Industry News

Chanley Painter Named FNC Overnight Anchor

FOX News Channel signs Court TV’s Chanley Painter as overnight anchor, effective February 26. Aim Court TV correspondent since 2019, Painter has covered the high-profile trials of Bryan Kohberger, Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard, Alex Murdaugh, Harvey Weinstein, and the death of George Floyd. In 2021 she was awarded the Scripps Give Light award for leadership, dedication, and hard work in legal journalism. She got her start in the industry in 2016, as a legal analyst for Nexstar Media Group, where she went on to become a multimedia journalist. Painter earned a Juris Doctor degree with high honors from the University of Arkansas Little Rock Bowen School of Law.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: The Local Radio Advantage

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIf you’re a news/talk station, don’t assume that you own “news radio” in your market. Imaging is important, but it merely talks-the-talk. You walk-the-walk with local news copy that delivers what solid commercial copy does: benefits. Just doing local news makes you special. But do listeners simply hear a station voice… reading something? Are you merely… accurate? Or do you deliver “take-home pay,” unwrapping the story to tell the listener something useful?

In many homes, there are now fewer radios than smart speakers. And nobody has ever said: “Alexa, please play six commercials.” But she can play millions of songs. So do streams and YouTube.

What can make a music station different from all those other audio choices is the way you help folks cope, how relevant and empathetic you are, how you sound like you have-their-back as day-to-day news has them wondering “What NEXT?”

And boosting tune-in exposes your advertisers better. So, Time Spent Listening is still the ballgame. Specifically, you need to add occasions of tune-in, and this week’s column begins a three-part series of news copy coaching tips that can help bring listeners back more often.

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Simply rewriting source material can make a huge difference. Press releases torture the ear. They’re formal, and prone to jargon and spin (especially from politicians). When they’re from the police, they’re written in cop-speak. And most press releases are written inside-out, emphasizing a process, rather than the consequence to listeners.

Process example: “At Thursday’s work session of the Springfield City Council, a decision was made to move forward with Community Days this year. The annual Community Days celebration is scheduled for June 16 and 17th. Council members made sure the Community Days funds will be handled by an independent accountant. Councilwoman Sharon Grant said…”

Re-write to lead with consequence: “The annual Springfield Community Days celebration will be June 16th and 17th. After last year’s controversy, Council members made sure the Community Days funds will be handled by an independent accountant. At Thursday’s session, Councilwoman Sharon Grant said…”

That simple tweak is well-worth the minimal effort. Listeners are mentally busy. Remove “Styrofoam words.”  Example: “State Police say they are investigating a possible case of child endangerment after a seven-month-old child was treated for severe injuries.”

Simply delete “say they.”

Next week: Ripped from the headlines… 

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race and questions about President Joe Biden’s age and his fitness; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and the Fani Willis misconduct hearings; the U.S. migrant crisis; Russia takes the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and the death of Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny; the Israel-Hamas war and the International Court of Justice hears arguments over Israel’s occupation of territory claimed by Palestinians; FBI warnings about Chinese hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure; and the report of Russia’s planned space-based nuclear weapons were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

FOX News Digital Leads News Set in Multiplatform Views and Minutes

FOX News Digital reports that, according to data from Comscore, it finished January continuing its streak as the top news brand with both multiplatform views and minutes. FOX News Digital closed outim the month reaching 3.27 billion total multiplatform minutes, compared to CNN.com’s 1.85 billion, and NYTimes.com’s 1.59 billion. FOX News Media attracted 1.66 billion total multiplatform views, compared to NYTimes.com’s 1.49 billion, and CNN.com’s 1.17 billion. When it comes to total digital unique visitors – similar to radio’s cume – CNN.com still holds the lead with 112.7 million. But FOX News Digital (109.7 million) has gradually been gaining ground on CNN.

