Industry News

Bill Doyle Exits “New Jersey 101.5”

TALKERS has learned that talk radio host Bill Doyle is no longer co-host of the afternoon drive showim alongside Jeff Deminski on Townsquare Media’s news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5.” It’s unclear whether this move was budget related or precipitated by something else, but Doyle’s info has been scrubbed from the “New Jersey 101.5” website and Deminski is listed as solo host in afternoons. Deminski and Doyle had been on-air partners since 1994, serving two stints with NJ101.5 from 1994 – 1999 and from 2011 to the present. TALKERS’ attempts to contact management at the Townsquare Trenton offices were unsuccessful.

Industry News

Williamson Named iHeartMedia Indy Market President

iHeartMedia promotes Leon Williamson to Indianapolis market president. The Indy market includes sports talk WNDE-AM “FOX Sports 1260,” business news WOLT-HD2/W248AW “Business News 97.5,”im plus three music brands. Williamson previously served as SVP of sales for the station group. iHeartMedia area president for St. Louis and Indianapolis John Beck says, “Leon is a solid and very thoughtful leader. In his nearly two years at iHeartMedia Indianapolis, Leon has done a fantastic job building a solid team and fostering a deep connection with the Indy community. We are excited to have him at the helm in Indianapolis, continuing to drive our success and innovation.” Williamson comments, “As the new market president at iHeartMedia Indianapolis, my commitment is to lead with purpose and uplift our community. My mission is to leverage the power of audio to empower voices, inspire change, and build a legacy of unity and progress.”

Industry News

Salem Appoints Kligora West Region Digital Sales Director

Salem Media Group names Christian Kligora West Region digital sales director for its digital marketing firm, Salem Surround. Kligora most recently served with Marketron in an executive leadership positionim driving business development. Salem Surround VP and general manager Jon Latzer comments, “Christian Kligora is a generational find and will help Salem Surround achieve both revenue growth and help with operational efficiencies. We are excited to have him join our expanding team while leading our Western Region to new heights of success.” Kligora states, “I’m excited to join the fantastic team at Salem Media. Joining Salem represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a media landscape that values integrity, innovation, and impact. I am eager to partner with our linear/digital sales teams to explore innovative ways to connect with our audience.”

Industry News

NJ101.5 Town Hall to Address Auto Theft Spike

Tomorrow (5/30), Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” will present a town hall titled, “Locked Down: Defending Your Car and Home from Theft.” This comes after the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office reported that more than 16,000 vehicles were stolen in 2023, a 4% increaseim over 2022, and that home break-ins to get key fobs are on the rise. New Jersey 101.5 senior political director Eric Scott says, “These are not teens looking for a joyride. Sophisticated criminal enterprises are behind the majority of car thefts in New Jersey with proceeds being used to fund international crime and terrorism.” The program’s panel will include New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik, New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, and Christine O’Brien, president of the Insurance Council of New Jersey.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial goes to the jury today; the presidential race and the Republicans vying to be Trump’s VP candidate; the U.S. economy; the Israel-Hamas war and Israel’s operations in Rafah; the Justice Samuel Alito upside down flag controversy and their spat with neighbors; the intense storms that swept through the southern U.S.; Harvard University’s new “no positions” policy; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Israel intensifies its attacks on Rafah in its war against Hamas; this week’s resumption of former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; Trump at the Libertarian Party convention and the presidential race; the state of the economy; the Memorial Day holiday; the deadly tornadoes that claimed the lives of at least 22 in the southern U.S.; and basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton dies at 71 after a battle with cancer were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend.

Industry Views

WABC, New York Morning Host Sid Rosenberg is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

77WABC, New York morning show host Sid Rosenberg is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Rosenberg, who is a Jewish native New Yorker and outspoken supporter of Israel, risked his life this past Friday evening (5/17) on a Brooklyn-bound subway train standing up and defending an orthodox Jewish man being threatened with physical assault by an obscenity-spewing, anti-Semitic African American man who appeared dangerously amped up on drugs. The story is compelling and offers insight into the hate and dangers that are on full display in the Big Apple. Harrison and Rosenberg discuss the dangerous spread of anti-Semitism in America, the disturbing behavior of Gen Z on college campuses, and the rise in crime on the streets of America’s leading urban centers. This powerful conversation is not to be missed. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here

