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The Supreme Court ruled against TikTok today (1/17), rejecting the social media company’s First Amendment challenge to the law that effectively bans it in the United States starting on Sunday. The unanimous decision came a week after the justices heard a First Amendment challenge to a law aimed at the wildly popular short-form video platform used by 170 million Americans that the government suspects could be influenced by China. The decision may deal a death blow to the U.S. operations of the exceedingly popular app, which delivers short-form videos that are a major source of information and entertainment to millions of Americans, especially (but not exclusively) in the younger demos. “There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement and source of community,” the decision said. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.” This ruling obviously comes with a boatload of First Amendment implications and will add even more fuel to the fiery debates unfolding in the talk media sphere about the application of “free speech” and First Amendment Constitutional principles in the heightened environment of misinformation stirred up by the digital era.

Longtime talk radio mainstay and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Jeff Katz is this week’s guest on “UP CLOSE FAR OUT with Michael Harrison.”  Katz is the tremendously popular 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm host at Audacy’s WRVA, Richmond, VA where he has developed a national reputation within the broadcasting industry as a champion of public service and community outreach. In addition to being a compelling political commentator and dazzlingly entertaining personality, Katz – a former Philadelphia police officer – has worked tirelessly for years supplementing his daily “take” on the issues as a champion of law enforcement, the needy, disaster victims and the disabled.  A former recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award, Katz has received numerous honors over the years from service organizations and public officials including the President of the United States, Director of the FBI, and Governor of Virginia.  Just recently, VA Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Katz to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities where he is sure to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Katz and Harrison discuss radio’s handling of the current water crisis afflicting central Virginia, which has been overshadowed, in terms of national attention, by the Southern California wildfire disaster, in addition to the importance of radio as an invaluable societal safety net.  Don’t miss this.  It’s emotional, compelling and touches directly upon the very heart of 21st century radio.

Longtime talk radio mainstay and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Jeff Katz is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.”  Katz is the tremendously popular 3:00 – 6:00 pm host at Audacy’s WRVA, Richmond, VA where he has developed a national reputation within the broadcasting industry as a champion of public service and community outreach.  In addition to being a compelling political commentator and dazzlingly entertaining personality, Katz – a former Philadelphia police officer – has worked tirelessly for years as a champion of law enforcement, the needy, and the disabled.  A former recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award, Katz has received numerous honors over the years from public officials including the President of the United States, Director of the FBI, and Governor of Virginia.  Just recently, VA Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Katz to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. Katz and Harrison discuss radio’s handling of the current water crisis afflicting central Virginia, which has been overshadowed, in terms of national attention, by the Southern California wildfire disaster, in addition to the importance of radio as an invaluable societal safety net.  Don’t miss this.  To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click HERE.

One of the largest tests of AM/FM radio advertising was conducted in Spring 2024 in just over 20 local markets. The campaign ran across a broad mix of small, medium, and large markets. The two-month AM/FM radio campaign featured heavy media weight with 500 monthly GRPs, generating a monthly reach of 75% and a 7 frequency. Claritas and MARU/Matchbox both ran studies on the campaign. The results are highlighted in this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog.

• Advertising creates memories and memories generate sales; Clicks don’t generate sales

• A significant test of AM/FM radio advertising in over 20 markets found AM/FM radio worked: Total unaided brand awareness grew +10%; Among heavy AM/FM radio listeners unaided awareness soared +16%

• Claritas attribution measurement revealed the AM/FM radio campaign generated an +8% lift in leads, +8% increase in signups, +9% in registrations, and +12% growth in purchases

•  A series of Tracksuit brand studies for TikTok revealed successful brands need to “be known before their needed.” The greater the awareness, the greater the conversion rate. A strong brand makes performance marketing work harder.

Check out the completely new blog post HERE.

Watch the 12-minute video of the key findings HERE.

To download the slides, click HERE.

