The presidential race; the U.S. migrant crisis; financial markets activity and predictions for a recession; Israel faces threats from Iran and Hezbollah; the U.K. anti-immigrant riots; the Paris Olympics; Ukraine enters Russian territory; ISIS threats cancel Vienna Taylor Swift shows; and the flooding from Tropical Storm Debby were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The presidential race and Kamala Harris’ choice of Tim Walz as vice presidential candidate; U.S. Rep. Cori Bush loses Missouri Democratic primary; the world’s financial markets activity and questions about a U.S. recession; Israel’s war against Hamas and the terrorist organization’s naming Yahya Sinwar its new political leader; Pakistani Asif Merchant is charged with plotting to assassinate American politicians; X files anti-trust suit against Global Alliance for Responsible Media; the Paris Olympics; Tropical Storm Debby drenches the East Coast; and the California wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The 16th annual “Hurley in the Morning” Charity Dinner and Silent Auction is set for Friday, October 4, 2024, at Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City. Held in the venue’s iconic Ocean Ballroom, the high-profile civic event is a major fund-raising function of one of New Jersey’s most important and enduring charitable initiatives and one of the leading radio industry-powered philanthropic endeavors in America. The non-profit Hurley in the Morning Charity Foundation was launched 18 years ago by legendary morning talk show host Harry Hurley of Townsquare Media-owned WPG, Atlantic City and has since raised more than $1.5 million resulting in hundreds of grants donated to worthy organizations and causes throughout the Garden State and beyond. The charity also sponsors an annual Hurley in the Morning Golf Open. TALKERS founder and noted radio pioneer Michael Harrison has been selected to serve as the dinner’s 2024 guest of honor and keynote speaker. Organizers of this year’s gathering are looking forward to raising $100,000 with more than 250 attendees from government, civics, business and the local communities expected to attend what is traditionally a sold-out event. For information on purchasing tables and individual tickets, email HarryHurley@aol.com.
The presidential race; the global stock sell-off and predictions of a recession; a judge rules Google is a monopoly; former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis flips in Arizona election subversion case; the Israel-Hamas war and Iran’s threat to strike Israel; the Paris Olympics; Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accused of not disclosing more Harlan Crow-funded travels; Tropical Storm Debby hits Florida; and the California and Colorado wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The presidential race; Japan’s stock crash and global investors’ reactions to the U.S. economy; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Olympics and gender controversies; Israel’s war on Hamas and Iran’s vow to avenge the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin undoes 9/11 plea deal; anti-immigrant violence in England; the California & Colorado wildfires; and Hurricane Debbie approaches Florida were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Historian, author, and investigative journalist Mark Shaw joins TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison in a revealing discussion about the preponderance of conspiracy theories and flimsy sourcing currently flooding the nation’s talk and print media under the guise of researched reporting. Shaw, the author of dozens of critically acclaimed books including the 2016 best seller, The Reporter Who Knew Too Much, is this week’s guest on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel video series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison” (see it here) as well as the award winning PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview” (listen here). Harrison and Shaw examine the important role responsible journalism and critical thinking play in maintaining a healthy, functioning democracy. Have we entered a “post-truth” era? Harrison says, “There’s a growing tendency in the rapidly unfolding digital age for the media, the politicians, and the intellectually dishonest from all strata of society to seek victory at the expense of truth.” Don’t miss this provocative thought-starter!
The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the economy and inflation, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis 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. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
On the heels of the resignation of Paul Dans, who served as the director of the Heritage Foundation’s controversial Project 2025, talk radio host and broadcasting entrepreneur John Fredericks is calling Project 2025 “an unauthorized grifter sh*t show that was generated by The Heritage Foundation for the sole purpose of raising money.” Fredericks is a dyed-in-the-wool Donald Trump supporter and operator of 10 conservative
news/talk stations plus the John Fredericks Radio Network. He adds, “This undertaking was never authorized, sanctioned, or endorsed by President Trump or his campaign. Despite several very direct public communications disavowing any affiliation by Trump campaign senior staff, the fake news continued to propagate phony stories, which The Heritage Foundation and their Project 2025 leaders were willing and happy to substantiate. Sources say President Trump made the decision to shut it down himself. Good riddance to yet another grift charade using Trump to raise money.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison commented on Fredericks’ statement saying, “It has been disturbing watching the once-honored think tank known for its even-handed academic fastidiousness devolve into what is now perceived as just another fund-raising propaganda machine in the mud-slinging political wars. This is the kind of credibility squandering that damages the true American conservative moment and people’s confidence in all political organizations.”