Industry News

Audacy’s “We Can Do Hard Things” Hosts Honored with Gracie Awards

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Pictured above are “We Can Do Hard Things” hosts Glennon Doyle (right) and Abby Wambach (left) accepting the award for Best Lifestyle Podcast Co-host/Ensemble. Fellow co-host Amanda Doyle, who is battling cancer, was not present. Wambach said, “Rooms like tonight, nights like this one matter… I want to acknowledge and affirm the little girl inside all of us that was told, ‘You can’t do it because you’re a girl.’ Tonight, I tell that little girl, ‘Yes, you can. Yes, you can.’”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Baltimore Public Media and KMG Networks announce that “The Good News” with Dr. Benjamin F.  Chavis Jr. will air on public radio outlets WYPR and WTMD. KMG says, “‘The Good News’ is a daily radio commentary and headline news review hosted by the journalist and civil rights icon, offering fresh, timely, unique and brief perspective on the headline news of the day across America and throughout the world.”

iHeartMedia Pittsburgh announces an extension of its audio agreement with the Pittsburgh Steelers which will have iHeartMedia powering the newly created “Steelers Audio Network” through the 2028 season. The “Steelers Audio Network” will feature game day broadcasts, ancillary programs, digital audio (Steelers Nation Radio), podcasts and social media content. Listeners can hear the “Steelers Audio Network” and its programming year-round across a variety of platforms including WDVE-FM, WBGG-AM “FOX Sports Pittsburgh” (970AM), Steelers Nation Radio, the Steelers mobile app, the iHeartRadio mobile app, as well as the team and station’s websites. The partnership also includes promotional support across all six iHeartMedia Pittsburgh stations and websites.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of May 20-24

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race, followed by the Israel-Hamas war tied with the International Criminal Court’s warrants for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Michael Harrison Tells “America at Night with Rich Valdés” National Audience “I’m Not Going to Be an Alarmist” About George Soros Acquisition of Audacy Debt

Although acknowledging the potential of George Soros eventually leveraging his fast-track acquisition of a $400 million debt stake in Audacy’s 227 radio stations to wield left wing political influence, TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says, “I’m not going to be an alarmist” that the hedge fund billionaire wouldim be able to alter the course of established radio stations and the marketplace of ideas before the 2024 election or even soon thereafter. Harrison told “America at Night” host Rich Valdés last night (5/22) that radio is far too idiosyncratic an industry – already run by too many people who don’t understand how it really operates – for someone (who also doesn’t really have first-hand experience in the field) to just step in and make drastic alterations to entrenched stations, formats, audiences and sponsors just to make a political statement. Harrison states, “There are more imexpedient uses of his money if that is his main purpose. After all, not all Audacy stations are conservative news/talkers… many are music, sports and a variety of formats. How inefficient such a move would be!” Harrison went on to say that radio is still an extremely powerful and potentially lucrative medium if only its present owners and operators believed in it and invested in its programming and marketing. He encouraged radio broadcasters to understand and believe in the “esthetic of ‘radio’ and not be so anxious to bail out into the utilitarian term ‘audio.’” Harrison and Valdés tied the discussion into the current news about the AM for Every Vehicle Act currently making its way through Congress stating that radio is still a lifeline for service to the community as a place for information, education, and entertainment and that eliminating it from automobile dashboards would be about “five to 10 years premature.” Listen to last night’s conversation here.

Industry News

Talk Media Network Partners with LinkUp Communications for Broadcast Distribution

Talk Media Network announces its partnership with LinkUp Communications for satellite and internet distribution of programming to its more than 1,200 radio station affiliates. Talk Media Network CEO Joshim Leng says, “LinkUp Communications is the new gold standard for service and reliability in the broadcast industry. Their reputation for professionalism and the highest level of service made this the imperfect complement to Talk Media Network’s quality programming. We carefully reviewed our options and listened to our affiliates in choosing to remain on the XDS platform, while choosing the best distribution partner in LinkUp Communications. LinkUp’s client roster, track record, and commitment to the highest quality and customer service standards, made it the leading choice to work with Talk Media Network’s shows and affiliates.” LinkUp CEO Karen Johnson states, “LinkUp Communications is thrilled to assist Josh and his networks by allowing them to remain with the industry leading XDS suite of technologies. We’re happy to utilize our decades of experience to elevate Talk Media Network’s programs. LinkUp has provided technology solutions to enable broadcasters for over 20 years.”

