Cumulus Launches “106.1 The Ticket” in New Orleans
Cumulus Media flips WKRN-FM, New Orleans from country to sports talk as “106.1 The Ticket.” The station will air FOX Sports Radio programming and several local shows. In addition to FSR shows such
as “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” and “The Dan Patrick Show,” the station will air “Inside New Orleans with Eric Asher” from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, followed by “All Access with Ken Trahan” from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Cumulus Media New Orleans RVP and market manager Pat Galloway says, “The love and passion of New Orleans’ sports fans is amazing. It starts in the playgrounds and ends up in the Superdome and Smoothie King Center, and now we can talk about it all the time on the all-new ‘106.1 The Ticket.’”
“Lip Service,” “Chiquis and Chill,” “Dear Chelsea with Chelsea Handler,” “The Nikki Glaser Podcast,” “The Psychology of Your 20s,” “Reasonably Shady,” “Therapy for Black Girls,” “There Are No Girls On The Internet with Bridget Todd,” “Very Special Episodes with Dana Schwartz,” and “Womanica.” Each of these shows will feature women sharing their personal stories of shattering stereotypes, creating opportunities, and inspiring the next generation to find their own voice and share it with the world. 
Rothman) program and as host of “The Fan” pregame show every gameday Saturday in the fall. Hayes says, “‘The Fan’ has been my home for 10 years and I’m very excited to continue working at a station that has been a part of my life for so long.” WBNS station manager Cody Welling comments, “Matt has been working extremely hard developing his broadcast talents. We value his point-of-view on topics, and is the perfect duo for our highly rated midday show, ‘Rothman and Ice.’ I’m happy that Columbus sports fans will be able to access Matt Hayes for years to come each weekday, and on college football gamedays.” 
Effect’s most popular personalities for a day full of live podcast tapings and informative discussions aimed at aspiring podcasters in the Black community. He says, “We are proud to return to Atlanta for the second year in a row to showcase the talent across our network, and some of the biggest shows in podcasting. Through culture-defining storytelling, unique brand partnerships, compelling panel discussions, special live podcast recordings and more, we are inviting everyone to experience the power of The Black Effect and the many ways Black creators are driving the culture forward.”
Radio programming is like any business. Our best prospects are existing customers (getting people already listening to listen more often). And – without spending a dime on outside promotion – we can if the station is known-for-knowing. Set the expectation that we have listeners’ backs and optimize the information we deliver.
competition last evening (2/22) at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, MA. The American Bar Association, Law Student Division holds a number of annual national moot court competitions. One such event, the National Appellate Advocacy Competition, emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience with moot court competitors participating in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court. This year’s legal question focused on the Communications Decency Act – “Section 230” – and the applications of the exception from liability of internet service providers for the acts of third parties to the realistic scenario of a journalist’s photo/turned meme being used in advertising (CBD, ED treatment, gambling) without permission or compensation in violation of applicable state right of publicity statutes. Harrison tells TALKERS, “We are at one of those sensitive times in history where technology is changing at a quicker pace than the legal system and legislators can keep up with – particularly at the consequential juncture of big tech and mass communications. I was impressed and heartened by the articulateness and grasp of the Section 230 issue displayed by the law students arguing before me.” 
When reviewing our industry’s awards such as the Crystals or Marconis there are two categories missing. They are: “Best New” and “Best Innovation.” Imagine if winners were announced for these prizes:
If you’re a news/talk station, don’t assume that you own “news radio” in your market. Imaging is important, but it merely talks-the-talk. You walk-the-walk with local news copy that delivers what solid commercial copy does: benefits. Just doing local news makes you special. But do listeners simply hear a station voice… reading something? Are you merely… accurate? Or do you deliver “take-home pay,” unwrapping the story to tell the listener something useful?
