Michael Kay Renews to Continue ESPN New York Show
As reported by the New York Post, afternoon drive personality Michael Kay has signed a contract extension with Good Karma Brands-operated sports talk WEPN-FM, New York “ESPN New York” that is a “seven-figure deal per year and is for multiple years.” The Post reported in January that the 62-year old Kay was seriously
considering retirement. Kay announced the deal on his program yesterday (3/16) saying, “When the story in The Post came out, I was pretty certain that was going to be it and I would leave the show after 21 years in September. It had been a great run, a long run. I just said, ‘That’s it. I’m probably too old to do it.’” Kay is supported on the show by co-host Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg. The show is simulcast on the YES TV network. Kay also serves as the television play-by-play announcer for New York Yankees baseball games. Read the Post story here.
Oh, excuse me, hold on. Here it is! The hourly report from quasi research companies or real research companies like Nielsen declaring that radio is just fine, thank you! Massive surveys (choose one) reveal that radio works! Radio appeals to younger demos! Radio moves product! Radio has more listeners in AM drive than the “Tonight Show” has viewers! A landslide of data proves that after 100 years of success, radio is a viable medium.
accomplished recipients. Jim’s 60-year career in radio as a DJ, news reporter and then as one of the all-time great talk show hosts was impeccable. He stood tall as a giant among us displaying journalistic integrity, on-the-job dependability, remarkable longevity, stunning talent, and unconditional goodwill to his fellow broadcasters as a mentor and a colleague.” Bohannon passed away on November 12, 2022 after a brave battle with esophageal cancer performing on air as best he could to almost the very end. The award will be presented at the forthcoming TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University along with The Gene Burns Memorial Award for Freedom of Speech, The Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Woman (Woman of the Year), and The Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service (Humanitarian of the Year). The recipients of all four awards will be named within the next few weeks. 
Some of the radio-related podcasts in this ranker include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” which remains at #6, and “The Dan Bongino Show” which rises one spot to #7, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” is steady at #15, and Audacy Podcast Network’s “We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle” falls five spots to #21. 
innovation, community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Mason will be presented with the award at the Broadcasters Foundation Breakfast at the NAB Show on Wednesday, April 19 at the Wynn, Las Vegas. Mason comments, “I’m honored to be recognized by the Broadcasters Foundation, a charity that I believe in very much. I’ve been so fortunate in many ways, and the opportunity to support the Foundation’s mission as its chairman, was one way of giving back to this industry that has given me so much.” Current BFoA chairman Scott Herman says, “I worked with Dan for many years at CBS, and I am proud to call him a friend, colleague, and mentor. Dan is a great leader and a true champion for radio. It is our privilege to honor him.”
The show on March 18 will broadcast live from the BetMGM Sportsbook at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas as part of Audacy’s exclusive partnership with BetMGM. Audacy president of sports Mike Dee says, “The men’s college basketball tournament is the premier playoff tournament in American sports, and we’re excited to bring back this informative and entertaining program. Whether you’re trying to win your office pool or cash in on this year’s bracket, ‘Countdown to Tip-Off,’ with Nick and Ken will have you covered with their expert analysis of all the madness this March.”
as well as have the opportunity to win prizes and giveaways, play pop-a-shot, attend pickleball demos and lessons, hang out in the beer garden, enjoy a live DJ and entertainment, watch college basketball, and more. GKB vice president Sam Pines comments, “We are excited to introduce a new event to the ESPN Los Angeles community and team up with our partners to execute at the highest level. The Pickleball Madness Tournament is a perfect opportunity for ESPN LA fans to connect with our content team and engage in one of the most popular sports in the country. We are looking forward to the event coming to life on March 18.
