Industry News

Audacy Secures Additional Extension on Debt Payment Due Dates

In a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission today (11/20), Audacy states that as it “continues to engage in discussions with its creditors with respect to a number of potential alternativesim regarding a restructuring of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness,” it reaches agreements with investors and creditors to again extend the deadline after which it would be in default. Audacy gets an extension on the due date for interest payments on its Credit Facility to November 30 and on its Receivables Purchase Agreement for the October Audacy Party Payment to November 30 and the November Audacy Party Payment Due Date to December 8.

Industry News

Outkick Reports Month-Over-Month Growth

Multimedia sports platform OutKick says that it saw strong growth from September to October with more than 5.9 million total multiplatform unique visitors, up 11%; 24 million total multiplatform views, up 13%im versus the prior month; and 23 million total multiplatform minutes, up 14% versus the prior month, according to Comscore. Outkick founder Clay Travis states, “OutKick’s expansion and growth continues to be the highlight each month. Our content serves those who seek not only common-sense reporting but unfiltered opinions with great perspective on a variety of topics.”

Industry News

WCCO-AM Raises Funds with 21st Annual “Hunger Mission Radiothon”

Audacy’s news/talk WCCO-AM, Minneapolis helped raise over $367,000 to provide meals and care for those in need through its 21st annual “Hunger Mission Radiothon” last Thursday (11/16). The annual radiothon benefits Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities and this year’s event brings the funds raisedim since 2003 to more than $4.3 million. WCCO brand manager Brad Lane says, “We are simply in awe of the incredible generosity of our fans! This is yet another great example of how live and local radio can truly impact lives. We’re so proud of our team for helping share these transformative stories from the inspiring work being done at Union Gospel Mission.” Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities provides food, shelter, programs and services for men, women and children experiencing homelessness, hunger and addiction.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Legendary comic and talk show host Jimmie Walker is filling in at Audacy’s news/talk KXNT-AM, Las Vegas this week and next, hosting the 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm show. Walker is available for fill-in work and can be reached at: dynomitecomic1@hotmail.com.

PodcastOne acquires the exclusive sales and distribution rights to “The Consult: The Real FBI Profilers” from retired FBI agent and profiler Julia Cowley. The podcast is produced by Alice LaCour and Brett Talle. PodcastOne co-founder and president Kit Gray says, “Being introduced to Julia and her show ‘The Consult’ by Alice and Brett was a win for us at PodcastOne. This program fits perfectly into our existing roster of top-notch true crime genre shows and we are thrilled to offer ‘The Consult’ to our listeners and to our advertisers who are looking to add to their playlists.”

Industry News

KFI, Los Angeles Presents 13th Annual PastaThon

Los Angeles news/talk outlet KFI announces the 13th annual “KFI PastaThon” event to benefit Caterina’s Club – a local charity that provides more than 25,000 nutritious meals every week to childrenim in need in Southern California. The charity also helps families get back into stable home environments and teaches teens the skills they need to work in the hospitality industry. On ‘Giving Tuesday’ (11/28), the iHeartMedia station will host a live, all-day broadcast at the Anaheim White House featuring station personalities Bill Handel, Amy King, Gary & Shannon, John & Ken, Tim Conway Jr and Mo Kelly during which they’ll ask listeners to collect money and pasta and sauce donations for Caterina’s Club. 100% of donations collected go directly to Caterina’s Club. Also, from November 15 through December 3, Smart & Final locations in California, Arizona and Nevada and Wendy’s restaurants in Southern California will offer customers an option to donate to the “KFI PastaThon.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Saga Communications declares a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2023, to shareholders of record on November 27, 2023. The aggregate amount of the payment to be made in connection with the quarterly dividend will be approximately $1.5 million.

Urban One’s news/talk WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte is presenting the 30th annual “Hancock’s Bikes for Kids” charity event on December 8 in which it asks the community to donate brand new bicycles to benefit kids in the area.

