Industry News

“The Benny Show” Joins Cumulus Podcast Network

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announces that “The Benny Show” – hosted by award-winning creator, streamer, and podcaster Benny Johnson – joins the Cumulus Podcast Network. WWO says that Johnsonim has amassed “a combined 12 million subscribers across platforms. ‘The Benny Show’ has become a go-to platform for the next generation of news consumers and creators alike. The program features commentary and exclusive interviews with special guests including presidential candidates, world leaders, cultural icons and Hollywood actors.” Under Westwood One’s leadership, the Cumulus Podcast Network distributes, markets, and monetizes “The Benny Show” exclusively with this new partnership. WWO president Collin R. Jones says, “As the Cumulus Podcast Network further expands into video, ‘The Benny Show’ is a natural addition to our portfolio of personality-driven talk shows. Benny is well known on YouTube as a strong and independent voice in conservative talk. He challenges mainstream opinions with cutting-edge insight and straightforward questions, capturing both listeners and partners with his streamlined, frank approach.”

Industry News

ARE YOU READY? Westwood One Launches 38th Consecutive Season as Exclusive Primetime Radio Partner of NFL

Cumulus, Westwood One, NFL

Industry News

Mike McVay is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

MH Interview - Harrison McVay
Renowned radio and media consultant Mike McVay is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” McVay is a radio industry innovator and trailblazer.  His consulting firm, McVay Media, has been at the top of the game for more than 30 years and he’s been a major player in just about all aspects of the radio business for more than four decades.  During that time, he also served eight years as the executive vice president of content and programming for Cumulus Media and the Westwood One radio network. In that role, he oversaw the programming for Cumulus’ then 450 owned radio stations and Westwood One, the company’s national network/syndication arm. He’s a talent coach who has influenced the careers of scores of major personalities on the air in America and abroad, a podcasting and new media visionary, and an all-around expert on entertainment and communications. Harrison and McVay take a deep dive into the past, present and future of radio as well as the burgeoning impact of the digital era on society.  Don’t miss this!  To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News

Bongino to Testify and Drop Special Two-Hour Podcast on First Day of Hearings for House GOP Forum on Trump Assassination Attempt

Industry News

Westwood One’s Rich Valdés is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

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Rich Valdés is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” He is a seasoned communications professional with extensive experience in multiple media formats including radio, podcasting, television, and print journalism as well as a demonstrated passion for policy, education, and community volunteerism. He is the host of Westwood One’s “America at Night” airing weeknights from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am ET. An eclectic generalist, he talks with guests and callers about a spectrum of topics ranging from current events and politics to entertainment and pop culture. Valdés was named permanent host of the show in October of 2022 filling the big shoes of the late Jim Bohannon, who passed away shortly thereafter following a brave battle against esophageal cancer. He’s a proud American of Puerto Rican heritage – a Gen-X’er who was born in Brooklyn and grew up in New Jersey. He’s known as “your liberty-loving Latino amigo” as well the “voice of Hispanic conservatives.” Harrison and Valdés discuss the important role Puerto Ricans play in U.S. politics as well as a number of other contemporary topics. Listen to the podcast here.  

Industry News

WWO: Radio and Podcast Listeners Are Home Improvement Consumers

The most recent blog post from the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group reveals data from research indicating that heavy AM/FM listeners and heavy podcast listeners “spend significantly more on home improvement than heavy TV viewers.” Other takeaways from the research include: 1) Audio is an idealim media platform to tout home improvement e-commerce as heavy AM/FM radio and podcast listeners are more likely to shop online; 2) AM/FM radio generates significant incremental reach for home improvement TV campaigns: Recent TV campaigns for The Home Depot saw significant lift in reach with the addition of AM/FM radio, especially among younger demos; 3) AM/FM radio generates three times the sales lift of TV in a historic Nielsen TV and AM/FM radio sales effect study for a home improvement retailer; and 4) Home improvement media plans are overweight on linear TV and underweight on audio: The optimized plan should consist of 45% AM/FM radio, 30% linear TV, and 24% podcasts. See the blog post here.

Industry News

Casey Bartholomew and WBAP, Dallas Ink Renewal

Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP-AM/FM, Dallas and talk host Casey Bartholomew agree to a newim contract. Bartholomew tells TALKERS, “After two successful years where my show increased the numbers of the previous, political show by as much as 350%, I have re-signed with News Talk 820 and 93.3 WBAP in Dallas, TX. So, I’ll be holding down the 9a-11a slot for at least another 2 years.”

