Industry News

KHTK Pairs Up Allen Stiles with Kevin Gleason for PM Drive

Bonneville’s sports talk KHTK, Sacramento “Sactown Sports 1140” movesimg midday talk host Allen Stiles (right) to afternoons to join “The Drive Guys with Kevin Gleason” (left) as a co-host, effective January 12. The station says, “Allen is no stranger to Sactown Sports listeners. He has already been a key part of the Sactown Sports family as the host of ‘The Allen Stiles Show, which currently airs weekdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, building a strong connection with the audience through his knowledge, passion, and engaging style.” The station has not indicated its plans for the midday daypart. 

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Compass Presents 18th Season of College Hoops. Compass Media Networks is launching its 18th season of broadcasting men’s college basketball with 20 top-ranked, regular season matchups that includes top 25 ranked schools from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC conferences.

WTOP Partners with Top Workplaces. Hubbard Radio’s WTOP News is partnering with TOP Workplaces (formerly of the Washington Post) to recognize and celebrate the best places to work across the Washington, D.C. region. WTOP president Joel Oxley says, “WTOP is proud to carry forward the Top Workplaces program, recognizing and supporting exceptional local employers. As the go-to place for news and information in Washington D.C. this partnership felt like a natural fit.” 

FCC’s Carr Names Chief Economist. Federal Communications Chairman Brendan Carr names Dr. Jonathan Williams chief economist for the Commission in addition to his current role as chief of the office of economics and analytics. The chief economist advises the chairman, commissioners, and bureaus & offices on economic issues and works with the agency’s Office of Economics and Analytics. 

Industry News

Michael Reagan Dies at 80

Longtime talk radio host and conservative media personality Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, died on Sunday (1/4) at age 80. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced his death in a post on the social media saying, “Michaelimg Reagan lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose, and an abiding devotion to President Reagan’s ideals.” Reagan began his talk radio career in the late 1980’s first doing commentary on KABC, Los Angeles and then hosting his own show on KSDO, San Diego. For years his radio program was distributed nationally by Radio America and then by Premiere Networks. At the time of his death, Reagan was serving as a columnist for Newsmax. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says, “Michael Reagan was one of the pioneering talents that launched news/talk radio to new levels of achievement and influence in the 90s, in addition to forging a successful decades-spanning career as a host and commentator.  From a media industry standpoint, he was a self-made man, never leaning on his famous family connection as an advantage. Off the air, he was a regular guy. On the air, he was just plain good.”

Industry Views

A 20th Century Rulebook Officiating a 2026 Game

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgEvery media creator knows this moment. You are building a segment, you find the clip that makes the point land, and then the hesitation kicks in. Can I use this? Or am I about to invite a problem that distracts from the work itself?

That question has always lived at the center of fair use. What has changed is not the question, but the context around it. Over the past year, two federal court decisions involving AI training have quietly clarified how judges are thinking about copying, transformation, and risk in a media environment that looks nothing like the one for which these rules were originally written.

Fair use was never meant to be static. Anyone treating it as a checklist with guaranteed outcomes is working from an outdated playbook. What we actually have is a 20th century rulebook being used to officiate a game that keeps inventing new positions mid-play. The rules still apply. But how they are interpreted depends heavily on what the technology is doing and why.

That tension showed up clearly in two cases out of the Northern District of California last summer. In both, the courts addressed whether training AI systems on copyrighted books could qualify as fair use. These were not headline-grabbing decisions, but they mattered. The judges declined to declare AI training inherently illegal. At the same time, they refused to give it a free pass.

What drove the analysis was context. What material was used. How it was ingested. What the system produced afterward. And, critically, whether the output functioned as a replacement for the original works or something meaningfully different. Reading the opinions, you get the sense that the courts are no longer talking about “AI” as a single concept. Each model is treated almost as its own actor, with its own risk profile.

A simple medical analogy helps. Two patients can take the same medication and have very different outcomes. Dosage matters. Chemistry matters. Timing matters. Courts are beginning to approach AI the same way. The same training data does not guarantee the same behavior, and fair use analysis has to account for that reality.

So why should this matter to someone deciding whether to play a 22-second news clip?

