Industry News

Zoellner Media Swaps Frequencies in Tulsa

Zoellner Media Group swaps frequencies between Hot AC KRAV and news/talk KRMG in Tulsa. KRMG moves to the bigger, 100,000-watt Class C signal while KRAV takes up residence on imgthe Class C2 50,000-watt signal. Zoellner Media Group says, “The realignment places each brand on a signal footprint that more closely matches the audience it serves while creating additional opportunities for advertisers throughout the Tulsa market and surrounding communities.” Zoellner president and general manager Steve Hunter adds, “This is a very positive move for our listeners and our advertising partners. The new frequency positions give both stations an opportunity to reach more of the audiences they are built to serve, while also giving our advertisers increased reach and stronger opportunities to connect with consumers across the market.”

Industry News

Tom Bauerle Exits WBEN-AM, Buffalo

Buffalo talk radio personality Tom Bauerle was fired from Audacy’s news/talk WBEN-AM, Buffalo on Friday – the day after imghe returned from a sold-out trip with listeners to Italy. Bauerle didn’t go into details about exiting the company’s Buffalo cluster where he’s been on the air – if you include his time at sister sports talker WGR – for the past 42 years but it stands to reason the decision by management was a financial one. It’s unclear what Audacy’s plans for the afternoon drive daypart are. As of today, Bauerle’s show is still listed on the station’s website.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Prospect Retailers Who Are Podcasting

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

They’re low-hanging fruit. They “get” audio, and they crave the listeners radio can bring. We train station sales reps to ask, “If we don’t tell our listeners about your podcast, how will they know you’re doing one?” Incorporate sound bites from their podcasts into their spots.

Holland Cooke is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Radio’s New Fall Season

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

 

imgAs TV is touting its coming attractions, take a step back. We – inside the box – live-and-breathe radio.

Listeners have their hands full just living and breathing. Their day is time-crunched and financially-challenged, and we want to be its soundtrack. But listening is free, unlike umpteen other purchase decisions they agonize. So what’s high-stakes to us is low-stakes to them.

We only matter if we matter, and we’ve never had so much audio competition.

  • This month, as the school year begins in so many places, the listeners local retailers want as customers revert to “normal.” Their tempo changes, and builds to a holiday season climax. Do they know who you are and how you can help?
  • Off-air promotion (remember that?) merely says give-us-a-try. When they do, does what they hear deliver? Even with scant (or no) off-air promotion, much of what you can do to become more habit-forming costs nothing. As consultants do, I’m talking about “the fundamentals,” the blocking-and-tackling stuff. For starters, think: recognition and relevance.

Who are you?

  • Are call letters or station nickname delivered frequently? PPM myth: call letters matter less. Baloney. Awareness drives use. Ditto your dial position(s) and how to listen via smartphone, smart speaker, and streams. Name-and-address.
  • As your listeners cume 3 stations this week, help ’em remember yours more than the other 2 (not to mention streams and satellite radio and podcasts). And are you selling — or merely reciting — call letters, dial position, and slogans? This is often an issue with veteran talent, creatures of habit.

“Who cares?”

Or as my WTOP successor Jim Farley (RIP) asked: “W.G.A.S.?” He hung a sign in the newsroom there, meaning “Who Gives A Shit?”

  • Are topics relatable and useful? Enable listeners with helpful information, and they’ll keep coming back.
  • Do you say “you” and “your,” a lot? It’s a litmus test for relevance.
  • Do you keep setting the stage as audience tunes in? Someone JUST got in the car.
  • Are you teasing the next quarter hour? And what you’ll offer same-time-tomorrow?
  • Even with apps in the dashboard, weather and traffic are super-local and can be super-impactful.
  • Is your on-air imaging about the station? Or about listeners’ lives? “Because ONE traffic jam can jam-up your whole day…”

There’s more from radio’s right-now To-Do list at HollandCooke.com

Holland Cooke is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Audacy Sports, News and Talk Stations to Air on SiriusXM

Audacy has entered into a deal with SiriusXM to bring 42 of its sports talk, all-news and news/talk stations from 29 markets to the satellite radio platform. The first group of stations to be available on SiriusXM are 23 sports talk outlets, including WFAN, New York; WSCR, Chicago; WIP, Philadelphia and more. All-news and news/talk stations – including WINS, New York; WBBM, Chicago;img and KCBS, San Francisco – will become available “later this year.” Audacy CEO and president Kelli Turner states, “Audacy’s sports brands are deeply connected to the cities, teams and fan communities they serve, and being able to extend our reach nationally through SiriusXM is a natural fit. We look forward to working together with imgSiriusXM to bring our outstanding talent and content to sports fans and news and talk listeners wherever they are, providing our audiences with more ways to stay connected to the conversations that matter most to them.” SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein adds, “We also recognize the unique role local personalities play in connecting fans with their teams every day. By adding Audacy’s extensive lineup of sports stations, we’re making those trusted hometown voices available to fans wherever they are across North America. Together, we’re delivering an even more complete audio experience – bringing live games, premier national sports talk, and hometown conversations together in one place.”

