Industry News

St. John Upped to DOS for Bonneville Seattle

Bonneville International promotes Crista St. John to director of sales for the Seattle market that includes news/talk KIRO-FM, KIRO-AM “Seattle Sports,” conservative talk KTTH-AM “Seattle Red,” and MyNorthwest.com. St. John, who has been serving as general sales manager,img comments, “I’m honored and excited to take on this new role and continue building on the incredible momentum our teams have created. Bonneville Seattle is home to passionate, talented individuals who care deeply about our brands, our partners, and our community. I look forward to helping us grow even stronger – together.” Bonneville Seattle SVP and market manager Cathy Cangiano states, “Crista has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to relationship-building. Her promotion is a testament to the impact she’s made and the confidence we have in her ability to lead us into the future. Crista was the clear choice for this role, and I’m thrilled to partner with her as we shape the next chapter for Bonneville Seattle. Her vision and energy will be instrumental in our continued growth.”

Industry News

Don Miller Returns to JVC’s Florida Man Radio Network

JVC Broadcasting’s Florida Man Radio Network announces the return of “The Don Miller Show” to the weekday lineup airing live from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. JVC Broadcasting calls Miller’s show “a powerful mix of street-smart insight, bold commentary, and real-life conversations. Withimg more than 20 years in Florida talk radio, Don Miller has built a reputation for being candid, unfiltered and deeply connected to the community.” Company market manager John Griffo says, “We’re thrilled to welcome Don back home to Florida Man Radio. He brings a voice that’s bold, thought-provoking, and completely authentic — exactly what Florida Man Radio is all about.” Flordia Man Radio is heard on WZLB, Ft. Walton Beach; WYOO, Panama City; and WYGC, Gainesville. JVC Broadcasting CEO John Caracciolo says there are more affiliate stations coming for the format. “Florida Man Radio is one of the most real and entertaining talk networks on the air right now,” said Caracciolo. “We’re building something different — live, local, and full of personality. This is talk radio the way it’s supposed to be, unfiltered and unafraid.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Unveils Partnership with TikTok

iHeartMedia and social media platform TikTok announce a multiplatform partnership that includes the launch of the TikTok Podcast Network, featuring up to 25 new podcasts hosted byimg TikTok creators, as well as a national broadcast and digital radio channel, and a series of live event integrations. iHeartMedia president, COO and CFO Rich Bressler says, “This partnership connects TikTok’s cultural energy and creator community with the unmatched scale and reach of iHeartMedia. We’re giving creators access to the biggest audio platforms in America – creating new ways to tell stories, entertain, and build deeper connections with fans. Together, we’re combining our vast networks to deliver relevant content on a massive scale. It’s a win for creators, fans, and brands alike.”

Industry News

Townsquare Media Q3 Net Revenue Falls 7.4%

Townsquare Media’s third quarter 2024 financial results are in and the company reports net revenue of $106.8 million, a decline of 7.4% compared to the same period a year ago. The company reports a net loss of $5.5 million for the period after posting net income of $11.3 million a year ago. Townsquare Media CEO Bill Wilson states, “In the first nine months of 2025,img Townsquare’s total Digital net revenue increased +2.1% year-over-year, representing 55% of the Company’s total net revenue, and Digital Segment Profit increased +3.6% year-over-year, operating at a 26% profit margin, and representing 55% of our total Segment Profit. In particular, I’d like to highlight the strong performance of our Direct Digital Advertising revenue streams img(including the direct sales of our owned and operated digital properties and our programmatic offering), which increased +7% year-over-year in the third quarter, partially offsetting the significant short-term headwinds we are currently facing due to the deterioration in online audience trends; and the strong profit performance of Townsquare Interactive, which delivered Segment Profit growth of +21% year-over-year in the third quarter (+$1.1 million) and +19% year-over-year in the September year-to-date period (+$3.0 million). Despite numerous headwinds that we have encountered, we are proud that the execution of our Digital First Local Media strategy has allowed us to deliver excellent results for our clients, while also producing strong cash flow from operations due to the thoughtful and deliberate management of our expense base.”

