Industry News

SiriusXM Names van Mosel SVP of Podcast Strategy

SiriusXM appoints Sarah van Mosel to the new role SVP, podcast strategy. Van Mosel previously served as chief revenue officer with Stitcher, the aggregator that SXM Media acquired for $353 million back in 2020. In a memo to staff, SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein says, “As podcasting continues to be a major driver of growth in our overall business, we are organizing theim best team in the industry to power our next chapter… A major area of focus is expanding our relationships with top podcasts as we look to grow both our exclusive content portfolio and support our successful advertising business. To help us achieve our goals, we decided to bring in an expert to champion SiriusXM in the marketplace. I am thrilled to welcome Sarah van Mosel back to SiriusXM in a new role as SVP of podcast strategy, reporting directly to me. In this role, Sarah will develop a targeted podcast acquisition strategy as well as source and attract up and coming new talent to the SiriusXM Podcast Network.” Greenstein says van Mosel will work with SVP of podcasting content Adam Sachs.

Industry News

Mike Church Show Begins AM/FM Syndication

Talk media personality Mike Church – longtime host of the morning drive program on SixiusXM’s The Patriot Channel – is bringing his Internet-based talk program to terrestrial radio. Church’s company, The Crusade Radio Network,” says, “We are delighted to announce that after seven years of singularim devotion to Internet radio broadcasting, we are launching ‘The Mike Church Show’ into terrestrial radio syndication! The launch date of ‘The Mike Church Show’ will be March 1 and the show will begin its repatriation of AM/FM radio in Atlanta, Georgia’s #7 U.S. radio market on WXKG “The King”! Church adds, “We’ve always known that terrestrial radio was going to play a part in our industry leading development of Internet radio, we just didn’t know in what way. Over the last two years, that role began to materialize with the dearth of quality talk shows and the opportunities to fill that gap left by the wrecking ball that was consolidation’s march through local radio properties.” The program airs live from 7:00 am to 10:00 am ET.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The NFL’s New York Jets are moving their radio play-by-play from Good Karma Brand’s ESPN New York (WEPM-AM/FM) to iHeartMedia’s rock WAXQ-FM “Q104.3” beginning with the 2024 season. Good Karma is ending its lease of WEPN-FM this year and will continue to air the sports talk format on WEPN-AM and digital platforms.

Lemonada Media is bringing the David Duchovny-hosted podcast “Fail Better” to its network. Duchovny says, “I’ve been a connoisseur of failure for a long time, obsessed with the mistakes we make or the fear of making. I like thinking about how those mistakes, coupled with the futility of trying to avoid them, shapes our lives. If failure is something we all do so often, why are we so afraid of it? Working with Lemonada to explore this part of human nature is a gift in itself, and a meta-exercise for me in doing something new – hosting a podcast – which frankly fills me with my own fear of failure.”

SiriusXM is doing its annual MLB Network Radio Spring Training Tour, in which it visits all 30 MLB team camps in 17 days to give listeners a comprehensive preview of every club as they prepare for the 2024 MLB season. Shows will be hosted by former general managers Jim Bowden, Jim Duquette and Steve Phillips, former major leaguers Kevin Frandsen, Eduardo Perez, Xavier Scruggs, and Ryan Spilborghs, as well as Mike Ferrin and Dani Wexelman. 

Audacy partners with three-time NBA champion Danny Green for his weekly podcast, “Inside the Green Room with Danny Green.” In addition, Green will serve as an Audacy insider, frequently appearing as an NBA analyst on Audacy sports stations across the country.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will induct Kent Boughton, Jane Monnich and Dave Webber into the NBA Hall of Fame on August 6 in Lincoln during the 89th Annual NBA Convention. Monnich served with KLIN, Lincoln for 48 years. NBA says, “At a time when women were rarely heard on the air, Jane was soon [after joining the station] named KLIN’s afternoon news anchor. She moved to morning news in 1973 and in 1976 became KLIN’s morning show co-host with Ron Dean, forming Lincoln’s first male-female radio show. Jane’s passion was always news and over the more than four decades of reporting and anchoring that followed, Jane became known as THE voice of KLIN news. Jane retired from KLIN in 2020.”

