Industry News

Kentucky Governor’s Podcast Joins SiriusXM

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signs a new deal to bring his podcast to the SiriusXM Podcast Network. Episodes will also air on the SiriusXM Progress channel. As part of the deal, SiriusXM Media acquires exclusive global ad sales rights to the audio edition of the podcast. In addition to the podcast, Governorimg Beshear will host a new series of live specials, “Andy Beshear Presents,” airing exclusively on SiriusXM Progress. The series will premiere Tuesday, September 9 at 12:00 noon ET. Beshear will be joined by fellow Progress host John Fugelsang and will take calls from listeners across the country. Governor Beshear says. “I want this podcast to be a space to bring people together – especially in such a stressful and divisive time in our country. This is a conversation with friends and we talk about things that matter to all of us: sports, politics, pop culture, our kids. I’m excited to expand this conversation with listeners across the country on SiriusXM, highlighting a wide range of voices and ideas that can help move us all forward, together.”

Industry News

Salem COO Stepping Down

Salem Media Group chief operating officer David Evans exited his role with the company on August 31. Evans joined Salem in 2000 as chief financial officer and later served as president of new media before becoming COO for the past three years. The company says that over his 25-year tenure, Evans played aimg significant role in shaping Salem’s growth and direction. Under his leadership, Salem launched and developed four major digital properties: Salem Web Network, Salem Church Products, Townhall Media, and Eagle Financial Publications. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “David has been an important part of Salem’s journey, and we are deeply grateful for his dedication, professionalism, and leadership over the years.” Salem co-founder Ed Atsinger adds, “David’s impact on Salem has been profound. From his early days as CFO to his leadership in building our digital media presence, his contributions have helped define who we are today. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him continued success in the future.”

Industry News

NAB: Support for AM Radio Bill Surges

National Association of Broadcasters says that congressional support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act accelerated during the August congressional recess, with the bill now backed by 280 bipartisan cosponsorsimg in the U.S. House of Representatives and a filibuster-proof 61 in the U.S. Senate. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “We thank the growing, bipartisan group of lawmakers standing up for their constituents who depend on AM radio. This support demonstrates a deep understanding that AM radio remains an essential lifeline for emergency alerts, local news and community connection. With significant momentum behind this bill, NAB urges House leadership to bring it to the floor without delay and preserve this vital service for the American public.”

Industry News

Iowa Rep Announces Senate Bid on Conway Show

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Pictured above broadcasting live on WHO, Des Moines; WMT, Cedar Rapids; and WOC, Davenport from the Iowa State Fair is talk radio host Simon Conway (right) with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) (left) as she announces her bid for the U.S. Senate seat that current Senator Joni Ernst will leave at the end of her term in 2026. Conway says, “Quite the honor to be the exclusive home for such a major announcement.”

Industry News

Joe Concha Joins 77WABC

“The Joe Concha Tunnel to Towers Foundation Show” is joining the weekend program lineup at Red Appleimg Media’s WABC, New York airing in the 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Concha has been hosting the time period since Jeanine Pirro left to become the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez says, “Joe brings the total package, smart, sharp, and fearless. He doesn’t just analyze the news, he makes sense of it, challenges it and connects with America in a way only he can.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

SiriusXM Adds New NFL Shows. Joining the SiriusXM NFL Radio team this season are two experienced pro personnel executives – former Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco and former Tennessee Titans general manager and NFL running back Ran Carthon – who will host on SiriusXM NFL Radio this season, bringing a front office perspective on the game to the channel. Also joining SiriusXM this season is Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen, an 18-year veteran of the league, who will join Miami Dolphins running back Alec Ingold to host the weekly show, “The Players’ Point.” Airing Tuesdays at 7 pm ET, “The Players’ Point” is the only radio show hosted entirely by active NFL players.

New Director of Development Joins BPM. Baltimore Public Media (BPM) is proud to announce the appointment of David Belew as its new Director of Development, leading the organization’s philanthropic strategy across membership, grants, major giving, events, and community engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome David to Baltimore Public Media. His passion for connecting people to ideas, culture, and community — combined with his proven success in advancing major institutions — will help us grow stronger and more resilient as we enter this pivotal moment,” says Craig N. Swagler, President and General Manager of Baltimore Public Media.