Industry News

Audacy Promotes Value of News/Talk Audience to Advertisers

In an insight piece titled, Attention is Heard to Earn: News/Talk Already Has It,” Audacy presents a strong argument for the value of the format to advertisers. Some of the key elements of the presentation include: 1) News/talk is now the No. 1 radio format across broadcast and streaming, accounting for 22% of all AM/FM imgstation streaming, nearly 3x the next closest format; 2) One in four Americans now identifies as a “News Fanatic,” checking the news five or more times a day and actively seeking deeper context – not just headlines; 3) News/talk listeners are more loyal than sports fans. Fifty-four percent are primary listeners who spend most of their listening time with news/talk, compared with 41% for sports; 4) Trust remains news/talk’s biggest advantage. Local news radio is trusted by 84% of listeners – higher than broadcast TV, national news radio, or social media; 5) The audience has significant buying power. Median household income is approximately $95,000, with listeners over-indexing for net worth above $2 million; and 6) The advertising works. Among ad-exposed consumers, news/talk campaigns drive 56% awareness, 47% consideration, and 49% purchase/conversion, while Audacy campaigns generate an average 24% lift in website traffic, with some categories seeing increases as high as 67%. See more here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgNo two summers have been alike since the pandemic upended listeners’ lives and retailers’ businesses. So, we’ve seen this movie before. To sound relevant and relatable and helpful, connect the dots:

Gas prices and pricier airfares are scortching summer getaways many hoped for. Are there family day trips and local attractions that locals might take for granted, or not know about?

Do “Fun-formation.” Inflation is pinching everyone in every way… including YOU. Notice how you yourself are coping and share on-air. And interview locals who can suggest money-saving life hacks. Including… advertisers you have made household names. Airing their advice will result in even more “I heard you on the radio.”

Start with financial advisors. Heavy AM/FM users are in the worry-about-IRA / 401K demographic.

It’s a safe bet that listeners have the talk radio gloom-N-doom script memorized. Stuff like the above HELPS them.

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

Industry News

John Kincade to Return to Dickey’s “The Fan”

Atlanta sports media pro John Kincade is returning Dickey Broadcasting Company as part of what the company calls “a new long-term agreement, marking a significant and exciting reunion for both the veteran broadcaster and the Atlanta-based media organization.” While details about Kincade’s role, including when imghe’ll be on the air, will come at a later date, Dickey says Kincade is “a familiar and respected voice in sports radio, [who] previously built a strong connection with listeners during his 20-year tenure with the station, becoming a trusted presence in the market.” The company adds, “His addition reflects DBC’s broader commitment to industry-leading investment in its people, technology, and strategic partnerships ensuring the company remains at the forefront of sports media. By continually enhancing its talent roster, embracing innovative broadcasting tools, and strengthening collaborations across the industry, Dickey Broadcasting Company is well positioned to inform, entertain, and serve its audience at the highest level.”

Industry Views

We Sad Frogs

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By Pamela Garber, LMHC
Grand Central Counseling Group
New York

imgThese are scary times. People on all sides of the mic are on the front lines. Not just “them,” otherwise referred to as the audience. We try to fool ourselves into thinking that society and civilization are relatively “safe.” However, simply being alive and stepping outside in the morning, turning on the computer, or checking the annoyingly smart phone, puts us smack dab in the middle of a war. Literally and figuratively. But like so much else in this modern era, this war lacks foundation.

We have no base upon which to support conflict and, at every turn, from the most mundane moment of waiting in line at the store to fulfilling a day’s work; from meeting a friend for lunch to using a credit card or answering a phone – danger is just a breath away.  Rest assured, YOU are not the only one who feels this way. As much as we try to maintain a professional “distance” from those we serve and with whom we engage from our “platforms” on high – they are us and we are them.  I am my patients.  You are your listeners. We are all brewing in the same stew. Are you worried about losing your job (or business) as a result of the cutbacks in the media?  If you’re not, perhaps you should dig deeper. Or at least get in touch with your empathy – for self and others.

We frogs, who still remember living life in cooler water, are increasingly sad. Underneath one-issue pigeonholing, ideological frustration, or brief political triumph on a so-called good news day, the temperature is still rising. It feels like the world was robbed from us, and, on the inside, we are afraid. We have no baseline within the fundamentals of basic life – medical, legal, family, economy, clergy, education, fidelity, intimacy, and even the justice department.

