Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Supreme Court agrees to hear the case of former President Donald Trump’s immunity claim; Mitch McConnell to step down from Senate leadership in November; an Illinois judge rules Trump should not be on primary ballot; the misconduct allegations against Fulton County DA Fani Willis; the U.S. migrant crisis and the death of Georgian nursing student Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant; the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s testimony; the looming government shutdown; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Russia-Ukraine war and Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats; and the Texas panhandle wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/27) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race and the Michigan primary; the U.S. migrant crisis and the death of Georgian nursing student Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct case; the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s testimony scheduled for today; the Alabama embryo ruling and its effects on IVF treatment; the Supreme Court hears arguments over Texas’ and Florida’s restrictive social media laws; Apple cancels its electric car project; and the Texas panhandle wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/26) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. migrant crisis and the death of Georgian nursing student Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant; the looming government shutdown; the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s testimony scheduled for Wednesday; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct case; and the Supreme Court hears arguments over Texas’ and Florida’s restrictive social media laws were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Former President Donald Trump beats challenger Nikki Haley in the South Carolina primary; the Russia-Ukraine war and the battle in Washington over aid to Ukraine; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct case; Ronna McDaniel to resign as chair of RNC; the Alabama Supreme Court embryo ruling; the U.S. migrant crisis; the looming government shutdown; and the Joe Biden impeachment inquiry and the charges against ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of February 19 – 23

The state of the Russia-Ukraine war and the death of Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny 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, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the related Fani Willis misconduct case 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 magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Mark Kaye Raises $11k for Charity Selling Gold Sneakers

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WOKV-FM, Jacksonville-based, nationally syndicated talk host Mark Kaye (above left) raised $11,000 for his “Kaye’s Kids” charity – a special times program of Dreams Come True, Inc. and provides dream gifts, trips, and vacations to young children battling life-threatening illnesses in the North Florida area. Kaye created his own pair of golden high-top sneakers called “Kaye’s Kicks” after seeing Donald Trump’s new line of “Never Surrender” high-top sneakers. Using some gold metallic spray paint, stencils, and other patriotic accessories, Kaye and his producer Hannah Guile (above right) transformed a pair of old black Pumas into a one-of-kind golden pair of “Kaye’s Kicks.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Russia-Ukraine war and the aftermath of the death of Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny; the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that an embryo is a baby; the presidential race and Nikki Haley’s focus on the South Carolina primary; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the disqualification case against Fani Willis; President Joe Biden cancels $1.2 billion in student debt; the Joe Biden impeachment inquiry and the charges against ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov; and the atmospheric river dumping huge amounts of rain on California were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

NRB 2024 Underway in Nashville

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Pictured above is Salem Radio Network vice president, news & talk programming Tom Tradup (right) with New York Times best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg (left) at the 80th National Religious Broadcasters association conference in Nashville. Rosenberg – founder and editor-in-chief of All Israel News – hosts the weekly “Rosenberg Report” from Jerusalem on Trinity Broadcasting Network. NRB 2024 concludes tomorrow evening with an address by former President Donald Trump.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/20) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race and former President Donald Trump’s FOX News Channel town hall event; the U.S. migrant crisis and Trump’s plans for “mass deportations”; the battle in Washington over aid to Ukraine and the death of Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny; the failed UN resolution for a cease fire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza; the Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are children; Wikileaks founder Julian Assange‘s bid to avoid extradition to the U.S.; and two adults are charged with homicide in the Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/19) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The battle in Washington over aid for Ukraine and the death of Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny; the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and the Fani Willis misconduct investigation; the presidential race and President Joe Biden’s age; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Iran-backed Houthi militia’s attacks in the Red Sea; and the intense rainfall hitting California were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race and questions about President Joe Biden’s age and his fitness; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and the Fani Willis misconduct hearings; the U.S. migrant crisis; Russia takes the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and the death of Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny; the Israel-Hamas war and the International Court of Justice hears arguments over Israel’s occupation of territory claimed by Palestinians; FBI warnings about Chinese hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure; and the report of Russia’s planned space-based nuclear weapons were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; today’s misconduct hearing for Fulton County DA Fani Willis; President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the U.S. migrant crisis and the impeachment of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; the House $95 billion foreign aid bill; and the Russia-Ukraine war 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

FOX News Channel’s Laura Ingraham will present a town hall with former President Donald Trump on February 20 in Spartanburg, South Carolina at 7:00 pm ET on “The Ingraham Angle.”

“The Money Pit Home Improvement Show,” co-hosted by Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete, announces that it adds stations in Los Angeles and Houston, and “upgrades its exposure” in New York, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Boston. The program is now heard on 450 stations across the U.S. Kraeutler says he attributes this growth to radio stations’ interest in programming that addresses homeowners’ Do-It-Yourself solutions, and advertiser demand for related products and services, “especially on weekends, when homeowners are planning and shopping for what they need to get the job done.” Segrete adds, “Taking on a home improvement project can be daunting, so Tom and I offer callers clear, step-by-step suggestions to do the job themselves or guidance on hiring a pro.”

