Beasley Announces Regional Sales Management Promotions
Beasley Media Group announces promotions in the Florida market. April Brinks-Bailey, currently the national sales manager for Tampa, Fort Myers and Augusta, is now also director of agency sales for Tampa
and Fort Myers. Stacie Waldrop, who has been serving as the digital sales manager for Beasley’s Tampa-based radio cluster, is promoted to RVP of digital sales in which she’ll oversee digital sales for the Fort Myers market in addition to Tampa. And Randy Cable, formerly the director of sales for Beasley’s Fort Myers radio cluster, is promoted to regional director of sales in which he’ll oversee all sales operations for both the Tampa and Fort Myers markets. Beasley regional VP Ron deCastro says, “I am excited to announce these well-deserved promotions. Randy, April, and Stacie each bring unique skill sets that will greatly enhance our ability to serve the needs of advertisers and listeners in both markets.”
featuring Brady Quinn, LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox. The program will continue to air in the network’s 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET weekday timeslot on 380 stations nationwide. FSR and iHeartMedia executive Don Martin and Scott Shapiro say in a statement, “We’re so proud of what this trio has built with ‘Two Pros and a Cup of Joe.’ The unique combination of these dynamic personalities has created one of the most fun and entertaining sports morning shows, and we continue to hear excellent feedback from advertisers, affiliates and listeners alike. They are the perfect kickoff to our weekday lineup, and we look forward to extending our relationship for years to come.”
Jackson, Jr. is hosting the new weekly podcast “No-Contest Wrestling” with co-host TJ Jefferson the show combines Jackson’s and Jefferson’s unique takes on sports entertainment by interviewing the biggest stars, going behind the scenes with untold stories from the world of wrestling. The second show is “The Jim Jackson Show,” hosted by two-time All-American and 14-year NBA veteran Jim Jackson. In this show, Jackson covers basketball from the college game to the highest levels of the NBA. Eisen says, “I’ve been in a constant search for new, fresh, thought-provoking, and entertaining voices to add to our growing podcast business, and I’m thrilled to add both O’Shea Jackson, Jr. and Jim Jackson to the roster.”
WOR, New York morning co-host Michael Riedel returned to the airwaves yesterday morning (10/1) after a camping trip to North Carolina that turned into a rather harrowing experience due to Hurricane Helene. 
Riedel arrived in North Carolina last Tuesday and learned from his group’s guide that the forecast was rain for the entire duration of their trip. At that point, no one connected the rain with the hurricane, however. When their time on the mountain first began, Michael and his fellow hikers may have thought their near run-in with a bear was going to be the craziest part of their trip, but after two days of near-steady rain, Riedel’s group’s guide made the decision to end the hike and come down the mountain to seek safety. “The guide said if we don’t get down to the road…the river is going to flood and we will be trapped,” Riedel told his co-host Len Berman and morning news anchor Larry Mendte. “[But] all of the little streams and the creeks that we crossed on the way up…were now raging torrents of water, and we had to find places to cross. And when we crossed the streams, we all had to, like, hold on to each other to form a chain so that the water wouldn’t wash us away…and we had to do that three times.” Even though they were without electricity, internet, or phone service and had virtually no food and were down to just four bottles of water to share among 10 group members, Riedel and his group found a bed and breakfast in downtown Asheville that despite calls for evacuation was willing to take them in. “You know, I have to say I was very lucky,” Riedel reflected. “There was a woman who worked [there who] took water from the Creek behind the B&B and… made vegetable soup [using vegetables from their garden]…to feed us.” Ultimately, after three days of being stranded, Riedel was able to share a ride to the airport with another guest at the bed and breakfast and landed back at LaGuardia airport Monday evening (9/30). Talk about home sweet home. To hear more about Riedel’s adventure, 
Like you, my guideposts come from innovators, leaders in our business. These are the words I “work” by every day that have led to consultant and host success.