Humans on both sides of the speaker miss the days when pain could exist in a single file. Today even the specific pain of loss gets steady competition within a backdrop of boiling chaos. Our relatability to each other is increasingly unseen. Our pain breeds ugliness. Ugliness of the verbal and behavioral variety breeds isolation, rage, destruction and an urgent need for help. Expert help. At a time when everyone is an expert, there seems to be no one to call… except maybe a therapist. Or maybe a talk show host.

Pamela Garber, LMHC is a practicing therapist based in NYC and South Florida and a longtime guest mental health commentator on radio and television news programs across the nation. She can be contacted by phone at 646-745-6709 or email at Pamelagarber@gmail.com.  Her website is Grandcentralcounselinggroup.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: The 2026 Case for Weekend Talk Radio

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgTime Spent Listening to podcasts has now surpassed TSL with spoken word radio. And both are fraught.

Anyone can do a podcast, and everyone seems to be. How to get found/subscribed-to/shared?

  • And in this listen-when-ever-you-want culture, basing Return On Investment in a brokered-time weekend ask-the-expert radio show that only reaches real-time listeners is increasingly dubious.

So, I’m helping podcasters I work with to do both. To amplify the impact of all the work you put into a podcast, make radio your content engine.

Yes, radio, for two big reasons:

  • Credibility, because? Anyone can do a podcast. But being on broadcast radio makes you seem “real.” The station delivers you an existing audience that trusts its information, supports its advertisers, and listens habitually. You are live, interactive, and “car radio.” And interview guests will be easier to attract to your on-air show than to a podcast.
  • As a podcaster, you are already an audio publisher – but you’re doing all the work yourself, reckoning what’s relevant to your listeners – a slow, lonely way to build an audience. Host a call-in radio show, and everything changes. Your callers and guests become the content pipeline that makes your podcast more than just you-talking. Their questions position you as an authority and offer proof of what your audience wants. No guesswork. No blind spots. Just nonstop relevance that keeps listeners leaning-in, coming back, and sharing your podcast with friends.

This 1 + 1 can = lots more than 2, when your show and podcast promote each other; and as this process repurposes content to social media, E-newsletters, video, and other online resources. Here’s the schematic: http://getonthenet.com/workflow.png

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

Industry Views

Providing Support and Comfort to the Suffering Masses

By Pamela Garber, LMHC
Grand Central Counseling Group
New York

imgIn ongoing discussions about the dwindling relevance of radio in the modern world, the medium is grudgingly defended as a reliable “first responder” during times of public emergencies.

Nothing beats having an old-fashioned battery powered radio handy when confronted by hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, blackouts, and (dare I say it) weapons of war. Yes, radio is quite useful in the thick of natural “disasters” when the grid goes down, and the lights go out.

However, we are missing a huge opportunity by limiting radio to the roleimg of modern-day media Sterno.

I’ve been a practicing therapist in New York and South Florida for the past 25 years, and although not a host, I have served, and continue to participate, as a guest on broadcasts across the nation, discussing the emotional connections between hot news topics and people’s feelings. I am not alone in the perception that people of my profession have performed for decades as fully invested members of the talk radio family.

During this period, it has become obvious that the one-time talk radio mainstay of the in-house or “go to” mental health professional has become an endangered species. Some of the biggest names in radio were practicing therapists. They were a familiar part of the talk (even news/talk) format. Without turning this into a historical essay or a scold, it is sad to note that most of them are gone.

Ironically, now more than ever, the deeply troubling events in the world, the nation, and our local communities, constituting news and statistics, are bringing deep emotional pain and crippling anxiety to the masses… especially the kind of people likely to tune in to talk radio. Professionals. Businesspeople. Workers. Parents.

Looking for younger demos? Gen-Z is perhaps the most anxiety-plagued segment of the population. These “kids” need support, guidance, and understanding.

Hurricanes and heat waves are not the only disasters that call for the helpful and healing power of radio.

The hot topics of the day: crime, inflation, corruption, disease, ignorance, racial strife, and identity politics – not to mention the ever-lingering threat of nuclear devastation – are not merely subjects (and excuses) to vent blame, anger and hate. They contribute to an environment of deep fear and institutionalized discomfort. There are millions of real-life, personal “disasters” going on out there, exacerbated by relationship betrayals and family breakdowns, that make a heavy snowstorm feel like an adventure by comparison.

Stoking people’s fear and anger with cherry-picked cherry bombs is only a small part of the equation when it comes to serving the desperate needs of both current and potential listeners.

It would be a good thing to bring back to the talk radio menu some psychology shows and professional purveyors of emotional clarity, available in the local communities, as guests to dole out much sought compassion, empathy, guidance, and old fashioned advice.

