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

Salem Does Sale Leaseback on Camarillo Offices

In a January 25, 2024 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Salem Media Group reveals that it is entering into a sale/leaseback deal on its former corporate headquarters on Santaim Rosa Road in Camarillo, California. Although the company officially moved its headquarters to Irving, Texas, the Camarillo offices are still the base of some of its corporate operations. In notifying and seeking approval from lender Siena Lending Group LLC, Salem notes that the Camarillo officers are being sold to Greg Robinson for $6.2 million and that cash will be applied to the company’s debt. It will then lease the property for $500,000 per year.

Industry News

Salem and Dennis Prager Agree to Contract Extension

Salem Media Group and Salem Radio Network nationally syndicated talk host Dennis Prager agree to terms on a contract extension. As part of the new deal, and at Prager’s request, the midday show – currently airing from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET – will air live from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, effective February 5. Salem says Prager requested the shortened show time “in order to complete hisim monumental five-volume Bible commentary, The Rational Bible, as well as three other books.” Salem adds that each hour of Prager’s show will contain six more minutes of talk than at present and that third-hour affiliates are being offered the opportunity to take an hour of the Charlie Kirk show, which airs at the same time as Prager’s program. Additionally, Prager will do a monthly virtual “hangout” with subscribers to his Pragertopia +. Salem SVP of spoken word Phil Boyce comments, “Dennis Prager is a true talk radio icon and has been for the last 42 years since he first began on the radio at KABC in Los Angeles hosting the original ‘Religion on the Line.’ Millions of listeners spend the day with Dennis, enjoying his wit, wisdom, and knowledge. He is one of the most viral talk hosts on the air today, and we wanted him to remain on the Salem Radio Network for years to come.”

Industry News

Salem Now Traded on OTC Markets Group

OTC Markets Group Inc, the operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, announces that Salem Media Group qualifies to trade on the OTCQX Best Market under theim ticker symbol SALM. Salem Media Group previously traded on NASDAQ. Yahoo!Finance writes, “Trading on the OTCQX Market offers companies efficient, cost-effective access to the U.S. capital markets. Streamlined market requirements for OTCQX are designed to help companies lower the cost and complexity of being publicly traded, while providing transparent trading for their investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.”

Industry News

Salem Media Group Promotes Anderson and Murphy

Salem Media Group announces that Nic Anderson moves from his general manager role at the company’s Twin Cities operations to the post of vice president of government affairs. Anderson has ledim Salem’s government affairs efforts since September of 2021 and focuses on it full time. Salem CEO Dave Santrella comments, “Nic’s passion and commitment to advocating for the iminterests of Salem and our industry in the halls of government has proven that he is a natural for this role. This promotion to VP of government affairs is a recognition of his talents and the value of the role to Salem.” As a result of Anderson’s promotion, Salem ups Minneapolis station manager Mike Murphy to the general manager position. Salem president of broadcast media Allen Power states, “Mike’s leadership as station manager has earned this elevation into the GM chair. We are grateful for how he has provided oversight in Minneapolis that made it possible for Nic Anderson to take on government affairs. We are excited to see Mike move into the full GM job.”

Industry News

Lara Trump’s “The Right View” Joins Salem Podcast Network

Salem Media Group announces that the Lara Trump-hosted podcast “The Right View” joins its Salemim Podcast Network on January 16. New shows will be delivered three times per week. Salem SVP of spoken word Phil Boyce says, “Lara Trump is a true star in conservative political circles and has developed a fan base of millions. She is committed to doing her part to save America, and we are thrilled to have her join our excellent lineup.”

