Passion Versus AI
By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, Sterling on Sunday
Last week I had the privilege of moderating a panel at the TALKERS conference. Confession: I listen to speech patterns and tones more than words.
The prestigious panel featured Dan Mandis, program director and host, WTN-FM, Nashville; Ross Kaminsky, host KOA, Denver; Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group/ops VP, New York region/WMCA/AM 970; Josh Leng, CEO, Talk Media Network; and Matt Meany, program director, WABC, New York/Red Apple Media.
Yes, their collective knowledge and experience is unbeatable. They answered questions of great interest: How does iHeart measure social media accomplishments? Should one be fired for social media or podcast content or just for their air work? Establishing a syndication base, how does that happen? Where are the women – kudos to Salem’s Phil Boyce for celebrating their women hosts. What do programmers really look for in hosts? All valuable answers. See the video of this session here.
Their words aren’t the “win.” The win is the fact that each of these pros has passion, passion and more passion. Their knowledge results in caring, heartfelt, supportive shares. They care about the future; they care about their craft. Programmers have to be optimistic about radio’s positive impact in order for them to do their jobs. Their descriptive tones make radio appealing.
The panel represents radio’s caretakers, gardeners, guides. The executives on the stage reveal qualities and qualifications that become overwhelmingly apparent in their demeanor and speech patterns. That’s what I hear.
Radio does not have to compete or fret over AI. AI coders have to fret over their inevitable failure to capture or even coldly mimic the depth of emotion and confidence expressed by Matt, Josh, Phil, Ross and Dan. Good luck with that algorithm …losers.
Walter Sabo was the youngest Executive Vice President in the history of NBC. The youngest VP in the history of ABC. He was a consultant to RKO General longer than Bill Drake. Walter was the in-house consultant to Sirius for eight years. He has never written a resume. Contact him at walter@sabomedia.com. or mobile 646-678-1110. Hear Walter Sterling at www.waltersterlingshow.com.
News/Talk Radio in the Digital Era – Part 2.” The session, sponsored by “Our American Stories,” is introduced by Alex Fife, VP operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia – Total Traffic & Weather Network (pictured at right) and moderated by Walter Sabo, CEO, Sabo Media and host (Walter Sterling) of Sterling on Sunday (pictured above). Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Dan Mandis, program director and host, WTN-FM, Nashville; Ross Kaminsky, host KOA, Denver; Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group/ops VP, New York region/WMCA/AM 970; Josh Leng, CEO, Talk Media Network; and Matt Meany, program director, WABC, New York/Red Apple Media. 
SalemNOW for rental or purchase. SalemNOW general manager Robert Ellis comments, “It’s a privilege to partner with The Epoch Times to offer their incredible film, LEAVING CALIFORNIA, on SalemNOW.” The film’s writer and producer Siyamak Khorrami 
comments, 
increased 17.4% to $67.7 million leading to an operating loss of $4.2 million as compared to operating income of $5 million posted in Q1 of 2022. Salem reports a net loss of $5.2 million, compared to Q1 2022’s net income of $1.7 million. Salem reports in three segments – Broadcast, Digital Media, and Publishing. Broadcast revenue for the quarter was $48.3 million (down 0.2%), Digital Media was $10.5 million (up 2%), and Publishing revenue was $4.6 million (up 19.7%). Looking ahead, the company is projecting total revenue to decline between 5% and 7% from the second quarter 2022 total revenue of $68.7 million and expects operating expenses to increase between 3% and 6% compared to Q2 of 2022. 
Tampa and Sarasota responsibilities. Salem Media Group regional VP Val Carolin comments, “As we worked to fill the big shoes that Barb Yoder has worn so effectively these past 12 years as general manager, we were thrilled to learn that Carolyn had a strong desire to return to her Florida roots and serve the communities in her home state. Carolyn has proven herself to be a tireless leader with a deep commitment to service. She’s a hard and smart worker who gets involved and gets things done. I’m confident that the dedication and the skills she possesses will prove to be a great fit for our strong Tampa/Sarasota operation.”
