Matthew B. Harrison

Matthew B. Harrison is vice president and associate publisher of TALKERS magazine, founder and senior partner of Harrison Legal Group, and executive producer at Goodphone Communications, Inc.

Role at TALKERS

Matthew B. Harrison serves as vice president and associate publisher of TALKERS, the trade publication serving the talk media industry since 1990. He writes for the publication on media law, copyright, fair use, artificial intelligence, and the legal questions facing broadcasters, podcasters, and digital creators.

As executive producer at Goodphone Communications, Inc., the company that manages TALKERS, he handles audio and television production for the publication and its related projects, including Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.

All TALKERS coverage by and about Matthew B. Harrison

Law practice

Matthew is founder and senior partner of Harrison Legal Group, a Massachusetts practice serving creators, broadcasters, publishers, artists, photographers, and media businesses. He practices media law through Harrison Media Law, the firm’s dedicated media-law practice.

His work covers evaluating rights before publication, responding when work is copied or misused, addressing claims and demand letters, protecting brands and creative assets, and disputes involving digital platforms and emerging technology.

He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar on December 12, 2005, and is admitted to practice before the Massachusetts state courts, the federal courts in Massachusetts, and the federal courts in Washington, D.C. His Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers number is 664196.

Playing the Clip

Matthew is the author of Playing the Clip: The Digital Media Creator’s Legal Guide to Fair Use, published by TALKERS Books in April 2026. See TALKERS Books Announces Publication of Playing the Clip.

Selected writing

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Western New England University School of Law, 2005 – magna cum laude; assistant editor, Western New England Law Review
  • Master of Fine Arts, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, 2010
  • Bachelor of Arts in political science and Bachelor of Arts in legal studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Commonwealth Honors College, 2002

Elsewhere

He uses Matthew, not Matt, professionally.

People

TALKERS has covered the talk media industry since 1990 and is published
by Goodphone Communications, Inc. This page lists the people who produce
the magazine. Profiles are added over time, and will in due course also
cover figures in talk media the publication reports on.

TALKERS Staff

  • Michael Harrison – Editor and Publisher
  • Kevin Casey – Vice President and Executive Editor
  • Matthew B. Harrison – Vice President and Associate Publisher
  • Barbara Kurland – Executive Assistant to the Publisher and Business Manager
  • David Bernstein – General Manager of Broadcast Operations
  • Steven J.J. Weisman – Legal Editor

Contact details for the TALKERS staff appear on the
contact page.

Industry Views

After Warning Talk Radio, ABC Sues the FCC

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

 

imgABC warned that the FCC’s scrutiny of “The View” could reach talk radio. Now the eight ABC-owned television station licensees have taken the agency to court. But the immediate lawsuit is not asking a judge to decide whether “The View” qualifies as news.

Rather, it challenges the FCC’s decision to force those local stations into license renewal years ahead of schedule. On April 28, the FCC’s Media Bureau invoked a rule allowing early renewal when it considers that step essential to an investigation. The stations filed under protest, and on August 18 asked a federal court to halt the proceeding before the FCC can designate it for a hearing.

The FCC says it is investigating possible unlawful discrimination in ABC’s employment practices and whether the stations have served the public interest. ABC calls that explanation a pretext, pointing to public demands that it fires Jimmy Kimmel, threats against its licenses, criticism of its editorial decisions, and the separate proceeding involving “The View.” No license has been denied, and the FCC has not yet answered the lawsuit.

The ABC network does not hold one national broadcast license. Its local stations hold the licenses, and the same federal licensing structure covers terrestrial radio. An online-only show has no FCC broadcast license for the agency to call in.

ABC’s legal argument is that the process itself can punish speech. A costly, open-ended license proceeding may chill hosts, producers and programmers before a regulator ever issues a censorship order. For talk radio, the question is not whether you like ABC; it is whether the government may use threats to a station’s license to influence who gets booked, what gets asked, or which opinions reach the air.

