Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Will Art Bell’s Suit Against Michael Savage Be Successful? On Friday (12/2), TALKERS magazine reported that talk show host Art Bell and his wife are suing fellow talker Michael Savage in U.S. District Court in Northern California for defamation after Savage said the following on his Westwood One nationally syndicated program: “I generally avoid gun questions. I know this from the first day in radio. I learned you never do certain topics where you can destroy your show. Third rail… You say UFOs, you wind up in the Philippines with a 10-year-old hooker and you are off the radio after a number of years. You can’t do UFOs. That’s an in joke, by the way, for people who
understand the business. There are other topics you can’t do…” For his take on Bell’s chance of success, we turned to TALKERS legal editor Steven J.J. Weisman. He says, “It is hard for public figures to win defamation lawsuits because they have to prove actual malice or a reckless disregard for the truth. More telling in this case, however, may be for Bell to prove that he was harmed. Rodney Dangerfield once won a defamation case against a tabloid that said he snorted cocaine with hookers in a hot tub. He won the case, but only was awarded a dollar because the judge said his reputation wasn’t harmed.”
Former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver Joins WGAC Talk Host Lineup. Nine-year Augusta, Georgia Mayor Deke Copenhaver exited the mayor’s office in 2014. Now, he’ll join the on-air staff at Beasley Media Group’s news/talk WGAC, Augusta to host “There It Is” from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon daily. The station says that
Copenhaver “will bring an exciting brand of talk radio through his relationships with local, regional and national government officials, as well as high-level executive decision makers throughout the Southeast and beyond. Beasley Augusta VP/market manager Mark Haddon comments, “We are delighted to have Deke join us on the air at WGAC. He brings a fresh approach to the current issues of the day that are important to our local community. We think Deke will have a little something for everyone, so it should be enlightening and entertaining…a great way to keep up with what’s going on in the Central Savannah River Area.”
Trans-Atlantic Conversation on the American Election and Brexit. TALKERS magazine publisher Michael Harrison engages in an in-depth discussion about the election of Donald Trump and the UK’s recent public vote approving Brexit with award-winning British talk show host Graham Mack. The two compare notes on both the American and English points-of-view regarding the surprising state of world affairs as we wrap up the politically and culturally mind-bending year of 2016 on both sides of the Atlantic. It takes place on the latest
installment of the hit PodcastOne series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.” Harrison states, “My dear friend Graham Mack really has his finger on the pulse of British public opinion and brings a refreshing objectivity and honesty to the discussion about the complex events taking place there following the Brexit referendum. He also offers a fascinating look at the election of Donald Trump from the English perspective.” Harrison adds, “This installment of the podcast also gives me the opportunity to express my own personal assessment of this past election and the impact it is having upon politics, journalism and the media in the US.” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
Chiasson to Lead Cumulus Lafayette. At the Lafayette, Louisiana cluster of Cumulus Media, Scott
Chiasson is named vice president/market manager. The company says Chiasson is a Lafayette native with 18 years’ experience in broadcast sales and operations management. He’s previously served with E.W. Scripps in Wichita, iHeartMedia in Colorado and Florida, Metro Networks in Orlando, Cox Media in Lafayette, and CBS RARIO in Tampa/St. Pete. Cumulus Media SVP Jeff Brown states, “Scott is a great radio guy and a Lafayette native. That combination is a terrific match for our powerful brands and our talented team.”
Beasley Media Group Names Jami Beasley Associate General Counsel. Attorney Jami Beasley joins the family business as associate general counsel for Beasley Media Group. Beasley has most recently been serving as 
partner in Kopelowitz Ostrow P.A.’s Ft. Lauderdale office, where she focused on commercial and complex litigation, as well as her previous experience in real estate litigation. She comments, “It’s an honor to serve Beasley Media Group as associate general counsel. This is an exceptional opportunity and I am eager to contribute to the corporate team.” General counsel Joyce Fitch adds, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jami to Beasley’s corporate headquarters. Jami’s experience will greatly enhance the legal department and I will rely on her talent and skills as we move forward in our dynamic, growing company.”
WMAL, Washington Raises $491,000 for Fisher House. The 13th Annual WMAL Fisher House Radiothon, benefiting Fisher House Foundation, raised a record-setting $491,064 from the station’s generous listeners in the Washington, DC area over the past weekend. The two-day event concluded with a live broadcast from The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. WMAL program director and Cumulus VP of news/talk Bill Hess states, “I remain in awe of WMAL listeners. They have generously donated some $5.4 million over the last 13 years in support of this wonderful organization and its mission.” Fisher House Foundation provides homes away from home for the families of injured servicemen and women while their partners are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. Pictured above are (from l-r): WMAL morning co-host Larry O’Connor, mid-morning personality Chris Plante, and morning co-host Brian Wilson.
Steve Deace Book Gets Movie Deal. Talk show host and conservative media figure Steve Deace is getting a movie deal for his novel, A Nefarious Plot (2016 Post Hill Press). Believe Entertainment principals Cary
Solomon and Chuck Konzelman – producers of the film “God’s Not Dead” – have purchased the film rights to Deace’s book and will begin developing the story for a film to be released in 2018. Konzelman states, “We’ve been looking for the right story to expand into the imaginative and compelling horror-thriller genre and we knew it was Deace’s book as soon as we read it. We’re into developing movies with spiritual themes, and A Nefarious Plot represents a way to explore those themes in a whole new way for the faith-and-values audience.” Deace, who writes about issues exclusively for Conservative Review, says of this project, “My goal with A Nefarious Plot was to literally scare the hell out of people. I’m very excited to see how Believe Entertainment will do exactly that.” A Nefarious Plot centers around a demonic force which has long sought to manipulate American history to the ruination of the world’s lone superpower.
Trump Names Carson HUD Secretary, Al Gore Visits Trump Tower, Trump Calls Taiwan President, Fake News/DC Pizzeria Incident, Iran Nuke Deal Status, Mistrial in Cop Shooting Death of SC Man, Deadly Oakland Warehouse Fire, Dakota Access Pipeline Case, College Football Playoffs, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/5). The Trump Administration transition and the naming of Ben Carson as nominee for HUD Secretary; Vice President Al Gore’s controversial visit to Trump Tower in New York; President-Elect Donald Trump breaks protocol and speaks with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen; the ongoing controversy over “fake news” and the incident in which a North Carolina man fired a gun in a DC restaurant that he believed may have been operating a child sex ring run by Hillary Clinton; Iran’s concern over the status of its nuclear deal with Trump soon to be president; a mistrial is declared in the case against former officer Michael Slager, who shot unarmed black motorist Walter Scott to death in South Carolina; the aftermath of the deadly warehouse fire that took the lives of 36 people; the Dakota Access pipeline controversy and the recent Army Corps of Engineers’ ruling requiring the pipeline be re-routed; the four-team college playoffs tournament; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Northwest Missouri State to Host Radio Talent Institute. The Missouri Broadcasters Association is working with six radio companies to bring the Radio Talent Institute to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville July 31 through August 9, 2017. The Institute is a 10-day radio immersion program bringing broadcasting 
students together with more than 30 broadcast professionals for on-air training in music radio, news and sports, as well as digital/social media, production, promotion, sales and more. Students will also become certified Radio Marketing Professionals by the Radio Advertising Bureau. Missouri will be one of six states in the country hosting an institute with the National Radio Talent System. Other locations are the Kellar Radio Talent Institute Appalachian State University in North Carolina, Confer Radio Talent Institute Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, KBA WKU Radio Talent Institute Western Kentucky University, GAB Radio Talent Institute University of Georgia, and Hubbard Radio Talent Institute Central Washington University. Missouri Broadcasters Association president Mark Gordon states, “We are pleased to bring in a program taught by industry professionals that will help fill job openings at broadcast stations with quality employees who have a true understanding of how fun and rewarding a career in our industry can be.” Broadcasting companies taking part include: Hubbard Radio, Eagle Communications, Emmis Communications, Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group, iHeartRadio, and Mid-West Family Broadcasting.”
Sunday Night at CBS RADIO Philadelphia. On Sunday evening, WPHT, Philadelphia talk host Walter Sterling spoke with guests about Satan and the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Pictured here are (from l-r): Sterling, former WYSP program director Tim Sabean, classic hits WOGL program director Anne Gress, and Get the Led Out author Denny Somach.
Monday, December 5, 2016
WISN, Milwaukee to Re-Align Programming in New Year; Dan O’Donnell Adds Daily Show. Milwaukee news/talker WISN is adding a new local, daily talk show featuring current news anchor, reporter and fill-in host Dan O’Donnell. The iHeartMedia station is also shuffling the lineup around a bit, effective January 3. In
January, morning host Jay Weber’s show will be trimmed to 6:00 am to 9:00 am, O’Donnell’s show will air from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and Premiere’s Rush Limbaugh will air live from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Vicki McKenna, currently heard from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, will be heard from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by 
longtime afternoon drive personality Mark Belling from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Evenings will still feature Premiere’s Sean Hannity followed by Westwood One’s Mark Levin. WISN program director Jerry Bott comments, “WISN is blessed with a lineup of extremely strong, popular local talk show hosts. Adding someone with Dan’s level of talent is an excellent opportunity to make that lineup even better.” O’Donnell joined WISN in 2013 and is currently a drive-time news anchor, reporter, and a substitute host for all of WISN’s local talk shows. Dan also serves as a Wisconsin correspondent for FOX News Radio, HLN’s “The Nancy Grace Show,” ABC News Radio, Wall Street Journal Radio Network and CBS Radio News. In addition, O’Donnell is known for his extensive coverage of the 2007 Steven Avery murder trial in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and subsequent “Rebutting A Murderer” podcast following the 2015 Netflix special “Making a Murderer.” Previously O’Donnell served as a news anchor for Journal Broadcasting for almost 12 years.
WEEI, Boston Fills Roles with Rich Keefe. Boston writer and personality Jerry Thornton left Entercom’s WEEI, Boston and WEEI.com to return to Barstool Sports as a senior columnist. Now, Entercom announces that Rich Keefe is joining the company effective Tuesday (12/6) to serve as the third voice on the afternoon drive “Dale
& Holley” show with Dale Arnold and Michael Holley and as a columnist for WEEI.com, penning his 
popular “Keefer Madness” blog. WEEI notes that Keefe is “a nine-year sports radio veteran in Boston and has worked in an array of capacities for CBS RADIO’s WBZ-FM, ‘The Sports Hub.’ He also hosts the pre- and post-game shows on Patriots.com and has substituted on play-by-play broadcasts for the Boston Celtics Radio Network.” In addition to his new role on the “Dale & Holley” program, Keefe will co-host with Mike Mutnansky, weekdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. WEEI program director Joe Zarbano says, “We are proud to add a rising talent like Rich Keefe to our team. Rich brings an entertaining, opinionated and fresh outlook on the Boston sports landscape, and I have no doubt he will be a great addition to the ‘Dale & Holley’ show.”
CBS Radio News Pros Take Buyouts and Exit. According to a story in the New York Post, a number of longtime CBS Radio News staffers are agreeing to take buyouts and exit the news organization as it trims its 
payroll. Last month, CBS Radio News vice president Harvey Nagler announced he would be retiring from the company in early January after a 50-year career in the business and the last 18 years spent with CBS. Nagler’s retirement appears to be just that, but the Post is reporting that among those who took the early buyout are: executive producer Charlie Kaye; Washington correspondent Barry Bagnato; afternoon anchor Harley Carnes; and “CBS World News” anchor Bill Whitney. A source tells the Post that the new deal with Westwood One (for ad sales and affiliate sales) requires some cost-cutting on CBS Radio News’ part.
Trump Transition/Cabinet Nominations, Election Recount Effort, ‘SNL’ Trump Skits, Dakota Pipeline Project, Italian Referendum/Renzi Quits, College Football Playoffs, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The activities of the Trump Administration during the transition period and President-Elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations; the election recounts taking place in several states; Saturday Night Live’s skits poking fun at Donald Trump’s Twitter habit; the protests against the Dakota Access pipeline and the Army Corps of Engineers’ denial of the permit for its current planned route; Italy votes “no” on a referendum to shrink its legislature and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s promise to resign; the college football weekend games and the subsequent playoff seeding; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Odds & Sods. It’s a name change for Radiate Media as the deal to be acquired by Global Traffic Network closes. Global’s American operation is now United States Traffic Network. In addition to the American business, Global also serves clients in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Brazil. United States Traffic Network begins providing traffic services for CBS RADIO beginning in April…..In the case of Nielsen Audio vs. Bubba the Love Sponge, the two sides have done an about-face and are telling the court that they believe – after new evidence from the discovery phase – a settlement can now be reached. The sides are asking for a U.S. Magistrate Judge to preside over a settlement hearing. Nielsen is suing Bubba for damages it claims to have suffered as the result of Bubba’s PPM ratings tampering.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Art Bell and Wife Suing Michael Savage and WW1 for Defamation. In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, radio talk host Art Bell and his wife Airyn Ruiz Bell are suing
Michael Savage, Westwood One and parent company Cumulus Media for defamation, defamation per se, false light invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The Bells are seeking damages “in the amount to be proven at trial.” The 
complaint stems from a September “Savage Nation” broadcast in which Savage said, “I generally avoid gun questions. I know this from the first day in radio. I learned you never do certain topics where you can destroy your show. Third rail… You say UFOs, you wind up in the Philippines with a 10-year-old hooker and you are off the radio after a number of years. You can’t do UFOs. That’s an in joke, by the way, for people who understand the business. There are other topics you can’t do…” The Bells argue that to anyone who knows the business, it was obvious Savage was referring to Art Bell and further, that the “10-year-old hooker” remark refers to his wife, Philippines national Airyn Ruiz Bell. The Bells say they petitioned Westwood One for a retraction but their request was not honored.
WEEI, Boston Names New Leadership Team. The Entercom sports talker announces its new programming
management team. It is promoting assistant program director Joe Zarbano to PD, taking over for Kevin Graham, who announced his exit from the station back in June. This comes after a six-month search that resulted in the station promoting from its “in-house talent bench.” In addition to Zarbano’s 
promotion, senior producer Ben Kichen rises to executive producer. He’s been lead producer for both the Glenn Ordway and “Dale & Holley” programs. He also produces Kirk Minihane’s “Enough About Me” podcast and hosts “Soccercast” for WEEI.com. Carlson Mozdiez, currently director of integrated marketing strategies for Entercom Boston, assumes the director of operations role for the cluster with special emphasis on the company’s WEEI.com digital platform. Entercom New England VP/market
manager Phil Zachary says the search was necessarily long and intensive. “With its massive broadcast reach and associated digital assets, the WEEI brand is arguably among the most influential and complex in all of broadcasting. Many of our outside candidates simply couldn’t get their arms around all of it. As each month passed, it became clear to me that we had the talent right here in Ben, Carlson and Joe. Plus they each have that inimitable DNA of the true Boston sports fan.”
Brandys Promoted to Baltimore SVP/Market Manager for CBS RADIO. From her most recent position as VP, director of sales, Tracy Brandys is elevated to senior vice president, market manager and director of sales for CBS RADIO’s Baltimore stations, including sports talk duo WJZ-FM “105.7 The Fan,” WJZ-AM “CBS Sports
Radio 1300,” adult contemporary WLIF “Today’s 101.9,” CHR WWMX “Mix 106.5,” as well as the CBS RADIO Up Close Performance Studio that hosts local and national sports figures and musicians. She replaces former Baltimore market manager Bob Philips who was recently named chief revenue officer for CBS RADIO. Company COO Scott Herman says, “Tracy’s years of sales and management experience, coupled with her intimate knowledge of our Baltimore stations and the overall market, made her the natural choice to take on this important role. Throughout her tenure with CBS RADIO Tracy has proven to be a powerhouse salesperson who has led and grown our revenue and market share in Baltimore and has been a trusted leader to our valued employees. We are delighted to reward her accomplishments with this well-deserved promotion.”
The News Media Alliance and National Association of Broadcasters Seeking Review of FCC’s Cross Ownership Rules. The News Media Alliance is going straight to President-Elect Donald Trump with a white paper that lays out its case for abandoning the 1975 rule that makes cross-ownership of electronic and print media
illegal and the National Association of Broadcasters is petitioning the FCC for 
reconsideration of the 2014 Quadrennial Regulatory Review’s conclusion to maintain the ban (as well as other policies). Regular TALKERS readers are aware of the argument that the current state of media looks nothing like it did in 1975 and current regulations should reflect the current business conditions. News Media Alliance president and CEO David Chavern states, “While news organizations are innovating and adapting to a vastly different media landscape, antiquated government regulations and imbalanced policies are unnecessarily hindering investment and growth at news media companies. We encourage the new administration to revisit these regulations and policies as it charts a new course for our nation’s economic growth.”
Al Peterson to Cease Publication of NTS MediaOnline in New Year. After 10 years serving the spoken-word radio business, radio pro Al Peterson is announcing he’ll stop publishing his NTS MediaOnline Today and
NTS MediaOnline Monthly come January. In a press release, Peterson says, “After serving as the News/Talk/Sports editor for 10 years at the top industry newspaper Radio & Records, to then creating NTS MediaOnline and building it into a reliable hub for news, information and conversation about talk radio for the last decade, it just feels right to start a new chapter in my life – one where I’m not waking before sunrise to a blank page and a daily deadline.” Working with Peterson during the last 10 years (and before that with R&R) has been his sales and marketing partner Brooke Williams. The statement says Peterson plans to enjoy more time with his family and pursue other interests outside the industry.
Report: Pandora and SiriusXM Talking Acquisition. According to CNBC, digital music pure play Pandora is talking with SiriusXM about being acquired by the satellite radio company. The report indicates that the talks are
very preliminary but that this shows a change of heart after Pandora dismissed an informal offer of $15 per share from SiriusXM parent Liberty Media back in July. Liberty CEO Greg Maffei is quoted saying, “We think that the free space, whether it be commercial, terrestrial radio or Pandora, is still a very attractive space. And we talked about how we’d like to find a way to participate. I think the streaming business, which Pandora seems to have doubled down on, is a very unattractive business. So there are parts of Pandora that could be attractive. And there’s parts that we’d have questions about.” Read the CNBC piece here.
Trump Cabinet Nominees Top News/Talk Story for Week of November 28 – December 2. The growing list of cabinet nominees for the Trump Administration was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the election recount tied with Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud. Coming in at #3 was the Trump-Carrier deal, followed by Trump’s flag burning comments at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.
Odds & Sods. News/talk WHBY, Appleton, Wisconsin is broadcasting in FM as well now with the addition of translator W287AU at 103.5. Woodward Radio Group brand manager Justin Hull states, “We are thrilled to be taking WHBY to the FM side of the dial. The new frequency, along with our revamped website and app, gives listeners another way to experience WHBY in all aspects.”…..Midway Broadcasting Corporation, the parent company of WVON, Chicago is hosting its 26th Annual Seniors Breakfast tomorrow (12/3) at the House of Hope. Seniors will enjoy a hot breakfast and live entertainment from three-time Grammy nominee Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues and Christmas carols from musical artist Uneqka…..Both satellite radio broadcaster SiriusXM and digital platform TuneIn will be broadcasting live from the Baseball Winter Meetings starting this Sunday, December 4, through Thursday, December 8.
Six Days Left for Gracies Early Bird Deadline. The deadline for early bird entries for the 2017 Gracie Awards is Thursday, December 8. The annual awards, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, recognize “exemplary programming created by, for and about women in all facets of media and entertainment, as well as individual achievement.” All submissions must have been released, posted or aired between December 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016. Please note, this is a change from previous years’ timeline for eligibility. The final deadline for submissions is January 12, 2017 at 11:59 pm ET. See how to register submissions here.
The Yappy Tour Rolls Through WABC, New York. The recently published book, Yappy Days: Behind the Scenes with Newsers, Schmoozers, Boozers and Losers (AuthorHouse/Talkers Books), by veteran talk radio producer Bernadette
Duncan (left), continues to burn up the airwaves. The coast-to-coast book tour rolled through New York City yesterday (12/1) as the author was interviewed by the legendary talk radio grand dame Joan Hamburg for her Saturday show (12/3) on the legendary WABC. Duncan tells TALKERS, “It was one of the highlights of my career being interviewed by the great Joan Hamburg. Not only is she one of my personal idols, but I can safely describe her as one of the best radio talkers of any era and a national treasure. Being on her show and the airwaves of WABC is deeply gratifying to me and hopefully to the thousands of radio enthusiasts who have been giving this book such wonderful
support.” Yappy Days recounts Duncan’s 26-year career as a producer of radio talk shows working with such big-name talents as Larry King, Sally Jessy Raphael, Lou Dobbs, Tom Snyder, Gil Gross, Charles Osgood and many more during modern talk radio’s pre- and post-9/11 “golden era.” Plus, she tells stories about behind-the-scenes encounters with hundreds of guests from the worlds of show business, politics, media, business and literature. The interview is already posted as a podcast on the WABC website and can be heard by clicking here. Due to the strong response by hosts across the nation to the subject and Duncan’s lively air presence, the national “Yappy Tour” will continue to roll on through the first quarter of 2017. Duncan has already appeared on more than 40 local and syndicated programs. Hosts and shows interested in booking Bernadette Duncan can do so by calling Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Cumulus Promotes Tacinelli at New York Cluster. Promoted from general sales manager of Cumulus Media’s news/talk WABC, New York to vice president of sales for the entire New York cluster is Glen Tacinelli. He’d been in the WABC post since July of 2015. He’s now responsible for sales at hot AC WPLJ, country WNSH
“NASH FM 94.7” and urban contemporary WNBM “Radio 103.9,” plus the cluster’s digital assets. Prior to joining Cumulus, Tacinelli served as director of sales for Katz Radio for more than seven years. Cumulus New York VP/market manager Chad Lopez states, “Glen’s significant experience in the New York market will be an important asset to the entire Cumulus New York cluster. In this ever-changing and evolving industry, we are very excited to implement this integral role and have Glen lead all sales efforts in the top market in the country.”
Cavender to Retire as RTDNA/F Executive Director. After a six-year stint at executive director of the Radio Television Digital News Association and Foundation, Mike Cavender will retire from the position at the end of 2017. Cavender has served with the organization in numerous capacities over the past 20 years. The
RTDNA/F says that “under Cavender’s leadership, RTDNA/F has served as a voice for journalism on such major legislative and regulatory issues as the use of drones for news gathering, the availability to the public of police body cam footage, transparency in government, improvements in the Federal Freedom of Information Act and FCC regulatory issues impacting broadcast news coverage.” The organization also says that under Cavender’s tenure, RTDNA membership not only grew by 52%, but it regained its financial stability. Cavender says, “Our work in Washington and around the country plays a significant role in bringing clarity and progress to the major issues facing our industry. For 70 years, RTDNA has been an unwavering advocate for our industry and I look forward to continuing to be part of those important efforts, especially with the advent of a new political administration.” The RTDNA/F board of directors has appointed a search committee to locate a successor to Cavender.