SiriusXM NFL Radio will provide listeners nationwide with coverage of the annual NFL Scouting Combine next week with live programming originating from Indianapolis. SiriusXM NFL Radio hosts in Indianapolis will include former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan, former NFL coach Charlie Weis, Pittsburgh Steelers WR Allen Robinson II, former NFL players Charles Davis, Jim Miller, Kirk Morrison and Solomon Wilcots, as well as veteran broadcaster Bruce Murray.

Industry News

SiriusXM and RealClearPolitics Partner for New Show

SiriusXM announces a new weeknight political program produced in collaboration with the independent,im non-partisan media company, RealClearPolitics. The “RealClearPolitics” show premieres on February 26, airing nightly from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. channel 124. RealClear Media Group chief content officer Andrew Walworth hosts the show along with co-hosts Carl Cannon and Tom Bevan.

Industry News

Bob Edwards Dies at 76

Longtime NPR and SiriusXM radio host Bob Edwards passed away on Saturday (2/10) at 76. Edwards was the host of NPR’s “Morning Edition” for almost 25 years and his firing from the position in 2004 caused a stir with the program’s faithful listeners. He was the first host of the program that launched in 1979. Edwards would sign on with SiriusXM to host an eponymous program that would continue through 2015. See the Washington Post obituary here.

Industry News

Edison Research: Radio Grabs 36% of Americans’ Audio Listening

According to data from Edison Research’s Q4 2023 Share of Ear study, Americans 13+ spend 36% of their audio consumption listening to AM/FM radio. Edison says, “AM/FM radio continues to make up theim largest share of listening, accounting for more than one-third of daily time with audio among those age 13+. The vast majority of that listening (31%) is to AM/FM over-the-air signals.” (The other 5% comes from radio streams.) Behind AM/FM in listening is streaming music (20%), YouTube (14%), podcasts (11%), SiriusXM (8%), owned music (4%), TV music channels (3%), audiobooks (3%) and other (1%).

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

Industry and Nation Mourn Death of Joe Madison

Talk radio host Joe Madison – also known for much of his career as The Black Eagle – died on Thursday (2/1) at 74 after a battle with cancer. His family released the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Joe Madison. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Joe dedicated his life to fighting for all those who are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized. On air he often posed the question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Although he is no longer with us, we hope you will join us in answering that call by continuing to be proactive in the fight against injustice. The outpouring of prayers and support over the last few months lifted Joe’s spirits and strengthened us as a family. We continue to ask for privacy as we gather together to support each other through this difficult time.” Madison had been hosting the morning drive program on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel since 2008. Before he went into radio, Madison had become the youngest Detroit NAACP chapter leader at 24 years old. While Madison dabbled in radio while at Washington University in St. Louis, he first worked in commercial radio at Detroit’s WXYZ. From there he hosted a show on WWDB-FM, Philadelphia before moving to Washington, DC for a long stint at WWRC. He moved across town to Radio One-owned WOL, Washington where he hosted the afternoon drive show and served as program director. At this time, Radio One began syndicating his show nationally and it was simultaneously added to the lineup at SiriusXM. TALKERS founder Michael Harrison issued the following statement: “Joe Madison was one of the greatest of the greats among radio talk show hosts of the modern era. He transcended the role of ‘talent’ to rise among the ranks of America’s most influential civil rights thought leaders. His devoted following crossed the boundaries of race, age, gender, and politics. During his illustrious career, in addition to receiving countless awards in the fields of broadcasting and activism, he was a recipient of TALKERS magazine’s two most important honors, the Freedom of Speech Award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award. I am humbled to have had the privilege of this great man’s friendship for more than three decades and will treasure his inspiring memory for the rest of my days.”

