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Futuri: Audiences Expect Media to Use AI

According to a study from Futuri and CMG Custom Research, not only do radio and television audiences expect media to use artificial intelligence in broadcasts, 20% believe they’ve already listened to a radio station using it and 49% of TV news viewers believe they’ve seen it. Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig presented the results of the nearly 5,200-person study at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Other takeaways from the study include that for radio, people cannot easily distinguish between human and AI audioim content: Participants were presented with paired samples of AI-generated voices created using Futuri’s AudioAI and human voices. 60% of the time, they identified the AI as human. The study also found respondents open to the use of AI with many believing that AI will improve content across news, video, and audio. For example, 45% of TV news viewers believe AI can assist in selecting better news stories; 54% of local TV news viewers believe AI can enhance weather forecasts, showcasing the potential for AI to elevate traditional news through proper newsroom integration; and respondents also indicated a high level of trust in AI-generated content, specifically when informed by reputable sources like local and national news outlets. Anstandig comments, “Futuri’s study shows that audiences are open to media’s adoption of AI for content creation. In fact, they already believe they’ve experienced AI in use on radio and television. We learned that audiences believe that AI will assist media in creating more relevant and engaging content. They just want to be informed of its use, and for it to be used in the right scenarios.

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Yesterday’s (4/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial begins in New York; Iran’s attack on Israel and the Israel-Hamas war; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to provide U.S. aid to Israel and Ukraine; SCOTUS to hear January 6 obstruction charges case; the presidential race; U.S. migrant crisis; SCOTUS gender-affirming care ruling; and the selloff in stocks on the world’s financial markets were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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Audacy Partners with Voice AI Firm ElevenLabs

Audacy announces it is partnering with voice AI research and deployment company ElevenLabs to “augment its existing programming and production workflows. Through ElevenLabs’ market-leadingim synthetic voice capabilities, this partnership will create a robust library of voices for Audacy to deliver custom experiences for listeners and advertising clients. Audacy will infuse creator-led ideas and concepts with ElevenLabs’ technology to further bolster its programmers’ and talents’ unique ability to engage deeply with audiences at scale.” Audacy EVP and head of programming Jeff Sottolano says, “By experimenting with ElevenLabs’ synthetic voice capabilities, we’re transforming how we connect with our listeners and create value for our advertising partners. By streamlining workflows, this collaboration will empower creators with more bandwidth to focus on the exceptional content and listening experiences our audiences love and expect from Audacy.”

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Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Iran’s missile and drone strike against Israel; the hush money case against former President Donald Trump begins this week in NYC; the presidential race, including President Joe Biden’s ballot issues in Ohio and Alabama; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s push for aid to Israel and Ukraine; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s efforts to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson; the U.S. migrant crisis; the stabbing in Sydney, Australia that left seven dead were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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Salem Launches “This Week on the Hill”

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Pictured above at the Salem Media Group studios in Washington, DC are (from l-r): Family Research Council president (and program host) Tony Perkins, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and Salem Radio Network v.p./news and talk programming (and program executive producer) Tom Tradup. Early this morning, they taped the first edition of the new, hour-long weekly news program, “This Week on the Hill,” that premieres this weekend on the Salem Radio Network with additional releases on the Salem News Channel, Salem Podcast Network and on TOWNHALL.com. Topics covered this weekend include Johnson’s invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s “motion to vacate” the Speaker’s position, the battle over reauthorization of the FISA program, and the latest controversy over abortion laws in America. Tradup states, “We are so proud to have Speaker Johnson as the centerpiece of our ‘This Week’ program. He brings a depth of experience that delves beyond the surface skirmishes in Congress and really gives our audience eye-level insight that only a man two-heartbeats from the presidency can offer.”

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Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 8 – 12

The presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was abortion, including the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing most abortions and former President Donald Trump saying he would not sign a federal law outlawing abortion. And at #3 this week was the state of the U.S. economy. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

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Yesterday’s (4/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; inflation ticks up, the stocks selloff and the Fed’s stance on interest rates; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Arizona abortion law; President Joe Biden’s Pacific leaders summit; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S.-Israel relations; the GOP battle over FISA reform; the White House plan to close “gun show loopholes”; and the severe weather affecting the Southeastern U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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Yesterday’s (4/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Arizona Supreme Court abortion ruling; the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. Israel relations; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; President Joe Biden’s student debt reduction plan; James and Jennifer Cumbley are sentenced to 10-15 years in prison; the Russia-Ukraine war; Ashley Biden diary thief sentenced; and the U.S. Senate’s impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is moved to next week were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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Yesterday’s (4/8) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the presidential race; Trump’s abortion views divide MAGA; Monday’s solar eclipse; President Joe Biden’s student debt reduction plan; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S.-Israel relations; the Fed’s Janet Yellen visits China; the mercurial valuation of Truth Social; the U.S. Senate’s impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; and the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball championships were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Today’s total eclipse of the sun; the Israel-Hamas war and Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to Joe Biden’s threat; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s fight for aid for Ukraine; the presidential race; Biden’s student loan debt relief plan; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Vatican issues doctrine critical of gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy; and the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four and Championship games were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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Salem to Launch “This Week on the Hill” Radio/TV Show