Pamela Garber, LMHC is a practicing therapist based in NYC and South Florida and a longtime guest mental health commentator on radio and television news programs across the nation. She can be contacted by phone at 646-745-6709 or email at Pamelagarber@gmail.com.  Her website is Grandcentralcounselinggroup.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: “What Matters Next” for Radio?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIf you work in radio, you’ve heard every flavor of AI anxiety. Some fear it will wipe out jobs. Others treat it like a super shortcut – cranking-out spots, promos, and proposals faster and cheaper. Kate O’Neill’s What Matters Next lands squarely in the middle of this tension, and its message is one radio people need to hear: AI isn’t the disruptor. Human behavior is. AI just accelerates the consequences.

The book’s central argument is blunt: The organizations that thrive in an AI-driven world are the ones that stay relentlessly human. Not sentimental – human. Curious. Adaptive. Willing to rethink habits that calcified long before the first smart speaker ever said, “Now playing.” That’s a mirror radio hasn’t always wanted to look into.

For decades, the industry has survived by optimizing the familiar: tighter clocks, leaner staffs, syndicated shows, templated production, and “good enough” digital. AI tempts some operators to double down on that instinct – to automate more, localize less, and hope listeners won’t notice. This book argues the opposite: AI punishes sameness and rewards originality. When every business has access to the same tools, the differentiator becomes the people who use them with imagination, empathy, and purpose. That should sound familiar. It’s what radio used to brag about.

O’Neill also warns against the other extreme, the fear-driven paralysis that keeps talented people from experimenting. AI isn’t a job eater; it’s a task eater. It clears the underbrush so humans can do the work only humans can do: judgment, storytelling, connection, and community presence. In radio terms: the stuff listeners actually remember.

Imagine a morning show that uses AI not to replace prep, but to deepen it, surfacing hyperlocal stories, analyzing listener sentiment, or generating alternate angles on a topic the hosts want to explore. Or a sales team that uses AI to tailor proposals to each client’s issues instead of reshuffling the same deck. How about a newsroom (remember them?) that uses AI to sift data so stations can spend more time delivering what’s special to listeners (and sponsors): helpful local news they can’t get anywhere else. None of that eliminates jobs. It elevates them.

This book’s most important warning is this: AI widens the gap between organizations that learn and organizations that cling. Radio has lived through this before – streaming, podcasting, social media, smart speakers. The winners weren’t the ones who panicked or the ones who ignored the shift. They were the ones who adapted early, experimented often, and stayed close to their audience.

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

Industry News

“The Breakfast Club” Achieves its Highest New York Ratings Ever

iHeartMedia announces that the talk-intensive urban radio morning show “The Breakfast Club” hits its highest ratings mark in New York City in the show’s history. The program – also nationally syndicated via Premiere Networks – is based at WWPR-FM, New York “Power 105.1” and ranked #1 in Nielsen’s PPM survey in New York in January among Adults 18–49img and 25–54 with double-digit shares of 13.9 and 13.1, respectively. The show is hosted by DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God and plays an important role in urban youth culture. iHeartMedia EVP of programming Thea Mitchem states, “The Breakfast Club continues to set the standard for what a truly multiplatform powerhouse looks like. These record‑setting ratings are a direct reflection of the team’s talent, consistency, and cultural impact. DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, and our exceptional production and digital teams deliver a show that resonates deeply with audiences across every platform. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to the listeners of New York who make ‘The Breakfast Club’ a defining force in media.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Social Media That Clicks

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIf you’re on-air, it’s an important part of your job. Here’s what I see and hear working:

  • Daily Presence. Not just for-the-sake-of-posting, but to engage. Ask questions that spark conversation, reply to comments, repost listeners’ content (very flattering – they’ll repost you).
  • Share behind-the-scenes moments from the studio – inviting, insightful – not silly or self-amused. Watch how the cast of “This Morning with Gordon Deal” executes “When the Mic is Off.”
  • Tell stories. And at today’s blurry, attention-starved tempo, “word economy” is more imperative than ever. Make your point, without long setups, rambling, needless repetition or inside jokes… then get out. Like on-air breaks, every post has a purpose: entertain, inform, or connect. And a beginning, middle and end.
  • Stay in Your Lane. If the station doesn’t do politics, don’t do politics in social media. If the station is upbeat, you stay upbeat.
  • Done right, short video is powerful. Think: appetizer. 10- to 20-second clips can tease show content, or react to trending topics.
  • Consistency beats perfection. To differentiate you from soulless robotic new-tech audio competitors, raw beats polished, authentic beats staged, frequent beats flawless.
  • Close the loop on-air. Reward engagement with shout-outs. Superfans drive ratings.