Motor Racing Network is broadcasting live today (2/14) from Daytona 500 Media Day where representatives from the network will talk with every driver attempting to win at the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. The 2024 Daytona 500 is Sunday (2/18) with Motor Racing Network coverage beginning at 1:30 pm ET and airing on 350 radio stations across the U.S.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. House votes to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; Democrat Tom Suozzi wins special election for George Santos’ House seat; concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; former President Donald Trump petitions the Supreme Court in his claim of presidential immunity; Trump’s NATO comments and the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the latest report on inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; and the controversy over country music stations “refusing” to play Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” song  were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Milk It

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIf last week’s column didn’t out me as an utter Smerconish fan-boy, this week’s will. Find his 2/10 CNN show online. It may be the best hour of cable news Talk TV I’ve ever seen; and having hosted several hundred myself, I don’t say so casually.

After Special Counsel Robert K. Hur’s report on President Biden’s mishandling of classified material characterized him as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” Michael’s poll asked: “Should Jill Biden suggest to her husband that he not seek re-election?”

50,504 votes (not a misprint): 63.85% Yes, 36.15% No.

Guest James Carville quipped that “Today is the youngest you’ll ever be for the rest of your life;” and he noted that LBJ didn’t drop out of the 1968 race until March.

Meanwhile, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejects Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution for the potential crimes tied to trying to stay in office despite losing the election…AND polls consistently demonstrate that most Americans don’t want a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. Undaunted, Nikki Haley asks “do we really want two 80-year-olds” to be the choice?

With all due respect to Rush Limbaugh for leading the vaunted “Talk Radio Revolution” back then, this format’s golden age is NOW. We are in the suspense business. Milk it.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison asks, “Does the current crop of hosts, trained to preach to their target audience choirs, have the skill and balls to take advantage of the frustrated – even desperate – mood of the greater American public outside their narrow-minded core followers? And will their bosses allow them to even try?”

While I share his concern, I am advising news/talk stations that the “news” component is MUCH more tactically opportune than the “talk” – even for FOX News Radio affiliates which program major syndicated political hosts. ABC and CBS newscasts are also big assets, appointment listening if we promote overtly.

Specific goal: Add occasions-of-tune-in. How: “With SO much changing SO quickly now, stay close to the news. Check-in for a quick [name of network] update, every half hour…here. [dial positions, call letters].”

Local news people: This tactic will better expose your work too. Emulate your network’s writing style, latest-aspect-first, short sentences, use sound, and sound different than last hour.

Hosts: LISTEN. If callers barely let you get a word in edgewise, you’re playing this just right.

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

President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s Russia-NATO comments; the aftermath of Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin; Israel’s rescue of two hostages as Palestinians say more than 100 are killed in Rafah; the U.S. Senate advances a $95 billion foreign aid package; the uncertain fate of Trump’s immunity claim before the Supreme Court; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized again; and the run-up to Sunday night’s Super Bowl LVIII were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of February 5-9

The battle in Congress over legislation to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the failure of House Republicans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal battles 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 magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root, “We Did This!”

Las Vegas-based, nationally syndicated talk radio host Wayne Allyn Root celebrates the 8th anniversary of his talk radio show (2/7). The anniversary coincides with the Nevada GOP primary that saw GOPim candidate Nikki Haley come in behind “None of the Above Candidates.” (“None of the Above Candidates” is choice that has been on Nevada ballots since 1975.)  Root tells TALKERS that he came up with the strategy of convincing his audience to vote “None of the Above” to support Donald Trump and claims, “This is Exhibit A for the power of talk radio. Look at the vote totals. The number of ‘None of the Above’ voters almost exactly matches the number of listeners to my Vegas and statewide Nevada radio show. We did this. My Nevada audience almost single-handedly ended Nikki’s presidential ambitions.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/7) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. migrant crisis and Congress’ failure to pass border control and aid to Ukraine and Israel legislation; SCOTUS to hear the Donald Trump election eligibility case; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Russia-Ukraine war and Tucker Carlson’s claim he’ll interview Vladimir Putin; U.S. military strikes on an Iran-backed militia in Iraq; Super Bowl LVIII and MAGA’s Taylor Swift-NFL conspiracy theory; the atmospheric river bringing floods and mudslides to Southern California were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (2/6) Top News/Talk Media Stories

A federal appeals court rules former President Donald Trump does not have immunity from prosecution; the U.S. House fails in a vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; under pressure from Trump, Senate Republicans are expected to block the bipartisan border deal and aid for Ukraine and Israel package; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Russia-Ukraine war; the 2024 presidential race; a Michigan jury finds Jennifer Crumbley guilty of manslaughter; and Tucker Carlson’s visit to Moscow and his expected sit-down interview with Vladimir Putin were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.