Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of August 19-23

The Democratic National Convention was the most talked-about story in news/talk media this week landing atop the Talkers TenTM including a wide array of issues connected to the presidential race.  At #2 this week was the economy including inflation and jobs, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis at #3, the Israel-Hamas war at #4, and the Russia-Ukraine war at #5. 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.

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Yesterday’s (8/19) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race and the Democratic National Convention; the economy; the U.S. migrant crisis; Gaza cease-fire talks; Ukraine’s incursion into Russia; Iran accused of hacking Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaigns; former U.S. Rep. George Santos pleads guilty to identity theft and wire fraud; and Phil Donahue dies at 88 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

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Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race and this week’s Democratic National Convention; the economy; Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region of Russia; the negotiations over a cease-fire in Gaza; GOP report accuses Joe Biden of “impeachable conduct”; George Santos expected to plead guilty to federal charges; charges in the death of actor Matthew Perry; and the mpox outbreak in Africa were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

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SiriusXM Sets DNC Schedule

Sirius XM
SiriusXM’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention will begin next Monday (8/19) at 7:00 am (ET) with Zerlina Maxwell’s “Mornings with Zerlina” on Progress (channel 127). Throughout the week she’ll interview politicians and experts, as well as provide her analysis of the previous night’s key moments. Another Progress host, Michelangelo Signorile, will walk throughout Chicago’s United Center, interviewing politicians; spokespeople; and experts. “Tell Me Everything” host John Fugelsang (9:00 am – 12:00 noon, ET) will anchor primetime coverage onsite. Meanwhile, SiriusXM POTUS (channel 124) hosts Steve Scully and Julie Mason will do their shows live from Chicago all week. Among others, Mason’s early confirmed guests include Colorado Senator Michael Bennet; Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell; Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley; and Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Weeknight political program “RealClearPolitics” (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, ET) will broadcast live from the POTUS set on “Media Row” throughout the DNC. In addition to hosting their own shows, Scully and Mason will anchor special primetime coverage from inside the arena starting at 8:00 pm (ET), where they’ll provide analysis and also air the night’s big speeches.

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NPR Readies Democratic National Convention Plans

NPRNPR and participating member stations will begin coverage of the Democratic National Convention from Chicago next Monday and Tuesday (8/19, 8/20, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm, ET). Scott Detrow’s recap of the day’s major events will feature insights from NPR correspondents, as well as interviews with newsmakers attending the convention. NPR’s coverage will continue Wednesday and Thursday (8/21, 8/22) beginning at 9:00 pm ET. NPR’s team of reporters in Chicago will include: Liz Baker, Martin Kaste, Sandhya Dirks, Don Gonyea, Tamara Keith, Asma Khalid, Deepa Shivaram, Mara Liasson, Deirdre Walsh, Danielle Kurtzleben, Franco Ordoñez, and Domenico Montanaro. Additional political reporting will be provided by: Sarah McCammon, Ashley Lopez, Elena Moore, Stephen Fowler, Ben Giles, and Ximena Bustillo. Coverage will include live reports from within the convention hall, expert analysis, and interviews with key figures. The “NPR Politics” team will release a podcast episode each night of the convention. NPR will have a reporter stationed outside the arena to capture public reactions and potential protests.

 

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TALKERS News Notes

Columnist Patt Morrison writes an interesting piece in the Los Angeles Times about radio call letters. Morrison writes, “This call letter business got codified in 1912, at a ‘radiotelegraph’ conference in London not long after RMS Titanic sank, so the power of wireless communication was very much on delegates’ minds.” This piece also includes images of vintage postcards showing historic radio broadcast studios. See the piece here.

WABC, New York is sending a news team and video crew to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. WABC owner John Catsimatidis says, “The public deserves to be informed on what both sides are saying and doing. We are committed to reporting the truth, so that listeners can make knowledgeable decisions. We were at the Republican National Convention last month, and we will be at the Democratic National Convention, as well.”

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Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race and this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago; Israel’s battle against Hamas and Hezbollah; Ukraine’s military incursion into Russian territory; activity on the world’s financial markets; U.S. reportedly offers amnesty to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro to cede power; the flooding and damage caused by Tropical Storm Debby; and the Paris Olympics were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend.

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TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” – hosted by Greg Gutfeld – will broadcast live at 11:00 pm ET each night following the network’s coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. From August 19 through 22, the program (which is usually taped earlier in the day) will be joined live by a studio audience in New York City for the first time ever.

Audacy’s sports talk WEEI-AM/FM, Boston and the New England Patriots announce a multi-year extension to their broadcast partnership that includes the continuation of exclusive “Patriots Monday” and “Patriots Friday” programming, featuring head coach Jerod Mayo and Patriots players. This year marks the 30th season of the partnership between WEEI and the Patriots, which began in 1995.

The latest episode of Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes’ podcast “Chachi Loves Everybody” features a conversation with National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt.

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Tavis Smiley To Broadcast From Next Month’s DNC – Offering Show Free to Urban Stations During Event

imAiring in more than 40 markets from Los Angeles flagship KBLA “Talk 1580,” SmileyAudioMedia’s “Tavis Smiley” show will be offered free to urban-targeted stations for one week during next month’s Democratic National Convention (8/19-22). The SmileyAudioMedia owner/TALKERS  2023 “Freedom Of Speech” award winner will broadcast from the event’s radio row inside the site of the convention – Chicago’s United Center – and other relevant locations. Smiley tells TALKERS, “Black voters will be at the epicenter of whatever happens in Chicago, a fact made more relevant with the increasing likelihood that Kamala Harris will be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. If the Democratic Party hopes to achieve victory in November, it will be because Black voters saved the party and, ultimately, American democracy. To date, the 2024 election has been unpredictable and unprecedented. As the battle between the candidates enters its final stretch, the policies discussed and the decisions made will have a profound and lasting impact on Black America. It’s appropriate that ‘Tavis Smiley’ listeners will be at the center of the action as the conversation occurs.” SmileyAudioMedia syndication manager Rob Wilkins (who can be reached at rob@smileyaudiomedia.com) notes, “The 2024 election is a rapidly changing, fluid story. Tavis will serve as the audience’s eyes and ears in Chicago, keeping them on top of stories as they develop during the most important political party convention of the 21st century.” Two decades ago, Smiley’s book The Covenant with Black America addressed critical issues facing African Americans. Scheduled to be released five days after the DNC concludes (8/27) is Smiley’s updated #1 New York Times bestselling The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later. It will provide observations and commentary on cultural, societal, and political implications of this year’s DNC with some of Black America’s most relevant thought leaders. Among stations already agreeing to SmileyAudioMedia’s free one-week offer include: Atlanta urban AC WIGO “AM 1570”; Austin noncommercial urban contemporary KAZI “88.7 FM”; Buffalo urban AC WUFO-AM “Mix 1080” & WUFO-FM “Power 96.5”; Albany, Georgia’s Albany State University-owned WASU-LP “Real Music, Real Talk, Real Radio”; Wilberforce, Ohio’s Central State University-owned smooth jazz/urban gospel WCSU FM “Jazzy 88.9”; and Marshall, Texas’ Wiley College-owned urban contemporary KBWC “FM 91.1.” Tavis Smiley appears at #33 on the 2024 TALKERS “Heavy Hundred.”