Industry News

White House Accuses WBT, Charlotte of Manufacturing Controversy

According to a report in The Daily Beast, the White House is saying that Urban One’s WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte is “ginning up controversy” by claiming Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hung up on newsim director Mark Garrison after he asked if President Joe Biden suffers from dementia. Garrison did ask Jean-Pierre that question and she responded, “Mark, I can’t even believe you’re asking me this question. That is an incredibly offensive question to ask.” Then, after presenting the president’s accomplishments, Jean-Pierre thanked Garrison and ended the call. The White House says WBT was given seven minutes as part of Jean-Pierre’s media schedule and that she ended the interview at that time. The White House also suggested that the station employed a bit of theater by adding a dial-tone sound effect to the end of the interview that its phones don’t make after a call ends. Read the Daily Beast story here.

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Yesterday’s (3/12) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race and RFK Jr’s considering Aaron Rodgers or Jesse Ventura as VP; the U.S. House to vote on a ban on TikTok; the U.S. migrant crisis; special counsel Robert Hur’s testimony in President Joe Biden’s classified documents case; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck to exit House next week; the Israel-Hamas war; the Russia-Ukraine war and the Pentagon to give Ukraine $300 million in weapons; and the unrest in Haiti as gangs control Port-au-Prince 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 (3/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; the U.S. House considers a ban on TikTok; the U.S. migrant crisis; special counsel Robert Hur to testify in President Joe Biden’s classified documents case; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Biden administration submits a $7.3 trillion budget; the Israel-Hamas war and Biden’s warning to Israel about invading Rafah; the numerous staff changes at the Republican National Committee; and the controversial photo editing by Kate Middleton 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

The presidential race; President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and Senator Katie Britt’s rebuttal; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis disqualification case; the U.S. migrant crisis; Pope Francis takes heat for implying Ukraine should negotiate end to Russian hostilities; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the unrest in Haiti as gangs take over Port-au-Prince; and Sunday night’s Oscar awards ceremony 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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Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of March 4 – 8

The presidential race was the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address tied with the state of the U.S. economy, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis 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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TALKERS News Notes

Condolences to WBEN-AM, Buffalo afternoon drive host Tom Bauerle on the passing of his mother Dorothy, who died on March 6 at age 90. Bauerle had been hosting his program from his mother’s home while he served as her round-the-clock caregiver. Bauerle says his listeners may have been aware that he was working from his mother’s home, but he didn’t make a big deal out of it. He tells TALKERS, “I just very much believe that when practicable it is a child’s duty to take care of their parent instead of putting them in a nursing home, and in my case it was practicable, so I did it.”

iHeartPodcasts and “Countdown With Keith Olbermann,” will produce a live streaming edition of the program this evening after the conclusion of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address. The stream will move on iHeartRadio’s Twitch channel and Keith Olbermann’s YouTube channel.

Sheri Lynch’s “True Weird Stuff” podcast will focus on female subjects in recognition of Women’s History Month. Lynch says, “I’ve spent my whole life struggling to NOT talk about all the weird things that fascinate me and often make other people uncomfortable, such as reincarnation, near-death experiences, aliens, or the idea that reality is a simulation. It’s hard masking so much weird. ‘The True Weird Stuff’ podcast is where I can bring all the quirky, cryptic, creepy, odd and just plain weird together in one place and share them with my listeners.”

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Yesterday’s (2/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Supreme Court agrees to hear the case of former President Donald Trump’s immunity claim; Mitch McConnell to step down from Senate leadership in November; an Illinois judge rules Trump should not be on primary ballot; the misconduct allegations against Fulton County DA Fani Willis; the U.S. migrant crisis and the death of Georgian nursing student Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant; the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s testimony; the looming government shutdown; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Russia-Ukraine war and Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats; and the Texas panhandle wildfires 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 (2/27) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race and the Michigan primary; the U.S. migrant crisis and the death of Georgian nursing student Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct case; the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s testimony scheduled for today; the Alabama embryo ruling and its effects on IVF treatment; the Supreme Court hears arguments over Texas’ and Florida’s restrictive social media laws; Apple cancels its electric car project; and the Texas panhandle wildfires 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 (2/26) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. migrant crisis and the death of Georgian nursing student Laken Riley allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant; the looming government shutdown; the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s testimony scheduled for Wednesday; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct case; and the Supreme Court hears arguments over Texas’ and Florida’s restrictive social media laws 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

Former President Donald Trump beats challenger Nikki Haley in the South Carolina primary; the Russia-Ukraine war and the battle in Washington over aid to Ukraine; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis misconduct case; Ronna McDaniel to resign as chair of RNC; the Alabama Supreme Court embryo ruling; the U.S. migrant crisis; the looming government shutdown; and the Joe Biden impeachment inquiry and the charges against ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov 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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Yesterday’s (2/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Russia-Ukraine war and the aftermath of the death of Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny; the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that an embryo is a baby; the presidential race and Nikki Haley’s focus on the South Carolina primary; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the disqualification case against Fani Willis; President Joe Biden cancels $1.2 billion in student debt; the Joe Biden impeachment inquiry and the charges against ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov; and the atmospheric river dumping huge amounts of rain on California 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 (2/19) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The battle in Washington over aid for Ukraine and the death of Vladimir Putin opponent Alexei Navalny; the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire; the legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and the Fani Willis misconduct investigation; the presidential race and President Joe Biden’s age; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Iran-backed Houthi militia’s attacks in the Red Sea; and the intense rainfall hitting California 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

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.