Industry News

Stephen A. Smith Taking on Politics and Current Events

Outspoken sports media personality Stephen A. Smith is stepping outside of the sports-only content as part of his new deal with SiriusXM. As announced earlier this summer, Smith is joining the satcaster’s Mad Dogimg Sports Radio channel for a daily sports show that airs live at 1:00 pm ET. In addition to that, Smith is debuting his politics and culture show called, “Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith,” that will debut September 17 on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. channel, airing live at 6:00 pm each Wednesday. “Straight Shooter” is also being made available as a podcast the next day. Smith says, “I’ve spent my career speaking my mind, asking tough questions, and zeroing in on the issues that matter most. Whether it’s my new sports show on Mad Dog Sports Radio or talking politics on P.O.T.U.S., I’m here to challenge, entertain, and engage SiriusXM listeners.”

Industry News

Sunrise Broadcasting Launches Hudson Valley Sports Talker

Sunrise Broadcasting launches “FOX Sports 1220AM/94.5 FM” on WGNY-AM/FM, Newburgh, New York and on the HD2 channel of AC WJGK-FM, Newburgh serving the Hudson Valley with content from FOX Sportsimg Radio, including “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe,” “The Dan Patrick Show,” “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” and more. The station will also broadcast FOX Sports Radio around the clock on weekends. Sunrise operations director Robert J. Maines Jr. says, “Sunrise Broadcasting is thrilled to add FOX Sports Radio to WGNY 1220 AM/94.5 FM. We look forward to bringing this exciting sports network to our Hudson Valley sports listeners.”

Industry News

Stillman Moves to Podcasting After Exiting “The Game”

The Tennessean reports that Nashville sports media personality Jared Stillman is relaunching his Stillman & Co. program as a podcast on the 440 Sports on-demand audio network. Stillman recently exited WPRT-FM,img Nashville “102.5 The Game” after being unable to strike a deal to renew his show. The new program will air live weekdays at 2:00 pm and goes online as a podcast by 3:30 pm that day. He tells the paper, “I was fortunate enough to have what I feel is an incredibly loyal core audience and I plan to provide for them a daily show every day that isn’t behind a paywall and 440 Sports gives me that opportunity. With very limited commercial interruption, the podcast should be able to get most people in Nashville through their afternoon commute.” Read The Tennessean story here.

Industry News

Basilio Moves to WKGN, Knoxville

Sports talk host Tony Basilio is taking his radio program to MH2 Media’s WKGN-AM/W289CU, Knoxville.img He previously hosted his show on crosstown WJBE-AM. In making room for Basilio on WKGN, Bob Baskerville moved to afternoon drive to team up with Russell Smith in afternoons. Basilio says, “Bob has been really accommodating and gracious. They’ve got talented people on that station. I’m proud to be a part of it.” Read the Knox News story here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Schrager Launches Football Podcast. ESPN and Omaha Productions announce that ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager is debuting, “The Schrager Hour,” a Wedsnesday show in which Schrager “dives into key storylines and match-ups around the league, taking you behind the scenes of Monday Night Football and recapping his week on the road covering the NFL.” In addition, Schrager will be on the sidelines of Monday Night Football alongside Katie George and will appear regularly across ESPN’s studio programming, including frequent appearances on “Get Up,” “First Take,” “The Pat McAfee Show,” “NFL Live” and “SportsCenter.”

Browns Extend Partnership with Audacy and Good Karma Brands. The Cleveland Browns announced a multi-year agreement with Audacy and Good Karma Brands, reaffirming the stations’ continued roles as the team’s official flagship radio partners for the University Hospitals Browns Radio Network. ESPN Cleveland market manager Tom Olson says, “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Cleveland Browns. This renewal not only extends our tradition of delivering the excitement of Browns content to our fans, but also opens new opportunities to integrate our local partners directly into the fabric of the play-by-play broadcast.”

