Today is World Radio Day
In an era marked by the dizzying speed of technological innovation and the rapid obsolescence of one shiny new platform after another, the iconic platform of radio is beginning its second century of service as one of the most dependable and widely utilized forms of media in the world. Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an
International Day of the United Nations, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD). Each year WRD focuses on a specific theme involving radio that is timely, and important. This year the theme is “Radio and Climate Change.” UNESCO points out: Radio contributes to the achievement of its international objectives by supporting populations through climate disasters such as tropical storms and floods. It helps with the dissemination of fact-based information, listeners’ voices, and dedicated radio shows.
TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, who served as executive advisor to UNESCO for last year’s installment of WRD (which celebrated the milestone of radio’s 100-year anniversary), states, “World Radio Day gives broadcasters the opportunity to blow their own horns about the enduring value of this mighty platform. It’s a good thing for the industry, its sponsors and, most importantly, its loyal listeners. Let’s all sing the praises of radio today and every day.” To all radio professionals and volunteers, everywhere in the world, UNESCO salutes your daily work and your commitment to our future.
of the Senate’s final vote on his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. The exclusive interview will air during “The Ingraham Angle” on FOX News Channel this evening at 7:00 pm ET. FNC says Kennedy Jr. will discuss the Senate vote, the Make America Healthy Again movement and other news of the day.
Stephanie Prince-Springmeyer says, “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Inter Miami CF to include English-language broadcasts on ESPN 106.3… The beautiful game has the unique ability to unite communities, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of bringing this excitement to all fans in South Florida via ‘Deportes 760AM’ and ‘ESPN 106.3FM.’” 
According to a story by reporter Louis Krause in yesterday’s (2/11) Minnesota Star Tribune longtime KDWB-FM Twin Cities radio host Dave Ryan was suspended from appearing on his talk show Monday morning, three days after a segment aired during which Ryan and co-hosts snorted powder food ingredients as part of a Super Bowl trivia game. He returned to the show yesterday following a one-day suspension. The segment on Friday’s episode of “The Dave Ryan Show” was titled “Super Blow,” according to three listeners who spoke with the Star Tribune and others who discussed it on the Reddit online forum. To read the full Star Tribune story, 
The syndicated “Armed American Radio” live stream hosted by successful broadcaster-Second Amendment defender Mark Walters is now available Monday through Friday 4:00-5:00 pm ET and Sundays 8:00-11:00 pm ET on You Tube at Armed American Radio, on Rumble at Armed American Radio, on Facebook Live at 
iHeartMedia Seattle’s Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM, announced (2/10) the debut of the new “MJ in the Midday” show, effective immediately. “MJ in the Midday” will broadcast weekdays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. MJ in the Midday’s host Marc James, started his sports talk radio career in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in 2004. His career highlights include afternoon drive host for an ESPN radio affiliate in Tampa, FL, WFNZ afternoon drive radio host in Charlotte, NC and morning host on 92.9 “The Game” in Atlanta, GA. His radio career led him to a TV studio anchor position for New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, MA, where he also hosted shows on WEEI radio station. Since 2020, James has worked for Sports Talk Florida covering sporting events in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida. He also hosted a college football podcast on the BLEAV Network. “Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM is literally my dream job,” James tells TALKERS. “I am honored and eternally grateful to become part of this legacy station and its extremely bright future in Seattle.” 
“Marc James joining our family is big for us,” said Rich Moore, VP of programming for iHeartMedia Seattle. “We’re extremely excited to be bringing in a new passionate voice to the Seattle market. Marc’s experience and love for our market will win our listeners over for years to come.” “We’re excited to welcome Marc James to the iconic call letters of KJR,” said Mark Glynn, area president for iHeartMedia Washington. “Marc’s infectious energy plus his dynamic and engaging personality will bring an exciting new spark to Seattle sports talk.”
Just hours after the series of devastating wildfires broke out in Los Angeles, iHeart LA and the Dream Center – a resource center focused on providing support to those affected by homelessness, hunger and crisis – launched a national and local media campaign that asked local listeners to contribute essential items and cash to support those affected by the fires, many of whom had lost everything. 
What followed was an outpouring of love and support that exceeded any expectation, and which – thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbors and communities – has become one of the largest grassroots giving efforts in iHeart’s history.
Since then, he has solidified his position as a major radio host with notable audience share growth on flagship 77WABC in New York (41% year-over-year) and impressive weekly TSL of 1 hour and 15 minutes*. “I am looking forward to connecting every day with listeners in markets all across the U.S.,” Golden tells TALKERS. “During The Rush Hour, we take a look at events that occurred during the day, but we also take a break and have a little fun, too.” “James has attracted a loyal audience that continues to grow,” stated John Catsimatidis, owner of Red Apple Media, Red Apple Audio Networks, and 77WABC Radio. “Many of his listeners remember him from the Rush Limbaugh days, but the audience growth he is experiencing is solely on his own talent. His insights on politics, combined with his love for talk radio, has made him a phenomenal success.” In addition to “The Rush Hour,” Golden hosts a three-hour syndicated Saturday morning program, “The James Golden Show,” which launched into syndication last June. The show has amassed more than 30 affiliates, including five in the Top 50 DMAs. Both programs originate from the Red Apple Audio Networks flagship station, 77WABC Radio in New York. For information on any of Red Apple Audio Networks’ syndicated shows, stations may visit 
To say that I am excited about the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference coming up in New York City on Friday March 7 and Saturday March 8 is an understatement. I am proud that TALKERS has taken on the role of “presenting sponsor” of the entire event and that this year’s iteration of the annual “TALKERS” conference will be taking a unique and groundbreaking turn toward the future of radio-oriented broadcasting within the context of the industry’s leading youth-oriented gathering.
