Industry News

Yesterday’s (3/6) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Nikki Haley’s suspension of her campaign and the 2024 presidential race; tonight’s State of the Union address; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Alabama embryo-IVF legislation; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Russia-Ukraine war and the attack on Volodymyr Zelensky’s convoy; the spending package to keep the federal government operating; the bill to ban TikTok in the U.S. gains steam; and Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Florence, Alabama news/talk/sports WBCF-AM notifies the FCC that it will cease broadcast operations effective December 31, 2023 and will go silent. The station, owned by Benji Carle, simulcasts on translator W246BS at 97.1 FM, also licensed to Florence.

Radio programmer Michael Czarnecki leaves his position with Binnie Media as vice president of programming for that company’s Maine radio stations and “The Pulse of New Hampshire” network of talk stations to join Saga Communications as PD for WMLL, Manchester, New Hampshire “96.5 Live Free Country.”

The OutKick digital sports media platform says it saw strong growth month over month in November 2023 with over 6.4 million total multiplatform unique visitors (up 6% versus the prior month), 24 million total multiplatform views, (up 2% versus the prior month), and 23 million total multiplatform minutes (up 1% flat versus the prior month), according to data from Comscore. On Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, OutKick saw over 1.3 million total social actions in November 2023, up 48% versus the prior month and up 93% versus November 2022.

Josh Krulewitz is named ESPN SVP, communications and assumes leadership of ESPN’s communications department effective December 31. Krulewitz takes over for Chris LaPlaca who is retiring at the end of the year after more than 43 years at ESPN.

VSiN adds two new affiliate stations to its roster as WKCT-AM and WDNS-AM in Bowling Green, Kentucky and WTKG-AM, Grand Rapids, Michigan are now airing content from the network.

Industry News

Blake Fulton Named President for iHeartMedia Alabama Markets

iHeartMedia promotes Blake Fulton to market president for the Alabama markets of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. Fulton has been serving with the company as a regional SVP of sales. iHeartMedia Midsouth Area president Ronnie Bloodworth says, “Blake will bring his energy and leadership skills to our teams andim help serve our clients, listeners and communities to be the best in the industry. I’m excited for the future.” Fulton comments, “The plan and vision the leadership team at iHeartMedia shared with me, along with the wildly talented teams in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa, has me beyond excited about the days ahead. I can’t wait to collaborate, both internally and externally, to develop market leading content and drive results for the thriving business communities in these three amazing markets.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The House Judiciary Committee to hold a field hearing in New York in connection with Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg’s prosecution of former President Donald Trump; the beginning of the Dominion Voting vs FOX News trial is continued to Tuesday suggesting a possible settlement; the deadly shootings in Biloxi, Kansas City, Louisville and Dadeville, Alabama; the aftermath of the leaked classified Pentagon documents; large groups of youths cause chaos and overwhelm police during three consecutive Teen Takeover nights in Chicago; Anheuser-Busch launches patriotic ad campaign after Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light protests; G-7 diplomats are critical of Chinese, Russian, and North Korean aggression; and scrutiny of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ financial reports were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

“Alabama Unfiltered Radio” Joins WACV-FM, Montgomery

The talk radio program “Alabama Unfiltered Radio” starring host Scott Beason joins the lineup of Bluewater Broadcasting’s WACV-FM, Montgomery, Alabama “News Talk 93.1” in the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart, beginning Wednesday (3/8).  The program is produced by the nonprofit LLC 1819 News, which says, “BeasonSupreme Court of the United States - WACV is an Alabama native and former member of the Alabama Legislature, serving both in the House and Senate, and he has prior experience hosting Yellowhammer Radio.” 1819 News says, “From politics to faith, ‘Alabama Unfiltered Radio,’ covers the topics you won’t hear in the mainstream media. Listen in on dinner-table-style discussions between Scott and his co-hosts, Amie Beth Shaver and Allison Sinclair, on important topics you actually care about — news, current events and culture from a traditional conservative, Southern, Christian worldview presented in a very entertaining and never boring way.”

Front Page News Industry News

Friday, October 14, 2022

NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS, is now posted. This new episode titled “Juries & Judgements” looks back at this past week of 10/10-10/14. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; Gary Nolan, talk show host, 93.9 The Eagle, Columbia, MO/USA Radio Network/Talk Media Network; Jack Heath, talk show host, the Pulse of NH; Brett Winterble, talk show host, WBT, Charlotte, NC; Ethan Bearman, attorney/commentator; and Jim Bohannon, talk show host, Westwood One. The show airs weekends (Friday evenings to Sunday nights) on 100-plus broadcast signals and networks across the U.S. and U.K as well as having developed a significant international following as a podcast. To listen to this week’s episode, please click here.   “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.