Industry News

Compass Media Networks’ Michelle Salvatore to Leave the Company

Compass Media Networks announces that sports division SVP and general manager Michelle Salvatore is resigning after more than 15 years with the company to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity outside of media. The company says Salvatore will continue with the company through the spring and will advise the company on a transition plan. Compass founder and CEO Peter Kosannim says, “Back in Spring of 2009, during the chaos and sleepless nights involved in launching this national media company, the media gods sent me an angel in the form of Michelle Salvatore. Michelle faced down every challenge, worked tirelessly and with good cheer, and set a gold standard of excellence for not only Compass Media Networks, but our industry. We love and will miss Michelle dearly. Our goal is to build upon the greatness she created as we move ahead into the next chapter of our evolution.” Salvatore comments, “Working at Compass Media Networks literally changed my life for the better. I was able to travel the globe, producing games throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe, and had the chance to work with incredibly talented, passionate, and kind people. I am forever grateful to my dear friends at Compass Media Networks.”

Industry News

Audacy Stations and Talent Receive PAB Honors

Audacy stations and hosts in Pennsylvania received 15 2024 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards fromim the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. They include: WPHT, Philadelphia afternoon host Rich Zeoli and the morning show “Kayal & Company” both receiving 2024 Outstanding Local Radio Personality/Team honors, and news/talk KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh and all-news KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia both receiving several programming honors. Recipients will celebrate at a luncheon in May.

Industry News

“Gonzo” Joins Bonneville’s KHTK, Sacramento as PD

GV Wire reports that Jose “Gonzo” Gonzalez leaves his post at Fat Dawgs 7 Broadcasting’s sports talk KFIG-AM, Fresno “1430 ESPN Radio” where he was PD and host to join Bonneville’s sports talkim KHTK-AM, Sacramento “Sactown Sports 1140 AM.” Gonzo posted to X, “I’ve loved my time here. Fresno born and raised. This is home. Through the hard times and the great times everyone here has had a hand in my growth. Thank you! Excited for my next radio chapter.” At the same time Fat Dawgs 7 Broadcasting announces that Enrique Loera is named VP and general manager for the company’s Fresno radio stations. Read the GV Wire story here.

Industry News

Podtrac Lauches Global Ranker Including YouTube Views

Podtrac announces that it is launching its newest ranker – The Podcast Global Industry Ranking of Top Publishers and Networks – of which it says, “For the first time, the global reach of top podcast publishers and networks is being made publicly available for advertisers, agencies, and the industry at large.  Andim while traditional podcast metrics and rankers have focused on the RSS distribution of podcasts, Podtrac’s new Global ranking also includes the viewership of podcasts on YouTube – another industry first.” The company adds, “By encompassing YouTube viewership alongside traditional metrics, the industry gains an improved framework for capturing podcast engagement across platforms and borders. It provides advertisers, agencies, and industry stakeholders with the reach and influence of the key podcast players.”

Industry News

Beasley Broadcast Group Q4 2023 Revenue Down 8.75%

Today Beasley Broadcast Group releases its operating results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the full year of 2023. For Q4 of 2023, the company reports net revenue of $65.7 million, a decline of 8.75% from the same period in 2022. For the full year of 2023, net revenue was $247.1 million, a decline of 3.6% from the full year of 2022. While Beasley reports net income of $6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 (compared to the $24.5 million net loss it posted in Q4 of 2022), the company reveals a net loss of $75.1 million for the full year of 2023, compared to the net loss of $42.1 million it reported for the full year ofim 2022. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley says, “Beasley’s fourth quarter and full year financial results reflect the impacts of cyclical political revenue and ongoing advertising market softness, partially offset by the continued success of our revenue diversification strategy and cost management initiatives. Net revenues for the 2023 fourth quarter and full year decreased by $6.3 million and $9.3 million, respectively. Excluding the impacts from a decrease in political advertising and the company’s dispositions of WWWE-AM, WJBR-FM and the Houston Outlaws in 2023 and WWNN-AM imand KDWN-AM in 2022, partially offset by the company’s acquisitions of KXTE-FM and Guarantee Digital in 2022, revenues would have decreased by $0.2 million and $1.3 million in the 2023 fourth quarter and full year, respectively… For the better part of the year, we continued to execute on our successful growth agenda for our digital business that capitalizes on the value of our strong local brands, unique local business relationships and proven marketing capabilities. While macroeconomic pressures held fourth quarter digital revenue flat compared to the prior year, Beasley delivered meaningful full-year digital revenue growth, up 11.4% year-over-year. Our digital business represented 18.4% of full year 2023 revenue. We remain laser focused on prioritizing the growth of our digital platform as a means to diversify our revenue in a cash flow positive manner, and we expect digital revenue to account for between 20% and 25% of total revenue in 2024. Our dedicated sales teams also continue to leverage the tremendous audience reach and engagement of our local multi-platform content to attract new advertisers, resulting in fourth quarter and full year new local business revenue growth of 52% and 20%, respectively. Additionally, the actions we have taken to reduce costs drove a year-over-year decline in operating expenses of 3.3% in the fourth quarter and 2.3% for the full year.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s Russia-NATO comments; the aftermath of Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin; Israel’s rescue of two hostages as Palestinians say more than 100 are killed in Rafah; the U.S. Senate advances a $95 billion foreign aid package; the uncertain fate of Trump’s immunity claim before the Supreme Court; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized again; and the run-up to Sunday night’s Super Bowl LVIII were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