Voices Radio Will Miss in the New Year. Some sang; others reported the news, often heartbreaking. Some called play-by-play; others called it quits and hung-up the headphones. Some mentored budding broadcasters; and too many fell silent too young. Again this year, consultant and TALKERS contributor Holland Cooke salutes “Voices Radio Will Miss in the New Year.” Check it out here.
Trump Transition, Trump’s Carrier Deal, the ‘Fake News’ Phenomenon, Election Recount, the Status of ObamaCare, Syrian Civil War, U.S.-Russia Relations, Gatlinburg Wildfires, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/30). The ongoing activities of the Trump transition team and Donald Trump’s nominees for cabinet positions; Trump’s deal with Carrier to keep some jobs in Indiana; controversy over the proliferation of “fake news” and its influence on the recent election; Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein’s move to force election recounts; speculation over the future of the Affordable Care Act; the desperation of civilians in Aleppo as the Syrian civil war pounds the city; the tenuous relations between the U.S. and Russia; the destruction caused by the Gatlinburg wildfires; and NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Odds & Sods. The nationally syndicated overnight program “Overnight America with Jon Grayson” may continue in national syndication but it won’t be with Westwood One. The Cumulus Media-owned program syndicator will discontinue its four-year relationship with the KMOX, St. Louis-based show after December 31…..Genesis Communications announces it will bring New York Yankees play-by-play coverage to the Tampa market via sports talk outlet WHBO “Sports Talk 1040 AM The Team.” The station has been airing Yankees games since 2009.
Station Owner Raises Money for Local Humane Society. WCRS, Greenwood, South Carolina co-owner/talk show host Anne Eller has gotten into the holiday spirit with her dog and station mascot Gracie to raise money for the local Humane Society. Anne and Gracie, pictured wearing matching outfits above, ran a silent auction on the station’s Facebook page video component in conjunction with Eller’s local jewelry, art and collectibles store, Sharp Facets Gallery. Gracie, one of the most popular dogs in the Carolinas, was also celebrating a birthday – a major annual event on WCRS.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Nielsen: November PPMs Show Strong Listenership for News/Talk and Sports Talk Radio. Although, compared to the PPM survey period in 2012 (the last presidential election), the numbers were not quite as high for the news/talk format. Nielsen Audio reports that its aggregate share for news/talk stations in the PPM markets in the 2016 November survey was 10.2% (6+), 4.5% (18-34), and 7.6% (25-54). These numbers compare with the November 2012 survey accordingly: 11.1% (6+), 4.6% (18-34), and 8.4% (25-54). Still, the November 2016 numbers represent an increase over last month’s (October 2016) shares in all three demos: 9.9% (6+), 4.3% (18-34), and 7.3% (25-54). For sports talk radio, the November PPM survey falls in the middle of the NFL season and during the MLB playoffs and World Series. As a format, sports talk has performed steadily over the past three years during the November survey. Persons 6+ garnered a 5.4 share in 2014, 2015, and 2016. In the 18-34 demo, the shares were 4.1%, 4.0%, and 4.2%, respectively. And in the 25-54 demographic, the format’s share was 6.0%, 6.1%, and 6.1%, respectively. See the whole report from Nielsen here.
WSCR, Chicago’s Terry Boers to Retire in January. In a lengthy post on WSCR, Chicago’s website, sports
talk personality Terry Boers announces he’s retiring from “one of the greatest jobs you can have,” effective after his and partner Dan Bernstein’s last show together on January 5. The 66-year-old Boers has missed a lot time on the air this year dealing with health issues that have resulted in two surgeries. Nowhere in his message does he directly relate his decision to retire from “The Score” to his health, but it appears to have some bearing on the decision. WSCR has not announced its plans for the afternoon drive shift just yet, but it’s likely a new partner for Dan Bernstein will be found. Read Boers’ letter to listeners here.
Cumulus’ WNMQ-FM, Columbus, Mississippi Adds Local PM Drive Show. At Cumulus Media’s Columbus, Mississippi, sports talker WNMQ “103.1 The Team,” a new afternoon show has launched titled, “The Drive w/ Steve & The Professor,” featuring Steve Rogers (right) and Glenn “The Professor” Lautzenhiser (left). The station states that the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm show covers “all things related to local SEC teams – Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Ole Miss Rebels and the Alabama Crimson Tide – along with local high school athletics from the Columbus High Falcons to the West Point Green Wave and the Starkville Yellow Jackets. The show will feature news and opinions from Lautzenhiser and Rogers, as well as sports history and trivia, local guests, and listener call-ins.” Rogers was previously a city editor for the Commercial Dispatch in Columbus before becoming assignment editor and assistant news director at WCBI-TV and later news director at WTVA-TV. Lautzenhiser is deeply involved in local community service work and has served for many years as a member of the Society for American Baseball Research.
Trump Transition Process, Trump Flag Burning Flap, Carrier Jobs Deal, Election Recount, Syria Civil War, Gatlinburg Wildfires, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/29). The Trump Administration’s transition and the ongoing selection of cabinet members; President-Elect Donald Trump’s statement about jail time or loss of citizenship for flag burners; the announcement that Trump and Indiana-based Carrier have struck a deal to keep 1,000 jobs headed for Mexico in Indiana; the controversy over the election recount started by Green Party candidate Jill Stein; the deteriorating conditions in Aleppo, Syria, the ongoing civil war, and Russia’s military involvement; the wildfires that are causing destruction in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
PodcastOne Launches Sports Show with Chris Webber. The name of the new podcast hosted by five-time NBA All-Star and current TNT basketball analyst Chris Webber is “Fearless or Insane.” PodcastOne calls it a “weekly discussion of sports and athletes and their impact on culture, politics, society, and the life issues that affect everyone.” Webber says, “I am excited about my new podcast ‘Fearless or Insane,’ where we will discuss sports, athletes and their impact on society. It is my hope that this show will both inform and inspire by going beyond the court and the field, and tapping into real life where humanity thrives. I’d also like to thank Norm Pattiz and PodcastOne for the opportunity to bring important dialogue to such a great platform.”
Odds & Sods. Boston news pro Diane Stern is retiring from CBS RADIO’s all-news WBZ-AM after a 33-year
career with the station. The award-winning anchor joined WBZ in 1983. She’d previously served with WEEI and WITS/WMEX in the market…..iHeartRadio and Arianna Huffington’s new venture Thrive Global are partnering for a new, bi-weekly podcast to be available on iHeartRadio. The companies say that The Thrive Global Podcast will “explore ways to enhance the lives of listeners nationwide.” It’ll be hosted by Arianna Huffington and will feature interviews with notable leaders, celebrities, athletes and influencers who will discuss how they thrive by prioritizing their well-being….. Programmer Bob Neumann is taking on the SVP of programming role at iHeartMedia’s six-station Savannah/Hilton Head cluster that includes news/talk WTKS-AM.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Multi-Media Communications Artist Jay Mohr Guests This Week on Harrison Podcast. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison describes nationally-syndicated Fox Sports Radio host Jay Mohr as a “remarkably diverse and original multi-media communications artist” and welcomes him as his guest this week on the award-winning PodcastOne series “Up Close and Far Out.” In addition to being heard daily as a sports talker on more than 160 stations, Mohr is an acclaimed stand-up comic (one of the “100 Greatest of All Time” according to Comedy Central) and an accomplished actor who has starred or appeared in more than 25 movies (including “Jerry McGuire” and “Picture Perfect”) and 50 television shows (including “Gary Unmarried” and “Ghost Whisperer”). Between 1993 and 1995, he served as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” He’s been
nominated for an Emmy and a Grammy. He is the author of two best-sellers, Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live (Hachett, 2004) and No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales from a Stand-Up Dad (Simon & Schuster, 2010). He also hosts a weekly PodcastOne series, “Mohr Stories.” Harrison and Mohr talk about comedy, radio (and really rip apart the PPM), and sports as well as philosophy, space and time. Harrison says, “Mohr is startlingly candid and thoughtfully provocative. Our audience of ‘media freaks’ around the world will love this one.” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
Nielsen Audio Releases Round Four of November 2016 PPM Data. The fourth and final round of November 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Providence, Raleigh, Norfolk, Nashville, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. The November 2016 survey period covered October 6 to November 2. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
Report: Conservative Media Personality Monica Crowley Possibly Up for Trump Administration
Post. Current Fox News Channel analyst and Washington Times columnist (and former, longtime radio talk show host) Monica Crowley is reportedly being considered for a position on the Trump Administration’s communications team. The New York Post reports that it’s unclear if Crowley is being considered for Press Secretary or another position in the West Wing.
NBA Great Elvin Hayes to Host Weekly Show on SB Nation Radio. Basketball legend – and NBA Hall-of-Famer Elvin Hayes is debuting a new, weekly radio show on SB Nation Radio, starting this 
Saturday (12/3) at 12:00 midnight ET. The show, “In the Post,” will include co-host Joe George and will “provide interviews and analysis from all the biggest newsmakers in college and pro basketball.” SB Nation PD/COO Craig Larson states, “I’m absolutely thrilled to have Elvin Hayes on the network. There are very few athletes who have made an impact on a particular city more than Elvin has for Houston. His combination of grace and charm are as present on radio as they have always been on the hardwood.”
Odds & Sods. Effective in the New Year, Westwood One will no longer be offering the weekend “Best of John Batchelor” program. His nightly program on the network continues to air…..In Pittsburgh, Shelley Duffy has exited CBS RADIO’s news/talk KDKA, Pittsburgh where she was a personality on the afternoon drive “KDKA Afternoon News” with Robert Mangino.
Jill Stein Recount Effort/Trump ‘Voter Fraud’ Charge, Trump Transition, ‘Fake News’ Phenomenon, Ohio State Knife Attacker, Castro Death Aftermath, Holocaust Ice Dance Controversy, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/28). The controversy over Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s efforts to force recounts in hope that Hillary Clinton will be declared winner of the presidential race, tied with Donald Trump’s claims that millions voted fraudulently; the Trump transition and the ongoing filling of cabinet positions; talk about “fake news” and the role it played in the election; the attacks on students at Ohio State by a knife-wielding student; the death of Fidel Castro and criticism of various heads of state for praising the Cuban dictator; the bizarre holocaust-themed ice dance performed by the wife of a high-level aid to Vladimir Putin; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Graham Mack Interviews All-Girl Band Pioneer Suzi Quatro on TalkersRadio’s ‘London Calling.’ In one of the latest episodes of “London Calling,” host Graham Mack talks to Suzi Quatro in the kitchen of her Elizabethan mansion in Essex. Suzi shares stories about life on the road in an all-girl band touring the USA before she moved to Britain, how her life changed when she met British record producer Mickie Most, and how at the age of 18 and pregnant by a married man she made the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy. She tells Mack, “I carry the stigma of that forever.” “London Calling with Graham Mack” is a weekly show produced in the UK specifically for TalkersRadio, TALKERS magazine’s special online radio experimental workshop and program showcase. Suzi Quatro (r) is pictured with Graham Mack (l). To listen to the entire episode of “London Calling” please click here.
CMG’s Bill Hoffman to Receive BFoA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The third Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by the Broadcasters Foundation of America will go to Cox Media Group president Bill Hoffman. He will be honored during the Golden Mike Award dinner on Monday, February 27, 2017, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The gala is a major fundraiser for the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America to help broadcasters in need. Hoffman states, “I am honored to be recognized by the Broadcasters Foundation of
America. I have always been proud of our industry for the generous donations from individual broadcasters, stations, and groups across the country. It is only with that kind of support that the Broadcasters Foundation can continue to help those in our business who need it most.” BFoA chairman Dan Mason comments, “Bill is a respected leader in broadcasting, and we are proud to recognize his accomplishments at Cox and his contributions to our industry. As a member of our Board for several years, Bill has helped us advance our mission of helping every broadcaster who qualifies for help.” The Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease or unforeseen tragedy. Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Herman Cain to End Radio Syndication in 2017; Remains on WSB-AM, Atlanta and Four CMG News/Talkers. WSB-AM, Atlanta-based talk show host Herman Cain – currently heard on some 100 additional affiliate stations – will end his national syndication in the New Year and will focus on his work at Cox Media
Group’s WSB-AM and four other O&O news/talk outlets (WDBO, Orlando; KRMG-AM/FM, Tulsa; WHIO-AM/FM, Dayton; and WOKV-AM/FM, Jacksonville). WSB-AM program director Pete Spriggs tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Rodney Ho, “Syndication isn’t as lucrative as it used to be…Herman is one of the most amazing talents I have ever worked with. It’s not easy to let go of national syndication. Everyone has an ego. But, he understands the business reasons. He immediately started thinking about how this can help his digital assets including hermancain.com.” TALKERS magazine publisher and editor Michael Harrison comments, “In this day and age of podcasts and radio apps, you don’t need to be on 100-some-odd stations to have a national footprint in media. You can be nationally famous on one station because of the way online broadcasting works. People are way more sophisticated in their listening habits than they used to be.” Read the AJC story here.
KCMO, Kansas City Drops Local Rob Carson Morning Show. Talk show host Rob Carson notified his listeners via a Facebook post that his gig with Cumulus Media at Kansas City news/talker KCMO-AM is over as the 
result of budget cuts at the station. Carson joined the station in January of 2015. Carson says his ratings were excellent and that he’s thankful to management at KCMO for the opportunity. “I’m quite proud of what I did at KCMO. I know this was purely budgetary. I feel bad that I won’t be able to share the message of my local charities including friendsinserviceofheroes.com, CMN, Tamale Kitchen, City Union Mission and others. My mantra: Entertain, inform and motivate people to do good. I won’t be out long.” In April of this year, the station laid off talk host Greg Knapp, also for budgetary reasons. Both Knapp and Carson climbed aboard KCMO in 2015.
Former New York Giant Chris Canty Joins WEPN, New York’s ‘Hahn & Humpty’ Show. The early
afternoon “Hahn & Humpty” program – featuring Alan Hahn and Rick DiPietro – is adding former New York Giants star Chris Canty as a personality. The ESPN O&O says that Canty will continue to serve as a host for the Sunday morning “NY’s Game Day” program. Canty says “I couldn’t be more excited to join the ‘98.7 ESPN’ team. After spending my ‘first career’ on the field, I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and perspectives with New York sports fans.”
Nielsen Audio Releases Round Three of November 2016 PPM Data. The third of four rounds of November 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Orlando, and Columbus. The November 2016 survey period covered October 6 to November 2. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
The Death of Fidel Castro, Stein Recount/Trump Voter Fraud Claim, Trump Transition, the Thanksgiving Holiday, Standing Rock Protests, College Football Playoff Scenarios, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The death of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro at age 90; the move by Green Party candidate Jill Stein to challenge the presidential election results in several states with the goal to turn the election victory over to Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump’s claims that voter fraud cost him the popular vote; the transition of the Trump Administration; the Thanksgiving holiday; the protests over the gas pipeline at Standing Rock; the weekend’s college football games and the possible playoff scenarios; and the weekend’s NFL Action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend.
PodcastOne and Southern Cross Austereo to Form PodcastOne Australia. This venture between Southern Cross Austereo and PodcastOne will create new platform called PodcastOne Australia. Under the terms of the deal, SCA will operate PodcastOne Australia as the exclusive partner in Australia and New Zealand with select SCA podcasts made available in the U.S. on the PodcastOne platform. In a press release, it’s noted that SCA “reaches 95% of the country with assets in television, radio and digital. PodcastOne is the largest advertiser-supported podcast network in the United States, delivering more than 200 programs, with over 350 hours of original weekly episodes, which were downloaded 1.5 billion times last year.” It’s expected that PodcastOne Australia will be up and running early in 2017. SCA CEO Grant Blackley says, “I am thrilled that SCA has this opportunity to be partnering with PodcastOne. This partnership gives us the ability to tap into the expertise, experience and success of the leading commercial podcast company in the U.S. market, where the podcasting industry is a number of years ahead of audio, on-demand in Australia. We recognize the enormous growth potential of podcasting, both internationally and domestically, and look forward to further building this vast platform with the best international and unique Australian content. SCA is striving to be at the forefront of developing the Australian podcasting industry and its talent.” The companies say “a dedicated, stand-alone PodcastOne Australia team of executives is being structured within the company to nurture new talent, commission new content, adapt existing content, develop existing talent, undertake technical production and monetize the podcasts.” Grant Tothill, currently head of strategic partnerships at SCA, is being appointed to the newly created position of SCA head of podcasting to run the new business. Pictured above are (from l-r): John Kelly, COO, SCA; Jim Berk, CEO, PodcastOne; Grant Blackley; Norm Pattiz, founder and executive chairman, PodcastOne; and Grant Tothill.
Odds & Sods. WIP-FM, Philadelphia will continue to serve as the flagship radio station for Philadelphia Phillies baseball after the club and CBS RADIO agreed to an extension of their broadcast partnership deal. The Phillies and CBS have been partners since 2004. CBS RADIO SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff states, “We’re thrilled that SportsRadio 94WIP is continuing the partnership as the radio home of Phillies baseball. The Phillies have become part of the fabric of WIP and we’re excited for the 2017 season to begin.”…..KFI, Los Angeles, in conjunction with the charitable organization Caterina’s Club, is holding the sixth annual KFI PastaThon. The event is an on-air fundraiser to help feed local children in need. It’ll take place Thursday (12/1) at Bruno Serato’s White House Restaurant in Anaheim with monies raised helping to provide a nightly, balanced meal to more than 1,800 low-income children in over 15 cities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. KFI personalities Bill Handel, Aron Bender, Jennifer Jones Lee, Gary Hoffman, Shannon Farren, John Kobylt, Ken Chiampou and Tim Conway Jr. will be on site encouraging listeners to donate packaged pasta, jars of pasta sauce and money to help feed underprivileged children that live in motels without access to a kitchen to cook healthy meals.
WOWO, Fort Wayne Legend Bob Chase Dead at 90. Fort Wayne market radio legend Bob Chase died on Thanksgiving (11/24) at the age of 90 – one year after retiring from WOWO. According to the obit on WOWO’s 
website, Chase joined the station in 1953 and worked there until he retired from his role calling Fort Wayne Komets hockey last season. He served the station as sports director until 2009. The station notes that, during his career at WOWO, Chase “would also interview many artists as part of the original ‘Fabulous Four,’ including a young Elvis Presley. With Westinghouse using WOWO as a test market, Bob became one of the earliest ‘disc jockeys’ in the country as the station broke away from satellite programming in favor of playing their own music.”
Longtime WGNU, St. Louis Personality Richard ‘Onion’ Horton Dead at 80. Former St. Louis radio personality Richard “Onion” Horton died on November 24 at age 80 after a battle with Alzheimer ’s disease. According to an obituary from St. Louis Public Radio, Horton was a polarizing figure in the community who was very popular with his mostly black audience. In the obit, Gloria Ross writes that Horton was not afraid to talk about race. In fact, the battle against racial disparity was one of his most ardent causes. “Mr. Horton railed against ‘the white man’ and ‘the system,’ but he reserved his most scathing critiques for fellow blacks. When low black voter turnout sank a public school bond issue in 1987, he told the Post-Dispatch it was ‘the most sickening thing I have ever seen from the black community.’” Read the story here.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving from the Staff of TALKERS magazine. The staff of TALKERS magazine wishes you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend. The offices of TALKERS will be closed from 3:00 pm ET Wednesday (11/23) until Monday morning (11/28). During this time, TALKERS will report any urgent news bulletins, should they be necessary. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the holiday with family and friends.
Derrick Cole Named SVP of Programming for iHM Wilmington. Promoted from iHeartMedia’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania station group to the SVP of programming role for its Wilmington, Delaware cluster is
Derrick “DC” Cole. He will oversee programming at country WDSD, Dover; adult hits WRDX, Smyrna “92.9 TOM-FM”; news/talk WILM, Wilmington; news/talk WDOV, Dover; and sports talk WWTX “Fox Sports 1290.” Cole will continue to program CHR WLAN, Lancaster and Spanish WLAN-AM “Rumba 1390.” iHeartMedia SVP of programming for the Allentown-Harrisburg region, Jeff Hurley, states, “Derrick’s one of our best up-and-coming programmers. We’ve seen record-setting numbers since he began programming WLAN four years ago. We’re excited for this opportunity to expand his role within our region.”
The Trump Phenomenon and Sports Talk Radio. A piece by The Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis examines the similarities between President-Elect Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric and the tactics used by sports talk radio hosts. Curtis suggests that Trump is like a sports talk host for three reasons: First, he reduces “complex issues to simple sound bites”; second, he’s an elite who “remembers to talk like a plebe”; and third, he overwhelms “the audience with opinions.” In this piece, Curtis compares Trump to Colin Cowherd and others. Read it all here.
Nielsen Audio Releases Round Two of November 2016 PPM Data. The second of four rounds of November 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Washington, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The November 2016 survey period covered October 6 to November 2. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
Odds & Sods. Nationally syndicated sports talk personality Jim Rome has his Irvine, California home on the
market. The Los Angeles Times reports that the nine-year-old Spanish-style mansion is listed for $13.995 million. Rome’s radio program is syndicated by CBS Sports Radio Network…..The GCN-syndicated Dr. Daliah Wachs show adds new affiliate KZWY-FM, Sheridan, Wyoming.
Hurley in the Morning Charity Makes Educational Exhibit Possible. WPGG, Atlantic City morning personality Harry Hurley’s charitable organization – the Harry Hurley in the Morning Charity – recently donated $5,000 to the Atlantic City Aquarium in Historic Gardner’s Basin. The funds helped 5th grade gifted and talented students at the Dr. Joyanne D. Miller School in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey create the new Mysteries of the Ocean educational exhibit. The exhibit was conceived and designed by teacher Kelly Hunt’s students. The adults pictured here with the class are (from l-r): Hurley, Atlantic City Historical Waterfront Foundation president Chris Seher, Hunt, Atlantic City Mayor Donald A. Guardian, and Lisa Schall, assistant executive director/CFO and interim director of operations at the Atlantic City Aquarium.