TALKERS vice president and executive editor Kevin Casey attended the annual shareholders meeting of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers held on July 22 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The team debuted as the Acme Packers (funded by the Green Bay-based Acme Meat Packing Company) in 1919 – several years before commercial radio stations took to the airwaves. WTMJ, Milwaukee was the first station to broadcast a Packers game in 1929. The first stock sale was held in 1923 to establish the team as a corporation and raised $5,000. There have been several stock sales since then and registered shareholders now number more than half a million. In the image above, Casey – a shareholder since 1997 – squares off against a replica of the late Reggie White at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
The presidential race; the Democratic VP possibilities; Joe Biden’s Supreme Court reform proposal; the Donald Trump assassination attempt investigation and Secret Service scrutiny; the Olympics “Last Supper” controversy, the Venezuelan protests over Nicolas Madura’s victory; Israel’s wars against Hamas and Hezbollah; the NRA-Wayne LaPierre corruption case; and the California wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The presidential race; the potential vice-presidential candidates for Kamala Harris; Joe Biden’s Supreme Court overhaul proposal; the U.S. migrant crisis; Nicolas Madura wins re-election in Venezuela; Israel weighs response to the deadly Golan Heights strike from Hezbollah; the U.S. economy; the Paris Olympics; and the Western U.S. wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Airing 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.”
The Republican National Convention; the investigation into the Donald Trump assassination attempt and scrutiny of the Secret Service; Joe Biden’s status as the Democratic nominee; the U.S. migrant crisis; the U.S. economy; New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez’s bribery conviction; and the extreme heat and storms affecting much of the country were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Radio pro Jim Watkins is self-syndicating a daily one-hour show called, “Speaking Out with Jim Watkins.” He calls it a “truly thoughtful one-hour show that gives people a snapshot of America right now.” Current affiliate stations include: KMZQ, Las Vegas; KFXR, Dallas; KPRC, Houston; KTMS, Santa Barbara; KVTA, Ventura; KSBN, Spokane; KIKO, Phoenix; and KWWV-HD, San Luis Obispo. Watkins can be reached at 239-470-9297 and Jwatkins00@comcast.net.
SiriusXM announces that Subaru expands the installation of SiriusXM to make the audio entertainment offering a standard feature beginning with its entire model year 2025 vehicle lineup in the United States. SiriusXM with 360L combines satellite and streaming content delivery into a single, cohesive in-vehicle entertainment experience.
The Republican National Convention; the Donald Trump assassination attempt investigation and the threat from Iran; the ongoing controversy over Joe Biden’s fitness to serve; Senator Bob Menendez convicted of bribery; Biden suggests term limits and ethics code for Supreme Court justices; Israel’s strikes in Gaza; and the heatwave affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The Donald Trump assassination attempt aftermath; Trump picks J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential candidate; the RNC in Milwaukee; Joe Biden’s competence and the presidential race; Judge Aileen Cannon rules Trump special prosecutor Jack Smith was illegally appointed; Russia convicts U.S. journalist Masha Gessen in absentia; Russia and China conduct joint military operations; the Israel-Hamas war; and the extreme weather affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The fourth of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey period covered May 23 through June 19. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. Urban One’s Indianapolis news/talk WIBC-FM adds six-tenths to finish the survey with a 7.5 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but remains ranked #4 in the market. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee rises four-tenths for a 12.5 share finish and racks up its 10thconsecutive month at #1. (Good Karma Brands’ crosstown competitor WTMJ ceased subscribing to the ratings several months ago.) Cox Media Group’s Jacksonville news/talk WOKV-FM added seven-tenths to finish with a 9.4 share that lifts it to the #2 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.