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (12/9-13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories/Topics

1. Los Angeles County Wildfires
2. Trump Legal Issues – Hush Money Case
3. Presidential Transition – Trump Appointments and Nominations
4. Trump Positions on Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Panama, Mexico
5. Jimmy Carter State Funeral
6. Economy-DOGE / Health Care / Climate Change
7. Migrant Crisis / Crime / Homelessness
8. Facebook Censorship Changes / Tik Tok
9. Israel-Hamas War / Russia-Ukraine War
10. Winter Weather

People

1. Donald Trump
2. Karen Bass / Gavin Newsom
3. Jimmy Carter
4. Joe Biden
5. Elon Musk
6. Barack Obama / George W. Bush / Bill Clinton
7. Justin Trudeau
8. Vivek Ramaswamy
9. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
10. Benjamin Netanyahu / Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Xi Jinping

To see the complete TALKERS charts of the most talked about stories and people, please click HERE.

The top story yesterday (1/6)) on news/talk radio and related media venues was the Certification in Congress of the Electoral College presidential victory of Donald Trump to a second term peacefully presided over by VP Kamala Harris on the fourth anniversary of the January 6, 2021 riot.  That was followed by the announced resignation of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. There was heavy conversation about the ceremonial funeral proceedings of former President Jimmy Carter as well as continuing discussion of the New Orleans New Year’s terrorist tragedy.  Discussion also continued about the many facets of the presidential transition currently underway, the state of Trump’s legal issues, the economy, and U.S. foreign relations per the Middle East and Eastern Europe according to the ongoing research of TALKERS. Look for changes being applied to Facebook censorship policy and other free speech issues in the era of Big Tech being among today’s (1/7) top stories.

Adell Media announced today (1/6) the addition of “Your Morning Show with Michael DelGiorno” to the lineup at 910 AM – Detroit’s News Talk Superstation (WFDF-AM), effective immediately live weekdays 6:00 am – 9:00 am ET.  This clearance marks the 50th affiliate for the program, which joined Premiere Networks’ national lineup in October 2024. With a motto of “so much information, so little understanding,” DelGiorno engages listeners with entertaining discussion that goes beyond the latest news and political headlines to include lifestyle, pop culture topics and humor. The goal of the show is to help the audience start their day with fun, witty and interesting conversation that’s also informative. Since the station re-launched in September 2023 with a 24/7 lineup of news and conservative talk, as well as local news, weather and traffic from Total Traffic & Weather Network and breaking news coverage from ABC Radio, the station’s audience has grown +500% to date (Source: Nielsen Audio, PPM, NOV24 v SEP23, MoSu 6a-12m, P6+).

“Michael DelGiorno is a perfect fit to lead our impressive weekday lineup featuring the biggest talent in talk radio,” said Kevin Adell, CEO. Adell Media. “In just over a year since launching our conservative talk format, we continue to see incredible audience gains and look forward to continued growth and success as we provide a leading source for news and information in our community.”  “I’m always singing, ‘Oh, how I wish again, I was back in Michigan!’ So, it’s a song come true for me,” said DelGiorno. “All joking aside, as a Flint native, I’m thrilled to be coming home to start the day off right on Detroit’s Superstation and just in time for my Lions’ first Super Bowl!

WFDF’s full programming lineup:

5:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.                   Fox News Rundown

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.                   Your Morning Show with Michael DelGiorno

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                 The Glenn Beck Program

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.                 The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.                   The Sean Hannity Show

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.                   The Jesse Kelly Show

9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.                 Bill O’Reilly

10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.                 Our American Stories

1:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.                   The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano

After 28 years on the job, FOX News (FOX News Network and FOX Business Network) host/commentator Neil Cavuto surprised his audience at the conclusion of his “Your World” show yesterday (12/19) by announcing that it would be his final show with the network. During his long run, the business news specialist – often on the receiving end of Donald Trump‘s ire – wore a number of hats at FOX and was known for his independence even when it meant taking on positions unpopular with the network’s base viewers. Cavuto closed the show with the following remarks, “This is it. The final segment, but today I also wanted to let you know this is my final show. I’m leaving FOX. I’ve been planning this day for some time, this just seemed like a good time. Now, some of you might be thinking, ‘well, Neil, it is about time!’ After all, I’ve been doing this for nearly three decades here. You know, there are people working with me now, who weren’t even born when I started at FOX — that’s how old I am. But I’m not leaving journalism, I’m just leaving here. But I’m forever grateful to my bosses here. They have been very good to me these many years and offered a very generous opportunity for me to stay years more.”  To view Cavuto’s full closing remarks from yesterday’s broadcast, please click HERE.