Industry News

Westwood One Extends Its “Bob & Tom Show” Partnership

Westwood OneAs part of a newly-signed pact between the “The Bob & Tom Show” and Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the award-winning comedic morning drive program will remain on an affiliate base that includes 17 Cumulus Media stations. Westwood One president/Cumulus Media executive vice president of corporate strategy and development Collin R. Jones states, “‘The Bob & Tom Show’ has been making Americans laugh each morning for more than 25 years. It is an impressive achievement when a program can drive audience numbers and advertiser interest for a Bob and Tomstretch this long. We at Westwood One are honored to continue our relationship with this exceptionally talented cast for years to come.” Host Tom Griswold comments, “We are truly pleased to continue working with our long-term partner, Westwood One, and with our incredible Cumulus Media affiliates. We have terrific teams and look forward to entertaining listeners with the funniest morning content available. The radio party rolls on – turn it up.” Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, “The Bob & Tom Show” airs weekdays 6:00 am – 10:00 am (ET) on over 100 stations and is available to stations of all formats.

Industry News

WWO: AM/FM Ads Outperform Social Media Ads

In this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog post, a number of studies measuring attentiveness (defined as the degree to which those exposed to the advertising are focused on it)im reveal that AM/FM ads far outperform most social media ads. For example, the firm Adelaide found that for revery $1,000 spent on AM/FM ads it would require spending $2,635 on Facebook ads for the same amount of attentiveness. However, it also found that just $698 of YouTube ads would yield the same degree of attentiveness as $1,000 of AM/FM advertising. The blog post also addresses the myth that video ads are necessarily more effective than audio ads. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

Pest Control Owner Knows What Madison Avenue Has Forgotten

Cumulus Back in 1988, Steve and Anita Hotsenpiller launched Columbia, MO-based Steve’s Pest Control with one truck and an ad campaign on a local radio station. Once the business grew, roughly 9% of their revenue was allocated to purchase ad time on more stations. Fast-forward to today, Steve’s Pest Control has 90 trucks and leads all pest control competitors in Missouri, eventually becoming one of local radio’s largest advertisers. Their humorous radio spots include the tag line, “Now you’ve got a friend in the pest control business – Steve’s Pest Control.” As Cumulus Media/Westwood One Audio Active Group chief insights officer Pierre Bouvard details in his blog, “Steve’s Pest Control offers Madison Avenue a master class on creating future demand, and how building a brand is the main driver of long-term growth and profit. These days Madison Avenue is obsessed with the science of measuring the short-term sales effect of advertising and converting existing demand. Steve’s knows what Madison Avenue has forgotten: To generate substantial sales and profit, a business needs to create future demand rather than just obsess over converting existing demand.” Bouvard points out that in a December 2023 MARU/Matchbox survey of nearly 100 consumers in the Columbia – Jefferson City, MO market, Steve’s Pest Control “dominates unaided brand awareness, total ad recall, purchase intent, use, and brand preference vs. its competitors with radio spots that outscore the U.S. average in positive response. Your business might be super famous, but every day, new people move to town who have never heard of your business. That’s an important reason to continuously advertise your business. Also, advertising memories fade. Steve’s usage of AM/FM radio advertising has built a dominant brand. It is so impressive for a local business to win against big national brands.” Creative testing firm System1 conducted an evaluation of Steve’s Pest Control’s radio spots, which scored an 84% in brand recognition, demonstrating effective branding that resonates with listeners long after the ad has played. System1 VP of partnerships insights and strategy Allison O’Toole comments, “Steve’s Pest Control’s category ownership – built on long-term radio advertising – shows the potential of audio to work hard and deliver lasting results for any brand.”