Trump Transition/Haley to Be UN Ambassador, Trump News Meetings/Pence-‘Hamilton’ Incident, U.S.-Russia Relations, Future of ObamaCare, Thanksgiving Holiday, the State of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Attacks on Police Officers, U.S. Immigration Policy, Facebook’s Chinese Censorship Tool, Kanye West Hospitalized, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories This Week. The Trump Administration transition and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley chosen as Ambassador to the UN; President-Elect Donald Trump’s meeting with the editors of The New York Times and TV news execs; VP-Elect Mike Pence’s encounter with the cast of “Hamilton”; questions about the relations between the U.S. and Russia; how Trump will deal with the Affordable Care Act; this week’s Thanksgiving holiday; concerns over the future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership; the spate of attacks on police officers; the future of immigration policy in America; Facebook creates censorship tool for Chinese use of the social app; hip hop star Kanye West is hospitalized after bizarre political rants at concerts and cancellation of tour; and NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio during the week, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
WMAL-AM/FM, Washington Moves Larry O’Connor to Afternoon Drive. Air personality Larry O’Connor has been heard during the 5:00 pm hour on Cumulus Media’s WMAL-AM/FM, Washington since 2014, while also serving as co-host of the morning drive show “Mornings on the Mall” alongside Brian Wilson. Now, O’Connor will give up the morning co-host gig and host the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm daypart solo, effective January 2. WMAL program director and Cumulus VP, news/talk Bill Hess comments, “Larry’s success, both on our
morning and 5:00 pm shows, has positioned him perfectly to re-open the local afternoon daypart on 
WMAL. He’s smart, entertaining, and an engaging storyteller who will anchor a program built on the stories of the day, with expanded service elements for our busy DC commuters.” O’Connor adds, “During this time of unprecedented change and interest in Washington DC, it’s an exciting and humbling opportunity to help facilitate an entertaining and provocative conversation on a station as important and influential as WMAL. During the four years I’ve been here in the Nation’s Capital, I’ve been so impressed with this community’s engagement in not only our government, but with issues that hit our kitchen tables every day – like pop culture, faith, and parenting.” WMAL is not renewing “Savage Nation” with Michael Savage which is currently airing from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Meanwhile, the station is seeking a new co-host for the AM show. Interested personalities should send resumes to Bill Hess at: Bill.Hess@Cumulus.com.
iHeartMedia Flips Alternative WXZX, Columbus to Sports Talk. Using the brand “Sports Radio 105.7 The Zone,” WXZX, Columbus leaves alternative rock behind for sports talk. iHeartMedia is using FOX Sports Radio 
programming plus a local morning drive program hosted by Bruce Hooley and featuring Maddie Spielman (daughter of Chris Spielman, former Buckeye All American, NFL All Pro linebacker and Fox Sports announcer). The show will announce another co-host at a later date. Former WTVN, Columbus sports anchor Matt McCoy will provide special reports. The station will air play-by-play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cincinnati Bengals. iHeartMedia Columbus VP of programming Michael McCoy comments, “Columbus has one of the best sports fan bases in the country and they finally a have a new destination for Columbus-based sports and entertainment radio in the morning, plus the best national lineup available the rest of the day.
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy Takes Call from President-Elect Trump. Conservative news pioneer Chris Ruddy – CEO of Florida-based Newsmax – tells TALKERS magazine he received a phone call from President-
Elect Donald Trump, who praised Newsmax’s coverage of the presidential race. Ruddy says he’s known Trump for about 20 years and, while the content of his conversation with the president-elect is private, says their talk revealed a man who is “remarkably relaxed and focused.” Ruddy gives his readers a preview of how Trump and his administration might operate, saying, “Trump has the best retail political skills of any politician I have seen. Only Bill Clinton comes close. This will serve him well in the sausage-making process of getting his policies through Congress.” Read Ruddy’s entire piece here.
Cubs Baseball Was Very Good to WSCR, Chicago. WSCR, Chicago program director Mitch Rosen checks in with TALKERS magazine to report that the historic Chicago Cubs season – culminating in the club’s first World Series crown since 1908 – was a boon to the CBS RADIO station in its first year as the team’s flagship station.
Rosen reports that on November 2, more than 1 million people listened to WSCR throughout the day, including the extra-inning game seven. “There were times in game seven that half of all Chicago radio listeners were tuned into ‘The Score’ to hear the hometown call of Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer. What an amazing first year it’s been for WSCR as the radio home of Chicago Cubs games. To experience the World Series on this station as we approach our 25th anniversary makes this even more momentous. When ‘The Score’ first launched, the station was a day-time only frequency, now the same brand is the home of The World Champion Chicago Cubs.”
Nielsen Audio Releases Round One of November 2016 PPM Data. The first of four rounds of November 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The November 2016 survey period covered October 6 to November 2. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
Odds & Sods. This Thursday and Friday, morning talk personality Doug Stephan and his crew will be live on the
nationally syndicated “On Air with Doug, Jen & Victoria” program. Stephan is no stranger to working holidays, giving local morning hosts all over the country time off. On Thanksgiving, Doug, Jen Horn and Victoria Keelan will again broadcast live and, while others are out spending their money on Black Friday, Doug and his team will be giving away an HP Laptop with a special Black Friday contest…..Genesis Communications takes back the operation of WIXC, Titusville, Florida and is airing the news/talk format also heard on its WWBA, Tampa on WIXC. Meanwhile, John Harper’s “WMEL” talk format – which had been heard in WIXC – moves to Astro Enterprises-owned WWBC, Cocoa Beach-Melbourne.
Former WOAI, San Antonio PD Pat Rodgers Dead at 67. The programmer who is credited with creating the modern version of WOAI, San Antonio died on Monday (11/21) at age 67 after complications from a massive heart attack. The station published a bio of Pat Rodgers on its website. It notes that Rodgers came to WOAI after a number of years at then-MOR/full service WTMJ, Milwaukee with the charge of turning WOAI into a contemporary news and talk powerhouse. “Rodgers built a powerful news operation and a stable of talk show hosts which included Carl Wiglesworth, and well as Eliza Sonneland, who was his co-host on the chatty ‘Morning Magazine’ program, as well as news legends Bob Guthire and George Jennings, and sports talk host Jay Howard. In fact, Pat created the Ticket Sportsradio 760.” Rodgers left the station in 1998 to pursue his dream of becoming a Roman Catholic deacon. He edited the Archdiocesan newspaper, managed Catholic Television, and was the press secretary to three Archbishops.
96-Year-Old PR Pioneer Leo Pearlstein Guests on Special Thanksgiving Harrison Podcast. If you are looking for a simple, great approach to preparing a Thanksgiving meal with turkey and all the trimmings, check out this week’s fun installment of the award-winning PodcastOne hit series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.” 96-year-old Leo Pearlstein, founder and CEO of the groundbreaking LA public relations firm Lee &
Associates was a pioneer in the promotion and marketing of food during the second half of the 20th century. Pearlstein specialized in representing specific food industries (such as the egg farmers, salmon raisers and prune growers) and tying in celebrity endorsements to his remarkably creative PR campaigns. He was especially influential in elevating turkey meals from being primarily a Thanksgiving custom to becoming a mainstay of people’s diets all year round. He launched that campaign with celebrated sexy 1950s movie icon Jayne Mansfield. He even played a role in inventing the heat-resistant plastic turkey thermometer that pops up when the meat reaches a safe 180 degrees in the oven. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
Trump Transition, Pence-‘Hamilton’ Incident, Trump Meets with Television News Figures, Weekend Police Shootings, Kanye West Incident, Russian Military Build-Up, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/21). The process of the transition of the Trump Administration; the hullabaloo over VP-Elect Mike Pence’s encounter with the cast of “Hamilton”; President-Elect Donald Trump chews out television news figures at meeting at Trump Tower; the spate of deadly attacks on police officers that took place over the weekend; Russian military maneuvers and tensions over Vladimir Putin’s build-up of the nation’s forces; hip hop star Kanye West’s political rants and the sudden cancellation of his current tour; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Another Race to Win
Al Herskovitz
H&H Communications
President
BRADENTON, Fla. — The national election season is over and there is no more of that easy political advertising money flowing in. But we are in the midst of the heaviest part of the sports year: the middle of the National Football League schedule, heading for the Superbowl; the windup of the college football season going toward the beginning of 2017 and all of those Bowl games. Let’s not forget professional hockey and NASCAR. So even if yours is not a sports talk station, and you don’t carry any play-by-play broadcasts, there is no reason you cannot find a way to profit from all of this top-of-the-mind activity.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Kevin Graham to Program WBAP and KLIF-AM in Dallas. Current WBAP and KLIF-AM program director Tyler Cox is retiring at the end of this year and Cumulus Media is announcing that it has hired Kevin Graham to take over the PD role at the Dallas news/talk outlets. Graham leaves his position as brand manager for
Entercom’s sports talk WEEI-FM, Boston, the Red Sox Radio Networks, and his role as sports radio 
format captain for Entercom. Cumulus Media Dallas-Houston regional vice president Dan Bennett comments, “Kevin Graham is one of the country’s brightest spoken-word PDs and is an innovative thinker who will take us into the next chapter of WBAP and KLIF’s on-air and digital growth. His major market experience in Boston and New York has prepared him for this next step in his career.” Prior to joining WEEI, Graham was program director and afternoon host for KFNZ, Salt Lake City. He’s also programmed KTAR-AM/ArizonaSports.com in Phoenix; WXYT, Detroit; and WEPN, New York City. Graham says, “I am very humbled and excited to join the Cumulus Dallas team. I have long admired Dan Bennett’s and OM Jeff Catlin’s work. I consider it a great honor to follow in Tyler Cox’s footsteps to assist in the continued growth of two of the most successful news/talk brands in the country – WBAP/KLIF.”
KTAR-FM, Phoenix to Launch Darin Damme Show on January 3. Phoenix news/talker KTAR-FM is replacing its “Arizona’s Evening News” program with “Reality Check with Darin Damme,” effective January 3.
Bonneville Phoenix VP of content and operations Ryan Hatch says of the former KZZP and KZON morning personality, “Darin is an exciting talent who will bring a conservative voice and strong opinions that will represent the values of so many in the Valley. Born and raised in Arizona, he also has a passion to improve our community and deliver a voice for a better Phoenix.” The evening news-driven show will air from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Trump Transition, Mike Pence-‘Hamilton’ Incident, Dakota Access Pipeline Protests, Facebook Fake News Policy, AMAs-Melania Trump Bit, Obama at APEC Summit, Arctic Sea Ice Levels/Global Warming, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The transition period for the Trump Administration including potential cabinet nominees; the flap over VP-Elect Mike Pence receiving a personal message from the cast of ‘Hamilton’ while attending the show in NYC; clashes take place between authorities and those protesting the Dakota Access pipeline; Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg addresses the social medium’s intent to root out fake news; Saturday’s American Music Awards and controversy over Gigi Hadid’s impersonation of Melania Trump; President Obama meets Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other world leaders at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru; reports of historically low levels of Arctic Sea ice and the larger topic of global warming policies; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Herskovitz: Another Race to Win. Radio sales maven Al Herskovitz writes today about sponsorable aspects of programming that some sales execs – and even a few sales managers – may have overlooked. The beauty of the sports talk and news/talk formats is that their traditional programming is flush with elements that can be sponsored. Some of these – traffic, weather, sports scores, etc. – are readily available via digital avenues, but don’t toss the baby out with the bathwater. If consumers are listening to your station – especially in the car – they will be listening to the “service elements” that can be very profitable. Read Al Herskovitz’s piece here.
Odds & Sods. Alaska radio pro Scott Smith is inducted into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The 27-year broadcasting vet worked his way from an account executive to market manager and has served on the Alaska Broadcasters Association for 20 years. The Alpha Media Alaska market manager says, “It is an enormous honor to be added to the list of pioneers in Alaskan broadcasting whose efforts brought live media to the 49th State. I am humbled and thrilled to be a part of the greatest industry in our nation – one in which we protect, educate, inform, entertain, and engage with our listeners and clients.”…..NextRadio announces the launch of Newsfeed – a new feature designed to further strengthen the bond that radio listeners have with their favorite stations. Newsfeed allows sharing of more radio station content and delivering it in an interactive way that consumers are used to experiencing with apps. NextRadio says Newsfeed “enriches the in-app experience by serving up station-centric content, such as trending Tweets from the user’s favorite radio shows. Other content pushed by NextRadio Newsfeed is specific to the user’s favorite formats and includes artist and song facts, the day’s hottest song, and which artists are coming to town with the ability to buy concert tickets through Vivid Seats.” Additionally, NextRadio has partnered with Global Security Systems to provide ALERT FM emergency messages to users of Newsfeed in the app. NextRadio app users can opt-in to emergency alerts that will show up in their Newsfeed…..The “Motley Fool Money” radio show featuring host Chris Hill adds new affiliate station KGUM, Guam “Newstalk K57.”…..Alpha Media’s KFQD, Anchorage wins the Best Radio Newscast honors from the Alaska Broadcasters Association. The award recognizes the station’s “KFQD Morning News” program featuring anchor Joe Campbell, producer Steve Moor and traffic anchor Colleen Bailey.
Friday, November 18, 2016
WBAP, Dallas to Donate JFK Assassination Recordings to Sixth Floor Museum. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 was chronicled locally by WBAP, Dallas. Now, the Cumulus Media news/talk station announces it is going to donate 21 original recordings of the events and coverage on WBAP leading up to, including and following the assassination to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. WBAP says 
these original “day-of” recordings are key materials documenting how this historic news event was reported to local audiences in 1963. Museum executive director Nicola Longford says, “The Museum is committed to preserving not only artifacts and documentation about the assassination itself, but also about the cultural legacy of that pivotal event in history. We are especially excited for this generous donation because it shows the vivid local perspective of this tragic day.” The donation project was spearheaded by WBAP operations manager Tyler Cox, who says the recordings will be officially transferred to the Museum on Monday, November 21 at 10:30 am. “The preservation of these original recordings has long been a goal of ours at WBAP. The Sixth Floor Museum is the logical place for this audio glimpse of life in Dallas/Fort Worth on this fateful day to be preserved, and we’re pleased to make this donation to the Museum.”
The Class of 2016. Last night in Chicago, the National Radio Hall of Fame class of 2016 was inducted in a ceremony at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. This year’s class consisted of: George G. Beasley, Delilah, The Jeff & Jer Showgram (Jeff Detrow, Jerry Cesak, Tommy Sablan), Eric & Kathy (Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart), Steve Harvey, Bob Kingsley, Kidd Kraddick, Tony Roberts, Neil Rogers and Michael Savage. Pictured above are (from l-r): MBC’s Bruce Dumont, Mix Group president Jason Garte, Tony Roberts, Delilah, Bob Kingsley, Kathy Hart, Eric Ferguson, Tommy Sablan, Jeff Detrow, Jerry Cesak; and NRHOF chairman Kraig Kitchin.
Jeff Katz Renews with WRVA, Richmond. Talk radio pro Jeff Katz inks a contract with iHeartMedia to remain host of the afternoon drive program on news/talk WRVA, Richmond, where he’s been the host for the past three years. iHeartMedia Richmond SVP of programming Zac Davis states, “We are excited to have Jeff build on
his brand at Richmond’s legendary WRVA. He has shown an immense effort at endorsing a portfolio of clients that’s beneficial to our advertisers.” Katz says, “I’m energized by digital engagement and new engagement with our fans through our social channels on WRVA. iHeartMedia is a leading media outlet in Richmond and its programming and content are available across multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; online via its branded digital sites; mobile; and social, with nationwide listening through iHeartRadio.”
CBS RADIO Partners with Facebook for Amber Rose Podcast. This effort by CBS RADIO, CBS Local Digital Media and Facebook is making the “Loveline with Amber Rose” podcast on the Play.it platform available 
fans as it “airs” live every Thursday evening at 10:00 pm ET via Facebok Live. The show is hosted by feminist, author, model and actress Amber Rose, and features sex therapist Dr. Chris Donaghue plus guests who share intimate experiences and stories about love and sex. CBS RADIO SVP of business development Jeff Shultz says, “Facebook is a great partner to help us realize our multi-platform vision for the future of CBS RADIO. First we reimagined the iconic ‘Loveline’ franchise as a podcast with a fresh and authentic personality. Now we are presenting a live video version on an easily accessible social platform that has mass reach and appeal.”
Odds & Sods. In the Dallas market, Jeff Mitchell is promoted from director of sales to general manager for Salem Media Group’s operations here. Mitchell previously served with iHeartMedia’s crosstown cluster prior to joining Salem six-and-a-half years ago…..At Glenn Beck’s TheBlaze Radio Network, “The Morning Blaze” co-host and producer Skip LaCombe exits. LaCombe – away from his duties there on leave – Tweets that he will not be returning and underscores that he was not fired from the position. “Glenn, Doc [Thompson] and TheBlaze were all great to me. I needed change.”…..TuneIn is presenting live play-by-play and team-specific programming for the basketball games of 149 universities. TuneIn states that each college station gives fans “worldwide 24/7, free access to live play-by-play audio streams, as well as on-demand programming. Twenty-two of the current Men’s AP Top 25 teams are available on TuneIn as well as select women’s powerhouse programs.”…..Sun Broadcast Group celebrated its eight-year anniversary yesterday (11/17). CEO Jason Bailey reflects, “When we opened our doors in November 2008 Barack Obama had just been elected president, the iPhone App Store had just opened and the
global financial crisis had started to grip the nation with the collapse of Lehman Brothers…Eight years later so much is different. What hasn’t changed, however, is Sun’s commitment to this great industry and our unwavering goal to be a better kind of radio company while having fun along the way.”…..The newsroom of The Washington Examiner and personality Michael Graham are presenting a daily podcast on developments in the Trump transition, plus analysis of policy implications and names swirling in the rumor mill of Washington, DC. You can check out the podcast here.
Trump Administration Transition Tops Talkers TenTM for Week of November 14-18. The actions of the transition team for President-Elect Donald Trump were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. Coming in at #2 was the various Trump protests across the country. At #3 was the state of the Democratic Party, followed by U.S.-Russia relations at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.
Brian Kilmeade Book Tour Hits Orlando. Pictured above is Fox News Channel and Fox News Radio personality Brian Kilmeade (right) being interviewed by WDBO, Orlando personality Gene Wexler (left) during Kilmeade’s visit to Orlando. Kilmeade’s new book, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History (Sentinel 2016), is on the New York Times bestseller list. Last Friday, Kilmeade did his daily radio show from WDBO’s studios, took part in a WDBO listener event in the Stanley Steemer Performance Studio at Cox Media Group Orlando, and attended a book signing where more than 600 fans waited for a selfie and an autograph.
Cool Program Director Position Open. Heritage station KLIN, Lincoln, Nebraska is searching for the ideal candidate to program the top-rated news/talk/sports station in one of the nation’s truly vibrant cities. And you’ll also lead the flagship station for one of the country’s most elite college franchise programs – the Nebraska Cornhuskers! Strategic vision, leadership, ability to innovate and inspire. If this describes you, then our PD opening may be the perfect fit. In addition to directing a talented staff with local programming and news, your assets also include the nation’s leading talk programming, from Rush to Hannity. Experience in programming a news/talk station is a requirement. Must be self-motivated, possess excellent communication skills, have a real desire to coach, develop and build talent and have the drive to win on the air and in social media. Send us your resume with ratings history, aircheck and anything that tells your story so we feel compelled to pick YOU! Contact Steve Albertsen, Operations Manager, NRG Media. 4343 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510. E-mail salbertsen@broadcasthouse.com. Please place Program Director in the Subject line. NRG Media is an equal opportunity employer.
KDKA’s Perry Marshall—Thanks for the ‘Thanksgiving’ Memories
By Bill Brady
Futures & Options Inc.
President/CEO
WEST PALM BEACH — Back in the late 1970s I found myself listening to Pittsburgh’s legendary KDKA in the wee hours of the morning.
As a young radio guy on the East Coast, I sought out talk talent across the AM band. Guy Mainella, Paul Benzaquin and Larry Glick from WBZ in Boston. Mike Miller and Paul Sutton on WTIC in Hartford. All excellent hosts with unique and distinctive styles.
When the sun goes down, AM radio waves can be pretty tricky. Engineers refer to the phenomenon as “skip” as AM signals bounce off the ionosphere and travel incredible distances. Most nights where I was in Western Massachusetts, you could get WBZ pretty well 90 miles from its transmitter location in Hull on the Massachusetts coast.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
CBS RADIO Names Fred Bennett VP/GM of Traffic Operations and Partnerships. This is a new role within the soon-to-be-independent CBS RADIO operations. Fred Bennett begins his work as vice president and general manager, traffic operations and partnerships on Monday (11/21). He’ll be charged with building an in-house traffic content and sales operation to serve the company’s 117 radio stations and their corresponding websites and
will report to COO Scott Herman. The company says that “in addition to leading the effort to further develop the businesses’ operations, Bennett will be working to create a content-specific group – composed of reporters and editors – which will create comprehensive, local traffic reports to air on CBS RADIO stations and accompanying online properties. A dedicated sales team will focus on selling sponsorships within and around the traffic reports to regional and local advertisers. Bennett will also oversee CBS RADIO’s relationship with Radiate Media, its new traffic content partner that will supply customized data and also sell national sponsorships within traffic reports. The deal with Radiate Media is scheduled to commence on April 1, 2017.” Most recently, Bennett served as the president and chief revenue officer of Townsquare Media’s WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5.” Prior to that, he was the chief business development officer for Jelli, Inc., the first cloud-based programmatic ad platform for the global radio market.
Skip Essick Named News Director at One Putt Broadcasting. The Fresno-based radio company announces it has brought talk and news radio pro Skip Essick aboard to serve as the company’s news director. One Putt Broadcasting operates sports talk KFIG and KFPT, oldies KYNO, classic rock KJFX, hip hop KJZN, alternative 
“New Rock 104.1” and adult contemporary KJWL. Essick previously served as program director on the market for Cumulus Media’s news/talk KMJ-AM and KMJ-FM. He exited that post in 2014 and has recently been serving with Ohio-based Childers Media Group. He’s also been consulting local talk outlet KGED – a station of which he once owned 15%. Essick tells the Fresno Bee, “For a variety of reasons I’ve decided that it’s time to cut back on the day-to-day pressures of ownership and management. I will continue to be involved on a consulting basis with KGED and am very grateful to [owners] Al Perez and Jim Franklin for their support. My new arrangement with One Putt Broadcasting will give me an opportunity to have a lot of fun, with a great deal of flexibility as I transition to a new chapter in my life.”
WZZR, West Palm Beach’s ‘Love Doctor’ Rich Dickerson Retiring. A change is coming to “The Love Doctors” program heard on iHeartMedia’s talk WZZR, West Palm Beach “Real Radio 94.3.” Rich Dickerson,
founder of the program, is exiting the show after December 16. After that date, current “Love Doctors” co-hosts Dr. Glenn Curtis, Dano, and Lea will continue hosting the afternoon show. Dickerson started the show back in 1991 on classic rock WKGR. He says, “After doing this show for 25 years, I’ve decided it was time to hang up the headphones. Though I’ll miss my time on air, I know that Glenn, Dano, and Lea will continue with the compelling insight, irreverence, and cutting-edge humor that ‘The Love Doctors’ has been giving the Treasure Coast for over two decades.”
Report: CBS RADIO to Move 200 Jobs to Nashville. According to a report by Adam Sichko in the Nashville Business Journal, CBS RADIO is taking advantage of taxpayer incentives offered by the state of Tennessee to locate some 200 positions in downtown Nashville. CBS has yet to comment and the publication reports that it is unknown what types of jobs would be moving to the city, only that state economic development official Jamari Brown says the positions would offer an average annual salary of $48,000.