By Robert Pearl

EXCLUSIVE TO TALKERS

Noted real estate industry figure and radio personality Suzanne Miller, the founder of Empire State Properties and host of “The Miller Report,” was honored last night (12/11) in a dazzling awards party featuring speakers, food, music, and dancing in the Manhattan offices and studios of WABC Radio. The event brought together New York media luminaries, and close friends of Miller for a night, in a packed room, celebrating not only her accomplishments but the resilience and vibrancy of the city she loves.

WABC Radio and Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis set a festive tone by introducing legendary entertainer (and multi-station NYC radio personality) Joe Piscopo. Piscopo delivered an unforgettable performance of Frank Sinatra classics, including “New York, New York,” igniting a chorus of guests singing along. “This is what makes New York the greatest city in the world!” exclaimed Catsimatidis, who shared the stage with WABC stars Rita Cosby, Sid Rosenberg, and Frank Morano, alongside his wife (and WABC co-owner), Margo Catsimatidis, and WABC/Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez.

Lopez lauded Miller’s career. “Suzanne has achieved over $5 million in sales and transactions, created 500 jobs, and played a pivotal role in rebuilding Battery Park after 9/11,” he remarked. “But if you ask Suzanne, she’ll tell you her greatest accomplishments are her two children. That humility is what makes her so special.”

Miller, visibly moved, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the audience. “A year and a half ago, I was at my kitchen table with my kids, dreaming about ‘The Miller Report,’” she shared. “Today, we’ve touched over 5.5 million people, discussing New York, real estate, and life itself. This city, these people, it’s what drives me.”

She recounted her journey as a Brooklyn-born daughter of immigrants, whose parents arrived with just $30 after surviving immense hardships during World War II. Recounting her humble beginnings in Canarsie, she gave a shout out to another Canarsie kid, radio host and Guardian Angels founder, Curtis Sliwa, also in the room. Her mother’s investment in a Brooklyn property sparked Miller’s lifelong passion for real estate. “That’s when my love for New York began,” she said. “This city is tough, but its heart is unbreakable. Never bet against New York!”

Rita Cosby highlighted Miller’s impact on the city. “Suzanne, you’ve been a cornerstone of WABC and a vital part of New York’s growth,” Cosby praised. “You embody what makes this city thrive – vision, grit, and compassion.”

Sid Rosenberg delivered his assessment of the Big Apple: “Real estate is booming here in New York, but we’ve got to vote smart. It’s time to bring back our beautiful city and state to what they should be – but we need to have the right leadership,” he said in his signature New York style.

As the evening progressed, Miller’s humor and candor shone. She thanked her team, family, and key supporters, including Gary Brody, who helped brand “The Miller Report.” She also paid tribute to Margo Catsimatidis, calling her “the First Lady of New York” for her “elegance and influence.” As for the city’s future. “We’ve got work to do,” she said passionately. “But New York isn’t just going to survive – it’s going to thrive.”

The WABC Awards Party was a testament to the enduring spirit of New York City and the power of community. In the words of Chad Lopez, “Tonight, we honor Suzanne Miller not just for what she’s done, but for what she inspires us all to be.”

Robert Pearl is a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes about New York City media, politics, and culture.  He can be emailed at pearlknows@yahoo.com.  