As with on-air work:

  • Ask yourself: Why does this matter to listeners? How can I make this relatable? How can I make this interactive?
  • Avoid taking “lazy radio” habits online: reading long articles, bits with no payoff, inside jokes.

 Execute with intention and heart, and you’ll stand out in a world full of noise.

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

Industry News

Beasley Names LeGrett Chief Business Officer

Beasley Media Group appoints Kevin LeGrett chief business officer, effective today. LeGrett, who most recently served as president of iHeartSports, will “work closely with chief operating officer Brian Beasley to help unify the company’s business operations, aligning revenueimg strategy, cross-platform partnerships, and digital growth to strengthen the company’s competitive position to ensure long-term success.” Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “Kevin’s deep experience across broadcast, digital, experiential, podcasting, and sports makes him uniquely qualified to lead our revenue strategy. His proven ability to scale platforms, grow teams, and deliver results on both a national and local level will be instrumental as we continue to evolve and innovate for our clients and communities.” LeGrett says, “I’m excited to join Beasley Media Group at such an exciting time. Beasley’s commitment to local communities, strong culture, and forward-thinking approach to media – especially its transformation across digital, streaming, and multiplatform platforms – aligns perfectly with my passion for building innovative, integrated solutions that drive real impact for advertisers and listeners alike. I’m excited to help lead the next chapter of growth.”

Industry News

Salem and Dan Proft Agree to Extension

Salem Media and WIND-AM, Chicago “AM 560 The Answer” morning drive host Dan Proft agree to a two-year extension to keep him on the air through December of 2027. Salem regional VP and WIND generalimg manager John Gallagher says, “The combination of Dan Proft’s intellect and his exceptional interviewing skills is why he’s the best morning radio host in Chicago. His knowledge of the issues that affect the people of Illinois is unmatched. This contract extension solidifies the Chicago Morning Answer brand and the top conservative talk radio line-up in the nation.” Proft comments, “I’m excited to extend my run on Chicago’s Morning Answer, and I am honored to be trusted with such an important platform during these turbulent times. Nothing short of the future of the United States and Western civilization, by extension, is on the line, and I’m humbled to be able to lend my voice to the fight. I want to thank AM 560’s management, along with our loyal, intelligent listeners and our accomplished and thoughtful guests, for their ongoing support.”

Industry News

WGN, Chicago News Anchor Steve Bertrand to Retire

WGN Radio announces that market news pro and afternoon news anchor Steve Bertrand will retire from radio on November 13 after a 40-year career with the Nexstar Media Group station.img WGN VP and general manager Mary Sandberg Boyle says, “From joining  WGN Radio in 1985 during the Wally Phillips era to anchoring news on the ‘Lisa Dent Show’ today, throughout his 40 eventful years here Steve has faithfully maintained the highest standards of journalistic integrity, combined with his own unique gift for playful on air banter which is sure to be  missed by colleagues and listeners alike.” Bertrand comments, “I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the history of radio. As a kid, I dreamed of one day living in Chicago. I never imagined I’d be part of her daily conversation. I will forever be grateful to the legends I worked with and, most especially, the listeners who made it all happen. I’ve had the privilege of being part of a pretty amazing family for 40 years.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgPossibly not – beginning Sunday – unless you live in Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) or American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Everywhere else, clocks will change when we “fall-back” on November 2.

It’s uncanny how just that one-hour shift impacts listeners’ lives. So, it’s a BIG topic of conversation. Plan now to empathize with the emotional and practical adjustments they’re confronting, including…

Increased Morning Light:

  • Positive: With the clock set back, it becomes lighter earlier in the morning, which can help people wake up more easily and feel more alert, especially for those who need to start their day early.
  • Negative: For people who start their day later, they may not notice much of a change, but the adjustment period can still be disruptive.

Shorter Evenings:

Positive: The extra hour of light in the morning might be useful for early morning commuters, outdoor activities, or children heading to school.

  • Negative: On the downside, the sun sets earlier in the evening, meaning it gets dark sooner. This can affect evening activities and make commutes home feel less pleasant or even more dangerous due to reduced visibility.

Disruption to Sleep Patterns:

  • Positive: The “fall back” of the clock gives people an extra hour of sleep, which many enjoy.
  • Negative: Some people experience disrupted sleep patterns and may feel temporarily groggy as their bodies adjust to the new time.

Health and Mood:

  • Positive: For some, the extra morning light can improve mood and reduce symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
  • Negative: The early evening darkness can lead to feelings of fatigue, a drop in energy levels, or contribute to “winter blues” or SAD. especially as daylight becomes limited.

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Impact on Productivity:

  • Positive: People may feel more productive in the morning due to earlier sunlight.
  • Negative: However, the earlier sunset could reduce motivation to engage in activities after work or school, potentially leading to a decrease in evening productivity.