Focusing on being a trusted guide to podcast discovery, Podcast Radio features a diverse lineup of curated podcasts across various genres, with presenters, giving listeners in Minnesota an expanded radio experience. The station was the first Podcast Radio affiliate to feature dedicated genre hours, including business, true crime, comedy, and musical conversation. According to sources at Podcast Radio, “This genre-based scheduling allows listeners to enjoy expertly curated content that aligns with their interests, delivered through our innovative platform and partnership with Local Radio Network (LRN).” Gerard Edwards, CEO of Podcast Radio, tells TALKERS, “We are excited to have Podcast Radio on in Minnesota. Our genre-based scheduling allows us to offer something for every listener, while using the trusted radio format to connect audiences with the world of podcasts. Alpha Media has been an incredible partner, and we look forward to expanding our presence.” Podcast Radio Minnesota joins Podcast Radio Missouri, broadcasting in dayparts on KREI-AM (Farmington), KWIX AM/FM (Moberly) and KJFF (Festus). Podcast Radio also has four 24/7 stations with Beasley Media Group in Detroit, the Carolinas, Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. For more information on how to bring Podcast Radio to your station, contact Gerard Edwards — gerard@podcastradionetwork.com — or send general questions to 
Audacy, Inc. announced yesterday (9/30) that it has successfully completed its financial restructuring, implementing a fully consensual, deleveraging transaction that equitized approximately $1.6 billion of funded debt, a reduction of 80% from approximately $1.9 billion to $350 million. Sources at the radio giant – owner of more than 220 local stations including major all-news, news/talk, and sports talk outlets – say the company emerges as a “healthy, scaled, multi-platform leader in the dynamic audio sector, with total net leverage of approximately 2.7x, differentiated by its #1 position in exclusive, premium audio content.” 
Audacy will continue to be led by David J. Field, its current president and CEO, and its existing management team. Field will also serve on the company’s new board of directors. Field states, “We are pleased to have successfully achieved all of our restructuring goals, emerging with an outstanding balance sheet, delivering industry-leading growth, serving our listeners and advertisers with excellence and honoring our commitments to employees and partners,” adding, “Today, Audacy embarks on our next chapter, capitalizing on our position as a scaled, multi-platform audio leader, differentiated by our exclusive, premium audio content, including our unrivaled leadership in sports audio, powered by our industry-leading financial strength and focused on accelerating our innovation and digital transformation. We are maximizing a broad set of opportunities to further accelerate our growth for the benefit of Audacy and all its stakeholders.” In conjunction with the completion of its restructuring, Audacy is expected to become a private company. Audacy’s restructuring comes after the FCC’s commissioners gave a thumbs up on the assignment of licenses held by the radio giant to a new, post-bankruptcy version of the company on September 18, allowing the radio giant to bypass the commission’s review, at least temporarily. According to reliable reports, the Soros Fund Management, led by billionaire investor and powerful supporter of liberal causes, George Soros, acquired over $400 million of the radio company’s debt, making it the largest contributor among a group of lenders looking to exchange loans for stock. Concern grows in the radio industry and related political circles, including some Members of Congress, that the influence of Soros’ political leanings might be felt in the programming of Audacy’s all news stations and predominantly conservative news/talk outlets.
Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, voiceovers, programming, podcasting, and jingles, has released two new episodes of “Chachi Loves Everybody,” an original podcast series hosted by its president Dave “Chachi” Denes. The episodes feature Chachi’s special guests Steve Jones, president and CEO, Skyview Networks, and Mike McVay, president, McVay Media Consulting. 
PodcastOne
Six members of the state’s broadcasting community were inducted including Betty-Jo Cugini of WERI/WRX Radio/WLNE-TV/WJAR-TV; Chris DiPaola of WBLQ-AM Radio (posthumously); Joe Hassett, color commentator Providence College Basketball; Dan Yorke of WPRO-AM Radio/WPRI-TV; Paul Zangari of WEAN-AM Radio/RI PBS/ WPRO-AM Radio; and Sean Daly, WLNE-TV/WPRI-TV. An emotional high-point of the ceremony took place when the late Chris DiPaola was inducted as the inaugural recipient of the Ron St. Pierre Radio Innovator Award – named after the late RI radio legend who passed away earlier this year. The award was accepted by DiPaola’s father and son. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison attended the event, noting, “Last night’s beautiful gathering was a reminder that local radio and television are very much alive and well in Rhode Island. There were laughs, tears, pride, camaraderie, and an abundance of good vibes. It was inspirational!”