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonLegalGroup.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry News

Elci Off the Air as WJJF Considers Options

WJJF-FM, Montauk morning drive host Lee Elci is off the air at the Red Wolf Broadcasting news/talk station at the company reviews its options regarding Elci’s recently announced campaign for Connecticut’s 20th State Senate District seat. After announcing his imgcampaign, Elci stated that he intends to not discuss campaign issues or his campaign during his program. But incumbent Senator Martha Marx’s campaign is demanding equal time under FCC rules. Marx tells CT Mirror that if Elci wants to stay on the air, then the station has to give her a four-hour show. The other issue is that if Elci stays on the air, it could be considered an in-kind campaign contribution by the station and that could violate Connecticut campaign laws. For his part, Elci tells CT Mirror the station’s lawyers are seeking clarification for elections enforcement officials. He adds, “Big picture is I wouldn’t want to put my station in jeopardy,” he said. See the CT Mirror story here.

Industry Views

Who talks like THAT???

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At the end of the day, when all is said and done, broadcasters and podcasters should avoid clichés like the plague. And redundancies, “Period, full stop.”

Consultant, longtime TALKERS columnist – and, yes, long, long-ago English teacher – Holland Cooke has been collecting verbal misdemeanors for decades. His new quick-read e-book Who Talks Like That??? skewers broadcast-ese, bloated wording, antique vocabulary, redundancies, mispronunciations and other ways we accidentally make listeners notice how we’re talking instead of what we’re saying.

“Because radio and podcasts are intimate media, and unforgiving,” Cooke urges, “sound human.” Especially now that every word is competing for attention with SO many audio competitors. FREE download to TALKERS readers: https://getonthenet.com/OOPS.pdf

Industry News

WWO: AM/FM Elevates the Media Plan

The latest blog post from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group reveals data from MRI-Simmons, Edison’s Share of Ear study, and Nielsen that shows advertising on AM/FM radio elevates the media plan. Key takeaways from the post include: 1) imgReach is the primary media driver of growth. Always aim to get more customers from all segments of the market. It’s the main way brands grow; 2) AM/FM radio is America’s number one mass reach media among persons 25-54 and, surprisingly, among 18-34s; 3) AM/FM radio generates significant incremental reach to social media platforms and YouTube; 4) Digital audio only reaches a third of Americans daily. Adding AM/FM radio causes reach to soar to 72% of the U.S.; and 5) AM/FM radio makes your TV better. The younger the demo, the greater the incremental reach. The addition of AM/FM radio lifts TV reach by +32% among 25-54s and +65% among 18-34s. See the full blog post here.

TALKERS Heavy Hundred Archive: 2012–2026

The TALKERS Heavy Hundred documents the most important talk-media personalities in America. It stands as a continuous historical record of the people who have shaped talk radio, podcasting and spoken-word media. This archive brings the rankings together in one place, year by year, exactly as each edition was published.

Current editionThe 2026 TALKERS Heavy Hundred – Ranks 1–25

Regular Heavy Hundred

Published annually by TALKERS magazine. Every edition from 2012 through 2026. Page breaks follow the ranking ranges as each edition was originally presented.

2012 Heavy Hundred

The 2012 edition was published across eight pages. The final page also carries the Talkers 250 listing, which continues the roster beyond rank 100 with hosts 101 to 250 arranged in alphabetical order.

Sports Heavy Hundred: Selected Years

The Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk ranks the most important sports talk hosts in America. It is available for selected years.

2020 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2019 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2018 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2017 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2015 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2014 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2013 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

2012 Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk

This archive preserves the rankings as originally published. Where errors have been documented, corrections are recorded; where original materials survived, they have been restored to their published form. Rankings are not revised after publication.

Industry News

Cumulus Media Q2 Net Revenue Down 9.7%

Cumulus Media – which is still awaiting approval from the FCC as it works to exit Chapter 11 reorganization – reports its operating results for the second quarter of 2026 and reveals net revenue of $167.9 million, a decline of 9.7% from the same period in 2025. The company reports a net loss of $9.2 million, down from the img$12.8 million net loss it reported for the same period in 2025. Breaking down the company’s revenue by segment, broadcast spot revenue was $81.5 million, down 10.6% from a year ago; network revenue was $21.4 million, a decline of 21.5% compared to 2025; and digital revenue was $38.7 million, basically flat compared to Q2 of 2025. Cumulus Media CEO Mary G. Berner comments, “We are pleased to report our second quarter earnings. With our plan of reorganization confirmed by the court and the FCC approval process well underway, we are positioned to emerge from Chapter 11 with a stronger balance sheet to capitalize on future market opportunities.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Prospect Retailers Who Are Podcasting

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

They’re low-hanging fruit. They “get” audio, and they crave the listeners radio can bring. We train station sales reps to ask, “If we don’t tell our listeners about your podcast, how will they know you’re doing one?” Incorporate sound bites from their podcasts into their spots.