Safety Considerations:

  • Positive: More daylight in the morning can make commuting safer for drivers and pedestrians during rush hour.
  • Negative: With darker evenings, there’s an increased risk of accidents, especially for people who are walking or biking.

Energy Consumption:

  • Positive: Energy usage patterns may shift as a result of less artificial light being used in the morning.
  • Negative: However, people tend to use more lighting and heating in the evenings, which may counterbalance the potential energy savings.

Impact on Schedules:

  • Positive: Some people enjoy having the extra hour in their day when DST ends.
  • Negative: For parents and workers, adjusting children’s or personal routines to the earlier darkness can be challenging.

What’s a radio station to do?

  • Bump with or play songs related to time (Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time,’ Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time”).
  • Explain the history of DST.
  • Ask listeners’ opinions on DST. Do they love it or hate it? You’ll hear both.
  • “How will you spend your extra hour?”
  • Give away nostalgic items (like retro vinyl records or vintage tech).
  • Sleep tips from health professionals and mental health experts.
  • Advertisers offer “10% off for the extra hour! Sale only valid from midnight to 1 AM.”
  • Coffee or breakfast gift card giveaways.
  • Pertinent commercial copy hooks, i.e., “It’s time for a new ___!”

And please note: It’s “Daylight Saving Time,” not “Daylight Savings Time.”

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

Industry Views

Monday Memo: News/Talk’s New Fall Season

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgWhy we’re already seeing TV tout its coming attractions: They understand how, after Labor Day, routines settle in. Viewers will be ready to re-engage.

Radio stations that treat September as just another month are missing an opportunity to reintroduce our relevance, refresh our programming, and remind listeners why we matter. After a summer of disrupted routines, school vacation, and scattered attention, commutes return, and schedules normalize. And we want to be the soundtrack. How?

1. Make listeners feel like they’re rejoining a conversation they care about. “Back to the grind? We’re back with what matters.”
2. Freshen your lineup or formatics. It’s a great time to introduce new contributors – analysts, columnists, or rotating guests with fresh perspectives. Debut a new segment: deeper dives, listener town halls, daily fact-checks, etc.
3. Update Imaging.Listeners tune to news/talk for clarity. At client stations, we’re refreshing IDs, show opens, transitions. Convey momentum and immediacy, and that you’ve got your listener’s back. Adjust clocks to improve flow and appointment tune-in. Even subtle changes, well-explained and promoted, can feel significant.

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4. TV has premieres. Radio can, too. Launch a limited-run podcast series and promote it on-air?
5. Promote like you’re running for election. Off-air marketing money may be scarce, but you have other arrows in your quiver: Daily topical on-air promos explain how listening will be helpful. Use social media to tease what’s upcoming, and to post ICYMI “Feature the Moments that Matter.” Ditto e-newsletters and station app alerts and, and partner mentions via local media or civic groups.
6. Sales! Help advertisers freshen their messages similarly.

Any station, any format, should reassert its role. And – as each day’s events impact everyday life – no other format can command more attention than news/talk. So, welcome back.

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

Industry News

Edison: Podcast Consumption Hits Record High

Edison Research releases its latest study, The Podcast Consumer 2025 that it says “charts the continued rise of podcast listening in the U.S and underscores the significant appeal of video podcasts.” Among the takeaways from this report are: 1) Podcast consumption continues at a record high: 73% of those ages 12+img have ever consumed a podcast, 55% have consumed a podcast in the last month, and 40% have consumed a podcast in the last week, each measure being an all-time high; 2) Video podcast consumption has redefined the podcast landscape: Over half (51%) of the U.S. 12+ population has ever watched a video podcast; 37% have watched a video podcast in the last month and 26% have watched a video podcast in the last week. Those who actively watch video podcasts are younger and more diverse than those who only listen to audio-only podcasts; and 3) Podcasts offer high engagement and trust from listeners: 88% of weekly podcast consumers agree that hearing ads is a fair price to pay for free content; 68% say they don’t mind hearing ads on podcasts. You can see The Podcast Consumer 2025 here.