says, “Back in Spring of 2009, during the chaos and sleepless nights involved in launching this national media company, the media gods sent me an angel in the form of Michelle Salvatore. Michelle faced down every challenge, worked tirelessly and with good cheer, and set a gold standard of excellence for not only Compass Media Networks, but our industry. We love and will miss Michelle dearly. Our goal is to build upon the greatness she created as we move ahead into the next chapter of our evolution.” Salvatore comments, “Working at Compass Media Networks literally changed my life for the better. I was able to travel the globe, producing games throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe, and had the chance to work with incredibly talented, passionate, and kind people. I am forever grateful to my dear friends at Compass Media Networks.”
spot. But the big story is the rise of WSE Originals’ “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” shooting from #67 in the Q3 2023 report to #6 in the Q4 chart. (The show was not in the top 100 in the Q2 2023 survey.) Edison says the show starring Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce “gained four and a half times the number of listeners and saw a change in composition to 50% female listeners.” Other noteworthy moves from radio-related podcasts include The DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rising from #17 in Q3 to #9 in Q4 and Cumulus Podcasts Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” climbing from #29 in Q3 to #26 in Q4. Edison’s Q4 2023 ranker was conducted from October 9, 2023 to December 23, 2023, and is based on surveys of 5,356 weekly podcast listeners age 13+.
the automobile industry has intelligently responded. The issue however is much larger. As UNESCO’s chief of section for media development and society, Mirta Lourenco puts it, ‘The free flow and easily accessible information provided by terrestrial radio supports the spirit of the First Amendment via the concept of media pluralism and more. This expands to a valid concern about privacy rights – which is equally important to freedom and democracy. With GPS and internet platforms simultaneously in our cars, we are turning the enormous power to invade the privacy of individuals over to a mere handful of Big Tech giants. They know what and who we listen to, including where, when and how we travel.’” Harrison adds, “Finally, I am compelled as a lifelong radio broadcaster and publisher of a major trade journal to protect the viability of radio stations as a going concern and the well-being of their owners, employees, and listeners.”
Super Bowl LVIII could have been the best ever.
roles in management in both music and news at such stations as New York’s WHN (in news) and WPLJ (as music director). Among the highlights in her remarkable career, she served as the ABC group’s first female program director at KAUM-FM, Houston and as PD at the Boston Globe’s WSAI-FM, Cincinnati. At one point she was vice president of programming for the ABC Radio Networks. Other senior managerial stops include Watermark production studio (American Top 40 and American Country Countdown), United Stations, and as senior vice president of programming for Sony-Warner’s radio division, SW Networks. Baldassano was a co-founder and an initial board member of the Mentoring and Inspiring Women, Inc group, which sprang from the first list of women honored by Radio Ink in 1998 (on which she was included). She tells TALKERS, “In my years at Take On The Day, LLC, I built wonderful relationships with advertisers, affiliates, SiriusXM, multiple charities and Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s loyal listeners. I am truly grateful for the years spent with Dr. Laura and Geoff Rich, as the company grew and diversified into live theatrical shows nationwide, podcasts, online stores that benefited Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, and much more. We had a great time, and I have nothing but warm wishes for their continued success as we all move on to new chapters.” She adds, “As one of the co-founders and a former board member, I will continue to work closely with Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc, where I serve as a key mentor to amazing women rising to be the next generation of leaders in radio. It’s one of the most important things I’ve ever done, and I get inspired by these women each and every day.” Baldassano can be emailed at 
Radio personality, talk host, and voiceover performer Mark Wainwright writes today (2/9) in a piece for TALKERS magazine about the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964. He writes, “In early December 1963, America was a very gloomy place. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22 brought the country to a virtual standstill for four days, and the emotional and psychological hangover lingered for weeks. The nation needed a dose of uplifting energy and fun, and the Beatles were the ideal remedy.” As he notes, the arrival of The Beatles in America and their appearance on the popular Sunday night TV show “changed everything.” 