TEGNA Names Rick Rogala President and GM for Columbus TV and Radio

TEGNA Inc names Rick Rogala president and general manager at the company’s Columbus station group that includes CBS affiliate WBNS-TV, sports talk outlets WBNS-FM “The Fan 97.1,” WBNS-AMim “ESPN 1460 Columbus,” and the Ohio News Network. Rogala comes to Columbus from the company’s Memphis television stations. TEGNA says, “During his career, Rogala has been on the leading edge of media convergence, leading stations to record ratings and revenue, building three media facilities, launching innovative, new local programming, and creating a groupwide sales training program.”

Industry News

Veteran Industry Executive Corinne Baldassano Exits Take On The Day, LLC

Radio industry legend Corinne Baldassano has exited her longtime position with Take On The Day, LLC – the highly successful production and management company founded and owned by Dr. Laura Schlessinger and media entrepreneur Geoff Rich to produce and manage the iconic radio personality’s radio show (SiriusXM Satellite Radio) and related projects. Baldassano joined the firm in 2005 serving as its senior vice president of programming and marketing. Based in Los Angeles, she is widely recognized as a multi-format radio pioneer as well as a leading advocate for women being afforded equal opportunities in programming and management. Her background and accomplishments in the business are extensive going all the way back to 1970 where she broke ground for female executiveim roles in management in both music and news at such stations as New York’s WHN (in news) and WPLJ (as music director). Among the highlights in her remarkable career, she served as the ABC group’s first female program director at KAUM-FM, Houston and as PD at the Boston Globe’s WSAI-FM, Cincinnati. At one point she was vice president of programming for the ABC Radio Networks. Other senior managerial stops include Watermark production studio (American Top 40 and American Country Countdown), United Stations, and as senior vice president of programming for Sony-Warner’s radio division, SW Networks. Baldassano was a co-founder and an initial board member of the Mentoring and Inspiring Women, Inc group, which sprang from the first list of women honored by Radio Ink in 1998 (on which she was included). She tells TALKERS, “In my years at Take On The Day, LLC, I built wonderful relationships with advertisers, affiliates, SiriusXM, multiple charities and Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s loyal listeners. I am truly grateful for the years spent with Dr. Laura and Geoff Rich, as the company grew and diversified into live theatrical shows nationwide, podcasts, online stores that benefited Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, and much more. We had a great time, and I have nothing but warm wishes for their continued success as we all move on to new chapters.” She adds, “As one of the co-founders and a former board member, I will continue to work closely with Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc, where I serve as a key mentor to amazing women rising to be the next generation of leaders in radio. It’s one of the most important things I’ve ever done, and I get inspired by these women each and every day.” Baldassano can be emailed at baldassanoc@gmail.com or by phone at 310-562-3083.