Industry News

Bloomberg: Audacy Gambled on CBS Radio Merger

A piece at Bloomberg by Ashley Carman looks at the $1.5 billion 2017 merger of Audacy (formerly Entercom) and CBS Radio and concludes that the deal has been a back-breaker for the company as Carman writes, “Now, six years later, Audacy is struggling under the weight of $1.92 billion in debt and shriveling demand for radio advertising, an industrywide plague.” The piece goes beyond just Audacy’sim financial struggles and looks more broadly at how radio as a legacy medium is facing “the same headwinds as other traditional media.” Carman adds, “Stations are losing their grip on younger audiences, and advertisers are tuning out. Fresh sources of revenue, like podcasts and streaming audio, are going to new contenders such as Spotify Technology SA or just failing to make up for the lost radio ad dollars.” The U.S. radio business has always touted its reach, but according to Lauren Russo, EVP at ad buyer Horizon Media, broadcast radio faces real problems. “The broadcast marketplace is extremely soft for ’23 and similarly for ’24. The overall audio ecosystem continues to grow from a streaming and podcasting perspective, but at the expense of broadcasts.” Read the Bloomberg piece here.

Industry News

Urban One Gets Waiver from BoA for Late Quarterly Reports

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Urban One reports that it has entered into a fifth waiver and amendment to its “Current ABL Facility, dated as of February 19, 2021 with the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto.” This action waives certain events of default under the Current ABL Facilityim related to Urban One’s failure to timely deliver quarterly reports for the first and second quarters of 2023 and sets a due date of November 30, 2023 for those and a December 31, 2023 due date for the third quarter financial report. Urban One also reports that it has received an Additional Staff Delisting Determination from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC due to the delinquent Q3 2023 report. Urban One has a hearing set for November 30 and anticipates filing the delinquent Q1 and Q2 reports prior to the hearing. It also expects to file the Q3 report on or about December 31, 2023 and will present its plan to evidence full compliance with the Nasdaq listing criteria at the hearing.

Industry News

KYW, Philadelphia Anchor Carol MacKenzie Sues Company for Discrimination

In a suit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, KYW, Philadelphia morning drive anchor Carol MacKenzie is suing employer Audacy for discrimination, claiming she’s been systematically paid less than her male counterparts and less than younger staffers doing similar work.im MacKenzie’s complaint paints a picture of her being consistently paid less than male and younger staffers that goes back to when she first joined the station when it was owned by CBS Radio. It says that from the beginning she was paid “about $20,000-$30,000 per year less than” her co-workers in comparable positions. MacKenzie says that the SAG-AFRTRA investigation into KYW’s compensation practices in 2021 confirmed her belief the company was engaged in gender-based pay inequity. In 2022 MacKenzie did agree to a deal with the company that paid her $150,000 per year for 2022, $152,500 for this year and $155,000 per year for 2024. But she says she has suffered “significant harms and losses” over the years and is seeking back pay, liquidated damages, interest, costs, negative tax consequence damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

PodcastOne is planning a studio launch party on Monday in Beverly Hills with special guests including its longtime star podcaster Adam Carolla.

Benztown is releasing the holiday imaging and programming library “Christmas in a Box” that comes free to stations with Benztown library subscriptions. It includes more than 5,000 tracks of audio Christmas cheer.

Industry News

WWO Audio Active Group: Less Is More

This week’s Westwood One Audio Active Group blog shares information about the effectiveness of audio ads from a collaborative UK study by audio distribution service Audiotrack and analytics firm Colourtext that compared ad effectiveness with word density in audio ads. Some of the takeaways from this study lend credence to the notion that when it comes to ad copy, less is indeed more. For example,im the study found that eliminating 10 words of audio copy increases the Creative Standout score by 1%. Creative Standout is achieved when consumers say, “this ad stands out” and rate an ad with an 8, 9, or 10 on a one-to-ten-standout scale. Further it found that eliminating 10 words of audio copy increases web traffic by 0.25%. Creative Standout in audio advertising is strongly linked to ad response via website visits. For each 1% rise in Creative Standout achieved by an audio ad, website response rate increases by 0.25%. Also, the more messages that are included in the ad, the poorer the recall. An ad with four messages will have message recall of only 24%, compared to 43% for ads with just one message. The more messages an ad attempts to communicate, the lower the likelihood of a single message being communicated. See the blog post here.

