Industry News

Charlie Kirk’s Accused Killer Seeks to Keep Cameras Out of Courtroom

The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is petitioning the judge in his murder trial to keep cameras out of the courtroom, arguing that live broadcasts are violating his right to a fair trial. Tyler Robinson is due in imgcourt today (4/17) Friday when his lawyers will argue that biased coverage is tainting potential jurors in his aggravated murder case.  According to Audacy’s report, media organizations, prosecutors and Kirk’s widow, Erika, want the court to allow cameras. They argue the best way to guard against the misinformation and conspiracy theories that concern Robinson’s defense team is to make the process transparent. Read the Audacy story here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (April 13-17)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (4/13-17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. U.S.-Israel-Iran War / Israel’s Lebanon Attacks
  2. Trump-Vance vs The Pope / Trump’s AI Jesus Posts
  3. Trump Threatens Jerome Powell
  4. Looming Expiration of FISA 702
  5. Swalwell & Gonzales Exit Congress
  6. Orban Ousted
  7. Fairfax Murder-Suicide
  8. Labor Secretary Investigation
  9. New Jersey Special Election
  10. Russini-Vrable Scandal

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. JD Vance
  3. Pope Leo XIV
  4. Mike Johnson
  5. Pete Hegseth
  6. Jerome Powell
  7. Eric Swalwell / Tony Gonzales
  8. Viktor Orbán
  9. Lori Chavez-DeRemer
  10. Dianna Russini / Mike Vrable

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

Philadelphia to Be Prominent in Beasley’s America’s 250th Initiative

Beasley Media Group announces that in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, its Community of Caring Initiative will roll out across on-air, digital, and in-car platforms, leading up to the historic milestone with Philadelphia playing a key role as the birthplace of American independence. The company says that as part of the initiative, stations will air public service announcements multiple times daily, ringing to lifeimg the defining moments of 1776 – from the leadership of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to the actions of the Continental Congress and George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. These messages will be complemented by live and recorded interviews throughout 2026, featuring special guests sharing stories and perspectives tied to America’s founding and evolution. Beasley chief communications officer Heidi Raphael adds, “At this pivotal time in our nation’s history, Philadelphia holds an especially unique and powerful place in telling America’s story. Through our Community of Caring Initiative, we’re proud to share that story across our platforms – connecting our audiences to the past while celebrating what lies ahead.”

Industry News

Shapiro Joins CNN as Contributor

Former longtime NPR journalist Ari Shapiro joins CNN as a contributor. CNN says, “Shapiro will bring his distinctive voice and signature wit to CNN’s on-air and digital programming, and will co-host a new video podcast titled, “Engagement Party,” alongside longtime colleague and friend, CNN anchor and analyst Audie Cornish. CNN says that on “Engagement Party,” Cornish and Shapiro will share the culture and ideas they’re engaging with – and why they’re obsessed. It will premiere on Friday, May 22.

Industry News

Forgy Returns to Saga from Medical Leave

Yesterday (4/15), Saga Communications announced that CEO imgChristopher S. Forgy had fully resumed his regular duties following a medical leave that began on February 13. The company adds that during his intermittent recovery from open heart surgery, Forgy remained available for consultation, led the company’s fourth-quarter and year-end 2025 call on March 12, 2026, and the executive team, headed by COO Wayne Leland and CFO Samuel D. Bush, maintained operational continuity.

Industry News

Murphy Named to Executive Post at Crossover Media Group

Media sales executive John Murphy is named vice president of strategic partnerships for Crossover Media Group. The move marks a reunion for Murphy with members of the Crossover Media Group team, with whom he’s worked as both a partner and a client. Most recently, Murphy served as senior vice president of content monetization at Veritone. In his new imgrole with Crossover, Murphy will work to secure new content as well as to expand the company’s client portfolio. Crossover managing member Sue Freund says, “We’ve known and worked with John for many years; his excellent relationships throughout the content and advertising communities make him a tremendous addition to our team in building strategic partnerships with clients, agencies, and content providers as we continue to grow. He has a proven track record of building high-performing sales organizations, monetizing premium content, and delivering performance-driven advertising solutions for brands, agencies and media partners.” Murphy comments, “I’m excited to be joining Crossover Media Group. The team has built a strong reputation for delivering results-driven solutions for both creators and advertisers, and I look forward to contributing to that momentum. There’s a clear opportunity to unlock new growth across partnerships, and I’m eager to help scale the business while driving meaningful value for clients.”