Because the courts relied on the same four factors that govern traditional media use. Purpose. Nature. Amount. Market effect. They did not invent a new test for AI. They applied the existing one with a sharper focus on transformation and substitution. That tells us something important. The framework has not changed. The scrutiny has.

Once you see that, everyday editorial decisions become easier to evaluate. Commentary versus duplication. Reporting versus repackaging. Illustration versus substitution. These are not abstract legal concepts. They are practical distinctions creators make every day, often instinctively. The courts are signaling that those instincts still matter, but they need to be exercised with awareness, not habit.

The mistake I see most often is treating fair use as permission rather than analysis. Fair use is not a shield you invoke after the fact. It is a lens you apply before you hit publish. The recent AI cases reinforce that point. Judges are not interested in labels. They are interested in function and effect.

Fair use has always evolved alongside technology. Printing presses, photocopiers, home recording, digital editing, streaming. AI is just the newest stress test. The takeaway is not panic, and it is not complacency. It is attention.

If you work in the media today, the smart move is to understand how the rulebook is being interpreted while you are busy playing the game. The rules still count. The field just looks different now.

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.

Industry Views

CES2026: Come for the Gadgets, Stay for the Power Struggle

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgHello from Las Vegas, where 150,000+ of us – from around the world — are swarming. Think: hand sanitzer. And comfortable shoes.

To give you a sense of the scope of what’s up, here’s a PDF link to the slide deck from the Consumer Technology Association’s perennial “Tech Trends” research reveal: https://www.cta.tech/media/chwotebs/ces26_techtrendsdeck.pdf

They click “Buy,” then they click “Return.” 

Now, Artificial Intelligence is cracking-down on E-commerce return fraud. In 2025, scammers cost us consumers an estimated seventy-six-and-a-half billion dollars, by applying for a product refund, then sending back something else of less value, like a cheap knock-off that can’t be resold. 

“Happy Returns” is a UPS-owned company accepting no-box and no-label returns…which scammers LOVE, because it offers immediate refunds. So a new Artificial Intelligence tool called “Return Vision” will flag suspicious returns by analyzing patterns — early or frequent return requests, linked email addresses and past suspicious activity that could evade human detection. So, scammers, no matter how-quick-you-click, AI is watching.

When U.S. senators show up here, you know that CES isn’t just a gadget expo. 

Broadband access is the new oxygen, and Artificial Intelligence is quietly creeping into the background of almost everything we do. Washington now sees consumer technology as a policy issue, impacting jobs, national security, and the USA economy. So lawmakers and high-ranking government officials come to CES to get face‑to‑face with companies building the tools they may soon be regulating; and to talk about new rules for how AI is used in phones, cars, and workplaces. 

Tech companies want a say in those rules — so this is where the negotiations happen. Most CES coverage you see features shiny new gadgets, but the real action here is the growing partnership — and sometimes tension — between Big Tech and Big Government. 

Help yourself to my 60-second CES reports.

They’re updated daily, for air all this week. Simply download from HollandCooke.com. No charge, no paperwork, no spot.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Ramsey Press Publishes What No One Tells You About Money

Ramsey Press announces the publication of, What No One Tells Youimg About Money, the newest release from bestselling author and “The Ramsey Show” co-host Jade Warshaw. Ramsey Press says, “Warshaw draws from her own journey of paying off more than $460,000 of debt to offer readers a clear, practical way forward. She pairs honest storytelling with simple, hands-on tools readers can use to break cycles and build confidence that lasts. Unlike traditional money books that focus only on tactics. Warshaw adds, “People don’t need just another plan — they need a way to understand what keeps pulling them off track. When you deal with the emotional weight behind your money choices, that’s when real progress starts.”