Holland Cooke is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Nancy Mace Launches YouTube Show. Outgoing South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace launched her new YouTube talk show on Sunday (8/16). She describes her new show as a media destination in which “a bulldog leaves Washington to take the fight to the people.”

Leyden Joins AdLarge. AdLarge appoints Nicole Pezzola Leyden vice president, brand partnerships, in which she’ll “focus on developing strategic sponsorship opportunities and integrated marketing programs for advertisers.” Has served with organizations including TED, Scripps Networks, Discovery, and the NHL.

The Big Ten and Compass Renew. The Big Ten Network and Compass Media Networks agree to a multi-year extension for the exclusive national audio rights to the TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament and Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game along with the expansion of rights to include the exclusive rights to broadcast the Allstate Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Industry News

WJJF Host Lee Elci Running for State Senate in Connecticut

Lee Elci is the morning host at Red Wolf Broadcasting’s news/talk WJJF-FM, Montauk, New York and he announces that he’s throwing his hat in the ring as a Republican candidate for the Connecticut State Senate in the 20th District. Numerous Connecticut media outlets are reporting the story, including LymeLine, and Elci tells the imgnews site, “There’s a great quote from Theodore Roosevelt back in 1910 about being ‘a man in the arena,’ I think it’s time for me to get in the arena and try to do what’s right.” Elci is entering the race a bit late after the candidate endorsed by the Connecticut Republican Party in May – Ron LaBonte – says he’s no longer able to run for the office currently held by Democrat Martha Marx. The Connecticut State Legislature is a part-time body that meets for several months during the first half of the year. Elci says he could do both jobs if he wins the race. Elci tells LymeLine he will continue to do his show and will not talk about his campaign or issues involving towns in the district. See the LymeLine story here.

Industry News

Gaines and Rose Exit Cumulus’ KFRU, Columbia

As Cumulus Media continues its culling of local personalities at its stations across the country, the majority of those being let go served at music outlets. But there have been talk hosts also getting pink-imgslipped including KFRU, Columbia, Missouri talk hosts David Gaines and Simon Rose. Gaines posted to Facebook: “As of this week, I’m no longer with Columbia’s heritage radio station KFRU. Corporate downsizing, the elimination of Cumulus Media positions nationwide, hit our market this week. That’s the nature of this business. Despite this setback, I’m writing this with a sense of gratitude. These past 18 years have been such a wonderful stretch of my career. I’ve worked with so many talented and creative people. Been a part of countless wonderful events. Interviewed multiple local and state leaders, and interesting guests from all walks of life.” Rose’s wife Jenna posted to Facebook: “Simon Rose has come to the end of a legendary run in local radio. He weathered plenty of rounds of belt-tightening over the years, but this time was the one he didn’t survive. The hardest part for him isn’t the ending itself – it’s that he didn’t get the chance to say a proper goodbye to the listeners on either station. He wants them to know how much being part of their lives has meant to him. They have been with him since before we were married and took daily interest in him and our growing family. Thank you for that.”

Industry News

Salem Media Q2 Revenue Down 15.2%; Net Loss Narrows Significantly

Salem Media is a company in transition as it prepares to go private after a deal to be acquired by WaterStone was announced in May. That deal has WaterStone acquiring all outstanding shares of Salem Media common stock for $1.00 per share, representing approximately a 250% premium over Salem’s recent trading price. imgFor the second quarter of 2026, Salem’s net revenue was $45.9 million, a decrease of 15.2% from the same period in 2025. On the plus side, Salem’s net loss for the quarter was $3.4 million, a dramatic 81% decline from the $17.6 million net loss it reported a year ago. By segment for the quarter, Salem’s broadcast advertising revenue was $17.85 million, a dip of 11.3% compared to Q2 of 2025; broadcast programming revenue was $34.3 million, a decline of 6.3%; and digital revenue was $32.7 million, a decrease of 12.5%.