Industry News

Seaboard to Distribute “Killer Carl” Show

Seaboard Networks announces it is completing a deal to distribute the syndicated political interview talk show, “The Killer Carl Program.” Theimg show is hosted by Carl “Killer Carl” Brown and has been on the air for almost a decade and is part of the John Frederick Radio Network. Seaboard marketing solutions consultant Bob Stei says, “We welcome all shows that affiliates will desire. Carl seems to put his own views and thoughts first, and they are not based on just ideology. That is refreshing.” The program currently airs on stations throughout America including WJFM, Richmond; WJFV, Norfolk; WBRG, Lynchburg; and WLMB, Atlanta.

Industry News

Cumulus Speeding Toward Chapter 11 Exit

Yesterday (4/13) in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston the Modified Joint Prepackaged Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Cumulus Media Inc. and Its Debtor Affiliates was filed. While the proposed order has yet to be approved by the judge, it is expected to be approved soon and clears theimg way for the reorganization to move to the next step – approval from the Federal Communications Commission. When fully consummated, the plan will have eliminated $592 million of debt for Cumulus and puts control of the company into the hands of secured creditors. A new board of directors will be elected and although current executive management may remain in their positions, it is entirely up to the new board of directors to determine the company’s officers.

Industry News

WJR’s Jamie Edmonds to Take Leave to Battle Breast Cancer

WJR, Detroit morning drive co-host Jamie Edmonds announces to listeners that she will be taking a leave of absence after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Cumulus Media notes on the WJR website that Edmonds shared the news during the program yesterday, “explaining that her absence from some recent shows had been related to her health and imgtreatment schedule. Edmonds, 42, said the diagnosis came unexpectedly about two months ago and described it on the air as a ‘total gut punch.’ A mother of a young daughter, she acknowledged the fear that followed the discovery but said she is confident in her care team and treatment plan at Henry Ford Health. Edmonds told listeners she has already begun chemotherapy and believes she will get through the process.” Edmonds says her oncologist emphasized the importance of consistent sleep and recovery during chemotherapy. She made clear that the change is temporary and that she plans to remain connected to WJR and its audience as she is able while focusing on her health.

Industry Views

Creators, Commentators, or Publishers: Liability Remains the Same

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Legal Group, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgThe rise of independent, talk show-style political commentary on YouTube has created a new class of media actors who do not see themselves as broadcasters, journalists, or publishers. They see themselves as creators. That distinction is real in terms of identity, tone, and platform. It is not real where it matters most: liability.

The difference exists in how the work is produced and presented. It disappears the moment the content is published.

In practice, these creators are engaging in acts that courts have long recognized as publication. They are selecting topics, framing narratives, editing clips, and distributing content to large audiences. Those decisions are not neutral. They are editorial.

The absence of FCC regulation in this space has created a persistent misunderstanding. Traditional broadcasters operate under a regulatory framework that includes licensing and content restrictions. Independent creators do not. But the lack of FCC oversight does not reduce exposure. It removes one layer of regulation while leaving the core legal risk fully intact.

Defamation law applies equally to both groups. A false statement of fact about a real person that causes reputational harm can give rise to liability whether it is spoken on a licensed radio station or uploaded to a monetized YouTube channel. The standards may differ depending on whether the subject is a public or private figure, but the underlying obligation remains the same: accuracy matters.

There is no YouTube exception. There is no creator carveout. The law does not care how the content was distributed, what the platform calls you, or how you see yourself. It cares who made the statement, who chose to publish it, and whether it was false.

The structure of YouTube content introduces additional risk. Many creators rely on rapid production cycles and clip-based commentary. This increases the likelihood of error, particularly when context is compressed or omitted. Editing choices that seem minor from a production standpoint can materially change meaning, which is precisely the type of conduct that courts examine in defamation and false light claims.

Monetization further complicates the analysis. Revenue from ads, memberships, or sponsorships strengthens the argument that content is commercial in nature. That does not eliminate First Amendment protections, but it can influence how a court evaluates intent and reasonableness.

