SABO SEZ: Jay Clark, A Real Program Director
By Walter Sabo
A.K.A Walter Sterling
Host, The Other Side of Midnight
WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Networks
Jay Clark was the first program director of WABC as a talk station. He set the tone and path for modern talk radio. This week I had Jay on as a special guest on the Red Apple Audio Networks all night show, “The Other Side of Midnight.” We celebrated the anniversary, May 10, (1982) of WABC’s switch from music to talk on the giant signal at 770 AM.
There could not have been a better owner at launch: ABC Inc. Facts about ABC Inc (that’s it, it was just ABC Ink):
- ABC Inc. had launched KABC, Los Angeles and KGO, San Francisco in the mid 1960s. By 1982, when WABC switched to talk, those two stations were golden businesses. KABC was the highest grossing station in any
format in America. KGO was the killer biller in San Francisco. The execs who ran them were mighty proud: Ben Hoberman, Ed McLaughlin, Al Racco, Chuck Debere. Yes, they ran those stations, but they also invented the caller-driven talk format. There were other winning talk stations, but they were guest centric rather than listener centric (i.e. WOR, WGN). At the time, there were 43 stations listed as “talk” stations. 43. Not many models. - Clark explained that KABC and KGO took 10 years to turn a profit. The business assumption was that WABC would also take 10 years to achieve that goal. Audience research, which came back after the switch, showed it would take 10 years to win a viable audience. 10 years was fine with ABC management. That’s what it would take. It took 11.
- WABC launched primarily as live and local. Upper radio management was passionate about the talk format, they freakin’ loved everything about it. They understood its prestige. It was and is a sales format. Management nurtured talk radio and evolved it. They were committed to talk and understood the key fact for growth: YOU CAN’T SAVE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS. At the time management’s love was essential to success because New York’s feelings for WABC as a rocker ran deep, and not many citizens or clients were in a hurry to witness its end. They were, however, in a hurry to tune to the FM band.
When walking the halls of WABC during the first talk year, one could feel the excitement and the pride. Those feelings permeated the airwaves and propelled success. One can’t find feelings on a spreadsheet, one can’t find success on a spread sheet either.
The return of feelings
When John Catsimitidis bought WABC, pride and passion returned to the halls and to the air. John and bride Margo love the station, the staff, the format, and the potential. “Cats” and station president Chad Lopez have a simple goal: “We want it to be number one.” You would be shocked at how many managers I’ve met who will never be number one – of any format – because they don’t want to be. They actually say they don’t want to be number one… or can’t.
As of today, as it was at launch, WABC’s owner is proud and passionate and will be number one. PD Kevin Droesch is very much in the Jay Clark school of understanding talent and winning.
Sure, sure you could be a cynic and assume I’m writing this because I work for Red Apple Media. But I don’t assume that you’ve met me.
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “The Other Side of Midnight” is heard on WABC, New York and the Red Apple Audio Network 1:00 am – 5:00 am. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com. He can be phoned at 646-678-1110.
District race today (5/12) from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The forum featuring candidates State Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford and State Sen. Sharif Street is being moderated by WURD Radio hosts Dr. James Peterson, Joann Bell and Solomon Jones. on Tuesday, May 12, from 5–6 p.m. during a special edition of Evening WURDs. The station will also host a live remote Election Night Special on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm from Honeysuckle on Broad St. 
a decline of 7.9% from last year and broadcast advertising revenue was $38.6 million, down 6.6% from the same period a year ago. Townsquare Media CEO Bill Wilson comments, “With our digital growth engine driving our performance, each year our business mix continues to shift to a greater percentage of both digital revenue and profit. In the first quarter, 59% of our total revenue and 63% of our total Segment Profit was generated from our differentiated digital solutions – each our highest percentages ever. Our Digital Advertising revenue returned to high-single digit revenue growth in Q1, which we believe will continue throughout the year due to the consistent performance of our digital programmatic offering and the success of our Media Partnership division; the strong revenue growth of the direct sales of our local owned and operated digital properties; and the stabilization of our online audience and remnant revenue. I would also like to highlight Townsquare Interactive’s strong profit performance, with Segment Profit margin of 34% in Q1, representing year-over-year margin expansion.” The company also announced that its board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable on August 3, 2026 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 27, 2026.