Early Bird Deadline for the Milestone 50th Gracie Awards Approaching. The AWM Foundation invites all content creators to submit their exceptional work for the historic 50th Annual Gracie Awards. With the Early Bird Deadline approaching on December 12, 2024, now is the time to take advantage of discounted entry fees and secure your place in celebrating the best in media. As the Gracie Awards commemorate 50 years of recognizing excellence, it is more important than ever to honor the exceptional talent in front of and behind the camera and microphone across radio, podcasting, television, streaming, and online programs in news and entertainment. The Gracie Awards recognize contributions from journalists, actors, hosts, producers, showrunners, writers, directors, and other roles that bring impactful stories to life. Each entry directly supports the AWM Foundation, with the Gracies serving as the largest fundraiser of the year.  “This year’s milestone celebration reflects our continued commitment to honoring the talent that shapes the stories of our time,” said Becky Brooks, president of the AWM Foundation. “We encourage local media to participate and take advantage of the best rates and prepare to celebrate together in 2025.”  For a complete list of new and updated categories for 2025, pricing, and submission guidelines, please visit https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/call-for-entries/. Questions can be directed to gracies@allwomeninmedia.org.  The Gracie Awards is the largest fundraiser of the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation which advances women in media through educational programs and scholarships. The Gracie Awards honors exemplary programming and individual talent created by, for and about women. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint initiatives with the Emma Bowen Foundation, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), NCTA – The Cable and Telecommunications Association and other organizations that are philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. For more information about The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation and the Gracie Awards please visit allwomeninmedia.org. For the latest news on the Gracies, follow The Gracies on Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Broadcasting Consultant Valerie Geller Drops Third Edition of Classic Book. Beyond Powerful Radio – The New Edition: An Audio Communicators Guide to the Digital World (Focal Press 2024).  In this newly updated edition, industry pros as well as aspirants will find a complete guide to becoming a successful communicator. Beyond Powerful Radio teaches time-tested techniques that work in any format – radio, TV, podcast, or digital. Learn how to get, keep, and grow audiences with powerful storytelling, and become a dynamic presenter. This book holds the tools needed to create winning content; tell compelling stories; build your brand; develop talent; produce a show; report the news; sell; and write commercials. Practical tips and methods from over 50 top experts from across the world of media illuminate interviewing, managing talent, becoming an authentic personality, and getting started in the business. This fully revised edition features new sections on podcasting, social media, storytelling, artificial intelligence, and cross platform synergy.  Whether you’re a professional with years in the industry, an instructor with a class full of media hopefuls, or you are just starting out as a podcaster or radio host, this book will help you reach your goals. A full Instructor Manual is available with complete lesson plans for broadcast instructors.  For more info, please click HERE.

Veteran radio broadcaster Chick Pallotta, a.k.a. Francis Chick Powers, is the creator, executive producer, and host of a long-running, syndicated radio series of individual programs collectively entitled, “The Inside Stories Behind The Christmas Songs.”  These critically-praised programs feature many legendary songwriters of fond memory who explain how their classic, holiday hits originated. Currently, there’s a total of 43 programs: 20 Short-Form programs (crafted as entertainment and informative holiday features where all the verses of a particular Christmas song are wrapped around the songwriter’s narrative), and 23 two-minute programs, suitable for the live and local talk and news/talk stations, providing a type of holiday feel to their regular programming. Additional programs are produced and released yearly. Since 2011, Pallotta has been producing and syndicating these one-of-a-kind holiday vignettes.  During that time, hundreds of stations throughout the U.S.A. and Canada in mostly small, medium-sized and suburban markets, have aired the series. Thus far, the series is being carried on stations having 14 different formats.

Soon-to-turn 78-years old in January, an item on Chick Pallotta’s Christmas wishlist, is to license his intellectual property of interviews with the Christmas songwriters to one of the major radio conglomerates to run during the 2025 Christmas Season. It would include all the elements of his original productions for that company to produce – the scripts, the interview segments, the song soundbites, the music beds, etc. – as it sees fit.  And that company’s own in-house, star radio personality would host the series, thus exposing all of this unique and original content to a new and wider listening audience, carried even on multiple-owned stations in the same city having different formats in the major markets. Pallotta’s only stipulation in a potential agreement would be to protect his current radio affiliates which have provided their loyal and steadfast support to him over the years.   For more info about these available programming elements please click HERE.