Industry Views

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Joe Madison Classic Interview Posted This Week on Harrison Podcast

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Legendary radio talk show host and civil rights activist Joe Madison, who succumbed last week to cancer at 74, is memorialized on this week’s installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” In addition to expressing his personal view of Madison’s career and historic accomplishments, Harrison presents what he describes as the “most comprehensive interview with Joe Madison available in the extensive TALKERS archives.” Harrison continues, “Joe Madison has appeared as a guest on eight occasions during this podcast’s eight-year history (a milestone achieved this month) in addition to delivering two major keynote addresses and making at least five additional panel appearances at national TALKERS conferences – so we certainly have a wealth of material from which to choose.” The interview presented here was conducted and originally posted in April, 2022 in conjunction with the publication at that time of Madison’s long-awaited book, Radio Active: A Memoir of Advocacy in Action, on the Air and in the Streets. The strikingly candid conversation between the two old friends covers Madison’s personal exploration into his genealogy along with his experiences in dealing with alleged racism in his radio career, life-threatening hunger strikes, and his general complex overview and connection with Black and White relations in America. Harrison states, “As warm as our personal friendship grew over the years, interviewing Joe was never easy.  He challenged me at every turn – even when I agreed with him. At one point in this interview, he bluntly tells me that my question is naïve!” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Cumulus Albuquerque Promotes Blood Drive

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Pictured above is KKOB-AM/FM midday talk host Brandon Vogt at a January 30 community blood drive remote broadcast. Cumulus Media partnered with Vitalant Blood Donation and collected 114 pints of blood for the Albuquerque blood bank. All listeners that stopped by to “Give a Pint, Get a Pint,” received a pint of ice cream for donating a pint of blood, courtesy of Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Industry News

Gunhill Road Releases Special Tribute Song in Advance of World Radio Day 2024

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Gunhill Road, the enduring band that has been making multi-genre rock and pop music spanning more than five decades, has released a brand-new song and video titled, “Over The Radio Waves,” just in time for World Radio Day 2024 (February 13). The song is a heartfelt tribute to the continuing influence of radio around the world and calls for broadcasters and listeners alike “to all stand together” in celebrating the 13th annual edition of the United Nations/UNESCO-designated international day. Gunhill Road has developed a unique niche in recent years along with tens of thousands of internet followers powered in large part to the attention and airplay given it by talk radio as a result of the group addressing topics of news and social concern in a highly musical and creative way. The band consists of co-founding member/pianist Steve Goldrich, longtime guitarist/vocalist Paul Reisch, noted Broadway theater instrumentalist/guitarist/vocalist Brian Koonin, and TALKERS publisher/vocalist Michael Harrison who performs a rap segment on the song. Radio broadcasters are encouraged to play the two-minute recording license-free during the 11 days leading up to World Radio Day. Download an audio file of “Over The Radio Waves” here. See the accompanying music video here. To arrange an interview with Michael Harrison, please email info@talkers.com.

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Industry News

Saga Communications Declares Cash Dividend

Saga Communications’ board of directors announces that the company is declaring a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 8, 2024, to shareholders of record onim February 20, 2024. The aggregate amount of the payment to be made in connection with the quarterly dividend will be approximately $1.6 million. The quarterly dividend will be funded by cash on the company’s balance sheet. Including this dividend, the company will have paid approximately $127 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012.

Industry News

KNUS, Denver’s George Brauchler Running for DA Post

Former district attorney and KNUS, Denver morning drive talk host George Brauchler has steppedim away from this radio role as he prepares to enter the race for district attorney of the newly created 23rd judicial district. Brauchler led the 18th judicial district and left that position as term limits required him to. The Salem Media Group station has replaced Brauchler with “The Jeff and Bill Show” starring Jeff Hunt and Bill Thorpe.  Read the full story in Colorado Politics here.

Industry News

Westwood One’s Kevin Harlan to Call 14th Consecutive Super Bowl

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is the official network audio broadcast partner of the NFL and will present comprehensive live coverage and play-by-play of Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday (2/11) as the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs play the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Lasim Vegas. This will be the 51st time Westwood One will broadcast America’s biggest sporting event. Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties for the 14th straight year, with Super Bowl XXXIV MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner returning for the sixth consecutive year as lead analyst. Dean Blandino joins the radio broadcast booth as rules analyst. For the fifth time, Laura Okmin will patrol the sidelines, along with former defensive lineman Mike Golic, who returns for his third Super Bowl with Westwood One’s broadcast crew. Scott Graham and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty will host Westwood One’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage, with Devin’s twin brother and fellow Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty and former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker also contributing to the pregame coverage.