Report: Continued Growth In Spoken-Word Audio Consumption. According to the NPR and Edison Research “Spoken-Word Audio Report,” the number of spoken-word audio listeners has increased by 26 million in the last eight years. Scheduled in two weeks (Thursday, 10/27), a 2:00 pm webinar presentation of the findings from the fourth annual such report explores specific types of spoken-word content, various spoken word platforms, and devices used to consume spoken-word content. National Public Media vice president of sponsorship marketing Lamar Johnson and Edison Research vice president Megan Lazovick will take part in the live webinar. Among topics they will cover are: how spoken-word audio fits into this country’s overall landscape; how “Gen Z” listeners consume spoken-word audio; how daily spoken-word audio listeners consume audio; which devices and platforms are used to listen to spoken-word audio; and how podcasts continue to impact the growth of spoken-word audio. The report includes trending data from Edison Research’s “Share of Ear” study, which measures daily listening habits of Americans using a 24-hour diary.

Cumulus Media Transfers Divello To Montgomery As VP/MM. The four-year vice president and market manager of Cumulus Media Abilene (Texas), Paula Divello (pictured at right), shifts to the company’s Montgomery (Alabama) stations in the same capacity. Cumulus Media Montgomery’s five-station cluster includes news/talk WLWI “News Radio 1440” and sports talk WMSP “Sports Radio 740.”  Cumulus Media senior vice president of operations Mark Sullivan remarks, “I’m excited for Paula’s next leadership role in Montgomery, as she has been such a positive force in [our] company. I look forward to working alongside her as she continues her track record of delivering strong results.” Divello comments, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead Cumulus Montgomery [and look forward] to joining the team [there]. I look forward to working in collaboration with our great employees on our next chapter of growth and success, making a positive impact on our staff, listeners, and advertisers alike.” Divello joined Cumulus Media’s Shreveport (Louisiana) stations five years ago as director of sales. She previously had similar responsibilities for Townsquare Media Lufkin, Texas and was digital marketing manager and senior account executive for Raycom Media.

Connecticut Senator Slams Jones. “I mean, Alex Jones is a clown.” That declaration was made by Senator Chris Murphy (pictured at right) during an interview on Yahoo News’Skullduggery” podcast. “I can’t understand what goes on inside the brain of somebody like that. I can’t understand [how] any human being would delight in torturing the parents of dead children. I don’t know how you live with yourself if that’s what you do every day.” The Connecticut Democrat called on top Republican and conservative leaders to publicly denounce Jones in the wake of Wednesday’s (10/12) jury verdict that the “Infowars” talk show host must pay nearly $1 billion to the families of children killed in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. From 2007 – 2013, Murphy represented the Connecticut district where Sandy Hook is located; he has a long relationship with the families of the victims. “I want the focus to be much more broadly than on Alex Jones,” Murphy commented. “I’m not going to change Alex Jones’ business model, but man, why aren’t there more Republicans out there condemning this guy? Why is he still invited to all of these conservative conferences until the political right decides that these conspiracy theorists, these Sandy Hook harassers, are going to be purged from the right? Somebody will replace Alex Jones, because there’s a market there for it. So the culpability here is on Jones, but it is also much more broadly on the Republican Party that continues to celebrate Alex Jones.” In 2015, – three years after the Sandy Hook killings – then-presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared on “Infowars” and praised Jones’ “amazing” reputation.

Donnolo Drops “Positively Sex” Podcast. Intimacy specialist Lila Donnolo’s weekly 46-episode iHeartPodcast Original “Positively Sex! with Lila” premiered yesterday (10/13). The series explores intimacy of all kinds through a sex-positive talk show on timely, tender and taboo topics. According to Donnolo, “As a society, we’ve become aware – more than ever before – of just how much we need intimacy in order to thrive. Most of us were indoctrinated with sexual shame, and this shame is detrimental to all aspects of our lives. The world desperately needs sex-positivity now. That’s why I’m so incredibly delighted to have iHeartRadio in my corner. iHeartRadio has given me a global megaphone: To paraphrase my psychiatrist friend, I’m so excited for the world to get to hear these perspectives.” Donnolo will host a multitude of episode formats including editorialized segments; “on-the-street” style interviews; intimate one-on-one conversations; and “kiss-and-tell” storytelling. Her five-year “Horizontal with Lila” podcast of conversations about sex, love, and relationships, which concluded earlier this year, was entirely recorded while she was lying down.