Industry News

WABC’s John Catsimatidis Mulls Moving to Florida

As New York City businesspeople prepare for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to assume control of the city, some are saying they will re-locate their businesses from New York City for fear of how Mamdani policies will affect their bottom line. Red Apple Media and WABC owner John Catsimatidis is one of those. He is featured in a piece in Forbes in which he says, “I think a lotimg of businesspeople are reducing their exposure to New York City.” He tells Forbes he’s looking for “friendly states.” “The key word is a commonsense place to do business in.” Catsimatidis, whose business interests include Gristedes supermarkets and a controlling share of D’Agostino stores, was irked by Mamdani’s promise of opening “cheap city-run grocery stores” in each of the boroughs. Catsimatidis tells Forbes, “‘We don’t have any profit margins,’ he says, explaining that his stores have been losing money for ‘at least two years.’ He blames the state of the city: ‘Shoplifting is up to an all-time high. A lot of stuff is being closed up, which means that it’s not easy for people to shop, so sales are down.’” Catsimatidis does not talk about his radio businesses in the article but given how much effort he’s put into covering local New York news and his hiring local talk hosts and journalists, it’s hard to imagine him running the radio stations from another state such as Florida. Read the Forbes story here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (November 3 – 7, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (11/3-7) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Government Shutdown / Air Travel Disruption
  2. SNAP Benefits / Medicaid Subsidies Battle
  3. Elections Aftermath / California Redistricting Battle
  4. SCOTUS Hears Tariffs Arguments
  5. The Economy / Recession Fears
  6. The Tucker Carlson-Fueled MAGA Schism
  7. ICE Raids / Pope Leo Speaks Out
  8. Trump “60 Minutes” Interview
  9. Suspected “Narco-Terrorist” Strikes
  10. Pelosi to Retire / Dick Cheney Dies

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Zohran Mamdani
  3. Mikie Sherrill / Abigail Spanberger
  4. Gavin Newsom
  5. Ted Cruz / Marjorie Taylor Greene
  6. Sean Duffy / Bryan Bedford
  7. Tucker Carlson / Nick Fuentes
  8. Pope Leo
  9. Nancy Pelosi
  10. Dick Cheney

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

Industry News

Top Five Unchanged on Podtrac’s October Top Podcasts Chart

NPR’s “NPR News Now” keeps its place at the top of Podtrac’s Top Podcasts chart based onimg U.S. unique monthly audience for October 2025. The New York Times’ “The Daily” is #2, NPR’s “Up First” is #3, followed by the “FOX News Hourly Update” at #4 and “Dateline NBC” at #5. DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rises two places to #8, while Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” falls five places to #11. See the complete chart here.

Industry News

Erick Erickson Joins AJC as Opinion Contributor

Nationally syndicated talk radio host Erick Erickson has begun writing opinion pieces for Theimg Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  The Compass Media Networks host is heard in Atlanta on Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM. His first piece was printed in September in the wake of the slaying of Charlie Kirk. His latest column is titled, “Democrats are hungry, Republicans complacent and all politics is national,” and you can read that here.

Industry News

Audacy SVP/Sports Lee Davis to Retire

Audacy’s SVP of sports monetization Lee Davis is retiring. The former WFAN, New York VP andimg general manager has been in his current role since 2023. Audacy notes that Davis “rejoined Audacy in 2018 to lead the reboot of Audacy’s TWIN platform.” Audacy chief revenue officer Bob Philips says, “Lee has been a valued colleague and leader whose experience, dedication, and steady guidance have made a lasting impact on Audacy (as well as the companies he has worked at throughout his career). His contributions and presence will be greatly missed.”

Industry News

Fisher House Foundation Offers Veterans Day Edition of Together in Mission: The Fisher House Journey

Fisher House Foundation is announcing a Veterans Day edition of “Together in Mission: The Fisher House Journey” is available to stations free of charge. The radio special is available to news/talk stations in varying lengths as well as a 30-minute public affairs show suitable for all radio formats in the U.S. and around the world. The three-hour, one-hour, 25-minute and 30-minute radio specials are hosted by longtime radio personality Larry O’Connor and featuresimg stories of America’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. This program is appropriate for the entire Veterans Day Weekend and is a fitting, patriotic, and inspirational holiday programming alternative for all formats. Listeners will hear their emotional stories fighting for our freedoms, how they sustained their injuries, and the welcoming homes Fisher House provides for them and their loved ones while they endure their painful and painstaking recoveries. This year’s program features a special focus on the incredibly inspiring victories our wounded warriors enjoy on the field of competitive, adaptive sports. Fisher House supports the Wounded Warrior Games and the lnvictus Games as a vital part of the physical, emotional, and mental healing process for our wounded veterans. Listeners will hear about the riveting war stories detailing the injuries these heroes sustained, the ensuing medical and therapeutic healing process, right through the triumph on the field of international sports, as these brave veterans continue their dedication of service, representing America in international competition. 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

Audacy and Ad Age to Present The Creator Effect Webcast

Ad Age and Audacy are presenting a webcast for “an essential conversation on how the trusted,img authentic voices in audio are powerfully shaping culture, building true community, and driving measurable brand performance.” Based on the results of the Audio Creator Impact Study, the webcast will highlight “how deep authenticity and strategic alignment fuel results across the entire customer journey.”  You can register for the webcast here.