Industry News

SiriusXM Reports Q4 and 2023 Full Year Financials

Satellite and digital broadcaster SiriusXM reports its operating results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the full year of 2023. For Q4, the company reports total revenue was basically flat at $2.28 billion compared to the same period in 2022. For the full year of 2023, total revenue was $8.9 billion, down just a half percent from the full year of 2022. For Q4, SiriusXM reports net income of $350 million, a decline of 3.5% from Q4 of 2022. For the full year of 2023, net income was $1.25 billion, up 3.7% over the netim income of $1.21 billion reported for the full year of 2022. The company says, “SiriusXM added approximately 131,000 new self-pay subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full-year 2023, self-pay subscribers decreased by 445,000 and we ended 2023 with approximately 34 million total subscribers.” SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz comments, “In 2023, SiriusXM laid the groundwork for future growth through the successful launch of our next-generation platform and the new SiriusXM app. Our commitment to growth was also demonstrated by strategic content investments that expanded our reach to new listeners and by staying true to our identity as a hub for curated, live and on-demand audio experiences. As we look to 2024, our guidance reflects substantial efforts and investments to enhance the value proposition of our subscription and advertising businesses, which we believe will strengthen our long-term growth profile.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

iHeartPodcasts debuts episode two of “Finding Matt Drudge,” a limited series podcast hosted by longtime political journalist Chris Moody, who sets out to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Internet’s most enigmatic media mogul. The new investigative audio series will delve deep into the life and career of Matt Drudge, the reclusive figure and founder of The Drudge Report, with the ultimate goal of convincing Drudge to sit down for his first interview in years. Moody says, “Matt Drudge pushed the news industry into the Internet age and his site has remained relevant and engaging for decades. But he hasn’t given an interview in years. We’d like to hear his thoughts on his career, the media, politics and the state of the world. Drudge matters, and we’re interested in what he has to say. Call us, Matt!”

FOX Sports Radio, a division of Premiere Sports Network announces its plans to broadcast live from Las Vegas during Super Week. A number of the network’s programs will broadcast from Las Vegas all week long including “The Dan Patrick Show” from Fontainebleau Las Vegas and several other shows broadcasting from Radio Row at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

SiriusXM announces that subscribers will get access to full coverage of the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend beginning today through Saturday (2/1-3) as SXM broadcasts from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on the SiriusXM NHL Network Radio channel.

Industry News

Crossover Media Group Acquires Equity Interest in Take On The Day LLC

Production and audio ad rep firm Crossover Media Group announces it is acquiring an equity interest in Take On The Day, LLC, owner of the “Dr. Laura Program” on SiriusXM and the “Dr. Laura’s Call of the Day” and “Dr. Laura’s Deep Dive” podcasts, all hosted by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. This transactionim follows a multi-year advertising sales and production partnership between the two organizations. Terms were not announced. Crossover Media Group managing member Sue Freund states, “Throughout her more than four decades in talk radio and now podcasting, Dr. Laura has amassed an enormous following with her frank, direct, captivating style, which is sometimes provocative, always interesting and insightful, and never dull. After many years of working with her and her team at Take On The Day, we’re proud to expand our relationship and commitment to her programs, and to continue to grow our presence as a leading partner to the nation’s top audio-talk hosts.” Take On The Day LLC president Geoff Rich comments, “Crossover Media Group’s investment in Take On The Day adds so much to our ability to reach more listeners and help more sponsors. With Sue and her partners Ron Hartenbaum and Scott Calka joining the management team, we are supercharging the future of the Dr. Laura programming and brand.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Baseball Station? Own It!

By Holland Cooke
Consultant 

imAs The Beatles sang, “It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.” ‘Still is, eh?

Baseball – even Spring Training while it’s still chilly in March – says “Here Comes The Sun.” That’s what baseball means…to listeners. But with games also on SiriusXM and Tune-In and team apps, baseball isn’t the exclusive franchise AM/FM affiliates used to enjoy. So, BE KNOWN for having the games.

im

To local advertisers? In the words of one GM – who has made a pile of money selling baseball – “It’s ego and envy.” And while second and third-generation retailers might family-feud about other things, grandfather AND father AND son can agree on this expenditure lots quicker than you can get consensus about a ROS spot package on Kiss or Lite or Magic or Froggy.