Industry News

Salem Launches Jake Underwood Show on WHK, Cleveland

Salem Media names Jake Underwood host of the new late morning show on its O&O WHK-AM, Cleveland “1420 The Answer.” Underwood began his media career as a news anchor and reporter at WTAM, Cleveland covering state and local politics with a focus onimg accountability in government spending and policy. He has also served as executive director of the Medina County Republican Party and as national director of state legislation for Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Action. Un Durwood says, “We’re creating a space where Northeast Ohioans can engage with the issues that matter most to them. Whether you agree or disagree, this show is about elevating the conversation and encouraging active participation in our community’s future. Educating and enlightening our fellow Ohioans in a style that encourages active audience engagement is what drives and motivates me. I look forward to mixing it up with those in our audience with whom I agree — and with those with whom I disagree.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

New Affiliates for Erick Erickson. Nationally syndicated talk host Erick Erickson adds new affiliate stations including WMAC, Macon, Georgia; Virginia Talk Radio Network’s WIQO-FM, WBLT-AM/FM and WMNA-FM; WUSX-FM, Seaford, Delaware; WETR-AM/FM, Knoxville; and WBRP-FM, Baton Rouge.

MIW Management Webinar Set for January 15. Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc are presenting a webinar titled, “Management 101: Becoming an Impactful Leader,” next Wednesday, January 15 at 2:00 pm ET. Media executives including Townsquare Media Group COO Erik Hellum, StreamGuys’ Dara M. Kalvort, Audacy San Francisco’s Kieran Geffert, and WGN Radio’s Mary Boyle will appear as panelists. You can register here.

Industry News

Hubbard Unveils “JC & Ken” on WMEN-AM, Royal Palm Beach

Hubbard Radio is pairing up Josh Cohen and Ken LaVicka for a new one-hour show called “JC & Ken” that will air at 5:00 pm on “FOX Sports South Florida” (WMEN-AM/WIRK-HD2)img and will be distributed as a podcast immediately afterwards. Cohen and LaVicka previously co-hosted together. Cohen currently hosts his national show, “Questionable Call with Josh Cohen”on YouTube. LaVicka is currently the voice of Florida Atlantic University football & basketball, as well as the “Sports & Golf Boardroom” show on “FOX Sports South Florida.” Station brand and content director David Adams says, ”Josh & Ken are two of the best known and most respected voices in our community. I couldn’t be more excited to add them to the ‘FOX Sports South Florida’ lineup!”

Industry News

Audacy’s ESPN Memphis Announces Lineup Changes

Audacity sports talk WMFS-AM/FM, Memphis “92.9 FM ESPN” is making a series of programming changes as 16-year host and local columnist Geoff Calkins exits to focus on his role at the Daily Memphian. Effective January 12, “J&J” with John Martin and Jasonimg Smith will air from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and “Jeffrey Wright and Company” is expands to a three-hour show airing from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. Station brand manager and operations manager Brad Carson comments, “Since helping launch the station in 2010, Geoff Calkins defined the brand through his unique ability to blend smart, prepared sports storytelling with deeply resonant coverage of the broader Memphis community. We’re excited for the new generation of talent he personally mentored to build upon the powerful legacy he leaves behind and the foundation he built. Our listeners can remain confident that the station will uphold its commitment to unrivaled sports coverage and the authentic, community-driven storytelling that Memphis relies on.”

Industry News

Cumulus Wins Injunction in Nielsen Case

Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Jeannette A. Vargas granted Cumulus Media a preliminary injunction against Nielsen that limits the price Nielsen can charge for national radio ratings while the case is in the court system. Cumulus Media is suing Nielsen allegingimg that the company is illegally leveraging its dominance over national and local radio audience data to stifle rivals and charge inflated prices. At the heart of the complaint is the charge that Nielsen is providing access to the national broadcast radio ratings only if the client spends a lot of extra money on the separate local ratings. Cumulus argues that Nielsen’s policy forces them to buy ratings in U.S. markets where it doesn’t operate stations in order to have the complete national ratings data. Vargas’ injunction orders Nielsen to cease conditioning national ratings access on local subscriptions during ongoing contract negotiations. It also bars Nielsen from charging a commercially unreasonable rate for its nationwide ratings when sold as a standalone product while the case proceeds.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: CES2026, Radio Can Relate

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgHello from Las Vegas, where I am both eager and anxious for CES2026. 

I am eager to witness what’s new, and to report each day this week here in TALKERS, and on radio stations across the USA and around the world. Help yourself to 60-second reports, updated daily, for air all this week. Simply download from HollandCooke.com. No charge, no paperwork, no spot.