Westfield most recently served with Champaign, Illinois radio company Illini Radio Group voicing commercials and hosting on-air shows. “Radio Health Journal” was launched in 1992 and is distributed by American Urban Radio Networks to more than 630 affiliate stations. AURN says, “The addition of Westfield rings in a new era for the show in that it’s now largely female-led, produced and voiced. With March being Women’s History Month, it’s important to honor the contributions of the countless women across history who’ve fought tirelessly for equal rights and opportunities.”
for cash and it should get $145.5 million at the time of settlement. At the same time, Urban One is notifying the SEC that is unable to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 before the March 16 deadline. The company says it expects to file the report within the 15-day extension period. Urban One adds, “The company noted it expects its auditor will issue an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The company has identified material weaknesses in the company’s internal control over financial reporting and as a result, expects some of its internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls will be ineffective as of December 31, 2022. The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 will describe these material weaknesses, and the company is implementing plans to remediate them.”
archives via an independent auction house and paid more than $600,000 for it. The Tribune quotes Beck saying on his radio show, “Roe vs. Wade is history, and now that history is in the hands of a pro-life conservative.” He also says “Coffee’s archives will debut this summer as part of an exhibit called ‘The Blueprints of Freedom,’ adding, “The Roe archives’ inclusion in the exhibit will underscore Coffee’s bloody legacy that has been undone in the service of life and the proper reading of the Constitution.” 
Providence. Kass was inducted into the RI Radio Hall of Fame in 2010. He began his radio career in 1958 as a rock ‘n’ roll disc jockey. He also led the pop group Steve Kass and the Love Larks that was recorded by Bobby Day for Class Records. They performed on TV and toured for a while. Kass changed careers and launched several successful businesses but returned to radio and TV in 1979, hosting shows at WPRO-AM and WHJJ-AM in Providence. Today, he hosts an eponymous podcast.
News/Talk Library is created by the industry’s top imaging and production specialists, led by imaging director, Adam “Ketch” Kecskemeti, and imaging voice, Mike Hansen. Paired with Benztown’s Ambush News/Talk Library, led by imaging director Scott Phillips, and format voice JJ Surma, and housed on Benztown’s industry-leading platform, news/talk radio stations have every imaging tool and solution at their fingertips.” Benztown VP, sales & operations Masa Patterson says, “We are incredibly excited to bring America’s best news/talk stations an enhanced and expansive toolset they need now more than ever. Benztown News/Talk is all stations need to produce what their listeners count on them for, from conservative talkers to straight-up traffic and weather. With this increase in caller interaction and daily topical elements, it has everything news/talk stations need to get a jump on tomorrow’s news today – and more.” 
censorship” from conservatives. The rhetoric surrounding these deals is part and parcel of the politicized nature of media in the modern world. In the piece, Montlake observes, “The $60 million takeover – and the reactions it has sparked – is another flashpoint in the national battle to win over Latino voters, a fast-growing demographic that has long leaned Democratic but has lately grown more receptive to Republicans. So far, most Spanish-language radio in the U.S. has been focused on music and entertainment, not news or commentary. Which in the eyes of many makes it an untapped and lucrative means of political persuasion.” 
‘Stuff You Missed in History Class’ podcast, Holly Frey; and esteemed journalist, author and co-founder of Pushkin Industries, Malcolm Gladwell, joined with today’s biggest marketers to explain why podcasting is growing rapidly and how brands need to adapt, invest and create audio advertising that resonates with podcast fans.” iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne says, “Podcasters are the most creative, fastest-growing, diverse wave of influencers to hit content and marketing in years – just as influencer marketing more generally was becoming a key new way to reach audiences. This event came together because our podcast creators are deeply invested in the brands and advertising that become part of their shows, that they asked us to give them a chance to sit down with marketers at scale and talk about what makes host-read creative work. What really differentiates podcasting and our iHeartPodcast Network from other mediums is that creators and fans expect the advertising to be endemic to the shows, often voiced by the hosts and authentic to the listening experience. This is a chance to roll up our sleeves and co-create, collaborate and showcase the simplicity, speed and creative potential of podcasting.”
and The New York Post who also served as Nassau County executive from 2018-2021. She’s filled in on the station’s “Cats & Cosby” show. Ernie Anastos recently began producing his twice-daily feature “Positively Ernie with Ernie Anastos” for the station. For this new show he partners with Patricia Stark – a certified personal & executive coach who heads Patricia Stark Communications. Red Apple Media Group CEO John Catsimatidis says, “At 77 WABC, we’re doing radio the way it’s supposed to be…. live, local, and BIG. We got rid of all the brokered weekend programs and we’re replacing them with big-name hosts like Ernie and Laura. I know we’re doing radio the right way because we’re winning!”
