TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter Less Than Three Weeks Away
The dynamic agenda is set for the 28th installment of the annual TALKERS conference that will take place on Friday, June 5 at Hofstra University on Long Island. The longest running and most important national talk media conference – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – will feature more than 60 outstanding speakers in a power-packed day (8:00 am – 6:00 pm) chock full of existential industry takeaways and platform/career building networking opportunities. The conference is heading toward being an early sellout. Don’t be shut out!
All sessions will take place on the state-of-the-art “Soundstage A” of Hofstra’s multi-award-winning Lawrence Hebert School of Communication and will be video recorded for later presentation and historic posterity on a number of prominent platforms. In addition to the panel discussions, special presentations and keynote address, these recordings will also include one-on-one video interviews with attendees and speakers conducted by Hofstra’s excellent team of reporters, producers, and videographers.
TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The thorough video documentation of this event brings the excitement to an even higher level. This is turning out to be one of the most important installments of the annual TALKERS extravaganza.”
For up to the minute agenda, registration, and hotel information, please click here.
Radio has always been about connection, the feeling of belonging to something larger than yourself, of being drawn into a story told by a voice you trust. Perhaps, that’s why you tune in as well. There is little that is more rewarding for us than finding a way to connect you to what you want to hear, whether that’s your favorite jazz station, a particular show, or your former alma mater’s student-run station. It’s why we do what we do, and why we show up for the people who keep those stories alive.
The Radio Hall of Fame announces this year’s class of inductees and among them are iHeartMedia chairman Bob Pittman and WFAN, New York morning drive personality Boomer Esiason. The 2026 inductees will be honored at the 2026 Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 8 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. 
“There’s too much shouting and not enough listening in our country right now. I’ve always believed in unity over division, personal responsibility, service to others, and the ability of everyday Americans to make a difference. This show is about slowing things down, having honest conversations, and creating a place where people can reflect, find clarity, and focus on what still unites us in a noisy world.” The show airs from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon ET with a Sunday replay.
supporting event promotion, fan engagement, entertainment programming, athlete storytelling, and community initiatives surrounding BFL events across the country.” Just what is the Beach Football League? It’s a new sports league founded by former NFL linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. “The BFL combines professional tackle football on sand with music, celebrity appearances, youth camps and festival-style beachfront entertainment experiences.” The partnership began last weekend with the Santa Cruz Beach Classic and continues with this Saturday’s Fiesta Hermosa Sunset Showdown. 
high since 2022 and 28% indicate they commute some days; 2) 85% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (92%); 3) Since AM/FM radio is the “soundtrack of the American worker,” it is the ideal media platform for advertisers; 4) AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 83% share, according to Edison Research’s Q1 2026 “Share of Ear” report; 5) Average Americans are clocking slightly more days at work (4.7) compared to the advertising industry (4.4); and 5) Marketers/agencies and average Americans are most likely to work in the office Monday through Thursday with Friday seeing the lowest % of in-office work for both groups. 
my family and friends who support me, love me, and make me laugh every day. What’s next? I’m not sure. I am anxious. I am sad. Mostly I am hopeful.”
officer Justin Chase comments, “Rick has been a steady, respected leader and a true partner across our teams. From leading nationally as a format leader at Summit Media and guiding successful multi-format brands in Tampa, New York, and Los Angeles, Rick brought an incredible depth of experience and strategic vision to Beasley. He has always led with passion, integrity, creativity, and a genuine commitment to both the brands and people around him. We’re grateful for the impact he made across the Tampa cluster and throughout the company, and we wish Rick and his family nothing but the very best in the future.”