Industry News

Audacy Gets Extension on Debt Payment Due Dates

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Audacy states that it has reached an agreement with investors and creditors that buys it some time as it works with them to come to a longim-term solution to its debt problem. Audacy gets an extension on the due date for interest payments on its Credit Facility to November 27 and on its Receivables Purchase Agreement for the October Audacy Party Payment to November 20 and the November Audacy Party Payment Due Date to November 24. Also, on October 30, the New York Stock Exchange filed to delist Audacy’s Class A common stock from the exchange and the delisting became effective on November. The stock continues to trade over the counter under the symbol “AUDA.”

Industry News

WPG, Atlantic City’s Harry Hurley on “Insider 100: Power” List

The publication InsiderNJ is out with its annual “Insider 100: Power” list of the most powerful politicalim figures in the state of New Jersey and WPG, Atlantic City morning drive personality Harry Hurley is ranked #55 on the list. The caption alongside Hurley’s photo in the feature states: “No other radio host show in New Jersey covers politics as hyperactively as Hurley, who has earned the trust of key players in both parties while amplifying the concerns and troubles of regular voters. An asset to the state.”

Industry News

LABF Honors 2023 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts

im

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation honored industry leaders and celebrities for lifetime achievements during the 2023 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts Luncheon and Awards Ceremony yesterday (11/14) at Gotham Hall in New York City. Pictured above are: (back row, l-r) Joyce Tudryn, IRTS president and CEO; Heidi Raphael, LABF co-chair; Eric Shanks, Wolf Blitzer, Tony Danza, David Kennedy, Bill Whitaker (emcee and 2018 Giant), Jack Goodman, LABF co-chair; (front row, l-r) Valari Dobson Staab, JuJu Chang, Caroline Beasley, and Nina Totenberg. Photo by Wendy Moger Bross

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

UK radio and outdoor firm Global inks an exclusive platform distribution and ad sales deal with iHeartMedia in which Global and iHeartMedia will license, distribute and represent each other’s podcast portfolios.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Audacy announce a multi-year extension to their 30-year partnership through the 2028 NFL season. As part of the new agreement, “SportsRadio 94WIP” will continue to serve as the team’s official flagship radio partner. The broadcast team is led by Eagles Hall of Famers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick in the radio booth and longtime 94WIP personality Howard Eskin on the sideline.

iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman & president COO/CFO Rich Bressler will participate in a question and answer session during the Wells Fargo TMT Summit on November 29 at 3:45 pm ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the general public at the start of the session through a link on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website.

PodcastOne acquires the exclusive sales and distribution rights, as well as certain ownership and IP/derivative rights, to true crime podcast, “Lost In Panama.” PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray comments, “We continue our stated strategy of rolling up the fragmented podcast industry to deliver the best podcast library with the lowest cost per acquisition. We are excited and look forward to more announcements in the near future.”

Industry News

KFI, Los Angeles’ Ken Chiampou Announces Retirement

According to numerous Los Angeles-area media reports, Ken Chiampou (right) – one half of the iHeartMedia station’s “John & Ken Show” afternoon program – announced to listeners on Monday (11/13) that he willim retire from the station on December 6. After his departure, John Kobylt (left) will continue in the daypart as a solo host. He quipped, “I am saying goodbye. After very little thought, this is what I’m gonna do.” The duo rose to prominence during their time at WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” beginning in 1988. They moved to KFI in 1992 and briefly went into national syndication in the late 1990s. That move drove a wedge between them and then-KFI owner Cox Communications and they left to do mornings at crosstown Disney-owned KABC, Los Angeles. That didn’t last long, and they returned to KFI where they’ve flourished since 2001. Read the Los Angeles Daily News’ coverage here.