Industry News

WWO: Amazon Prime Day and AM/FM Radio

The Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog looks at the Amazon Prime Day event and heavy users of AM/FM radio and podcasts. Several studies indicate that these heavy users are more likely to make purchases during these sales which is a good reason for retailers to use AM/FM and podcasts in their holiday marketing plans. Some of the takeaways from the blog include: 1) AM/FM radio and podcasts areim ideal medium platforms for retailers and e-commerce brands: Heavy audio listeners are more likely to shop online. Heavy AM/FM radio and podcast listeners also spend more online than TV viewers. AM/FM radio listeners and heavy podcast listeners over-index on Amazon Prime membership and purchase intent; 2) AM/FM radio makes your TV better – “20 gets you 50”: Nielsen Media Impact optimizations reveal shifting more media weight to AM/FM radio generates significantly more reach, especially among younger demographics 18-49. AM/FM radio does an extraordinary job increasing campaign reach among light TV viewers, who are far less likely to see retailer TV ads. The rule of thumb is “20 gets you 50”: a 20% shift of a TV media budget to AM/FM Radio generates a 50% increase in reach; and 3) Audio holiday AM/FM radio campaigns work: Consumers exposed to an Amazon holiday AM/FM radio campaign have higher brand equity (awareness, ad recall, prior purchase and purchase intent). Nielsen sales effect studies reveal AM/FM radio campaigns for retailers generate significant return on advertising spend: $15 dollars of incremental sales for every dollar of AM/FM radio advertising. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

Bongino Report Early Edition Joins Cumulus Podcast Network

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announces that the new podcast, “Bongino Report Early Edition withim Evita,” joins the Cumulus Podcast Network, dropping its first episode today (7/16). Cumulus says, “In this first podcast extension under the Bongino umbrella, Gen Z journalist and culture analyst Evita Duffy-Alfonso joins the Bongino Report with a daily show covering all the top stories. ‘Bongino Report Early Edition with Evita’ drops each weekday on most major podcast platforms and is live daily on Rumble.” Dan Bongino says, “You don’t want to miss Evita. She is a bright new face in conservative talk who is not afraid to deliver hard-hitting news, uncensored opinions, and the stories that need to be told. If you love the ‘Bongino Report,’ you’ll love the ‘Bongino Report Early Edition with Evita.’”

Industry News

WWO: YouTube’s Growth as Podcast Destination

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog reports that data from Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights’ Podcast Download Spring 2024 report shows YouTube has pulled away from primary competitors Spotify and Apple Podcasts to become the most-used podcast platform in the U.S. For the study,im MARU/Matchbox was hired to conduct an in-depth study of 603 weekly podcast consumers from April 19-24 of this year. Takeaways include: 1) YouTube is used most among Podcast Newcomers, Podcast Pioneers, and heavy podcast consumers; 2) YouTube podcast audience profile: Male and younger than the Apple Podcasts audience; 3) As the world’s entertainment search engine, YouTube is the dominant podcast discovery platform where audiences are more likely to find podcasts; and 4) Those who discover a podcast on YouTube say they stick with the platform for video, comments, community, entertainment, recommendations, and platform features. This growth for YouTube comes at the expense of Apple Podcasts. In July of 2019, Apple Podcasts was the most-used platform for 29% of weekly podcast consumers with 15% for YouTube. Five years later the figures are nearly reversed with 31% of weekly podcast consumers preferring YouTube and just 12% reporting Apple Podcasts as their most-used platform. See the full blog here.

Industry News

Mark Levin Extends Relationship with Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media and talk radio host Mark Levin extend their deal for Levin to continue hosting both his syndicated radio program on Westwood One and his podcast, “Mark Levin Audio Rewind,” on the Cumulusim Podcast Network for multiple years. Additionally, Levin will also develop and host an all-new show for the network, his first ever original content podcast series. Levin’s radio show airs live from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm nightly on close to 400 affiliate stations. He says, “This has been my radio home for 23 years, and I am more excited than ever – especially during these tumultuous and historic times – to continue my relationship with my first-rate broadcast partners for many years to come. I understand my obligation is to serve the millions of patriotic Americans in the audience. I am blessed to do what I do, and I am committed every day to providing detailed analyses of current events along with historic context, commentary, and my in-depth perspectives to deliver the very best broadcasting I am able to share with our many listeners.”

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place on Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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Salem Radio Networks star Mike Gallagher gives the TALKERS camera a big thumbs up from the halls of Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. In addition to broadcasting his show that day from the state-of-the-art studios of the university’s acclaimed WRHU, Gallagher participated in the TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond “Great Debate” representing the conservative viewpoint in a refreshingly civil exchange with progressive host Thom Hartmann.

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WABC, New York/Red Apple Audio Network star Frank Morano (standing); WDUN, Gainesville, GA midday force Martha Zoller (seated r); and WBT, Charlotte afternoon drive personality Brett Winterble (seated l) are pictured during an informal moment at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.