Industry News

Salem Announces Voluntary Delisting from NASDAQ

Salem Media Group gives formal notice to the Nasdaq Stock Market of its intention to voluntarily delist its Class A Common Stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and to deregister its Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result, the company expects that theim last trading day of its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market will be on or about January 18, 2024. Further, prior to March 29, 2024, the company intends to file a Form 15 with the SEC to suspend its reporting obligations under Sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In June of 2023, Salem lost compliance with NASDAQ as its stock price slipped below the minimum bid price and never regained compliance and consequently Salem’s board of directors determined that the voluntary delisting is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. Salem says it anticipates significant financial savings because of this decision. Salem expects that its Class A Common Stock will be quoted on the OTCQX or other market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc.

Industry News

Salem Sells Regnery to Skyhorse Publishing

Salem Media Group agrees to sell Regnery Publishing to Skyhorse Publishing. Salem acquired the company that was founded in 1947 by Henry Regnery in 2014. Salem COO David Evans says, “We are thrilled to pass the torch of the oldest and most respected conservative publishing company in America to free speech advocate Tony Lyons and his incredibly successful Skyhorse Publishing. Salem is committed to the dissemination of conservative ideas and is excited that Skyhorse will both be a powerful steward of this important brand and an engine for its future growth.”

Industry News

Andrew Wilkow Raises $166,000 for Veterans

Salem Media Group announces that talk personality Andrew Wilkow raised $166,568 for a variety of veterans-related charities with his annual “Close Air Support” fundraiser via the combined resources ofim his Salem News Channel TV show and SiriusXM radio show.  Wilkow says, “The charities our team works with are low to no overhead organizations where every dollar donated goes directly to the cause of veterans from suicide prevention, to getting homeless veterans off the streets, to providing PTSD therapy dogs. What also makes this year unique is the added support from The Salem News Channel. Many of the charities made appearances on both Salem News Channel and SiriusXM Patriot.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

WNRI, Woonsocket, Rhode Island talk radio host John DePetro shared his recent cancer diagnosis with his listeners on Monday (12/4). He stated, “I have cancer and will undergo surgery next week with the team at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and look forward to a complete recovery. I wanted to mention my friend Bernard McGuirk, whose passing last year brought awareness to me and others and certainly effected my approach to the situation.”

Salem Media Group announces that “Man in America with Seth Holehouse” is added to the lineup of the Salem Podcast Network, effective immediately.The podcast will continue to release an episode each weekday.

AdLarge announces that Tom Brady joins its salesforce. In this role, Brady will work directly with EVP of audio sales, Robin Sloan. Brady was most recently senior director, East Coast audio sales at Disney Advertising Sales, in which he led a team overseeing audio sponsorships and ad campaigns for the Disney podcast portfolio and ESPN Radio Network.

PodcastOne acquires the exclusive multiyear sales and distribution rights to New York Times bestselling author and attorney Rabia Chaudry’s and actress Ellyn Marsh’s true crime genre podcast, “Rabia & Ellyn Solve the Case.” Chaudry, who initiated the worldwide sensation podcast “Serial” and served as an executive producer on the HBO documentary series, “The Case Against Adnan Syed,” and Marsh, who starred on Broadway in Enron and Kinky Boots, host the weekly show.

Uncategorized

Salem Washington DC Reports from “March for Israel” Rally

Media coverage of Tuesday’s “March for Israel” event at the National Mall included Salem Mediaim Group’s general manager for Christian talk WAVA-FM, Washington, DC Chuck Olmstead. Olmstead tells TALKERS, “It was an amazing day to be at that at that gathering. I met some amazing people. One Jewish woman I interviewed has a home in Bethesda, MD as well as a home in Israel. She was at her home in Israel on 10/7 and continued to stay in Israel but came back for the rally. She was articulate and had a great story to tell. It is interviews like that, that are hard to distill down to sound bites.”

Industry News

Salem Media Group Third Quarter Revenue Falls 5%

The company releases its third quarter 2023 operating results and reports total revenue of $63.5 million, a decline of 5% from the same period in 2022. Salem reports that total operating expenses for the quarter increased 31.9% to $99.8 million, while operating expenses, excluding stock-basedim compensation expense, debt modification costs, gains and losses on the sale or disposition of assets, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense increased 0.2% to $61.0 million. The company reports a net loss of $31.3 million for the quarter, an increase of 163% over the same period in 2022. Salem presents operating results by segment and reveals that its Broadcast segment’s revenue was $49 million, down 4.2% year-over-year; its Digital Media segment’s revenue was $10 million, down 2.2%; and the Publishing segment’s revenue was $4.6 million, a decline of 17.5%.