Effective 10/1, Kevin Washington has been named operations manager for Alpha Media’s five Dayton, OH stations (WDHT-FM, WROU-FM, WGTZ-FM, WCLI-FM and sports talk, WING-AM). Washington has 20+ years of experience with Alpha Dayton and most recently held the position of APD/promotions director. Alpha Media’s SVP/market manager Brett Beshore tells TALKERS, “I’m thrilled to be promoting Kevin into this pivotal role with Alpha Dayton. He’s consistently demonstrated strong commitment to the organization’s values and goals, delivering exceptional results with everything he’s undertaken. There’s no one more deserving. He’s the absolute best choice to lead our highly[1]talented team with our heritage brands.” Washington adds, “I’m excited to take on this new role with Alpha Media. We have great stations in the market and greater people inside the building. I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”
After 35 years of service and leadership in local broadcasting, Bob Longo is retiring as VP/GM of Cox Media Group (CMG) TV – Jacksonville (WJAX-TV and Hoffman Communication’s WFOX-TV), effective Dec. 31. Longo’s career has deep roots in journalism. He started in radio as a reporter, anchor, news director, and talk host before moving to TV as a reporter and anchor, executive producer, and news director. He led newsrooms in Binghamton, Buffalo, Hartford, Pittsburgh, Orlando, and Jacksonville. He joined CMG in 2014 and was promoted to VP/GM in 2017. “Bob has been successful at every stop because he’s a personable and engaged leader with an unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and financial performance,” said Dan York, CMG’s president/CEO. “He’s consistently brought passion to serving his local communities and has been an ardent advocate for the value of local news and investigative journalism. While we’re happy for him, we’re going to miss Bob’s optimism and leadership.”
Broadcasting weekdays 5:00 am to 9:00 am PT, the show delivers what station sources describe as “unmatched news coverage of the critical stories shaping the community.” 
The program has a reputation for being a trusted news source dedicated to delivering timely and accurate coverage tackling everything from local and national news to business, entertainment headlines plus traffic and weather reports. Known for her warm delivery and engaging storytelling, Carter’s distinguished career includes roles at major news outlets such as WBBM in Chicago and Newsradio KFBK in Sacramento, where she became known for her sharp reporting and ability to connect with audiences. She will report to PD Mary Ayala who tells TALKERS, “I’m thrilled to welcome Veronica to our team,” adding, “Her depth of experience, vibrant enthusiasm and passion for connecting with the people of California make her a great addition to our morning show.” Carter comments, “I’m honored to join such a respected team and excited to connect with our listeners each morning, bringing them the news and stories that matter most.” Carter replaces LaDona Harvey, who announced she was stepping down from the role earlier this month.
The podcast publishing arm of iHeartMedia and Radio Ambulante Studios (RAS), a pioneering Spanish-language podcast production company that tells the stories of Latin America and Latino communities around the world, announced a deal that will bring RAS and its full slate of shows to iHeart’s My Cultura Podcast Network. As part of the deal, Radio Ambulante Studios’ flagship, award-winning podcast “
Midday show host Laurence Holmes (pictured left) will transition to afternoon drive and join co-host Matt Spiegel. “The Spiegel and Holmes Show” began being heard weekdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm CT yesterday (9/23). The station also installs local broadcast veteran Marshall Harris as midday show co-host. Harris succeeds Holmes and will be heard alongside Dan Bernstein on weekdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CT beginning September 30. “We’re thrilled to debut the future of afternoons on The Score by pairing Laurence Holmes with Matt Spiegel,” said Kevin Cassidy, SVP/market manager, Audacy Chicago. “Laurence’s deep knowledge of Chicago sports, coupled with Matt’s existing rapport with our afternoon listeners, promises to deliver compelling, insightful content that resonates with our audience. We’re equally thrilled to welcome Marshall Harris, a seasoned sports broadcaster with deep local ties, to our midday lineup.” Holmes joined The Score in 1998 and covered the Bears for 10 years. He has also been a sports anchor on NBC5 and NBC Sports Chicago. He succeeds Danny Parkins, who recently left the station. Harris joins 670 The Score after serving as sports director for CBS2 in Chicago. He has also served as a fill-in host for 670 The Score since 2022 and has been heard on sister station Sports Radio 94WIP in Philadelphia.
Remote News Service (RNS), a boutique news network providing hyper local, and custom news and traffic remotely, has added four new affiliates. These include station clusters in Wisconsin in both Prairie du Chien and Viroqua, and in Michigan two more markets, Soo and Sault Ste. Marie. Gabe Buch, OM/PD at Robinson Media’s WQPC, Prairie du Chien tells TALKERS, “Remote News has a been a life saver! Very easy to work with and they went the extra step to make our news local. The transition to Remote News was very easy and the anchor we chose is easy to work with and sounds great.” Michael SanAngelo, OM for Sovereign Communications adds, “Our company is on the Canadian border, and we’ve struggled for years to find the right person to collect, write and deliver solid local and regional news on our seven-radio station group. In just two weeks with Remote News Service, our news content has been night and day better and exactly what we have always wanted.” RNS owner Lesley Lotto tells TALKERS, “I’m floored once again at the tremendous growth! 54% this year so far. But this is not about me, it’s our amazing team who continues to attract new clients due to their dedication and hard work. I’m beyond proud.” To learn more about RNS, 
Premiere Networks announces the addition of “
Ham is a prominent journalist, FOX News contributor, speaker, author, and co-host of the news podcast “
The duo will help listeners navigate the headlines that matter most to American families and understand how they affect them. Known for being funny and a bit irreverent, yet serious and thoughtful about important issues, Markowicz and Ham have one purpose in mind: to keep the audience informed without wearing them out.