Help yourself to your February Baseball To-Do List: http://getonthenet.com/BaseballFebruary.pdf

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

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Edison Research and WorldDAB will present findings from the study “Dashboard Dialogue” in a webinar on January 31 at 9:00 am ET. The webinar will provide an in-depth review of DAB radio’s usability in the car – with videos from consumers detailing their likes and dislikes, plus what they love about radio in the car today. The research was conducted by Edison Research across France, Germany, and the UK. Register for the webinar here.

SiriusXM announces that it will take over New Hampshire’s Red Arrow Diner in Manchester on January 22-23, rebranding it the “SiriusXM Red Arrow Diner” for the special event. Patriot channel host David Webb will broadcast his program live from the diner, which has long been regarded as a can’t-miss stop for candidates along the campaign trail. During the broadcasts Webb will be joined in person by politicians, key campaign surrogates, and top experts.

Industry News

CES100th, Radio Roots

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imIf you’ve been seeing CES coverage on network and cable newscasts this week, you’ve heard it called “the Consumer Electronics Show,” despite we-the-media being told not to. They want us to say “CES,” although, years ago, the Consumer Electronics Association changed its name to the Consumer Technology Association, not its first rebrand.

Back in 1924, it was the Radio Manufacturers’ Association, and eventually it became the Radio & Television Manufacturers’ Association. For all those years – and for decades after it morphed into the CEA – this organization advocated for companies that made… things.

Back-to-the-future: Many of the big stories at CES2024 aren’t about products that come in a box. Artificial Intelligence is big here this year, nonchalantly referred to as “AI.” But – because we should avoid initials that aren’t self-explanatory – you’re hearing CES called “the Consumer Electronics Show;” and smart reporters use “Artificial Intelligence” on first reference.

And one particularly insightful session I attended got me thinking about radio’s “initials.” When we say our call letters, do listeners think about what we were, or what we can do now do?

“All Media is Social Media” panelist Isabel Perry, VP of emerging technology at pioneering digital agency DEPT said a mouthful, in a savvy British accent: “Your brand is not what you tell your customers. It’s what your customers tell each other about you.” And declaring that “media is now communal,” fellow panelist and former TikTok executive Melissa Eccles urged “Invite people to participate.”

Robotic music stations with too many commercials are disadvantaged. Swifties don’t need FM to hear Taylor. She’s already on their phones…and Alexa, and SiriusXM, and YouTube, and streams. Talk radio that’s I-talk-you-listen is a caricature. Media consumers expect to interact. As Larry King said, “I never learned anything while I was talking.”

Yes, there are huge TVs and flying cars here, and CES is still gadget heaven. But 100 years ago – when families sat around large AM receivers, seeming to watch what they were hearing – simply broadcasting at-them was a business. I leave Las Vegas reaffirmed that ENGAGING people is now, in gambling parlance, table stakes.

Covering CES this week for TALKERS, I’m also offering stations 60-second reports. Help yourself at HollandCooke.com.

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

Industry News

SiriusXM’s Joe Madison on Leave to Battle Cancer

Talk show host Joe Madison is on leave from his daily, morning drive show heard on SiriusXM’s Urban View to focus on his health. Madison says in a statement, “As many listeners are aware, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. I’ve spoken candidly about my diagnosis to encourage more men to prioritize their health and talk with their healthcare providers about testing and treatments. Asim Dick Gregory once told me, ‘Don’t let fear get in the way.’ Thanks to early detection and proton treatment, my cancer went into remission for a long time. Unfortunately, earlier this year the cancer resurfaced. With the unwavering support of my wife Sherry, my family, and the incredible team at SiriusXM, I was able to continue our daily broadcasts. However, upon preparing to return from the Thanksgiving hiatus my health took an adverse turn, making it challenging to host a four-hour live show every day. Currently, I am taking time to focus on my well-being. During this time, SiriusXM will continue to air ‘Madison Classics’ at our regularly scheduled time. I am sincerely grateful for your outpouring of well wishes and support. Sherry and I are spending the holidays with our children and grandchildren.  We ask for privacy during this period and extend our warmest wishes to you all for a blessed holiday season.”