Brady: KDKA’s Perry Marshall — Thanks for the Thanksgiving Memories. Radio pro Bill Brady reminisces about the impact of overnight personality Perry Marshall on KDKA, Pittsburgh’s listenership and how the audience loved him. He remembers one particular Thanksgiving Eve when the show was a “six-hour lovefest with his audience.” He writes, “I’ve thought of that night on Perry’s show many times over the years, and what it meant then and now to the radio business I love. Today’s radio execs should study it for what radio was — and can still be.” Read Bill Brady’s entire piece here.
The Trump Transition/Cabinet Selections, Trump Protests, Future of the Democratic Party, Megyn Kelly Book, U.S.-Russia Relations, Minnesota Cop Charged, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/16). The Trump Administration transition and speculation about cabinet appointments by President-Elect Donald Trump; the anti-Trump protests taking place in various places and students rallying for their colleges to become “sanctuary” schools; talk about the state of the Democratic Party in the wake of Hillary Clinton’s loss and the failure to gain ground in the U.S. House and Senate; controversy over Fox News Channel personality Megyn Kelly’s new book and her status with the network; the state of U.S.-Russia relations and questions about its future under President Trump; a Minnesota police officer is charged with manslaughter in the death of Philandro Castile; and NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Rare Talk Show Host Opening in Charlotte. It’s in a great city at a legendary station. Charlotte’s WBT-AM/FM “News Talk 1110 and 99.3” is seeking personalities that can lead a conversation while being entertaining. Be serious when needed. Embrace the Carolina lifestyle. Someone who is not angry at the world. If you want to talk politics for three hours a day, please don’t waste your time applying for this role. If you have to lean on guests to get through three hours a day, we don’t want you. If you get your show prep from Drudge, you won’t fit in. This is the perfect opportunity for you if you’re stuck on a cookie-cutter talk station or if you’re a music personality looking to extend your career. Show me what you got. Email your resume and a short aircheck to: Jason.Furst@wbt.com now. No phone calls please. EOE.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Cooke: Listeners Expect to Be Heard. Media consultant Holland Cooke presents another in his series of TALKERS TV videos – this one titled, “Listeners Expect to Be Heard.” Cooke states, “Donald Trump conveyed ‘I hear you’ to voters who already expected to be heard, by virtue of social media. Yet the talk format – radio’s most interactive – often offers monologue to listeners now accustomed to dialogue.” Cooke says he has advice for programmers and talk hosts interested in being positioned at the center of conversation “that extends Time Spent Listening, and makes you sound popular to advertisers.” View the video in the Talkers TV box in the upper right side of this page.
Crabtree: Radio’s Social and Digital Dilemma. Atlanta-based talk show host and writer Bryan Crabtree advocates for an aggressive use of social and digital media for radio talk hosts in a piece published today in TALKERS magazine. Crabtree hosts a daily show heard on “biz1190” and “AM920 The Answer” in Atlanta and he says, “Talk radio is no longer just a three-hour, on-air production. Our shows must continue ‘24/7’ via Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud, iTunes, YouTube and other digital platforms. For me, it created pure anxiety in knowing that all of these platforms were available for free because the manpower required to utilize them was daunting. I knew there had to be some way to expedite and automate this process.” Read more about how Crabtree is using social and digital media here.
TALKERS’ Harrison on CNN’s ‘Anderson Cooper 360.’ TALKERS magazine publisher and editor Michael Harrison is pictured above on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” last night discussing the potential for Courtside Entertainment nationally syndicated talk host Laura Ingraham to be named Press Secretary in the Trump Administration. Harrison said talk hosts are perfect for press secretary roles because they are able to articulate sometimes complex political issues to the press and public so well. He also noted that if President-Elect Donald Trump gets Ingraham for the Press Secretary post, he’s showing his skills in the “art of the deal” since she’s probably earning far more now than the Press Secretary position pays!
Sports KDKT, Bismarck Announces New Role for TJ Meyer; Alex Gratys Climbs Aboard. At DSN Radio’s Bismarck sports talk outlet KDKT, programming and on-air staffer TJ Meyer (left) is promoted to the station manager position. Meyer joined KDKT earlier this year after serving as the official voice of the Chicago Cougars hockey team and the DePaul Blue Demons, as well as handling duties at Matrix Broadcasting’s suburban Chicago signals. Joining the company is Alex Gratys (right), who becomes production manager. Meyer and Gratys worked together producing sports talk programming for ChicagoLandSportsRadio.com.
Odds & Sods. Memphis native Jeffrey Wright returns home to join the programming department at Entercom’s sports talk WFMS-FM “92.9FM ESPN.” Having most recently served the Yahoo/Rivals network covering Old Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, Wright’s duties at WFMS will include serving as executive producer of the Geoff Calkins show from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, as a contributor to the 929 Line at 929espn.com, as well as handling talk host duties at the station. Wright takes over the Calkins show producing duties from John Martin who is now partnered up with Jason Smith on the midday “Jason & John Show.”….. The National Association of Media Brokers is jumping into the fray over the FCC’s recent refusal to update its media cross-ownership rules. NAMB – a group of professionals representing buyers and sellers of radio and television stations and related businesses – is responding to the recent news that the National Association of Broadcasters and the News Media Alliance (formerly the Newspaper Association of America), each has filed suit against the FCC regarding its quadrennial media ownership rules review which maintained the prohibition against the common ownership of broadcast media and daily newspapers in the same market. NAMB vice president Eddie Esserman comments, “To agree with the FCC’s decision about cross-ownership, you would have to believe there is not enough media in the marketplace. I don’t know anyone who believes that.”…..The “Intelligent Medicine” with Dr. Ronald Hoffman podcast hits the 3 million download mark, according to Media Management Group EVP/business development Alan Eisenson. He says, “We are very proud of this major accomplishment and the rate at which Dr. Hoffman’s podcast and other digital assets have grown.”
Trump Victory Aftermath/Transition, U.S.-Russia Relations, Battle Against Islamic State, the State of ObamaCare, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/15). The aftermath of the Donald Trump victory over Hillary Clinton and the transition of the Trump Administration; speculation about the potential relations between Vladimir Putin and the U.S. after Trump’s inauguration; the fight to take Mosul from Islamic State; the future of the Affordable Care Act under the Trump Administration; and NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Dunkle and Nadel Upped at TTWN. Two promotions are taking place at Total Traffic & Weather Network. VP of affiliate sales Jack Dunkle rises to SVP of affiliate sales, in which he’ll report to Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott. In this newly expanded role, he’ll manage TTWN’s radio, television and digital product sales and distribution. At the same time, vice president of affiliate sales and compliance Roger Nadel is promoted to SVP of affiliate operations. He’ll also report to Julie Talbott.
Rare Talk Show Opportunity in Milwaukee. WTMJ, Milwaukee is building a dynamic midday talk show. E.W. Scripps’ WTMJ Radio is looking for an engaging LOCAL host or team to connect Milwaukee and Wisconsin 
with the issues, news and stories of the day. The host or team must LIVE the multi-platform audio experience and lead its 12:00 to 3:00 pm daily show with timely, relevant and entertaining talk. The opportunity is now. The show will begin in January as Charlie Sykes retires, with longtime WTMJ host Jeff Wagner moving into Sykes’ time slot. WTMJ is not limiting this opportunity to political-only shows, but to the next generation of talkers who can inform and entertain on whatever the big story happens to be that day. E.W. Scripps Radio is “Famous for Localism.” Apply at Scripps.com under the “Careers” tab and send materials along with your ratings track record to Eric Brooks, director of programming & news at: Eric.Brooks@WTMJ.com. EEO.
Cool Sales Opportunity. Entercom is seeking a director of sales for news/talk WBT-AM/FM and hot AC WLNK-FM in Charlotte, North Carolina. The right candidate must possess a strong desire to win, must lead by example, and have a track record of revenue success. The director of sales must have a strong background in running successful stations. Candidate must be an exceptional sales trainer, be a creative thinker, and be able to recruit and hire the best in the business. Primary responsibilities: Oversee all aspects of the sales operation; Implementation and compliance with CRM tools; Set rates through yield management tools; Meet or exceed all revenue goals; Work as a coach, leader and problem solver; and understand the digital space and present a specific plan for its growth. Please submit your cover letter and resume to hired@wbt.com or hired@1079thelink.com or mail to: Human Resources, WBT/WLNK, Entercom Charlotte, One Julian Price Place, Charlotte, NC 28208. EOE.
The Yappy Tour Rolls On. The coast-to-coast book tour of Bernadette Duncan rolled back into New England this past week as the author of Yappy Days: Behind the Scenes with Newsers, Schmoozers, Boozers and Losers (AuthorHouse/Talkers Books, 2016) stopped by Saga Communications’ WHMP-AM/FM, Northampton, Massachusetts (the station that launched the radio career of Rachel Maddow) where she appeared on the live-and-local, mid-morning show of noted civil rights and criminal defense attorney Bill Newman. The book recounts Duncan’s 26-year career as a producer of radio talk shows working with such big-name talents as Larry King, Sally Jessy Raphael, Lou Dobbs, Tom Snyder, Gil Gross, Charles Osgood and many more during modern talk radio’s pre- and post-9/11 “golden era.” Plus, she tells stories about behind-the-scenes encounters with hundreds of guests from the worlds of show business, politics, media, business and literature. Duncan (r) is pictured with host Bill Newman (l). Her national “Yappy Tour” will roll on through the remainder of the year. She has already appeared on more than 30 local and syndicated programs. Hosts and shows interested in booking Bernadette Duncan can do so by calling Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.
Radio’s Social and Digital Dilemma
By Bryan Crabtree
WAFS/WGKA
Talk Show Host
ATLANTA — Radio was the original social media. We owned the dialogue. Now we own just some of it. Let’s stop complaining about the challenges and dominate the conversation again on both mediums.
There is a plethora of competing distractions to our audience and they are lost in a sea of confusing noise.
Our audience has changed, but have we?
Listeners will follow and respond to who or what they ‘believe’ is real. I was shocked to see so many lifelong broadcast conservatives double-down on their ‘#nevertrump’ hysteria. I’m convinced that, for many, it wasn’t their personal conviction. It was the vanity of needing to be accurate on their predictions of Trump’s demise. The result was the destruction of years of earned credibility with their followers.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
TRN Suit Against Cumulus’ Westwood One and Others Partially Dismissed. Oregon federal Judge Ann L. Aiken ruled yesterday (11/14) in agreement with a September recommendation by an Oregon magistrate judge to dismiss the antitrust suit filed by Talk Radio Network Enterprises LLC against Cumulus Media and other 
defendants. As regular TALKERS readers are probably aware, TRNE filed suit against Cumulus’ Westwood One, Compass Media Networks, LLC; Compass Media Marketing; WYD Management LLC; WYM Management LLC; Lewis Dickey; and Charles Steinhauer in 2012, and amended in 2013, alleging antitrust and unfair competition violations – that the defendants had conspired to and effectively did create a monopoly in the national radio ad sales sector. What portions of that suit that weren’t dismissed were settled in 2014. But, TRNE filed a very similar suit again in April of this year claiming that the illegal practices were ongoing by the defendants and that TRNE had suffered new injury. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Ann L. Aiken dismissed seven of the allegations with prejudice and the other seven without prejudice and granted the plaintiff the leave to replead (within 30 days). The overriding reason for dismissal cited by Judge Aiken was that, “While Plaintiffs are correct that new antitrust violations may be alleged after dates covering a prior judgment, Plaintiffs have failed to show new antitrust conduct, thus necessitating dismissal of their claims.”
CBS Names Matthew Siegel CFO of CBS RADIO. President Andre Fernandez says that as CBS RADIO prepares to be separated from parent CBS Corp, it is putting officers in place that will help the company succeed.
It names Matthew Siegel as its chief financial officer. New York-based Siegel will “oversee all financial functions of the business, including treasury, investor relations, financial planning, corporate accounting and risk management.” Fernandez says, “Matt’s broad financial experience serving top media organizations will help position us for continued success.” Most recently he served as the co-CFO and treasurer of Time Warner Cable through the merger period with Charter Communications. Prior to that, he was the senior vice president and treasurer of TWC since just prior to TWC’s separation from Time Warner.
53rd Anniversary of the JFK Assassination Coming Up – Investigator Mark Shaw Guests on Harrison Podcast Connecting Mysterious Death of Dorothy Kilgallen to Murder of President. With the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination coming up on November 22, noted investigative reporter and author Mark Shaw guests on this week’s installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.” Shaw is the author of the soon-to-be-released book The Reporter Who Knew Too Much: The Mysterious Death of What’s My Line TV Star and Media Icon Dorothy Kilgallen (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster, 2016). Was the “What’s My Line” TV star, media icon, gossip columnist and crack investigative reporter/journalist Dorothy Kilgallen murdered for writing a tell-all book about the JFK
assassination? If so, is the main suspect in her death still at large? These questions and more are effectively tackled in former CNN, ESPN and USA TODAY legal analyst Mark Shaw’s forthcoming book. On interviewing the former radio talk show host and prolific author of 25 books, Harrison states, “Mark Shaw is the real deal when it comes to investigative journalism – as was Dorothy Kilgallen – one of the most important multi-media icons of the 20th century. I loved doing this interview for two reasons. First, as the years go by it is becoming increasingly evident that there is more to the story of JFK’s death than the official history would indicate. Second, I take every opportunity I can to expose new generations of media practitioners to the late Dorothy Kilgallen – hands down the most important woman ever to appear on radio, television and in print in the mid-20th century… and perhaps, ever!” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
Meghan McCain Upped to Permanent Show Position at Fox News Channel. Nationally syndicated,
Premiere Networks radio talk host and Fox News Channel contributor Meghan McCain is promoted by FNC to permanent co-host on the daily panel show “Outnumbered.” The daily 12:00 noon ET show also regularly features Harris Faulkner and Sandra Smith. McCain hosts the nightly “America Now” radio show that airs live from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET. FNC notes that McCain has served as the host of Pivot Network’s ‘TakePart Live,’ has contributed to multiple publications, including The Daily Beast, Newsweek and Time.
Odds & Sods. The Broadcasters Foundation of America unveils its new logo (pictured here), as well as its
redesigned website. The charity also launched new social media sites as part of a rebranding campaign that makes it easier for broadcasters to find help and give back. The new logo, with images of the American flag and a microphone, reinforce that the Foundation is a nationwide charity that helps broadcasters across the country. The more user-friendly and intuitive website makes navigation to the get-help and give-back pages easier, and the new social media sites generate broader awareness among broadcasters. BFoA president Jim Thompson says, “Over the past few months, we’ve received more requests than ever before, within a similar timeframe. As we get ready for our year-end donation drive, it’s important that our process is seamless and that every broadcaster knows where and how to ask for help or give back.”…..WPGG, Atlantic City morning personality Harry Hurley tells TALKERS magazine that he spent 30 minutes uninterrupted interviewing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on his 
program this morning (11/15). Hurley (pictured here, right, with Christie, left) says the two discussed topics including: the new state-appointed Atlantic City CEO – former U.S. Senator and former New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa – regarding the state takeover; Governor Christie’s run for president; Christie endorsing Donald Trump early on; the effect “Bridgegate” had on his presidential run; whether Christie expects to join the Trump cabinet; and the impact that “Bridgegate” has had on Christie and his family…..This change doesn’t take effect until February 28, 2017, but after 19 years in the position, Steve Fisher is leaving as EVP/chief financial officer at Entercom. The company is seeking Fisher’s replacement and has enlisted the services of executive search firm Spencer Stuart…..New York State radio operator Galaxy Communications announces it has a new national ad sales rep firm. Gen Media Partners is now serving as Galaxy’s exclusive national ad sales rep. Galaxy president and CEO Ed Levine comments, “We are very pleased to move Galaxy’s national business to the leading independent rep firm in radio. I will sleep better at night knowing that I’m not relying on my direct competitor to oversee my national business any longer. Gen Media’s independent standing aligns with Galaxy’s, and their experienced team knows how to increase national revenue for the independent broadcaster.”
The Trump Transition, Priebus and Bannon Appointments, Trump Protests, Sanctuary Cities/Immigration Policy, Battle for Mosul, and the Weekend’s NFL Games Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/14). Talk about the transition of President-Elect Donald Trump’s administration and the legacy of the Barack Obama Administration; Trump’s appointments of Reince Priebus at Chief of Staff and Steven K. Bannon as White House Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor; the anti-Trump protests taking place in cities across the country; the several city mayors who’ve promised their towns will remain “sanctuary cities” and speculation over the Trump Administration’s eventual immigration/deportation policies; the battle to re-take Mosul from Islamic State; and the weekend’s NFL games were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Harvey Nagler to Retire from CBS Radio News Post. The news radio legend announced to his staff today (11/14) that, after 50 years in radio and 18 years at CBS Radio News, he will be retiring from his vice president role 
with the company as of January 6. Harvey Nagler, who was honored with the Talkers Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, said in a memo to his staff, “I feel very confident that I am leaving our network in the most capable of hands. I am pleased that we have renewed our relationship with Westwood, thus securing our future. I am not stopping work completely, but going to slow down by doing some consulting work.” He noted the more than 50 Edward R. Murrow Awards the news organization has been awarded over the past 10 years for covering some of the biggest stories in recent American and world history, stating, “You and I have truly been a witness to – and have reported – the first drafts of history…As the industry continues to evolve I am proud that we have been able to change with it while maintaining the finest traditions of CBS News and the highest standards of journalism.”
Trump Appointments Begin; Talk Radio Figures Poised for Role in New Administration. A piece by Brian Stelter and the CNNMoney media team, published yesterday, outlines the nascent formation of the administration of the Donald Trump presidency. The first cabinet post has been awarded to RNC Chairman
Reince Priebus, who will serve as White House Chief of Staff. But joining Priebus in the White House is Breitbart’s Stephen K. Bannon, who will serve as White House Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor. Until taking leave of his Breitbart duties to work with the Trump campaign, Bannon – among other executive duties at the news and opinion organization – was hosting the morning news/talk program “Breitbart News Daily” on 
SiriusXM. It’s being reported by Jonathan Swan in The Hill that nationally syndicated talk personality Laura Ingraham is being considered for Press Secretary. Swan writes, “Trump appreciated Ingraham’s loyalty through the campaign… Ingraham helped Trump with debate preparation. She also campaigned on his behalf and offered occasional strategic advice.” Of course, Trump’s Vice President-elect is a former longtime talk radio host from Indianapolis. Mike Pence’s experience in the news/talk radio biz precedes his career in politics. TALKERS magazine editor and publisher Michael Harrison states, “The election of Donald Trump marks an unmistakable bellwether for the accumulating influence of news/talk radio since Ronald Reagan began his commentaries. Not only have former radio hosts Mike Pence and Stephen K. Bannon
been thrust into positions of enormous power, but the even higher-profiled Laura Ingraham is now in the conversation for Press Secretary. And let us not forget about the looming potential of Sean Hannity down the road. He risked it all on the dark horse and won. I do not say this from a partisan perspective. Let us not forget that Al Franken would never have been elected to the United States Senate as a prominent progressive had it not been for the magic of radio facilitating his transition from outspoken comedian to serious political player. As for Trump himself, he employed disruptive, radio-style techniques in vanquishing his Republican rivals during the primaries and then took it all the way, thus becoming the first effective ‘shock politician.’ In today’s amplified media environment, the ability to articulate complex populist concepts via the combination of traditional talk media and the internet can fuel the rise of unexpected influencers and leaders. It is both refreshingly invigorating and dreadfully dangerous. We must remain alert. Welcome to the new digital era!”
Westwood One Realigns Operations; Seymour Named SVP. Stating that its goal is to create “quicker response times to client requests, an enhanced ability to focus on advertiser needs and accountability, the ability to
better support its partner and producer clients’ business goals, and a renewed focus on its affiliate sales process by providing actionable information to its station partners,” Westwood One is integrating the business operations and research teams. As part of the restructure, the company is promoting Tim Seymour to SVP, operations. He’ll report to COO Charles Steinhauer and oversee the consolidated business operations and research teams under VP Jennifer Baez, the traffic under SVP Jim Maurer and senior director Julie Kim, the affiliate services under VP Fiona Brennan, and the newly created partner relations under director Becky Bennett.
Odds & Sods. KIRO, Seattle “710 ESPN” is working with the local Kent School District to present a free town hall
forum on “Concussions in Youth Sports” on Tuesday, November 15 at the Kentwood High School Performing Arts Center. “710 ESPN Seattle” host and former Seahawks linebacker Dave Wyman will appear on the panel with world-renowned UW Medicine clinical professor Dr. Stan Herring, and Kent School District athletic director Dave Lutes on the panel. Danny O’Neil, co-host of the station’s “Danny, Dave & Moore” show will serve as moderator. KIRO program director Mike Salk says, “Safety in youth sports is a huge conversation right now. We are excited to roll up our sleeves and engage with those on the front lines of this issue.”…..At the corporate level at Sinclair Broadcast Group, 32-year employee David Amy rises from EVP/COO to vice chairman. Sinclair owns one radio cluster, having acquired the Seattle stations of the former Fisher Communications. Those signals are hot AC KPLZ “Star 
101.5,” all-news KOMO-AM/FM, and news/talk KVI…..Entercom’s news/talk WRKO, Boston hosted its third annual radiothon raising money for the Disabled American Veterans. Friday’s nine-hour effort brought in more than $71,000. WRKO program director Michael Czarnecki says, “The WRKO audience proves once again how passionate they are about helping our veterans. I am so proud of our listeners, the DAV staff, and the WRKO team.” Personalities taking part included: Kim Carrigan and Doug “VB” Goudie from “The Boston.com Morning Show,” Barry Armstrong from “The Financial Exchange” show, and Jeff Kuhner from “The Kuhner Report” show.
Trump Transition, Clinton-Democrats Post-Mortem, Immigration Policy, ISIS Atrocities in Mosul, Marijuana Legalization Movement, Clinton Pardon Chatter, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The work of the Donald Trump transition team and the appointing of Reince Priebus to Chief of Staff and Stephen K. Bannon to Chief Strategist; analysis of the failure of Hillary Clinton and the Democrats in the House and Senate in the ’16 campaign; speculation about the future of America’s immigration policy; the battle for Mosul and Islamic State’s abuse of civilians; the success of the marijuana legalization movement in the wake of the elections; talk about President Obama or Trump pardoning Hillary Clinton and avoiding any future investigations into the emails matter; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend.
Utah Talk Host Jim Kirkwood Dies at 74. Just days shy of his 75th birthday, longtime Salt Lake City talk radio personality Jim Kirkwood passed away on November 6. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Kirkwood worked in radio for more than 40 years. At the time of his death, Kirkwood was hosting the 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm show on United Broadcasting Company’s KTKK “K-TALK.”
