South Carolina Talk Radio Pro Jim Burnside Dies at 80
WYFF-TV, Greenville, South Carolina reports that market talk radio pro Jim Burnside died on July 23 after a battle with cancer. The station reports, “Jim Burnside was an innovative radio talent, commercial writer and producer and mentor to many Upstate and national radio personalities… Jim is credited with bringing ‘Talk Radio’ to the Upstate in 1988, hiring Rush Limbaugh and Mike Gallagher to headline WFBC-AM. Later, the station’s call letters were changed to WORD-AM, and Burnside served as program director and station manager.” See the full story here.
Amazing fact: In ancient times, from 1962-1972, the highest-paid on-air talent in New York City was “an overnight guy.” He was paid salary plus sales response. I’m talking about Long John Nebel on WOR, WNBC, then WMCA. Long John’s live reads moved product because his audience was captive. One-to-one his listeners were attached to their radios in the truck cab, night watchman’s building lobby, parents pacing with their babies, students cramming. His background was not in radio; he was a skilled auctioneer. Obviously, the same listeners exist today – and are anxious for someone to talk to them. Check out this old clip of Nebel in action: 
Amendment Foundation defamed him. No such accusation ever actually took place. In its Motion to Dismiss, Open AI argues several points, including that Georgia is not the proper jurisdiction, but it summarizes its argument that Walters’ claims don’t meet the burden of defamation when it says, “Even more fundamentally, Riehl’s use of ChatGPT did not cause a ‘publication’ of the outputs. OpenAI’s Terms of Use make clear that ChatGPT is a tool that assists the user in the writing or creation of draft content and that the user owns the content they generate with ChatGPT. Riehl agreed to abide by these Terms of Use, including the requirement that users ‘verify’ and ‘take ultimate responsibility for the content being published.’ As a matter of law, this creation of 
talkers Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti of Audacy’s WFAN, New York and George Dunham, Craig Miller and Gordon Keith of Cumulus Media’s KTCK, Dallas-Ft. Worth are finalists in the Major Market Personality of the Year category. WDBZ, Cincinnati’s Lincoln Ware is a finalist in the Large Market Personality of the Year category and Kayla Blakeslee of Pathfinder Communications’ news/talk WOW, Ft. Wayne and Kevin Miller of Townsquare Media’s KIDO-AM, Boise are finalists in the Medium Market Personality of the Year category. Winners will be announced on October 25 at the Marconi Radio Awards Dinner during NAB Show New York. 
underestimate time spent with AM/FM radio. While they believe Americans spend 9% of their media time with AM/FM radio, the reality is 15%.” Why is this? The report cites two reasons. First, longtime ad agency executive Bob Hoffman says, “How can professional people who work in an industry that is largely constructed on media behavior be so astoundingly misinformed? The answer is pretty simple… marketers always overestimate the attraction of new things and underestimate the power of traditional consumer behavior.” Second, marketing professor Mark Ritson adds, “There is increasing global evidence that marketers are basing their media choices on their own behavior or that stoked by the digitally obsessed marketing media, rather than actual audience data.” 
to stream on Peacock and will also be heard on the NBC Sports channel SiriusXM. The terms of the contracts have not been revealed but Patrick told listeners last week that he would work four more years before retiring from the business at the end of 2027. Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott says, “Dan Patrick is one of the biggest stars in sports media and entertainment, and we couldn’t be happier to extend our partnership. Dan continues to raise the bar. He’s built a loyal following across multiple platforms by producing the highest-quality content, and he continues to deliver remarkable results for our partners. We look forward to working together for the foreseeable future.”
“Real Talk Radio Network” on Missouri stations KRTK-FM, Hermann; KVMO-FM, Vandalia; and KTRE-FM, Steelville, is being sued by the feds under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act for peddling false information about the COVID pandemic in order to sell supplements and vitamins. The trial is set to begin on August 21 and as a result of the rulings, Nepute is not allowed to testify as a medical expert as the judge ruled he does not practice medicine and has no “experience treating infectious diseases, and more specifically, COVID-19.” The judge also ruled that Nepute’s program is a form of advertising and as such falls under the laws that regulate commercial speech. 
