TALKERS 2026 Presents 65 Speakers, Draws 338 Attendees, Addresses Hot Issues
Pictured above: Walter Sterling, host of WABC, New York’s and Red Apple Audio Network’s nightly program, “The Other Side of Midnight,” addressing the topic, “Talk Radio: Past, Present, and Future,” at TALKERS 2026.
The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University this past Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.
Pictured above: Lee Habeeb, CEO, host, and producer of the wildly successful syndicated program, “Our American Stories,” addressing the crowd about “The Art of Story Telling” at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter.
The main themes of the conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century. These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.
Speakers and attendees included a cross section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!
Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo and video coverage of the historic event. Stand by!
of Championship play June 18-21. Leading up to the first day of play, numerous SiriusXM sports talk hosts will broadcast their programs from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, including Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo hosting “Mad Dog Unleashed” on Tuesday, June 16. in Southampton, NY.
the dynamic strategies required to serve audiences in a crowded ecosystem. Nadine brings an extraordinarily rare blend of creative foresight, business acumen, and deep personal commitment to mission-driven storytelling. She is the right leader at the right time to ensure NPR’s journalism and cultural programming find new ways of serving and enlivening American discourse.” Zylstra most recently served as global head of programming and originals for Pinterest
is the change dictates exactly when certain debt holders can convert their debt into voting company stock (Class A and Class B shares), which will ultimately dilute existing shareholders and shift control of the company to the noteholders. Under the Transaction Support Agreement, eligible debt holders can issue a “Notice of Conversion,” forcing Beasley to issue new shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock to those noteholders, thus giving them control of the company. Beasley can avoid this by paying down its remaining debt of about $110 million before December 31 of 2027. If the above scenario takes place, the FCC would have to approve the license transfers before the noteholders could assume control.
…I’m sharing promo copy now airing on my client stations, which addresses listeners’ – and advertisers’ — 2026 apprehensions:
York Times’ “The Daily” leaps NPR’s “NPR News Now” to claim the #1 spot. Other podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Shawn Ryan Show” rises four places to #13, and Silverloch’s “The Dan Bongino Show” dips two places to #14. 
result is a substantial burden on local newspapers and broadcast stations. New York State Broadcaster Association president David Donovan comments, “By protecting broadcast news operations from unauthorized access by Big Tech, the legislation ensures the economic foundations of producing original, local news by broadcast stations throughout the Empire state. It prohibits using “stealth crawlers” to extract a broadcaster’s news content without permission or payment. In addition, the legislation requires AI systems to disclose when crawlers are employed to extract content from broadcasters.”
podcasts reach consumers throughout their daily routines, creating repeated exposure and strong recall. Audio also commands our attention in ways many formats can’t.” Additionally, radio personalities do something other formats can’t: “When our favorite hosts vouch for a brand, it feels personal. And that built-in influence doesn’t just capture attention — it sparks action.” 74% of radio listeners polled say they have purchased a brand after hearing an ad from their radio host. Finally, Nelson says the intersection of audio and digital marketing is where consumers are reached. “Audio builds awareness, attention, and trust. Digital marketing captures intent and drives action lower in the funnel. Together they drive measurable results with double digital increases in performance.” 
provide CMLI with opportunities to engage with students and the campus community through WHPC and select college events. The college will also make available WHPC-produced public affairs programming, as well as student-produced content for potential use across CMLI’s stations. Connoisseur Media regional SVP Kristin Okesson says, “We’re excited to partner with Nassau Community College to help inspire and develop the next generation of radio and media talent. Partnerships like these create a direct pipeline for passionate students to gain real-world experience, build important industry connections, and ultimately become the future superstars of our business. We appreciate Shawn Novatt and the NCC team for their commitment to creating these opportunities, and we look forward to working together to support students as they begin their careers in broadcasting and media.”
and Gothamist newsrooms, and Delahunty is now head of WQXR. Tanner says, “Stephanie, Emily and Eileen are exceptional, forward-looking leaders with deep commitment to excellence in journalism, culture and storytelling. As audiences increasingly engage with content across multiple platforms, we’re focused on creating experiences that connect our award-winning newsrooms, podcasts, live events and cultural partnerships. I’m excited to see the continued collaboration across NYPR as we strengthen our mission and help shape the future of public media for the next generation.”
Congressional District. Flint is host of the morning drive show “Montana Talks” heard across Townsquare Media news/talk stations in Montana, including KBUL, Billings and KMMS, Bozeman. Flint took leave of his radio show to run for office. According to the Associated Press, Flint will face the winner of the four-way race in the Democratic primary. Flint’s campaign says he is emphasizing “making the Montana dream affordable again,” by reducing regulatory burdens on building homes, encouraging trades education and boosting the U.S. timber industry. 
and television professionals facing acute hardship due to catastrophic illness, disaster, or other life-altering circumstances. BFoA president Tim McCarthy states, “We have a responsibility to stand beside our fellow broadcasters when devastating illness or catastrophe turns their lives upside down. Giving Day is an opportunity for every broadcaster — individuals and companies alike — to make a meaningful difference for colleagues facing unimaginable challenges. Our industry takes care of its own, and together we can ensure no broadcaster faces hardship alone.” 
The iconic TALKERS conference is coming up this Friday (6/5) and, again, I am looking forward to it. As a practicing therapist and prolific talk show guest for over two decades, I find this unique gathering to be a productive educational and social ritual. It provides an opportunity to make new friends, strengthen existing relationships, and learn new things about the ever-evolving talk media industry. We have similar issues in the mental health field marked by encroaching corporatism in a business once fueled by “mom & pop” operators and independent practitioners.
growth. Her extensive market knowledge, longstanding relationships throughout the business community, and proven ability to help local businesses succeed make her an outstanding addition to the JVC Broadcasting leadership team.” Bolster comments, “I am honored to join JVC Broadcasting and excited for the opportunity to lead the sales efforts in Panama City. JVC has built an outstanding reputation for local programming, community involvement, and delivering results for advertisers. I look forward to working with our clients, our stations, and our growing sales team to help local businesses connect with consumers and achieve their goals.” 
The Compass Media Networks-syndicated “Erick Erickson Show” adds a bunch of new affiliates as KYST, Houston “Patriot Talk 920”; WJMX, Florence, South Carolina; and KXVB, Fayetteville, Arkansas “Freedom FM 101.5” are among the stations adding the program so far this year.
off – at least for now. That the two media firms were in preliminary talks first broke in early May. As DealBook notes, there is a history between the two companies: “Liberty SiriusXM Group, once an affiliate of John Malone’s media empire, used to hold significant stakes in both companies. Liberty SiriusXM eventually sold its stake in iHeartMedia (primarily a broadcast radio company) and split off its ownership of SiriusXM (primarily a satellite radio company) into a separate entity.”
If you are doing talk radio, much of your programming is syndicated. If you do music radio, your most formidable competitors are robotic streams that live in the cloud. Either way, YOU, being local, can make friends — and money — if you plan now to exploit these occasions.
Billionaires make predominantly good investments, which is why they are billionaires.
hosted his last show Saturday (5/30) that turned into a big farewell with co-workers, family and friends packing the Audacy station’s studio. Long served with WCCO for 55 years of his 60-year career. He joined the station in 1971 as program director for the then-music formatted station. He remained with WCCO in numerous capacities, most recently as host of the Saturday morning show. Long says he’s retiring for health reasons but adds that with a little luck and good medical care he’ll be alright.