Newsmax TV paid tribute to the late Rush Limbaugh as the third anniversary of his death on February 17, 2021 approaches. Afternoon host Chris Salcedo interviewed TALKERS founder Michael Harrison asking him to explain to younger viewers the significance Limbaugh played in the early development of conservative talk radio and how the medium has changed since his passing. See this informative exchange here.
Pew Research Center says that according to its study of the podcast landscape focusing on analyzing guests featured on top-ranked shows, “most top-ranked podcasts in 2022 (76%) brought on at least one guest, with over 7,000 people appearing on these shows.” Other findings include: 1) Podcasts about certain topics tend to have guests more often, including top-ranked sports (100%), entertainment (85%)
and politics (78%) shows. In addition, 89% of news-focused podcasts (across topics) brought on at least one guest in 2022; 2) Most podcasts aren’t bringing the same guests on over and over. More than 99% of all guests only appeared once on any top podcast in 2022. In addition, about half (49%) of top podcasts brought on at least one guest more than once, and 23% hosted more than five different people more than once. The most common guests represent a range of professional backgrounds, including entertainment figures, scientists, journalists and political commentators. Pew senior computational social scientist Galen Stocking comments, “Our research has shed light on the variety of topics and approaches within the podcasting landscape. Here, we found that most top-ranked podcasts are bringing on guests, and often from a wide range of professional backgrounds. This can add to the perspectives heard on each podcast.”
Reporting both its fourth quarter 2023 and full-year 2023 operating results, Sweden-based Spotify reveals Q4 2023 revenue of €3.67 billion, an increase of almost 16% over the same period in 2022. For
the full year of 2023, Spotify posted revenue of €13.25 billion, an increase of almost 13% over the full year of 2022. However, the company also reports a net loss of €70 million for Q4 of 2023 and a net loss of €532 million for the full year of 2023, the latter an increased loss of almost 24% from 2022 to 2023.
Retired WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte news broadcaster Jim Barroll passed away on Monday (2/5) at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. Barroll served for more than 30 years in the WBT-AM/FM newsroom, beginning as a reporter before moving on to afternoon drive anchor and eventually news director. Barroll
retired from the station in 2016. Over the years, his focus was often on court reporting and the criminal justice system. He covered multiple Space Shuttle launches, the 1988 Democratic National Convention, the Jim Bakker trial, Hurricane Hugo, the crash of USAir Flight 1016, and the Rae Carruth trial. In 1990, he traveled with a North Carolina political and trade delegation to Germany during the aftermath of the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and the German reunification. WBT says that Barroll and fellow anchor John Stokes were the backbone of its news operation for over 30 years. His daughter Amy posted to social media: “I will miss this man so, so much. He passed away this morning from an exceedingly aggressive mantle cell lymphoma. He was a completely healthy man a month ago. I am the luckiest person in the world to have called him my father.”
Benztown will release the 10th Annual Benztown 50 List of Radio’s Biggest Imaging Voices, “the radio industry’s exclusive listing of the top 50 voiceover artists in the U.S. and Canada.” The Benztown 50 list is based on several criteria, including number of radio station affiliates, station size and market. Benztown has partnered with P1 Media Group to compile and analyze industry data that will be the foundation for this distinction. Apply now through March 1. Voice talent can apply here.
Syndicated Solutions, Inc celebrates its 25th Anniversary. The company was founded in February 1999 by Robert Carey and has successfully syndicated many radio shows over the years, including the current travel show “RMWorldTravel with Robert & Mary Carey and Rudy Maxa,” and the “Rick & Bubba Show” that is in the process of being transitioned into “The Rick Burgess Show.” Carey says, “It’s incredibly gratifying to have incubated SSI from a business trip conversation with George Green while working for Disney/ABC and successfully growing it into the company that SSI became for so many of our operating years, as well as the evolution into the more focused firm that we are today.”
FOX Sports Radio’s “The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show” was awarded the 2024 Sports Podcast Award for “Best Sports Comedy,” from The Sports Podcast Group. “The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show” is a satire of sports talk radio and “hot take” media personalities. It is written, produced, and hosted by veteran sports talk producers Andrew Samson and Sharief Ali, who play two Philadelphia Eagles fans who claim to have the “smartest” sports takes, when in reality their takes are terrible.
Patch.com reports that KDKA-FM, Pittsburgh “93.7 FM The Fan” air personality Ron Cook announced his retirement from the station yesterday (2/5). Cook is one of the original hosts who joined the station at
its inception in 2010. Cook told his listeners, “It’s been a blast with you guys.” Cook is also a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He’ll leave that position after his last column appears on Sunday. Audacy Pittsburgh SVP and market manager Michael Spacciapolli comments, “From the first day ‘93.7 The Fan’ signed on the air, Ron brought instant credibility to the station with, not only with reputation as one of the top columnists in the market, but also a trusted voice that sports fans wanted to hear from. That is a rare combination, and to this day we are fortunate that Ron was here with us from the beginning.” Read it on Patch here.
This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog looks at the results of 17 attribution studies the company commissioned from LeadsRX for AM/FM radio campaigns for various goods and services. Some of the conclusions drawn from these studies include: 1) On average, AM/FM radio campaigns generated a +14% lift in site traffic across the 17 campaigns. Campaigns are measured against LeadsRx benchmarks to determine the performance of attributed lift. The scale ranges from a
small attributed lift (0% to +3% lift) to excellent (+15% or more). Across the 17 campaigns analyzed, the average attributed lift was +14%. Three tax preparation service campaigns achieved “excellent” status ranging from a +30% to +48% attributed lift; 2) On average, the 17 AM/FM radio campaigns saw the highest percentage of impressions at the start of the week, peaking on Mondays and Tuesdays. Compared to the Nielsen impressions, the AM/FM radio campaigns outperformed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Advertisers should increase their use of AM/FM radio on the weekends. AM/FM radio campaigns on weekends drive impact and results; and 3) On average, evenings have a greater share of attributed web sessions due to available devices and free time of consumers. Mornings historically underdeliver their share of impressions since consumers are busy getting ready for work and school. This expected pattern should not be a reason to move campaign weight out of morning drive. Morning drive exposure results in web sessions during later dayparts when consumers have the time and available devices to respond. Read the full blog post here.
Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the news/talk format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Last week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in (volatile) ‘Holiday’ survey periods. As a companion piece, the data summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” See the full story here.
Audacy announces the launch of “One Handshake Away: Peter Bogdonavich & The Icons of Cinema,” a seven-part limited-run series featuring Academy Award-nominated director, writer, actor, producer, critic, and film historian Peter Bogdanovich in conversation with some of the greatest directors past and present including Orson Welles, Greta Gerwig, Quentin Tarantino, and Alfred Hitchcock from both new and never-before-heard archival interviews.
BIN: Black Information Network and iHeartMedia announce “Black Land,” a new podcast that will “look into the lives of ordinary people and bring to life their extraordinary tales of triumph and circumstance through the lens of community.” Hosted by Emmy-award winning, BIN: Black Information Network journalist Vanessa Tyler, the new series will dive deep into uncharted stories and give an overdue and deserving voice to those who have often experienced the other side of the American dream. Tony Coles, president, BIN: Black Information Network, says, “These stories are not just important – they are essential. We will continue to use this platform to amplify marginalized voices, foster understanding and contribute to a more inclusive, understanding, and compassionate world.”
By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS magazine
Managing Editor
Last week, we recapped how all-news stations have recently performed in Nielsen Audio‘s (volatile) “Holiday” PPM survey periods.
As a companion piece, the following summarizes ratings performances of news/talk stations in the two most recent “Holiday” sweeps.
“Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 6+ Increase, 43%.
“Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 6+ Decrease, 50%.
“Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 2023 6+ Flat, 7%.
Average “Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 6+ 2023 Increase, +.61.
Average “Holiday” 2022 – “Holiday” 6+ 2023 Decrease, -.98.
Typical “Holiday” 6+ Share, 3.19 (2022), versus 3.01 (2023).
Representative “Holiday” 6+ Market Rank, #12.42 (2022), versus #12.26 (2023).
News/Talk Composite 6+ Share/Rank Arranged By Market Size
“Hol” “Hol”
2022 2023
WABC, New York 3.1 #10 3.0 #11
KFI, Los Angeles 4.4 #3 4.6 #4
WGN, Chicago 2.8 #12 2.6 #11
WLS-AM, Chicago 0.9 #24 1.7 #19
KSFO, San Francisco 1.7 #18 1.4 #22
WBAP, Dallas 3.7 #8 2.8 #14
KTRH, Houston 3.3 #12 2.6 #17
WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta 4.4 #7 7.4 #2
WMAL, Washington 3.4 #7 3.1 #9
WPHT, Philadelphia 0.8 #24 1.7 #19
WKXW, Philadelphia 1.2 #20 1.2 #23
WRKO, Boston 2.8 #13 3.1 #9
KIRO-FM, Seattle 5.5 #3 4.0 #6
KFYI, Phoenix 3.3 #8 2.9 #8
KTAR-FM, Phoenix 1.7 #22 2.2 #14
WJR, Detroit 2.3 #15 2.4 #15
WCCO, Minneapolis 3.7 #12 3.8 #10
KTMY, Minneapolis 3.1 #14 1.9 #17
KTLK, Minneapolis 2.0 #17 1.6 #19
WHPT, Tampa 3.7 #12 4.1 #7
WFLA, Tampa 2.2 #17 3.2 #13
KOA, Denver 2.4 #16 2.7 #14
KHOW, Denver 1.5 #20 1.4 #19
KOGO, San Diego 5.4 #5 3.9 #6
WABC, Long Island 1.1 #21 1.1 #20
WBT, Charlotte 3.7 #10 4.0 #9
KXL, Portland 6.0 #5 4.9 #6
KEX, Portland 2.2 #16 1.1 #21
WBAL, Baltimore 3.6 #10 2.7 #11
WCBM, Baltimore 1.6 #17 1.5 #17
WMAL, Baltimore 0.6 #20 DNA DNA
KMOX, St. Louis 4.4 #9 2.8 #14
KFTK, St. Louis 1.4 #17 1.5 #17
KTLK-FM, St. Louis 0.5 #23 1.1 #18
WOAI, San Antonio 2.6 #13 2.4 #15
KTSA, San Antonio 2.5 #14 1.8 #19
KSL, Salt Lake City 4.6 #5 3.6 #9
KNRS, Salt Lake City 4.4 #6 2.2 #17
KFBK, Sacramento 8.8 #2 6.1 #3
KSTE-AM, Sacramento 3.2 #8 2.1 #16
KLBJ-AM, Austin 4.4 #5 4.1 #6
WTKS, Orlando 5.1 #7 3.1 #12
WDBO, Orlando 4.6 #8 3.1 #12
WFLF, Orlando 0.7 #22 0.6 #20
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh 2.8 #13 3.6 #8
KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh 0.7 #19 0.4 #22
KDWN, Las Vegas 2.3 #16 DNA DNA
WLW, Cincinnati 10.7 #1 10.8 #2
WKRC, Cincinnati 2.8 #13 4.5 #6
KMBZ-FM, Kansas City 3.2 #11 4.1 #7
KCMO-AM, Kansas City 0.4 #25 1.8 #17
KMBZ-AM, Kansas City 1.4 #20 1.4 #19
WTAM, Cleveland 4.6 #8 4.8 #8
WTVN, Columbus 5.3 #8 4.5 #7
WTKK, Raleigh 10.4 #2 5.0 #5
WIBC, Indianapolis 5.7 #3 4.8 #8
KSFO, San Jose 1.1 #22 1.5 #19
WWTN, Nashville 4.9 #7 3.9 #12
WLAC, Nashville 1.2 #17 1.2 #19
WKXW, Middlesex 6.2 #4 5.7 #4
WOR, Middlesex 0.4 #26 1.6 #15
WKXW-Stream, Middlesex DNA DNA 0.7 #20
WISN, Milwaukee 8.8 #3 9.0 #1
WTMJ, Milwaukee 6.2 #5 6.4 #5
WPRO-AM, Providence 4.5 #7 5.9 #5
WHJJ, Providence 0.5 #18 0.8 #15
WNIS, Norfolk 2.8 #11 2.0 #14
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville 6.1 #5 6.5 #3
WPTI, Greensboro 3.2 #8 3.3 #8
WFTL, West Palm Beach 1.0 #15 2.1 #9
WZZR, West Palm Beach 1.7 #10 1.3 #13
WJNO, West Palm Beach 1.1 #13 0.6 #15
WREC, Memphis 2.6 #13 1.0 #11
WKIM, Memphis 2.1 #15 DNA DNA
KWAM, Memphis 0.4 #21 0.4 #13
WTIC-AM, Hartford 5.1 #6 5.2 #6
WDRC-AM, Hartford 1.0 #17 1.5 #15
WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford 0.2 #20 0.4 #19
WPOP, Hartford 0.2 #20 DNA DNA
“Holiday” 2023 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)
WLW, Cincinnati 10.8
WISN, Milwaukee 9.0
WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta 7.4
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville 6.5
WTMJ, Milwaukee 6.4
KFBK, Sacramento 6.1
WPRO-AM, Providence 5.9
WKXW, Middlesex 5.7
WTIC-AM, Hartford 5.2
WTKK, Raleigh 5.0
KXL, Portland 4.9
WTAM, Cleveland 4.8
WIBC, Indianapolis 4.8
KFI, Los Angeles 4.6
WKRC, Cincinnati 4.5
WTVN, Columbus 4.5
WHPT, Tampa 4.1
KLBJ-AM, Austin 4.1
KMBZ-FM, Kansas City 4.1
KIRO-FM, Seattle 4.0
WBT, Charlotte 4.0
KOGO, San Diego 3.9
WWTN, Nashville 3.9
WCCO, Minneapolis 3.8
KSL, Salt Lake City 3.6
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh 3.6
WPTI, Greensboro 3.3
WFLA, Tampa 3.2
WMAL, Washington 3.1
WRKO, Boston 3.1
WDBO, Orlando 3.1
WTKS, Orlando 3.1
WABC, New York 3.0
KFYI, Phoenix 2.9
WBAP, Dallas 2.8
KMOX, St. Louis 2.8
KOA, Denver 2.7
WBAL, Baltimore 2.7
WGN, Chicago 2.6
KTRH, Houston 2.6
WJR, Detroit 2.4
WOAI, San Antonio 2.4
KTAR-FM, Phoenix 2.2
KNRS, Salt Lake City 2.2
KSTE-AM, Sacramento 2.1
WFTL, West Palm Beach 2.1
WNIS, Norfolk 2.0
KTMY, Minneapolis 1.9
KTSA, San Antonio 1.8
KCMO-AM, Kansas City 1.8
WLS-AM, Chicago 1.7
WPHT, Philadelphia 1.7
KTLK, Minneapolis 1.6
WOR, Middlesex 1.6
WCBM, Baltimore 1.5
KFTK, St. Louis 1.5
KSFO, San Jose 1.5
WDRC-AM, Hartford 1.5
KHOW, Denver 1.4
KMBZ-AM, Kansas City 1.4
WZZR, West Palm Beach 1.3
WLAC, Nashville 1.2
WABC, Long Island 1.1
KTLK-FM, St. Louis 1.1
WREC, Memphis 1.0
WHJJ, Providence 0.8
WKXW-Stream, Middlesex 0.7
WFLF, Orlando 0.6
WJNO, West Palm Beach 0.6
KWAM, Memphis 0.4
WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford 0.4
“Holiday” 2023 6+ Market Rank
WISN, Milwaukee #1
WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta #2
WLW, Cincinnati #2
KFBK, Sacramento #3
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville #3
KFI, Los Angeles #4
WKXW, Middlesex #4
WTKK, Raleigh #5
WTMJ, Milwaukee #5
WPRO-AM, Providence #5
KIRO-FM, Seattle #6
KOGO, San Diego #6
KXL, Portland #6
KLBJ-AM, Austin #6
WKRC, Cincinnati #6
WTIC-AM, Hartford #6
WHPT, Tampa #7
KMBZ-FM, Kansas City #7
WTVN, Columbus #7
KFYI, Phoenix #8
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh #8
WTAM, Cleveland #8
WIBC, Indianapolis #8
WPTI, Greensboro #8
WMAL, Washington #9
WRKO, Boston #9
WBT, Charlotte #9
KSL, Salt Lake City #9
WFTL, West Palm Beach #9
WCCO, Minneapolis #10
WABC, New York #11
WGN, Chicago #11
WBAL, Baltimore #11
WREC, Memphis #11
WDBO, Orlando #12
WTKS, Orlando #12
WWTN, Nashville #12
WFLA, Tampa #13
WZZR, West Palm Beach #13
KWAM, Memphis #13
