter Sabo was there. Sabo is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview” to talk about how it all happened. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
The Donald Trump assassination attempt; this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee; Joe Biden’s fitness for the presidency; Israel’s strike against Hamas military leaders; China’s Communist Party gathers to address its troubled economy; the ongoing struggle in Houston to return power to residents after Hurricane Beryl; the heatwave affecting much of the U.S.; and Dr. Ruth Westheimer dies were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
SiriusXM announces that a number of its political talk shows will broadcast live from Milwaukee during next
week’s Republican National Convention. “The Megyn Kelly Show” will broadcast live from the pavilion at the Fiserv Forum on both Wednesday and Thursday. Julie Mason will host her POTUS show each day from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and will then kick off the channel’s special nighttime coverage starting on Monday at 8:00 pm ET. And David Webb will also host his Patriot channel program, “The David Webb Show,” in late mornings in addition to joining Patriot’s primetime programming starting Monday at 9:00 pm ET.
Midway Broadcasting Corp says that urban talk WVON, Chicago will broadcast live from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Wednesday (7/17) and Thursday (7/18). Its Spanish-language sister
station – WRLL, Chicago “1450-La Vozde la Comunidad Latina – will also be on hand, fielding Spanish-language interviews. Midway CEO Melody Spann-Cooper comments, “This initiative underscores our commitment to delivering authentic voices and viewpoints from our multicultural audience. We are excited to bring the RNC closer to our listeners and provide them with direct access to the conversations shaping our nation’s future.”
Good Karma Brands’ urban talk WGKB-AM/W269DL, Milwaukee “101.7 The Truth” is presenting the Tory
Lowe Walk Against Violence on July 20. Hosted by afternoon talk host Tory Lowe, the two-mile walk provides “an opportunity to come together and make a strong statement against violence, striving towards creating a safer and more harmonious community.” Lowe comments, “We cannot tolerate people who exemplify dangerous and unlawful behaviors that cause harm to innocent men, women, and children. The Walk Against Violence symbolizes strength and encouragement to those who are willing to act against the recklessness and negativity harming our communities.”
One of the many video highlights from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “The Case for AM Radio” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7. The event, which took place at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. The special address was delivered by Bill Brady, owner of news/talker KFNX-AM, Phoenix. Brady, a seasoned broadcaster, gave a thorough presentation in support of the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act” that is currently working its way through Congress in addition to citing all the benefits of keeping AM radios in new automobile dashboards in spite of the intention of a number of car manufacturers to phase them out. The segment was introduced by Alex Fife, VP of Southwest operations, iHeartMedia Total Traffic & Weather Network. To watch the video, please click here.
The aftermath of Joe Biden’s debate performance and calls for him to drop out; SCOTUS rulings; Donald Trump’s legal battles; Trump attempts to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan; the Israel-Hamas war and protests in Tel Aviv calling for a cease-fire; the leftist New Popular Front prevents a National Rally takeover in France’s elections; Boeing pleads guilty to defrauding regulators; and the intense heatwave in the Western U.S. & Hurricane Beryl heads for Texas were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
FOX News Channel announces that it finished the second quarter of 2024 as cable’s most-watched network in total day and primetime for 90 consecutive quarters according to Nielsen Media Research. FNC says it is the only network to show growth across the board versus 2023 while CNN and MSNBC both shed double
-digits in the key 25-54 demo. For the second quarter in a row, CNN hit a 33-year low in total day, 18-49 and 25-54 demos, delivering its smallest younger audience since 1991. In total day, FNC delivered 1,304,000 viewers, 154,000 with 25-54 demo and 96,000 with 18-49 demo, securing a 176% advantage over CNN viewers and 61% over MSNBC. In primetime from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, FNC saw 2,037,000 viewers, 214,000 in the 25-54 demo, and 135,000 with 18-49 demo, a 230% lead over CNN and 77% over MSNBC. FNC continued to dominate the share of the cable news audience, capturing 50% of viewers across total day and 54% of prime viewers, the highest level of share for the network since 1Q’2023.
One of the many video highlights from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – “The State of Sports Talk Radio: A Fireside Chat with Fred Toucher” – is now posted on the brand-new TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel. The presentation took place at the 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running national gathering held at Hofstra University on Long Island this past June 7. The event, which took place at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was presented by TALKERS in association with the university’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM/WRHU.org. It features TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison interviewing long-running Boston sports talk radio mainstay Fred Toucher, the highly-rated morning co-host of “Toucher and Hardy” (with Rob “Hardy” Poole) on WBZ-FM “98.5 the Sports Hub.” Harrison and Toucher discuss parallels between sports talk radio and news/talk radio regarding the tendency to focus on telling listeners opinions they want hear. It also explored the pros and cons of working within a duo or team format, handling the rise of women’s basketball and the impact of sports betting as a programming element. The segment was introduced by John Fredericks, owner (and talk show host) of the rapidly growing John Fredericks Radio Network. To watch the video, please click here.