TALKERS News Notes. In a memo to his fellow WCBS-AM staff members, reporter Peter Haskell reveals that a rare voice disorder – spasmodic dysphonia – is causing him to exit the Audacy New York all-news outlet. Describing his 30-year career at “News Radio 880” as “the journey of a lifetime,” Haskell notes he has “come to the realization” that what he’s been doing “is unsustainable” and as much as he has tried, he “just can’t overcome the problems” with his voice. … Nine industry figures – including iHeartMedia chair/chief executive officer Bob Pittman and Cromwell Media president Bayard “Bud” Walters  – will be honored next month (11/15) for lifetime achievement by The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation. Hosted by ABC News “Nightline” co-anchor Juju Chang, LABF’s annual “Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts” luncheon ceremony at New York’s Gotham Hall will be produced by the International Radio and Television Society Foundation. In addition to Pittman and Walters, this year’s “Giants of Broadcasting & Electronics Arts” honorees are: TV chef Julia Child (honored posthumously); Standard Media Group chief executive officer Deb McDermott; CBS Sports chair Sean McManus; multi-award winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson; E.W. Scripps president/chief executive officer Adam Symson; ; recently-retired NBC News justice correspondent Pete Williams; and CNN anchor/Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria. The LABF event honors creators, innovators, performers and journalists who have left an indelible mark on the field of electronic arts. Proceeds from the luncheon support the work of LABF, which includes the Library of American Broadcasting, housed at the University of Maryland.

Ross Rises to CPB Chair. By unanimous vote, former chief of staff to a New York State attorney general/retired attorney Laura G. Ross has been elected chair of the Corporation For Public Broadcasting. Meanwhile, onetime Wyoming PBS general manager and Wyoming PBS Foundation president Rubydee Calvert is elected vice chair. Ross comments, “It’s an honor and a privilege to work with my fellow board members; CPB’s leadership and staff; and our public media colleagues in support of our mission to serve the American people in communities across the country. As a result of our combined efforts, Americans of all backgrounds support the content and services of public media.” Ross has been CPB’s vice chair since 2020 and has been on the board since 2018. Four-year board member Calvert adds, “I second Laura’s statement of commitment to the outstanding work of CPB and its support of the mission of public media. I want to thank my fellow board members and the superb CPB staff for their dedicated service to public media.”

 

KWAM Seeks News Staffers. KWAM, Memphis “The Mighty 990” is expanding its local news coverage. KWAM has promoted Ben Deeter – executive producer of “Wake Up Memphis” – to full-time news anchor and anchor of the radio station’s political coverage. KWAM owner Todd Starnes says there are plans to add more reporters and anchors. Email resumes to: info@kwamradio.com.

FOX News Media Seeks Freelance Radio Anchor. This onsite position in either Los Angeles, Chicago or New York is a freelance radio anchor for the FOX News Audio family as on-air talent for FOX News Radio Network/FOX News Headlines 24/7 Sirius XM Channel 115. In this position, you will work under tight deadlines and deliver top-notch newscasts. You have a passion for breaking news and the flexibility to work on a day’s notice. Learn more about this position here.

Reporter Position Open at FOX News Media in Washington, DC. For this onsite reporter position FOX News Media is looking for an experienced, full-time reporter to join the Washington DC team. You will cover a wide range of political, government, and Congressional stories for FOX News Audio (FOX News Headlines 24/7 and FOX News Terrestrial Radio). You possess strong journalism skills and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Most importantly, you have great editorial judgment and the ability to break important news stories. Learn more and apply here.

Freelance Producer/Editor Opportunity at FOX News Media. This exciting opportunity is based in New York for a freelance producer/news editor to supervise the staff for our network radio news operations (terrestrial and FOX News Headlines 24/7 – Channel 115 on SiriusXM Radio). In this role you are our editorial leader, working with news anchors to craft the content and structure of a 24/7 news operation. This is fast-moving news environment! Your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom allows you to deliver top-quality segments/newscasts. You excel at multi-tasking and pay close attention to details. Your writing and editing skills are excellent and your editorial judgment is first-rate. Find out more here.

