Industry News

FCC Continues Deregulation Campaign

The Federal Communications Commission announces its latest effort to remove outdated and unnecessary rules and regulations as part of its “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative. Specifically, the action will remove from its regulations approximately 2,991 words and 41 rules or requirements concerning utility-style burdens on theimg Internet adopted under the Biden Administration and network interconnection. FCC chairman Brendan Carr says, “We’re continuing to clean house at the FCC, working to identify and eliminate rules that no longer serve a purpose, have been on our books for decades, and have no place in the current Code of Federal Regulations. Today’s action is just the latest step the FCC is taking to follow the Trump Administration’s effort to usher in prosperity through deregulation.  And it’s just one of many, with more on the horizon, so stay tuned.”

Industry News

2025 TALKERS Heavy Hundred Posted

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The editors of TALKERS magazine, with input from industry leaders, present the 2025 edition of “The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America” – a popular feature that has come to be known as “The Heavy Hundred.”

Debuting in 1996, this marks the 29th consecutive year of the TALKERS Heavy Hundred existing as an iconic radio industry standard. It actually launched one year earlier in 1995 but only focused on 25 hosts in that first installment.

The criteria used to determine the individual broadcasters included in the list are clearly detailed in a disclaimer posted at the beginning of the feature. According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “In addition to the standard 11 factors considered – which include [in alphabetical order] courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness – the editors strongly considered the quality of entrepreneurship for 2025 which has become increasingly important as the industry hurtles deeper into the digital era and faces emerging challenges which require an expanded set of business skills and layers of emotional fortitude.”

Casey continues, “A number of this year’s inductees have ‘put their money where their mouth is’ and own their own stations or syndication businesses. In 2025, we see that as a deeply personal commitment to the future of the radio medium.”

This year’s list is sponsored by GuestBooker.com and co-sponsored by C. Crane Radio for which TALKERS is grateful.

To see the 2025 TALKERS Heavy Hundred, please click here.

Industry News

Mike Gallagher Broadcasts from Turning Point USA Event

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Pictured above is Salem Radio Network host Mike Gallagher this morning (7/11) on media row at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa. Salem says the event, sponsored by SRN personality Charlie Kirk, drew thousands of young conservatives from all 50 states for workshops and speeches from Kirk, Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem, Dr. Ben Carson and other conservative leaders as they map game plans for the 2026 midterm elections.

Industry News

SRN Launches Texas Disaster Relief Effort

Salem Radio Network is partnering with international non-profit relief agency Food for the Poor to rush emergency relief kits to flood-ravaged Texas. SRN talk hosts Mike Gallagher, Chris Stigall, Hugh Hewitt,img and Larry Elder are supporting this campaign on their programs. SRN vice president/news & talk programming Tom Tradup says Food for the Poor’s “decades of providing disaster relief throughout our hemisphere which – in coordination with trusted partners in San Antonio – will assure swift, professional response to communities affected by Central Texas flooding.”

Industry News

KMOX and MLB’s Cards Extend Broadcasting Deal

Audacy’s news/talk KMOX-AM/FM, St. Louis announces a multi-year extension of its broadcast partnership with the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals. KMOX will continue to provide play-by-play coverage of all regular,img postseason and select Spring Training games. KMOX recently integrated new Cardinals coverage, including the “Gas House Gang,” airing weekdays at 12:00 noon and the “Red Bird Rush Hour” airing weeknights at 5:00 pm. Audacy SVP and market manager Becky Domyan says, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to delivering the content our community loves, and with KMOX now on FM, we’re even more fired up to bring every single game, plus exciting new programming, to more fans than ever before.”

Industry News

KILT-AM Raises $27k for Houston Food Bank

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Audacy sports talk KILT-AM, Houston “SportsRadio 610” raised $27,240 during its inaugural “Reggie and Ron Radiothon” benefiting the Houston Food Bank. All proceeds go toward the Houston Food Bank’s mission to eliminate food insecurity in southeast Texas and ensure Texans have access to nutritious food to fuel a healthy life. Pictured above are (from l-r): “In the Loop” producer Figgy Fig, Ron Hughley, Houston Food Bank’s chief development officer Julie Voss, Reggie Adetula, and “The Drive” producer Tyler Milner.