The presidential race and Joe Biden’s fitness for the presidency; the spate of Supreme Court rulings; the U.S. migrant crisis; France’s National Rally party leads first round of parliamentary elections; the Israel-Hamas war and pro-Palestinian protestors block NYC pride parade; and Hurricane Beryl approaches the Caribbean islands were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Premiere Networks and Bobby Bones announce the addition of “In The Vet’s Office” with Dr. Josie Horchak
to Bones’ Nashville Podcast Network. In each show, Dr. Josie sits down with co-host Shannon Ella to answer questions she’s constantly hearing at the office, including: What should I feed my dog? How do I potty train my puppy? Do I really need to brush my pet’s teeth? She helps listeners navigate pet ownership through sharing cases she’s seen in her 15+ year career as a veterinarian, answering listener calls, and giving her weekly “Paw & Order” list of things she would never do with her own pets.
WRVA, Richmond talk host Jeff Katz is pictured here getting a pie in the face as the Fatherhood Foundation
of Virginia teamed up with the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team for an awareness campaign and fundraiser called, “Pie Dad in the Face,” which takes place during home games at The Diamond. Katz says, “I ‘volunteered’ knowing full well that my kids were unavailable, but my best friend Jamal offered the services of his son Judah who was more than happy to lay the whipped cream down on Uncle Jeff.”
The presidential race and this week’s first debate; the U.S. migrant crisis; the expected SCOTUS ruling on former President Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity; the deadly terror attacks in Russia’s Dagestan province; the Israel-Hamas war and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s trip to the U.S.; the more than 1,300 heat-related deaths at the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia; the heatwaves affecting the U.S. and climate change were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
According to a Facebook post by the Oconee Enterprise, Cox Media Group news/talk WGAU-AM/W254CJ, Athens, Georgia has let Tim Bryant go. Bryant hosted the station’s morning drive show “Classic City Today,”
as well as serving as news director for the Athens stations and anchor/reporter for sister news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta. The Oconee Enterprise says Bryant “is known for not just delivering the news of Athens and Oconee on the airwaves but also interviewing political candidates, public figures and citizens who do something newsworthy, as well as hosting candidate forums.” See the Oconee Enterprise post here.
Audacy welcomes the Radio America nationally syndicated program “The Chad Benson Show” to KRLD-AM, Dallas-Fort Worth, airing in the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm daypart. Audacy news/talk format VP and KRLD
brand manager Drew Anderssen states, “We know our listeners trust KRLD for news updates, and now more than ever, where you get your information matters. We’re excited to bring Chad and his wildly popular show to KRLD and deliver trusted news and insights to our listeners. His conversational, informative, and funny takes on issues will be a refreshing addition to our weekday programming.” Benson comments, “I’m so excited to be a part of KRLD, a legendary station with a long history in DFW and North Texas. I look forward to connecting with listeners about the biggest issues we’re facing today.”
The Supreme Court’s mifepristone and bump stock rulings; the presidential race; Benjamin Netayahu disbands the Israeli war cabinet; Justice Department won’t prosecute Merrick Garland; Alex Jones bankruptcy court ruling; U.S. migrant crisis; the rise of Europe’s far right; surgeon general seeks warning labels for social media; and the deadly heatwave predicted to affect much of the country this week were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The WABC, New York-based overnight talk show, “The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano,” is now
airing on Audacy talk outlets WCCO, Minneapolis and KMXB-HD3, Las Vegas “K-DAWN.” Red Apple Audio Networks distributes the show live from 1:00 am to 5:00 am nightly. Morano comments, “I’m incredibly grateful to be on both of these great radio stations. I’ve dreamt of being on the radio in Minnesota ever since Jesse Ventura ran for governor. It’s great to be on a station that has so many independent thinkers. As far as ‘K-DAWN’ goes, I’m absolutely thrilled to be on the air in Las Vegas, a 24/7 city. It’s great to talk to an audience in a city that’s up all night.”
By Andy Gladding, EdD, CBT
Chief Engineer
Salem Media of New York
WRHU Radio, Hofstra University
The best thing about attending media conferences like TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond, which occurred last week on June 7, is the opportunity to hear diverse viewpoints from industry experts. Gatherings like these also provide the opportunity for attendees like me to “chew” on some of the great ideas presented by the expert panelists and think about solutions to some of the challenges raised during the discussions.
One of the many contemporary issues facing radio brought up during TALKERS 2024 was the evolution and need for vinyl bumper stickers in today’s branding environment. Bumper stickers have been a central component of radio station marketing over several decades, as they provide a low-cost visual aid for stations to get their logo and frequency out to the public, using a “listener-driven” mobile platform. However, as cars increase in price, value, and longevity, station owners are questioning the willingness of car owners to plaster their high-cost investment with third-party advertising. Therefore, the value of continuing to create and distribute vinyl stickers for radio stations has been called into question.