company outside of the New York City market. The station is currently airing a news/talk format of local, syndicated and brokered programming. Local air personalities include the daily morning show hosts Hank Stolz and Ben White (“Talk of the Commonwealth”) and longtime New England talk host Frankie Boyer who is heard in middays. Red Apple will assume operations under a local marketing agreement until the deal closes. Red Apple and Catsimatidis have made no indication of the company’s intent for future programming. 
change, especially at the top of the ranker where NPR’s “NPR News Now” (#1), The New York Times’ “The Daily” (#2), “Up First from NPR” (#3), NBCUniversal’s “Dateline NBC” (#4), and FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” (#5) fill out the top five. Moves of note include comic Tim Dillon entering the top 20 at #19 with his “The Tim Dillon Show” and Disney’s “20/20” joining the chart at #20. 
Former WXYT-FM, Detroit talk host and Motor City sportswriter Pat Caputo died on Thursday (5/7) after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 67. Caputo hosted in several dayparts on 97.1 The Ticket during his time with the station. He also was a contributor to WJBK-TV, Detroit. But he was initially known in the Detroit market writing for the Oakland Press from 1983 through 2020. 
platform via a “Live Radio” button in the upper right corner of the dashboard. The companies say mobile app integration is planned for a future phase. iHeartMedia president of business development and strategic partnerships Michael Biondo says, “This partnership puts iHeart’s live radio in front of MapQuest’s millions of monthly users, giving consumers more of the content they seek. It’s a simple, intuitive way to extend our reach and enhance how people experience audio on the go.”
local journalism across the state.” GBH president Susan Goldberg tells the paper the proposed merger of GBH, NEPM, and Cape and Islands radio station CAI will form “one of the largest and most trusted statewide public media newsroom networks in the Commonwealth.” Goldberg adds, “In a media landscape that is constantly changing, and particularly in the 
wake of federal defunding of public media, we are finding new ways to be as impactful as possible for the communities we serve. Simply put, we are stronger together.” Goldberg tells the Globe they have no plans to reduce staff and are planning to invest in new roles. The story adds, “According to the proposal. NEPM will continue to operate as the primary public media provider in Western Massachusetts, maintaining its studios in Springfield and at the University of Massachusetts. Its brand and programming – including local news, music, and educational shows – will remain in place.”
morning program on Cumulus Media’s WMAL-FM, Washington, DC. O’Connor also serves as editor of Salem’s Townhall.com. Salem says, “By aligning O’Connor’s leadership role at Townhall.com with his national radio and television presence – and his growing digital footprint – Salem is further strengthening its integrated, cross-platform content strategy. This move positions O’Connor at the forefront of conservative political discourse while reinforcing Salem Media’s role as a leading destination for news, commentary, and influential voices.” Salem SVP of content Phil Boyce adds, “Larry is the go-to media voice for the people shaping policy in our nation’s capital. He’s built a show insiders rely on and an audience that cares deeply about the direction of the country. We’re proud to 
expand that success across our national lineup, leading the conversation every morning across America.” O’Connor says, “We’re excited to bring ‘O’Connor & Company’ to a broader national audience while maintaining the strong foundation and audience connection the show has built in Washington. At the same time, we’re building the future of media across radio, streaming, and digital platforms with Townhall and the Salem News Channel. Salem’s integrated vision aligns perfectly with my work across platforms, including my daily streaming show “LARRY,” and makes this an incredibly exciting next chapter. I’m also thrilled that my longtime collaborator and executive producer Heather Hunter will continue with the program as we expand nationwide.”