Industry News

Report: Howard Stern Delays SiriusXM Return

Numerous media outlets are circulating a story published in the Daily Mail that Howard Stern did not return to a live broadcast of his SiriusXM program today (9/2) as promised because he is frustrated “over the newimg contract.” Stern’s current five-year deal expires later this fall and speculation earlier this summer that the satcaster and Stern would part ways at the end of his current deal spurred Stern to issue a statement on his show (during summer re-runs) that he’d be back on September 2 to dispel the rumors. There are reports that Stern is dealing with his 98-year-old mother’s failing health and that is weighing on him. The story indicates Stern sent an email to his employees to explain the situation, but sources supplied no details about that email. The New York Post story says Stern’s listenership has gone from “20 million at its height to 125,000 daily listeners now.” However, SiriusXM doesn’t publish its listener data and no sources are provided for those figures. See the Post story here.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Reports New Contracts for Pittman and Bressler

iHeartMedia announces that it is entering into amendments to the employment agreements with chairman and CEO Robert W. Pittman and president COO Richard J. Bressler. These amendments extend theirimg contracts from the end of 2026 to December 31, 2029. The company says that the amendments provide that outstanding equity awards granted at least six months prior to a qualifying retirement termination will remain outstanding and eligible to vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule (and, for performance-based awards, based on actual performance). Additionally, Bressler’s amendment increased his cash severance multiplier from 1.5x to 2x to align his severance payments and benefits (upon a qualifying termination of employment) with Pittman’s existing severance payments and benefits.

Industry News

Bold Gold Newsman Mike Sakell to Retire

Bold Gold Media announces that Catskills news & sports director Mike Sakell is retiring from his role with the company after more than four decades broadcasting in the region. Sakell first began working in Sullivan County in 1980 when he joined WVOS. Bold Gold Media NY region general manager Dawn Ciorciari says,img “There are certain sounds that define a place, and for Sullivan County, Mike’s voice is one of them. For 45 years, it’s been the sound of calm, trust, and perseverance. His life has been a true lesson in resilience. His legacy will live far beyond the airwaves.” Bold Gold Media CEO Vince Benedetto adds, “Mike’s retirement is truly an end of an extraordinary and historic era in local broadcasting. In every way, he was ‘The Voice of Sullivan County.’ He will be missed by all of our listeners, and most of all, by all of us in Bold Gold. His example of broadcast excellence will endure and be carried on by all of us who have learned so much from him. We wish him a wonderful retirement and thank him for his long, distinguished service to our communities.” Sullivan County native Dylan Price is assuming the  Catskills news & sports director role.

Industry Views

Commercial Copy for Careworn Consumers

By Holland Cooke
Constulant

imgWhy I love going on sales calls with station reps: Meeting retailers, who have SUCH a feel for their customers’ (our listeners’) mindset. Following-up last week’s column exploring the societal angst we are living through, this week’s will recommend technique for scripting in what psychologists call the Age of Outrage Fatigue.

Emotional bandwidth is down. Skepticism is up. And the old tricks – hyperbole, urgency, shouty headlines – are backfiring. People aren’t just tuning-out content they disagree with; they’re tuning-out tone. They crave calm. Clarity. Credibility.

To cut-through:

— Clear beats clever. Instead of “Don’t sweat it – we’ve got your ducts in a row!” Try “Get your AC fixed today, and sleep comfortably tonight.”

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— Ditch the drama. Instead of: “Drowning in debt?” Try: “Make a fresh start.”

— Frame your offer as an upgrade, not a fix for failure. Instead of: “Will you EVER be able to retire?” Try: “Plan your next chapter, on your terms.”

— Empathize, don’t exaggerate. People trust what feels human. Empty hype gets filtered out fast. “There’s never been a better time to buy a car!” goes in-one-ear-and-out-the-other.

— Earn attention quickly. The first sentence matters more than ever. Make it a question that includes “you” and/or “your” which describes the consumer situation that your advertiser can cure. “Is your money doing what you want it to?”

— Use specifics, not superlatives. “Best ever!” means nothing. Numbers and proof points build confidence.