While cars may no longer be an attractive moving billboard destination for station listeners, a whole new field of organic advertising space has emerged, especially on the surface of laptop computers, tablets, and other mobile devices. Many consumers use the uniform blank space of their laptops and cellphones as a place for vinyl stickers. The idea behind this concept is that vinyl stickers allow the device owner to personalize their equipment for identity branding and theft protection. It is much easier to identify a personal device at a place like a coffee shop or airplane security line if you’ve placed a personalized vinyl sticker on it. Many Millennials and Gen-Z’ers are more willing to use the back of their electronic devices as a showcase for vinyl sticker advertising, as it helps attract attention to the user while in a public setting and lets others know “what they are about” with just a quick glance. Electronic devices are on display everywhere and are often carried around with the user in backpacks. When presented with a vinyl sticker, the recipient is usually willing to place the sticker on the device, simply because trying to store it elsewhere will usually result in the destruction of the vinyl sticker.
With this in mind, radio station marketing folks may want to rethink the footprint and layout of their vinyl stickers, choosing to migrate the wider “car bumper” format to a smaller, more concise mini-billboard that could live, display, and survive more effectively on the back of an electronic device.
Solutions like these can only happen when the listener is presented with a challenge by top industry minds. This TALKERS 2024 attendee is grateful for the chance to help provide a solution to a practical problem, made possible by the collaborative environment fostered by an in-person gathering.
Andy Gladding is the chief engineer for Salem Media of New York and WRHU, Hofstra University. He can be emailed at biggladman@aol.com
Saga Communications news/talk outlet WINA-AM, Charlottesville announces that it’s adding an hour to “The Schilling Show,” hosted by Rob Schilling. The program now airs from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm daily. The station says this comes “in response to the show’s growing popularity and demand for more in-depth
discussions and analysis of local issues.” Charlottesville Radio Group operations manager and WINA program director Paul McDaniel says, “We are thrilled to extend ‘The Schilling Show’ by an hour each weekday. Rob’s ability to connect with the audience and provide insightful commentary has made the show a cornerstone of our programming. This expansion is a testament to his unparalleled work and the loyalty of his listeners.” Schilling comments, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend more time daily with my loyal listening audience as we further explore and examine pressing issues of the day. This additional hour will allow for more compelling guests, more in-depth analysis, and most importantly, more time for WINA listeners to engage with their community.”
Former Procter & Gamble executive John Fix writes a guest piece on the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog in which he details the 5-Question Framework that addresses the viability of audio
advertising. The five questions are: 1) Does audio work? 2) Can audio be planned and purchased at scale? 3) Are there creative best practices for getting audio right? 4) Can audio be measured? And 5) Is the brand properly set up for success? Fix says, “These five questions are important to advertisers, providers of audio, and the industry in general. Communication with advertisers is best when it is acknowledged as to the stage of the advertiser and the industry. Failure to identify and address each step in the 5-Question Framework will cause unnecessary delay.” Read the blog post here.
Good Karma Brands staff from WGKB-AM/W269DL, Milwaukee “101.7 The Truth” are pictured above at the Juneteenth Regional Reporters Summit as part of President Joe Biden’s Juneteenth Celebration at the White House yesterday (6/10). From left to right are: on-air host Tory Lowe, marketing consultant Danyale Hegwood, general manager Cherie Harris, and on-air host and director of content Kyle Wallace.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Got young local radio news talent? CONGRATULATIONS, for five reasons:
1. They’re young, which our 100-year-old medium NEEDS.
2. Streaming and satellite competitors don’t do local.
3. Radio is still #1 in-car. And in-home again, via smart speakers.
4. As listeners wonder “What NEXT?” news has their back.
5. Talent is acquired. Hire attitude, train skills.
Just DOING local news makes you special, especially if your AM/FM competitors don’t. Six tips for taking it to the next level, and making your station more habit forming:
— Make this hour’s newscast sound different than last hour’s. A particularly clever turn-of-phrase can come back to haunt you the second time a listener hears that version. The little voice in their head says, “I already heard that.”
— Lead with the latest. Avoid telling the story in chronological order. Is there some detail that can top this hour’s version? “A third shift of state troopers has joined the search for little Sarah Johnson…”
— Write as though you were telling the listener face-to-face. The police posted: “Anyone who has seen a car matching that description is asked to contact the police.” Rewrite to say, “If you see that car, call the police.”
— Less is more. Long sentences can make it difficult for the listener to follow the story and understand the information. Emulate your network’s writing style. Write for the ear. Avoid using too many adjectives and adverbs.
— But don’t leave out verbs! “The woman’s husband arrested the wounded man taken to the hospital.” Huh?