FM translator W269DL (fed by WGKB-AM and branded “101.7 The Truth”) and, eventually, WNOV-AM “860 The Voice.” Civic Media says it created the Milwaukee Black Media Trust to ensure no individual or corporation can sell, consolidate, or redirect these institutions away from the community they serve. Civic Media CEO Sage Weil comments, “We are very excited about Milwaukee Black Media because it puts these important community media assets under the control of the community that they serve, with a financial structure that benefits the employees doing the work. We look forward to working closely with Milwaukee Black Media to support the new organization’s growth and success in the years to come.” Civic Media will support Milwaukee Black Media’s operations through a services agreement, providing administrative, technology, and sales support services but Milwaukee Black Media will operate with full editorial and programming independence. The newly formed trust entered into a local marketing agreement with Good Karma Brands to program “The Truth,” with an option to purchase the station. Good Karma CEO Craig Karmazin states, “Good Karma Brands is proud to support a model that keeps these important media institutions rooted in the community they serve and expands the opportunity for our teammates. From the start, our focus has been on building a strong platform and positioning it for continued growth and impact.”
University on Long Island. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The selection of ‘Cats’ as keynoter is in keeping with one of the major themes of this year’s edition of the iconic industry event – radio, talk media, and entrepreneurism. John Catsimatidis is presently setting the greatest example of entrepreneurism at work in giving an injection of much needed energy, focus and life to the medium of radio.” Harrison will serve as facilitator of the presentation in a Q&A / interview style format – a role he has played before with the dynamic billionaire media, grocery, and energy mogul.
Catsimatidis will be joined by more than 60 speakers comprised of legendary industry figures as well as fresh faces and rising stars. A detailed agenda including speakers and schedule – a “who’s who” of industry luminaries – will be posted in TALKERS this coming Tuesday (4/28). See the link below for the names of all speakers booked to date.
Harrison continues, “This important conference will illuminate the forward path of the expanding talk media universe, including all aspects of digital communications from AI and podcasting to streaming networks. As has been its tradition, this latest TALKERS conference will approach the onrushing future of the talk business from a radio perspective. This crucial gathering will cover the new undeniable realities of the radio business for those who not only want to survive but thrive as well. It will be about opportunities, networking, and entrepreneurism for individuals in talent, programming, sales, marketing, and management who are serious about staying in the game.”
across audio and digital channels within a unified framework.” Magellan AI’s platform will leverage iHeartMedia’s simulcast data, which maps listeners exposed to broadcast radio to measurable outcomes. Attribution reporting powered by that data will be available exclusively to advertisers working with iHeartMedia. Magellan AI says, “Advertisers using the solution will gain deeper insights into how radio campaigns deliver full-funnel results, including web visits, form fills, leads and purchases. By combining measurement across the full spectrum of audio and digital channels, Magellan AI provides a complete view of how campaigns perform across the media mix.” iHeartMedia Insights president Lainie Fertick states, “iHeartMedia has always focused on helping advertisers understand the power of audio. By combining Magellan AI’s attribution technology with our proprietary in-market simulcast data, we’re providing brands with deeper visibility into how broadcast radio works alongside podcasts, streaming audio, connected TV, and other channels to drive meaningful results.”
on consumer lifestyles, purchasing behavior and cross-platform media usage while TOMA.Solutions adds a powerful layer of competitive insight by measuring “Top-of-Mind Awareness,” revealing which local brands own the first-to-mind position in their categories. Cumulus president of operations Dave Milner says, “Today’s advertisers want more than audience delivery. They want insight, clarity, and a stronger connection between marketing decisions and business results. By integrating specialized resources like The Media Audit and TOMA.Solutions into our broader research suite, our teams in these markets provide an even deeper level of local intelligence, helping our clients build more precise and effective campaigns.”
Holders of the company’s existing 9.200% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2028 agreed to exchange them for newly issued 10.000% Senior Secured Second Lien PIK Notes due 2027 at an exchange ratio of 50 cents on the dollar. On March 30, Beasley completed the purchase of $15.9 million aggregate principal amount of Existing First Lien Notes, and $15 million aggregate principal amount of the Existing First Lien Notes remains outstanding.