Industry News

Alpha Media Cuts More Staff in Midwest Markets

Alpha Media has laid off more staffers, this time in the Mason City, Iowa and Austin, Minnesota markets, according to KAAL-TV, Rochester, Minnesota. It’s unclear exactly how many positions have been eliminated but they are affecting news/talk KAUS-AM and country KAUS-FM in Austin as well asim operations in Mankato, Albert Lea, and Luverne, Minnesota; Watertown and Brookings, South Dakota; and Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Newton and Mason City in Iowa. Northern Iowa Today reports that in Mason City, KGLO sports director Tim Fleming has been let go as has KGLO and KRIB news director Bob Fisher, who comments, “Alpha Media is going a different direction with their radio stations in their smaller markets. A majority of the programming staff, including myself, were terminated this morning as part of that plan. This is not only happening here but throughout the country with their smaller markets.” After making similar drastic cuts in a number of its Missouri markets, Alpha Media struck a deal with UK-based Podcast Radio and will debut “Podcast Radio Missouri” on two stations there in the coming weeks. Read TALKERS’ coverage of that news here.

Industry News

NewsNation Expands to 24/7 Operation

Nexstar Media announces that its NewsNation news channel will expand its news programming to 24-hours-per-day Monday through Sunday, beginning June 1. The network will launch the final portion of its live news lineup with the early-evening edition of “NewsNation Now” with Adrienne Bankert on Saturdays and Sundays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET. The company says that this new block of newsim follows the recent launches of the weekend editions of “Morning in America with Hena Doba” from 7:00 am to 10:00 am ET, “NewsNation Live” from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm ET, “NewsNation Now with Anna Kooiman” from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET, and “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt,” which debuted earlier this year. Networks division president Sean Compton states, “We are immensely proud to announce that NewsNation is now a 24/7 cable news network. This milestone marks the culmination of our efforts to continue expanding and growing the network since launching it in 2020. It reaffirms our commitment to delivering unbiased news coverage, a mission that resonates deeply with our viewers, fostering their trust in the brand, and strengthening their loyalty to NewsNation.” The network also announces the hiring of three veteran journalists, including the aforementioned Anna Kooiman, who joined in March as anchor of the weekend edition of “NewsNation Now”; senior correspondent Laura Ingle, who most recently served as a senior correspondent at FOX News Channel; and Alicia Nieves, who will be a New York-based correspondent after joining the network from the financial streaming service, Fintech TV.

Industry News

Premiere Personalities Honored with Gracie Awards

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Premiere Networks syndicated personalities Angela Yee, host of “Way Up with Angela Yee,” and Medha Gandhi, co-host of “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” were honored at the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s 49th Annual Gracie Awards on Tuesday (5/21) at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Pictured above are (from l-r): iHeartMedia’s Ellen K, who won a Gracie for the “Ellen K Weekend Show,” Yee, and Gandhi.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/22) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in NYC and the hearing in Florida in Trump’s classified documents case; the presidential race; inflation and the U.S. economy; China launches military drills around Taiwan; the controversy over flags flown at Justice Samuel Alito’s homes; Marjorie Taylor Greene says DOJ and FBI planned Trump assassination; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Hunter Biden tax trial is set for September; the tornadoes and severe weather affecting the south and central U.S. and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls for July 4 election were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (5/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Israel-Hamas war and Norway, Spain and Ireland’s announcement they will formally recognize a Palestinian state; the defense rests in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race; the U.S. economy; Russia reportedly launches a satellite-killing space weapon; the Justice Samuel Alito January 6 flag controversy; the controversial Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; South Carolina bans meds and procedures for gender transition for minors; and the deadly tornadoes that swept through Iowa were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Report: Giuliani Creditors Subpoena WABC’s John Catsimatidis

According to a report from Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani’s creditors are subpoenaing WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis to get documents “detailing his relationship with Giuliani, Giuliani’sim compensation from WABC, and documents about the shows Giuliani hosted.” The creditors are represented by a committee in Giuliani’s bankruptcy case and until 10 days ago, Giuliani worked at WABC hosting an afternoon radio talk show. The report notes that the creditors are looking for information about Giuliani’s “‘termination or suspension’ and about any statements he made regarding the Georgia poll workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him after he accused them of rigging election results.” Giuliani challenged that verdict in court, but his recent efforts failed, and he remains on the hook for the $148 million judgement. Read the Bloomberg Law story here.