What’s it like to be a self-made billionaire mogul with powerful ownership interests in the media, grocery, energy, real estate, political, and sports industries? TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison presents a candid one-on-one dialogue with Red Apple Group CEO and WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis that covers all the above bases and then some. “Cats” discusses his ongoing plans for WABC Radio; the future of the AM radio dial; roots of the inflated cost of food and gasoline; his development of beach front condo properties in Coney Island, NY and St. Petersburg, FL; and what he describes as his “common sense” approach to today’s political environment. Catsimatidis’ life is the embodiment of the American Dream – a true rags-to-riches story of a Greek immigrant who came to New York City with his family at the age of six months and worked his way to success, starting in his parents’ humble grocery store, to become one of the most influential individuals in the nation. Harrison and Catsimatidis take the viewer on an amazing “fun” journey from the nostalgic sidewalks and baseball stadiums of old New York to the pinnacle of 21st century business, media, and technology. To view this exciting new entry on the TALKERSMEDIA YouTube channel, please 
Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member and legendary radio play-by-play announcer Al McCoy has passed away peacefully at the age of 91. The longest tenured team broadcaster in NBA history, McCoy was widely known as the “dean of NBA broadcasters” for his years of service and unique broadcasting style. He served 51 seasons as “The Voice of the Suns,” calling his first game on September 27, 1972 and his last on May 11, 2023. McCoy’s unforgettable calls of the most memorable moments in Suns history, including three trips to the NBA Finals, and his trademark phrases from “Shazam!” to “Zing Go the Strings” to “Heartbreak Hotel” have cemented his legacy throughout Arizona and the NBA. His distinctive voice, vivid descriptions and deep knowledge of the game created a unique style that remained a staple for more than five decades. McCoy will long be known as the Voice of the Phoenix Suns. His many contributions to basketball and sports broadcasting were recognized when he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. The first play-by-play announcer inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004 and a 2009 inductee into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, McCoy earned the team’s highest honor when he became the 15th person inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor in 2017. Funeral services are pending.
The Radio Hall of Fame inducted its 2024 class of honorees last night (9/19) during a gala ceremony and dinner at the Omni Nashville. 2022 inductee, Lon Helton was emcee for the event, with Radio Hall of Fame co-chairmen, Kraig Kitchin (also one of this year’s inductees) and Dennis Green, welcoming attendees with opening remarks. Pictured above: 2024 inductee Lee Harris (r) director of integrated operations, NewsNation (and of 1010 WINS, New York fame) and Scott Herman (l) chairman, Broadcasters Foundation of America who inducted Harris. Herman and Harris worked together at 1010 WINS when the all-news operation was part of the CBS Radio fold and Herman served as the company’s COO. For more information about the Radio Hall of Fame and the eight 2024 Inductees, visit: 
Audacy has added “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” to its lineup on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Philadelphia. Failla’s nationally syndicated political show will be heard weekdays from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET beginning October 7. “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” features guests from across the political spectrum for lively discussions on the day’s leading headlines. David Yadgaroff, senior vice president and market manager, Audacy Philadelphia tells TALKERS, ““Jimmy’s coverage of today’s top stories brings a refreshing lightness to the political polarization in America, uniting listeners from all parties with laughter,” adding, “Talk radio has proved to be a reliable news source for listeners, so we’re proud to add this renowned program to our airwaves as the anticipation builds for the 2024 presidential election.” TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Failla says, “As a former taxi cab driver, I am thrilled to join a station that’s built the same strong relationships with its listeners as I built with my passengers,” adding, “I can’t wait to take this ride!” In addition to his radio program, which is heard on 150 stations nationwide, Failla hosts the television show “FOX News Saturday Night,” where he uses his experience as a stand-up comedian to add humor to the biggest stories of the week. He is the New York Times bestselling author of the FOX News book Cancel Culture Dictionary and began writing for the network in 2016. Failla is replacing Cumulus / Westwood One syndicated star (and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member) Mark Levin at night on WPHT.