Industry News

Grace Blazer Promoted to SVP of Programming in Miami

iHeartMedia promotes Grace Blazer to SVP of programming for its Miami market stations. iHeartMedia Miami EVP of programming Marc Chase says, “Grace is a powerhouse of programming excellence. Her ability to elevate brands, inspire teams and drive meaningfulimg results has made her an invaluable leader within iHeartMedia.” Blazer has been with iHeartMedia since 2013 and serves as national news, talk, and sports brand coordinator, news director for the Florida News Network, program director for Miami’s WIOD and WINZ, and program director for Tampa’s WFLA. Market president Shari Gonzalez adds, “At iHeartMedia Miami, we’re fortunate to have exceptional programming leadership, and Grace is a shining example of that excellence. With 12 years of unwavering passion, strategic vision and meaningful impact across our organization, Grace has consistently raised the bar. We’re thrilled to recognize her achievements and promote her to lead our dynamic cluster into the future.” Blazer comments, “I’m incredibly proud and excited to step into my new role at iHeartMedia Miami. iHeartMedia is a powerhouse of creativity and bold ideas, and I’m energized by the opportunity to help shape our Miami brands growth and collaborate with some of the most extraordinary programmers in the industry.”

Industry News

FOX Nation to Give Erika Kirk Inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award

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When FOX Nation hosts its seventh annual Patriot Awards ceremony on Thursday (11/6), it will present the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award to his widow Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA. Country music’s Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany Aldean, will join FOX News Channel’s Jesse Watters to present the award Kirk. Aldean will take the stage for a live performance of his hit songs, “Try That in a Small Town,” and “How Far Does a Goodbye Go.” FOX Nation says that each subsequent year, it will present the “Charlie Kirk Legacy Award” to a recipient who embodies Kirk’s mission and his spirit of free speech, faith, and family. FNC personality Sean Hannity will emcee the awards ceremony live from The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, New York at 8:00 pm ET.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (October 27-31, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (10/27-31) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Trump’s Asia Trip
  2. Government Shutdown / Expiring Benefits
  3. Israel-Hamas Peace Accord
  4. The Economy / Fed Policy
  5. Trump Third Term Chatter
  6. Newsom Mulling ’28 Run
  7. The NYC Mayoral Race
  8. U.S. Attacks Alleged Drug Boats / Venezuela Tensions
  9. Biden Autopen Issue
  10. Hurricane Melissa

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Xi Jinping
  3. Sanae Takaichi
  4. J.D. Vance
  5. Jerome Powell
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. Gavin Newsom
  8. Zohran Mamdani / Andrew Cuomo / Curtis Sliwa
  9. Nicolás Maduro
  10. Joe Biden

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

Industry News

Ross Kaminsky Moves to AM Drive at KOA, Denver

Denver talk radio host Ross Kaminsky reveals changes coming to iHeartMedia’s news/talk KOA-AM/K231BQ effective November 10. Kaminsky will move from his late morning daypart toimg morning drive (6:00 am to 9:00 am). Sister KHOW talk host Michael Brown will take over the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon slot on KOA. Kaminsky says in a social media post, “This will be the first time in decades (or maybe ever, I really don’t know) that KOA has a talk show in ‘morning drive.’ We’ll keep bringing you plenty of news but now we’re doing it in a show that also talks about the news (and lots of other things…the show won’t be very different from my current show.) Psyched to be embarking on this project with @JeanaGondek who I always have so much fun bantering with. The show will be fun, informative, and entertaining…at least that’s the goal!” Kaminsky says the “Colorado’s Morning News” program featuring Gondek will air from 5:00 am to 6:00 am.

Industry News

Armen Williams to Lead Westwood One Sports 24/7 Programming

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One appoints Armen Williams executive director of Westwood One Sports 24/7 programming, effective November 3. In this role, Williams will lead the development and production of the network’s new round-the-clock sports content. The companyimg says he’ll “oversee all aspects of sports talk content across the network, including daily technical operations, social media strategy, and brand management. He will build a talented team of hosts and producers responsible for compelling on-air programming – featuring original content, interviews, benchmarks, and fan interaction.” Williams says, “There’s never been a more exciting time to be in audio – the industry is thriving, innovative, and constantly evolving. This is a unique opportunity to build on the incredible foundation created by our partners at Audacy and BetMGM and combine it with the reach, heritage, and credibility of Westwood One Sports. I’m honored to help shape the next chapter, delivering smart, entertaining, and authentic sports content for listeners everywhere.”

Industry News

WGN, Chicago News Anchor Steve Bertrand to Retire

WGN Radio announces that market news pro and afternoon news anchor Steve Bertrand will retire from radio on November 13 after a 40-year career with the Nexstar Media Group station.img WGN VP and general manager Mary Sandberg Boyle says, “From joining  WGN Radio in 1985 during the Wally Phillips era to anchoring news on the ‘Lisa Dent Show’ today, throughout his 40 eventful years here Steve has faithfully maintained the highest standards of journalistic integrity, combined with his own unique gift for playful on air banter which is sure to be  missed by colleagues and listeners alike.” Bertrand comments, “I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the history of radio. As a kid, I dreamed of one day living in Chicago. I never imagined I’d be part of her daily conversation. I will forever be grateful to the legends I worked with and, most especially, the listeners who made it all happen. I’ve had the privilege of being part of a pretty amazing family for 40 years.”