October 2016 PPM Analysis: MLB Flagships
By Mike Kinosian
Managing Editor
TALKERS
LOS ANGELES — Now that the Chicago Cubs have ended their 108-year-old drought by beating the Cleveland Indians to win the 2016 World Series, we can circle the bases and head for home with the final 2016 ratings roundup for 29 of the 30 Major League Baseball teams’ primary, 162-game English-language (Nielsen Audio subscriber) flagships. No ratings data is shown for CJCL, the key station of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats cited in these scoreboards are for the total week (Monday-Sunday, 6:00 am – 12:00 midnight, 6+, October 2016).
Ratings information for the flagships of the Mets (WOR) and Yankees (WFAN) is limited to New York City.
Only Los Angeles ratings stats are used for the key stations of the Dodgers (KLAC) and Angels (KLAA).
Flagships for the two Bay Area teams – Giants (KNBR) and A’s (KGMZ) – have San Francisco ratings info only.
With those fine-print parameters out of the way, let us see how the flagships performed.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Nielsen Audio Acknowledges Connectivity Issues. Clients were informed yesterday (Thursday, 11/10) that 8% of installed Nielsen Audio devices across its 48 PPM-markets became inactive. The situation began in week one (11/3 – 11/9) of the December PPM monthly survey. According to a Nielsen spokesperson, “Our panel relations specialists have already been in contact with these homes and all affected panelists have now been sent new PPMs; 49% of the replacement meters are back online. We expect the balance to come online in the next several days.” The spokesperson further notes, “We forecast the percentage of installed and fully operational meters eligible for in-tab will be 97% for the month of December and 92% for week one of December across the aggregate of markets; weighting will adjust for demographic and geographic imbalances.” Lower in-tab, the spokesperson stresses, “doesn’t equate to lower ratings; however, temporarily higher weights may contribute to more variation during the period of time it takes for these panelists to be back in-tab.” Nielsen Audio is doing an analysis to evaluate panel representation and impact to audience estimates and the company plans to share those results during the week of November 21.
CBS Radio Promotes Philips to Chief Revenue Officer. The company’s senior vice president of sales since late last year – Bob Philips – is elevated to CBS Radio‘s newly created role of chief revenue officer. CBS Radio president Andre Fernandez states, “Bob’s extensive radio and sales experience make him ideal to accelerate our efforts as we enter a new phase of the business. His deep understanding of corporate, customer, category, and channel
strategies will be instrumental in generating new revenue opportunities and ensuring our ability to deliver top-tier financial results.” Philips opines, “It is an exciting time for the radio industry. We have never had more assets at our disposal to meet our clients’ needs and extend their iconic brands. Our radio stations, digital assets, and events are only the tip of the iceberg.” Philips, who currently serves on the RAB Advisory Board and is an officer for the Maryland-D.C.-Delaware Broadcasters Association, previously was the 15-year market manager of CBS Radio’s four-station Baltimore cluster, which includes adult contemporary WLIF “Today’s 101.9,” hot AC WWMX “Mix 106.5,” and sports outlets WJZ-AM, and WJZ-FM “105.7 The Fan.” He has held leadership positions at Infinity Broadcasting and American Radio Systems.
SiriusXM Adds Ramsey. Starting next Monday (11/14), SiriusXM subscribers get to hear financial advice via “The Dave Ramsey Show” on Sirius channel 145 and XM channel 207. According to SiriusXM senior vice president of digital, talk and content strategy Jason Schramm, “Dave Ramsey is a huge force in the world of personal money management and a significant addition to SiriusXM. Between his immensely popular program and 
bestselling books, Dave has proven himself a top expert in his field. I am thrilled that he has found a second home at SiriusXM, where our subscribers will now be able to get direct feedback about their own finances.” Ramsey Media vice president Brian Mayfield comments, “We are honored and excited to join the SiriusXM family. We are looking forward to experiencing the future growth of this platform and its audience.” Speaking of Ramsey, he sold out his “Smart Money” event yesterday (Thursday, 11/10) in Colorado Springs, where he promoted the event with his affiliate there, News-Press & Gazette Company‘s KRDO. The station’s general sales manager JoAnne Rowley notes, “A Dave Ramsey live event creates a lot of excitement for our audience, advertisers, staff, and attendees. The synergy is amazing.” Pictured from left to right are Rowley, Ramsey, KRDO program director Mike Lewis, and station talk host Chris Brown. It is estimated that Ramsey’s 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm weekday show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week.
PPM Analysis: MLB Flagships. Based on data from Nielsen Audio’s October 2016 PPM survey period, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian unveils his final look this year at the performances of Major League Baseball flagships. In this special feature report, you will find charts listing stations by format and (6+) AHQ share; ratings fluctuations from September 2016 to October 2016; ratings comparisons from October 2015 to October 2016; how MLB key stations ranked in their respective markets; and how they did by league/division. Another component – new to this cycle – is a quick-view chart of each flagship’s performance from the start of the baseball season to the conclusion. See it all here.
KIRO-FM Partners to Provide 300 Beds for Area Children. Joining Bonneville Seattle talker KIRO-FM in the “Beds for Kids Project” are the Seattle Police Department, with the support of the Seattle Police Foundation, and Sleep Train. KIRO-FM afternoon drive (3:00 pm – 7:00 pm) hosts “Ron & Don” have been dedicated advocates for the project since its inception two
years ago, with Ron Upshaw stating, “I am really excited about this opportunity. The thought of a young person not having a bed just breaks my heart. Think about a six-year-old or seven-year-old kid never sleeping in a bed. This will be the first time they ever have their own bed. That’s a big deal for a kid, so I’m very proud to be a partner of this really great event.” Semi-trucks filled with 300 mattresses, box springs, sheet sets, comforters, and pillows were delivered to the Seattle Police Department yesterday (Thursday, 11/10); all mattresses were donated by The Dream Bed. Selected area families will receive their new beds tomorrow (Saturday, 11/12). Seattle police officers Jeremy Wade and Ryan Gallagher created the “Beds for Kids Project” in 2014. Seattle’s latest (October 2016) Nielsen Audio PPM report finds KIRO-FM finishing second (5.7, 6+) behind Hubbard CHR KQMV (6.9, 6+).
Cuthbertson Appointed Entercom Digital Audience Engagement Manager. Midday personality of Townsquare Media Group alternative KMAX “94.3 The X,” Fort Collins-Greeley (Colorado) Drew Cuthbertson is named Entercom‘s digital audience engagement manager. Vice president of digital audience engagement Kim Reis comments, “I am so excited to have Drew on our corporate team. His organizational and analytical skills, combined with his digital creativity and on-air experience, make
him the perfect candidate. I am sure the local teams will be jazzed by Drew’s energy and positive attitude.” Cuthbertson comments, “For my entire professional life, I have been committed to creating great digital content. I am beyond thrilled to bring my passion to a company like Entercom. There are great things on the horizon for us.” Cuthbertson will use data analytics to find opportunities on social media, websites, mobile, apps, database, podcasts, and streaming players. The Colorado State University grad is the founder and director of DC Vocals and was a sales associate and customer service representative for Babies R Us.
Election Related Stories Dominate Talkers TenTM for Week of November 7-11. Naturally, Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the presidential race was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. Close behind was the GOP’s keeping control of both the House and the Senate at #2. At #3 was ongoing talk about Hillary Clinton’s email problems, followed by the push for marijuana law reform in several states at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.
Westwood One, Barrie Begin Tactical Talk. Podcast “Tactical Talk with Allison Barrie” debuts today – Veterans Day (11/11). The counter-terrorism expert/television commentator will feature men and women who have served in the United States military, intelligence, and first responders’ space; Cumulus Media‘s Westwood One is providing ad sales representation. Westwood One president/Cumulus Media executive vice president of corporate marketing Suzanne Grimes states, “Allison is a
powerful addition to our podcast and on-demand network. She is an astute civilian insider with unique access to defense information and technology that translates into extremely compelling content. We look forward to the high-level guests and storytelling she will bring to our 245 million listeners and our valued advertising partners.” Barrie comments, “I plan to introduce America to ultimate insiders so my listeners can know what they know. Since the guests are my friends, America will get very real, up close and direct experiences. There will be exclusive content, access and reveals, but also lots of humor, courage, adventure, and a whole lot of fun. Westwood One is such a great fit for this authentic, special content. The host of “Fox Firepower,” Barrie writes the weekly Fox Firepower front-page column at FoxNews.com.
Audio Book Publisher Seeks Talk Show Content. Not books per se, but noted audio book publisher Blackstone Audio is looking for alternative content to add to their already impressive library, which includes over 12,000 of the world’s most famous book titles brought to life in the audio book format. They have already taken numerous syndicated radio shows, podcasts, and a series of educational classes on various subjects and made them available to consumers through the nation’s libraries, bookstores, and over a dozen online merchandisers as well as Blackstone’s own site www.downpour.com. They invite hosts, stations and syndicators to look through old show archives, current shows and podcasts – including anything from health to automobiles – for consideration. The path is open to content not previously believed to be audio book possible. Those interested must provide enough content to have more than one eight- to ten-hour volume and no music, unless owned by the contributor. Blackstone pays a favorable royalty for all sales. For more information, phone Blackstone Audio representative Larry Harris at 360-809-0224 or email him at talkharris@olypen.com.
Odds & Sods. Today’s (Friday, 11/11) “Operation Thank You” on Emmis talker KLBJ-AM, Austin will benefit the Fisher House at Carl R. Darnell Army Medical Center at Fort Hood. The drive will feature remote broadcasts by station personalities Todd Jeffries & Don Pryor (“Todd & Don”), Mark Caesar, Charlie Hodge, Jeff Ward, and Ed Clements ….. Starting next Monday (11/14), Jason Hillery takes on added duties as operations manager for Midwest Communications’ stations in Northeast Wisconsin, which include Green Bay mainstream CHR WIXX 
“Your #1 Hit Music Station” and Neenah-Menasha country outlet WNCY “Y-100.” Already programming Appleton country station WGEE “Duke FM,” Neenah-Menasha adult hits WYDR “Jack FM,” and sports WNFL, Hillery will program talk WTAQ, as well ….. Owing to the fact his director of broadcast operations position has been eliminated, Willobee will depart Shamrock Communications Reno (Nevada) in three weeks (12/2). Willobee joined the Shamrock Reno cluster seven years ago. He previously spent five years as operations manager/program director of WEQX, Albany, New York.
TagStation Names Burney National Sales Director. National account executive of iHeartMedia Detroit Mary Burney joins TagStation LLC, the parent of NextRadio, as national sales director. NextRadio vice president of sales Tom Doran comments, “Mary is a perfect fit for this position because she understands broadcast radio consumption, and national advertisers’ need for real time campaign performance. Mary is known for establishing relationships with key decision-makers at national brands and their agencies. The new position of national sales director comes as we are seeing rapid growth in demand for our campaign data. NextRadio data brings detailed insights to advertising campaign effectiveness, helping brands make data-driven decisions about radio buys. Among many others, AllState, Disney, The Home Depot, and Starwood Hotels’ Aloft brands have used NextRadio data to measure audience exposure, lift, demographic reach, and other metrics.” Prior to iHeartMedia, Burney was an account executive with Windsor, Ontario’s Bell Media Radio. She also worked at Clear Channel radio sales; Radio One Detroit; and Interep National Radio Sales.
“Stable” Audiences for NFL National Radio Broadcasts. The network radio partner for the National Football League, Cumulus Media‘s Westwood One, analyzed ratings for the first 13 games in each PPM local market where a national broadcast aired. It found adult 25-54 AQH radio ratings for 13 national primetime NFL games that aired during the September 8 – October 5 PPM survey period are down on average 3.5% compared to corresponding broadcasts a year ago. Factoring out the September 26 national NFL broadcast that ran opposite the first presidential debate, however, the 12-game average NFL radio rating change on Westwood One was -1.3%. According to Nielsen, almost as many people have tuned into NFL games on television this season as last season. A Westwood spokesperson writes, “Time spent watching the NFL on TV might be off due to the election coverage, but the NFL continues to be America’s most powerful media property. Recent radio ratings further showcase the power of NFL programming for advertisers to engage fans. The NFL on Westwood One provides incremental reach and enhanced campaign frequency to TV campaigns.”
Ad Man Dave Marinaccio Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. Noted advertising executive and innovator Dave Marinaccio is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne hit series, “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison.” Marinaccio, a 30-plus year veteran of the advertising industry, is the co-founder and creative director of the Arlington, Virginia-based agency LMO Advertising and has been the artistic force behind numerous marketing campaigns for major, household-name companies and product brands
including restaurants, hotels, rental cars, transportation services, and branches of the military, among others. He is also a best-selling author, whose most recent book is Admen, Mad Men, and the Real World of Advertising: Essential Lessons for Business and Life (Arcade, 2015). Marinaccio also wrote All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek (Harmony 1995). Harrison and Marinaccio discuss changes in advertising techniques and challenges that have occurred during the transition from the analogue era to the digital age including the cultural differences between Boomers and Millennials, the role of music in advertising, the nature of creativity and much more. And, yes, they also talk a bit about Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
NAB Show New York
Convention notes by consultant Holland Cooke
By Holland Cooke
Media Consultant
NEW YORK — It felt eerie stepping into The Javits Center during morning tear-down after Hillary Clinton’s non-celebration the night before. But two levels down, the place was buzzing. NAB Show/New York, now in its second year, is not a radio conference, but as media morph there’s plenty here that radio broadcasters need to hear.
“Primetime is now all the time.”
How does Bob Gruters fit his whole title on a business card? He’s Facebook’s U.S. Group Lead, Tech/Telco, Entertainment, Restaurants, and Multicultural. He defined a term that’s easy to relate to: “Nomobiphobia:” the fear of being without your mobile device. “Mobile has changed us” and “mobile has changed business” he proclaimed. When he shared that the average person looks at his/her smartphone 30 times a day — and young people 127 times – I felt young again.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
What’s Next for Talk Radio? At this week’s post-election editorial meeting, TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison shared his response to the most-frequently-asked question he has answered since it was announced on Election Night that Donald Trump cracked the 270 electoral votes threshold – What’s next for talk radio? 
Harrison says, “The answer is simple… talk radio will continue to talk about whatever is happening in society.” Harrison adds, “When things of common interest stop happening, well…that will mark the end of talk radio. Until then, you can be sure this format will keep on yapping!” According to Harrison, “It is important for talk broadcasters not to allow SWA (‘spoken word audio’) – the broader genre to which talk radio belongs – to become synonymous in the public’s perception with any singular subject (such as ‘politics’) or with any specific take on a subject (such as ‘conservative’ politics). This election did talk radio and its hosts a big favor by shaking up dissent among the ranks and even putting broadcasters in challenging struggles with their core audiences.” Harrison strongly suggests, “Respectful disagreement and unpredictability in search of truth are the engines that power not only talk radio – but democracy in general. They key word here, however, is ‘respectful.’”
NAB Show New York. Media consultant Holland Cooke is in New York City reporting from the second year of the NAB Show New York. He notes that although this is not a radio conference, there’s a lot there from which radio can learn. Cooke reports that Facebook’s Bob Gruters said the following: “‘Mobile has changed us’ and ‘mobile has changed business’ he proclaimed. When he shared that the average person looks at his/her smartphone 30 times a day — and young people 127 times – I felt young again.” Read Cooke’s report here.
iHeartMedia Madison Bids Adieu to Progressive Talker “92.1 The Mic.” Management isn’t saying anything about WXXM, Madison – the former progressive talker “92.1 The Mic” and now, all-Christmas as “92.1 BEST FM” – other than it’s Christmas music through December 25. There’s no hint of what the format might be
after that. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that mid-morning host Mitch Henck says he’s not too worried about losing his slot on the station – he streams his show online and says he’s working on getting more radio affiliates. Ditto for the afternoon program “Devil’s Advocate” with hosts Dominic Salvia and Mike Crute. Their show is streamed and the paper reports they plan to debut on 20 new affiliates in January. “92.1 The Mic” had bounced around in the Nielsen ratings (12+) recently, notching a 1.7 share in the Fall 15 book, a 2.9 in the Winter 16 book, a 1.5 share in the Spring 16 survey, and a 2.1 in the recent Summer 16 book.
Comic and Talk Host Steven Crowder Joins CRTV. Former Fox News Channel contributor, comic, and talk show host Steven Crowder is joining media company CRTV. CRTV is producing the CRTV Digital Network
that is the home of the video talk show LevinTV – hosted by Mark Levin – and new shows soon to come hosted by Michelle Malkin and Mark Steyn. Now, CRTV announces the “Louder with Crowder” host – “notorious for pushing the comedic envelope and ‘triggering’ modern leftists” – is joining the network. CRTV chief content officer Chris Crane says, “We are excited to have Steven Crowder on the CRTV team. He is a rare talent that can entertain and educate at the same time. He is very popular with young audiences, and reaches them in a unique way that very few conservatives can.”
PodcastOne Launches ‘The Chick Show.’ Leading podcast platform PodcastOne announces the launch of “The Chick Show,” featuring actresses (and working moms) Lisa Ann Walter – “Bruce Almighty,” “The Parent 
Trap” – and Rosa Blasi – “Strong Medicine” “The Thundermans.” PodcastOne says, “With a 15-year friendship under their belts, the hosts let loose and help each other through cheating husbands, online dating, falling in love, vacations with kids, single-parenting, blended families, and most importantly, balancing life as working moms – all in front of an audience who can learn from the duo’s experiences and advice.” The first guests to drop by the show are The View’s Sherri Shephard, and Chrissy Metz from the critically acclaimed NBC-TV show, “This Is Us.”
FOX Sports Radio Brings Chris Broussard Aboard. Sports media pro Chris Broussard joins FOX Sports Radio as a host, opinionist and NBA analyst. The company says that in addition to making frequent appearances across the network as a guest and contributor, Broussard will launch the first of two weekend programs this
Saturday, November 12. Co-hosted by FSR personality Brian Noe, the two will broadcast from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm ET on 200 stations nationwide, plus several digital platforms, including iHeartRadio. Broussard will add a Sunday radio program in 2017 and will continue his role as FS1’s new NBA analyst. Broussard says, “I want to thank FOX Sports Radio and FS1 for providing me with the platform to share my sports views and opinions, which have been developed over my 20 years of covering professional sports, particularly the NBA. I can’t wait to hit the airwaves in my new role with Brian Noe. Together, we’ll bring listeners a show that is smart, entertaining and insightful.”
Odds & Sods. The ad sales firm Regional Reps Corp. announces the hiring of Grace Agostino as East Coast regional manager. New York-based Agostino will cover the East Coast territory for Regional Reps, calling on clients, stations, and advertising agencies. The firm says Agostino started her sales career with Katz Media Sales in 1996.
She’s also worked for iHeartMedia, Interep, and SBS…..Westwood One announces new partnerships with Nashville-based musician, TV personality and podcaster Caroline Hobby and KQRS, Minneapolis morning host Tom Barnard. Both have joined the network’s podcast and on-demand platform via audioBoom. As part of the deal, Westwood One is providing exclusive ad sales representation for “Hyper Caroline Hobby” and “The Tom Barnard Podcast.”…..Galaxy Communications CEO Ed Levine is named chairman of The New York State Broadcasters Association for 2017. NYSBA president and executive director David Donovan says, “NYSBA is fortunate to have the most respected and dynamic executives in broadcasting serving on its board of directors. Through their leadership, 
NYSBA will help ensure that radio and television stations in New York meet the challenges of today’s hyper competitive marketplace.”…..College hoops expert Seth Davis is producing an eponymous podcast that’s being made available via a partnership between DGital Media and Time Inc.’s Sports Illustrated Group…..Pictured at left is Cumulus Media Des Moines director of marketing, NTR & integrated sales Elizabeth Stewart at last Sunday’s world record-setting “FriendsGiving” event. Held in conjunction with Prairie Trail and Jethro’s Barbecue, more than 600 people came out to set a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Number of People Breaking Bread” and enjoyed a traditional holiday meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pie, as well as games and live music. The event benefited Hope Ministries, which feeds about 450 people a day. Image: WOI-TV.
Trump Defeats Clinton in Presidential Race and GOP Retaining Control of House and Senate Dominated Discussion on News/Talk Radio Yesterday (11/9). The victory of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton for president and the GOP’s retaining control over the U.S. House and Senate were the stories that dominated the discussion on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Cooke: Talk Radio’s Dream Come True? Media consultant Holland Cooke writes today, “After nearly two years of campaign noise, many Americans were eager ‘for it to end.’ But November 8 was a beginning. And with the manners our parents preached now scorned as political correctness, the noise will only get louder. In the social media era, broadcasters’ challenge is to cut through that clutter. Donald Trump will be President of The United States, and the implications for radio’s top format are profound.” Read more here.
iHeartMedia Shows 1.2% Rise in Third Quarter Revenue. Reporting third quarter financial numbers, iHeartMedia’s revenue was $857 million – up 1.2% from the same period in 2015. For the first nine months of the 
year, iHM revenue was $2.46 billion – an increase of 3.3% over 2015. In a statement, chairman and CEO Bob Pittman touts some of the company’s initiatives and events. “We continue to grow our audiences across our broadcast radio, outdoor, digital, social, mobile and events platforms, while
advancing our transformation as a digital-facing, data-rich company built on the power of broadcast radio and out-of-home. “This quarter, we were excited to announce the reimagining of live radio with our two new subscription services, iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All Access, set to debut in January 2017. In addition, at both iHeartMedia and outdoor, we continue to invest in programmatic buying platforms and research analytics tools to leverage our assets for the benefit of our marketing and advertising partners, and at Americas outdoor and International outdoor, we continue to realign our resources to expand our digital out-of-home networks.”
Cumulus Media Dips 1.1% in Third Quarter. That figure is for the company as a whole and is a percentage change based on net revenue of $286.1 million for the third quarter of 2016. For the first nine months of this year, revenue is $841.9 million, down 2.1% from the nine month-period in 2015. Cumulus breaks the company into two 
segments – the Radio Station Group, and Westwood One. The latter has been the most troublesome for Cumulus. Westwood One net revenue was down 5.5% over the same period in 2015 while the Radio Station Group was basically flat – up just 0.7% on revenue of $206 million. President and CEO Mary Berner says, “A year into our turnaround effort, we have made considerable progress against our operational priorities while leading the industry in ratings growth. Though our performance in the quarter was negatively impacted by headwinds which have challenged us all year, we see evidence that our work is paying off financially as we gained share this quarter for the first time in at least four years. As we seek to maintain the momentum of our initial strategies, we have now also launched a focused effort to improve sales execution as the next logical step in our turnaround plan.”