There is also a tendency to assume that platform norms provide a form of protection. If a piece of content is allowed to remain online, or even promoted by an algorithm, it can feel implicitly validated. That assumption is misplaced. Platform enforcement decisions are not legal determinations. They are business judgments.

The most important point is simple and often overlooked. Liability does not turn on intent. It turns on what was said, whether it was false, and whether reasonable steps were taken to verify it.

The platform may change how content looks. It may change how fast it spreads. It may change who gets to participate.

It does not change the consequences of getting it wrong.

Time passes. Technology and fancy packaging change. Exposure and liability do not. 

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises talk show hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonLegalGroup.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (April 6-10)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (4/6-10) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Iran Ceasefire / Israel’s Lebanon Strikes
  2. Oil Prices / Financial Markets Activity
  3. Trump and 25th Amendment Talk
  4. Trump vs NATO / Vance in Hungary
  5. Bondi Epstein Deposition
  6. Melania Epstein Statement / Epstein Files
  7. Birthright Citizenship / Georgia, Wisconsin Elections
  8. DHS Funding / Privatization of TSA
  9. SCOTUS Bannon Case Ruling
  10. Artemis II Mission

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Pete Hegseth
  3. Benjamin Netanyahu
  4. JD Vance / Marco Rubio
  1. Melania Trump / Jeffrey Epstein
  2. Jared Kushner / Steve Witkoff
  3. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf
  4. Clay Fuller
  5. Markwayne Mullin
  6. Steven K. Bannon

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

WTOP Promotes Woodfork as Part of Renewed Sports Initiative

Hubbard Radio all-news WTOP, Washington promotes Rob Woodfork to senior sports analyst in what the organization calls its “ongoing evolution of its local sports coverage.” WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler states, “We are excited to announce Rob’s promotion. This imgis a key part of our long-term strategy to transform how we cover sports. We’re committed to delivering content that goes beyond highlights and final scores – focusing instead on context, analysis, and storytelling that resonates with today’s audience.” WTOP says that in his new role, Woodfork will lead a more dynamic, multi-platform approach to sports journalism, anchored by daily video and audio commentary designed for modern consumption habits. His work will prioritize insight and authenticity – meeting audiences where they are, particularly among Gen X and Millennial fans seeking more than traditional sports updates.

Industry News

BIA Revises Local Ad Forecast; Political Key to Broadcast’s Success

BIA Advisory Services revises its 2026 U.S. Local Advertising Forecast that it first released in Q4 2025 and is now projecting total local ad revenue to reach $184.5 billion, reflecting approximately 8.1% year-over-year growth compared with 2025. Among the reasons for the increase is a stronger-than-expected performance in mobile political ad spend.  BIAimg says, “Political advertising will drive key spending this year. BIA projects approximately $8.4 billion in local political spending, creating substantial revenue opportunities across broadcast television, linear cable, CTV/OTT, radio, and direct mail. While some legacy formats, including print, continue to face long-term declines, others are evolving. Across the market, advertisers are increasingly adopting full-funnel strategies, combining high-reach media such as cable, broadcast, and OOH with data-driven digital channels to drive both awareness and measurable outcomes. Radio also remains a stable local medium, with additional opportunities emerging through digital audio, including streaming and podcasts.”

Industry News

Podtrac Top U.S. Podcasts for March Remain Steady

Podtrac releases its Top Podcasts ranker for March 2026 based on U.S. unique monthly audience for participating networks and nothing changedimg from February in the top five as NPR’s “NPR News Now” stays in first place. Some moves of note include DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rising one spot to #6; Silverloch’s “The Dan Bongino Show” falling two places to #11; and NPR’s “The NPR Politics Podcast” climbing 10 places to #19. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

Segura Named OM for WMAL-FM, Washington

Cumulus Media appoints Luis Segura operations manager for its news/talk WMAL-FM, Washington, DC, effective May 4. Program director Bill Hess retired at the end of 2025 after a long time leading the station. Segura was most recently program director for the company’s KSFO,img San Francisco. Cumulus chief content officer Brian Philips says, “Among our strong field of Cumulus programmers, Luis leapt from the pack as the person possessing the energy and imagination to lead WMAL. Luis visualizes the multi-dimensional future of this big brand. The immense benefit of keeping Luis ‘in house’ is that he will continue to offer expert counsel to our revitalized operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as needed.” Segura says, “I’m incredibly excited to work with the legendary staff of Cumulus’ flagship news/talk. WMAL is packed with national names like Larry O’Connor and Chris Plante, and I can’t wait to join the team.”