& activations. Recent Hofstra University graduate Kassandra Faber joins the company as associate director of affiliate sales. Recent Trinity College graduate Sydney Sperling joins as associate director of affiliate sales. Broadcast pro Jim Davison joins the company as project manager creative services subsidiary, Yamanair Creative. Four-year staffer Liane Sousa transitions from director of affiliate sales to account executive, advertising sales, and four-year employee Matt Wallach is promoted to accounting analyst.
predeceased by her brother Rick Buckley. She founded Dimes Media Corporation with her son Eric Dimes Fahnoe upon the closing of Buckley Broadcasting. Dimes Media, which operates radio stations in San Luis Obispo and King City California, says “Martha grew up in broadcasting beginning in the mailroom of WNEW as a teenager and her success in many capacities was ensured by her engaging personality and interest in her co-workers, clients and the community.” In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in her memory be made to the Broadcasters Foundation of America or The Living Desertin Palm Desert, CA.
world-famous architect and the mass murders that took place at his home; how bathing suits went from 30 pounds of wet wool to the thong; the original Olympics with athletes competing completely in the nude; and an iconic inventor who actually stole his masterpiece. Steele says, “My fascination with these kinds of stories is all about a fun peek behind the curtain of what we think we know about famous folks, events and lifestyles. When we discover these incredible backstories, it’s a blast worth repeating to friends! I look forward to helping listeners deepen their connection to the past, so we can understand how we got to the present, and how to better map out our future.”
format phases including a full color magazine and eventually a daily online operation geared to providing news, advice and opinions to professionals involved in programming, managing, marketing and operating an array of related platforms in what has come to be known as talk media. This includes most popular forms of spoken-word AM and FM radio, plus online programming, podcasting, cable television and satellite broadcasting. During this period, TALKERS has produced and presented 26 national conventions in New York and another three in Los Angeles. Add to that more than 35 regional, national and international forums about the field and countless radio rows including several at the White House in conjunction with both the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. TALKERS remains and will continue to be a non-partisan proponent of the First Amendment with a great love and passion for talk media’s roots in the century old medium of radio.
When was the last time you went shopping for a quality living room rug? Not an oriental, because that is just too easy. We’re talking high quality living room rug that will blend in and stand the test of time… and the dog. Next to fighting with a credit card company, it’s the worst shopping experience ever.
THE Best Bit I’ve Heard This Month was by Gene Valicenti, morning host, WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM, Providence.
drive program alongside Kevin “KT” Turner and takes on “The Downbeat” as its name. Jeff Cavanaugh and Julie Dobbs move from the morning daypart to afternoons alongside Mike Rhyner for “The Speakeasy” program. The show times are altered by an hour with the morning program airing from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, the midday “Ben and Skin” show airing from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, followed by the afternoon show airing from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Zaccagnini tells the Dallas Morning News, “The catalyst for this change was to make a better fit for our same staff to further excel in a weekday lineup that best suits their professional and personal lifestyles.”
Complete Newscast, Continuing Coverage, Features News, Newscaster of the Year (news anchor Haylee Gonzales), and Sports Play by Play. In addition, sports talk KNML and country KRST-FM were each recognized for excellence. KKOB news director John Summers states, “It’s the hard work and dedication to factual journalism that brings success. Each knows and understands just how important their work is in relaying details correctly and concepts honestly. The bottom line is simple. They love what they do. And it shows.” 
he plans to retire from the business in four years at the end of 2027. Patrick’s radio program is nationally syndicated via Premiere Networks and is simulcast via YouTube. The former ESPN personality responded to fans who questioned his decision by saying, “This is a young man’s game. I’m the oldest guy doing this. And I enjoy doing it, but by the end of 2027, that’ll be it. You have my word, so plan accordingly.” 
branding. He’s been serving as a producer for the station since 2019. Audacy regional president Stacey Kauffman says, “Charlie O’s experience as a producer and deep understanding of our station’s content has been instrumental in KIFM’s success. With this new role, Charlie O will continue to elevate our content strategy, support our talented team, streamline operations and reinforce our distinctive branding. We are confident that his passion and dedication will help take ‘ESPN 1320’ to the next level.”