And I am eager to witness the continuing evolution of this event, and its parent the Consumer Technology Association — formerly the Consumer Electronics Association — which does NOT want us calling this “the Consumer Electronics Show.” At the first one, in 1967, audio cassettes were disrupting 8-track tapes. And decade-after-decade, gadget-after-gadget, this organization and this show has represented an industry that makes products that come in boxes. Audio, video, computers, smartphones…stuff.

Back to the future: Artificial Intelligence doesn’t come in a box. And much – possibly most – of what’s unveiled this week here is AI-driven. For years before AI popped, this show, and this nimble association, has been pivoting, away from things to experiences. Sure, there are still monster TVs and flying cars at CES, and there have been for 10 years. But last year’s keynote by Delta Airlines’ CEO was a star-studded event at The Sphere, a dazzling display of how they’re reimagining your travel experience. Experiences, not things.

Like flight, radio is also 100+ years old. So I am also anxious, as our industry struggles to evolve. Radio was the first consumer electronic gadget. And, for most of a century we cornered the market on making audio. Now everyone does. Much of what I write each week here in TALKERS is about optimizing the listener’s and advertiser’s experience. Radio’s roots run deep. At CES I’m looking for clues as to how we can grow new branches. More here tomorrow.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Connoisseur Media Names Tina Murley SVP

Connoisseur Media names Tina Murley senior vice president, Western Region and marketimg manager for San Francisco and San Jose. Murley was most recently chief revenue officer for Beasley Media Group. Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw says, “Tina is exactly the kind of leader we look for at Connoisseur. She brings exceptional operational instincts and a people-first leadership style that aligns perfectly with our culture. We could not be more excited to welcome her to the Connoisseur family as we continue to grow our presence on the West Coast.”

Industry News

Salem Radio Network Covers Maduro Arraignment

Salem Radio Network announces that today’s Chris Stigall Show and the Mike Gallagherimg Show will both present live coverage of the expected arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on narco-trafficking charges in New York City. Salem Radio Network VP/news and talk programming Tom Tradup interviewed Venezuelan citizens in the Dallas area, saying, “Like their counterparts in Washington, D.C., Chicago and elsewhere, Venezuelans in Dallas appear to be overjoyed that President Trump removed the dictator who had ruled over their home country.”

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: The Earth Moved

By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”

imgNetwork TV often delivers Nielsen hashmarks. No viewers! The no numbers reports started coming in over 20 years ago and they met with silence. Often on Holiday nights, long weekends, NBC, CBS, ABC or FOX delivered no measurable audience. Simultaneously, online video stars were attracting millions of views. In 2007, the media world witnessed the audience shift from broadcast TV to online video. In the following years, media buyers made the definition of a bad investment: Between the time a buy was placed on network TV to the day of air, the audience diminished. Every month. Year after year.

Marketing types refer to the adoption rate of new ideas in stages:

img

Last week, YouTube entered the golden phase: Laggards. There has been a misperception that YouTube viewers skewed young. That was never true. Their viewership demographic has always matched the demographic spread of America. That means month after month for 20 years, YouTube has been embraced by all demographics at higher and higher rates. Now YouTube has scored the final 10% of adopters: Laggards.

YouTube Wins the Oscars

The Oscars. A major ratings-generating, newsworthy event on YouTube. In Variety, questions were asked. The wrong questions: How will advertising be handled? Will there be a new category for Influencers? On demand? Wrong questions.

The answer is: The Oscars are on YouTube!  Game over for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX. The final segment of the population that frequented broadcast TV will now come to YouTube. The Oscars were the most efficient way to appeal to the laggards.

BONUS: The Oscars announcement just mentioned a key part of the deal: The entire library of the Academy of Arts and Sciences will be uploaded to YouTube. Hundreds of thousands of films from around the world, of all genres coming to YouTube.

And what was the deal? How much did Google pay? It doesn’t matter. Google’s challenge is how to get rid of all of their cash!

The Oscars will be on YouTube. Mark the date. The media landscape has changed forever.

Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.