— If you’re scripting with AI, rewrite to weed-out clichés. Restaurant spots that tout “a relaxing atmosphere” are verbal Styrofoam.

— Respect their time. Use short sentences. Bullet points. Clear next steps. Happy outcomes.

Today’s most effective copywriting calms the reader. It offers clarity in a crowded, chaotic world.

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

Job Opportunity

Lotus Seeks Marketing/Promotions Coordinator

Lotus Seattle is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented marketing/promotions coordinator. Lotus says, “Thisimg role is vital to bringing our brand to life through on-air, digital, and community engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working with people, and bring creative energy to our promotions and marketing efforts. See more about this position and apply here.

Industry News

Spadea Back on “New Jersey 101.5” Mornings

Talk radio host Bill Spadea will return as host of the morning show on Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” on September 2. Spadea took leave of his radio duties in late January of this year to run as a Republican for governor of New Jersey. He lost to Jack Ciattarelli in the June primaryimg election. About returning, Spadea says, “I’m excited to be returning to the airwaves with ‘New Jersey 101.5’ and the largest audience in the state. I’m looking forward to continuing our mission of fighting for common-sense solutions to save New Jersey. Our show has always been about the listeners, and I’m ready to keep amplifying the voices of small business owners, parents, teachers, first responders, nurses, and everyone else committed to digging in and staying in New Jersey. Stay tuned – there’s more to come!” Townsquare Media regional VP Brian Lang says, “Bill’s audience and the team at ‘New Jersey 101.5’ are looking forward to his return. There’s no doubt he’ll have great stories to share. I also want to thank Eric Scott and the entire morning show team for doing an outstanding job while Bill was away.”

Industry News

Detrow to Host “All Things Considered”

NPR names Scott Detrow full-time host of the weekday edition of “All Things Considered,” effective September 29. Detrow will continue as a host of NPR’s daily news podcast “Consider This.” Detrow hasimg hosted the weekend edition of “All Things Considered” since May of 2023. He says, “I’m really excited and honored to step into this role. I’m mindful of just how important All Things Considered’s legacy is for listeners, and I also know just how much I’ve loved working with the show’s team these past two years on weekends. I can’t wait to bring listeners the news five days a week now. And at this moment where we are all focusing on strengthening the entire public media network and working together more closely than ever before, I’m proud that I started out as an ‘All Things Considered’ host at a NPR Member station, and now will be doing that job nationally.”

Industry News

ESPN Radio’s College Football Tailgate Returns

ESPN announces the return of the two-show ESPN Radio College Football Tailgate starring Amber Wilson and Jonathan Zaslow. The Friday night show is “Amber & Ian: On the Road” airing from 7:00 pm to 10:00img pm ET. The Saturday program is called “College Football Tailgate” hosted by Wilson and Zaslow and airs at 10:00 am ET. ESPN VP of digital & audio production Justin Craig says, “College football is all about passion, tradition, and community. We’re thrilled to bring that energy directly to fans every weekend with ESPN Radio’s College Football Tailgate. Amber and Jonathan are the perfect voices to capture the excitement on campus, and this tour allows us to not only showcase the games, but also connect with the next generation of fans and broadcasters in a truly meaningful way.”

Industry News

WHYY and PRX to Syndicate “Sports in America”

WHYY, Philadelphia and public media distributor PRX are launching “Sports in America,” a new weekly public radio show and podcast hosted by journalist David Greene, on Tuesday, September 30. PRX is representing the show from WHYY in the public radio marketplace and also serves as podcast distributor. Greene comments, “I’ve always felt unique in the public radio world. I love immersive conversations thatimg breathe, peel back layers, and allow a person to reveal their truth. I’m also an obsessive – and my wife would say, annoying – sports fan who will joyously listen to hours of loud Pittsburgh sports talk radio. What’s missing in my life? A show that honors the best of what we do in public media and also brings the spark and energy sports fans relish. We’ve nailed it with ‘Sports in America.’ And what better time than now, as sports are one rare thing we all still show up for together.” Greene hosted NPR’s “Morning Edition” for more than a decade and hosted NPR’s morning news podcast, “Up First.” He also serves as the host of public radio’s politics program “Left, Right & Center” from KCRW and PRX.