-owned SeniorResource.com. Salems says, “‘Retire Repurposed’ challenges the notion that 
retirement is simply an end to one’s working life. Instead, it’s an opportunity to repurpose one’s skills, passions, and experiences in a way that can impact the world in a meaningful way.” The program is hosted by Ben Taatjes and Jerrid Sebesta, who add, “The two most dangerous years of a person’s life are the year they were born and the year they retire. That’s why ‘Retire Repurposed’ aims to provide practical advice and inspiration to help listeners navigate this important life transition.”
and 112 million total multiplatform minutes (up 60%), according to Comscore data. Outkick founder (and Premiere Networks syndicated talk radio star) Clay Travis states, “OutKick doesn’t shy away from the most pressing topics in American sports today which is why we have continued to expand our audience every quarter.”
Comscore. FOX News Digital bested CNN.com and NYTimes.com in both multi-platform total views and multi-platform total minutes. CNN.com still leads the news competitive set in multi-platform unique visitors, but its numbers in this measure were down 2% (120.2 million) while FOX News Digital’s numbers were up 19% (95 million).
Seattle as well; Kevin Isaacs, GM for Cleveland, will now also manage Pittsburgh; and Mark Durkin, regional VP/GM for Sacramento, will also manage Phoenix. This comes months after Carolyn Cassidy was assigned both Tampa and Columbus and John Gallagher began leading Chicago and Little Rock. Salem adds, “In some cases, the former GM will stay on in a sales/sales management role.” Company CEO David Santrella comments, “These changes were made to allow Salem to continue to innovate and invest in our business and to allow the very best leaders to oversee our radio stations.” Salem is also combining the sales efforts of Salem Media Reps and the Salem Web Network with the combined sales team reporting to Mike Reed and Mike DeAmicis at Salem Media Reps. Company COO David Evans adds, “This unified sales team will now have easier access to all digital assets within our company to more fully grow into a ‘One-World’ company that offers ministries, advertisers, and our audiences’ multiple platforms with which to consume content and reach communities.”
podcasts, offering a differentiated promotional playbook to help them grow and monetize their content; and the companies teaming up to offer new resources for niche and emerging business podcasters. iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne states, “iHeartMedia is thrilled to team up with LinkedIn to help propel professional conversations through the podcast space. The combination of our vast reach and industry resources and expertise with LinkedIn’s professional network will allow us to bring a new level of innovation and growth to the communities’ business creators care about most.”
The fourth and final round of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s June 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s June 2023 sweep covered May 25 – June 21. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia news/talk WISN remains ranked #1 in the market even after losing four-tenths to finish with a 9.8 share, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ leaps 1.3 shares for 9.5 share finish that lifts it to the #2 rank. In Providence, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM tacks on seven-tenths for a 5.9 share finish but stays in the #7 spot, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WHJJ is up one-tenths for a 0.5 share and remains ranked #17. And in Hartford, Audacy’s news/talk WTIC-AM rises six-tenths to finish with a 5.5 share good for the #6 rank, while Red Wolf Broadcasting’s crosstown news/talk WDRC-AM dips one-tenth to a 1.5 share good for the #15 rank. 
on new contracts to continue “The Hang Zone” show. The report indicates that Cumulus and the two hosts had been negotiating for the better part of seven months on new, long term deals but McDowell & Kemp and the company were split over digital media projects that the two wanted to pursue beyond their work with “The Ticket.” They resigned on Tuesday (7/17). Cumulus has not officially named a new host or hosts for the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm daypart.
politically conservative news/talk formatted radio stations and media assets nationwide. Epperson was a longtime leader in Christian radio as a former member of the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters Association. In 2005, Time Magazine named him one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. Salem executive chairman Ed Atsinger comments, “Stuart will be greatly missed by many. I will miss him, but I take comfort in realizing that he is already receiving his reward for a life well-lived. A life that personifies the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: ‘I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. Now there Is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’”
experience in radio and digital sales management having worked in markets including Toronto, Buffalo, Greensboro and Houston.” She most recently was vice president of sales for the Greater Wilmington (NC) Business Journal. Curtis Media Group president/COO Trip Savery comments, “Carolyn is a great addition to our management team in Raleigh. Her experiences in radio, digital, and publishing align with the opportunities we have at WPTF, Triangle Traffic Network and ‘Rock 929.’ I am looking forward to seeing her leading our teams to even greater heights.”