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Noelle Huizenga, VP public policy/communications, National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) was among the attendees at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.

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Nationally syndicated Talk Media Network (TMN) radio personality Kate Delaney (l) captured a cozy selfie with (l-r) Ryan McCormickMichael Harrison, and Mark Goldman at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond. Goldman and McCormick are the managing partners of Goldman McCormick Public Relations.

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John Sardelis (l) is pictured at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond with Westwood One affiliate sales manager, Laura Martinez.  

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Broadcasters General Store (BGS) marketing executive Buck Waters attended TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond dispensing sage advice about the latest equipment and technology available to conference registrants. Waters, along with BGS tech wizard David Antoine, provided oversight to the process of video recording the sessions at the event which will soon be posted here and on YouTube.

Industry News

WWO Blog: Former P&G Exec on the 5-Question Framework

Former Procter & Gamble executive John Fix writes a guest piece on the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog in which he details the 5-Question Framework that addresses the viability of audioim advertising. The five questions are: 1) Does audio work? 2) Can audio be planned and purchased at scale? 3) Are there creative best practices for getting audio right? 4) Can audio be measured? And 5) Is the brand properly set up for success? Fix says, “These five questions are important to advertisers, providers of audio, and the industry in general. Communication with advertisers is best when it is acknowledged as to the stage of the advertiser and the industry. Failure to identify and address each step in the 5-Question Framework will cause unnecessary delay.” Read the blog post here.

Industry News

CRN Digital Announces Satellite Syndication Expansion

CRN Digital Talk Radio announces a new partnership with Salem Radio Network and Westwood One to expand its satellite radio syndication services and distribution. CRN president and CEO Michael Horn states, “The latest branch in the business will allow CRN to provide satellite time to those independentim shows looking for syndication opportunities. With all the changes in our industry it was the natural progression to provide a full range of services to our clients and work with our partner Salem Radio Network. CRN’s new syndication effort will use the Westwood One Wegener system. CRN says this project came to fruition with the help of radio industry affiliate relations pro Jon Patch, who comments, “I’m proud to be working with Mike and the CRN team to offer the newest technology from Westwood One and Wegener. Most radio stations already have this technology in their racks, which brings the most success to our partners.” CRN currently syndicates “The Michael Medved Show,” “The Ron Cey Show,” “The Fred Dryer Show,” “The Conversation,” “Speaking Out America,” “What’s Cookin’ Today,” “What’s Cookin’ on Wine,” “The Lounge,” and more.

Industry News

Mike Eaby Promoted to VP at Westwood One Sports

Cumulus Media promotes Mike Eaby to vice president/executive producer of Westwood One Sports. In his new role, Eaby will manage and oversee all Westwood One Sports multi-platform content and live event production. He succeeds Howard Deneroff, who departs his position after more than 35 yearsim with Westwood One Sports. Eaby joined Westwood One as an editor after graduating from college in 1997. He has been an on-site producer for the NFL on Westwood One for 25 years, including 16 Super Bowls and 23 AFC/NFC Championship Games. Eaby has also served as an on-site producer for the network’s NCAA March Madness basketball tournament broadcasts for 23 years. WWO president and Cumulus EVP, corporate strategy & development Collin Jones says, “Our listeners, advertisers, and league partners turn to Westwood One Sports because we deliver consistently outstanding audio broadcasts. With Mike’s experience, passion, and vision, I’m confident he is the perfect person to quarterback Westwood One Sports into its next era.”

Industry News

WWO: Marketers Underestimate Sales Effect of Creative

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog post looks at the results of an ongoing study by Advertiser Perceptions that surveys brands and media agencies on the sale contribution of five advertising effectiveness factors: Brand, Creative, Reach, Recency, and Targeting.im Interestingly, marketers and media agencies massively underestimate the immense sales effect power of creative. NCSolutions says that creative drives half of sales, about two-and-a-half times what advertisers perceive. The Advertiser Perceptions February 2024 study reports brands and media agencies say creative only represents 19% of total sales effect. NCSolutions science reveals creative generates an eye-popping 49% of incremental sales. According to System1 chief customer officer Jon Evans, “Creative is the number one factor in explaining the performance of your advertising and yet most marketers still don’t realize it. That means that those who focus on getting the creative right have a huge competitive advantage. Firstly, marketers need to wake up to the importance of creative and secondly realize it isn’t some dark art but something you can measure and improve to give you an advantage over the competition who haven’t realized this yet.” Read the blog post here.