Industry News

Little Change at the Top of Podtrac’s June Podcast Ranker

NPR’s “NPR News Now” stays at #1 on Podtrac’s June 2025 Top Podcasts chart based on U.S. uniqueimg monthly audience. In fact, the top eight spots are the same as the May ranker, including FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” holding on to the #5 spot. One move of note is Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” jumping 12 places to the #19 rank. See Podtrac’s rank of the top 20 U.S. podcasts here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: X Marks the Spot – Radio’s Most Valuable Demo

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIpsos Generations Report 2025: “Right now, it’s Generation X who are the highest-earning generation in the US, surpassing both Boomers and Millennials.”

Born 1965 to 1980, they grew up with an AM/FM radio habit. And – as they are about to inherit a LOT of money from wealthy grandparent Silents and Boomer parents over the next few decades – which prospective advertisers want to meet them?

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Prospect banks, financial planners, real estate agents, and wellness and eldercare consultants and Elder Law and Trust attorneys.

Recommended commercial creative: advertorial. “Tell ‘em and you’ll sell ‘em,” with spots disguised as informative features. Sample topics:

— “5 Inheritance Mistakes to Avoid”
— “How to Talk to Your Parents About Their Will”
— “Downsizing Without Downgrading”
— “Kids, Parents, and Cash”

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

Industry News

FCC Commissioner Gomez Criticizes Paramount-Trump Settlement

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez is calling out Paramount for its settlement with Donald Trump over what she calls “a meritless lawsuit regarding a CBS News interview last year.” Gomez says, “This moment marks a dangerous precedent for the First Amendment, and it should alarm anyone who values a free and independent press. Despite repeated attempts to deny the obvious, this Paramount Payout is a desperateimg move to appease the Administration and secure regulatory approval of a major transaction currently pending before the FCC. For months, it has been clear that this lawsuit was entirely meritless, just like the complaint now before the Commission. The transcript and video of the 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Harris show no evidence of wrongdoing, only the standard editorial judgments used across the news industry to ensure clarity and brevity. Had Paramount chosen to fight this in court, they would have prevailed on the facts and the law. But instead of standing on principle, Paramount opted for a payout. That decision now casts a long shadow over the integrity of the transaction pending before the FCC. Given the extraordinary public interest in this deal, the novel legal questions raised by the lawsuit and its resolution, and the repeated calls from lawmakers for transparency, I once again urge the FCC to bring this matter before the full Commission for a vote. Approving this transaction behind closed doors and under the cover of bureaucratic process would be a shameful outcome that denies the American people the transparency and accountability they deserve, especially when press freedom is at stake.”

Industry News

FCC Chairman Carr Promotes Build Agenda in Sioux Falls

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota yesterday (7/2) to promote the FCC’s “Build America Agenda.” Carr said, “Our ‘Build America Agenda’ will focus on delivering on a number of core objectives. We will unleash high-speed infrastructure builds. We will restore America’s leadership in wireless. We will boost the U.S. space economy. We will advance our national security. And we willimg strengthen America’s tower and telecom workforce.  We will deliver on all of this by implementing smart policies while carrying out a massive and comprehensive deregulatory agenda. As we do so, we will be guided at the agency by a few simple ideas. For one, we will keep the Gretzky test front and center. We want to keep our eye on where the proverbial puck is going, not where it has been. For another, we are going to take a first principles approach. Just because a regulation has been on the books for 30 years, we are not going to keep it there simply out of a sense of inertia. For still another, we will focus on competition as it exists today. The old regulatory silos have been breaking down for quite some time, so the agency must move forward with a keen understanding of today’s converged markets.  We are going to focus on outcomes, rather than process to nowhere. We are going to have a bias towards action. After all, delay has an unappreciated economic and social cost. We are going to push for simple, clear rules, rather than complex and bespoke frameworks. And we are going to support U.S. businesses and domestic onshoring.”

Industry News

MacLeod to Lead Portland Stations for Alpha Media

Alpha Media Portland names Ross MacLeod the new operations manager for the Portland market. In this role he’ll also serve as content director for news/talk KXL-FM “FM News 101” and sports talk KXTG-AMimg “750 The Game.” He most recently served as program director for iHeartMedia’s WBGG, Miami “Big 105.9.” MacLeod states, “I’m looking forward to working with some of the amazing talent we have in Portland, and leading this cluster to new heights. KXL is a heritage news/talk leader in Portland and I couldn’t be more honored to be part of this team.” Alpha Media stations are being acquired by Connoisseur Media in a deal that is expected to close in the fall.