Industry News

WDEL-AM/FM, Wilmington and Sister Stations to Change Hands

News/talk WDEL-AM/FM, Wilmington and its four music-formatted sister stations are being sold by Forever Media to Draper Media for $11 million. Draper Holdings Business Trust CEO Molly Draper Russell says, “We’re excited to add these stations, each with a long history of serving their local communities, to our company. Our family’s history of service through free over-the-air broadcasting goes back nearly 60 years.img The addition of these stations fits perfectly into our late founder, my father, Thomas H. Draper’s motto that it is our moral obligation to serve our audience and advertising partners.” In a press release, Draper says it currently operates WBOC-TV, FOX21, WRDE-TV, Telemundo Delmarva, Antenna TV, My Cozi TV, The DSN Sports Network, and multiple FM radio stations across the Delmarva Peninsula. Speaking for seller Forever Media, president Lynn Deppen comments, “We are proud of the legacy these stations have built in their communities and grateful to our dedicated teams who have served listeners with passion and professionalism. We are confident that Draper Media shares our commitment to local broadcasting and will continue to provide outstanding service to audiences and advertisers alike as these stations enter an exciting new chapter.” The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to approval by the FCC.

Industry Views

HC at the NAB: More Than Spots, Less Than Clutter

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgRadio sells advertisers our listeners’ attention. For a hundred years, our inventory has largely been commercials. Now, as our wandering audience leads us to more revenue channels, are we hooked on spots?

“We’re still in the same business. What’s changed is the tool box.”

Salem Media Group EVP, operations and revenue development Linnae Young was among panelists exploring “The Local Advertising Buying Landscape: What are Clients Buying, and how are Radio Sellers Succeeding or Missing Out?” Her laser-like focus is on the client’s need: “The HVAC company has two trucks and wants six.”

Ditto from session moderator Mike Hulvey, the Radio Advertising Bureau’s president & CEO. He called pitching a multi-store McDonald’s franchisee, who heard-him-out, then asked “Will that idea sell a hamburger?”

We sure have ideas. Researcher Gordon Borrell reckons that “the biggest mistake radio stations are making is underestimating the potential [of digital].” Many now sell video advertising. Prospects “don’t have any questions about radio, other than ‘Can you lower the price?’ They have lots of questions about digital.” Be their guide.

And obsess on outcomes. “Stop with the tactics,” urges Marketron senior director of digital strategy Dustin Wilson. “It’s all about solutions-based selling.”

“As radio has encountered increased pressure on revenue, it has often increased spot loads.”

Ad nauseam, in the view of Edison Research co-founder & president Larry Rosin, whose Ted Talk-type session “Considering Spot Loads” was plainspoken.

Radio has violated what Larry calls “The Commercial Broadcast Bargain” – the unspoken deal that content is worth the time spent listening to ads. “We’ve tilted the bargain in an unfair way,” he said, pointing to “fewer, but much longer breaks; and many, many [music] stations now loading all their spots into two interminable breaks per hour.”

Rosin’s team has long tracked listening habits through its Infinite Dial series, and the trend is clear: Radio’s “Share of Ear” never fully recovered after the pandemic; and commercial loads went up during that time.

“The real problem” is not understanding how ‘Infinite’ today’s ‘Dial’ is, “ignoring the fact that there are other things to listen to.” Ad loads tend to be shorter in podcasts and in non-paid streams. These ad-supported competitors never run more than two spots back-to-back. And increasingly, Americans are paying for ad-free content, via SiriusXM, Spotify, YouTube Premium, and others.

Solutions? Larry was clear: “What I’m NOT saying: ‘cut the load and charge more’ in today’s low-demand environment.”

— Even if you can’t lower total inventory, consider more shorter breaks. “Listeners have, or at least had, an internal clock: song (3 minutes) – song (3 minutes) – song (3 minutes) – break (3 minutes). When you ask music radio consumers, a break should be the length of a song. The two long breaks clock simply can’t be the best we can do for advertisers.”
— Bonus on Rating, not Share, which would “reorient radio programmers to consider ALL competitors, not just other local stations. Radio’s insular world hurts it.”
— Don’t demonize commercials – “a disservice to advertisers” – the way we seem to when we call the stop set “a break;” or tout commercial-free hours to pump-up a daypart (then overdose the load in adjacent hours).
— Improve the quality of commercials.

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

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Matter, and Money Will Follow

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgThere has never been more news. And news has never been more quotable. It costs two-plus cents to make a penny.

Events impacting everyday life are unfolding around-the-corner, around-the-world, around-the-clock. The listeners our advertisers want as customers are in “What NEXT???” mode.

There have never been more places to get news. And the broadcasters that monetize information best have evolved what we used to call “a radio station” into a multiplatform source of content pertinent to its target listener. Trusted call letters are the surname shared by digital siblings.

Being known for helpful information is key. My client stations image relentlessly as “Your Only Local News Radio.” If you are too, rip me off, and burn-it-in.

But imaging merely talks-the-talk. All the promos in the world won’t walk-the-walk. We become habit-forming by delivering information that is relevant and useful and enabling and easily understood and seems up-to-date.