Cox Media Group’s WDBO-FM, Orlando First to Declare Trump Winner in Florida and Nationally. Orlando news/talk “News 96.5 WDBO” is saying it made two “unprecedented moves” in covering the election on Tuesday night. Director of programming Drew Anderssen says his station called Trump’s Florida victory 
minutes before the Associated Press. “Our in-house statistician watched returns county-by-county from the State of Florida, rather than relying on other national media outlets, which led to my decision to call Florida a victory for Trump.” Later in the evening, Anderssen says the station projected Trump to be the next president more than two-hours before “the Associated Press or any other national news outlet.” He adds, “We were looking at all scenarios and talking with our Washington DC bureau’s Jaime Dupree, who has 30 years of experience monitoring elections from Capitol Hill. Along with our ‘News 96.5 WDBO’ in-house team, it was a clear to us that it was statistically not possible for Hillary to win. I trusted my team and stood by their experience when we went on the air at midnight projecting Trump the winner.” WDBO morning host Joe Kelley scored a rare, morning-after interview today. Kelley says, “We wrote his number down from the caller ID during yesterday’s interview. We called the number today thinking ‘there’s no way he’ll answer,’ but he did.”
The Trump vs Clinton Race; the U.S. House and Senate Races; Hillary Clinton’s Email Problem; Marijuana Legalization; and the NFL’s Sinking Ratings Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/8). The presidential election; the U.S. House and Senate races the battle for control over Congress; the lingering issues relative to Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server for State Department business; the several states with marijuana legalization on the ballots and shifting attitude across the country; the weekend’s NFL action and the league’s sinking ratings were among the top news/talk stories yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Beasley’s SEC Filing Details Q3 Results. The company announced last week that its net revenue of $27.7 million in the third quarter of this year represents a 5.6% increase over the same period a year ago. The Form 10-
Q filed with the Securities Exchange Commission includes information about what constituted the $1.5 million year-over-year increase. Beasley Broadcast Group notes, “Significant factors affecting net revenue included a $1 million increase in advertising revenue from our Tampa-Saint Petersburg market cluster, a $0.4 million increase in advertising revenue from our Charlotte market cluster, and a $0.3 million increase in advertising revenue from our Fayetteville market cluster – partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in advertising revenue from our Wilmington market cluster. Net revenue for the [quarter]…also included $0.5 million of political advertising from the 2016 elections.”
Rob Graham Retires from WINA, Charlottesville. News director Rob Graham is retiring from Saga Communications’ news/talk WINA, Charlottesville after 32 years with the station. He’d also worked in his home state of Iowa at KWPC and KFMH in Muscatine and KLNT and KLNQ in Clinton during his career. He left radio for two years in 2000 to work in the public relations business.
Talk Radio’s Dream Come True?
By Holland Cooke
Media Consultant
NEW YORK — After nearly two years of campaign noise, many Americans were eager “for it to end.” But November 8 was a beginning. And with the manners our parents preached now scorned as political correctness, the noise will only get louder. In the social media era, broadcasters’ challenge is to cut through that clutter.
Donald Trump will be President of The United States, and the implications for radio’s top format are profound.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Salem Third Quarter Net Broadcast Revenue Up 3.2%. Chief executive officer Edward Atsinger said on the Q3 conference call that Salem Media Group’s total revenue was up 5.6% but expenses were up 7.3%, “resulting in a 1.5% decrease in adjusted EBITDA.” Atsinger said the expenses increase was almost entirely the result of 
increased health care costs. Back to the numbers, in the Broadcast segment, net broadcast revenue was $51.1 million, an increase of 3,2% over the same period a year ago. However, station operating income decreased by 2.1%. Atsinger reported that although they booked $1 million of broadcast political revenue during the quarter, that was down about 20% from the same period during the 2012 campaign. However, Atsinger adds, “Network revenue was up 29.2% for the quarter. Obviously, this extraordinary political year is a major driver in this revenue growth, and our nationally syndicated hosts have significantly increased their profile beyond the exposure of their own radio programs, which has resulted in an increased time spent listening to their shows and better response for advertisers, all of which has led to higher renewals, higher rates of renewals, and additional advertising clients.”
Townsquare Media Net Revenue Flat in Q3. On a pro forma basis, Townsquare Media’s Local Marketing Solutions segment – the one that includes broadcast and digital – saw net revenue increase 3.8% over the same period a year ago. It was the Entertainment segment – live events – that had a tough quarter and drew the company down to a net revenue decrease of 0.8%. Townsquare Media chairman and CEO Steven Price says, “On a pro
forma basis, our Local Marketing Solutions segment continued its positive momentum by delivering another quarter of solid growth, with net revenue increasing approximately 4% over the prior year period. These results were offset by a decline in our Entertainment segment due primarily to exceptionally poor weather at four of our largest fairs. Excluding those fairs, Townsquare’s pro forma net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 2% and 3%, respectively.” For the first nine months of the year, Townsquare’s (pro forma) net revenue is up 2.2% and the Local Marketing Solutions segment is up 5.1%.
Saga Communications Q3 Net Revenue Rises 6.8%. Reporting financial data for the third quarter of 2016, Saga Communications’ net revenue was $36.1 million – an increase of 6.8% over the same period a year ago. Breaking the radio segment out from the television segment, radio’s net revenue was $29.8 million – an increase of 4.6% over 2015’s third quarter. For the year so far, Saga’s net revenue is $105.3 million – up 8.3% over the first nine months of 2015.
WABC, New York Officially Names Sid Rosenberg Imus Sports Anchor. A press release from Cumulus Media’s WABC, New York officially announces that Sid Rosenberg is returning to the “Imus in the Morning”
show to serve as sports anchor, however the presser makes no mention of Warner Wolf, who exited the show suddenly on Friday (11/4). WABC program director Craig Schwalb comments, “Sid’s triumphant return to ‘Imus In The Morning’ has reunited him with an incredibly gifted cast. Their collective chemistry is exceptional.” Rosenberg adds, “I’m really excited to be back with Imus and the guys in the same role where it all started for me nearly 17 years ago.” Rosenberg will continue to co-host the late morning show with now-fellow Imus cast member Bernard McGuirk.
NAB to Sue FCC Over Quadrennial Review. This suit must be filed by Monday and that is presumably what the National Association of Broadcasters will do as EVP of media relations Dennis Wharton says it’s 
difficult to believe the Federal Communications Commission could recommend (on a 3-2 party line vote) going forward with decades-old policy when technology is
moving the industry ahead at the speed of light. The cross-ownership rules seem particularly out of date considering what’s been going on in other sectors of the media, says Wharton, who tells Broadcasting and Cable, “Broadcasters want to compete in the digital age and continue being a trusted source for local news and information, but FCC rules need to reflect 2016 and not the 1960s. It defies belief that the FCC allows AT&T/DirecTV and Charter/Time Warner mergers while barring two Topeka TV stations from combining, or a radio station from buying a newspaper.”
Today’s Presidential Election; the U.S. House and Senate Races; Voter Fraud and Poll Hacking Concerns; UVA Administrator Awarded $3 Million in Rolling Stone Rape Story Case; Hillary Clinton’s Emails Troubles; and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/7). The presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the down-ticket races for U.S. House and Senate seats; concerns over voter fraud and the possibility of hacking the electronic polls; a jury awards a University of Virginia administrator $3 million in her case against Rolling Stone and the author of a discredited story about a gang rape at the school; the private email server case surrounding Hillary Clinton’s campaign; and the weekend’s NFL Action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Ginny Morris to Chair RAB Board of Directors. The Radio Advertising Bureau announces the new slate of officers recently to its board of directors and new, incoming directors. Chairperson and CEO of Hubbard Radio Ginny Morris is elected chair of the RAB board of directors. Cox Media Group RVP Susan Larkin is
the vice chair. The finance chair is Steve Newberry, president and CEO of Commonwealth 
Broadcasting. The secretary is Mike Hulvey, COO, Neuhoff Communications, and immediate past chair is Hartley Adkins, president, Northeast Division & Corporate Operations, iHeartMedia. Newly elected directors are: Brian Beasley, EVP, chief operating officer, Beasley Media Group; Jonathan Brewster, CEO/president, Cherry Creek Radio LLC; Mike Tarter, president/CEO, Forcht Broadcasting; and Sabina Widmann, VP, general manager/director of sales, radio, Univision Radio. RAB president and CEO Erica Farber says, “We are excited to have Ginny Morris at the helm of the RAB board of directors. With Ginny’s tremendous experience and passion for this industry, the organization is well-positioned to continue to lead and advocate for radio.”
What Are You Going to Do on Wednesday?
By Waltr Sabo
Sabo Media
CEO
NEW YORK — “Talk radio” is whatever you want it to be. Talk is the only viable, free-form format.
Is your current programming delivering the growth and demos you like? Have your numbers been getting older and smaller?
Then what you’re airing isn’t working—or good business.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Entercom Reports Q3 Net Revenue Up 5%. It was a rosy third quarter for Entercom Communications as it reports net revenue was $120.5 million during the period – up 5% from the same period a year ago. Station operating income increased 12% to $37.9 million, and adjusted net income per share increased 8% to $0.27. 
Entercom president and CEO David Field states, “Entercom delivered another solid quarter of organic top-line and bottom-line growth, demonstrating the strength of our great local brands and our outstanding team. We are also very pleased to have just completed a highly successful refinancing that will lower our annual interest expense by more than $10 million and to have announced a terrific, value-creating acquisition of four stations in Charlotte. We are excited by the opportunities ahead as we look to finish the year on a strong note and get off to a great start in 2017.” Entercom is acquiring news/talk WBT-AM/FM, hot AC WLNK, and sports talk WFNC in Charlotte from Beasley. Currently it is operating WBT-AM/FM and WLNK under an LMA and expects to close on the stations by the first of the year. If the purchase of the stations from Beasley doesn’t close by then, it will start operating WFNZ under an LMA, as well.
CBS RADIO Reports Flat Q3. As parent company CBS Corp. prepares to issue an initial public offering on CBS RADIO stock and create a separate company out of the radio segment, it is breaking out the radio numbers from the Local Broadcasting segment. CBS RADIO’s performance was basically flat comparing the third quarter of 2016 to the same period a year ago. Net revenue was $319 million compared to $318 million in 2015.
Gann Upped to Regional SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia. Programming pro Brian Gann is being elevated to regional SVP/programming for iHeartMedia’s Central Texas Region. Gann has been program director 
for spoken-word formatted stations in the same region, including news/talk WOAI and sports talk KTKR in San Antonio and news/talk KVET in Austin. In this new role, San Antonio-based Gann will “oversee all on-air content as well as music and digital programming for iHM’s 15 radio station brands in the Austin and San Antonio regions.” He comments, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to program some of the leading radio station brands in Central Texas. Great things are happening for iHeartMedia in Austin and San Antonio and I am humbled to be a part of it.”
Update on Warner Wolf’s ‘Imus’ Exit. No one’s talking on the record – neither Don Imus nor WABC – but it appears that sports anchor Warner Wolf’s surprise departure from his role on the “Imus in the Morning” show
based at Cumulus Media’s WABC comes as a result of the wishes of Imus himself. The New York Daily News’ Don Kaplan writes that, when asked why he’s leaving the show, his cagey response was, “You’d have to ask Imus that question.” As TALKERS reported on Friday, WABC personality Sid Rosenberg is returning to the sports anchor role on the show and he’ll continue to co-host the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon show with Bernard McGuirk. Read the Daily News piece here.
iHeartRadio Names Peterson and Murphy to SVP Positions. Joining iHeartMedia’s digital platform iHeartRadio are Chris Peterson, to serve as senior vice president of podcasting, and Beth Murphy, as the new
senior vice president of marketing. The company says Peterson will oversee iHeartRadio’s overall 
podcast strategy and grow its profile in the podcast community. He will guide content partnerships, advise the product team on its podcast roadmap, and work with sales to monetize podcast efforts. He most recently was content partnerships manager for TuneIn. He’s also worked as director of operations for The Blaze and the director of affiliate relations for Premiere Networks. Murphy’s charge is to manage brand messaging and the user lifecycle process, as well as optimize user acquisition and retention. She will work closely with iHeartRadio’s Chris Williams, chief product officer and Adam Denenberg, chief technology officer to oversee iHeartRadio’s overall streaming music and live digital radio strategy. Murphy has previously served as chief marketing officer at Deezer and Stitcher.
Sabo: What Are You Going to Do on Wednesday? Media consultant Walter Sabo asks that question of talk radio stations that are talking primarily politics most of the time. What do stations that want to broaden their appeal do after tomorrow’s election? He ticks off a list of stations whose ratings are growing and states, “Those stations, and others that are growing, present a wide range of subjects and hosts with varying points of view. The results indicate that the wider the conversation, the higher the ratings.” Read more from Sabo here.
The St. Louis Post- Dispatch Encourages FCC Complaints About Oldies/Talk KZQZ-AM. The newspaper has taken an unusual step in publishing an editorial encouraging the public to complain to the FCC about 
the language of talk host Bob Romanik. The station calls itself “The First Amendment Station” and the newspaper says it is a great supporter of First Amendment rights, “but there’s a line between political expression and hate speech that must not be crossed.” Romanik’s voice appears in recorded political ads in which he refers repeatedly to St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern as a cross-dresser and “faggot.” The paper writes, “Listeners must not allow this abuse of the public airwaves to stand. The Federal Communications Commission needs to hear from anyone who believes Romanik’s hate speech deserves sanction. Romanik makes GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump seem like a model of good manners and decorum.” Read the whole editorial here.
Odds & Sods. At Entercom’s sports talk WEEI-FM, Boston, air personality and WEEI.com writer Jerry Thornton announces he’s leaving the company to return to Barstool Sports where he’ll write and host his own football podcast. Thornton joined WEEI two years ago and has been serving as the third voice on the afternoon drive “Dale and Holley” show with Dale Arnold and Michael Holley. He writes of his decision saying, “You don’t walk away from a job situation like this unless you have an opportunity too good to pass up. And that’s what Barstool has offered me.”…..iHeartMedia promotes Matt “Shaggy” Culbreath from his APD position to program director of news/talk WSPD, Toledo…..Former WITI-TV, Milwaukee anchor and reporter Katrina Cravy is signed up to make regular, twice-weekly appearances on the “Mornings with Dave Luczak” show on Saga Communications’ classic rock WKLH, Milwaukee. Cravy exited the TV station in September of this year…..FOX News Radio’s election coverage plans include a 6:00 pm start for anchored content with Jared Halpern, Laura Ingle, along with Fox News contributor Tony Sayegh. Tonya J. Powers and Jon Decker will report live from the Hillary Clinton campaign headquarters while Rachel Sutherland and Gurnal Scott will be on hand live from the Trump headquarters. FNR will have reporters throughout key states and Chad Pergram will cover the congressional race from Capitol Hill.
Beasley Broadcast Group Retains Dan Finn to Lead New Jersey Stations. On the heels of last week’s closing on the Greater Media stations, Beasley Broadcast Group announces that it is formally bringing
executive Dan Finn into the company’s fold as senior vice president and market manager for the New Jersey cluster. Finn had been with Greater Media since 2001, first as VP and regional general manager, then as SVP and regional general manager since 2007. Finn comments, “It’s an honor and privilege to now be a part of the Beasley team. My staff and I are excited to continue working with these heritage properties for such a legendary broadcasting company.”
The Presidential Race, U.S. House and Senate Races, FBI Clears Clinton in Emails Matter, ObamaCare Premiums Soar, Daylight Saving Time Ends, and College and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The presidential contest between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the down-ticket races for the U.S. House and Senate; FBI Director James Comey announces no new investigation into Clinton emails; ObamaCare’s premium increases; the pros and cons of Daylight Saving Time; and the weekend’s college football and NFL games were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Dickey Broadcasting Inks 10-Year Deal with Atlanta Braves. From Atlanta comes news of Dickey Broadcasting Company’s new deal with MLB’s Atlanta Braves that’s described by the WCNN owner as “an 
unprecedented” 10-year extension for the company to continue to serve as exclusive radio rights-holder for Braves baseball through 2026. In addition, Dickey Broadcasting is announcing it will move its studios and offices to a new space in The Battery Atlanta, leasing loft office space on the 4th floor, overlooking the plaza and next to the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in the new mixed-use development adjacent to the team’s new home – SunTrust Park. As part of the deal, Dickey’s WCNN and FM translator W229AG at 93.7 will air all regular season, preseason and post-season games – in addition to a plethora of Braves-related out-of-game programming. Dickey Broadcasting president David Dickey states, “This extension represents a new era for our relationship with one of the most storied franchises in professional sports. We’ve long been proud partners of the Atlanta Braves and now we’re excited that we can call them our neighbors at The Battery Atlanta. From expanded coverage opportunities to exclusive programming, we’ll be able to share the best stories from the team to all of Braves Country.” Dickey Broadcasting will also continue to manage the Braves Radio Network.
Sid Rosenberg to Replace Warner Wolfe on ‘Imus in the Morning.’ There’s been no official statement
from Cumulus or WABC, New York, but it’s being widely reported that longtime “Imus in the Morning” sports anchor Warner Wolfe has “retired” from the Imus show effective immediately. Former Imus sports anchor (and current late morning WABC personality) Sid Rosenberg tells TALKERS he makes his return to that slot on Monday (11/7).
Devils, Prudential Center and iHeartMedia Launch The One Jersey Sports and Entertainment Network. A collaboration between the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, along with iHeartMedia New York results in the launch of The One Jersey Sports and Entertainment Network, a “first-of-its-kind digital platform featuring all live regular season Devils hockey games and original Devils and New Jersey entertainment programming.” The platform is accessible via the Devils app and via iHeartRadio. Twenty-three regular season Devils games will be exclusively available on the platform and the rest of the regular season games will be simulcast along with broadcast partner CBS RADIO’s WFAN, New York. A press release adds, “Original programming on The One Jersey Network will include exclusive live and on-demand content from the Devils and Prudential Center featuring Devils coaches, players, alumni and fans; Devils, sports, entertainment, community and cultural podcasts; and diverse, world-class New Jersey-focused entertainment content from The Rock – the home of New Jersey sports and entertainment. The network will showcase prominent New Jersey personalities, journalists and up-and-coming talent from around the Garden State. A full programming schedule will be announced at a later date.”
ESPN New York’s Michael Kay and Don La Greca Face Off in ‘The Great Sports Debate.’ On Monday,
ESPN O&O WEPN, New York “ESPN New York 98.7 FM” is presenting “The Great Sports Debate” at Fordham University’s Keating Hall, live on the radio and simulcast on the YES Network from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET. Afternoon drive personalities (Fordham alum) Michael Kay and Don La Greca “will face each other in a battle of wits about the hottest topics in sports, with Kay show co-host Peter Rosenberg as the moderator. Celebrity judges Rick DiPietro, Chris Canty and Bill Daughtry from the Hahn & Humpty show decide on the champion. The live showcase is being presented in conjunction with the school’s Department of Communication and Media Studies. It’s open to students, faculty and administrators at Fordham. In addition, a few lucky listeners who won an on-air contest will be in attendance.
Election 2016 Issues Top Talkers TenTM for Week of October 31-November 4. The presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week. At #2 on the Talkers TenTM was the FBI’s Hillary Clinton emails investigation. Coming in at #3 was the down-ticket U.S. House and Senate Races, followed by concerns about potential voter fraud and poll tampering at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.
PodcastOne Debuts Horror Series Starring Malcolm McDowell. On Halloween Day, PodcastOne launched a new dramatic, suspense series starring Golden Globe nominee Malcolm McDowell. “Dreadtime Stories” features McDowell taking on roles written by top writers, including Max Allan Collins (“Road to Perdition”) and featuring celebrity guest stars. Each story has new characters with the recurring elements of nail-biting suspense and dark humor. New podcasts will be available Mondays on a bi-weekly schedule. PodcastOne founder and CEO Norm Pattiz states, “This is a great new addition to our dramatic lineup, hosted by Malcolm McDowell, no less. I just listened to the first episode, and it’s great.” The series was co-created by Carl Amari, Tom DeFeo and Max Allan Collins and produced/directed by Carl Amari and Fangoria. Check it out here.
Carole Marks Honored for Contributions to the Preservation of Nature. In a ceremony at their facility in Mystic, Connecticut, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center honored Focus Communications CEO Carole Marks for her tremendous contributions over the years to supporting the organization and its work in preserving nature – specifically flowers, pollinators (butterflies) and birds. Marks, who hosts the long-running, syndicated upper-demo talk radio weekend show, “A Touch of Grey,” is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on issues of concern to senior citizens and their families. She is also a dedicated champion in the battle against ageism in American society. Marks (left) is pictured at the event with the center’s executive director, Maggie Jones (right).
Thursday, November 3, 2016
It’s Official: WIP, Philadelphia Announces Chris Carlin and Ike Reese Afternoon Show. As has been rumored for more than a week, CBS RADIO is bringing former WFAN, New York personality and “Mike and the Mad Dog” producer Chris Carlin aboard to co-host the afternoon show with longtime station personality (and former
Eagles star) Ike Reese. Carlin has been working for SportsNet New York hosting the “Loud Mouths” show and as voice of Rutgers football broadcasts. He also handled sports updates on WFAN’s “Imus in the 
Morning” program for a while. Carlin and Reese will broadcast the new program weekdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm beginning Monday (11/7). CBS RADIO Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “Chris Carlin understands the passion that major East Coast cities have for their sports teams. It’s easy to be excited to add a seasoned talker who has hosted great shows. I know he’ll fit right in at WIP. Ike Reese has spent the last nine years developing a deep relationship with Philadelphia sports fans. He’s passionate. He’s opinionated. He’s beloved. We’re thrilled that he’ll be playing an even bigger role at the radio station.” Carlin comments, “I couldn’t be more excited to come to Philadelphia. When the opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer. The passion of the Philly fans is legendary and that’s what I’m hoping to feed off. Ike’s been a part of it for a long time and he’s got his finger on the pulse of the city. I know I’ve worked in New York for most of my career, but to co-host in afternoon drive on one of the cornerstone stations of radio in Philadelphia is something I could never have imagined.”
Ramsey’s Smart Money Event Sells Out in Grand Rapids. Nationally syndicated talk radio superstar and best-selling author Dave Ramsey sold out his Smart Money event in Grand Rapids last night (11/2) at DeVos Performance Hall. Ramsey combined forces with local affiliate News Radio WOOD to promote the event. iHeartMedia local market manager Tim Feagan says, “We are so pleased to have Dave Ramsey back in West Michigan. Grand Rapids and WOOD Radio have hosted many Ramsey events here over the years and our listeners continue to respond enthusiastically to his fresh take on money and life. We will again have a great turnout this week and we, and more importantly, our clients, could not be more thrilled to have Dave back.” Pictured here are (from l-r): Phil Tower, director of content & programming for WOOD and WTKG; Ramsey; Feagan; and Kim Lozano, general sales manager for iHeartMedia West Michigan.