Industry News

Beasley’s 2026 Second Quarter Net Revenue Falls 16.7%

Beasley Broadcast Group’s financial report for the second quarter of 2026 reveals net revenue of $44.1 million, a decrease of 16.7% from the same period in 2025. The company posts net income of $84.3 million, a big turnaround from the net loss of $154,175 that it reported in Q2 of 2025. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “While second quarter results continued to reflect pressure across portions of the traditional advertising marketplace, imgwe are encouraged by the progress we’re making in transforming Beasley into a more diversified, higher-margin media company. Our digital and local direct spot businesses continue to build momentum, our cost structure is significantly more efficient than it was a year ago, and we remain focused on improving the quality of our revenue. We believe these initiatives are creating a stronger operating foundation and positioning the company for more consistent financial performance over the long term. At the same time, we continue to execute against the financial priorities we established at the beginning of the year. We are operating with discipline, allocating capital thoughtfully, and taking deliberate actions to strengthen our balance sheet through debt reduction, portfolio optimization, and improved financial flexibility. These efforts, combined with our ongoing operational initiatives, are designed to improve cash flow generation and create long-term value for our shareholders. Looking ahead, our strategy remains unchanged. We are focused on delivering sustainable revenue growth, expanding EBITDA through continued operating discipline and higher-margin revenue, and further reducing leverage over time. While the broader advertising environment remains dynamic, we believe the actions we are taking today are positioning Beasley to emerge as a stronger, more profitable, and more resilient company.”

Industry News

Saga Communications’ Q2 2026 Net Revenue Down 6.5%

Reporting its operating result for the second quarter of 2026, Saga Communications says net revenue for the period was $26.4 imgmillion, a decline of 6.5% from the same period in 2025. Saga’s net income for the quarter was $960,000. In the report, Saga said it sold 24 towers and other assets that brought it $10.7 million.  Saga Communications reports $27.8 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026.

Industry News

Simon Conway Interviews Administration Officials

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Pictured above is WHO, Des Moines afternoon drive host Simon Conway (center) with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (left) and Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn (right) at a local restaurant where Scalise was speaking in support of Nunn. Later in the day, Conway interviewed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the WHO studios. Conway tells TALKERS, “WHO Radio is still a huge attraction for these senior members of House Leadership and indeed the Trump Administration. It’s an honor to chat with them.”

Industry News

Zimmer Petitions FCC for Ownership Cap Exemption

Zimmer Communications files a request with the FCC to waive the ownership cap for its acquisition of four radio stations from Mid-West Family Broadcasting that includes sports talk KOSP, Springfield, Missouri “102.1 The Won” and three music brands. imgZimmer argues in its filing that relief from the ownership cap would not adversely affect competition in the Springfield, Missouri market and notes that if approved, its revenue share in the market would be 33.6% (up from its current 8.5%), while SummitMedia’s revenue share is currently 34.8%. Zimmer goes on to add that in terms of audience share, Zimmer would have 21.3% of the market’s audience compared to iHeartMedia’s 22.3%. Additionally, Zimmer points out that, if approved, 18 different owners would control stations in the Springfield market.

Industry News

Christian Outdoors Joins Salem Media’s LifeAudio Network

Salem Media reveals that “Christian Outdoors Podcast” – hosted by outdoor writer, author and speaker Pete Rogers – joins the company’s LifeAudio Christian podcast network. Salem notes that “Christian Outdoors Podcast” was “created to give outdoor enthusiasts a platform to talk openly about their faith – something imgRogers found largely absent in mainstream outdoor media.” Tommy Lynch serves as director of content acquisition for LifeAudio and he says, “LifeAudio is thrilled to welcome Christian Outdoors to the network – it’s a whole new niche for us, opening the door to hunting, fishing, and outdoor content rooted in faith. It’s the kind of authentic conversation that resonates in trucks, on job sites, and around campfires, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.” Rogers comments, “‘Christian Outdoors’ is excited and humbled to be the newest member of the LifeAudio Network. Joining this respected team will enable us to continue to reach folks and share our passion for the outdoors and Jesus in one place. Being part of LifeAudio will enable us to reach more believers with the good news of Jesus.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Posts Consolidated Q2 Revenue Up 4.7%

