Bob Pittman Addresses Key Issues in TALKERS 2023 Video
iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman and TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison engaged in an exclusive nine-minute video conversation recorded yesterday (5/24) to be debuted during the opening segment of TALKERS 2023, the 26th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important conference set for Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University. In it, Pittman candidly and directly addresses key existential issues pertaining to the talk radio industry as it faces daunting forks in the road. Harrison, who has known Pittman since he was a 20-year-old music director at WMAQ, Chicago in the mid-1970s, asks the chief of radio’s largest firm such questions as, “Do you still have the same passion for radio as I remember you having when we were kids in the business?” “What are iHeart’s intentions for news/talk and sports talk radio within the realm of the company going forward?” “How can radio remain true to its roots and mission as an audio medium and theater-of-the-mind without missing the opportunities provided in a multiplatform environment?” plus more. Pittman says that this is a “golden moment” for both radio and the larger field of audio in which it is and will remain a major player. He pointed out that “25% of iHeart’s stations do not play music” and that more and more shows on the company’s music stations are “actually talk shows that play little or no music at all.” He reaffirmed the company’s awareness that personality plays an important role in the presentation of music and it is its intention to pivot back in that direction. He candidly addressed the divide between the coastal elites who influence the direction of national media but are largely out of touch with the heartland and the rest of real America. The video will make its debut at the TALKERS 2023 conference and then be made available publicly in the video coverage of the event that will be posted in the weeks following June 2. TALKERS 2023 is officially sold out. See more about the agenda, sponsorship and hotel information here.
received its first notice of non-compliance on April 3. In accordance with the second NASDAQ notice, Urban One has until June 2 to submit a plan to file both delinquent reports or to submit a plan to regain compliance. If NASDAQ accepts the company’s plan, Urban One may get up to 180 days (September 27) to file the reports. If it doesn’t, the company can appeal the decision. Urban One says it intends to submit its plan to regain compliance on or before June 2.
Ramsey, bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell, clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson, Food Network celebrity chef and restaurateur Maneet Chauhan and more. Dave Ramsey comments, “World-class leadership is becoming more important because that’s who people want to follow. Something happens when you get thousands of powerhouse leaders in one room. After leaving Summit, you’ll be ready to hire and retain top talent, lead with confidence, and strengthen your company culture.” 
“I’m thrilled with the momentum we have and love our team. We get the best guests and the in-depth reporting and commentary sets the show apart. But, more than anything, it’s three hours of fun. I love that the show serves as an escape for listeners.” Station content director Keith Abrams states, “‘750 The Game’ is very fortunate to have John Canzano and ‘The Bald Faced Truth’ as part of the team! He IS the voice of truth regarding the Ducks, Beavers, Trail Blazers, the Pac-12 and all things ‘sports!’”
was stepping back from his duties, that allowed the station to use internal research to consider the best options to tweak its programming. That resulted in the station naming longtime station reporter and anchor Chris Chandler the new morning host, swapping late morning and afternoon hosts Mark Arum and Eric Von Haessler, and making Shelley Wynter solo host in evenings and giving his former co-host MalaniKai Massey her own Saturday night program. Charles says, “I feel very comfortable that we’ve got the right people in the right slots. We are set to grow our success.” 
Media VP of programming Heath Cole comments, “Sports betting is quickly becoming part of the daily conversation. As we evaluated the options in this space, we landed on VSiN. Their programming is best-in-class and the support from the VSiN team goes well beyond the content we air on the station. From the short-form ‘Action Updates’ to the digital content the VSiN team creates for our listeners, we think this content is, by far, the best in the space. We’re very excited about the opportunity to bring this programming to our listeners.”
from any department in a small to medium radio market. MIW says, “The program is designed to encapsulate so much of what Laurie brought to the industry – a mentorship that encourages and empowers women to develop confidence and sharpen communication skills, to hone the ability to effectively speak up in order to further attain her goals.” MIW board president Ruth Presslaff says, “This program will always hold a special place in our hearts as Laurie has left an unforgettable impact on all of us in the industry. We had a number of talented candidates to choose from, so it was a tough decision. Mary’s energy and vibrant character really illuminated our reasons for curating this program and we’re excited to have her as our first inaugural mentee!”
Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost, citing safety for citizens, access to foreign language programming and more. While Ford’s change of heart takes some of the immediate heat off the industry, there’s no indication legislators won’t continue pushing the legislation. Reacting to the bill, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation called the bill unnecessary and said the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System sends public safety messages across numerous platforms including FM radio, streaming sites, satellite radios, and cellular networks. 
severe weather events as a live audio simulcast of The Weather Channel television channel. The Pattrn stream will be a daily live audio simulcast of the Pattrn FAST channel, which explores climate, the environment and how the Earth is changing and elevates new voices to 
the conversation. The Weather Channel en Español stream will be a daily live audio simulcast of The Weather Channel en Español network. Audacy SVP digital audio content Tim Clarke says, “Audio and radio are time-tested, reliable ways for listeners to access critical and potentially life-saving information during severe weather events. This partnership will add a new layer to our best-in-class news content offering while expanding the reach of The Weather Channel’s broadcast weather coverage to Audacy app users across the country.”
public affairs show for ALL formats in the U.S. and around the world. 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 a medical crisis. The three-hour, one-hour, 25- and 30-minute radio specials are hosted by radio personality Larry O’Connor (WMAL-FM, Washington) 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. Hear the demo, register, and download today at 
A beautiful night. Paul Galvin and William Lear took their girlfriends to a romantic look-out view. Paul asked, “Isn’t this great?” His girlfriend replied, “It would better if we could hear music.”
Warning: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts certified me to teach high school English, in the early 1970s, the last year certifications were for life. Though I was lured-away by VU-meter hypnosis, I still carry a red pen. And radio news has it running-dry.
Are you a multiplatform juggler? If you sell or manage for a radio station, the answer is yes.
after suffering a cardiac event. Finch was director of sales for Broadcasters General Store. Previously, he held sales positions with Enco Systems and MusicMaster Inc. For many years, he served as an air personality on Gainesville/Ocala, Florida music stations WTRS-FM and WMFQ-FM.
hosted by Barbara Askins, president & CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District. The title of the show is “125th Street & Beyond” and focuses on the organization’s mission. WHCR general manager Angela Harden comments, “It is also a show about the relationships the 125th St. BID is building with New York City agencies and with BIDs around the world. Perhaps no neighborhood in New York City is as storied as Harlem, long the capital of Black culture in the United States. It’s a name known around the world. And now 125th Street has its own show. I am honored to host the show and look forward to welcoming many voices that support the betterment of Harlem.”
The fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 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 April 2023 sweep covered March 30 – April 26. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN is unchanged at a 9.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but rises from #2 to #1, while Good Karma Brands’ crosstown news/talk WTMJ jumps 1.8 shares to finish the survey with a 9.2 share lifting it to the #3 rank. Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM, Nashville dips two-tenths to a 6.7 share and remains ranked #4, while iHeartMedia’s crosstown news/talk WLAC-AM rises three-tenths to a 1.3 share that lifts it to the #17 rank. In Memphis, iHeartMedia’s WREC-AM adds a half share to wrap the month with a 2.8 share and stays locked in the #11 spot, while Starnes Media Group’s crosstown news/talk KWAM is steady at .2 share but rises to the #19 rank. 
Starnes comments, “When I bought KWAM I promised our listeners that we were going to bring fair and balanced journalism back to the radio. I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated and hard-working team of broadcasters at KWAM.” 
custom competitive set in year-over-year growth across multiplatform unique visitors, page views, and minutes spent, according to data from Comscore. OutKick delivered over 8 million multiplatform total unique visitors, up 394% year-over-year, 32 million multiplatform total views, and 36 million multiplatform total minutes. OutKick founder Clay Travis says, “OutKick continues to be the only platform that drives the sports, culture, and political intersection and that separates us from the rest of the field. Our authentic and unfiltered reporting across the board is unmatched which is a direct result of the significant increases we’re seeing every month.”
at FOX’s KSAZ, a producer at PBS’s KAET, and whose voice was prominently featured in the 1989 award-winning documentary, Roger and Me. In 2018, Steve joined Skyview Networks’ Arizona and California News Radio teams, where he covered many news stories, including political elections and a recent interview with newly elected Arizona Governor, Katie Hobbs. Skyview Networks VP, news Jeff Scott says, “In addition to being an outstanding broadcaster and journalist, Steve was a wonderful person, with a kind word and a smile for everyone he encountered. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him for more than three decades, and for having worked alongside him at KTAR, KSAZ, and for the past several years at Skyview Networks. Please keep Steve in your thoughts and know that we will do our very best to carry on his tradition of excellence and service.”