special show. Salem Tampa general manager Barb Yoder says, “When I read that Jack Harris regretted not having the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans at the end of his most recent morning show, it really touched my heart. I’ve been in broadcasting for many years as well and though he’s been on a competing radio station, I’ve always admired and respected him and the way he connects with the Tampa Bay community. So, to honor Jack we were going to devote one of our morning shows on ‘The Answer’ Tampa and Sarasota for a Jack Harris Tribute.” Salem is hosting another recently let go Tampa host as former “Q105” personality Mason Dixon will appear on its “Faith Talk” stations on “The Bill Bunkley Show” today (4/14) from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Harris tells the Tampa Bay Times that there is interest from other broadcasters but the six-month non-compete in his iHeart contract prevents him from working elsewhere right away. Harris says he didn’t get the chance to do a farewell show – something iHeartMedia West Florida president Chris Soechtig denies. Salem Media Group says it’s offered to host a farewell show on its crosstown news/talk WGUL “AM860 The Answer,” but also doesn’t want Harris to get into a legal tussle. 
additional 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 of the company (the “2028 Notes”), a portion of the proceeds of which was used to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the 2024 Notes on March 20, 2023 and to complete the redemption on March 27, 2023. The additional 2028 Notes and the related guarantees were sold to certain existing holders of the company’s outstanding 2028 Notes whom the company believes to be qualified institutional buyers, in a private placement. The company believes that the completion of this refinancing will strengthen its balance sheet.
including physical and mental wellness, nutrition, positivity, and the motivation seniors and families need for leading healthy and active lifestyles. Chen says, “We hope to reach a wider audience and help shed more light on important topics regarding physical fitness, mental health, and wellness that matter most to seniors as we continue to roll out podcast episodes now and into the future. We’re proud to be a part of a great network of people who are like-minded and dedicated to providing the best content online for a demographic that we feel is underserved, and we are looking forward to helping that change.”
help retirees make sensible financial decisions in retirement. Armuth says, “Today’s investors deserve to know that investing is simple, affordable, and accessible to all! Collaborating with Senior Resource was a no-brainer for me because our missions are so similar. My podcast is dedicated to empowering and educating retirees on personal finance and investing, and Senior Resource helps me share this message with a broader audience. I’m thrilled to see my podcast has reached listeners from all across the country, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to giving real people the knowledge and tools they need to better understand investing and their finances in retirement.”
committee that he operates. This is the second such complaint filed by Illinois Democrats against Proft in the past four months. Proft co-hosts the “Chicago’s Morning Answer” program with Amy Jacobson on Salem Media Group’s news/talk WIND-AM, Chicago “560 The Answer.”
2022. Salem reports in segments and for the fourth quarter of 2022, net Broadcast revenue increased 4.5% to $53.3 million from $51 million in the same period in 2021. However, Digital media revenue decreased 10.3% to $10.4 million from $11.6 million in Q4 of 2021. The Publishing segment decreased 21.3% to $5.2 million from $6.5 million in the same period a year ago. For the full year of 2022, net Broadcast revenue increased 7.2% to $205.3 million from $191.4 million in 2021. Digital media revenue decreased 1.2% to $41.7 million from $42.2 million, and Publishing revenue decreased 18.9% to $20 million from $24.6 million in 2021. Looking ahead, Salem offers guidance for the first quarter of 2023, saying, “The company is projecting total revenue to be between flat and a decline of 2% from the first quarter 2022 total revenue of $62.6 million.”
through a bill that is before you now. AM radio stations continue to be the backbone of many communities. They serve their audiences with programming features like news updates, traffic/weather reports, sports play-by-play, and talk programs. In some municipalities, AM radio stations also cater to a specific immigrant community, reaching their listeners with a specific foreign language or other programming elements like music or sports.” They go on to say, “H.R. 1279, as it is written, would make Daylight 
Saving Time permanent, thus impacting AM radio stations’ power and, therefore, coverage in the crucial morning drive daypart. This issue would be even more detrimental during the darkest days of November, December, January, and February, when AM stations would not be at full power until at least 8:00 am. From a programming and revenue standpoint, the morning drive daypart is still one of the most significant dayparts on an entire radio station. It’s the daypart that generates the most amount of revenue and is a cornerstone for the rest of the programming day. AM radio is facing a multitude of challenges. Radio, in general, faces constant headwinds from an ever-changing media landscape. This challenge might likely be the death blow to many AM radio stations. I am confident you don’t want to see that happen.