Industry News

Civic Media Welcomes Two New Broadcasting Execs

Civic Media welcomes two media executives to the company as Chuck Sullivan is named regional market manager with based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Philip J. Jimenez is theimg new regional director of sales and digital sales manager. Sullivan previously served with Audacy as SVP/market manager for Milwaukee & Madison. He says, “It’s a homecoming of sorts, having spent several imgyears in Milwaukee and Madison. It’s truly a unique opportunity in our industry, given the fiercely independent and community focused culture of Civic Media. I was drawn to their guiding strategy of ‘Hometown Radio Refreshed.’ I look forward to working with the team and serving our local communities.” Jimenez most recently was general manager for Adams Publishing Group in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He remarks, “I look forward to working with all Civic Media team members to maximize their personal and professional growth, as well as assisting our clients and partners to thrive in the communities we mutually serve in Wisconsin and the Midwest.”

Industry News

KYW, Philadelphia Wraps 58th Annual Newstudies Program

img

Audacy’s heritage all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia recently concluded its 58th annual Newstudies program in which 102 high school students from across the Greater Philadelphia area had the opportunity to learn at news radio station. The program finished culminated with a graduation ceremony at Temple University on December 13. Since 1968, KYW Newsradio has offered high school students the opportunity to learn about a major market radio station through the Newstudies student reporter program. For four Saturdays, students learned news writing, reporting, ethics and interviewing skills from station managers, editors, reporters, anchors and guest speakers. Each student researched, wrote, and recorded a news story about their school or community and their report will air on KYW Newsradio. KYW brand manager Kristina Koppesar says, “No other program brings students closer to the heartbeat of news and sports media. After nearly six decades, we aren’t just teaching students, we’re building a legacy that spans generations. With the support of Klein College, we are excited to continue shaping the future of young media professionals, in Philadelphia and beyond.” This year, Trey Williams (pictured above, center), a student from Salesianum High School, was awarded the $2,000 Richard Monetti Scholarship. The yearly scholarship is named in honor of a Newstudies graduate who passed away in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and honors a student whose work demonstrates overall excellence. To keep his memory alive, his family speaks at Newstudies every year.

Industry News

FCC Chair Carr Underscores Broadcasters’ “Public Interest” Duty

During last week’s testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, FCC Chair Brendan Carr addressed, among other things, broadcasters’ obligation to serving the public interest. This comes as he is being accused by critics of using the power of the Commission to influence content.  Carr testified, “The FCC isimg working to empower local broadcasters to serve the public interest and meet the needs of their communities. As Congress, the Supreme Court, and the FCC have all made clear, broadcasters are different than every other distributor of media. Specifically, broadcasters are required by both the Communications Act and the terms of their FCC-issued licenses to operate in the public interest. This sets them apart from cable channels, podcasts, streaming services, social media, and countless other types of distributors that have no public interest obligation. The FCC’s broadcast hoax rule, its news distortion policy, its political equal opportunity regulation, its prohibition on obscene, indecent, and profane content, its localism requirements – all of those and more apply uniquely to broadcasters. Congress has instructed the FCC to enforce public interest requirements on broadcasters. The FCC should do exactly that.

“Television broadcasters have this public interest obligation because the government has given them the unique privilege of using a scarce national resource – the public airwaves – and in doing so has necessarily excluded others that might want to broadcast their own programming over that same spectrum. That is why they are required to serve, not just their own narrow interest, but the public interest, including the needs of their local communities.

“To ensure that broadcasters can meet their public interest obligations, the FCC has taken a number of actions, including seeking public comment for the first time in more than 15 years on the relationship between the large, national programmers on the one hand and the many local broadcast television stations on the other. Comments in that proceeding suggest that many local broadcasters are concerned that the national programmers have amassed enormous power and influence in recent years and have made it more challenging for local broadcasters to fulfill their public interest obligations. The FCC is going to continue its efforts to empower local broadcasters to meet their public interest obligations.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Sound Thinking

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

Each week here, TALKERS affords me a voice in the career conversation we all share. Iimg appreciate this real estate, and your feedback.

To say thanks, publisher Michael Harrison and I have a stocking stuffer for you, an anthology of all 2025 “Monday Memo” columns. Included: additional pieces I filed on Tuesdays of holiday weeks when TALKERS didn’t publish on Mondays; and daily reports during the Consumer Electronics Show and NAB Show, both of which I have covered for this publication for decades; and additional reports on news and trends pertinent to you, my fellow storyteller.