WBAP, Dallas #14
KTAR-FM, Phoenix #14
KOA, Denver #14
KMOX, St. Louis #14
WNIS, Norfolk #14
WJR, Detroit #15
WOAI, San Antonio #15
WOR, Middlesex #15
WHJJ, Providence #15
WJNO, West Palm Beach #15
WDRC-AM, Hartford #15
KSTE-AM, Sacramento #16
KTRH, Houston #17
KTMY, Minneapolis #17
WCBM, Baltimore #17
KFTK, St. Louis #17
KNRS, Salt Lake City #17
KCMO-AM, Kansas City #17
KTLK-FM, St. Louis #18
WLS-AM, Chicago #19
WPHT, Philadelphia #19
KTLK, Minneapolis #19
KHOW, Denver #19
KTSA, San Antonio #19
KMBZ-AM, Kansas City #19
KSFO, San Jose #19
WLAC, Nashville #19
WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford #19
WABC, Long Island #20
WFLF, Orlando #20
WKXW-Stream, Middlesex #20
“Holiday” 2022 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)
WLW, Cincinnati 10.7
WTKK, Raleigh 10.4
KFBK, Sacramento 8.8
WISN, Milwaukee 8.8
WKXW, Middlesex 6.2
WTMJ, Milwaukee 6.2
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville 6.1
KXL, Portland 6.0
WIBC, Indianapolis 5.7
KIRO-FM, Seattle 5.5
KOGO, San Diego 5.4
WTVN, Columbus 5.3
WTKS, Orlando 5.1
WTIC-AM, Hartford 5.1
WWTN, Nashville 4.9
KSL, Salt Lake City 4.6
WDBO, Orlando 4.6
WTAM, Cleveland 4.6
WPRO-AM, Providence 4.5
KFI, Los Angeles 4.4
WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta 4.4
KMOX, St. Louis 4.4
KNRS, Salt Lake City 4.4
KLBJ-AM, Austin 4.4
WBAP, Dallas 3.7
WCCO, Minneapolis 3.7
WHPT, Tampa 3.7
WBT, Charlotte 3.7
WBAL, Baltimore 3.6
WMAL, Washington 3.4
KTRH, Houston 3.3
KFYI, Phoenix 3.3
KSTE-AM, Sacramento 3.2
KMBZ-FM, Kansas City 3.2
WPTI, Greensboro 3.2
WABC, New York 3.1
KTMY, Minneapolis 3.1
WGN, Chicago 2.8
WRKO, Boston 2.8
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh 2.8
WKRC, Cincinnati 2.8
WNIS, Norfolk 2.8
WOAI, San Antonio 2.6
WREC, Memphis 2.6
KTSA, San Antonio 2.5
KOA, Denver 2.4
WJR, Detroit 2.3
KDWN, Las Vegas 2.3
WFLA, Tampa 2.2
KEX, Portland 2.2
WKIM, Memphis 2.1
KTLK, Minneapolis 2.0
KSFO, San Francisco 1.7
WZZR, West Palm Beach 1.7
WCBM, Baltimore 1.6
KHOW, Denver 1.5
KFTK, St. Louis 1.4
KMBZ-AM, Kansas City 1.4
WKXW, Philadelphia 1.2
WLAC, Nashville 1.2
WJNO, West Palm Beach 1.1
WFTL, West Palm Beach 1.0
WDRC-AM, Hartford 1.0
KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh 0.7
WMAL, Baltimore 0.6
WHJJ, Providence 0.5
WPOP, Hartford 0.2
WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford 0.2
“Holiday” 2022 6+ Market Rank
WLW, Cincinnati #1
KFBK, Sacramento #2
WTKK, Raleigh #2
KFI, Los Angeles #3
KIRO-FM, Seattle #3
WIBC, Indianapolis #3
WISN, Milwaukee #3
WKXW, Middlesex #4
KOGO, San Diego #5
KXL, Portland #5
KSL, Salt Lake City #5
KLBJ-AM, Austin #5
WTMJ, Milwaukee #5
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville #5
KNRS, Salt Lake City #6
WTIC-AM, Hartford #6
WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta #7
WMAL, Washington #7
WTKS, Orlando #7
WWTN, Nashville #7
WPRO-AM, Providence #7
WBAP, Dallas #8
KFYI, Phoenix #8
KSTE-AM, Sacramento #8
WDBO, Orlando #8
WTAM, Cleveland #8
WTVN, Columbus #8
WPTI, Greensboro #8
KMOX, St. Louis #9
WABC, New York #10
WBT, Charlotte #10
WBAL, Baltimore #10
WZZR, West Palm Beach #10
KMBZ-FM, Kansas City #11
WNIS, Norfolk #11
WGN, Chicago #12
KTRH, Houston #12
WCCO, Minneapolis #12
WHPT, Tampa #12
WRKO, Boston #13
WOAI, San Antonio #13
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh #13
WKRC, Cincinnati #13
WJNO, West Palm Beach #13
WREC, Memphis #13
KTMY, Minneapolis #14
KTSA, San Antonio #14
WJR, Detroit #15
WFTL, West Palm Beach #15
WKIM, Memphis #15
KOA, Denver #16
KEX, Portland #16
KDWN, Las Vegas #16
KTLK, Minneapolis #17
WFLA, Tampa #17
WCBM, Baltimore #17
KFTK, St. Louis #17
WLAC, Nashville #17
WDRC-AM, Hartford #17
KSFO, San Francisco #18
WHJJ, Providence #18
KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh #19
WKXW, Philadelphia #20
KHOW, Denver #20
WMAL, Baltimore #20
KMBZ-AM, Kansas City #20
WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford #20
WPOP, Hartford #20
“Holiday” 2023 6+ Fluctuation from “Holiday” 2022
WSB-AM & WSBB, Atlanta +3.0
WKRC, Cincinnati +1.7
KCMO-AM, Kansas City +1.4
WPRO-AM, Providence +1.4
WOR, Middlesex +1.2
WFTL, West Palm Beach +1.1
WFLA, Tampa +1.0
WPHT, Philadelphia +.9
KMBZ-FM, Kansas City +.9
WLS-AM, Chicago +.8
KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh +.8
KTLK-FM, St. Louis +.6
KTAR-FM, Phoenix +.5
WDRC-AM, Hartford +.5
WHPT, Tampa +.4
KSFO, San Jose +.4
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville +.4
WRKO, Boston +.3
KOA, Denver +.3
WBT, Charlotte +.3
WHJJ, Providence +.3
KFI, Los Angeles +.2
WTAM, Cleveland +.2
WISN, Milwaukee +.2
WTMJ, Milwaukee +.2
WTIC-AM-Stream, Hartford +.2
WJR, Detroit +.1
WCCO, Minneapolis +.1
KFTK, St. Louis +.1
WLW, Cincinnati +.1
WPTI, Greensboro +.1
WTIC-AM, Hartford +.1
WKXW, Philadelphia Flat
WABC, Long Island Flat
KMBZ-AM, Kansas City Flat
WLAC, Nashville Flat
KWAM, Memphis Flat
WTKK, Raleigh -5.4
KFBK, Sacramento -2.7
KNRS, Salt Lake City -2.2
WTKS, Orlando -2.0
KMOX, St. Louis -1.6
WREC, Memphis -1.6
KIRO-FM, Seattle -1.5
KOGO, San Diego -1.5
WDBO, Orlando -1.5
KTMY, Minneapolis -1.2
KXL, Portland -1.1
KEX, Portland -1.1
KSTE-AM, Sacramento -1.1
KSL, Salt Lake City -1.0
WWTN, Nashville -1.0
WBAP, Dallas -.9
WBAL, Baltimore -.9
WIBC, Indianapolis -.9
WTVN, Columbus -.8
WNIS, Norfolk -.8
KTRH, Houston -.7
KTSA, San Antonio -.7
WKXW, Middlesex -.5
WJNO, West Palm Beach -.5
KFYI, Phoenix -.4
KTLK, Minneapolis -.4
WZZR, West Palm Beach -.4
KSFO, San Francisco -.3
WMAL, Washington -.3
KLBJ-AM, Austin -.3
KDKA-AM Stream, Pittsburgh -.3
WGN, Chicago -.2
WOAI, San Antonio -.2
WABC, New York -.1
KHOW, Denver -.1
WCBM, Baltimore -.1
WFLF, Orlando -.1
Notes
Contact managing editor Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
One person can make a difference.