In early December 1963, America was a very gloomy place. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22 brought the country to a virtual standstill for four days, and the emotional and psychological hangover lingered for weeks. The nation needed a dose of uplifting energy and fun, and the Beatles were the ideal remedy.
1964 WCAO Promotional Material: “Kerby Scott photo
For several years I’ve had the surprising privilege of serving as a member of the nominating committee of the Radio Hall of Fame. How does the process work? Let me clear up some of the mystery. FAQ:
Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the news/talk format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Last week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in (volatile) ‘Holiday’ survey periods. As a companion piece, the data summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” 
Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the all-news format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Ever since Arbitron (now Nielsen Audio) instituted the Portable People Meter as ratings currency in 2007, the ‘Holiday’ ratings period has been a veritable goldmine for stations employing the wall-to-wall Christmas music programming strategy. Adult contemporary comprises the overwhelming majority of those outlets. Usually substantial, however, is the negative impact on many other formats in ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” 
follows a multi-year advertising sales and production partnership between the two organizations. Terms were not announced. Crossover Media Group managing member Sue Freund states, “Throughout her more than four decades in talk radio and now podcasting, Dr. Laura has amassed an enormous following with her frank, direct, captivating style, which is sometimes provocative, always interesting and insightful, and never dull. After many years of working with her and her team at Take On The Day, we’re proud to expand our relationship and commitment to her programs, and to continue to grow our presence as a leading partner to the nation’s top audio-talk hosts.” Take On The Day LLC president Geoff Rich comments, “Crossover Media Group’s investment in Take On The Day adds so much to our ability to reach more listeners and help more sponsors. With Sue and her partners Ron Hartenbaum and Scott Calka joining the management team, we are supercharging the future of the Dr. Laura programming and brand.”
served as the sole lifeline during times of crisis like 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and other major storms and floods,” Gottheimer has sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, urging them to require auto manufacturers that exclude AM radio reception from their motor vehicles to display a safety warning in the car’s window sticker that should read: “Warning: No AM Radio. Vehicle Unsafe in Certain Emergencies.” Gottheimer is also a supporter of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act that would require auto manufacturers to keep AM radio in vehicles, without charging customers extra for it. Gottheimer says, “Buying a car without AM radio is like buying a car without an emergency parking brake. You may not use it every day, but you’ll be glad you have it if your brakes ever go out.”
He’s been co-hosting the weekend “Mark and Kichen Show” with Ben Kichen at WEEI. Dondero says, “Obviously I’ve learned a ton from him (Kichen), about the radio business, talking in general. And I’ll say this: Ben Kichen is a star and an underrated talent in this business, whether you’ve heard of him or not. And it has been an absolute joy and pleasure to work with him on the air for almost seven years.” 
Multimedia’s KNDK- AM/FM, Langdon and KXPO-AM/FM, Grafton, North Dakota add the program to their lineups. “The Joe Pags Show,” hosted by Joe Pagliarulo, is based at flagship WOAI, San Antonio where Pagliarulo and iHeartMedia recently signed an extension through 2026. The program is now heard on more than 170 markets across the country. Joe Pags comments, “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Tampa, Tucson and North Dakota listeners to the show to start off the 2024 presidential election year.”
Sears used to sell everything. Tractors, tires, insurance, investments, chickens. In 2004, Sears was the dominant retailer in America. By the end of the decade, it was feverishly closing stores and dying.
had begun switching off automatic downloads for users who haven’t listened to five episodes of a show in the last two weeks. But while few users noticed the shift, some of the biggest podcasts in the world saw their official listener numbers drop dramatically. Long-running shows that publish frequently were hit particularly hard. A user who listened to a show like The New York Times’ ‘The Daily’ a few times, subscribed, but stopped listening would continue to count as a download indefinitely. Even better under the old rules: For people who listened to a show, dropped off for a while, but started listening again later, Apple would automatically download every show in between. The arrangement drove big download numbers, a crucial metric for ad sales and a sign of the vast reach of podcasts as a medium.”