Here ya go, an instant E-book download: http://getonthenet.com/SoundThinking.pdf

And here’s to 2026!

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God Extend Relationship

iHeartMedia announces it is extending its relationship with Charlamagne Tha God, co-host of “The Breakfast Club,” and founder of The Black Effect podcast network. He hosts the dailyimg morning radio show with co-hosts DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious and Loren LoRosa. Charlamagne Tha God comments, “When it comes to iHeartMedia, gratitude will always be my attitude. They’ve created space for me to grow not just as talent, but as an executive and true partner through The Black Effect Podcast Network. To say that I’m thankful is an understatement. iHeart is the biggest and best audio company on the planet and audio is the foundation on which the whole media conglomerate will be built. Podcasting, live events, TV/film and documentaries, the sky is the limit for where we are going; and radio will always be at the core of it. Here’s to a new era of growth, impact, and prosperity.”

Industry News

WUSF, Tampa names Laney General Manager

Tampa Bay region public media newsroom and music broadcaster WUSF promotes Leslie Laney general manager, effective January 2. She’s been serving as station manager and takes over for JoAnne Urofsky, who is retiring. Urofsky says, “Leslie truly represents the next generation of innovators in public broadcasting, and she has already led so many teams and projects within our WUSF family that she is the natural choice to lead this station into the years ahead. I am thrilled that WUSF is so fortunate to have such a skilled leader within our own ranks.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Announces Executive Promotions

iHeartMedia announces three executive promotions. Mark Glynn rises division president of community markets in which he’ll oversee 20 markets across the Nebraska, Iowa, Pacific, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Alaska regions. He’s been serving as area president for Seattle/Spokane. Jeff Thomas also rises to division president of community markets, leading 27 markets in Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Hawaii and Mid Northimg regions. President of community markets John Karpinski says, “Mark and Jeff consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership in developing business, cultivating long-standing client relationships, and building high-performing sales teams. Their strategic vision and deep understanding of our business will be instrumental as we continue to invest in our people and platforms. I am excited to see the impact they will have across even more markets.” Additionally, Marshal Burgess, currently president of the Portland market, is promoted to region president of the Pacific Northwest Area expanding his responsibilities to include Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. Division president Nick Gnau states, “Marshal has been a cornerstone of iHeart’s success in the Pacific Northwest, consistently driving growth and fostering strong relationships throughout the region. With a deep understanding of the business and a proven leadership track record, he is well-positioned to lead the region and drive success.”

Industry News

New Westwood One Sports Network Lineup Revealed

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One unveils its new lineup for the Westwood One Sports Network that becomes effective on December 29. As previously announced, Drake C. Toll will host morning drive from 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET. He’s followed by “You Better You Bet” with Nick Kostos from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Joining the weekday roster are longtimeimg Chicago sports radio hosts Chris Bleck & Adam Abdalla airing from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET. Jim Rome remains in the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET daypart, followed by “BetMGM Tonight” with Brad Evans and Pat Boyle from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm ET.  Finally, “Westwood One Sports Night” will be hosted by Lynnell Willingham and Josh Graham airing from 11:00 pm to 3:00 am ET. SVP of sports | content & audience Bruce Gilbert states, “With our partners at Audacy, we’ve assembled a group of diverse and passionate sports voices committed to covering the biggest sports stories with opinions, expert analysis, and fan interaction. This lineup will highlight the biggest stories and provide timely information that is fresh, fun, and fan focused.”