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Yesterday’s (2/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; today’s misconduct hearing for Fulton County DA Fani Willis; President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the U.S. migrant crisis and the impeachment of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; the House $95 billion foreign aid bill; 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.

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Yesterday’s (2/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. House votes to impeach Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; Democrat Tom Suozzi wins special election for George Santos’ House seat; concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and the presidential race; the Fani WillisNathan Wade relationship; former President Donald Trump petitions the Supreme Court in his claim of presidential immunity; Trump’s NATO comments and the Russia-Ukraine war; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the latest report on inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; and the controversy over country music stations “refusing” to play Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” song  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

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 Views

Monday Memo: Calculating Taylor Swift

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imNow that every single thing is a political argument, the angry social media conversation about Taylor Swift is unsurprising. And with the Super Bowl looming, the decibel level amps-up.

So, kudos to SiriusXM and CNN host Michael Smerconish. I’ve previously cited him here as technique worth emulating when it comes to:

– Polling the audience on an ongoing basis (a sponsored feature on smart radio stations)
– Leveraging social media to give audience ownership of the show; and
– Genuine curiosity. His centrist approach earns him scorn from both sides in this Cold Civil War we’re living through. I can relate. When I managed WTOP, Washington, the quickest way to make the phone explode was to announce a crowd estimate for an abortion rally. Both sides jammed the lines to damn the number.

This preposterous Swift kerfuffle had been all heat until Smerconish shed light on it this past weekend. Noting rumors shared by FOX News that she would photobomb the Super Bowl with a Joe Biden endorsement, his poll question was “Could Taylor Swift determine the outcome of the presidential election?”

im

Just now, you answered that question in your own mind. But – for our purposes – the more useful approach is to consider information Smerconish curated unfiltered by personal politics:

– Swift has 279 million Instagram followers
– She has (so far) sold 4.35 million pricey tickets for The Eras Tour. Its “record-shattering revenue” (so far) is $1 billion+
– $200 million (so far) in tour merchandise. Her gray $45 T-shirt is now sold-out in all but 3XL and 4XL.
– 26 billion+ Spotify streams in 2023.
– SSRS polling: 59% of USA adults identify as Swift fans, 63% of women; and her fans are evenly divided 50/50 between Democrat or Dem-leaning and Republican or GOP-leaning.
– On her urging, several hundred thousand Americans younger than 25 have registered to vote.

Add it all up? “Taylor knows your social media interactions, where you saw her on tour, how much merch’ you’ve bought from her website, she knows the size of your T-shirt, the number of downloads you’ve made. We’re embarking on an election cycle which will be (a) the most expensive in history, and (b) will see much of the money spent on ‘micro-targeting,’ the use of online data to tailor – pun intended – advertising messages to individuals based on the identification of recipients’ personal vulnerabilities and interests. In order to target effectively, data is essential. And Taylor’s got lots and lots of it, and on a demographic that is exactly what the Biden team needs the most: disproportionally female, young, and passionate. With truly the touch of a button Taylor Swift is uniquely situated to use the data at her disposal to impact the presidential race.”

Leave it to your nerdy consultant to ask: Are WE using OUR listener data to OUR benefit?

Bigger-picture issues:

– Privacy: We have all volunteered LOTS of information about ourselves. Look what pops up in your email and your social media.
– Vulnerability of the Electoral vote process: The last two Republican presidents took office after losing the popular vote. Taylor Swift is my coastal Rhode Island neighbor, and if she votes here, neither of us matter. Our state has four electoral votes. Just 40 thousand-some popular votes in three key states gave Biden his 2020 win.
– Tone: The measurable appeal of Swift’s sunny disposition vs. “I am your retribution.”

Good for us. News/talk radio is in the suspense business. “What JUST happened??? What happens NEXT???” So, we should wish Nikki Haley well.

Inquisitive Smerconish sounds like dispassionate Mr. Spock: “What [Swift detractors on the right] should be worried about is her data.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “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

Yesterday’s (1/30) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. migrant crisis and the House votes to move forward with Articles of Impeachment against Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; the 2024 presidential race and MAGA versus Taylor Swift; the deadly attacks on a U.S. military base in Jordan that Joe Biden blames on Iran; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the U.S. battle against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea; the Fani Willis allegations; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; and the FBI announces Chinese hackers threaten critical U.S. infrastructure were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: City to Town – A Perspective on Trump Voters

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media Implementers
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, “Sterling On Sunday”
Talk Media Network

imAcknowledging that this publication is fiercely non-partisan and that I – in my role as a broadcaster – am basically the same, I offer the following, not as a political opinion piece, but rather a personal observation based on experience that might shed light on the deeper nature of a large segment of the American population prone to listen to talk radio.