Industry News

WURD, Philadelphia Presents Small Business Initiative

Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia is presenting, “Ready, Set, Grow: Preparing Small Businesses for America’s 250th,” a free event designed to equip small business owners with the tools and insights necessary to successfully navigate upcoming opportunities. Philadelphia will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and is aimg host city for FIFA World Cup 2026. “Ready, Set, Grow” happens on September 5 at the Barnes Foundation. Through the end of 2025 and into 2026, WURD will feature on-air programming, live panel discussions, and multimedia storytelling to provide entrepreneurs and neighborhood business corridors with the tools they need to thrive. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Ready, Set, Grow is crafted specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the region who are seeking strategies to leverage the historic momentum of America’s 250th anniversary. We are convening a panel of the experts and decision-makers who are best positioned to share how the small business community can make the most of this moment.” Ready, Set Grow’s panel discussion will feature executives from business and tourism organizations.

Job Opportunity

Lotus Seeks Marketing/Promotions Coordinator

Lotus Seattle is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented marketing/promotions coordinator. Lotus says, “Thisimg role is vital to bringing our brand to life through on-air, digital, and community engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working with people, and bring creative energy to our promotions and marketing efforts. See more about this position and apply here.

Industry News

Report: Bernstein Owns Mistakes That Led to Firing

Chicago sports media personality Dan Bernstein tells Axios that his dismissal from Audacy’s WSCR “Theimg Score” in March as the result of a social media rant against a critic was his fault. He says, “I own my mistakes. This was the culmination of a slow, rolling mental health crisis.” Bernstein recently began working with Hubbard’s 312 Sports platform on the daily podcast “Dan Bernstein: Unfiltered” with co-host Matt Abbatacola. He says, “I learned a lot in therapy, and I’m continuing to learn a lot about the dopamine outrage cycle and how real that is and how my brain chemistry works.” He adds, “I think I’ll be better served by the pace and tone of podcasting.” Read the Axios piece here.

Industry News

Simon Conway Interviews Trump Administration Officials

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Pictured above is talk radio personality Simon Conway (WHO, Des Moines; WMT, Cedar Rapids; and WOC, Quad Cities; WFLF, Orlando) at the White House with Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz. Conway says that for the third time in seven months he’s been invited to interview senior members of the Trump Administration. During this visit he also spoke with SBA administrator Kelly Loeffler, US Border Patrol chief Mike Banks, and director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett. Conway says, “As a radio host it is truly an honor to be invited to the White House for these opportunities.”

Industry News

Joe Thomas Broadcasts from New Orleans Affiliate

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Talk Media Network nationally syndicated talk radio host and WTON, Staunton, Virginia owner Joe Thomas recently visited New Orleans affiliate station WGSO while in town broadcasting from the State Policy Network annual meeting. He’s pictured above (right) with WGSO operations director BJ Rust (left).

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Audacy’s “I’m Listening” Returns. Audacy’s mental health initiative, “I’m Listening,” is again presenting its annual broadcast special in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and National Suicide Prevention Month. All Audacy stations nationwide will air the “I’m Listening” broadcast that week. Radio personality and co-host of NBC’s “TODAY” and host of “The Voice,” Carson Daly, and Audacy’s nationally syndicated country host, Katie Neal, host of “Katie and Company,” will host the special.

New Affiliate for RMWorldTravel. The nationally syndicated travel program “RMWorldTravel with Robert & Mary Carey and Rudy Maxa” adds East Carolina Radio Inc’s WZPR-FM, Nags Head, North Carolina to its roster of affiliates. The show is now heard on 610 stations every week.

Job Opportunity

Lotus Seeks Marketing/Promotions Coordinator

Lotus Seattle is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented marketing/promotions coordinator. Lotus says, “Thisimg role is vital to bringing our brand to life through on-air, digital, and community engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working with people, and bring creative energy to our promotions and marketing efforts. See more about this position and apply here.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: What You Need to Know About the “Law of 200”

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

imgThe risk is real. Suggesting that a technique used with great success in the recent past might be beneficial to the present is a perilous course. Is the idea out of touch with today’s reality? Is the author ignoring current trends?