— Highly recommended: “Writing Broadcast News Shorter, Sharper, Stronger” by Mervin Block (expensive on Amazon, FREE on Google Books).
Time Spent Listening is still the ballgame. Specifically, we want to add occasions of tune-in, which is easier than extending duration-per-occasion. Translation: There is very little we can do to keep someone in a parked car with the key on Accessories.
So be known for knowing. Benefit-laden imaging will earn you the information reputation that keeps listeners coming back again and again, “for a quick update.” And user-friendly copy points will be more effective than the boastful station-centric way many news promos sound.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Podtrac releases its Top Podcasts ranker for May 2024 (based on U.S. unique monthly audience for participating shows) and The New York Times’ “The Daily” remains ranked #1, followed by NPR’s “NPR
News Now” and “Up First” at #2 and #3 respectively. Other podcasts of note include FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” rises one spot to #7; The DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” moves up one to #8 and “The Dan Bongino Show” also climbs one spot to #9. See the complete ranker here.
The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war; Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party scores victory in European Parliament elections; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The Transportation Channel signs a multi-year deal with Talk Media Network for the latter to syndicate “The Transportation Channel Minute” beginning July 1. The Transportation Channel founder Matthew Perry says, “The transportation channel is innovating the way the world will consume its transportation news. Despite the headlines, major media outlets in the U.S. do not allocate sufficient time or resources needed to cover key advancements and concerns in the transportation sector adequately.” Perry notes that data shows U.S. households spend an estimated $1.2 trillion on transportation costs, the second largest household expense behind housing. He adds, “But until now, no media outlet has been exclusively dedicated to servicing consumers in this critically important category. I am thrilled with our partnership with Talk Media. Look out, world, here we come.”
The WNBA’s Washington Mystics and Audacy sports talk WTEM-AM Washington, DC announce a partnership to broadcast Mystics games live on “The Team 980” throughout the 2024 WNBA season.
The broadcasts will feature a simulcast live audio feed from Monumental Sports Network’s television broadcast and fans will be able to hear all 25 of the Mystics’ remaining regular season games available on the network this season. While most radio broadcasts will air on The Team 980, select games will air on “106.7 The Fan” (WJFK-FM) and The Bet Washington (WJFK-AM), and all games will be streamed locally on the Audacy app.
Audacy is relaunching “The Bet Detroit” on WXYT-HD3. The station becomes part of Audacy’s BetQL Network presented by BetMGM after its former signal – WXYT-AM – was leased to sports journalist and
media personality Rob Parker to air the “Sports Rap Radio” format. Vice president of programming for the BetQL Network Mitch Rosen says, “With our strategic partnership with BetMGM, we’re committed to maintaining a robust presence in the Detroit market and beyond. Now, listeners nationwide can join in on the excitement through the Audacy app, making ‘The Bet Detroit’ accessible anytime, anywhere.”
Former President Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; today’s beginning of Hunter Biden’s felony gun charge trial; the political implications of the Biden Israel-Hamas peace plan; the U.S. migrant crisis; Claudia Sheinbaum is elected president of Mexico; and China lands a lunar probe on the dark side of the moon were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Today, consultant Holland Cooke writes, “With 850-plus confirmed 2024 tornadoes – just halfway through the season – each night’s network TV newscast can make you “thankful that we don’t live THERE…” And with more gnarly weather on the way this week across much of the USA, he reckons that, “regardless of your format, your station can be the weather button that listeners will push, and advertisers can sponsor.” And he suggests a tactic proven over 80 years ago. Read it here.
The 9th annual Music Industry Reunion held in Los Angeles on May 22 brought together more than 120 of radio and record industry artists, managers, producers, lawyers, legends and pros to the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, California. Former AllAccess publisher Joel Denver called it “The best one yet.” Legendary radio personality, actor and stand-up comedian Frazer Smith hosted the In Memoriam celebration of colleagues Dusty Street, Geno Michellini, and Jim Ladd that ended with a toast to their memory. Event organizers Jon Scott and Kenny Ryback welcomed folks who traveled from as far away as New York and Florida. Guest included: Val Garay, Michael Lloyd, Rick Frio, David Forman, J.B.Brenner, Mike Bone, Diane Bennett, Mike Gormley, David Helfant, Jean Johnson, Toby Mamis, Tommy Nast, Marsha Costa, Roy Trakin, and Steve Resnik.
According to a report by Rodney Ho in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Cox Media Group expanded the
afternoon drive “Von Haessler Doctrine” show hosted by Eric Von Haessler, adding the 3:00 pm hour to the program that now airs live from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Von Haessler made the announcement of the change on the air saying, “It’s a new day. It’s a new age. It’s a new era. Some people tuned in expecting something else. Maybe they’re a little upset. Give us a try. You might like it. It’s going to be this way no matter what.” Read the AJC piece here.