National Radio Hall of Fame Announces The Mix Group Sponsorship. For this year’s 28th Annual National Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on November 17, radio imaging and production company The Mix Group will serve as the exclusive presenting sponsor. In a statement from the National Radio Hall of 
Fame, The Mix Group will also serve as an annual supporter of other upcoming National Radio Hall of Fame events. Additionally, CBS Radio, Hubbard Radio, Premiere Networks, Westwood One and DTS, Inc. have committed to the efforts of the National Radio Hall of Fame as annual supporting sponsors. NRHoF chairman Kraig T. Kitchin says, “We’re so pleased to have the most generous support of The Mix Group for this prestigious occasion and the year to come, along with CBS, Hubbard, Premiere, Westwood and DTS. Together, we’ll shine a light on the best our industry has to offer through this fine institution.” On November 17, the class of 2016 will be inducted at the Broadcast Communications in downtown Chicago. It consists of: George G. Beasley, Delilah, Jeff & Jer (Jeff Detrow & Jerry Cesak), Eric & Kathy (Eric Ferguson & Kathy Hart), Steve Harvey, Bob Kingsley, Kidd Kraddick, Tony Roberts, Neil Rogers and Michael Savage.
Mel Gibson Speaks About Hacksaw Ridge at SiriusXM Town Hall. Pictured here is Hacksaw Ridge director Mel Gibson (second from right) with actors Vince Vaughn (left) and Luke Bracey (second from left) with SiriusXM’s John Fugelsang (right) at the taping of the SiriusXM Town Hall promoting Gibson’s new film. The program will air on the satcaster’s “Insight” channel Friday at 4:00 pm ET. Photo: Cindy Ord, SiriusXM.
Odds & Sods. New York City radio legend Alex Bennett is releasing his autobiography – in audio form! Bennett
calls it a “spoken-word history of my 77 years” titled, “Life in the Passing Lane.” Bennett tells TALKERS that after being asked over the years when he was going write a book of his life, he finally did it in 67, 30-minute chapters that are available via his Gabnet.net website. He says, “It covers all my adventures in broadcasting and the people and places I have encountered along the way. I am very proud of it.”.…..At Magic Broadcasting’s Panama City, Florida station group, Marc Summers rejoins the company to serve as operations manager and program director for CHR WILN, urban AC WVVE, and news/talk WYOO.
The Presidential Race, Hillary Clinton Emails Investigation, U.S. House and Senate Races, Battle Against Islamic State for Mosul, ObamaCare Premium Hikes, European Migrant Troubles, Iowa Cops Slain, the World Series, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/2). The race for president between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the controversy over the FBI’s renewed investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server; the races for U.S. House and Senate seats; the fight to re-take the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State; the outrage over premium hikes and plan choice for health care as the result of the Affordable Care Act; migrant-related violence in France and Germany; the slaying of two Iowa police officers; the build-up to game 7 of the World Series; and the weekend’s NFL Action were some of the most-talked about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Beasley Broadcast Group Reports Q3 Net Revenue Up 5.6%; Caroline Beasley Named CEO. Today’s third quarter financial report comes the day after Beasley Broadcast Group closed on its acquisition of Greater Media’s stations. Beasley estimates that going forward, the acquisition will “more than double Beasley’s 
revenue base.” This quarterly report reflects the operation of the 52 stations owned as of September 30. Net revenue for the quarter was $27.7 million, an increase of 5.6% over the same period a year ago. At the same time as this report is being released, the company announces that, effective January 1, 2017, B. Caroline Beasley will begin serving the company as CEO, removing the interim from her title. Caroline Beasley takes over for her father, George Beasley, who’s been on
medical leave. He maintains his role as chairman of the board. Also, Marie Tedesco, who presently serves as the company’s vice president of finance, will assume Caroline Beasley’s chief financial officer position, effective January 1, 2017. Speaking about the Greater Media deal, Caroline Beasley says, “The transaction immediately and significantly broadens our local radio broadcasting and digital platform, 
geographic footprint and revenue base by adding leading stations and great brands that are complementary to our existing operating base, while presenting the opportunity for synergies with the company’s existing station portfolio. Specifically, the transaction increases our broadcast portfolio by approximately 33% and more than doubles our audience reach as we enter four new markets with nine stations – Detroit; Middlesex, Monmouth, and Morristown, New Jersey – and adds nine other stations in Philadelphia and Boston where we already operate… Looking forward, we plan to apply our historical focus on strong core programming and targeted localism to the newly acquired stations as these strategies support strong ratings and market leadership. While we’ll record initial contributions from the new stations in the fourth quarter, Beasley will realize the value of the transaction beginning in 2017 as we extract operating and cost synergies, enhance sales practices, and apply our proven operating disciplines.”
Porth Upped to PD at WPRT, Nashville. Nashville sports talk duo WPRT “ESPN 102.5 The Game” and WBUZ-HD3/W235BW “94.9 The Game 2” names Ryan Porth program director for the stations. Porth has been serving as 
assistant PD and rises with the recent departure of Jeremy Bennefield. The Cromwell Group general manager Jana Hampton states, “It’s great when you can hire from within. Ryan Porth has exceeded expectations as the APD and has proven himself worthy of the elevated role.” Porth comments, “There’s a lot of talent with our newly constructed weekday lineup on ‘102.5 The Game’ and I’m looking forward to being a part of the continued growth of our stations.”
WFNZ, Charlotte’s Jim Celania Retires from Sports Talker. Nineteen-year WFNZ, Charlotte air personality Jim Celania retired from the station on Monday, telling the Charlotte Observer he doesn’t want to be one of “those 
guys” who hangs around too long. The 67-year-old media pro tells the paper, “I’ve seen it in TV and in radio – those guys who hang around too long. I didn’t want to be one of them. That’s the truth. It was time to get off the bus.” Celania (pictured, left) retired the day before Entercom took control of the station under an LMA as it prepares to close on acquisition of the station from Beasley Broadcast Group. Celania, who worked on several shows at the station over the years, most recently co-hosted “The Mac Attack” morning show with Chris McClain (center) and T-Bone (right). He worked for WCNC-TV prior to joining WFNZ in 1999.
Galaxy Names Pam Levine Chief of Galaxy Events. Recently Galaxy Communications announced the creation of a new division – Galaxy Events. Now, we learn that Pam Levine – the wife and longtime business 
partner of Galaxy Communications president and CEO Ed Levine is heading the division as president/CEO. Ed Levine says, “Pam Levine started this division 10 years ago with a vision of what it could become. A decade of many successful events later, the vision has become reality. As we now expand across New York State and soon the entire country, this new title is overdue.” Galaxy Communications owns 14 radio stations in Syracuse and Utica-Rome and also owns many of the area’s biggest community events including Wine and Chocolate Festivals, K-Rockathon, Taste of Syracuse and many more.
Odds & Sods. WABC, New York personality Sid Rosenberg – co-host of the daily “Bernie & Sid” show – is
hosting the promotion “Sid, Sports, ‘n Stuff” at NYY Steak on West 51st Street in New York City on Monday, November 28. The 7:00 pm event will consist of a night of sports, sports trivia, steak, guest athletes, special surprise guests, and prizes…..Digital audio service TuneIn is offering play-by-play of all of this season’s NBA games live via its TuneIn NBA station. It will offer original shows such as “NBA Gametime,” “Open Court,” and “The Starters,” plus is partnering with the Golden State Warriors to launch the “Warriors Sound” radio station. TuneIn is working with additional teams to create similar stations as a destination for free, unique, team-specific content to fans wherever they are…..SiriusXM is launching a new show hosted by Florida State golf coach Trey Jones on its SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel. The show is called “Beyond the Tips” and will feature co-host Jeff Cameron and Jones each Wednesday at 9:00 pm ET for an hour covering NCAA golf.
Rick Jakle Selling Three Signals to William Pollock. Broadcaster (and banker) Rick Jakle is selling his three radio stations to William Pollock for an undisclosed sum. The stations are: WRMN, Elgin, Illinois; WBIG, Aurora, Illinois; and KSHP, Las Vegas. The move marks Jakle’s 50 years of serving the Elgin community. Jakle comments, “The greatest privilege in my professional life was coming to WRMN as a young 24-year-old
broadcaster in 1966. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to build and operate great local radio facilities and I am proud to have created and developed the Radio Shopping Show concept 34 years ago. None of what we have accomplished would have been possible without my team of dedicated broadcasters. If there’s any secret to our success — simply stated, it’s our remarkable people.” William Pollack’s companies own radio stations in Missouri as well as TV stations in California and Louisiana. He also owns movie theaters in various markets.
The Presidential Race, Hillary Clinton Emails Investigation, U.S. House and Senate Races, U.S.-Philippines Relations, the World Series, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/1). The presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the FBI’s renewed investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server; the down-ticket races for U.S. House and Senate seats; the state of U.S.-Philippines relations as the result of Rodrigo Duterte’s mercurial behavior; the Cubs-Indians World Series; and the weekend’s NFL Action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
‘Too $hort’s Boombox’ at Popfest in LA. The photo above captures the PodcastOne show “Too $hort’s Boombox” being recorded live last Saturday (10/29) at Entertainment Weekly’s Popfest in Downtown Los Angeles. Also recording their PodcastOne show at the podcast stage on Saturday was “LadyGang,” hosted by the Insider’s Keltie Knight, Glee’s Becca Tobin and fashion designer Jac Vanek. Pictured above are (from l-r): Bobby “Loco” Spencer, Leli Hernandez, Evelyn Gonzalez, Michael Rapaport and Too $hort.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Cooke on Talkers TV: Make Money with Endorsement Spots. Consultant Holland Cooke presents this brief-yet-insightful video underlining some of the key aspects of – and reasons for – well-done endorsement spots for local advertisers. Cooke notes that especially “if your competition is robotic and you’re doing solid, local radio, you have the advantage.” He adds, “YES YOU CAN become ‘indispensable’ to your station, even with all the changes radio has gone through, and with more coming.” He reiterates advice from Katz Media Group EVP of strategy Stacy Lynn Schulman, who says, “Broadcast advertising that is ‘localized’ stands out because the velocity and variety of digital interactions today have multiplied our level of distraction and numbed us to the constant barrage of retargeted, ‘personalized’ digital ads.” Watch the video on Talkers TV in the upper right-hand of this page.
Keith Larson Exits WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte. Ahead of Entercom’s taking over the Greater Media news/talk duo (along with hot AC WLNK and sports WFNZ in a spin-off deal from Beasley Broadcast Group‘s acquisition of Greater Media’s radio stations), 14-year WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte talk host Keith Larson is let go from the station. The Charlotte Observer
reports that Larson and news director Jim Barroll – with the station for 31 years – left after their shifts yesterday (10/31). Larson, who hosted the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon show, told the Observer, “There have been ups and downs but it’s been absolutely fabulous at WBT. I would have done another 14. I’m very blessed that I’ve always had other interests and other investments. It’s a drag but life goes on.” Larson tells the paper he will expand his Larson Advertising and Media Associates business, is a minority partner in a Zen Massage franchise and also hopes to continue writing his Charlotte Observer column. Read the Observer piece here.
Matt Hanlon to Head New Charlotte Cluster for Entercom. Former Citadel Midwest regional manager Matt Hanlon is named the new vice president and market manager for Entercom’s Charlotte stations. The company notes that while at Citadel, Hanlon “launched a sports network and a news network creating new
revenue in Michigan and maximized both ratings and sales across local, regional, national and non-spot. Hanlon began his career in broadcasting as a media buyer for Backer & Spielvogel, vice president of stations at Katz Media Group and vice president, director of sales at AM/FM.” Entercom COO Weezie Kramer says, “We are super excited to welcome Matt to Entercom and to the Charlotte team. Matt has terrific experience in news, talk, sports, syndication, working with big personalities and making a difference in the community – all of which make him a great fit for Charlotte and these iconic brands.” As noted above, the new Entercom Charlotte cluster includes news/talk WBT-AM/FM, sports talk WFNZ and hot AC WLNK.
Beasley Names New Market Managers for Detroit and Fayetteville. Replacing Steve Chessare as vice president and market manager for its newly acquired Detroit station group is Mac “Edwards” (McTindal), and moving up to fill Edwards’ role at the Fayetteville, North Carolina cluster is Erika Beasley. Edwards takes over the cluster just acquired from the Greater Media deal. It includes rock WRIF, rhythmic oldies WMGC “105.1 The
Bounce,” and classic rock WCSX. Beasley EVP/COO Brian Beasley comments, “After 25 years of dedicated service to Beasley’s Fayetteville market, Mac will bring his wealth of experience to our new 
Detroit cluster. Mac has worked with Beasley in positions from program director to air personality to operations manager and he has served as Fayetteville’s award-winning market manager since 2007. We’re moving forward on our path to success in Detroit as Mac takes the helm of these iconic stations.” Erika Beasley has been serving the company as general sales manager of WQYK, Tampa since January 2015. She states, “With Fayetteville’s established, veteran market manager Mac Edwards as my predecessor, I know I will have huge shoes to fill! I am absolutely prepared for this new challenge and welcome this new level of responsibility. My sincere appreciation goes to the entire executive management team for showing abiding faith in my leadership abilities. I am excited about my opportunity in Fayetteville and am anxious to get to work with my new team!”
WPHT, Philadelphia Host Dom Giordano Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. One of the longest-running and most highly respected major market local news/talkers in America, Dom Giordano of CBS O&O WPHT, Philadelphia, is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “Up Close and Far Out with Michael
Harrison.” Giordano, a moderate conservative with libertarian leanings, objectively discusses the impact that the election of 2016 (with its disruptive Donald Trump factor) has had on most of the industry’s news/talkers. Harrison says, “This conversation is a fitting way for this media-based series to wrap up the 2016 pre-election era. Dom Giordano is one of those rare players in today’s talk media who seeks truth (at least as he earnestly sees it) – even if it comes at the expense of victory. We need more of that kind of thinking on all ends of the political spectrum in America. It’ll make better radio, not to mention a better country.” To listen to this podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
Nielsen: News/Talk Benefitting from Election Cycle. The news/talk format is seeing the expected spike in PPM ratings that happens every four years as the result of the presidential election, according to Nielsen Audio. The company’s PPM surveys over the past year indicate that, as a format, news/talk has risen from a 9.1 share in October of 2015 to a 9.9 share this October (persons 6+). In terms of the 25-54 demo, the format is up a full share from a 6.3 in October of 2015 to this October’s 7.3 share. Interestingly, comparing the last presidential election cycle – October 2012 – to this October, the numbers are lower for 6+ and 25-54 (10.4 share to 9.9, and 7.8 share to 7.3, respectively) the 18-34 share is up from a 4.1 to a 4.3. See the Nielsen report here.
The Presidential Contest, U.S. House and Senate Races, FBI’s Hillary Emails Investigation, CNN Drops Donna Brazile, Peter Thiel National Press Club Speech, Battle for Mosul, Russian Military in Syria, the World Series, and the Weekend’s NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/31). The presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump; the down-ticket races for U.S. House and Senate seats; FBI Director James Comey’s announcement the FBI is again investigating Hillary Clinton’s private server emails; CNN cuts ties with Donna Brazile after a Wikileaks-hacked email indicates she tipped the Clinton campaign off about a debate question; tech billionaire Peter Thiel’s National Press Club speech and support of Donald Trump; the battle against Islamic State for Mosul; Russian’s military ramp-up and involvement in Syria’s civil war; the Cubs-Indians World Series; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Entercom CEO David Field Issues Statement on KDND License Review. On Friday, TALKERS magazine reported on the FCC’s order for a Hearing for Renewal for Entercom’s KDND, Sacramento as a result of the 2007 death of “Hold your wee for a Wii” contestant Jennifer Strange. On Friday, Entercom CEO David Field issued the
following statement: “What happened at KDND in 2007 was a terrible tragedy that pains us deeply. Throughout our 48-year history, we have had a steadfast commitment to being a caring and 
responsible corporate citizen, firmly committed to public service. We take great pride in all of the work we have done to serve our communities. Nonetheless, we fully recognize that all of our good work cannot undo that tragic event nine years ago. We do believe it is important to note that the jury that heard this case concluded that Entercom Communications Corp. was not negligent. What happened was the result of unauthorized and appalling actions by certain station employees who violated corporate procedures. None of that diminishes our sadness and we remain committed to continuous improvement in our efforts to serve the public.”
Radio talk Shows to Be Simulcast on C-SPAN2 This Week. In this week leading up to next Tuesday’s
elections, C-SPAN2 will be simulcasting four talk radio programs as they discuss the issues. C-SPAN will simulcast the Bill Press show on Tuesday from 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET; on Wednesday, Salem Radio Network’s Hugh Hewitt show will air from 6:00 am to 9:00 am ET; on Wednesday, the Thom Hartmann program will be featured from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET; and on Friday, SRN’s Mike Gallagher show will be simulcast from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon ET. Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup notes that Gallagher will be traveling with GOP candidate Donald Trump and Gallagher’s show will emanate from Eau Claire,
Wisconsin and other stops during the week. Tradup adds, “The stunning FBI discovery of 650,000 new e-mails and their securing of a warrant to review them was the latest – but surely not the last – bizarre turn in Campaign 2016. We’re honored that C-SPAN is turning to Mike Gallagher and Hugh Hewitt, who have followed every step of this groundbreaking campaign, to share their perspective with C-SPAN’s TV audience nationwide.”
Alpha Media Promotes Milt McConnell to National Sales Role; Lisa Decker Joins Portland Station
Group. This promotion of the company’s Portland, Oregon market manager necessitates new faces in 
that cluster to assume vacant positions and that’s exactly what’s happened in the market that serves as the company’s corporate base. Portland SVP and market manager Milt McConnell is upped to the corporate role of VP, national and group sales strategy. Radio sales and management pro Lisa Decker – who’s served with CBS RADIO and iHeartMedia in addition to her most recent post as director of corporate sponsorships at classical KING-FM, Seattle – joins Alpha Media as SVP and market manager. Amy Leimbach moves up from her regional director of business development post at the cluster to VP sales, Portland – Live Performance
Lounges. Company president and CEO Bob Proffitt comments, “This is an exciting time for Alpha Media. With our major growth in 2016, we have been focused on recognizing key players and evolving to the next level. Milt has always been a high performer, even back in the Citadel days. In his new role, he will work closely with our national rep firms as well as our business development team.
Odds & Sods. Former U.S. Rep Mike Rogers sat in for WJR, Detroit’s Frank Beckman today from 9:00 am to
12:00 noon ET. Rogers hosts the “Something to Think About” feature distributed by Westwood One and also serves as CNN national security commentator…..JVC Media’s Long Island news/talk outlet WRCN, Patchogue, New York is covering next Tuesday’s elections with a remote broadcast from Ristegio’s Restaurant & Lounge starting at 7:00 pm. Station personality Jay Oliver and the “LI News Radio” team will be broadcasting live and presenting local, state and national election 
results…..Westwood One News is providing comprehensive election night coverage on Tuesday, November 8 that includes anchored continuous coverage and special reports every 15 minutes from 7:00 pm ET through at least 1:00 am ET Wednesday, November 9. Live continuous election night coverage will be anchored by Westwood One News correspondent Jim Bohannon, with reporting by correspondents Steve Kastenbaum and Bob Costantini with the Trump and Clinton campaigns, and their other correspondents in the field. Westwood One News will also provide regular updates on senate and house races and major referendums across the country.
The Presidential Race, New Clinton Emails Case, Acquittal of Oregon Protestors, Dakota Pipeline Protests, Bob Dylan and Nobel Prize, the World Series, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The race for president between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; FBI Director James Comey’s announcement of potential new emails investigation into Hillary Clinton; chatter about the effects of the recent acquittal of the Oregon national park protestors; the status of the protest by native Americans and others of the Dakota pipeline project; Bob Dylan beaks his silence on winning the Nobel Prize for Literature; the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs; and the weekend’s NFL Action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Friday, October 28, 2016
WBEN, Buffalo Pairs David Bellavia with Longtime Afternoon Personality Tom Bauerle. Calling it a “new show for a new Buffalo on ‘NewsRadio 930 WBEN,’” Entercom Buffalo operations manager Tim Wenger
announces the addition of decorated war hero, political commentator and Western New York native 
David Bellavia to the afternoon daypart as co-host of the 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm show with current host Tom Bauerle. Wenger notes that Bellavia has been a regular contributor on WBEN since leaving the Army and political endeavors and “will now concentrate on radio full-time as he joins veteran broadcaster and talk host Tom Bauerle to bring listeners an uncensored, irreverent and entertaining view of current events. Bauerle and Bellavia will cover everything from breaking news to politics and entertainment to the offbeat, all with a uniquely Western New York flavor. No subject or topic is off the table. I’m ecstatic to have two 
such wildly intelligent and talented hosts who complement one another working together on the same show in Buffalo.” Bauerle has lobbied on-air for Bellavia to become his radio partner for some time and is thrilled about the new show. Bellavia comments, “We will drive the conversation day after day with nonstop coverage of the things people care about, not just politics. Having the chance to work with the legendary Tom Bauerle is incredible and humbling.”
Nielsen Audio Releases Round Four of October 2016 PPM Data. The fourth of four rounds of October 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Austin, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Providence, Raleigh, Norfolk, Nashville, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. The October 2016 survey period covered September 8 (the first game of the NFL season) – October 5. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
SiriusXM Reports Q3 Net Income Up 16%. On Thursday (10/27), SiriusXM reported its third quarter financial numbers and announced net income was $194 million – up 16% from the same period in 2015. Quarterly 
revenue was $1.3 billion, up 9% from the third quarter of 2015. The company is also declaring its first quarterly dividend – a penny per share. CEO Jim Meyer says in the press release, “SiriusXM’s performance in the third quarter was exemplary. We grew self-pay subscribers by 385,000 and turned in record quarterly high levels of revenue and adjusted EBITDA…We remain dedicated to bringing the best audio entertainment in an easy-to-use bundle of programming to a nation of listeners. In recent months, we’ve strengthened areas where we are leaders, such as country music, added new talent in talk programming, and held special, one-of-a kind live music events for subscribers and listeners nationwide, all content you can only find at SiriusXM.”
The Presidential Race and Related Stories Top Talkers TenTM for Week of October 24-28. The presidential contest between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio during the week, landing at #1 on the Talkers TenTM. Following at #2 was the races for the U.S. House and the Senate and which party will control them. Coming in at #3 was the issue of potential voter fraud and poll tampering, followed by the Affordable Care Act premium increases at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.
Odds & Sods. Milwaukee news/talk WTMJ is presenting a “community conversation on the issues, ideas and
hopes” of Milwaukee’s Mayor on Monday, October 31 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The station says the unprecedented, one-hour special will feature a one-on-one interview with Milwaukee Mayor Tom 
Barrett and “Wisconsin’s Afternoon News” host John Mercure and will get into the topics of social unrest, business growth, water quality and crime…..Nationally syndicated talk host Kevin Jackson appeared at affiliate station KYKN, Salem, Oregon recently. He’s pictured here (right) with popular local afternoon talk show host Gator Gaynor (left) of “Gator’s Radio Experience with Gator & Denise.” Gaynor says they appeared live at the County Fair and then had more fun with a “fire-code violating crowd at a local favorite BBQ establishment.” He adds local promotion began about a month before the events with the crowds and his book sales solid proof of a successful trip. “Many thanks to Kevin Jackson for partnering with local radio to make a difference!”