Plus there’s more: Pallotta has established another platform for his intellectual property. He’s making on-screen video segments for use in a full, theatrical musical production. A live cast of singers is envisioned to perform a mix of both the traditional Christmas carols and secular holiday hits as well. The visuals are lead-ins, prior to the songs being sung. He’s currently looking for an investor. Just as iHeartRadio produces its “Jingle Ball” concert tour in Madison Square Garden and other select cities annually, Chick is hopeful that in Manhattan’s Theater District itself,  a similar, success story is achievable in a Broadway theater during the 2-month holiday season, running every year, as well.  For more info about the theatrical opportunity, please click HERE to watch three short video segments.  Chick Pallotta can be reached by phone at 718-375-1245.

Pew Study:  Newsmax among Top U.S. News Brands.   The ratings competition for eyeballs and eardrums between multi-platform news content providers has grown increasingly fierce as burgeoning interest in politics – especially during this remarkably heated 2024 election cycle – has driven huge audiences to information venues seeking the latest data and ideological affirmation. The correlation between MSNBC’s notable ratings declines after the “Morning Joe” visit to Mar-a-Lago illustrated the sensitivity of branding and audience expectations within this volatile arena.  So, what media outlets did Americans turn to for political news during the heated 2024 presidential election?  Pew Research did some digging to find out and Newsmax has earned bragging rights for being among the top U.S. news brands for Americans seeking political news. The Pew survey for September of 2024 asked close to 10,000 Americans: “What news source do you turn to most often for political news?”  The question was open ended — with Pew giving no possible responses as respondents gave their own answers.  The Pew Study found Newsmax ranked among the top news outlets and networks and tied with media giants X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube — as respondents’ go-to source for citizens seeking political news. Newsmax even ranked ahead of the Associated Press and local news, and was just one percentage point behind NBC, CBS, MSNBC, and The New York Times.  Major established news outlets FOX News, CNN, and ABC News led the pack. “Multiple studies continue to show Newsmax is a major news player, and we are continuing to rise,” Newsmax Inc. CEO Chris Ruddy tells TALKERS. “The credit belongs to our team here and our viewers who are tired of old media and want the quality journalism we’re providing.” The Pew study confirms a recent Reuters Institute study that found Newsmax was one of the top 12 U.S. news brands for Americans.  The Reuters study found 8% of Americans — about 25 million Americans — turn to Newsmax on cable TV for their news at least weekly.  Starting as a conservative website, Newsmax was launched as an entrepreneurial initiative in 1998 by then-independent journalist Ruddy and expanded to include a TV network in 2014 .  Today, Newsmax estimates it reaches more than 40 million Americans through its television channels, online websites, and social media. The company has raised over $100 million for its Preferred Share Offering in its pre-IPO plan and expects to close soon.

Bloomberg Audio Renews Multi-Year Deal With Audacy.  Radio syndication firm, Key Networks and Bloomberg Audio, a leading provider of radio business news in the U.S., announce that Bloomberg Audio and Audacy have renewed their agreement to deliver Bloomberg Audio business and consumer news programming across the majority of Audacy’s 26 all-news and news talk stations. Audacy owns and operates many of the most influential news and news talk stations in America, including 92.3 FM and 1010 WINS in New York, News KNX-FM 97.1 and 1070 AM News Radio (KNX-AM/FM) in Los Angeles, WBBM Newsradio (WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM) in Chicago, and more. Bloomberg Audio has been Audacy’s primary business and consumer news provider for several years. Under the new multi-year agreement, Bloomberg Audio will continue to provide Audacy stations with access to its world-class radio news content, including live, customized reports, “Bloomberg Money Minutes,” and specialty features including: “Bloomberg Business of Sports,” “Bloomberg Business of Entertainment,” “Green Report,” “Small Business Report,” “Real Estate Report,” and more.  “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Bloomberg Radio, a trusted leader in business news, to continue delivering top-tier, timely financial and consumer content to our listeners,” said Jeff Sottolano, chief programming officer, Audacy. “This collaboration strengthens our commitment to providing unparalleled business news coverage across our all-news and news talk stations, ensuring our audiences have access to the insights and information they need.”