Job Opportunity

Salem Media Group New York Seeking Two Sales Pros

Salem Media Group New York is seeking to recruit two “top-tiered” players with “deep sales experience” to positively impact their digital and terrestrial assets in the Big Apple. Salem stations inim NYC include WMCA “The Mission” and WNYM “AM 970 The Answer.” This is a fantastic opportunity for the right individuals. VP/GM Jerry Crowley who has been running Salem’s NYC market for 11 years, tells TALKERS, “I know our future is stronger than ever and that’s based on reality – contrary to how a lot of broadcasters think. We are looking for two multi-talented folks to participate in harnessing the power of the number one Christian/conservative cluster in America. Interested candidates should contact Laura@nycradio.com or call 212-857-9640.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Benztown announces that the StudioTexter texting service and contesting and communications platform created exclusively for radio stations has signed 28 new affiliates in Q3 and Q4, bringing the total number of station affiliates to 100. Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes says, “More than 50% of American consumers respond to a text within two minutes, checking their messages around 11 times a day. StudioTexter is a powerful tool, enabling more efficient and authentic engagement with your audience like never before.”

Salem Media Group, Inc announces that it plans to report its third quarter 2023 financial results after the market closes on November 13, 2023. The company plans to host a teleconference to discuss its results that day at 5:00 pm ET.

Premiere Networks and media executive and consultant Buzz Knight announced a partnership to bring Knight’s podcast “Takin’ A Walk: Music History on Foot” to the iHeartPodcast Network, effective immediately. The show features “insightful conversations with interesting people who discuss their love of music. In each episode, Knight takes listeners on a journey through music history with guests who share stories and insights about musicians, bands and the music they create.”

Industry News

Salem Partners with Just The News for Podcasts

Salem Media Group announces a new partnership between the Salem Podcast Network and Just Theim News for its podcasts from John Solomon, Victor Davis Hanson, and “Bauer and Rose” on the SPN platform. The agreement allows Salem to market and sell the podcasts to its array of advertisers and provide additional promotional support. Salem SVP Phil Boyce says, “John Solomon and his team are a perfect fit for Salem and will provide an additional layer of news credibility to the stories he covers. When you add Victor Davis Hanson’s podcasts, and those of Bauer and Rose, it makes the partnership complete.” Solomon comments, “Salem Podcast Network has amassed one of the most formidable audiences and lineups in the industry. We are excited to be joining the team and introducing our news and analysis to a whole new audience.”

Industry News

Mike Gallagher Show Adds Arthur Aidala Legal Segment

Salem Media Group announces that attorney and WNYM, New York host Arthur Aidala will join the Salem Radio Network program “The Mike Gallagher Show” for “The Arthur Aidala Power Hour Legalim Segment” every Friday at 11:45 am. Salem New York VP and general manager Jerry Crowley says, “At a time when politics and legal matters are inextricably linked, like at no time in America’s glorious past, AM970 has brought Mike Gallagher and Arthur Aidala together to make sense of it all.” Aidala adds, “Mike Gallagher consistently delivers informed and intelligent conversation to a vast national audience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit with him each Friday and provide context and insight to the legal issues of the day. I hope Mike and his listeners are as excited as I am.”