The third of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Columbus. The survey period covered May 23 through June 19. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Portland, Alpha Media’s news/talk KXL-FM drops eight-tenths for a 5.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that leaves it ranked #5 in the market, while iHeartMedia news/talk KEX adds one-tenth for a 1.8 share that lifts it to the #18 rank. In San Antonio, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOAI rises three-tenths to a 3.1 share and remains ranked #13, while Alpha Media’s news/talk KTSA dips a half share to finish with a 1.4 share leaving it ranked #22 in the market. In Salt Lake City, Bonneville’s news/talk KSL-AM/FM rises 1.2 shares for a 6.1 share finish that lifts it to the #2 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk KNRS-AM/FM is steady with a 3.1 share but rises to the #12 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.
More high-profile Democrats and donors call on Joe Biden to leave the race for president and today’s scheduled press conference; Donald Trump’s distancing himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025; NATO accuses China of aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine; AOC and other far-left Democrats file articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito; the Israel-Hamas war; the status of Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy case; the heatwave affecting the U.S. and the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl on the Houston area were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s June 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The survey period covered May 23 through June 19. Today, TALKERS magazine editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC is steady with a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but slips to the #11 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR is also steady with a 1.5 share and falls back to the #20 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media’s news/talk WGN slides a half share to finish with a 2.5 share good for the #15 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM rises two-tenths to a 1.1 share that lifts it to the #25 rank. In Dallas, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP adds four-tenths for a 3.0 share and rises to the #12 rank, while Audacy’s all-news KRLD-AM is steady with a 1.5 share but slips to the #27 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways here.
Joe Biden’s determination to stay in the presidential race and Donald Trump’s prospective vice presidential candidates; the Israel-Hamas war; Biden promises air defenses for Ukraine at NATO summit; Democratic senators seek in investigation of Clarence Thomas; Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi meet in Moscow; the trial of New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez; the intense heatwave affecting the U.S. West; and the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The aftermath of Joe Biden’s debate performance and calls for him to drop out; SCOTUS rulings; Donald Trump’s legal battles; Trump attempts to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan; the Israel-Hamas war and protests in Tel Aviv calling for a cease-fire; the leftist New Popular Front prevents a National Rally takeover in France’s elections; Boeing pleads guilty to defrauding regulators; and the intense heatwave in the Western U.S. & Hurricane Beryl heads for Texas were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
SCOTUS presidential immunity ruling; Donald Trump NYC sentencing delayed; Joe Biden debate performance and calls for him to leave the race; the U.S. migrant crisis; the economy; France’s National Rally party win and Thursday’s UK elections; the new $2.3 billion Ukrainian military aid package; and Hurricane Beryl wreaks havoc in the Caribbean were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The Supreme Court rules presidents have immunity for official acts; Donald Trump’s legal battles; the presidential race; the economy; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war; France’s National Rally party’s round one victory; and Oklahoma orders the Bible to be taught in grades K-12 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
TALKERS is adding a YouTube channel to its array of talk media platforms. The venue – titled Talkers Media Channel – will initially provide a base for the organization’s conference videos and a platform for its founder Michael Harrison’s reimagined video iteration of his pioneering audio podcast, “Up Close and Far Out.” Videos from the recently held TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond will begin being posted after the July 4th holiday. “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison” soft launches today with a conversation between Harrison and radio tech star Kim Komando examining the sociological, biological, and theological implications of artificial intelligence. The Harrison talk show will take several forms including one-on-one interviews, panel discussions and solo commentaries. Harrison and his guests will sometimes appear on camera and on other occasions just be voices enhanced by stunning visuals and music provided by the channel’s producer TALKERS VP/associate publisher, Matthew B. Harrison. The series will be targeted to an audience Harrison describes as “pop culture aficionados, political junkies, media enthusiasts, fans of science, followers of technology and the philosophically curious.” The Harrisons plan to focus heavily upon a stable of guests composed of professionals from the world of talk media covered by TALKERS magazine but stretch beyond that core as well. After it is fully up and running, plans are in place to expand the channel’s menu to include shows and properties produced by an array of content providers. To visit the debut installment of “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison,” please click here.
The presidential race and Thursday night’s debate in Atlanta combined as the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the numerous primary races, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis 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. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.