Industry News

Civic Media to Acquire Upper Peninsula Stations

Wisconsin-based Civic Media is acquiring five stations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from J&J Broadcasting. Civic Media says the deal will be completed through a newly formed partnership betweenimg Civic Media and the Michigan Independent Media Group. Included in the deal are WJMS-AM and WIMI-FM in Ironwood; WUPY-FM, Ontonagon; and WKMJ-FM and WMPL-AM in Hancock-Houghton. Civic Media vice president of operations Kory Hartmann says, “These heritage radio stations have served their local communities for years and are strong partners with local businesses and organizations. We intend to continue that legacy of service and add a wider array of products to keep people in touch with their community.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Feature the Moments That Matter

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgAre archived shows – whole hours – your station’s only on-demand offering? It’s an easy checkbox: post the aircheck, call it a podcast.

And why not? In our on-demand culture, why expose this work – and its sponsors – only to those who happened to be listening in real-time? But few listeners will sit through an hour – or three – of linear audio. Most don’t when listening live. They’re busy. The only person who hears the whole show is the host (which is why I cringe when I hear “hour number three”).

Trim the fat, serve the steak 

Many more will be interested in highlights, those couple minutes of Pet Pro Dr. Donna Stone’s tips for “Helping Your Critters Keep Their Cool During a Long Hot Summer,” or whatever “money moments” aired.

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— Give these excerpts a title, incorporating words someone might include in Search. Add a sharable description. Let MS Copilot or ChatGPT make you a graphic. For this example, make it a cute puppy.
— In addition to the station’s website, these clips should be all over your social media. Think of your whole show as a movie. Hashtag-laden Tweets that include a click-to-listen link are the trailer. Script several versions and post at intervals.
— Get good at this, and your posts will get shared.
–And Dr. Donna can share her moment to her followers.

This is something music station morning shows do better than talk stations, because archiving whole songs is taboo. They’re forced to cull. 

Find the time

It’s an investment in reach, relevance, and revenue. Don’t just archive – curate. You can find new ears, using these audio appetizers to offer people who don’t know your show to try the entrée.

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

Industry News

Jeff Tyler Retires from iHeartMedia

After a radio career spanning 47 years, Jeff Tyler announces he’s retiring from iHeartMedia. Tyler began his career as an on-air talent in 1978, with early roles in both Madison and Milwaukee. In 1997, he played a pivotal role in forming one of the first merged markets when Capstar Broadcasting acquired six stations from two different companies – a move that laid the foundation for today’s iHeartMedia cluster in Madison. Overimg the next three decades, Tyler held numerous leadership positions, including market manager roles in both Madison and Milwaukee.  In 2010, Tyler was promoted to region president and later moved to Minneapolis in 2015 to serve as regional president for iHeartMedia. He rose to division president in July 2018 before returning to Wisconsin in 2022 to lead as metro president and most recently area president. Tyler says, “Broadcast radio has been my life. I’ve worked in every aspect of this business and have been fortunate to work for tremendous leaders who helped shape my career, including the creative and innovative team at iHeartMedia. I’m grateful to have worked with so many talented, dedicated professionals in vibrant broadcast markets, serving advertisers and creating meaningful partnerships. I’m excited to begin a more flexible chapter of life with my family, while continuing to support our sports partnerships in the short term.”

Industry News

Radio Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces 10 new inductees into the Radio Hall of Fame forimg 2025. The inductees will be honored at the in-person 2025 Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on October 30 at the Swissotel Hotel in Chicago. Among this year’s inductees are: Colin Cowherd, host of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd”; Mike McVay of McVay Media; and Julie Talbott, president of Premiere Networks. See the complete list of nominees here.

Industry News

Station President Acquiring “Real Talk 93.3” in Tallahassee

Magic Broadcasting announces that it is selling news/talk WVFT-FM, Gretna, Florida in the Tallahassee market to 923 Ventures, LLC – a company owned by the station’s president and CEO Jon Jopling. He’s been in charge of “Real Talk 93.3” and Magic Broadcasting’s Panama City stations since 2021. Magic announced the sale of the Panama City stations to JVC Broadcasting earlier this week. After these deals close, Magic Broadcasting will be out of the radio station ownership business. The press release says that the sale of WVFT-FM to Jopling “ensures that ‘Real Talk 93.3 FM’ will remain Tallahassee’s only locallyimg owned radio station, a distinction underscored by its long-standing dedication to providing authentic, community-focused content hosted by Tallahassee media staples like legendary sports talk host Jeff Cameron, award-winning morning show host Greg Tish, and investigative reporter Steve Stewart.” Jopling says, “As someone who has lived and worked in Tallahassee for over 23 years, I understand how important it is for our city to have trusted local voices on the airwaves. This transition isn’t just about ownership — it’s about strengthening our commitment to the people of Florida’s capital city. We’ll continue to focus on real news, real conversations, and real connections that matter to the people that live here — delivered by people who live here, too.” Jopling adds, “We’ve had a lot of success at 93.3, and we are thankful for the continued support of all our incredible listeners, fans, and advertisers. Or as we like to call them, our extended family. I’ve been privileged to be in charge of the station, but now, as the owner, I know our family will only get better.”