A few years ago, I moved from Manhattan to Shaker Heights, Ohio. Geraldo Rivera made the same journey for the same reason; our wives went to Shaker High. In our brides’ minds, that’s enough reason to return.

During the period of the Donald Trump presidency, a new phenomenon was sweeping the East and West Coasts: People who did not vote for Trump demonized and marginalized those who did. Lifelong friendships were ended by anti-Trump individuals who merely suspected a friend was pro-Trump, often with little evidence. Celebrities threatened to leave the country if Trump became or remained president. They would flee to Canada, without any consideration of whether or not Canadians wanted them!  

At first, I would ask anti-Trump people if they had actually voted for Hillary Clinton? That question was inevitably met with an icy glare, but no answer. They hadn’t. Anti-Trumpers were seething, ignited by their guilt that they assumed Clinton would win and therefore making their voting participation unnecessary. What else could explain the fevered emotion against a president – on his FIRST day in office? Trump hadn’t done anything to anger Scarlett Johansson into leading an angry insurrection mob. But she did. Day one.

Living in Ohio, I have spent time with hundreds of Trump voters and learned something valuable. Trump supporters do not match the level of passion in support of the president as those who hate him. Not even close. The disparity is stunning.

No Trump voter has threatened to leave the country if a Democrat wins. No Trump voter has said, “I hate all Biden voters, I wish they would die,” as Howard Stern has said about them. No Trump voter refuses to befriend a Joe Biden voter just because, hey, if we’re friends we are friends.

Yes, Trump voters go to the polls for him because of – his policies. And what are those? The Ohio parents and workers I know matter-of-factly want Trump first and foremost so they can afford gasoline and heating oil. When the price of gas went up, parents had to cut down on after school activities, school competitions and distant playdates, they just couldn’t afford the trip. They can’t hop on the bus to Chelsea Piers. They don’t care if it’s Trump specifically, they just want cheaper gas – sir can you do that?

Next, they vote for the candidate who will support safe neighborhoods, cheaper meat, cheaper milk, their kid in the Marines home for the holidays, Israel, better schools.

I learned this from parents waiting for dance class and band practice to end. Patient parents proud of their kids. They weren’t chanting for Trump or bashing Biden. They just want enough gas to get home.

I’ve learned that many people who hate Trump voters do so while getting into an Uber, a taxi, bus, or subway. They don’t own a car. They buy food for one, not for five times seven days a week. They don’t have to go to three different food stores to get the cheapest items… they just hit Food Emporium ($6.98 a gallon of milk). In Ohio, $2.29 a gallon, Walmart.

Of course, there are other issues swirling around Trump and Biden – but right now most deplorable Ohioans have to pick up the kid at school on time, let their child buy one toy at Dollar Tree, I said one, and hope there is enough spaghetti for dinner.

Walter Sabo was a founding architect of SiriusXM and began the recruitment of Howard Stern. He has consulted RKO General, PARADE magazine, Hearst BroadcastingPress Broadcasting, and other premium brands. He launched the first company to engage online video influencers, Hitviews. As an executive, he was EVP of NBC FM RADIO giving Dr. Ruth Westheimer her first media job and fostering the creation of adult contemporary. As VP ABC Radio Networks, Sabo hired Ringo Starr to be a DJ for a 24-hour special.

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TALKERS News Notes

The WOKV-FM, Jacksonville-based Mark Kaye Show did a bit on Friday (1/5) in which U.S. Representative Aaron Bean from Florida’s Fourth Congressional District appeared to “take over” the show to “discuss the grim truth about Joe Biden’s open border crisis in Texas.” Bean traveled to the border recently as part of a congressional delegation led by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The bit continued as “eventually, Mark Kaye was able to regain control of the show, but only by agreeing to a sit-down interview hosted by Congressman Bean. Kaye said ‘It was really weird being a guest on my own show.’”

WABC, New York presented a special program on Saturday (1/6) at 4:00 pm titled, “The Left vs The Right with Anthony Weiner and John Catsimatidis.” As the show name implies, Weiner and Catsimatidis debated current events including the U.S. migrant crisis and more.

Key Networks enters into an agreement with Digitent Podcasts to serve as ad sales representative for the health and wellness influencer and podcast network. Key Networks president of sales Jason Wilberding says, “The timing for our Digitent partnership couldn’t be better, as health and wellness are top of mind in the new year for consumers and for so many of our advertisers. The highly influential Digitent hosts are eager to voice for endemic and lifestyle brands and the Key Networks team is excited for the myriad of possibilities in 2024 and beyond!”

NuVoodoo Media Services announces that it is appointing media sales pro Matt Parvis to the newly created position vice president of sales. Parvis will report to NuVoodoo founder and president Carolyn Gilbert and will be based in Los Angeles. Parvis joins NuVoodoo after 25 years as vice president of sales for AllAccess.com.