Industry News

Salem Media Group Third Quarter Revenue Falls 5%

The company releases its third quarter 2023 operating results and reports total revenue of $63.5 million, a decline of 5% from the same period in 2022. Salem reports that total operating expenses for the quarter increased 31.9% to $99.8 million, while operating expenses, excluding stock-basedim compensation expense, debt modification costs, gains and losses on the sale or disposition of assets, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense increased 0.2% to $61.0 million. The company reports a net loss of $31.3 million for the quarter, an increase of 163% over the same period in 2022. Salem presents operating results by segment and reveals that its Broadcast segment’s revenue was $49 million, down 4.2% year-over-year; its Digital Media segment’s revenue was $10 million, down 2.2%; and the Publishing segment’s revenue was $4.6 million, a decline of 17.5%.

Industry News

WIP, Philadelphia Partners with Travis Manion Foundation for Live Event

As part of its “Birds at the Bye,” Audacy Philadelphia’s sports talk WIP-FM “SportsRadio 94WIP” air personalities are serving as guest bartenders following a daylong remote broadcast from Chickie’s and Pete’s South Philadelphia location during which it will raise money for Travis Manion Foundation.im Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “It’s a great night in support of our local veterans. Audacy Philadelphia has a strong partnership with TMF, and we’re excited for our 94WIP hosts to assist in this fundraising effort.” 94WIP guest bartenders include Joe DeCamara, Rhea Hughes, James Seltzer, Hugh Douglas, Joe Giglio, Ike Reese, Jon Marks, Jack Fritz, Howard Eskin, Devan Kaney and Eliot Shorr Parks. Also, in attendance will be Ryan Manion and Col. Manion of Travis Manion Foundation.

Industry News

AirKast Partners with Ron Rivlin Media for Marketing Efforts

Mobile and web solutions form AirKast partners with sales representation firm Ron Rivlin Media in a move aimed at enhancing AirKast’s market reach and furthering its mission to provide cutting-edge solutions to its clients. AirKast offers mobile app and web solutions and a technology platform that includes live streaming, push notifications, and social media integration. AirKast CEO/CTO Larry Leung says, “We are excited to announce our collaboration with Ron Rivlin Media. This partnership is a strategic move to strengthen our market presence and better serve our clients. Ron Rivlin Media’s reputation for excellence in tech sales representation aligns perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge broadcasting solutions, and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

Industry News

Gracies Leadership Awards Honorees Celebrated in NYC

im

The Alliance for Women in Media hosted the Gracies Leadership Awards luncheon yesterday (11/13) at Tribeca 360° in New York City, recognizing the outstanding contributions of eight female leaders. This year’s program included the inaugural Gracies Icon Award presented to Premiere Networks personality Delilah. She took part in a fireside chat with RAB president and CEO Erica Farber. The other recipients are pictured above (l-r): Becky Brooks, president, AWM/F, Delilah, Rebekah Dopp, Suzanne Grimes, Susan Larkin, Lori Locke, Rosalyn Durant, Kay Olin, Heather Cohen, Katina Arnold, and Christine Travaglini. Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media

Industry Views

Pending Business: We Are Growing

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imSurvey says nearly half of all Americans over 13, nearly 135 million, listen to spoken word formats. The growth curve boasts an eye opening 52% jump in time spent listening at home.

Please keep in mind we are listening in 2023 via different platforms including AM/FM radio, smartphones, computer streaming, smart speakers, and smart TV. Podcasting is a major driver of this growth curve, almost tripling its share of total audio consumption. And the closer is traditional AM/FM radio is still the morning drive, in-car winner controlling 62% of listening, despite the auto industry’s attempt to shun the king of spoken word distribution – AM radio.

Audio marketers, please pound the drum a little louder when you pitch this growth story. I still haven’t seen this new validation pushed aggressively on X (formerly Twitter) among the Taylor Swift running to hug Travis Kelsey posts, have you? Anything on Instagram? Facebook? YouTube? Rumble? Are we reframing a modern version of that 1600s philosophical “if a tree falls in the forest…?”

