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
- When Your Voice Becomes the Product
- When Borrowed Becomes Stolen: The Fair Use Line for Talk Hosts and Podcasters
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.

ABC 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.
campaign, 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. 
Reach 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.
$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.”
slipped 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.”
For 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%.
we 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.”
million, 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.
Zimmer 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.
Rogers 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.”
company’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.”
Security 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.”
Jackson 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.
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.
additional 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).
Congress 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.”