Industry News

Key Networks Names Ron Russo President of Sales

Key Networks names Ron Russo as president of sales. Russo most recently served in the same capacity for Westwood One. Key Networks CEO Rob Koblasz says, “Ron Russo is highly respected inim the radio industry and across the agency community, having run sales for the second largest radio network in the country. This is a significant addition to our executive leadership team and brings deep experience, tenure, and valuable industry and agency relationships to our bench at Key Networks. We thank outgoing president of sales Jason Wilberding for his contributions and wish him well in the real estate endeavors he is leaving to pursue.”

Industry News

WWO: Nielsen Shows AM/FM Radio Improves Ad Campaign Reach

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog looks at a Nielsen analysis of the reach of media plans – specifically those that are rooted heavily in Linear TV with the addition of CTV (connected TV) and digital in the mix. No matter how much CTV and digital spend was added in place of dollars taken from Linear TV, reach did not increase. The blog post says, “Regardless of the size of yourim media budget, adding AM/FM radio to a digital/TV plan sharply builds reach. Via Nielsen Commspoint, the media allocation planning tool, a wide range of monthly digital/TV media plans were examined. Very small, light, medium, and heavy campaigns were examined. The lightest digital/TV campaign reached 10% of the market. The heaviest reached 60%. Then a 20% allocation of AM/FM radio was introduced. The results were stunning. Across the seven monthly campaigns, from the lightest to the heaviest, the addition of AM/FM radio generated significant lifts in reach. Shifting 20% of the lightest TV/digital campaign to AM/FM radio caused reach to double. Introducing the 20% allocation of AM/FM radio to medium-sized campaigns causes reach to soar by 36% to 55%. Even the heaviest TV and digital campaign saw reach grow 20% with the addition of AM/FM radio to the plan.” Read the full blog post here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Chicago Public Media – operator of WBEZ-FM, Chicago – is phasing out its Vocalo radio station and is laying off 14 staffers. Chicago Public Media chief executive Matt Moog says, “These are painful decisions that affect our valued colleagues. Because they did not reach the scale needed to generate revenue to cover expenses, Vocalo and the podcast content development unit will be scaled back and folded into the newsroom.”

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the exclusive national audio broadcast partner of the NCAA, is presenting comprehensive live audio coverage of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four and national championship game live from Phoenix in both English and Spanish. The network will also broadcast the Women’s Final Four and national championship game live from Cleveland.

The Black Effect Podcast Network and comedian Lil Duval announce, “Conversations With Unc,” a limited series podcast that will feature casual and in-depth talks about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness from an Uncle’s perspective. Black Effect Podcast Network president of creative development and production Dollie S. Bishop says, “We all need moments of laughter, but we also crave spaces for growth and reflection. Our new podcast, ‘Conversations with Unc’ will blend humor with wisdom and offer unique stories and advice in ways that resonate beyond the punchline. We’re excited to collaborate with Lil Duval on this new series and even more excited to see how these conversations will uplift and encourage listeners.”

iHeartMedia and the National Basketball Association announce the addition of two shows to its multi-year podcast partnership, including the debut of “NBA DNA with Hannah Storm.” Additionally, Vince Carter brings “The VC Show with Vince Carter” to the NBA Podcast Network for its much-anticipated season two.

SiriusXM, the exclusive audio broadcaster of the Masters Tournament, announces its extensive broadcast plans for Masters week, April 6-14, with live coverage of all four days of tournament play, daily Masters-focused talk programming, specials and more. SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein says, “The Masters is always one of the most anticipated weeks on the sports calendar, and our team at SiriusXM prides themselves on bringing our listeners across the country closer to everything happening that week at Augusta National. We’ll cover the action on the course from the first tee shot on Thursday through the presentation of the Green Jacket on Sunday, and bring you news from Augusta National throughout the week, interviews with competitors and much more.”