All sellers need to take a minute to digest, discuss and integrate the findings in the Edison/NPR Spoken Word Audio report and start the drumbeat of growth, impact, engagement and influence. How else will we pushback on the taken-for-granted, same old-same old, spoken word presentation. Freshen up that media kit! Growth is an important sales point to make in any presentation and audio sellers need to keep pointing to that growth curve as competitors lean in on their own story lines.

Let’s get down to how best to answer W.I.F.A (what’s in it for advertisers) on your next presentation.

1) New. One of the most powerful words in sales and marketing. New information can drive new decisions. Let the numbers help make your point as you shape your presentation.

2) The Trend is Your Friend. Every business owner, entrepreneur, investor and CEO always want to be informed and in front of growth trends. You now have the opportunity in front of you.

3) Keep it Simple. Keep your information simple and easy to understand. Many influential newsletters use the simple technique of a bold number followed by a fast fact story line. If it works for the big boys, the technique should work for you.

4) Managers. Bring good news to your sales and marketing teams. Sellers, bring good news to your advertisers. The survey says we are growing, and positive growth is an important part of any business.

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.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: How Talk Radio Imitates Lunch

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imHere’s actual news copy, from Joe Connolly’s business report one morning on WCBS, NY: “One third of all domestic flights are now late, by an average of one hour.”

Note: That wasn’t the headline, it was the entire story. As-much-as half of Connolly’s script is one-sentence stories. Espresso, not latte. Just the factoids, ma’am. The essence. What the listener would likely retain (and quote later) from the story if copy were longer.

Here’s some HC lore – and promo language – that’ll be familiar to programmers and talent I work with:

The first 5 minutes of the hour are for facts.

The next 55 are for feelings.

Your news people, and/or your network, fuss to make 00-05 a handy digest of the-very-latest-about the stories they reckon to be relevant to your target listener. Your on-air imaging should promise accordingly. Invite busy, in-car listeners to make an hourly appointment, “THROUGHOUT YOUR BUSY DAY.”

The people with whom that benefit statement will resonate are high-TSL users who don’t want to feel “OUT-OF-THE-LOOP, WHEN YOU’RE OUT-AND-ABOUT.” And they’re the listeners your local direct retail advertisers want to meet the most. Every time they stop the car, they spend money.

im

What happens at lunch is what should happen on-air

Picture Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer at that coffee shop on “Seinfeld.”

Suppose Jerry heard Connolly’s report earlier that morning and mentioned that story. Because ratings are a memory test, this is a home run, even if Jerry doesn’t say “WCBS” when he repeats what Joe reported. Joe made a deposit in Jerry’s memory bank. If Jerry does say “WCBS,” it’s a grand slam.

Then, George chimes in: “AN HOUR LATE???  THAT’S NOTHING!  WAIT’LL YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY PARENTS TRIED TO FLY TO FLORIDA LAST WEEK!” Now Elaine and Kramer are engaged; and they too might have stories.

Jerry shared what he heard 00-05, information of interest, facts. George is that first caller you want the screener to put through. Elaine and Kramer are listeners who can relate, might contribute their feelings, and will at least remember.

Because ratings methodology can give you an entire Quarter Hour credit for as-little-as 5 minutes of actual listening, the-most-opportune topics are compelling stories listeners just heard on-hour, which you then offer callers your air to weigh-in-on.

Why? People believe your promos. They stopped-in for their on-hour update. Then, at 05, before an index finger can travel from the steering wheel to the “Kiss” or “Lite” or “Magic” button, engage them.