Rumble Will Host the Uncensored Fourth Season of “Surviving Barstool.” Rumble, the high-growth video platform and cloud services provider, announced that the much-anticipated fourth season of “Surviving Barstool” will move to Rumble, unedited and uncensored, beginning today (12/2). Rumble users and Barstool fans can subscribe to the Barstool Sports Rumble channel here and tune in to watch this season here. YouTube will only carry the censored version of “Surviving Barstool.” “Surviving Barstool” follows 24 of the biggest Barstool employees competing against each other for a $250,000 prize while trapped in the office. The final winner will be decided by the employees who were voted out along the way.

In an age of rapid information and rising concerns about misinformation, the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) announces the launch of its statewide KAB Trust Campaign: “Rooted in Community, Committed to Truth.” This initiative highlights the critical role Kansas broadcasters play as trusted sources of news and information.  “Broadcasting is built on trust, accountability, and community connection,” KAB president Allison Mazzei tells TALKERS. “This campaign reminds Kansans of the unique value broadcasters provide – delivering accurate, timely, and trustworthy information in an era of misinformation.” To support this effort, KAB partnered with KMBC, Hearst, to produce customizable TV and radio spots, along with digital assets, available to Kansas stations at no cost. Stations are encouraged to customize and air the materials by December 1, 2024. The campaign directs audiences to learn more at https://kab.net/trust/. See ready-to-air TV spot here: https://vimeo.com/1024434772 KAB board director and KMBC president/GM Justin Antoniotti states, “We are proud to be a Kansas Broadcaster. Working with the KAB, we were thrilled to develop a campaign to highlight the role of broadcasters and how we differ from social media and cable outlets. We work every day to earn the trust of families by keeping them safe, informed, and entertained. This campaign reflects the commitment local broadcasters make to our communities.”

The Trust Campaign provides Kansas broadcasters with:

• TV and Radio Spots: Customizable and ready-to-air ads emphasizing the reliability and commitment of local stations.

• Digital Assets: Graphics for websites and social media platforms to engage audiences online.

• No-Cost Resources: All materials are available at no cost to member stations, ensuring broad participation.

Yesterday (11/26), a Russian court in the Siberian city of Chita sentenced Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalist Nika Novak to four years in prison. “The unjust conviction of RFE/RL journalist Nika Novak continues Russia’s cruel pattern of persecuting and silencing journalists simply for reporting the truth,” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. “Nika has been wrongly detained by Russia for more than 11 months on bogus charges. It’s time for her to be released without delay and allowed to return to her family.”   “We condemn the unjust conviction and sentencing of RFE/RL journalist Nika Novak in Russia,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus. “These politically motivated charges are intended to silence individual reporters and cause a chilling effect. We call for Nika’s immediate release to her family.”  Novak was first detained by Russia on December 25, 2023. Sources close to the investigation told RFE/RL on November 26 that Novak was found guilty of “collaboration with a foreign organization on a confidential basis.”  Since 2022, Novak has collaborated with RFE/RL as a freelance correspondent for Siberia.Realities. She has been the head of the Gifted Center in Chita since 2021. Previously, Novak worked at ChitaMedia and served as editor-in-chief of the Zab.ru news website.  Learn more about Nika Novak’s case here.

Nielsen Media Research: Morning Joe Ratings Plummet After Co-hosts Meet with Trump. Nielsen numbers indicate that the MSNBC “Morning Joe” show ratings suffered a significant drop on Tuesday (11/19) after co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski announced that they met with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. “Morning Joe” delivered one of its lowest-rated programs of 2024 with just 680,000 viewers and 76,000 in the 25-54 demo on Tuesday. Tuesday was the show’s third lowest broadcast of 2024. Compared to the show’s 2024 average, Tuesday’s broadcast plummeted 38% with viewers and 37% in the 25-54 demo. And compared to Monday’s broadcast, the show was also down double digits seeing a 12% decline with both viewers and A25-54.