If professional radio is truly concerned about an aging audience and a deteriorating “farm system” from which to recruit new talent, it’s time to connect with the largest concentration of young broadcasters and listeners found on the planet in America’s dynamic campus radio station and communications department scene.
WGN AM 720, Chicago today (2/5) announced a multi-year extension with morning show host Bob Sirott who is heard 6:00 am to 10:00 am weekdays. “Management has given me a terrific on-air and behind-the-scenes team, plus freedom to do whatever I want,” Sirott tells TALKERS. “That’s why waking up at 4:30 am is fun now. Actually…that last line is a lie.” Sirott has been the station’s morning drive host since 2020. The station reports, listeners can expect to hear hyper-local stories along with news and conversations related to health, tech, business, travel, entertainment, lifestyle, and where to find the best Chicago-style hot dog. “Bob’s work ethic, focus and character is the stuff of legends in the broadcast industry,” said WGN Radio vice president and general manager Mary Sandberg Boyle. “He’s an excellent communicator and continues to strategically engage and connect with the WGN Radio audience daily. Bob is one of the best in the business and we’re proud to have him as part of the WGN Radio team.” Generations of Midwesterners have grown up with lifelong Chicagoan Bob Sirott whose acclaimed broadcast career spans five decades as a radio host, DJ and television news anchor. Sirott is a national Emmy award-winning journalist who received a 2022 Dante Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and a 2022 Silver Dome Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
Louisville Public Media (LPM) has announced (2/4) that it is launching a new talk show, “On Track” – a new three-day-a-week, 30-minute interview-based show, on February 10. “On Track” will air Monday-Wednesday at 6:00 pm on WFPL, Louisville between “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace,” two of NPR’s flagship national news programs during core listening hours. It will also be available as an on-demand podcast. The interview-driven show is set to dive into the issues shaping Louisville and Southern Indiana. LPM sources tell TALKERS, “In an effort to amplify and deepen the conversation around the biggest topics in our community, the show will connect with public officials, community leaders and everyday people about the challenges and triumphs happening in Louisville and Southern Indiana. It will work to keep the civic conversation ‘on track.’ Its host, veteran broadcast journalist Ayisha Jafer will explore topics with people from across our diverse community that challenge the traditional sound of public media. Scheduled topics include: the state of downtown Louisville, the loneliness epidemic, business development and its impact on neighborhoods, finding love in Louisville, how the pronunciation of Louisville came to be and more.” With the addition of “On Track” to WFPL’s on-air schedule, some programs will shift. “Marketplace” will now air Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm. “Today Explained” will move to Thursday and Friday at 6:00 pm.
A series of new studies from Advertiser Perceptions reveals national marketers are increasingly confident in the economy, will advertise more, and anticipate new product launches at record levels. Each month, Advertiser Perceptions, a leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence for the advertising and ad tech industries, surveys 300 executives involved in media brand selection decisions who will spend a minimum of 1 million dollars in ad spend over the next 12 months. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog outlines the key findings, examining the outlook national marketers have on the economy:
As the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy has positioned itself to be the “go-to audio home” for football fans nationwide. With flagship stations 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia, the company is set to provide fans with in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and live play-by-play coverage of the big game on February 9. Additionally, six Audacy sports stations and Audacy’s newly launched BetMGM Network will broadcast live from the radio row, to provide listeners the latest updates, expert insights, and exclusive interviews throughout Super Bowl week. And with Westwood One’s national broadcast on 20 Audacy sports stations, the plan is for fans across the country not to miss a moment. Audacy tells TALKERS, “Whether on the air or on the free Audacy app, listeners can tune in for every snap, every score, and every story leading up to and following Super Bowl LIX.” Please click 
local show was set to be a celebration of the station’s 34th anniversary – marking the day that Zwerling took ownership of the 10k flame thrower at 1080 AM and launched its news/talk format back on February 1, 1991. Zwerling was taking calls from listeners offering congratulations and sharing memories of the station over the years. One of KSCO’s regular callers, “Dave,” took a different course and went off on a political tirade that triggered an emotionally charged negative response from Zwerling resulting in one of the most dramatic live “meltdowns” captured on-air in recent memory. Zwerling’s co-host Amy Hoa had to calm Zwerling down telling him that his blood pressure was rising to a dangerous level. The listener, who was obviously a regular caller to the station was forever banned from appearing on the station again. Warning, the clip contains salty language that might be offensive to some. 
12 years with the station. A report in The Chattanoogan says that Joyce, who hosted the late morning “Brian Joyce Unfiltered” program, “parted ways” with the station last week. Joyce joined WGOW in 2012 and became part of the morning drive show in 2018, alongside Jim Reynolds and Kevin West. In 2023, Cumulus retooled the morning show bringing Jed Mescon aboard to co-host with Reynolds and Joyce moved to the late morning slot. 
from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. In 2022, the Lutzes moved to the 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm slot to better accommodate their schedules. Bob Lutz is the founder and executive director of the League 42 baseball league that serves inner city and low-income youths, and Jeff Lutz is a full-time digital producer at KWCH-TV, Wichita. In late 2024, KFH notified the duo that it wanted to move the syndicated Jim Rome show into their time slot and move them to the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. The two tried to produce the show earlier in the day to air at 5:00 but Bob Lutz tells the Eagle that not speaking live with callers took the fun out of the show. 