$8 million dollars to hit its $300-million annual budget. This is due in large part to the loss of federal subsidies to member stations who pay to air NPR programming. NPR says it is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees in newsroom positions (not including the staff or hosts on NPR’s news programs, who are not eligible), but that “the actual number of departing journalists will be far smaller.” NPR will accept up to 30 buyouts and adds that targeted layoffs would happen if not enough employees accept buyouts by May 26. 
downloads for participating networks – and “The Joe Rogan Experience” is #1, followed by audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” at #2 and The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #3. Other podcasts of interest to TALKERS readers include: “The Tucker Carlson Podcast” at #19, “The Ramsey Show” at #30, “The Ben Shapiro Show” at #34, “The Megyn Kelly Show” at #43, and “The Dan Bongino Show” at #66. Triton also notes in this quarterly report that the top podcast categories by reach remain Comedy (43.6%), News (23.7%), and Society & Culture (21.2%). 
debuted on the internet as a live, video-based podcast on July 31, 2023, and recently streamed its 350th episode. Peters tells TALKERS, “We went from no presence on TikTok to the top one percent in five months. And amazingly, relatively speaking our average views by TikTok standards aren’t that high. But we generate so much content – from four shows weekly we’re posting about 40 shorts a week – that apparently that makes up for it.” 
Although I don’t have a machine to play it, I have saved the cart. December 9, 1980, the sad morning-after John Lennon died, Charles Osgood, doleful: “I read the news today. Oh boy.” That morning’s CBS World News Roundup – and on-hour newscasts throughout that day – delivered more moments that would keep you sitting in a parked car at your destination. As they would 3 months later when President Reagan was shot. Then soon again when Pope John Paul II was severely wounded in St. Peter’s Square. And five years yonder, when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds into its flight.
fighters. ‘The Pennsylvania Posse’ brings together some of the toughest and most influential conservative voices in the Keystone State.” Appearing on the program will be GOP strategist and political insider Mike Barley, Pennsylvania State Senators Doug Mastriano and Jarrett Coleman, and Pennsylvania State Representative Stephanie Borowicz. JFMN adds, “‘The Pennsylvania Posse’ will tackle the biggest issues facing Pennsylvania and the nation: election integrity, border security, energy independence, inflation, parental rights, government corruption, the economy, and the battle to save the American Dream.” This show joins the other state-focused weekly programs: “Texas Truth Line” (Tuesdays), “Peach Crew” (Wednesdays), “DC Dispatch” (Thursdays), and “Virginia Gang” (Fridays).
formats. The program is hosted by talk radio personality Larry O’Connor and tells the stories of America’s military heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Fisher Houses provide temporary, free lodging so families can be close to their loved ones during medical care because “A Family’s LOVE is Good Medicine.” This year’s program features a special focus on the incredibly inspiring victories our wounded warriors enjoy on the field of competitive, adaptive sports. Fisher House supports the Wounded Warrior Games and the Invictus Games as a vital part of the physical, emotional, and mental healing process for our wounded veterans. Listeners will hear about the riveting war stories detailing the injuries these heroes sustained, the ensuing medical and therapeutic healing process, right through the triumph on the field of international sports, as these brave veterans continue their dedication of service, representing America in international competition. 
many other prominent political and religious leaders including Rev. Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse; Pastor Allen Jackson of World Outreach Church in Tennessee; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Evangelist Alex McFarland; U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC); Dr. Erwin Lutzer, former head of Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute; and United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. SRN vice president of News and Talk Programming Tom Tradup says, “This special series will give national prominence to the religious freedoms Americans are blessed to enjoy in the words of men and women who are strong leaders in both political and religious life in our nation.”
was heard on Datatech Digital’s WGMD, Rehoboth Beach and WUSX-FM, Seaford in Delaware. Wade’s primary career was in engineering and technology. But he ran for the U.S. Senate unsuccessfully became a regular guest host on “The Talk of Delmarva.” The station says, “Friends, colleagues, and listeners remember Wade as a determined advocate who never hesitated to stand up for his beliefs. Despite facing health challenges in recent years, he remained engaged in public discourse and continued contributing to conversations important to the Delmarva community.”
