Industry News

Tom Shattuck Exits WTIC-AM, Hartford

Talk host Tom Shattuck’s contract was not renewed at Audacy’s news/talk WTIC-AM, Hartford and his lastimg show was on Friday (6/6). Shattuck – whose career includes time spent as producer of Boston Herald Radio, producer and host at WRKO and WTKK-FM in Boston, as well as editor at the Boston Herald – hosted the midday show at WTIC for the past four years. He also produces and hosts the podcast, “Burn Barrel,” and will continue with that effort. Audacy is going syndicated in the daypart featuring FOX News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show” followed by “The Erick Erickson Show.”

Industry News

Starks and Simington Exits Leave FCC without a Quorum

At the end of the business day today (6/6), the Federal Communications Commission is without a quorum of three commissioners. Democrat Commissioner Geoffrey Starks previously announced his exit from theimg Commission and Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington abruptly announced his departure from his commissioner role earlier this week. President Trump nominated Olivia Trusty for the open seat that existed prior to Starks’ and Simington’s departures but that has been stalled in the Senate. Interestingly, FOX News reports that Simington’s chief of staff Gavin Wax is being floated as a potential nominee, according to “a source close to the FCC.” Regardless, the Senate needs to get at least one nominee confirmed soon as the Commission’s ability to do business is disrupted.

Industry News

Erick Erickson’s “4 Things to Know This Afternoon” Debuts

WSB, Atlanta-based, nationally syndicated talk host Erick Erickson is launching a new podcast that givesimg fans their “essential end-of-day rundown of the four most important stories breaking while you were busy.” The Erickson show says “4 Things to Know This Afternoon” delivers “smart analysis of the four biggest headlines shaping the nation and the world in less than ten minutes. From national security to culture, economics to politics, Erick distills the noise into clarity – cutting through the spin with conviction, context, and a clear-eyed view of where things stand.”

Industry News

WOR, New York Adds Jimmy Failla Show to Lineup

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FOX News Radio nationally syndicated personality Jimmy Failla (right) is being added to the program schedule at iHeartMedia’s WOR, New York, effective June 9 airing in the 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight daypart. WOR program director Tom Cuddy (left) says, “Known for his sharp wit, fearless takes and refreshing lightness in the political world, we are delighted to welcome Jimmy to the WOR family and to be heard in his hometown. Jimmy’s show informs and entertains, which is a perfect combination for our tri-state area audience.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 2 – 6, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/2-6/6) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Trump-Musk War
2. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt / Debt Ceiling
3. Medicaid Cuts
4. Trump vs Harvard & Columbia
5. ICE Raids / Deportations
6. Trump Doubles Steel & Aluminum Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
7. Colorado Fire Attack
8. Biden Health Coverup / Biden Actions Investigation
9. Ukraine Drone Strikes on Russia / Deadly Gaza Violence
10.Travel Ban / Iran Nukes

               People

1. Donald Trump
2. Elon Musk
3. Mike Johnson
4. Rand Paul / Mike Lee
5. Linda McMahon
6. Xi Jinping
7. Volodymyr Zelensky
8. Joe Biden
9. Mohamed Soliman
10.Benjamin Netanyahu

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

Industry News

FCC Commissioner Simington Announces Surprise Resignation

Republican FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington – who joined the Commission during President Trump’s first term – surprised the industry on Wednesday (6/4) by issuing a statement announcing his exit from the Commission. He said, “I will be concluding my tenure at the Federal Communications Commission at theimg end of this week. It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve the American people as a Commissioner. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility by President Donald J. Trump during his first term. The Commission is in excellent hands under the leadership of my distinguished colleague, Chairman Brendan T. Carr, and is supported by an extraordinary staff whose dedication to public service is second to none. Throughout my tenure, I worked to defend free expression, safeguard national security, and promote infrastructure investment to benefit all Americans… I look forward to continuing to serve the public interest in the years ahead and to contributing to the vital conversations surrounding our communications infrastructure, national security, and technological leadership. I remain committed to advancing the cause of limited government, free speech, and American innovation. These principles guided my time at the Commission and will continue to shape my future endeavors. As I move forward, I remain committed to shaping the future of communications policy and will continue to advocate for the values and priorities that have guided my public service.”

Industry News

Kathy Walker Leaving Full-Time KOA, Denver News Director Post

Longtime news radio pro Kathy Walker announces that she is “sunsetting” her life as a full-time broadcasterimg and regional news director position with iHeartMedia’s KOA, Denver.  She says, “iHeartMedia has graciously agreed to keep me part time, so you will still hear me anchor a newscast here or there… I have been honored to talk and write my way through 35 years at KOA.”

Industry News

NPR Stays Atop Podtrac Podcasts Chart for May

Podtrac releases its Top Podcasts chart for May based on U.S. unique monthly audience and NPR’s “NPR News Now” remains ranked #1, followed by The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #2 and NPR’s “Up First” atimg #3. Radio-related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “Shawn Ryan Show” steady at #6, iHeartPodcasts’ “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” rising two spots to #9, and Silverloch’s “VINCE” falling two places to #20. See the complete chart here.

Industry News

Audacy Promotes Biemolt to President of Digital Sales

Audacy promotes Michael Biemolt to president of digital sales. In this role, Biemolt will spearhead all national and local digital sales strategies, focusing on Audacy’s “dedication to delivering innovative solutionsimg and outcomes that matter for its partners.” Audacy chief business officer Chris Oliviero says, “Our growing digital portfolio will benefit from this new organizational structure, setting Audacy up perfectly for further success. With Michael at the helm, we will lean into his expertise, experience and creativity to further energize our digital sales, unlocking new opportunities and creating better workflows and results for our local and national teams. We’re excited about what this means for our client partners and colleagues.” Biemolt most recently served as executive vice president at Audacy where he was responsible for leading digital transformation efforts and helping grow national sales capabilities.