Front Page News Industry News

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Hepola Out at WCCO-AM, Minneapolis. According to a report by Bring Me the News, late morning talk host Cory Hepola has exited Audacy’s news/talk WCCO-AM, Minneapolis. Hepola began hosting the show in January of 2019 after a career that included a four-year stint with KARE-TV as host of “KARE 11 Sunrise.” Audacy has not commented publicly about Hepola’s exit. He said after his departure that his work at WCCO changed his life “in positive ways that I didn’t expect.” He also wrote, “I felt the pressure from the start. I mean, this was a huge risk; I was giving up a successful career (in TV) I’d worked so hard for – to move into something new. What if I was a disappointment? What if I said something wrong? What if they fired me?” His last day on the show was February 8, the same day he told Minnesota Public Radio reporter Brian Bakst that he’s considering a run for governor of Minnesota. Since February 9, Blois Olson has been hosting the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon show.

Radio Executive Ray Quinn Announces Retirement. After a career that has spanned more than 50 years, Ray Quinn is retiring from his position as area president for iHeartMedia’s Alabama area, effective, March 22, 2022. Quinn has been with iHeartMedia for 14 years. He has held leadership positions at several stations throughout his extensive career, including vice president/market manager for KOSI-FM, KALC-FM, and KQMT-FM in Denver; WMYX-FM, WXSS-FM, and WSSP-AM in Milwaukee; WOLX-FM, WMMM-FM, and WBZU-FM in Madison; and many more. The governor of Kentucky also recognized Quinn as a Kentucky Colonel for participating in numerous charitable projects in his community. He was awarded the March of Dimes “Order of the Battered Boot” for walkathon fundraising efforts over the years. iHeartMedia division president Shosh Abromovich says, “Ray is one of a kind. He is known as a unicorn of a leader with his passion, enthusiasm and constant innovative thinking. He has impacted so many of our lives in this industry for the better. We are beyond thankful for the many years Ray has led our teams and are truly excited for him to enjoy this next chapter of his life.” Quinn states, “It’s been an amazing 51 years in radio and 14 years with iHeartMedia. Along the way, I’ve worked for and with some of the most intelligent people in the business and I am grateful to iHeartMedia for allowing me to lead multiple markets in the Southeast. While I will miss my team and the day-to-day battles, it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.”

TALKERS News Notes. The Central Florida operations of iHeartMedia is presenting the Florida Jobs Now Career Expo, an onsite resource event connecting job seekers to companies with exciting opportunities and benefits. The event will be held on Thursday, March 3 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm and attendees will have the opportunity to meet with companies throughout Central Florida offering hundreds of positions, as well as attend resume writing and interview preparedness workshops. iHeartMedia Orlando/Melbourne area president Barbara Latham says, “We look forward to bringing this important career event to Central Florida. As a business ourselves serving our local community here in central Florida, we recognize the significant need from our business partners to fill job openings. We feel uniquely poised to help connect these businesses with people living or moving to central Florida as an essential part of our efforts in our local communities.”…..Cumulus Media announces that it has entered into an exclusive long-term agreement for WNAM-AM, Appleton-Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to remain the official radio broadcast home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A affiliate of the MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers. This year will be the 13th season that the Timber Rattlers have been broadcast on WNAM, with 23-year play-by-play voice Chris Mehring calling the action….. In advance of the 64th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday (2/20), Motor Racing Network announces additions to its content lineup and award-winning team of announcers. NASCAR Cup Series Championship winning crew chief, Todd Gordon joins MRN after 11 years with Team Penske. Gordon will provide race analysis on select NASCAR broadcasts and will be MRN’s competition and strategy expert across Motor Racing Network’s NASCAR programming. Suzy Armstrong will serve as host of MRN’s signature show “NASCAR TODAY.” The program is heard daily on 280 radio stations across the country in afternoon drive. During her two decades plus with the network Suzy has contributed her familiar voice to several shows and podcasts.

Ukraine Tensions, COVID-19 Mandates-Protests, Durham Probe, Inflation/Financial Markets, Midterms/Trump & the GOP, Palin-NYTimes Case, Beijing Olympics, and Rams Win Super Bowl Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/14). The diplomatic tensions over Russia’s military buildup at the Ukraine border; the rate of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the planned relaxing of mask mandates in numerous states, and the truckers’ protests; special counsel John Durham’s investigation into allegations of Hillary Clinton’s digital spying on Donald Trump; the still-soaring inflation and the activity on the world’s financial markets; the battle for control of Congress in November’s midterm elections and Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP; a judge says he’ll toss Sarah Palin’s defamation suit against The New York Times; the politics behind the Beijing Winter Olympics; and the Los Angeles Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.