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

Industry News

Brandon Beam Re-Ups with “The Fan” in Columbus

Sports talk host Brandon Beam signs a new, multi-year deal to remain with Tegna’s WBNS-FM, Columbus “97.1 The Fan.” Beam currently co-hosts “Morning Juice” with Bobby Carpenter weekdaysim from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. In addition to “Morning Juice,” Beam hosts the Ohio State Buckeyes football network post-game show in partnership with “97.1 The Fan” and Learfield/Ohio State Sports Properties and co-hosts the “Bone and Beam United” podcast. Station program director Matt Fishman says, “Beamer is a smart, versatile personality who has excelled in several roles. We are thrilled that he has decided to stay at ‘The Fan.’” Station manager Cody Welling adds, “Brandon is an emerging talent that has worked extremely hard on his development. I enjoy his energy, his passion for the station, and his love for Columbus, our teams, and our fans.”

Industry Views

Merchandize Your Show!

Mark Kaye, host of the WOKV-FM, Jacksonville-based “The Mark Kaye Show,” writes today in a piece for TALKERS magazine about the value of selling merchandise to your P1s. He says, “We have a saying around ‘The Mark Kaye Show’ studio: ‘If the audience likes it on the air, they’re gonna LOVE it on a t-shirt!’” He gives examples of how they come up with creative ideas to sell merch to their listeners that strengthens the bond between them and his show. He says, “Merchandise isn’t just an additional stream of revenue, it’s a bond that can connect you and your audience eternally. They love you. They love your show. They love it for the three hours a day you offer it to them. Unless you offer them something tangible that doesn’t drift off into the ether after you turn off the microphone, they can’t show their fandom the other 21 hours of the day.” Read the full story here.

Industry News

Fisher House Veterans Day Weekend Shows Available for Free

Fisher House Foundation is making its Veterans Day Weekend edition of “The Fisher House Story” available for download now for free. Just register here. “The Fisher House Story” is a radio special provided in varying lengths for news/talk radio stations as well as a 30-minute public affairs show for ALL formats in the U.S. and around the world. The three-hour, one-hour, 25 and 30-minute radio specials are hosted by long-time Washington DC radio personality Larry O’Connor and feature stories of our nation’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. Theim inspiring and patriotic radio show features an exclusive interview with Jessica Lynch who recounts her harrowing experience as a prisoner of war during the early days of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. She reveals details of her treatment during her captivity, her rescue, the ensuing years of medical treatment and the special role Fisher House played (and continues to play) in her recovery. This informational talk show will leave listeners feeling inspired during Veterans Day weekend and through the holiday season, sharing stories of amazing service members, veterans, and their families. Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Fisher Houses provide temporary free lodging so families can be close to their loved ones during medical care because “A Family’s LOVE is Good Medicine.” For more information on this radio special, available cash and barter free, contact Larry O’Connor at 562-665-9537 or loconnor@fisherhouse.org.

Industry News

NPR and Edison Research Unveil Spoken Word Audio Report

The fifth edition of the The Spoken Word Audio Report from NPR and Edison Research was unveiled during a webinar presented yesterday (11/9). The 2023 edition concludes that spoken word audio listening time and audience size “attained record highs in the U.S.” This report places special focus on listening locations and explores spoken word audio consumption at home, at work, in-car, and other locations. Some of the key findings include: 1) Almost half (48%) — approximately 135 million people — of those in the U.S. age 13+ listen to some type of spoken word audio daily, up two percentage points (46%) from last year. Listeners in the U.S. age 13+ spend 31% of their daily audio time with spokenim word, which is a 55% increase over nine years ago (20%); 2) Spoken word listening at home has grown dramatically: 60% of the total daily audio time spent with spoken word audio is at home, 24% in the car, 13% at work, and 3% at some other location. The time spent listening to spoken word audio at home has grown to 41 daily minutes in 2023 from 27 daily minutes in 2014. Increases in at-home spoken word audio listening are seen across every hour in the listening day; 3) Spoken word listening in-car has shifted post-pandemic, but AM/FM radio remains on top: Of all the daily time spent listening to spoken word audio, time spent listening in the car has declined from 36% in 2014 to 24% in 2023. In the car, 62% of spoken word audio consumed by those in the U.S. age 13+ is to AM/FM radio content, including over the air and streams; 4) For the first time ever, the mobile device is the primary way people listen to spoken word: 39% of spoken word audio consumed daily by those age 13+ in the U.S. is on a mobile device, followed by 35% on an AM/FM radio receiver. At home, 41% of spoken word audio is consumed on a mobile device, and at work, 47% of spoken word is consumed on a mobile device. AM/FM radio receivers still dominate in-car, garnering 60% of the spoken word audio listening there; and 5) Podcasts represent a large and growing share of spoken word listening: Podcasts now represent over one-third (36%) of time spent with spoken word audio. Twenty-eight percent of time spent listening to podcasts goes to NPR/public radio. At home, 40% of spoken-word audio listening goes to podcasts. See more about the study here.