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Accordingly:

  • When we report information-given-to-us (press releases, etc.), rewrite to succinctly convey what the story means. Typically, press releases are about the sender. Our lead sentence needs to be about how-it-matters-to the listener.
  • Keep it fresh. The second and third time someone hears a story word-for-word, the little voice in his/her head says, “You already told me that.” Every effort we make to update copy is worth it.
  • Listen to your on-hour network, for three reasons: Emulate their crisp copy style, which conveys the consequence of items being reported. And emulate their delivery. Note how FOX News Radio morning anchor Dave Anthony sounds like he’s talking, not reading. And listen for opportunities to localize big national/international stories.

What is being reported by national media, how does it hit home, and who locally can comment or explain?

  • How is DOGE government downsizing impacting people in your state, in your city? Most of the federal workforce does not live in Washington/Maryland/Virginia.
  • We pray for ailing Pope Francis. When he passes, who from your diocese or parish can you interview? “The Conclave” won an Oscar and was nominated for eight.

Music radio is in the fight of its life with streams, and too much talk radio is an angry caricature. Matter most, and money will follow.

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

Industry Views

Monday Memo: ChatGPT, Carefully

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgObservation, as a heavy CNBC viewer: Artificial Intelligence is to 2025 what Dot Com was to the late 1990s, game-changer… and shiny object.

Everyone seemed to be chanting “AI” at this year’s CES. In a previous column here, I offered, from experience, some Do’s-and-Don’ts for crafting commercial copy. And as vendors are applying AI to various other broadcast content and operational functions, I asked the app itself: “How would you caution radio broadcasters against over-reliance on ChatGPT?” SECONDS later, the robot replied:

“Here are some key points to consider:

1. Maintain Authenticity: Radio broadcasting thrives on the personality and authenticity of its hosts. Relying too heavily on AI-generated scripts or content can make broadcasts feel robotic, inauthentic, or detached. Listeners tune in to hear the voice, opinions, and personality of the broadcaster, not just information being read off a script. ChatGPT is great for generating ideas, but it shouldn’t replace the genuine voice of the host.

2. Human Connection: One of the strengths of radio is the personal connection that hosts build with their audience. This connection comes from spontaneous moments, personal anecdotes, and relatable conversations. AI can’t replicate the unique, emotional bond that a human broadcaster forms with listeners. Overusing AI could distance the host from the audience and make the show feel more like a recorded message than a live, engaging experience.

3. Accuracy and Fact-Checking: While ChatGPT can generate a lot of information quickly, it’s not always accurate or up-to-date. Broadcasters need to be mindful that AI-generated content might contain errors, outdated facts, or biased perspectives. Relying on AI without fact-checking could lead to broadcasting misinformation, which can seriously damage the station’s credibility.

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4. Tone and Nuance: AI like ChatGPT can struggle with tone, emotion, and subtlety in language. Radio broadcasters need to ensure that the tone of the broadcast fits the subject matter and the audience. AI might miss the mark on this, especially in more nuanced or sensitive topics. A human touch is often needed to tailor the message effectively.

5. Audience Engagement: ChatGPT can provide content, but it can’t engage with listeners the way a broadcaster can. Over-relying on AI could take away opportunities for live interaction, audience call-ins, and real-time feedback. Broadcasting is about creating a dialogue, not just delivering information, and AI isn’t capable of fostering real-time, dynamic conversations.

6. Creativity and Innovation: While AI can assist with generating ideas, true creativity comes from the human mind. Broadcasters should focus on bringing fresh, original ideas to the table—things AI can’t easily replicate. Over-relying on ChatGPT might limit creativity, turning broadcasts into predictable, generic experiences.

In summary, while AI tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly useful for research, inspiration, and content generation, broadcasters should ensure they don’t lose the human element of their shows. Maintaining authenticity, personal engagement, and creativity are key to keeping radio content fresh and compelling. AI should be a tool, not a substitute for the broadcaster’s unique voice and connection with the audience.” 

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

Industry News

Cumulus Media’s 2025 Audioscape Dives into Podcast Advertising

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One AudioActive Group blog presents data from Cumulus Media’s 2025 Audioscape report that examines the latest podcast consumer trends from Edison Research’s Podcastimg Metrics and “Share of Ear” Report, MRI-Simmons, Screen Engine/ASI, Podscribe, and Magellan AI. Four of the key findings from this are: 1) Podcast ad campaigns are too light: No brand is coming close to “saturating” podcast audiences; Brands should allocate 5% of digital budgets to podcasting; 2) After five years with a median age of 33 to 34, podcast audiences finally age to 36, reflecting broader appeal with older audiences; 3) Screen Engine/ASI: Podcast audiences offer CTV advertisers significant incremental reach; and 4) Podcasts tighten their grip on audio audiences: Among podcast listeners, 35% of all audio time spent now goes to podcasts. Read the full blog post here.