Industry News

WBBM Reveals “Made in Chicago” Contest Winners

Audacy’s all-news WBBM Newsradio (780 AM / 105.9 FM) announces the winners of its first-ever “Made in Chicago: WBBM Newsradio’s Small Business Challenge” and the winner is Kikwetu Coffee Company. From October 13 to November 9, small businesses around theimg Chicago area were encouraged to submit an entry for a chance to win a $10,000 media campaign and feature on WBBM-AM’s “Made in Chicago” news segment. Based on the originality, persuasiveness and creativity of their submission, Kikwetu Coffee Company takes home the Grand Prize that includes a media package consisting of a 1 minute 30 second “Made in Chicago” news feature and web article, plus the production and 60 runs of a custom 30-second commercial scheduled to air in February. Runners-up were Presto Real Estate Services and Palmer Florist Inc. and they are being awarded a media campaign valued at $2,500.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

KBOI Breaks Record with Annual Toy Drive. Cumulus Media’s news/talk KBOI, Boise partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Charlie Co., 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and broke records for their annual holiday toy drive benefiting Toys for Tots. The community responded by filling 9.25 trailers with toys for all ages. Cumulus regional VP and market manager Don Morin says, “KBOI has always believed that a great radio station is more than just a voice on the air. It’s a partner in building a stronger community. Idaho’s Largest Toy Drive is a perfect example of that commitment.”

KXEL Announces Tractorcade Route. NRG Media’s Iowa radio stations, including news/talk KXEL-AM, Waterloo, are again supporting the “Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade” taking place June 14-17, 2026. This 27th annual event will bring more than 400 vintage tractor enthusiasts together for four days of traveling rural areas of Iowa. The always-anticipated route was announced in a special broadcast on December 12 helmed by KXEL’s Jeff Stein and broadcast live from the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo. Stein was joined by veteran ag broadcasters Ken Root and Russ Parker, founders of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.

Industry News

FCC’s Carr Testifies His Agency is Not Independent; Must Enforce “Public Interest” Standard

In testimony at an oversight hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, FCC chair Brendan Carr told senators that his agency is not animg independent one because commissioners can be removed by the president. Numerous news organizations pointed out that the mission statement on the FCC’s website described it as an independent agency – until yesterday afternoon when the website was apparently updated to reflect Carr’s testimony. Numerous news outlets also pointed to Carr himself describing the agency as independent as recently as April of 2021. When questioned about the FCC regulating content, Carr said that he believes political satire is protected speech but he added that broadcast television and radio stations are held to a “public interest” standard that the FCC is required by law to enforce.

Industry News

SRN Announces New Midday Programs Replacing Charlie Kirk Show

Salem Radio Network reveals its plans for the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET daypart previously occupied by the late Charlie Kirk. Effective January 5, Alex Marlow, editor-in-chief at Breitbart News, will anchor the 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm ET –1 p.m. ET hour, followed by Scottimg Jennings, CNN political commentator and longtime conservative strategist, who expands his current SRN program to 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. Salem Media SVP of content Phil Boyce comments, “This is an important moment for Salem. Salem has earned the trust of conservative audiences for decades, and we don’t take that lightly. Scott Jennings and Alex Marlow each bring a distinct voice, a rare imgability to engage audiences, and real seriousness to the conversation. Together, they will carry the Salem legacy forward.” Meanwhile, “The Charlie Kirk Show” will continue as a podcast on Salem Podcast Network, and Salem Media will maintain its relationship with Turning Point USA. Executive producer Andrew Kolvet will continue as co-host of the podcast show. He says, “Salem has been so gracious through this process and even encouraged us to continue broadcasting the show on the Salem Radio Network. While ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ team is excited to continue the live show and podcast in other venues, ultimately we agreed that Alex and Scott were the perfect hosts to take over on the radio portion. Both are great friends and extremely talented broadcasters. We are also grateful that Salem Media Reps will continue to represent and sell the time inside the show. While some of the details around how we want to distribute the show will change, our friendship and trust in Salem does not.”

Industry News

Riley Gaines Signs New Deal for Outkick-FOX News Media Podcast

OutKick announces that it is signing podcaster and 12-time All American collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines to a new multi-year deal in conjunction with FOX News Media’s new media expansion. FOX News Digital president and editor-in-chief Porter Berry states, “Riley hasimg been an instrumental voice on OutKick, across FOX News Media, and for women across this country. I am thrilled that she will be part of our new expansion and provide a unique and fresh perspective on everything from culture trends to current affairs and continue to be a leading voice for young conservative women.” Gaines comments, “I started this journey of simply saying men shouldn’t play in women’s sports and OutKick and FOX News Media have supported me from day one. They provided me a platform to bring national attention to the transgender issue in sports and ignite change that will forever protect women living out their dreams in athletics. I’m beyond excited to launch my new show that will cover a variety of topics and highlight the stories of women who are fighting alongside with me.”