I thought my first boss invented that quote. Seems he borrowed the first half of JFK’s “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” It seems in 1964 former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy was describing JFK’s philosophy to a historian as opposed to offering a direct quote. Ultimately, the press attributed the quote to JFK. It’s the thought that counts.
Fast forward to my first management job in Buffalo, New York and the quote became a goal. Consider the GOATS we see in professional sports. Michael Jordan or Tom Brady could put a team on their back and 13 World Championships followed.
Now we see the phenomenon in the explosive intersection of pop culture and sports. Stand back fans, this is a lot bigger than Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe. This is about the two biggest brands on the planet today joining forces to move the needle in every measurable media metric and drive the commercial value of a partnership through the stratosphere while staying within the confines of good taste.
This is about Taylor Swift and NFL future hall of famer Travis Kelce. This storyline has driven the average ticket to Super Bowl 58 to over $6,000, gameday VIP treatment will run over $35,000.
What does all this heady superstar stuff have to do with us everyday radio/audio sellers and managers watching at home? The “one person can make a difference” theory can work for you.
Here is how:
1. Practice makes perfect. Ever think about how many hours Taylor Swift rehearses? Rumor has it she sings while jogging on a treadmill. Pass the oxygen. When Payton Manning worked out at full speed on an inclined treadmill, we asked him about that grueling drill. His answer was classic, “Ever been chased by a 300-pound lineman who can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds?” How about you? What is your sales practice routine?
2. The need to be different. Every great athlete, performer, scientist, and innovative businessperson told themselves and anyone who would listen they had the need to achieve. What would your manager say if you said, “I am ready to deliver more sales than anyone else who ever worked here!”
3. The long haul. On the way to achieving their goals, the great ones have no clock, just focus. Even the great James Madison, the youngest framer of our Constitution would “sit for ideas” waiting until he could clearly process and communicate the concepts he was developing.
Too many sellers and managers take short cuts, give up before the 9th contact or move on to other jobs thinking the grass is greener. Be the one person who makes a difference and enjoy the game!
Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Now that every single thing is a political argument, the angry social media conversation about Taylor Swift is unsurprising. And with the Super Bowl looming, the decibel level amps-up.
So, kudos to SiriusXM and CNN host Michael Smerconish. I’ve previously cited him here as technique worth emulating when it comes to:
– Polling the audience on an ongoing basis (a sponsored feature on smart radio stations)
– Leveraging social media to give audience ownership of the show; and
– Genuine curiosity. His centrist approach earns him scorn from both sides in this Cold Civil War we’re living through. I can relate. When I managed WTOP, Washington, the quickest way to make the phone explode was to announce a crowd estimate for an abortion rally. Both sides jammed the lines to damn the number.
This preposterous Swift kerfuffle had been all heat until Smerconish shed light on it this past weekend. Noting rumors shared by FOX News that she would photobomb the Super Bowl with a Joe Biden endorsement, his poll question was “Could Taylor Swift determine the outcome of the presidential election?”
Just now, you answered that question in your own mind. But – for our purposes – the more useful approach is to consider information Smerconish curated unfiltered by personal politics:
– Swift has 279 million Instagram followers
– She has (so far) sold 4.35 million pricey tickets for The Eras Tour. Its “record-shattering revenue” (so far) is $1 billion+
– $200 million (so far) in tour merchandise. Her gray $45 T-shirt is now sold-out in all but 3XL and 4XL.
– 26 billion+ Spotify streams in 2023.
– SSRS polling: 59% of USA adults identify as Swift fans, 63% of women; and her fans are evenly divided 50/50 between Democrat or Dem-leaning and Republican or GOP-leaning.
– On her urging, several hundred thousand Americans younger than 25 have registered to vote.
Add it all up? “Taylor knows your social media interactions, where you saw her on tour, how much merch’ you’ve bought from her website, she knows the size of your T-shirt, the number of downloads you’ve made. We’re embarking on an election cycle which will be (a) the most expensive in history, and (b) will see much of the money spent on ‘micro-targeting,’ the use of online data to tailor – pun intended – advertising messages to individuals based on the identification of recipients’ personal vulnerabilities and interests. In order to target effectively, data is essential. And Taylor’s got lots and lots of it, and on a demographic that is exactly what the Biden team needs the most: disproportionally female, young, and passionate. With truly the touch of a button Taylor Swift is uniquely situated to use the data at her disposal to impact the presidential race.”
Leave it to your nerdy consultant to ask: Are WE using OUR listener data to OUR benefit?
Bigger-picture issues:
– Privacy: We have all volunteered LOTS of information about ourselves. Look what pops up in your email and your social media.
– Vulnerability of the Electoral vote process: The last two Republican presidents took office after losing the popular vote. Taylor Swift is my coastal Rhode Island neighbor, and if she votes here, neither of us matter. Our state has four electoral votes. Just 40 thousand-some popular votes in three key states gave Biden his 2020 win.
– Tone: The measurable appeal of Swift’s sunny disposition vs. “I am your retribution.”