Industry News

WHBY, Appleton Updates its Brand

Woodward Community Media’s Appleton, Wisconsin news/talk WHBY says that following a historic year celebrating a century of service to Northeast Wisconsin, it is launching its new brand identity and logo. Woodward says, “The rebranding effort comes on the heels of WHBY’s year-long, 100th-anniversary celebration, which concluded last week. While the festivities honored the station’s deep roots and legacy since 1925, the new visual identity is designed to carry that legacy into a multi-platform future. The new look is encapsulated by the station’s rebrand slogan: Brand New Look. Same Trusted Voice. Woodward Fox Valley market manager B.J. DeGroot says, “We spent the last year lookingimg back at a century of service to the Fox Valley, but today, we turn our gaze forward. After retiring our special 100-year commemorative look, we didn’t want to just go back to ‘business as usual.’ We’re kicking off our second century with a fresh new look that reflects the evolution of WHBY and our unwavering commitment to the next generation of listeners.” WHBY brand manager Alex Thomas adds, “We are excited to usher in a new era of WHBY. Our rebrand represents a new chapter of WHBY and reflects who we are today and where we are heading next. This transformation goes beyond a new logo. It represents our vision of strengthening community awareness, enhancing the way we deliver news and conversation in the Fox Cities and beyond. While our look may be changing, our core values remain the same. Being trusted, local, and community driven remains a pillar of WHBY.”

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: The “Constant Threat” Isn’t Exactly What It’s Cracked Up to Be

By Walter Sabo 
A.K.A. Walter Sterling, Radio Talk Show Host

imgAssessing the hourly threat to the very existence of the medium of radio is a popular hobby among conventioneers. The audience levels for radio are astonishingly constant since 1970, but according to “radio people,” they are living at the edge of a volcano. Spotify radio, SiriusXM radio, Pandora radio, TuneIn radio, Internet radio, there are all kinds of radio! General Motors wants to throw AM/FM radio out of the car as in “do you really need radio in the car?” Radio’s response to the in-car-removal threat is by promising non-stop typhoons and hurricanes.

The actual threats to established radio companies are non-established radio companies. With the death of meaningful on-air competition, a consolidated industry can easily anticipate the strategies of all major “brands” (formerly known as stations). What cannot be anticipated are actions that are a true threat: Outlier owners throwing creative grenades into the sleepy radio ecosystem.

All viable radio formats launched as unanticipated surprises. New formats are greeted with hostility and predictions of doom. All of them. Yes, even adult contemporary. Eventually – or tomorrow – a new format will be deployed by a desperate owner with a handful of stations, an owner with a retailer’s mentality will go for broke with a format – or a series of shows – that will not be anticipated, cannot be duplicated and is not cheap.

See the threat? A true threat will be a new format that successfully attacks the core of dozens – hundreds of established stations, stations owned by venture capital. It will not be anticipated, cannot be duplicated by hundreds of stations and does not “scale” i.e. isn’t cheap. But the new format would be so rapaciously embraced by the public that it would force all other stations to completely change their on-air content and their sales strategies. Imagine the impact of that threat.

Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many others. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He recently began hosting “Another Side of Midnight” weekends on WABC, New York. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com or phoned at 646-678-1110.

Industry News

AP Reveals Staff Cuts Due to Customer Base Changes

The Associated Press is planning staff cuts to its U.S. workforce, according to a story from Axios. This is part of a broader restructuring “away from hyper-local print coverage and toward video and national topics,” according to executive editor Julie Pace and global chief revenue officer Kristin Heitmann. It’s not surprising that the AP’s revenue fromimg U.S. newspapers has shrunk, but right now it accounts for less than 10% of total revenue. In fact, “Revenue from that cohort has declined 25% over the past few years, while revenue from tech companies has grown roughly 200%.” The story goes on to note, “Over the past few years, the AP’s business has evolved to become less reliant on local newspaper revenue and more reliant on a broader set of customers, including digital outlets, broadcasters and non-news companies.” See the Axios piece here.