Industry News

WWO: Podcast Reach Now Matches That of TV

This week’s blog post from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group analyzes data from Edison Research’s just-released Infinite Dial study. Some of the takeaways from the study that are further explored in the post include: 1) No longer is podcasting a niche platform lacking scale:im Podcasting deserves a larger role in media plans as opposed to “test and learn” experimental buys. 135 million Americans, 47% of persons 12+, are reached monthly. Among demographics such as persons 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54, monthly reach is in the low 60% range; 2) It is feasible to consider shifting TV budgets to podcasting given that podcast 18-34 reach performance is as big as TV; 3) The ratio of monthly audiences who also listen weekly is an excellent measure of podcast habituation. At present, 71% of the monthly female podcast audience also listen weekly. This is the strongest female podcast habituation in the last decade; and 4) Currently, podcasts only represent 1% of total national ad spend, per Guideline’s Standard Media Index reporting. At the dawn of cable TV, legendary BBDO media chief Arnie Semsky created the “5% solution,” which stipulated that brands devote 5% of media budgets to cable. 5% is enough of allocation to generate meaningful impact. Semsky was prescient. His brands hugely benefited from taking an early, bold, and strong position in a growing new medium, a lesson for the marketers of today when it comes to podcasts. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartMedia Washington, DC announces an extension to their partnership agreement with D.C. United to produce radio broadcasts for all of the club’s 2024 Major League Soccer regular season matches, effective through the end of the 2024 season. All of D.C. United’s 2024 Major League Soccer regular season matches will be available live on WTSD-AM “1190 iHeart Sports DC,” 101.1 HD2, and the iHeartRadio App.

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One will broadcast live coverage of the NCAA Men’s Sweet Sixteen and the Men’s Elite Eight on Saturday, March 30 beginning at 5:00 pm ET with the pregame show and on Sunday, March 31 with the pregame show at 1:00 pm ET.  Westwood One’s coverage of the NCAA Men’s Final Four will begin on Saturday, April 6 with “The Final Four Show” at 3:00 pm ET and at 6:30 pm ET with the “Championship Monday” show prior to the National Championship Game on Monday, April 8. Westwood One is also broadcasting all of the games of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.

Industry News

WWO: Study Shows Radio Ads More Engaging Than TV Ads

This week’s blog from Cumulus Media | Westwood One’s Audio Active Group looks at data from a Mediaprobe study using electrodermal activity (via a special monitor attached to the respondent’s hand) to determine their reactions to ads in actual AM/FM radio segments. Mediaprobe says the electrodermal sensor “allows out-of-lab and real-time measurement of unconscious reactions to ads and mediaim content, providing an accurate assessment of the audience’s attentiveness and engagement.” Some of the key findings include: 1) Despite lacking “sight, sound, and motion,” AM/FM radio programming was +13% more engaging than Mediaprobe’s norm for television in the U.S. For advertisers, this means the AM/FM radio context for their ads has greater engagement than the TV context; 2) Overall, AM/FM radio advertising’s Emotional Impact Score (EIS) outperformed TV advertising by +12%. These new findings validate the recently released Dentsu/Lumen study, which revealed audio ads outperform video for attention and brand recall; 3) AM/FM radio news was the most impactful genre, consistently measuring as a high-quality contextual environment for advertising (+14% greater than Mediaprobe TV News norms and +8% than total AM/FM radio); 4) Mediaprobe audio benchmarks reveal the sound contrast between AM/FM radio programming and the ads drives higher attention and brand recall. For example, ads with music and jingles perform very well in spoken word programming due to the contrast; and 5) Creative best practices: Use female voiceovers, jingles, and include five brand mentions. See the blog post here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The NAB launches the 2024 Election Toolkit – an online resource that provides local television and radio broadcasters with tips and resources to combat misinformation, drive get-out-the-vote efforts and cover local, state and federal elections. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt states, “Research suggests only about a third of Americans believe the upcoming 2024 election will be both honest and open, and nearly two-thirds believe that disinformation will influence the outcome. Broadcasters’ trusted local journalism combats the overwhelming tide of misinformation and disinformation online, making our role in providing accurate information this election season more important than ever.” Check it out here.

Former President Donald Trump sat down for a wide-ranging interview with WABC, New York’s Sid Rosenberg, on the “Sid and Friends in the Morning” program. Trump talked about his stance on abortion, the war in Gaza and his bid to win the White House this November.

Cumulus Media and MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers agree to renew their partnership to air Dodgers games on KYVB, Oxnard-Ventura.

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is the official network audio broadcast partner of the NCAA, and will once again be home to every game in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Westwood One will present each game through the National Championship on April 8.