Good for us. News/talk radio is in the suspense business. “What JUST happened??? What happens NEXT???” So, we should wish Nikki Haley well.
Inquisitive Smerconish sounds like dispassionate Mr. Spock: “What [Swift detractors on the right] should be worried about is her data.”
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.
iHeartMedia announces the nominees in 29 categories for this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards. iHeartMedia teamed up with South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals to host the live and in-person ceremony in Austin at the Fairmont Hotel on March 11 at 9:00 pm. ET. The ceremony will also broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, digitally through the iHeartRadio app and
video stream in partnership with YouTube on the iHeartRadio Channel. Podcast fans help decide the winner of the Podcast of the Year by voting online at iHeartPodcastAwards.com now through February 18. This year’s nominees include “Crime Junkie,” “The Daily,” “My Favorite Murder,” “New Heights,” “Normal Gossip,” “On Purpose with Jay Shetty,” “The Retrievals,” “Scamanda,” “SmartLess” and “Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.” iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne says, “As the podcast industry continues to rapidly grow, this past year has clearly proven that podcasters are always innovating in the audio space and finding new ways to reach and engage new audiences. The nominees for the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards reflect the results of honing that creativity and we’re thrilled to celebrate and once again empower these creators and elevate the podcast industry together live in person at SXSW.” See all the nominees here.
RAB announces the promotions of three staff members; Kim Johnson to vice president of professional development, Cynthia Pham to vice president of digital services, and Madison Wright to director of events and communications. Kim Johnson joined RAB in 2015 as account development manager. She joined RAB’s professional development department as director of sales in 2018. Cynthia Pham joined
RAB in 2000 to help create databases and programming as RAB.com was emerging on the internet. Since then, she has designed RAB’s proprietary systems touching nearly every aspect of RAB services and operations including, RAB’s CRM product Account Manager, GoCart (RAB’s e-commerce platform), training and education management platform and Radio Mercury Awards’ database and entry platform. Promoted in July 2023, Madison Wright is the director of events and communications for RAB, intertwining her passions for public relations, social media and creating “memory-making moments” with her love for radio. RAB president and CEO Erica Farber states, “RAB is proud and delighted to promote all three dedicated and accomplished team members. I am truly excited to see how they will continue to grow professionally and super serve RAB’s membership.”
PodcastOne enters into a new agreement with Kelly Stafford for her “The Morning After with Kelly Stafford & Hank” podcast for exclusive distribution and advertising sales rights. The podcast starring the wife of LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford and Detroit TV news personality Hank Winchester launched in 2021 and joined the PodcastOne network in 2022. PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray comments, “Kelly is a leading voice in the parenting influencer space. She has been a big part of our network, and we are thrilled to have her extend with us. We love the recent addition of Hank as co-host of ‘The Morning After’ and can’t wait to see where the show goes moving forward.”
GCN-syndicated talk host Dr. Daliah Wachs adds Jeri Lyn Broadcasting’s adult contemporary KHTS-AM/K251CF, Santa Clarita, California to its roster of affiliate stations. KHTS airs the program on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Virtual News Center adds Four Corners Broadcasting, LLC’s five stations serving the Durango, Colorado market to is roster of affiliates. Local newscasts are being anchored by Sandi Conner.
Talk radio host Joe Madison – also known for much of his career as The Black Eagle – died on Thursday (2/1) at 74 after a battle with cancer. His family released the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Joe Madison. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Joe dedicated his life to fighting for all those who are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized. On air he often posed the question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Although he is no longer with us, we hope you will join us in answering that call by continuing to be proactive in the fight against injustice. The outpouring of prayers and support over the last few months lifted Joe’s spirits and strengthened us as a family. We continue to ask for privacy as we gather together to support each other through this difficult time.” Madison had been hosting the morning drive program on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel since 2008. Before he went into radio, Madison had become the youngest Detroit NAACP chapter leader at 24 years old. While Madison dabbled in radio while at Washington University in St. Louis, he first worked in commercial radio at Detroit’s WXYZ. From there he hosted a show on WWDB-FM, Philadelphia before moving to Washington, DC for a long stint at WWRC. He moved across town to Radio One-owned WOL, Washington where he hosted the afternoon drive show and served as program director. At this time, Radio One began syndicating his show nationally and it was simultaneously added to the lineup at SiriusXM. TALKERS founder Michael Harrison issued the following statement: “Joe Madison was one of the greatest of the greats among radio talk show hosts of the modern era. He transcended the role of ‘talent’ to rise among the ranks of America’s most influential civil rights thought leaders. His devoted following crossed the boundaries of race, age, gender, and politics. During his illustrious career, in addition to receiving countless awards in the fields of broadcasting and activism, he was a recipient of TALKERS magazine’s two most important honors, the Freedom of Speech Award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award. I am humbled to have had the privilege of this great man’s friendship for more than three decades and will treasure his inspiring memory for the rest of my days.”
The man described by Michael Harrison as the “father of American consumer advocacy,” Ralph Nader, is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Nader is a legendary American consumer advocate, lawyer, author and five-time significant third-party presidential candidate. His nationally syndicated “The Ralph Nader Radio Hour” (Pacifica Broadcasting), heard weekly on approximately 50 stations and as a podcast, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this February. Harrison and Nader discuss the historical role of third-party candidates in American politics in addition to taking a deep dive into the proliferation of scams and high-tech fraud, including the dangers presented to children in this technologically amplified era. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.
Satellite and digital broadcaster SiriusXM reports its operating results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the full year of 2023. For Q4, the company reports total revenue was basically flat at $2.28 billion compared to the same period in 2022. For the full year of 2023, total revenue was $8.9 billion, down just a half percent from the full year of 2022. For Q4, SiriusXM reports net income of $350 million, a decline of 3.5% from Q4 of 2022. For the full year of 2023, net income was $1.25 billion, up 3.7% over the net
income of $1.21 billion reported for the full year of 2022. The company says, “SiriusXM added approximately 131,000 new self-pay subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full-year 2023, self-pay subscribers decreased by 445,000 and we ended 2023 with approximately 34 million total subscribers.” SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz comments, “In 2023, SiriusXM laid the groundwork for future growth through the successful launch of our next-generation platform and the new SiriusXM app. Our commitment to growth was also demonstrated by strategic content investments that expanded our reach to new listeners and by staying true to our identity as a hub for curated, live and on-demand audio experiences. As we look to 2024, our guidance reflects substantial efforts and investments to enhance the value proposition of our subscription and advertising businesses, which we believe will strengthen our long-term growth profile.”
Research Director, Inc promotes Nicole Somerville to chief operating officer. Somerville joined the company in July of 1998 and has held several prominent positions over the past 25-plus years. In 2022, she began her role as data and production manager where she oversaw the process of transforming raw data into specific, actionable client deliverables.
iHeartPodcasts, Dan Patrick, and Never Ever Productions announce the addition of “Playing Dirty: Sports Scandals” to The Dan Patrick Podcast Network. The new podcast features stories from the dark side of sports – from passport doping and armed assault to car chases and sex scandals. The series is narrated by veteran ESPN personality Jay Harris and written by Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Jenn Brown and federal prosecutor Francey Hakes.
Audacy launches “Superfly,” a new, weekly spinoff of the comedy podcast, “Fly on the Wall,” created and hosted by Dana Carvey and David Spade. On “Superfly,” Carvey and Spade will riff on current events, pop culture, social clips, and audience submissions with their trademark hilarity, absurdity, and impressions, with guests appearing from time to time.