It’s second quarter earnings season and iHeartMedia reveals that its Q2 consolidated revenue was $977 million, an increase of 4.7% over the same period a year ago. The company posts a net loss of $82.4 million, down 1.3% from the $83.5 million is posted in Q2 of 2025. iHeartMedia reports financial data by segments and its Multiplatform Group (which includes broadcast radio and network radio) saw revenue fall 2% to $536 million. Broadcast radio revenue for the quarter was $397.6 million, up 0.5% from Q2 of 2025, and network revenue was $103.7 million, down 3.8%. The imgcompany’s Digital Audio Group revenue was $364 million, up 12% over Q2 of 2025, with the podcast segment rising 21% on revenue of $162 million. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “We’re pleased with our second quarter results, generating Adjusted EBITDA of $152 million, slightly above the midpoint of our previously provided guidance range. Our consolidated revenue was $977 million, up 4.7% compared to the prior year quarter and above our guidance. Our podcast revenue momentum continues, up 20.7% compared to prior year, and in addition to helping propel our growth as the #1 podcast publisher, our broadcast radio assets have also allowed us to develop and drive the new video podcast marketplace – an incremental growth opportunity for us, including on streaming video services including Netflix and Disney+ and Hulu, which we announced today. And our work in building our digital assets continues to pay off; this is the sixth consecutive quarter in which the Digital Audio Group Adjusted EBITDA is larger than the Multiplatform Group Adjusted EBITDA.”

Industry News

Carr Congratulates Thumann Severs on FCC Nomination

President Donald Trump is nominating Danielle Thumann Severs for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission. She has served two stints at the FCC focusing on matters before the Wireline Competition Bureau, the Public Safety and Homeland imgSecurity Bureau, as well as the agency’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr states, “I want to congratulate Danielle on her nomination to serve as a Commissioner on the FCC.  Danielle is a dedicated public servant and has worked with skill and distinction on some of the most important matters before the agency.  Danielle has delivered policy wins across the FCC’s economic agenda – from bridging the digital divide and protecting consumers to advancing public safety.  With the advice and consent of the Senate, Danielle would make a terrific Commissioner.”

Industry News

“After The Morning After” Getting “Outstanding” Download Numbers

St. Louis sports talk personality and producer Ken “Iggy” Strode, along with show personalities Tim McKernan, Doug Vaughn, and imgJackson Berquette have been hosting the “After The Morning After” live at 11:00 am on Hubbard Media’s KPNT-HD2 and streaming on YouTube since April. Iggy tells TALKERS that after getting laid off in the fall of 2024, he wasn’t sure he wanted to get back into radio but decided to give it a go when Hubbard proposed the new show and he’s glad he did. He says, “It has been so much fun, and the download numbers are outstanding.” The show follows “The Morning After” that airs from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.

Industry News

Shawn Ryan and Ezra Klein Rise in Podtrac’s July Podcast Ranker

There are no changes at the top of Podtrac’s July 2026 Top Podcasts ranker (based on U.S. unique monthly audience); audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” remains #1, followed by The New img York Times’ “The Daily” at #2, and NPR’s “NPR News Now” at #3. Movers in the top 20 include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Shawn Ryan Show,” which climbs three places to #12; The New York Times’ “The Ezra Klein Show,” which rises six places to #17; and Los Angeles-based comedian Tim Dillon’s eponymous show, which jumps five spots to #19.  See the chart here.

Industry News

Beasley Delays Q2 Financial Report

Beasley Broadcast Group announces it is postponing the reporting of its financial results for the second quarter of 2026 to “allow imgadditional time to finalize the tax accounting treatment relating to the refinancing and debt restructuring that the Company completed during Q2 2026.” Beasley notes that it will announce the new release date and the time and date of its conference call that it expects will happen before this Friday (8/14).

Industry News

Gomez Remains Outspoken About TV Cap Elimination

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez is not backing away from her criticism of the Commission’s recent vote to eliminate the television ownership cap. On Friday (8/7), she stated: “The FCC’s decision to eliminate the 39 percent national audience reach cap is unlawful on its face. Congress set this cap in federal law, and only imgCongress can change it. I am not alone in that conclusion. Republicans with deep firsthand knowledge of this issue agree. Former FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly has been unequivocal that the FCC lacks authority to change the cap. Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who negotiated the 39 percent compromise, has stressed that Congress wrote the cap into law specifically to keep the FCC from changing it. And Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz has said he is skeptical a change can be made absent an act of Congress.”