Salem Media Group is launching “This Week On The Hill,” a new radio and television program set to debut on April 13 on the Salem Radio Network, Salem News Channel, Salem Podcast Network, and Townhall.com. The show will be hosted by Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, and will feature House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a frequent guest on the program. This weekly, one-hour radio/TV show will address issues facing Congress, the United States, and the world. Speakerim Johnson says, “I look forward to being a frequent guest on Tony’s show. This opportunity to speak directly to the American people about the most important developments in politics, policy, and culture will be important as we chart the path forward for Congress in these historic times.” Salem SVP Phil Boyce comments, “Salem is honored to kick off this important program with Speaker Johnson as guest host, who has worked tirelessly for conservative values since he took over the Speaker’s position. Tony Perkins, a nationally recognized expert in public policy, will be an excellent co-host, as the show deals with the important topics facing the House and the Speaker’s initiatives in getting his agenda passed.” Perkins adds, “I look forward to kicking off this new program with candid conversations with the House Speaker that will take listeners beyond the headlines and soundbites and inform them about what is really happening in our country and what citizens can do to influence the direction of our nation.” The show will be carried by Salem-owned news/talk stations nationwide, as well as affiliates of the Salem Radio Network. It will also air on the Salem News Channel weekends at 10:00 am ET, and 8:00 pm ET on Saturday and Sunday, as well as on demand on Salem Podcast Network, at Townhall.com, and on SNC.TV. SRN VP of news and talk Tom Tradup will serve as executive producer. Radio stations interested in the show can contact their SRN affiliate representative.

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Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 1 – 5

The Israel-Hamas war and the deaths of seven aid workers combined as the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal battles at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

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Yesterday’s (4/3) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Israel’s killing of seven aid workers in its battle against Hamas and the Biden-Netanyahu tensions; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Israel’s killing of Iranian generals and Iran’s promise of revenge; the blowback from President Joe Biden’s Trans Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s campaign to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson; and the troubles facing Elon Musk’s Tesla were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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FOX News Channel Highlights Q1 Ratings Dominance

FOX News Channel announces that it finished the first quarter of 2024 as cable’s most-watched network in total day and primetime, dominating primetime viewers in cable news for 89 consecutiveim quarters, according to Nielsen Media Research. FNC adds that its primetime lineup sweept cable news every hour. “The Ingraham Angle” (7:00 pm ET) finished the quarter averaging 2.2 million viewers and 222,000 in the 25-54 demo. “Jesse Watters Primetime” (8:00 pm ET) delivered 2.8 million viewers and 284,000 in the 25-54 demo. “Hannity” (9:00 pm ET) remained dominant, nabbing 2.4 million viewers and 266,000 in the 25-54 demo, easily winning the timeslot and topping CNN and MSNBC in both categories. And “FOX News @ Night” (10:00 pm ET) delivered 1.2 million viewers and 187,000 in 25-54 demo.

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Yesterday’s (4/2) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and Judge Aileen Cannon’s jury instructions controversy; the presidential race; Israel’s war against Hamas and the deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza; Israel’s killing of Iranian generals and Iran’s promise of revenge; President Joe Biden’s Trans Day of Visibility controversy; the Baltimore bridge destruction aftermath; the Florida six-week abortion ban; and author JK Rowling’s challenge to the Scottish Hate Crime Act were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

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WWO: Podcast Reach Now Matches That of TV

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

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Audacy Hosting Infinite Dial Webinar

Audacy is hosting a webinar tomorrow (4/3) to look at data from Edison Research’s latest edition of its Infinite Dial study. The company says, “The Infinite Dial has become a critical resource for understandingim consumer behavior and technology adoption across smart platforms. Marketers and media buyers turn to these insights for important media trends in key channels such as radio, streaming audio, podcasts, social media, and more. Audacy will host a webinar on April 3 with head of research & insights Idil Cakim and Edison Research president Larry Rosin, who will share key trends from The Infinite Dial 2024, including: Media consumption and device adoption, in-car listening habits, podcast trends among key demographic groups, and observations and advertiser insights. Find registration information here.

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Yesterday’s (4/1) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race and the RFK Jr. factor; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; President Joe Biden’s Trans Day of Visibility controversy; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Baltimore bridge destruction aftermath; Florida’s abortion ban ruling; author JK Rowling’s challenge to the Scottish Hate Crime Act; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.