A factual current event from which our industry and our lives suffer: Sales are down. Sales for the radio industry are down every quarter.

Hard research-and-math-people will point to the usual causes. Add to that list the fact that the same dollars that bought spots priced at X for the big morning show are being fed into podcasts for 10 percent of X. But podcasts are digital! Therefore, they are sexy to Wall Street. The result of that dollar transfer is quarterly investor calls featuring CEOs declaring that “digital is a sweet spot.” Actually, “digital” is a cheap whore but back to the topic:

Methods deployed to sell radio today are not working. Salespeople work hard, but the strategies they are given are weak. That’s why sales are down – every quarter. Spreadsheets, ROI, CPP, programmatic are elegant math-major systems. But our product is not math. Our product is emotion. Match sales techniques to the product. Tap the power of emotion.

Everything is ultimately purchased from our emotions. Everything.  Case in point: Joe Girard* understands cars better than anyone in history. No, no, don’t be dismissive of Joe because he was a car salesman; cars are very expensive. Cars have impacted you and your family for years. Cars make you feel great or awful. Powerful purchase.

Happy Birthday! One month a year, Joe would mail out a birthday card to all of his past customers and all of his prospects. All of them. In the same month. One out of 12 recipients were thrilled that Joe remembered their birthday! The other 11 would call Joe and tell him that he had their birthday date wrong. They called Joe. A car salesman.

Joe gave all of them information on the phone about the latest models and deals for… a new car. They called Joe.

The Law of 200. Catholic funeral masses hand out prayer cards featuring a photo of the deceased. Ask a priest how many cards are printed. The answer is 200. Caterers will tell you that the standard number of wedding guests is… 200!

Seems we know 200 people who will come to our wedding and our funeral. Major life events. Buying a car is a major, emotional life event. Joe realized that if he sold a good car, 200 people would learn that the customer was satisfied.

OR 200 were not happy. He gave all car buyers a box, a box of his business cards. 200 cards. He urged customers to hand out Joe’s cards to their friends.

Do those 22-year-old time buyers still want concert tickets, merchandise, meals, autographs, meet and greets? Before the power point presentation starts, book the good seats.

Yes, our product is emotion driven. How many arguments have you had about music repetition? New music? Controversial topics? Borderline morning show jokes? Those are emotional not intellectual discussions. There’s our power – in the center of the rink. Put the commercial on the mat.

How to Sell Anything to Anybody by Joe Girard https://a.co/d/fTpuzoZ

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 Views

When “Sharing” Becomes Stealing: TALKERS’ 90-Second Lesson in Fair Use

By Matthew B. Harrison

TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgNinety seconds. That’s all it took. One of the interviews on the TALKERS Media Channel – shot, edited, and published by us – appeared elsewhere online, chopped into jumpy cuts, overlaid with AI-generated video game clips, and slapped with a clickbait title. The credit? A link. The essence of the interview? Repurposed for someone else’s traffic.

TALKERS owns the copyright. Taking 90 seconds of continuous audio and re-editing it is infringement.

Could they argue fair use? Maybe, but the factors cut against them:

  • Purpose: Clickbait, not commentary or parody.
  • Nature: Original journalism leans protective.
  • Amount: Ninety seconds may be the “heart” of the work.
  • Market Effect: If reposts draw views, ad revenue, or SEO, that’s harm.

And here’s the key point: posting free content doesn’t erase its market value. Free journalism still generates reputation, sponsorships, and ad dollars. Courts consistently reject the idea that “free” means “up for grabs.”

Enforcement options exist. A DMCA notice can clear a repost quickly. Repeat offenders risk bans. On-screen branding makes copying obvious, and licenses can set terms like “share with credit, no remix.”