The Neuhoff Family Limited Partnership, the parent company of Neuhoff Media-Decatur, LLC and Neuhoff Media-Danville, LLC announces it is entering into an agreement to sell radio stations news/talk WSOY-AM/WSOY-FM, sports talk WDZ-AM, hip hop WCZQ-FM, and country in Decatur, Illinois (plus NowDecatur.com) and news/talk WDAN-AM, hot AC WDNL-FM, and classic rock WRHK-FM, in Danville, Illinois (plus VermilionCountyFirst.com) to Champaign Multimedia Group for a sum yet to be
announced. Neuhoff states in announcing the sale that this “transaction is part of an overall strategic decision on behalf of the Neuhoff family to depart the broadcast industry after nearly 70 years,” according to Julian Hickman and Makena Neuhoff, trustees of the Neuhoff family. The company still owns 13 radio brands spread across the Springfield, Illinois; Bloomington, Illinois; and Lafayette, Indiana markets and it “expects to make additional announcements regarding future agreements as the Neuhoff divestiture process moves forward.” Hickman states, “We are proud of what broadcast ownership has meant to our family, our employees, and the markets we serve. Our grandfather, Roger Neuhoff, began his ownership in the business during the mid-1950s. He loved the broadcast industry and was proud of the way our radio and television stations served their local communities.” Neuhoff Media president Mike Hulvey adds, “We are pleased to see the iconic local media brands of Neuhoff Media’s Danville and Decatur markets all brought together through this historic transaction with the Champaign Multimedia Group. The next chapter for the Danville and Decatur radio stations and digital platforms will create something very special for each community.” Kalil & Co., Inc. acted as the exclusive broker for this transaction.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces the Radio Hall of Fame nominating committee is accepting suggestions for 2024 nominees now through Sunday, March 31 at 11:59 pm PT. Submit suggestions for possible honorees for consideration here. Twenty-four names will be selected as
nominees to be voted upon by industry personnel later this year, leading to the selection of the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Class. Kraig T. Kitchin, co-chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame, comments, “The input from fellow radio industry members and listeners alike helps our nominating committee contemplate so many more individuals worthy of a nomination. We’re grateful for the input and the ideas offered.”
iHeartPodcasts debuts episode two of “Finding Matt Drudge,” a limited series podcast hosted by longtime political journalist Chris Moody, who sets out to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Internet’s most enigmatic media mogul. The new investigative audio series will delve deep into the life and career of Matt Drudge, the reclusive figure and founder of The Drudge Report, with the ultimate goal of convincing Drudge to sit down for his first interview in years. Moody says, “Matt Drudge pushed the news industry into the Internet age and his site has remained relevant and engaging for decades. But he hasn’t given an interview in years. We’d like to hear his thoughts on his career, the media, politics and the state of the world. Drudge matters, and we’re interested in what he has to say. Call us, Matt!”
FOX Sports Radio, a division of Premiere Sports Network announces its plans to broadcast live from Las Vegas during Super Week. A number of the network’s programs will broadcast from Las Vegas all week long including “The Dan Patrick Show” from Fontainebleau Las Vegas and several other shows broadcasting from Radio Row at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
SiriusXM announces that subscribers will get access to full coverage of the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend beginning today through Saturday (2/1-3) as SXM broadcasts from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on the SiriusXM NHL Network Radio channel.
Sports media personality and FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer is rebranding his iHeartRadio original podcast, “Unbreakable.” “Unbreakable with Jay Glazer: A Mental Health Podcast” is now “Unbreakable
with Jay Glazer: A Mental WEALTH Podcast” to better reflect the uplifting message of the program. Glazer says, “When we launched the podcast, it was really important to give words to what many of us are experiencing with our mental health. We led that charge, and after more than a year of conversations with leaders and champions in every field, we’re shifting to a focus on sharing personal stories of overcoming adversity, the tools people use to incur MENTAL WEALTH, and paths to success so we can help motivate, uplift and inspire even more people and help set them up to win.”
Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian does a deep-dive into the recent performances of the all-news format during Nielsen Audio’s “Holiday” PPM ratings period. He writes, “Ever since Arbitron (now Nielsen Audio) instituted the Portable People Meter as ratings currency in 2007, the ‘Holiday’ ratings period has been a veritable goldmine for stations employing the wall-to-wall Christmas music programming strategy. Adult contemporary comprises the overwhelming majority of those outlets. Usually substantial, however, is the negative impact on many other formats in ‘Holiday’ sweeps.” See his analysis of the past four “Holiday” surveys here.
NHPR senior reporter Lauren Chooljian, who also serves as host of “The 13th Step” podcast series is being honored with a First Amendment Award from the RTDNA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Radio Television Digital News Association at a ceremony on Washington, DC on March 9. “The 13th
Step” chronicles allegations of sexual abuse by the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment center. Several acts of vandalism followed the release of ‘The 13th Step’ at the homes of some of the NHPR journalists involved in that reporting, and their families. NHPR news director Dan Barrick says, “‘The 13th Step’ is an excellent example of the kind of journalism NHPR’s newsroom strives to produce every day: grounded in the issues facing New Hampshire, with the public’s interest at its heart. We’re very proud and grateful for this reporting to get national recognition.”
Southern Califiornia Public Radio’s KPCC, Pasadena “LAist 89.3” is partnering with the entertainment industry’s Ankler Media for it to provide Hollywood news and analysis across LAist’s multiple platforms.
The Ankler team will anchor “Entertainment Thursday” on “LAist 89.3,” reporting the latest news from Hollywood and offering insightful analysis throughout that day every week. SCPR chief content officer Kristen Muller comments, “Ankler Media is essential reading for the entertainment industry – from the studio C-suite to set builders and makeup artists.”
Pictured above with the iconic blackbirds familiar to Florida deli enthusiasts as the feathered mascots of the TooJays restaurant chain are Steve Lapa, president, Lapcom Communications Corp (left) and TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (right) who met yesterday (1/30) over a hearty bowl of matzoh ball soup to discuss plans for the sales and marketing component of the forthcoming 27th annual TALKERS conference. Lapa, a regular TALKERS columnist and one of the radio industry’s leading experts on the challenges of revenue generation in the digital age, will moderate the sales workshop at the 27th annual installment of talk media’s longest running and most important national convention. Details for TALKERS 2024 will be announced next week. Meantime, save the date Friday, June 7.
By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS magazine
Managing Editor
Ever since Arbitron (now Nielsen Audio) instituted the Portable People Meter as ratings currency in 2007, the “Holiday” ratings period has been a veritable goldmine for stations employing the wall-to-wall Christmas music programming strategy.
Adult contemporary comprises the overwhelming majority of those outlets.
Usually substantial, however, is the negative impact on many other formats in “Holiday” sweeps.
With that in mind, let’s review how all-news stations have performed in the last four “Holiday” survey periods.
The 2020 presidential election was held on November 3, thus exactly one month prior to the start of that year’s “Holiday” sweep (December 3). It should additionally be remembered that the COVID pandemic was roughly entering its tenth month. Eerily, the final day of that survey period was January 6, 2021, the day of domestic terrorism/insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Over the course of the “Holiday” 2023 ratings period (December 7, 2023 – January 3, 2024), all-news operations again battled for listenership in the ongoing annual all-Christmas music environment. Ostensibly working in their favor, however, was that the 2024 presidential campaign was waging and the previous president was embroiled in a record number of legal cases/charges/indictments.
The following chart summarizes ratings performances of all-news stations in the four most recent “Holiday” sweeps.