Industry News

New York AG Sues SiriusXM for “Burdensome Cancellation Process”

New York Attorney General Letitia James announces her office is filing a suit against SiriusXM for “trapping consumers in subscriptions and maintaining deliberately long and burdensome cancellation processes.” A press release states, “The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that SiriusXM forces its subscribers to call or chat online with an agent to cancel a subscription, then deliberately draws out those interactions as part of its strategy to prevent subscribers from canceling. The OAG also foundim that the company trains its agents to not take no for an answer when customers try to cancel, making it extremely difficult and frustrating for consumers to end their subscriptions. Through this lawsuit, Attorney General James seeks restitution, penalties, and disgorgement from SiriusXM for violating New York’s business laws.” James adds, “Having to endure a lengthy and frustrating process to cancel a subscription is a stressful burden no one looks forward to, and when companies make it hard to cancel subscriptions, it’s illegal. Consumers should be able to cancel a subscription they no longer use or need without any issues, and companies have a legal duty to make their cancellation process easy. New Yorkers can trust that when companies like SiriusXM try to take advantage of them and violate the law, my office will step in to stop them.”

Industry News

Legendary Radio Personality Jim Ladd Dies at 75

Rock radio personality Jim Ladd died on Saturday (12/16) at the age of 75 after suffering a heart attack. Ladd, who was a prominent figure in rock radio in the 1970s and 1980s hosting shows at KLOS-FM and KMET-FM in Los Angeles, had been hosting a regular show on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks channel for the past 11 years. Ladd was a pioneer in talk on FM with his nationally syndicated “Innerview” program consisting of hour-long conversations with rock artists about their music and more. Read his LA Times obituary here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Audacy Buffalo raises $117,000 for the SPCA Serving Erie County during its SPCA Radiothon, held on December 13 and hosted by news/talk WBEN-AM and country WLKK-FM. Audacy Buffalo SVP and market manager Tim Wenger says, “We’re thrilled to have been able to spearhead the radiothon effort for the SPCA in 2023 and excited we exceeded the goal and expectations for the event. The money raised is a testament to our listeners’ commitment to community and will go a long way toward helping the SPCA meet a growing need.”

ARC Software, Inc announces that RADIO.CLOUD enters into an agreement establishing ARC as its primary affiliate research and maintenance platform. RADIO.CLOUD account director Andrew Scaglione says, “Switching to ARC is a no brainer. Speaking from experience using both ARC and other systems in the past, it’s hands down the best CRM for the radio industry with reliable contact information and a seamless digital contract process. It’s going to play a key role in our future growth across the North American radio landscape.”

SiriusXM announces it is presenting 46 games this college football postseason. SiriusXM will carry live play-by-play of every Division I FBS bowl game – including the College Football Playoff Semifinals and National Championship – as well as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship game and other postseason All-Star games. SiriusXM will carry Westwood One’s broadcast of the FCS Football Championship on January 7.  

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The Weather Channel Radio Network and Skyview Networks announce the renewal and expansion of their audio network partnership. Starting January 1, 2024, The Weather Channel Radio Network will expand its existing sales partnership Skyview Networks to include short-form terrestrial radio inventory and podcasting inventory.

SiriusXM signs multiple active NFL players to host a new, entirely player-helmed show on its SiriusXM NFL Radio channel. Miami Dolphins running back Alec Ingold, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Allen Robinson and veteran tight end Colin Thompson serve as rotating hosts of “The Players’ Point,” which airs Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET. The program teams two of the players up each week to host their own show, conduct interviews and drive the weekly conversation from an active player’s perspective. Robinson, Ingold and Thompson are former participants in the NFL’s Broadcasting and Media Workshop, a program created by the league and run with the help of several veteran media executives and broadcasters, including those from SiriusXM, to help players develop careers in media.

KUT and KUTX Public Media deputy general manager Sylvia Ponce-Carson announces she’ll retire on December 31 after 22 years of service to the station and more than three decades in public media. The organization says, “When she arrived in January 2002, KUT was a hybrid news and music station, carrying a mix of NPR, BBC and other programs, as well as locally hosted music. She strengthened the station’s revenue model – both underwriting and membership, helping the station grow at a rate beyond similar-sized operations.”