John Zacherle Passes at 98. Iconic television and radio personality John Zacherle – most famous for his “Roland” character who hosted WCAU-TV, Philadelphia’s “Shock Theater” in the 1950s and as “Zacherley the Cool Ghoul” on WABC-TV, New York in the 1960s – died on Thursday (10/27) at age 98. Zacherle also worked in film 
as an actor but was known to New Yorkers as well for his time on the radio at rock outlets WNEW-FM and WPLJ. TALKERS/RadioInfo publisher Michael Harrison comments, “John Zacherle was an important pioneer of progressive rock radio back in New York in the 1970s, first at WNEW-FM – where I had the honor of briefly working with him when I was a young DJ there in 1971 – and then for 10 years at crosstown rival WPLJ. However, I must say he made an extraordinary impact on me and most of my friends much earlier – back in the 1960s when he hosted the campy ‘Shock Theater’ horror movie program on WABC-TV Channel 7. He was quirky and unpredictable. Even when he mumbled, he was pure fun. I loved his character as a kid – which made meeting and knowing him later, as a radio colleague, a really big deal. He was a true one-of-a-kind media personality and holds a special place in my heart.”
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Reports: Chris Carlin to Co-Host Afternoons with Ike Reese at WIP, Philadelphia. According to media reports in Philly.com and the New York Daily News, longtime Big Apple sports media figure Chris Carlin is being hired to co-host the afternoon drive show at CBS RADIO’s WIP, Philadelphia alongside Ike Reese. Philly.com
reports that WIP would neither confirm nor deny that Carlin is joining the station. The site also calls the hire “an odd choice” given that Carlin has been a longtime New York sports media personality. Many in the industry would agree that Philadelphia is a market where sports fans like their talk hosts to be natives. Currently, Carlin works for SportsNet New York hosting the “Loud Mouths” show. Carlin served as producer for WFAN, New York’s Mike Francesa for six years and handled sports update duties on WFAN’s “Imus in the Morning” program for a while. He is currently the voice of Rutgers football.
Nielsen Audio Releases Round Three of October 2016 PPM Data. The third of four rounds of October 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Portland, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Orlando, and Columbus. The October 2016 survey period covered September 8 (the first game of the NFL season) – October 5. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
The Presidential Race, U.S. House and Senate Races, Megyn Kelly-Newt Gingrich Segment, ObamaCare Premium Increases, Russian Military Build-Up, the World Series, and NFL action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/26). The presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump; the contests for U.S. House and Senate seats and control of Congress; the heated Fox News Channel segment between Megyn Kelly and Newt Gingrich; the criticism of the Affordable Care Act as premiums are set to rise by double digits; concerns over a new Cold War as Russia continues its military build-up and posturing; the World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians; and NFL Action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Odds & Sods. Coverage of Election 2016 from ABC News Radio will begin November 8 at 7:00 pm ET and run through at least 1:00 am ET. ABC News correspondents Aaron Katersky and Karen Travers will anchor coverage with “World News Tonight” Saturday anchor and senior national correspondent Cecilia Vega and correspondents Brad Mielke and Cheri Preston reporting from the Hillary Clinton campaign headquarters and “World News Tonight” Sunday anchor Tom Llamas and correspondents Alex Stone and Mark Remillard reporting from the Donald Trump campaign headquarters. Joining them will be correspondents Richard Davies from the ABC News Decision Desk, Stephanie Ramos from Washington, DC, Jim Ryan from Nevada, and Ryan Burrow from Florida. Political director Rick Klein, deputy political director Shushannah Walshe, and contributors Steve Roberts and Trey Hardin will provide political analysis…..CBS Radio News’ Cami
McCormick was the only American radio reporter travelling with Defense Secretary Ash Carter in Brussels and broke the news that Carter ordered the suspension of all efforts to collect reimbursements from affected California National Guard members. McCormick covers the State and Defense Departments for CBS Radio News…..CBS RADIO and Simon & Schuster are launching “The Paper Donkey Podcast,” a conversation between writers and editors about their work, the page and process, moderated by Victoria Taylor and available on the company’s Play.it platform. The weekly 45-min show is the second collaboration between CBS RADIO and Simon & Schuster.
Ramsey Presenting EntreLeadership Master Series in Nashville. Back at the Ramsey Solutions headquarters in Nashville, nationally syndicated talk radio star Dave Ramsey (pictured above) is presenting his EntreLeadership Master Series this week. Tomorrow (10/28), he’ll broadcast a special “EntreLeadership theme hour” as part of the event. The hour will focus on leadership and business questions from callers, e-mails and event attendees. At EntreLeadership Master Series, Ramsey and his team condense more than 20 years of business and leadership wisdom into a seven-day event. Business owners and leaders who attend walk away with practical ideas that can improve their communication, organization, team culture, finances, negotiating and selling skills, marketing, advertising, and ability to make tough decisions.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Beasley Ups Justin Chase to EVP of Programming. After seven-plus years of service with Beasley Media Group, most recently vice president of programming, Justin Chase is promoted to executive vice president of
programming for the company. Chase says, “When I joined Beasley in 2009 as a program director in Las Vegas, I never imagined that I would have been given the opportunity to serve this great company at this level. Every day, I get to learn and work with some of the finest program directors in the industry and the amazing leadership team at the corporate office. I want to sincerely thank Caroline Beasley, Bruce Beasley, Brian Beasley and of course, our founder George Beasley for their confidence in me to lead the programming strategy of this growing company.” Chase represents Beasley Media Group on several industry boards, including: the Media Ratings Council, the Nielsen Advisory Council, and the Council for Research Excellence.
Buzz Knight to Transition to Beasley as VP of Programming. The company announces that when the Greater Media acquisition is complete, programmer Buzz Knight will remain in the programming department with Beasley Media Group as vice president of programming. Knight has served as SVP, program development 
for Greater Media, in which he’s been responsible for overseeing content and brand strategies for the company. He’s been with Greater Media since 2002. Knight will replace Justin Chase, who has been elevated to EVP of programming. Knight comments, “I’ve long admired the great leadership of Justin Chase in his role with Beasley and I look forward to being a part of the Beasley team. I am honored to follow Justin into this position and I’m incredibly excited to begin a new chapter with Beasley Broadcast Group as the company expands their portfolio of stations with the Greater Media acquisition.”
Rush Limbaugh Hosts Media Partners. At a recent, private event at the beautiful Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, nationally syndicated talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh, the EIB Network, and iHeartMedia hosted an intimate gathering of Limbaugh’s closest radio partners. Dr. Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College and Rebecca and Andrew Hagelin of Rebecca Hagelin Communications and Marketing, represented this finest of America’s colleges at the reception and dinner. Rebecca Hagelin (pictured above with Limbaugh) says, “Rush is not only the unqualified leader of intelligent talk radio, he’s a hero of liberty and the U.S. Constitution, which makes him a great American and a perfect partner for Hillsdale College. (And besides all that, he’s a terrifically fun friend!) Hillsdale seeks to teach every American who wants to learn – who wants to understand what makes our country exceptional and how we can preserve our freedoms and our nation for future generations. Over 1.3 million have taken a free Hillsdale
online course and some 3.5 million subscribe to Imprimis, Hillsdale’s free, monthly speech digest. Rush has been critical in helping to spread the word about these stellar Hillsdale resources.” Pictured at right are Limbaugh and Dr. Arnn. Also in attendance at this event were: iHeartMedia COO & CFO Rich Bressler; EIB’s Kraig Kitchin; Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott; Premiere Networks EVP, personality sales Dan Metter; iHeartRadio president Darren Davis; iHeartMedia president, national sales & marketing partnerships Tim Castelli; iHeartMedia president, national sales Jeff Howard; Premiere Networks EVP, sales Alan Korowitz; and Premiere Networks SVP, affiliate marketing Hosea Belcher.
Nielsen Audio Releases Round Two of October 2016 PPM Data. The second of four rounds of October 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Washington, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The October 2016 survey period covered September 8 (the first game of the NFL season) – October 5. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
‘The Financial Exchange’ Expands in New England. The business talk radio show “The Financial Exchange with Barry Armstrong and Chuck Zodda” adds two more signals to its footprint in New England. The show will be heard on Binnie Media’s WNNH-FM, Concord “NH1 News Radio” and WEMJ-FM, Laconia in New Hampshire, effective October 31. The program is currently heard on 12 stations in the Northeast.
The 2016 Election, Down-Ticket Races, Voter Fraud-Tampering Issues, ObamaCare Premium Increases, Battle Against Islamic State in Mosul, U.S.-Philippines Relations, Giants Cut Josh Brown, World Series Begins, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/25). The race for president; the U.S. House and Senate races and fight to control Congress; allegations of potential voter fraud and concerns over poll tampering; skyrocketing health care premiums under the Affordable Care Act; the battle against Islamic State for the Iraqi city of Mosul; the deteriorating relations between the U.S. and the Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte; the New York Giants release kicker Josh Brown after his admission of abusing his ex-wife; baseball’s World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians begins; and National Football League action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Odds & Sods. WTOP, Washington national security correspondent JJ Green receives a prestigious invitation to lead a panel discussion at the 2016 Concept Development and Experimentation Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria in November. The conference is an international, co-sponsored annual event between NATO ACT and the United States Joint Staff which provides a unique opportunity for the international community to discuss the most current issues of concept development and experimentation in support of capability development. Green was chosen to moderate a panel discussion, “Preparing for the Future, Today,” specifically because of his familiarity with and knowledge of national security issues after more than a decade of national security reporting at WTOP…..Beasley Broadcast Group announces it will report its 2016 third quarter financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, November 2. The company will host a conference call and webcast at 10:00 am ET that morning to review the results…..Townsquare Media will release its third quarter 2016 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, November 8. The company will host a conference call to discuss certain third quarter 2016 financial results that morning at 8:00 ET…..The Genesis Communications Network-syndicated Dr. Daliah Wachs show is added to the program lineup at KWBW, Hutchinson, Kansas…..The “Freedom Feens” weekend talk show, hosted by Michael W. Dean, is now heard on KRFE, Lubbock, Texas.
Valerie Geller Brings Her ‘Power’ to the Land Down Under. Noted American radio consultant and author Valerie Geller brought her internationally famous “Creating Powerful Radio” session to the IMBA workshop in Sidney, Australia. She tells TALKERS, “Radio down under is alive and well!” She (the only one without a book) is pictured with a large group of exuberant young broadcasters displaying her popular book, Beyond Powerful Radio: A Communicator’s Guide to the Internet Age (Focal Press, 2011). The IMBA (International Media and Broadcasting Academy) is an Australian-based, professional broadcast training institute operating in the Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
CRTV Digital Network to Launch in December. Production firm CRTV is announcing plans to launch a new digital network in December “uniquely rich with honest and informative conservative content seen nowhere else in any medium anywhere.” The company (parent of the Conservative Review) partnered with Mark Levin (left) back in 
February to debut the digital video program “LevinTV.” Now, CRTV is adding conservative media personalities Michelle Malkin (center) and Mark Steyn (right) to the mix. CRTV chief content officer Chris Crane comments, “We have partnered with the best thinkers and storytellers out there and given each the resources to design their own show in their own voice on their own custom set reflective of each of their personalities.” Mark Levin adds, “With the huge success of ‘LevinTV’ launched earlier this year, we decided to accelerate plans. We know people have rejected liberal media bias and there is an enormous demand for straight, bold, conservative talk and they will get it here from a wide variety of talent. This is much bigger than any of us. It is about our beloved audience. This is a movement with millions of liberty lovers who know cable TV content doesn’t square with their worldview. Proudly conservative in content, CRTV will allow popular personalities, presenting scholarly thought, culture to comedy, the liberty to be themselves. And, viewers will have the freedom to consume straightforward, candid, unfiltered, commercial-free content whenever and wherever they want.” CRTV is a subscription-based service available on digital and mobile devices for $99 per year or $12 per month.
CBS RADIO Names Radiate Media New Traffic Data Provider. The 10-year deal between CBS RADIO and iHeartMedia’s Total Traffic Network ends on March 31 of 2017 and CBS is announcing that it has chosen 
Radiate Media as its new broadcast content traffic partner, effective April 1. In a statement, CBS RADIO says Radiate will supply it with customized traffic data for its over-the-air radio stations in 26 markets, as well as on corresponding station websites. Radiate
Media will sell sponsorships within traffic reports to national network advertisers while CBS RADIO will continue to sell sponsorships to local and regional advertisers. CBS RADIO COO Scott Herman states, “We are excited to work with Radiate Media to deliver superior traffic reports to our local listeners who rely on our stations for timely updates and alerts. The new arrangement allows for Radiate to better serve national network advertisers, while giving CBS RADIO maximum flexibility to deliver unique marketing opportunities to our local and multi-market partners.”
Genesis Simulcasts WHOO, Orlando’s Erik Kuselias Show to WHBO, Tampa. Back in April, sports
media personality Erik Kuselias joined Genesis Communications to begin hosting a sports talk show on Orlando’s WHOO and the company’s SportsTalkFlorida.com platform. Now, Genesis announces the show – airing 6:00 am to 9:00 am – will also be heard on the company’s WHBO, Tampa. Kuselias comments, “Tampa has always been one of my favorite sports towns. It’s incredibly underrated because it has smart, diverse sports fans. I think my show and the city will be a great match and I’m honored to be part of their scene.”
Nielsen Audio Releases Round One of October 2016 PPM Data. The first of four rounds of October 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The October 2016 survey period covered September 8 (the first game of the NFL season) – October 5. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
Michael Harrison and Richard Neer Get ‘Up Close and Far Out’ with Baseball and the World Series. Veteran WFAN, New York sports talk show host Richard Neer is this week’s guest on the PodcastOne international hit “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison” paying tribute to what used to be called America’s National Pastime and talking about the unusual “battle of the underdogs” nature of the 2016 World Series. The discussion
focuses on the importance of sports teams to their local communities and the people who grew up loving them. It covers changes in the relative popularity of sports in the US (baseball, football, boxing and horse racing) and even brings up Ronald Reagan’s early career as a baseball play-by-play pioneer. Harrison and Neer engage in a pop cultural-oriented sports dialogue unlike most heard on sports talk radio. To listen to this fun and illuminating conversation in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
The 2016 Election, Battle Against Islamic State in Mosul, Soaring ObamaCare Premiums, Enlistment Bonus Scandal, Friday’s Cyber-Attack, France to Demolish Calais Immigrant Camp, Josh Brown Spousal Abuse Controversy, Cubs-Indians World Series, and Weekend NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/24). The presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as well as the U.S. House and Senate races; the fight against Islamic State in the battle to assume control of the Iraqi city of Mosul; reports of soaring premiums under the Affordable Care Act; the scandal at the California National Guard forcing thousands of soldiers to repay unqualified-for enlistment bonuses; the attack on U.S. DNS servers that greatly affected parts of the Internet on October 21; France begins to move immigrants from “the jungle” camp in Calais; controversy over the NFL’s handling of the Josh Brown spousal abuse admissions; anticipation for the Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Indians World Series; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Odds & Sods. KSTE, Sacramento-based, syndicated morning duo Armstrong & Getty is working to mobilize its listeners to help war veterans by signing a WhiteHouse.gov petition to ask congress to forgive the debts of the thousands of California soldiers who are being forced to repay enlistment bonuses a decade after they went to war. Through improper action by California National Guard recruiters, thousands of soldiers were given enlistment bonuses for which they may not have qualified. Many are now being asked to repay those bonuses. Jack Armstrong says, “We are outraged. Our listeners are outraged. We are going to get something done about this. The United States cannot mistreat our veterans like this.” Joe Getty adds, “It’s time that the bureaucrats and
politicians honor our promises to our vets and honor the will of the people. And it’s absolutely indisputable that these vets not get screwed. We are going to hold the politicians’ feet to the fire.”…..Award-winning political journalist Soledad O’Brien and National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Gordon Smith are being featured in a keynote session on the intersection of media and politics at the NAB Show New York on November 9 – the first day of the two-day conference at the Javits Convention Center in New York City…..Pictured at right, Gizmo the Clown (left) stopped by the KHTE-FM, Little Rock studios to visit with afternoon personality Dave Elswick (right) to discuss recent “scary clown” sightings in the Central Arkansas area.
Monday, October 24, 2016
MLB Legend Curt Schilling Launches Talk Show on Breitbart.com. Former Major League Baseball star – and avowed Donald Trump supporter – Curt Schilling is beginning a daily 9:00 am to 11:00 am ET talk show on Breitbart.com today. Schilling made the announcement to Breitbart News Radio’s Matthew Boyle and said the
first two weeks of the program will focus on the election and “getting information out to listeners.” Schilling added, “I am joining the Breitbart team for one reason. At the end of the day, when you look at what Breitbart does on a day-in-day-out basis — you can hate all the stories all you want — but, they are backed by sources. They are backed by data. They are backed by facts.” As has been widely reported, Massachusetts resident Schilling has expressed interest in challenging Democratic U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren for her seat. Read the Breitbart account here.
CBS RADIO Names Brian McHale SVP, Information Technology. The senior vice president, information technology is a newly created position for CBS RADIO. In this role, Brian McHale will be responsible for building and overseeing the company’s first dedicated information technology team, along with effective
technological strategies and infrastructure to support CBS RADIO’s 117 radio stations, digital assets, and the security solutions to protect the company’s multi-platform products. He’ll also build a structure to support the IT needs of the company’s employees at both the enterprise and local market levels. CBS RADIO president Andre Fernandez says, “In today’s hyper-digital world, the flow, security and enhancement of information technology is the backbone of any company. Brian has vast experience with developing and implementing world-class IT infrastructures and will lead CBS RADIO to create a superior system that supports every function of our business.” McHale was most recently SVP and chief information officer for American Apparel Inc. He’s also worked with Journal Broadcast Group and Fisher Communications during his career.
Former Philly TV Newscaster Settles with CBS in Email Hacking Case. This matter is apparently finally settled after some eight years of litigation. According to a report at Philly.com, television newscaster Alycia Lane 
has agreed to a settlement in her suit against CBS just as it was set to go to trial. Lane worked at KYW-TV, Philadelphia with newscaster Larry Mendte, whom she accused of hacking her work email account and then sharing personal details and photos with gossip columnists. Mendte pleaded guilty to the charges and served house arrest and probation, but lost his gig at KYW-TV. He later worked briefly for the Randy Michaels-run Merlin Media talk station WWIQ-FM, Philadelphia and most recently had been hosting mornings at iHeartMedia’s WILM, Wilmington and WDOV, Dover in Delaware. Read the Philly.com account here.
The Presidential Race, U.S. House-Senate Races, Friday’s DNS Cyberattack, AT&T/Time Warner Merger, Cubs to Face Indians in World Series, NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The activities of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the races for U.S. House and U.S. Senate seats; the DNS cyberattack that affected Internet access in many parts of the country; the announced acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T and the regulatory hurdles the deal faces; the Chicago Cubs’ victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team’s first World Series appearance since 1948; and Sunday’s NFL action were some of the top news/talk stories over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Sonnenklar Appointed COO of Connoisseur Integrated Solutions. Former McGavren-Guild CEO Lisa Sonnenklar joins Connoisseur Media as chief operating officer of the company’s integrated solutions
division. In this role, Sonnenklar will oversee the company’s multi-platform efforts in the New York/Connecticut/ New Jersey region. Connoisseur CEO Jeffrey Warshaw states, “Using our potent mix of radio, digital and event marketing assets, we have been able to get tremendous ROI and visibility for many of our clients. We are now putting even more firepower into these efforts. We are delighted to welcome Lisa into the Connoisseur family.”
Herman Cain Show Goes on the Road to McDonough, Georgia. WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta-based, syndicated talk personality Herman Cain is on the road on Thursday (10/27) recording his show from the historic 
McDonough Square in McDonough, Georgia from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm ET. Cox Media Group says the event is free to attend, rain or shine, and will include Cain’s popular “Rapid Fire” segment where he takes questions and comments from the audience and says, “You get a minute…I get a minute.” Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase Trump Cards and an autographed copy of the special edition of Cain’s latest book, The Right Solutions: What the President, Congress, and Every Candidate Should Be Working On.
Odds & Sods. The sports talk format on Flinn Broadcasting’s WHBQ, Memphis is now heard in the Tupelo-Marietta, Mississippi market on Flinn-owned WXWX-FM. WXWX had been leased to Tele-South Communications but that lease expired on August 1…..AdLarge Media signs a deal to serve as the exclusive network radio sales agent for The Weather Channel radio network. The Weather Channel has more than 100 radio station affiliates across the country, including in most of the top 10 markets…..ABC Radio’s podcast division announces a new show called “Popcorn with Peter Travers” – hosted by the well-known Rolling Stone movie critic. Recent episodes include interviews with Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro, Margo Martindale and John Krasinski…..ESPN Radio is providing exclusive national radio coverage of the 112th Major League Baseball World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, beginning with game 1 from Progressive Field in Cleveland tomorrow night (10/25).
Dave Ramsey Welcomed by Houston Fans. Pictured above is nationally syndicated talk radio star Dave Ramsey taking the stage in Houston at Grace Community Church on Saturday (10/22) before a packed house. During this stop on the Smart Money 2016 tour, Ramsey presented a day-long Smart Conference that included appearances from Rachel Cruze, Chris Hogan, Dr. Les Parrott, Dr. Meg Meeker, Inky Johnson, Chris Brown and Anthony O’Neal in which they presented attendees with essential information on how to win with money, strengthen their marriages, build parenting skills and excel in their careers. Ramsey combined forces with local affiliate KSEV to promote the event. KSEV general manager Bonny English comments, “Thanks to our partnership with the Dave Ramsey show, the KSEV audience gets to experience one-of-a-kind events right here in Houston. Every time we host a Ramsey live event, our clients and listeners get the unique opportunity to spend quality time with Dave!”
San Antonio Radio Legend Ricci Ware Passes at 79. Legendary San Antonio DJ and radio personality Ricci Ware died on Friday (10/21) at age 79. Ware – the father of KTSA morning personality Trey Ware – started his radio career as a disc jockey spinning the hits and transitioned to a talk show host during his 50-plus year career. 
Ware began in radio in Baytown, Texas and then moved to Austin where he worked for KTBC. From there he moved to KTSA in San Antonio and gained a reputation as one of the market’s most popular DJs during the 1960s. After leaving KTSA and working at KBUC where he was co-host of the popular “Ricci and Jud” show, he returned to KTSA to launch his talk radio career. Son Trey Ware says in a statement, “My hero returned home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this morning. My dad, Ricci Ware was my hero in every sense of the word. He was the greatest father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who ever lived. He never