Industry News

Gorka to Report from Trump Trial on Mike Gallagher Show

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Salem Radio Network personality Sebastian Gorka is in the New York City courtroom today (5/21) where the Donald Trump “hush money” trial is taking place. He’ll appear on SRN’s “Mike Gallagher Show” just before 12:00 noon to report on the day’s court session. Pictured above are (from l-r): Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX), Gorka, and Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX).

Industry News

FOX News Digital Tops Competitors in Multiplatform Views and Minutes

For the month of April 2024, according to data from Comscore, FOX News Digital maintained its leadim over news set competitors CNN.com and NYTimes.com in both multiplatform total views and multiplatform total minutes, as it has for 38 consecutive months. During the month of February 2024, FOX News Digital surpassed CNN.com in multiplatform unique visitors (comparable to radio’s cume) for the first time. However, in April 2024, CNN.com was again the leader in that metric by just under 1.4 million.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories

The ICC seeks arrest of Israel and Hamas leaders; Iran’s future in the wake of the death of its president; the ongoing Donald Trump hush money trial; the presidential race; inflation, the record-high financial markets and the economy; controversy over the Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; Arizona serves Rudy Giuliani with indictment papers in the 2020 election case; hacking threats against U.S. water systems; and the Justice Samuel Alito upside-down flag controversy were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Joe Thomas to Launch New Virginia Talk Station This Weekend

Former longtime WCHV, Charlottesville program director and morning host Joe Thomas recently announced his acquisition of the Staunton, Virginia signal WTON-AM and his plan to re-launch it as aim news/talk outlet. Now, he says, “After going off the air as part of an asset sale in October of last year, WTON radio is re-born this Memorial Day weekend! We want to hear your voice. We’ll bring you coverage of the local stories from this wide area we’ll be imcovering as we develop the best local shows alongside an all-star lineup of shows all day!” Thomas will host the morning drive show and teases that the daily lineup will also include “The Dan Bongino Show” “The Dana Show” (Dana Loesh), “The Lars Larson Show” from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, plus Bill O’Reilly and Lee Habeeb’s “American Stories.” Thomas adds, “We’re building a newsroom that will tell you what is going to be happening, not just what did happen. Local businesses will be able to connect with the local listeners around the clock so they can stand out and stay prosperous!” Programming will also be simulcast on two FM translators at 101.1 FM and 98.9 FM.

Industry News

WABC’s Sid Rosenberg Confronts Man Threatening Jewish Commuter

WABC, New York morning drive talk host Sid Rosenberg tells TALKERS he witnessed an anti-Semitic assault on a Jewish commuter on a New York subway train on Friday (5/17). Rosenberg says, “On the downtown 5 train from 42nd street. I get on the train, and I walk by a guy with a yarmulke standing by theim door. I sat down next to him. Seconds later an angry, half-drunk African American guy starts digging his finger into the Jewish man’s chest while yelling, ‘I aint gonna fight for you! I ain’t gonna fight for you! You genocide Jew mother*cker.’Needless to say the Jewish man was scared to death. Noticing that I stood up and proudly proclaimed, ‘I’m Jewish, too!’ I stood next to the Jewish man, arms folded, while the big-mouth bully walked to the end of the car. He continued to rant and holler but he was no longer a physical threat. The scumbag exited the train at the Brooklyn Bridge stop while I sat next to the Jewish man ‘til I got off at Wall Street. He was on his way home to Crown Heights for Shabbat. He said to me, ‘I have no doubt if you didn’t stand up that guy would’ve hurt me. I know who you are. I listen to you. I know you’re a lover of the Jews. I wish people could’ve seen this. Thank you for helping me get home safe for Shabbos. Am Yisrael Chai!’ I will fight for my people despite the potential physical harm to me. God Bless Israel and continue to protect my people!” Don’t miss Sid Rosenberg’s guest appearance on the new installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” He and Harrison candidly discuss the incident and Rosenberg’s position on Israel, Hamas, Gen Z, and NYC crime. It posts tomorrow morning on Talkers.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: WHY Are You Podcasting?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imBecause you can? Because you aren’t doing AM/FM radio? Because you are on radio, but can’t-do-there what you can-do podcasting? Because you are making money podcasting?

Podcasters I help must first survive a conversation about WHY. “It’s a success…if…” WHAT?