Industry News

WLS-AM, Chicago’s “Round Trip with Colleen Kelly” Celebrates 100th Episode

Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM, Chicago is celebrating the 100th episode of its resident weekend travel show, “Round Trip With Colleen Kelly,” this Sunday (11/12) with a special program that will air atim 1:00 pm (instead of its usual 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm air time). The program is hosted by travel expert Colleen Kelly, who is cost, creator, and executive producer of the popular Emmy-nominated PBS series, “Family Travel With Colleen Kelly,” and is a digital contributor to National Geographic. WLS program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “Chicago loves to travel. Colleen has been giving our WLS-AM audience travel tips and tricks for over 100 episodes. We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with her as she continues to share her experiences from all over the world.” The series is also co-hosted and produced by Megan Kudla, as well as technically produced and edited by Lane Thoelcke.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Names Angel Jarquin SVP of Programming

iHeartMedia announces that Fresno market programmer Angel “Visa” Jarquin is named SVP of programming for the Pacific Area that includes Fresno, Riverside, Monterey, Modesto, Stockton,im Bakersfield and Spokane. In his new role as SVP of programming, Jarquin will be responsible for the oversight of programming and promotions across all Pacific Area iHeartMedia stations. iHeartMedia Pacific Area president Steve Darnell says, “Angel has a successful track record programming some of the most dynamic station brands in the market. His creativity, leadership and background on-air make him perfectly positioned to lead our station programming to connect with listeners throughout the Pacific Area.”

Job Opportunity

Salem Media Group New York Seeking Two Sales Pros

Salem Media Group New York is seeking to recruit two “top-tiered” players with “deep sales experience” to positively impact their digital and terrestrial assets in the Big Apple. Salem stations inim NYC include WMCA “The Mission” and WNYM “AM 970 The Answer.” This is a fantastic opportunity for the right individuals. VP/GM Jerry Crowley who has been running Salem’s NYC market for 11 years, tells TALKERS, “I know our future is stronger than ever and that’s based on reality – contrary to how a lot of broadcasters think. We are looking for two multi-talented folks to participate in harnessing the power of the number one Christian/conservative cluster in America. Interested candidates should contact Laura@nycradio.com or call 212-857-9640.

Job Opportunity

Cumulus Dallas Seeks News Pros

Cumulus Media’s Dallas news/talk stations WBAP and KLIF-AM have three career opportunities for qualified radio news pros. First, KLIF-AM has an opening for a news anchor on “DFW’s Morning News.” In this position, you’ll work each day with veteran, award-winning anchor, Dave Williams. Candidates must be well read, and able to relate to a 35-64 year old adult and know how to “play the hits of the day”im that resonate with them! The position requires extreme reliability and flexibility. Females are encouraged to apply.  Second, Cumulus is seeking a news director to work with both stations. It says, “This is not a 9 to 5 weekday desk job. If news runs in your blood, if you get an adrenaline rush from breaking stories, if you are hands-on, and you realize the commitment that it takes to win from you and your team, then this job could be for you. Our ideal candidate should possess an extremely good work ethic and have a history of news department success as a news director.” And third, the company is looking for a managing editor for both stations. This is an early morning position from 2:30 am until 10:30 am. The main job is to make sure the shows on both stations have the content they need to have a successful broadcast. Get more information on all of these positions and apply here.

Features

Merchandize Your Content!