Industry News

Audacy Shuttering Pineapple Street Studios

Numerous news outlets, including Variety, Bloomberg and Podnews.net, are reporting that Audacy is closing podcast production house Pineapple Street Studios. Pineapple Street was acquired by then-Entercom inimg 2019 for $18 million as the podcast industry was really taking off in terms of listenership. Podnews.net notes, “Audacy shut Cadence13 (a $50mn purchase) in March 2024, and rebranded Podcorn ($22.5mn) as Audacy Creator Lab in April this year.” An Audacy spokesperson says in a statement, “This difficult decision aligns our resources with our core strengths and the most promising growth areas for our podcasting business. We’re sorry to say goodbye to talented colleagues and are grateful for their contributions.”

Industry News

BIA: Florida Radio Ad Spend to Hit $833 Million in 2025

According to a report on Florida ad revenue for 2025, BIA Advisory predicts that the total for the year will be $12.4 billion, with radio OTA+digital’s share of the pie being $833 million. Radio is fifth in line after #1 mobileimg ($2.7 billion), #2 direct mail ($2.5 billion), #3 PC/laptop ($2.3 billion), and #4 TV OTA+digital ($1.6 billion). The report notes that 64% of the state’s total ad spend in done in three markets: Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Tampa-St. Petersburgh-Sarasota, and Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne. See more about the report here.

Industry News

JVC Broadcasting to Acquire Panama City Stations

JVC Broadcasting is entering into a deal with Magic Broadcasting to acquire its four Panama City, Florida radio stations, including news/talk WYOO “Talk Radio 101.” JVC Fort Walton Beach market manager Johnimg Griffo will have oversight of the Panama City market and Matt Stone, PD for the company’s Fort Walton Beach operations will serve as program director. JVC Broadcasting president and CEO John Caracciolo says, “This isn’t a corporate merger. This is a local broadcaster investing in local communities. We believe in radio that serves the neighborhoods we live in, not just the bottom line.”

Industry News

“Covino & Rich” Celebrate 20 Years

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FOX Sports Radio personalities Steve Covino and Rich Davis celebrated the 20th anniversary of the “Covino & Rich” show with an exclusive listener event in Las Vegas this past weekend. More than 300 listeners traveled to Las Vegas to enjoy a live broadcast of the show. The weekend also featured a mixer at Circa’s Legacy Club Rooftop Cocktails to watch the fireworks show, an afternoon of golf at Atomic Golf Las Vegas, and dinner at Circa Sportsbook. The weekend concluded with a night of karaoke at Cat’s Meow, where Covino and Davis joined listeners on stage to perform a few songs. Pictured above are (l-r) are: Rich Davis, show executive producer Christian Sorge, and Steve Covino.

Industry News

Audacy Names Mark Randall Sacramento Promotions Director

Audacy announces that Mark Randall is the new promotions director for Audacy Sacramento that includes sports talk KIFM-AM “ESPN 1320” and five music brands. Audacy Sacramento SVP and market managerimg Aaron Miller says, “Mark’s track record of crafting iconic promotions and working alongside some of radio’s biggest personalities makes him a legend in our business. He has the ability to create moments that resonate far beyond the airwaves and we look forward to having him bring that magic to our brands and our audience.” Randall comments, “I am excited and grateful to have the opportunity to re-join the Audacy team and this legendary group of stations. Aaron is building an amazing culture in Sacramento, and I’m stoked to be a part of it. The charismatic people within this industry have always been the reason. Let’s go!”

Industry News

Date Set for Posting 2025 TALKERS Heavy Hundred

 

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The TALKERS editorial board has announced the date of the 2025 edition of the TALKERS “100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America” – also known as the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred.” The prestigious list will be posted Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

This will mark the 30th anniversary of one of the most popular annual features published by TALKERS magazine since its debut as a list of 25 in 1995 (it expanded to 100 in 1996) and comes in conjunction this Summer with TALKERS magazine’s 35th anniversary as a broadcasting industry trade journal.