2021, Townsquare is upbeat about its Digital segment. CEO Bill Wilson says, “I am proud to report that Townsquare’s transformation into a Digital First Local Media Company allowed us to deliver record results in 2022 despite a progressively challenging economic landscape… 2022 was a significant inflection point for our company. It marked the first year where radio no longer comprised the majority of our revenue and profit, further separating Townsquare from our local media peers, and placing a spotlight on our world-class team and our unique and differentiated strategy, assets, platforms and solutions. Our growth engine has been and will continue to be our 
digital solutions, which were the primary driver of our 2022 growth. Total digital revenue increased +16% year-over-year (and +12% in the fourth quarter) to $231 million, and total digital Adjusted Operating Income increased +12% year-over-year to $69 million, representing a 30% profit margin. We believe Townsquare’s ability to drive profitable, sustainable digital growth is a key differentiator for our company, and we reaffirm our expectation that our digital revenue will grow to at least $275 million by 2024. We are uniquely positioned as a Digital First Local Media Company focused principally on markets outside of the Top 50 in the United States, with a resilient digital growth engine supported by both a recurring subscription digital marketing solutions business, with a large addressable market and limited competition, and a highly differentiated digital advertising technology platform. We believe that our business model and strategy position us to weather the current economic environment better than most… Our success has been and will continue to be the result of the Townsquare Team focusing on what we do best: creating high quality, local original content for our audiences and delivering creative and cost-effective marketing solutions for our local clients with strong return on investment.”
passing last October. MIW says, “The program encapsulates so much of what Laurie brought to the industry; a mentorship that encourages and empowers women to develop confidence, sharpen communication skills and hone the ability to effectively speak up in order to further attain career and personal goals.” One candidate from radio broadcasting, located in a small to medium radio market from any department, will be selected for the 2023 program. 
and familiarity people have for their local radio stations to help them sample and choose from curated podcasts. Podcast Radio broadcasts 24/7 online and via app and smart speakers. It is monetized by selling traditional on-air advertising and sponsorships, inserting commercials into its online audio stream, partnering with international content makers, and making original podcasts and bespoke audio content that resonate with audiences.” 
April 18 on the Main Stage at NAB Show in Las Vegas. NAB will also present Bonneville International’s news/talk KTAR-FM, Phoenix with the esteemed Crystal Heritage Award during the ceremony. The Heritage Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only 10 other stations have received this honor. 
-the-hour news during the “Sid & Friends Morning Show.” He’ll also be responsible for all WABC news content and distribution, on-air and online. Laden served with WABC from 2003 to 2018 in which he was news director, news anchor on the “Imus In the Morning” show, and co-host on the Geraldo Rivera show. Laden says, “I’m very excited to join the new 77 WABC. The station has a terrific lineup of hosts and the ratings are soaring. It’s great to be part of a winning team with passionate owners. We’ve got lots of exciting plans for distribution of our news.” Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez says, “New Yorkers need to be in-the-know first thing in the morning and throughout their busy day. Our goal at WABC Radio is not only to deliver the news but to include all sides of the story.”
pandemic. His expertise in national and global affairs was immediately recognized and appreciated by the WBT audience, but it was his fair analysis of the day’s news and his whole-hearted support of the Charlotte community in those difficult times that allowed him to become a welcomed part of the lives of the audience.” Winterble comments, “From the moment I walked into the legendary WBT Radio it felt like home. I am so 
thankful for the welcome and support I received from our clients, listeners, and incredible staff over these past three years. I am truly honored to continue this relationship with the best creators in the business. I am particularly grateful for the support of Urban One/Radio One, and Marsha Landess, Alfred Liggins, David Kantor, Mike Schaefer, and Kraig Kitchin in helping me to realize this professional dream. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us.”