WPG, Atlantic City Morning Legend Harry Hurley Makes Prestigious List. The InsiderNJ.com Annual New Jersey Power List 2024 has again placed longtime WPG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley as one of the Garden State’s most politically influential citizens (11/20). It is always released on the Wednesday of the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference. Hurley placed in the #48 position on this year’s list. Power lists are nothing new for Hurley who came in at #25 on the 2024 TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says of Hurley, “If talk radio were boxing, Harry Hurley would be its ‘pound-for-pound’ champion.”

Hercules, Hercules! Yup that is Hollywood Legend Kevin Sorbo and WRVA, Richmond Afternoon Mainstay Jeff Katz. Actor Kevin Sorbo was in town to deliver a speech and he took the time to appear on the Jeff Katz Show. Katz presented Sorbo with a Julia Katz bracelet which is made by Emily Morrissey, a local artist with special needs, who sells her work at http://www.emilysbracelets.com  and then donates the profits to a variety of charities including The Friendship Circle of Virginia which benefits from the sale of each Julia Katz bracelet. Julia Katz is the adult daughter of Jeff Katz who has faced special needs challenges since birth and has been the inspiration for the radio star’s enormous humanitarian contributions over the years to money- and consciousness-raising in the Richmond market.

For the last 10 years, Edison Research’s quarterly “Share of Ear” study has been a highly respected examination of time spent with audio in America. Edison surveys 4,000 Americans annually to measure daily reach and time spent with all forms of audio. Each report is based on a four-quarter rolling average. The most recent Q3 2024 survey is comprised of Q4 2023, Q1 2024, Q2 2024, and Q3 2024. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog is an analysis of the just released Q3 2024 data and focuses on what advertisers care most about – ad-supported audio.

• Among major demographics, AM/FM radio is the dominant ad-supported audio platform. Podcasts have significant shares among younger age groups.

• Among African Americans, AM/FM radio is particularly strong. Podcast shares are not as strong as the general market.

• Among Hispanics, podcast shares are stunningly strong. Among 18-34 Hispanics, podcasts are now the number one ad-supported audio platform.

• In the car, AM/FM is the “queen of the road” with an 86% share. Even among 18-34s, AM/FM radio has an 82% share of ad-supported audio.

• 13% of all AM/FM radio listening occurs via streaming, steady over the last three years. On the smart speaker, AM/FM radio dominates with a 50% share of ad-supported listening.

• Sadly for advertisers, most of Spotify’s audience is unavailable to place advertising. While Spotify’s ad-free subscription audience soars, its ad-supported shares stagnate at a two share.

• Streaming music audience growth comes at the expense of owned music rather than AM/FM radio.

Check out today’s blog post here.

To download the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group analysis report of Edison Research’s “Share of Ear,” click here.

By Andy Gladding, Ed.D.
WMCA 570 / WNYM 970 Radio, New York
WRHU 88.7 FM, Hofstra University
Chief Engineer

Following the 2024 election cycle, there has been a flurry of conversation and speculation over the diminishing role linear media played in deciding the outcome of high-profile national races. With both the Trump and Harris teams choosing to heavily engage with social media influencers, digital media outlets and podcasters, campaign operatives have demonstrated that they are willing to shift their political ad spending into newer forms of broadcast messaging. This has called into question just how much influence and effectiveness legacy media has over audiences in the current media market.