Industry News

Beasley Receives Non-Compliance Notice from Nasdaq

On Friday (10/13), Beasley Broadcast Group received a delisting warning from Nasdaq because its Class A common stock had traded at less than $1 for the past 30 business days.  There’s no immediate effect on the BBGI stock as it has a “cure period” that gives it until April 10, 2024 to trade for at least a dollar per share for 10 consecutive business days. Even if that doesn’t happen, Beasley could getim another 180-calendar day compliance period if it moves its stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market and satisfies other certain requirements. Beasley is the fourth audio company to face delisting this year. Audacy received notice from the New York Stock Exchange and in June engineered a 1-for-30 reverse stock split. Its stock closed at 35 cents per share on Monday (10/16). Salem Media Group received a delisting notice from Nasdaq in June giving it 180 days to rise above the $1 threshold. It closed at 68 cents per share on Monday (10/16). Urban One also received a delisting notice from Nasdaq but not for its share price. That company is late with quarterly reports due to independent accounting issues.

Industry News

Salem Media Group Partners for GOP Debate

The Republican National Committee selects NBC News, Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Rumble as media partners for the third Republican presidential primary debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on November 8. Salemim Media Group CEO David Santrella says, “Salem Media Group and the Salem Radio Network are honored to be chosen by the Republican National Committee to be a part of this historic Republican presidential primary debate. Salem is an experienced partner of the RNC, having co-moderated four RNC debates in 2015-2016. We look forward to working closely with NBC News and other selected partners to deliver an event that will shine a light on the candidates and educate voters ahead of the primary.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Townsquare Media announces it will release third quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, November 9. The company will host a conference call to discuss certain third quarter 2023 financial results at 8:00 am ET that morning.

The NHL’s Minnesota Wild and iHeartMedia Minneapolis announces a five-year partnership extension through the 2027-28 season to broadcast all preseason, regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff games on KFXN-FM “KFAN 100.3 FM.” KFAN 100.3 is currently in its 13th season as the official radio flagship home of the Minnesota Wild.

Salem Media Group announces that WWFE-AM “La Nueva Poderosa 670 AM” and The Weather Channel en Español have entered into a strategic partnership that will enhance weather coverage and climate reporting in Spanish, specifically curated for South Florida.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Salem Radio Network talk host Mike Gallagher began yesterday’s program launching an emergency campaign raising funds for Israeli victims through the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Gallagher’s campaign is also being highlighted on other Salem Media Group platforms including SRN News, TOWNHALL.com, and several local morning shows including Mark Davis’ program on KSKY, Dallas and Joey Hudson’s show on WGTK-FM in Greenville, South Carolina as well as TOWNHALL News.

According to an article in the New York Post (10/7) by reporter Brooke Kato, scientists have unsheathed an electrifying new treatment for erectile dysfunction that’s possibly better than popping a little blue pill — AM radio waves!  New research published in the International Journal of Impotence Research suggested that self-administered, low-intensity radio frequency zaps to the penis could be effective for ED treatment due to anatomical and physiological changes in the penile tissue. When used at lower frequencies, the radio waves create heat, due to the interaction between molecules and ions, triggering “structural changes” and the creation of collagen and elastic fibers, according to study author Dr. Ilan Gruenwald. Read the complete article here.

International imaging firm Benztown and research company P1 Media Group are hosting a free webinar for radio professionals titled, “Checking in on the World’s First AI Presenter – Is This Radio’s Future?” The 40-minute webinar will be hosted by Andreas Sannemann, CEO, Benztown, and Ken Benson, partner, P1 Media Group, and will feature AI pioneer Dylan Salisbury, content director, “Live 95.5,” in Portland, OR, and creator of the first AI radio personality in the world, “AI Ashley.”

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) announces that radio legend Delilah will be honored with the inaugural Gracies Icon Award at the 2023 Gracies Leadership Awards. The Premiere Networks nationally syndicated personality “will be celebrated for her outstanding contributions to the world of radio and her unwavering commitment to uplifting and empowering listeners.” AWM will honor her at the Gracies Leadership Awards on November 13 at Tribeca 360° in New York City, alongside previously announced honorees.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America elects Adrienne Roark, president of content development and integration for CBS News, Stations, and CBS Media Ventures to its Board of Directors.