2020 2021 2022 2023
“Holiday” 6+ Share 3.70 3.32 3.50 2.88
December – “Holiday” Increase 35% 40% 30% 5%
December – “Holiday” Decrease 50% 50% 65% 85%
December – “Holiday” Flat 15% 10% 5% 10%
Average December – “Holiday” Increase +.31 +.22 +.28 +.40
Average December – “Holiday” Decrease -.68 -.21 -.29 -.40
“Holiday” 6+ Market Rank #10.40 #12.15 #10.55 #13.20
“Holiday” 2023 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 6.3
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 5.7
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 4.9
KYW, Philadelphia 4.7
WBZ-AM, Boston 4.7
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 4.5
WWJ, Detroit 4.3
WINS-FM, New York 3.9
WINS-FM, Long Island 3.3
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.5
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.5
KNWN, Seattle 2.3
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.8
WCBS-AM, New York 1.6
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.4
WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore 1.0
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.0
WDCH, Baltimore .8
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh .2
WNOH, Norfolk .2
“Holiday” 2023 6+ Fluctuation from December 2023
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.5 +.4
WWJ, Detroit 4.3 Flat
WDCH, Baltimore .8 Flat
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 4.5 -1.2
WINS-FM, Long Island 3.3 -1.1
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 5.7 -.7
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 6.3 -.6
KYW, Philadelphia 4.7 -.5
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.4 -.4
WBZ-AM, Boston 4.7 -.4
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 4.9 -.3
KNWN, Seattle 2.3 -.3
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.0 -.3
WINS-FM, New York 3.9 -.2
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.5 -.2
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.8 -.2
WCBS-AM, New York 1.6 -.1
WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore 1.0 -.1
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh .2 -.1
WNOH, Norfolk .2 -.1
“Holiday” 2023 By Market Rank
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 5.7 #3
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 4.9 #4
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 6.3 #4
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 4.5 #4
WBZ-AM, Boston 4.7 #5
KYW, Philadelphia 4.7 #6
WINS-FM, New York 3.9 #9
WWJ, Detroit 4.3 #9
WINS-FM, Long Island 3.3 #9
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.5 #12
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.5 #12
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.8 #13
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.0 #18
WCBS-AM, New York 1.6 #19
KNWN, Seattle 2.3 #20
WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore 1.0 #20
WDCH, Baltimore .8 #22
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh .2 #24
WNOH, Norfolk .2 #24
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.4 #27
“Holiday” 2022 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 7.8
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 7.0
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 6.7
KYW, Philadelphia 6.2
KNWN, Seattle 5.5
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 4.8
WBZ-AM, Boston 4.8
WINS-FM, New York 4.6
WWJ, Detroit 4.5
WCBS-AM, Long Island 3.8
WINS-FM, Long Island 3.0
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.5
KRLD-AM, Dallas 2.2
WCBS-AM, New York 2.0
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.7
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.2
WNOH, Norfolk .8
WDCH, Baltimore .6
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh .2
WYTS, Columbus .1
“Holiday” 2022 6+ Fluctuation from December 2022
WINS-FM, New York 4.6 +.4
KYW, Philadelphia 6.2 +.4
WCBS-AM, Long Island 3.8 +.4
KNWN, Seattle 5.5 +.3
WBZ-AM, Boston 4.8 +.1
WINS-FM, Long Island 3.0 +.1
WYTS, Columbus .1 Flat
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 7.8 -.8
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 6.7 -.7
WNOH, Norfolk .8 -.7
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.5 -.4
KRLD-AM, Dallas 2.2 -.3
WCBS-AM, New York 2.0 -.2
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 4.8 -.1
WWJ, Detroit 4.5 -.1
WDCH, Baltimore .6 -.1
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh .2 -.1
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 7.0 -.1
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.7 -.1
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.2 -.1
“Holiday” 2022 By Market Rank
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 6.7 #2
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 7.0 #2
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 7.8 #3
KYW, Philadelphia 6.2 #3
KNWN, Seattle 5.5 #3
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 4.8 #4
WINS-FM, New York 4.6 #5
WBZ-AM, Boston 4.8 #6
WWJ, Detroit 4.5 #7
WCBS-AM, Long Island 3.8 #7
WINS-FM, Long Island 3.0 #10
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.5 #12
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.7 #14
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh .2 #16
WCBS-AM, New York 2.0 #17
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.2 #18
KRLD-AM, Dallas 2.2 #20
WDCH, Baltimore .6 #20
WNOH, Norfolk .8 #20
WYTS, Columbus .1 #22
“Holiday” 2021 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 6.7
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 6.4
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 5.6
KNWN, Seattle 5.5
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.4
WWJ, Detroit 5.0
KYW, Philadelphia 4.7
WINS, New York 4.4
WCBS-AM, Long Island 3.1
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.8
WINS, Long Island 2.7
WCBS-AM, New York 2.6
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.6
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.6
WINS, Middlesex 1.1
WNOH, Norfolk .4
WDCH, Baltimore .1
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland .1
WYTS, Columbus .1
“Holiday” 2021 6+ Fluctuation from December 2021
WINS, New York 4.4 +.6
WCBS-AM, New York 2.6 +.4
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.8 +.2
KNWN, Seattle 5.5 +.2
KYW, Philadelphia 4.7 +.1
WINS, Middlesex 1.1 +.1
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.6 +.1
WNOH, Norfolk .4 +.1
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 6.7 Flat
WYTS, Columbus .1 Flat
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 6.4 -.4
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5 -.4
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.6 -.3
WCBS-AM, Long Island 3.1 -.2
WDCH, Baltimore .1 -.2
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.4 -.2
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 5.6 -.1
WWJ, Detroit 5.0 -.1
WINS, Long Island 2.7 -.1
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland .1 -.1
“Holiday” 2021 By Market Rank
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 5.6 #3
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 6.7 #3
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5 #3
KNWN, Seattle 5.5 #3
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 6.4 #4
WWJ, Detroit 5.0 #4
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.4 #4
WINS, New York 4.4 #5
KYW, Philadelphia 4.7 #6
WCBS-AM, Long Island 3.1 #8
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 2.8 #11
WCBS-AM, New York 2.6 #13
WINS, Long Island 2.7 #13
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 1.6 #19
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland .1 #21
WYTS, Columbus .1 #20
WNOH, Norfolk .4 #22
WINS, Middlesex 1.1 #23
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.6 #26
WDCH, Baltimore .1 #32
“Holiday” 2020 6+ Share (Highest to Lowest)
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 8.1
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 8.1
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 6.8
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.6
KYW, Philadelphia 5.4
KOMO, Seattle 4.6
WWJ, Detroit 4.5
WINS, New York 3.6
KNX, Los Angeles 3.2
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.9
WCBS-AM, New York 2.7
WINS, Long Island 2.6
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 2.4
WBZ-AM, Providence 1.4
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.3
WINS, Middlesex 1.2
WNOH, Norfolk 1.2
WDCH, Baltimore 0.8
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland 0.1
“Holiday” 2020 6+ Fluctuation from December 2020
KYW, Philadelphia 5.4 +.5
WBZ-AM, Providence 1.4 +.4
WINS, New York 3.6 +.3
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 2.4 +.3