Industry News

Gottlieb Stepping Away from FOX Sports Radio Show

FOX Sports Radio talk host Doug Gottlieb – who is in the second season as head coach ofimg UW-Green Bay’s men’s basketball team – says he will step away from his radio program in order to focus on his coaching duties. During his post-game press conference yesterday, Gottlieb said of his radio show, “As of now, we’re going to take a break from it. I’ve got to have a life. I’ve got to be there for these kids. I’ve got to really dig in because we’re building something cool here.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Partners with Netflix for Video Podcast Distribution

iHeartMedia enters into an exclusive video podcasting partnership with Netflix for some 15 of its video podcasts to be available on Netflix in early 2026 in the US, with more markets to follow. Podcasts joining the streaming service include: “The Breakfast Club,” “My Favoriteimg Murder,” “Joe and Jada,” “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler and “This Is Important” with “Workaholics” stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Blake Anderson. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman states, “Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years, and now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category – video podcasts. Netflix has a leading video-first service, and this partnership perfectly complements our strong audio foundation. Working with Netflix – an important leader in entertainment – gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time.”

Industry News

Newsmax Inks New Deal with YouTube TV

Newsmax announces that it has renewed its carriage agreement with YouTube TV. As part ofimg the multiyear deal, the Newsmax channel will continue to be available in YouTube TV’s Base Package. Newsmax SVP of distribution Andy Biggers says, “This agreement keeps Newsmax, the fastest growing cable network in the U.S., on YouTube TV, the fastest growing pay TV platform in the U.S., for years to come. YouTube TV have been great partners, and we look forward to continuing to grow together.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Audacy Buffalo Holds Radiothon for SPCA of Erie County. News/talk WBEN-AM and sister station WLKK-FM in Bufflo helped raise $132,000 during the 22nd Annual SPCA Serving Erie County Radiothon. Audacy Buffalo SVP and market manager Tim Wenger comments, “This annual event really brings the community together and the amount raised is a testament to the generosity of our listeners. We love supporting SPCA’s mission and giving second chances to pets and animals in Buffalo.”

Bold Gold Media Stations Hit Fundraising Goals. Via two of its ongoing holiday fundraisers, Bold Gold Media Group’s radio stations in the Pocono Lake Region of Pennsylvania produced the The Wayne County Ford & Bold Gold Media Holiday Toy Drive Challenge and The Michael G. Stanton Shower for Charity. The Holiday Toy Drive Challenge saw listeners fill up at least four pick-up trucks with toys for needy kids and for the 24th year in a row, market manager Michael G. Stanton stood in a claw foot tub on Main Street in Honesdale in 20-degree weather clad in only Christmas-themed shorts and raised more than $46,000 for the Wayne County Childrens Christmas Bureau.

“105.7 The Fan” in Milwaukee Helps Raise $100k for Kids. Audacy sports talk “105.7 The Fan” (WSSP-FM / 1250AM) in Milwaukee – with the help of two of its sister music outlets – collected more than $100,000 in toys and cash to benefit Children’s Wisconsin Immediate Impact for Kids Fund. Station host and assistant brand manager Steve “Sparky” Fifer says, “I’m so proud of everyone involved in the 19th Annual Toy Drive for Children’s Wisconsin. We couldn’t make this a success without everyone in the community and around the state of Wisconsin contributing to it. The number of kids that these toys will impact is the reason we do this each year. There isn’t anything better than a smile on a kid’s face.”

JVC Broadcasting Helps Set Record in Long Island Toy Drive. Last Friday, JVC Broadcasting of Long Island conducted the JVC Town of Brookhaven INTERFACE Toy Drive featuring air personalities from all six JVC Long Island stations – including “LI News Radio” – to collect thousands of toys donated by generous community members that will go to more than 7,500 children, ranging in age from infants to 15 years old, helping ensure that families across the community experience joy during the holiday season. JVC president and CEO John Caracciolo says, “This is what local radio and local government working together is all about. When you bring the community together around a cause, incredible things happen.”