Industry News

Derek Hunter Named PM Drive Host at WMAL-FM, Washington

Cumulus Media officially names Derek Hunter afternoon drive talk host at “News Talk 105.9” WMAL-FM, Washington, DC. Hunter has been a regular fill-in host on the station since 2011. Hunter is also a senior columnist for Townhall.com, a podcaster, and a former managing editor at The Daily Caller. He previouslyimg served as a fill-in host for “The Rush Limbaugh Show.”  WMAL program director Bill Hess says, “We’re thrilled to have Derek’s fresh voice and perspective on our fulltime lineup. His width of interests will make for a fun and informative afternoon program as we wrestle this news cycle each day.” Hunter comments, “I couldn’t be more excited – this is a homecoming for me. Returning to where I first hosted is a great feeling. I’ve been fortunate to fill in across the lineup – from ‘O’Connor and Company’ to Chris Plante, and even for Rush Limbaugh. To now have a permanent home here is incredibly special. I want to thank Bill Hess, Jeff Boden, and all of Cumulus for this amazing opportunity.”

Industry News

Lionel to Host WABC’s “The Other Side of Midnight”

Red Apple Media Group announces that Lionel is assuming hosting duties for the station’s overnight program, “The Other Side of Midnight,” formerly hosted by newly elected New York City Councilor Frankimg Morano. Lionel comments, “I’m honored beyond words to be back at WABC – where it all began, my alma mater, the greatest talk radio station in the world. Legendary, historic, storied, unmatched in its legacy. This isn’t just radio, it’s home. It’s the gold standard, the birthplace of giants. And now, I’m back where I belong.”

Industry News

Cumulus SF Completes Move to Daly City

According to SFGate, Cumulus Media San Francisco made the transition to its new broadcast center at “2001 Junipero Serra Blvd. in an office complex near Daly City’s Century Theatres.” The news site reportsimg that the KNBR “‘Papa and Silver’ midday show signed off from the 750 Battery St. studios just before 2:00 pm. After a break, the ‘Dirty Work’ afternoon show went live from Daly City.” The story notes that sports talk KNBR was originally KPO-AM when it launched on April 17, 1922 with its tower on top of the Hale Brothers department store at 901 Market Street. Read the SFGate story here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 26 – 30, 2025)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/26-30) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

1. Big, Beautiful Bill / National Debt
2. Trump Tariffs Rulings
3. Trump vs Harvard / Chinese Student Visas Policy
4. Musk to Leave DOGE
5. Israel-Gaza War / Iran Nuclear Talks
6. Russia-Ukraine War / Trump-Putin Tensions
7. FBI-ICE Arrests
8. Golden Dome Defense System
9. Pardons & Commutations
10.Diddy Trial

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Mike Johnson
3. Alan Garber
4. Elon Musk
5. Benjamin Netanyahu
6. Vladimir Putin
7. Xi Jinping
8. Jake Tapper
9. Todd & Julie Chrisley
10.Sean “Diddy” Combs

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

Industry News

E. Curtis Johnson to Retire from KMJ-AM/FM, Fresno

Forty-nine-year radio pro E. Curtis Johnson is retiring from Cumulus Media’s KMJ-AM/FM, Fresno “News Talk 580 and 105.9” where he’s been serving as co-host of the afternoon drive show alongside Philip Teresi since March 2023. His final show is tomorrow (5/30). Johnson says, “I was truly excited to get the gig here atimg KMJ a little over two years ago. I’ve enjoyed working with Philip and the entire staff has welcomed me as one of their own. I thought I’d be here longer, but some unexpected health issues made the decision to retire the right choice for me. It was a hard decision to make, but I’m comfortable that I’ve made the right call for my quality of life. I will miss this team.” KMJ program director Blake Taylor comments, “It was great working with a true professional who brought great insights and a unique skill set to our audience. We’re going to miss E. I trust he’s going to take full advantage of the time off. He deserves it!”

Industry News

FCC Commissioner Gomez Continues First Amendment Tour

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez is taking her First Amendment Tour to Los Angeles today (5/28) for an event at Cal State LA. She says, “I launched this effort to defend the First Amendment from those who use it as a weapon against the very freedoms it protects. That’s why I’m excited to joinimg Free Press for the very first stop of our First Amendment Tour outside of Washington. Together, we must continue to stand up for free expression and push back against the Administration’s growing campaign of censorship and control.” Gomez’s office says that as part of her tour, Gomez is partnering with consumer and civil society organizations across the ideological spectrum to participate in speaking engagements and listening sessions focused on protecting the rights and freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment. Most recently, she held an event in partnership with the Center for Democracy and Technology, spoke at the Media Institute, and participated in a workshop held by the Competitive Enterprise Institute and TechFreedom.

Industry News

MIW Announces Mentoring Program for Programmers

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio announces the opening of the application window for the “MIW Elevating Women in Programming Mentorship.” MIW says the program offers “a transformative year-long experience, connecting the mentee with some of the most accomplished programmingimg minds in the business. Through personalized conversations, strategic connections, and unique opportunities, the program aims to empower and elevate the mentee’s career within the radio industry.” This mentorship is open to one female brand manager, content/program director, assistant program director, or music director from any U.S.-based format. “The ‘MIW Elevating Women in Programming Mentorship’ program is a cornerstone of our mission to empower women in radio,” says MIW board president Sheila Kirby. “This initiative not only fosters personal and professional growth but also builds a stronger and more inclusive future for the industry. We’re excited to welcome another talented mentee into this life-changing program.” Learn more and apply here.