According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “The criteria for inclusion in the class of 2025 will remain radio-centric, however, with additional weight given to influence wielded in associated talk media platforms such as audio and video podcasting along with other means of online distribution appropriate to evident changes in the industry.”  Casey adds, “But the criteria that all inductees in the Heavy Hundred must have a regularly scheduled professional show on the air at a minimum of one terrestrial or satellite radio station at ‘press time’ will continue.”

Industry News

Majority of Reps Sign on to AM Radio Bill

The National Association of Broadcasters says that the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has reached the key milestone of a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives cosponsoring the legislation. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt, states, “Securing 218 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, alongside a filibuster-proof 61 cosponsors in the Senate, marks a pivotal milestone for the AM Radio for Every Vehicleimg Act and underscores AM radio’s enduring value to the American people. For more than a century, AM radio has been a lifeline, delivering trusted news, local sports, crop reports and emergency information when and where it matters most. From rural communities to urban centers, from first responders to everyday commuters, over 80 million Americans rely on this free, local service to stay informed and safe every month. NAB thanks Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Frank Pallone (NJ-06) for championing this legislation, and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who recognize AM radio’s essential role in communities across the country. We look forward to continuing our work with the Energy and Commerce Committee and House leadership to advance this bill without delay.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia’s AI Efforts to Translate Podcasts

Yesterday’s news that iHeartMedia is offering 10 of its top podcasts in six different languages besides their native English did not go into detail about how these podcasts are being translates. A story in Digiday looksimg at how iHeartMedia handled the process of using AI to translate and voice-clone the original podcast hosts. iHeartPodcasts president Will Pearson is quoted saying the AI translations faced two main challenges: ensuring accuracy and preserving each show’s unique tone. iHeartMedia worked with the company Speechlab to clone the voices of the hosts use them to read the show’s transcript in multiple languages. Pearson also says about a quarter of his company’s downloads come from outside the U.S. Read the Digiday story here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: On-Demand is In-Demand

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIf you saved back issues from when TALKERS was a print tabloid, dig-down about 20 years into the stack. A couple times a year beginning then, I was reporting from conferences then called The Podcast and New Media Expo, which later evolved into NMX and BlogWorld and other incarnations.

As I was typing-as-fast-as-I-could in the back row, I was hearing a new medium take shape.

— These energized events had the mojo radio conventions used to. But radio was already struggling as consolidation eliminated many on-air jobs, cutbacks that continue today.
— But plucky podcasters were already self-publishing about high-affinity Long Tail topics too narrowcast for AM/FM radio. And because it is what we then called “the World Wide Web,” they were growing a following far beyond local broadcasters’ signal footprints.

Remember iPod? Suddenly, EVERYONE had one. Then, just-as-suddenly, everyone didn’t. Because Apple rolled-out iPhone, which could also tote your tunes, and do thousands of other things. Yet the term “podcasting” – which first referred to the device – endures.

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What’s remarkable about the podcasting phenomenon, is that users – not the device manufacturer – came up with the idea. iPod was designed as a music player. But it was We The People who reckoned that audio-is-audio and started self-publishing radio-without-radio.

“P-O-D” = “Programming On-Demand.” Think Netflix for audio.

— But unlike Netflix, stations aren’t investing aggressively in on-demand content. Short-staffed, it’s all they can do to feed multiple transmitters robotic programming.
— Meanwhile, enthused podcasters are generating content, some of which is amusing quirky boutique topics. Others are doing local news, now in shorter supply from AM/FM radio.
— Smart stations buddy-up with these DIY creators, showcasing their sponsorable stuff. They create audio, we sell audio.

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

Industry News

iHeartMedia Present at Cannes Lions Festival

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Pictured above is author Malcolm Gladwell (left) speaking with Questlove (right) at the iHeartCafé at La Californie during the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity on June 17 in Cannes, France as they do a live recording of the iHeartPodcast “Questlove Supreme.” It was just one of many iHeartMedia-presented events held during the weeklong festivaldesigned to demonstrate the creativity and the advertiser value in audio entertainment. Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Industry News

Hurley Thankful for Successful Charity Golf Tourney

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WPG, Atlantic City morning drive star Harry Hurley held his charity’s 18th annual “Hurley in the Morning” Charity Golf Open at Linwood Country Club yesterday. Hurley tells TALKERS, “Remarkably, for 18 consecutive years it has never rained on our event. The Linwood Country Club is one of the finest golf courses in America and the food is world class. Our annual golf tournament and dinner/silent auction has now raised more than $2 million over the past 18 years.” Hurley (left), says the charity’s annual dinner and silent auction will be held on Friday, October 3 at Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City and the guest of honor and keynote speaker will be New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciatterelli (right).