WNOH, Norfolk 1.2 +.3
WCBS-AM, New York 2.7 +.2
WINS, Middlesex 1.2 +.2
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 6.8 Flat
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.3 Flat
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland 0.1 Flat
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 8.1 -1.6
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.6 -1.4
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 8.1 -1.0
KOMO, Seattle 4.6 -.7
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.9 -.7
WWJ, Detroit 4.5 -.6
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5 -.3
WINS, Long Island 2.6 -.3
KNX, Los Angeles 3.2 -.1
WDCH, Baltimore 0.8 -.1
“Holiday” 2020 By Market Rank
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5 #2
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 6.8 #3
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 8.1 #3
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 8.1 #3
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.6 #4
KYW, Philadelphia 5.4 #5
KOMO, Seattle 4.6 #6
WWJ, Detroit 4.5 #6
WINS, New York 3.6 #7
KNX, Los Angeles 3.2 #9
WCBS-AM, New York 2.7 #12
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.9 #12
WNOH, Norfolk 1.2 #12
WINS, Long Island 2.6 #13
WBZ-AM, Providence 1.4 #13
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 2.4 #14
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland 0.1 #17
WDCH, Baltimore 0.8 #21
WINS, Middlesex 1.2 #22
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.3 #24
All-News Composite Arranged By Market Rank
“Hol” 2020 “Hol” 2021 “Hol” 2022 “Hol” 2023
WINS-FM, New York 3.6 #7 4.4 #5 4.6 #5 3.9 #9
WCBS-AM, New York 2.7 #12 2.6 #13 2.0 #17 1.6 #19
KNX-FM, Los Angeles 3.2 #9 2.8 #11 2.5 #12 2.5 #12
WBBM-AM & WCFS, Chicago 6.8 #3 5.6 #3 4.8 #4 4.9 #4
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Francisco 8.1 #3 6.7 #3 6.7 #2 5.7 #3
KRLD-AM, Dallas 1.3 #24 1.6 #26 2.2 #20 1.4 #27
WTOP & WTLP, Washington 8.1 #3 6.4 #4 7.8 #3 6.3 #4
KYW, Philadelphia 5.4 #5 4.7 #6 6.2 #3 4.7 #6
WBZ-AM, Boston 6.5 #2 6.5 #3 4.8 #6 4.7 #5
KNWN, Seattle 4.6 #6 5.5 #3 5.5 #3 2.3 #20
WWJ, Detroit 4.5 #6 5.0 #4 4.5 #7 4.3 #9
WINS-FM, Long Island 2.6 #13 2.7 #13 3.0 #10 3.3 #9
WCBS-AM, Long Island 2.9 #12 3.1 #8 3.8 #7 2.5 #12
WDCH, Baltimore .8 #21 .1 #32 .6 #20 .8 #22
WTOP & WTLP, Baltimore DNA DNA DNA DNA DNA DNA 1.0 #20
WMMS-HD2, Cleveland .1 #17 .1 #21 DNA DNA DNA DNA
WYTS, Columbus DNA DNA .1 #20 .1 #22 DNA DNA
WRAL-HD3, Raleigh DNA DNA DNA DNA .2 #16 .2 #24
KCBS-AM & KFRC, San Jose 5.6 #4 5.4 #4 7.0 #2 4.5 #4
WINS-FM, Middlesex 1.2 #22 1.1 #23 1.7 #14 1.8 #13
WCBS-AM, Middlesex 2.4 #14 1.6 #19 1.2 #18 1.0 #18
WBZ-AM, Providence 1.4 #13 DNA DNA DNA DNA DNA DNA
WNOH, Norfolk 1.2 #12 .4 #22 .8 #20 .2 #24
Notes
Contact managing editor Mike Kinosian at Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com
Production and audio ad rep firm Crossover Media Group announces it is acquiring an equity interest in Take On The Day, LLC, owner of the “Dr. Laura Program” on SiriusXM and the “Dr. Laura’s Call of the Day” and “Dr. Laura’s Deep Dive” podcasts, all hosted by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. This transaction
follows a multi-year advertising sales and production partnership between the two organizations. Terms were not announced. Crossover Media Group managing member Sue Freund states, “Throughout her more than four decades in talk radio and now podcasting, Dr. Laura has amassed an enormous following with her frank, direct, captivating style, which is sometimes provocative, always interesting and insightful, and never dull. After many years of working with her and her team at Take On The Day, we’re proud to expand our relationship and commitment to her programs, and to continue to grow our presence as a leading partner to the nation’s top audio-talk hosts.” Take On The Day LLC president Geoff Rich comments, “Crossover Media Group’s investment in Take On The Day adds so much to our ability to reach more listeners and help more sponsors. With Sue and her partners Ron Hartenbaum and Scott Calka joining the management team, we are supercharging the future of the Dr. Laura programming and brand.”
New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer (pictured) yesterday (1/29) announced “new action to protect AM radio in electric vehicles and ensure potential buyers know which cars and trucks have AM radio and those that don’t.” Calling AM radio “a vital public safety and emergency management tool that has
served as the sole lifeline during times of crisis like 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and other major storms and floods,” Gottheimer has sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, urging them to require auto manufacturers that exclude AM radio reception from their motor vehicles to display a safety warning in the car’s window sticker that should read: “Warning: No AM Radio. Vehicle Unsafe in Certain Emergencies.” Gottheimer is also a supporter of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act that would require auto manufacturers to keep AM radio in vehicles, without charging customers extra for it. Gottheimer says, “Buying a car without AM radio is like buying a car without an emergency parking brake. You may not use it every day, but you’ll be glad you have it if your brakes ever go out.”
Cumulus Media announces that its Dallas-Fort Worth radio station group raised $2,696,127 for charities in the region during 2023, topping the 2022 total by more than $400,000. In the Dallas-Fort Worth
market, Cumulus operates news/talk WBAP-AM/FM, news/talk KLIF-AM/FM, sports talk KTCK-AM/FM and two country music brands. Cumulus regional vice president Dan Bennett says, “I can’t say enough about our air talent and programming team who understand that serving our community in Dallas-Fort Worth means raising awareness for organizations that give a lift to people who need it. They give so much of their time to make a difference and 2023’s efforts show the incredible results.”
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
I’m no expert, but I do have a theory.
The American media business is the most competitive and advanced in the world. Many other countries directly or indirectly control their airwaves and print publications. Not here, no way, not as long as the First Amendment protects freedom of the press. Yet with that historic, awesome guarantee in place, why are newspapers failing, magazines gutting staff and many of the newer dot coms hitting the wall?
It is inevitable that daily print publications like the LA Times and the Washington Post cut back. We’ve come a long way since Guttenberg, but low-tech printing presses, paper and ink are just not fast enough to keep up with the 24/7 information cycle. I can understand the financial woes caused by bloated staffs at Buzzfeed, Vice and most recently at Business Insider. But when Sports Illustrated gave notice to its writing crew, now you are messing with arguably the most successful sports magazine of all time.
S.I. knew how to attract great writers delivering iconic story lines. We’re talking writers like Rick Reilly, the late Frank Deford, J.F.K. – yes, the late president – Carl Sandburg and one of my favorite characters of all time the late cigar chomping New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin. Martha Stewart on the cover, not for me.
What happened here? The simple answers are: Too much debt, too much overhead, and too slow to recognize and act on shifting dynamics.
Yet People magazine, which has been around for 50 years and if you believe Statista, now reaches over 82 million readers a month! Can you name the last time People won a Pulitzer for a story? Yet we can all learn a critical lesson from the continued success of People. Even those of us in management in the radio/audio business.
Here comes my big theory which you can apply to content, sales, sales management, and everything else important in life.
1) Know your audience. People is focused on celebrities and rarely gets a story wrong.
2) Keep it simple. People is about pictures and easy to understand storylines.
3) The original target was women 18-34. As the target demo shifted and lifestyles changed, the content of People adjusted.
Let’s connect the dots in our programming, sales, and sales management world.
1) Are you in step with your audience? Listeners, and advertisers are all part of a dynamic environment. What’s in your planner that forces you to know the “audience” you sell or market to?
2) Do you keep your proposals simple and easy to understand? Fast and focused is the name of the game.
Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.