Wired magazine co-founder Kevin Kelly reckons that “a creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, video maker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans to make a living.”

Devour these four pages he wrote – a genuine whack-on-the-side-of-the-head – and the structure for my coaching: http://getonthenet.com/1000TrueFans.pdf

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What you read there may change how you approach the podcast you’re doing… or nudge you into podcasting if you don’t. As does the Edison Research 2024 Infinite Dial survey. Here’s that download, and a cautionary video from TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison: http://getonthenet.com/podcasting.html

Next Monday is Memorial Day here in the USA, so I’ll be back here on “…the third of June.” If you work mornings, this is my last column you will see before your show that day, so make a note in your bumper file: Bobbie Gentry, “Ode to Billy Joe.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Iran’s president and foreign minister killed in helicopter crash; the Israel-Hamas war and the ICC seeking arrest warrants for Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes; former President Donald Trump speaks at NRA convention; the aftermath of Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech; President Joe Biden’s Moorhouse College commencement; the Trump hush money trial in NYC; the presidential race; and Pope Francis is interviewed on “60 Minutes” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

WIP Sports Talk Pioneer Howard Eskin is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Philadelphia sports talk media founding father Howard Eskin is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Eskin’s stellar career in radio and TV goes all the way back to 1972 and his impact on local media in the City of Brotherly Love is indelible. He still maintains an active presence as sports radio personality for WIP-FM 94.1 and anchor at FOX 29 News in addition to being a sideline reporter for the Eagles Radio Network. Eskin has hosted/anchored more than 8,000 sports radio programs in his career, which is likely the most by any sports radio personality in American broadcasting history. Harrison and Eskin discuss the state of sports, media, big money, the impact of gambling and the generational divide per the multi-award-winning host’s recent commencement speech at Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware where he received an honorary doctorate in acknowledgement of his contributions to media, culture and philanthropy. Don’t miss this! Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

BFoA to Present Networking Media Mixer in NYC

The Broadcasters Foundation of America is presenting its third in a series of networking Media Mixers, Thursday, June 13, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the New York City studios of iHeartMedia. The event is being hosted by iHeartMedia air personality Gandhi, a member of the nationally syndicated Elvisim Duran And The Morning Show,” with a live performance from local singer/songwriter sensation Jackie Romeo, currently a contestant on “The Voice.”  BFoA says the mixers serve a dual purpose: to bring together up-and-coming broadcast professionals with their peers and executives; and to increase awareness of the BFoA’s charitable mission. BFoA president Tim McCarthy states, “Our first two Media Mixers were a huge success for young professionals who mingled with executives, and we’re looking forward to another great event. We have an obligation to show young people in radio and television that broadcasting offers successful and fulfilling career opportunities. We also need to help them understand what the Broadcasters Foundation does, why it’s important, and how they can help.” The two-hour event is free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Register here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for May 13 – 17

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race and Trump and Joe Biden agreeing to two debates, followed by the attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. See this week’s complete chart here.

Ratings Takeaways

April 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imApril 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 survey period (March 28 – April 24) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

MLB; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea. The other 28 teams played their first game March 28.

NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024 (6+).

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 3.8 – 4.5, #9 – #7

KJCE .1 – .1, #30 – #30

News

None

Sports Talk

KBPA-HD2  .9 – .9, #21 – #21

KVET-AM .7 – .5, #23 – #24

KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 8.4 – 7.6, #2 – #2

KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA   

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 7.3 – 7.3, #4  – #4

WPTF .6 – .6, #23 – #23

News

WRAL-HD3 .5 – .7, #24 – #21

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

WCMC-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #25 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 8.7 – 7.9, #2 – #3

Note: Public radio news/talk WUNC’s -.8 (8.7 – 7.9) is tied for Raleigh’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 5.1 – 5.7, #8 – #7

News

WOLT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #25

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  2.6 – 2.3, #16 – #16

WNDE .5 – .3, #22 – #22

WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

WFNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Pacers)

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 5.6 – 5.9, #6 – #6

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.0 – 10.3, eighth consecutive month at #1

WLIP .1 – .1, #26 – #26

WAUK .2 – DNA, #22 – DNA

WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brewers)

WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.4 – 2.3, #15 – #15

WOKY .1 – .2, #26 – #21

WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #21

WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 2.9 – 3.3, #13 – #10

WHAD 1.3 – 1.8, #17 – #16

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA  

Note: News/talk WISN’s +1.3 (9.0 – 10.3) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 6.5 – 5.7, #5 – #5

WLAC 1.8 – 1.7, #18 – #18

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 6.6 – 5.5, #4 – #7

WPRT 2.3 – 2.5, #17 – #17 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.8 – 3.2, #9 – #15

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA

Note: Public radio news/talk WPLN’s -1.6 (4.8 – 3.2) represents Nashville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.2 – 7.0, #5 – #4

WHJJ  1.3 – 1.1, #13 – #12

News

None

Sports Talk

WVEI 1.5 – 1.7, #11 – #9

WPRV .1 – .1, #18 – #18

WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.1 – 2.1, #8 – #8

WNPN 1.4 – 1.0, #12 – #13

WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #18

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  2.0 – 2.1, #14 – #14

WGH-FM HD2  .1 – .1, #23 – #24

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #21 – #23

Sports Talk

WVSP 1.3 – 1.1, #17 – #17

WGH-AM .1 – .1, #23 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 8.3 – 9.1, #3 – #3

News

WJBT-HD2 .DNA – .2, DNA – #21

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #21 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.1 – 2.4, #13 – #13   

Note: News/talk WOKV-FM’s +.8 (8.3 – 9.1) is Jacksonville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8

WZZR 1.1 – 1.2 #13 – #13

WJNO 1.1 – .9, #13 – #14

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .4 – .5, #17 – #16

WBZT .4 – .3, #17 – #19

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 3.5 – 3.9 #11 – #10

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 4.6 – 4.4, #6 – #7

WUNC 2.5 – 2.5, #12 – #12

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 1.8 – 1.4, #8 – #10

KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 2.3 – 2.3, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #15 (Grizzlies)

WMC-AM DNA – .2, DNA – #15

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.6 – 1.1, #10 – #11

WKNO-HD2  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 6.2 – 5.4, #5 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.6, #16 – #16

WPOP .2 – .2, #20 – #20

WTIC-AM Stream .2 – .2, #20 – #20

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.1 – 1.8, #13 – #14

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 5.0 – 5.0, #7 – #7

WFCR .4 – .4, #18 – #18

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com

Industry News

BIA: WTOP, Washington Top Biller in 2023

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Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington, DC was the nation’s top billing radio station last year – and it wasn’t even close. According to a report from BIA Advisory Services, the news outlet racked up $66.3 million compared to runner-up KIIS-FM, Los Angeles’ $41.8 million. Interestingly, Beasley Media Group sports talker WBZ-FM, Boston ($32.7 million) beat Audacy’s legendary WFAN-FM, New York ($30.3 million). BIA also produced a chart of the top billing AM stations in the U.S. in which Audacy’s all-news WBBM-AM, Chicago topped the chart with $30 million billed. See that chart below.

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Industry News

FOX Sports Radio Adds Three Personalities to Weekends

FOX Sports Radio announces the addition of three new sports media personalities to its weekend programming. FOX Sports NFL Analyst Carmen Vitali joins FOX sports reporter Alex Curry to co-host “FOX Sports Saturday with Alex Curry & Carmen Vitali” on Saturdays (4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET). Ten-yearim NBA veteran and current Houston Rockets color commentator Ryan Hollins will join Mike Harmon hosting the Sunday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon ET program, and 8-year NFL veteran and All-Pro safety Kerry Rhodes parnters with Dan Beyer hosting the Sunday 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm program. iHeartMedia EVP of sports programming Don Martin and FOX Sports Radio SVP Scott Shapiro comment, “Sports fans know that they can come to us live 24/7 for strong opinions, predictions and instant reaction to all of the drama taking place in the world of sports. We are fired up that our lineup of personalities continues to get stronger and stronger.  FOX Sports Radio is here to provide entertainment and companionships to sports fans all day, every day.”

Industry News

“NPR News Now” Stays Atop Triton Digital Podcast Ranker

Triton Digital releases its U.S. Podcast Ranker (based on weekly average downloads for participatingim podcasts) for April 2024 and NPR’s “NPR News Now” retains its #1 rank, followed by sister program “Up First” at #2 and audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” at #3. Other radio related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Dan Bongino Show” rising one place to #6, Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” sliding back one place to #17, and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” also moving back one spot to #28. See the complete ranker here.