But here’s the hard truth: a takedown won’t stop the AI problem. Once a clip circulates, it’s scraped into datasets training text-to-video and voice models. Deleting the repost doesn’t erase cached or mirrored copies. Think of it like pouring a glass of water into the ocean – you can’t get it back. And to make matters worse, enforcement doesn’t stop at U.S. borders. Different countries have different copyright rules, making “justice” slow, uneven, and rarely satisfying.

That TALKERS interview may now live inside billions of fragments teaching machines how people speak. You can win the takedown battle and still lose the training war. Courts are only starting to address whether scraping is infringement. For now, once it’s ingested, it’s permanent.

Creators face a constant tension: content must spread to grow, but unchecked sharing erodes control. The challenge in 2025 is drawing that line before your work becomes someone else’s “content.”

The law is still on your side – but vigilance matters. Use takedowns when necessary. Brand so the source is clear. Define sharing terms up front. And remember: free doesn’t mean worthless.

The real question isn’t just “Is it fair use?” It’s “Who controls the story?”

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

Industry News

Urban Talk WURD, Philadelphia to Hold Founder’s Day Gala

Philadelphia urban talk WURD Radio is holding its annual Founder’s Day Gala on October 3, honoring the life and legacy of station founder Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D. at Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. The station says this year’s gala marks the exciting launch of “Freedom Journeys: Celebrating the Lives of 250 Phenomenal Philadelphians.” Additionally, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States,img WURD, in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will spotlight 250 iconic Philadelphians in the 250 days leading up to July 4, 2026. The series begins at Founder’s Day with a tribute to Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Freedom Journeys is a celebration of the people who have shaped Philadelphia’s culture, history, and future. This storytelling project ensures that significant Philadelphia figures are not overlooked as we mark the semi quincentennial of this nation’s founding. We’re thrilled to launch Freedom Journeys at Founder’s Day and to honor my father’s extraordinary legacy with a night of joy, music, and community.”

Job Opportunity

Lotus Seeks Marketing/Promotions Coordinator

Lotus Seattle is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented marketing/promotions coordinator. Lotus says, “Thisimg role is vital to bringing our brand to life through on-air, digital, and community engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working with people, and bring creative energy to our promotions and marketing efforts. See more about this position and apply here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Unmet Needs?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgLast week’s column previewed “CeaseFire,” C-SPAN’s antidote to the caricature cable news shouting match. Thanks to all who offered feedback when we wondered “WHAT IF…?” for talk radio.

Recent report from Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: People are disabling news alerts, “either because they feel they get too many or because they are not useful.”

People are anxious. Even a robot can read-the-room, as I learned by asking ChatGPT: “In USA society generally, list unmet needs.” Among them:

Belonging Without Division

— People crave community but are tired of being forced to choose sides.
— Unmet need: A way to feel connected and purposeful without being tribalized by politics, race, class, or ideology.

Trusted, Nuanced Information

— There’s information overload, but trust is at an all-time low.
— Unmet need: Sources that feel both credible and fair-minded, without sensationalism, bias, or agenda-chasing.

Civility in Public Discourse

— Public conversation often feels like a battleground.
— Unmet need: Spaces — digital or real-world — where disagreement is safe, not destructive or humiliating.

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Mental & Emotional Support

— Rising anxiety, loneliness, and burnout affect people across all ages.
— Unmet need: Accessible, non-stigmatized mental health support, including community-based emotional infrastructure (not just therapy apps).

Work That Feels Worthwhile

— Many jobs pay the bills but feel meaningless.
— Unmet need: Opportunities to do work that’s valued, not just productive — where dignity and contribution matter as much as output.

Financial Security That Isn’t Fragile

— Even middle-class households feel one emergency away from disaster.
— Unmet need: Stability and predictability — not just income, but housing, healthcare, and retirement that won’t evaporate with one bad break.

Intergenerational Connection

— Older and younger generations increasingly live in separate realities.
— Unmet need: Meaningful contact across age lines, where wisdom flows both directions — not just tech tutoring and nursing homes.

Shared Purpose

— Many feel like they’re drifting — or living someone else’s script.
— Unmet need: A sense of contribution to something bigger than self, not through ideology but through everyday roles, responsibilities, and relationships.

Consider as you pose call-in topics and choose interview guests.

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