However, not every country shares this perception. In 2020, WRHU Radio Hofstra University in New York formed an alliance with 89.5FM Bush Radio in Cape Town, South Africa. Bush Radio is the oldest community radio station in South Africa, having long been an established voice for the Cape Town area since the early 1990s. With programming in three languages and a highly diverse staff, the station is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the Cape Town media space. The parallel goals of WRHU and Bush Radio, specifically emphasis on local journalism, community programming and educational radio training, provided a strong foundation for the stations to build this joint venture. The purpose of this partnership was to explore the power and reach of community radio in each station’s respective broadcast area. Since the inception of this relationship, both stations have enjoyed a continuous flow and exchange of ideas, goals and programming, even co-producing a weekly show called “1World Radio,” which highlights news, talk and music content featured WRHU and Bush Radio.

Bush Radio journalists Jasnine Roberts, Lydia Marwanqana, Renato Van Schalkwyk, and Adrian Louw tour the Salem Radio New York facilities with chief engineer Andy Gladding (pictured in rear) and assistant production manager Alex Garrett (pictured in front).

As part of this alliance, the stations were able to engage in a radio exchange program commencing just before the 2024 U.S. elections. With monies gained from a cultural grant, Bush Radio sent five radio journalists abroad to New York and Washington, DC to cover the national elections. The purpose of this trip was for the Bush Radio journalists to have the opportunity to see the American democratic process up close and later report their findings back to the Cape Town listening audience.

To continue to the entire special feature article, please click here.

Dr. Andrew Gladding is the chief engineer of the Salem Media stations in New York City – WMCA 570 / WNYM 970 – as well as WRHU 88.7 FM, Hofstra University, where he also serves as a lecturer on communications. He can be reached at 516-527-0764 or andyg@nycradio.com.

Today is Veterans Day 2024 (11/11) – an extremely important date on the news/talk media calendar.

In honor of Veterans Day and to support the veteran community, Beasley Media Group is dedicating the entire month of November to shining a spotlight on the important services available for veterans and their families. Through its Beasley Best Community of Caring initiative, the company will air public service announcements, conduct interviews with veteran organizations, and share stories across its 57 radio stations to raise awareness about resources and services for those who have served.

Beasley Media Group has partnered with organizations such as the Cohen Veterans Network and Home Base Veteran and Family Care to help provide critical information and support. These organizations provide a variety of services ranging from mental health support and family care to employment resources for veterans and their families.

In the Fort Myers market, special public service announcements will air across all five Beasley radio properties throughout Veterans Day, highlighting the valuable programs and services offered by Home Base Florida.

“We would like to thank our valued veterans for their outstanding service and show support to them and their families,” said Beasley Media Group chief communications officer, Heidi Raphael.

Throughout the initiative, Beasley Media Group will encourage listeners to learn more about the services offered by these organizations and to support veterans not just during the month of November, but year-round.

Yesterday afternoon (11/7) syndicated talk show host Erick Erickson partnered with 102.3 KRMG  (KRMG-FM) for a listener event in Tulsa, OK. The casual and intimate meet and greet experience was held at the We Street Ice Center and was open to KRMG listeners and Erickson fans. Leading up to the event, listeners had an opportunity to submit questions for Erickson to address during the event.  He touched on some of the questions before taking pictures and interacting with listeners. “This was a great opportunity to get to Oklahoma.  Working with all my affiliates to be present and local with them is a core part of how I do radio,” Erickson tells TALKERS.  “KRMG turned out a giant crowd and, just after this election outcome, it made for a great time.”  The KRMG Erick Erickson Experience brought in about 300 people.  “The turnout at an event like this shows the influence Erick Erickson has in our market and we are thrilled to be able to offer this one-of-a-kind experience to our listeners,” says Levi May, KRMG director of branding and programming.  Erickson broadcasts on KRMG weekdays 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Learn more at krmg.com.

ELECTION POST MORTEM:  “Monday Morning Quarterback” analysis of the presidential election was dominant on the top talk media stories list yesterday (11/7) as the dust slowly settles on an industry that just ran a marathon.  Other top issues of discussion emanating from that included abortion rights, the economy, media bias, war and rising tensions in the Middle East and Central Europe, and the ever-present migrant/border crisis according to ongoing TALKERS research.