By Mark Kaye
Talk Show Host
Cox Media Group

imWe have a saying around “The Mark Kaye Show” studio:

“If the audience likes it on the air, they’re gonna LOVE it on a t-shirt!”

Just last month, after moving to vacate Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Representative Matt Gaetz turned around to a House Chamber full of angry, howling Congresspeople and bellowed back…

“Oh BOOOO all you want!”

As we played that clip over and over on my show, all I could think was, “This would make a fantastic Halloween t-shirt!”

Within 24 hours our online store was printing and shipping shirts and hoodies with an AI-generated Matt Gaetz cartoon character standing before a chorus of screaming ghosts with his newly coined catchphrase lingering above: “Oh Boo All You Want!”

It was the hottest-selling item so far this year.

When the feds raided Donald Trump’s mansion in South Florida, I had a friend create an “Remember the Alamo” themed logo that prompted listeners to “Remember Mar-A-Lago.”

We still get orders for those weekly.

And it isn’t just clothing…

My current book The Untold Story of Christmas was born of an annual holiday tradition that began on my show. Many of my listeners pleaded for a copy they could share with their families and loved ones. Not wanting to disappoint them, I published a beautifully illustrated book this year and offered it to my fans. It’s already in its second printing and is quickly climbing up the Amazon charts! (I expect it to be #1 by Black Friday!) And the best part is, they are thanking me for making it available to them.

People want to show their support for you in any way they can and they will give you money if you let them.

The richest guys at the Trump rally are Donald Trump and whoever is selling MAGA hats outside.

The merch line at the Taylor Swift concert is longer than the Great Wall of China.

And if you attend a major sporting event without your team’s logo emblazoned on some article of clothing, well, you just look weird.

But merchandise isn’t just an additional stream of revenue, it’s a bond that can connect you and your audience eternally. They love you. They love your show. They love it for the three hours a day you offer it to them. Unless you offer them something tangible that doesn’t drift off into the ether after you turn off the microphone, they can’t show their fandom the other 21 hours of the day.

Your listeners want to wear your merch and read your books while sipping your signature energy drink and watching your bobblehead nodding along with them as they listen to your show.

If you love and value your audience, and want to keep them listening as long as possible, then simply give them what they want. Create tangible representations of your content. Let them be fanatical about your show even when you’re off the air.

Mark Kaye is the morning drive host at Cox Media Group’s WOKV-FM, Jacksonville. His program is syndicated to other CMG news/talk stations in markets around the country. He can be emailed at: markkayeshow@gmail.com. 

Industry News

iHeartMedia’s 2023 Third Quarter Revenue Falls 3.6%

iHeartMedia released its operating results for the third quarter of 2023 and reports revenue of $953 million, a decrease of 3.6% over the same period in 2022. The company reports operating income of $69 million compared to the operating loss of $211 million it reported in Q3 of 2022. iHeartMedia reports a net loss of $9 million during Q3 2023, down significantly from the net loss of $310 million it reported in Q3 2022. The company breaks down revenue into three segments – the Multiplatform Group (broadcast radio, networks, and sponsorship & events), the Digital Audio Group (digital excluding podcast, andim podcast), and Audio & Media Services Group. In the Multiplatform Group, broadcast radio revenue was $455 million, down 6.1% year-over-year, and networks revenue was $116 million, a decline of 8.6%. In the Digital Audio Group, digital excluding podcast revenue was $165 million, an increase of 1.1%, while podcast revenue was $103 million, an increase of 12.5%, year-over-year. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman says, “We’re pleased to report that our third quarter results were at the high end of our Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue guidance ranges. Our Digital Audio Group’s performance reflects the strong flow-through characteristics of the business and Podcasting continues to be a strong growth engine for the Company; additionally, while the Multiplatform Group does continue to be impacted by advertising industry uncertainty, we’ve seen sequential gradual quarter to quarter improvement throughout the year and we remain confident that the Multiplatform Group will be an additional growth engine for the company as the advertising marketplace recovers.”