Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

“The Stephen A. Smith Show” moves from Audacy’s Cadence 13 to iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcast Network for distribution. The show is produced by Smith’s Mr. SAS with Smith serving as executive producer.

Hannah Brummer joins TM Studios’ affiliate relations department serving under senior affiliate relations director Steve Kaufman.

Baltimore Public Media officially launched yesterday (2/26). The move unites radio stations WYPR and WTMD under a single, dynamic umbrella branded “Your Public Media” more than three years after the November 2021 acquisition of WTMD-FM from Towson University. Currently serving as president and GM for the company is former CBS News Radio vice president and general manager Craig Swagler.

Beasley Media Group promotes Luis “Speedy Jr” Gonzalez to director of video and audio production for its Tampa Bay cluster.

Industry News

Swagler Joins Baltimore Pubcaster

News radio pro Craig Swagler, who recently left his vice president and general manager position with CBS News Radio, is joining Your Public Radio’s WYPR and WTMD in Baltimore as president and general manager. Your Public Radio board chair Lisa Manzoneim says, “We are thrilled to welcome Craig Swagler as the new general manager and president of Your Public Radio. His extensive experience in the broadcast industry, coupled with his innovative mindset and community-building approach, will be invaluable as we continue to provide exceptional programming and expand our reach. We are confident that Craig’s leadership will lead Your Public Radio to even greater heights.” Swagler states, “I am thrilled to be joining the outstanding team of content creators, storytellers, and journalists at Your Public Radio. It is an honor to serve Baltimore by amplifying issues, stories, and events of the community’s rich cultural heritage.”

Industry News

CBS News Radio, Portnoy Parting Ways

CBS News Radio Logo

Following an eight-and-a half-year run with CBS News Radio, White House correspondent Steven Portnoy is exiting CBS News “for a new opportunity.” He becomes the third CBS News Radio correspondent to depart in less than three months, as Steve Dorsey and Steve Futterman left at the end of April. We noted here yesterday (TALKERS, Monday, 7/10) that CBS News Radio vice president/general manager Craig Swagler is set to leave the company this Friday (7/14). In a memo, CBS News Washington bureau chief Mark Lima and ParamountPodcasting& Audio head Steve Raizes informed staff of Portnoy’s exit writing, “We wish Steve all the best in his future endeavors. We are fortunate to have more than a dozen Washington-based reporters who contribute to CBS News Radio and know that we are in good hands in continuing to bring impactful journalism to our audience now and in the future.” CBS News Washington-based political reporters who will continue to contribute for CBS News Radio include: Robert Costa; Scott McFarlane; Nikole Killion; Weija Jiang; Ed O’Keefe; Nancy Cordes; and, Portnoy joined CBS News Radio in February 2015 as a White House correspondent. In addition to his day-to-day CBS News Radio duties, he was president of the White House Correspondents Association (2021 – 2022).

Industry News

Swagler Set To Depart CBS News Radio

Craig SwaglerAfter a 22-year run with CBS News Radio, vice president/general manager Craig Swagler will leave the company this Friday (7/14). In an internal memo sent to employees this past Friday (7/7), Swagler stated that he intends to relocate to the Baltimore area to be closer to family. “As such, I have made the hard decision to step away from my role at CBS News Radio. I am incredibly thankful for my time here and all the amazing people I have had the honor to work with at CBS News. There are far too many individuals to name, but I know you all have made the last 22 years one of the most fulfilling parts of my professional journey.” Prior to being elevated to CBS News Radio’s VP/GM, Swagler was a desk assistant; production coordinator; and special events producer. He previously worked at “Saturday Night Live,” ABC Sports, and The MSG Channel.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Salem Media Group Inc will report its first quarter 2023 financial results after the market closes on May 9. The company also plans to host a teleconference to discuss its results on May 9, 2023, at 5:00 pm ET.

CBS Radio is presenting a documentary program for broadcast over the Memorial Day weekend titled, “Who Killed George Polk?” that looks into the shocking murder of CBS news correspondent George Polk in 1947. The program is hosted by Steven Portnoy and executive produced by Craig Swagler. Seventy-five years ago this spring, Polk was executed and his body dumped into the Aegean Sea. Historians who have studied the case over the decades have suggested that the murder of the CBS newsman was actually a conspiracy that involved the US-backed Greek government. The theory of the case is that the CIA – aided by Polk’s fellow journalists — covered up the truth to protect American interests at the height of the Cold War. Redacted CIA documents — original copies of which cannot now be found — give rise to that suspicion.

WNYC Studios launches a new, 12-part season of “More Perfect,” the Supreme Court-focused podcast series that brings the highest court of the land down to earth. “More Perfect” debuted as the first spin-off of “Radiolab” in 2017.  In this new season, host Julia Longoria “revisits the human dramas at the Court that are driving change around core aspects of American life today — from our religious freedom to our artistic expression; from our reproductive choices to our voice in democracy.”