syndication.” Red Apple says is has brought aboard former CBS Radio broadcast journalists Michael Wallace, Cooper Lawrence, Bill Rehkopf, and Matt Pieper as “the first major hires in what will be a rapid buildout of the network’s team of elite news anchors, correspondents, writers, and producers.” Harris says, “We are assembling top-tier journalists and building a modern radio news operation rooted in speed, authority, and facts – one that stations can rely on and listeners can trust.” Red Apple Media owner and CEO John Catsimatidis adds, “Our mission is to be the most trusted news gathering organization in media. We are creating a powerful, around-the-clock newsroom designed to compete at the highest level of broadcast audio news. Facts are what will drive the Worldwide News Network. We’re looking forward to our expansion in the European markets.”
a year ago. Additionally, Urban One reports a net loss of approximately $3.1 million for the period, compared to the net loss of $11.7 million it reported in Q1 of 2025. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III states, “First quarter revenue was soft across all divisions, with TV down 18.5%, Digital down 33.5%, Radio down 6.4% and Reach Media dropped by 17.0%. We had budgeted for a down-quarter in our Radio and TV divisions, but not at Reach Media and Digital… In Radio, our Miller Kaplan local Radio revenues were down 5.5% year-over-year vs the market down 7.1% and national was down 8.2%, vs the market down 6.7%. Including local digital, first quarter Radio revenue was down 2.8%. We did approximately $1.0 million in gross political advertising in the first quarter and have another $1.0 million on the books for the second quarter. Radio second quarter is pacing down 2.6%. We are in a turnaround situation at Reach Media, where we continue to be impacted by a weak marketplace, key client attrition and sales team re-building. Digital also had a soft first quarter, driven by weak advertiser demand but second quarter is forecasted to be up, and there is optimism for the back half of the year based on the current sales pipeline.”
Kevin Kinkead at Crossing Broad reports, The station will be ending local weekday programming at 6:00 pm, airing a two-hour “best of” show from 6 to 8, and then shifting to national programming afterward. That’s according to super-secret sources. It means the Fanatic will broadcast its normal daypart lineup – Kincade and Salciunas in the morning, Marks and Brace middays, and then ‘Unfiltered’ with Bill Colarulo and Ricky Bo in the afternoon, but there will no longer be Fanatic hosts doing local shows after 6 p.m. For instance, no Kevin Cooney or Brendan Gunn on the evening shift, which had been generically branded as “Philly Sports Tonight.” 
include news/talk stations KSDR-AM and KWAT-AM in Watertown along with four music-formatted signals. Connoisseur CEO Jeff Warshaw says, “Riverfront Broadcasting being a South Dakota-based company, understands the local market and can carry on providing local content and will excel in serving the community.” Riverfront president Carolyn Becker comments, “We are very happy to bring local ownership and local focus back to these great stations in the community.”
(FNN), and 2060 Digital have achieved consistent growth in revenue, profitability, and audience reach. The organization is on track to exceed last year’s performance and outperform its 2026 budget, reflecting strong results across digital, audio, video, and social platforms.” Oxley adds, “Our success is the result of extraordinary people doing exceptional work every day. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented journalists, finance people, marketers, sales professionals, tech people and leaders in the industry.” Hubbard Broadcasting president and CEO Ginny Hubbard states, “Joel’s leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to excellence have shaped this organization for decades. His impact on our people and our brands is lasting, and we are grateful for his remarkable service. We are also incredibly grateful that he is willing to continue offering his experience and expertise to the company once he steps away from leading WTOP-WFED’s daily operations and strategy.”
Buffalo to Cumulus Media’s WGRF-FM “97 Rock” as the flagship radio station for the Buffalo Bills Radio Network. The marks a return to “97 Rock” after 14 years with WGR. In the Bills broadcast booth will be Chris Brown, who returns for his fourth season as play-by-play announcer, joined by color analyst and former Bills Pro Bowl center Eric Wood for his seventh season. Bills legend Steve Tasker will join the game day coverage team as the sideline reporter.
day leads up to the New York Yankees pre-game show at 6:35 pm and the play-by-play broadcast with Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman. WFAN brand manager Ryan Hurley comments, “In a city that lives for baseball, WFAN is proud to serve as the flagship home for the Yankees, and a year-round destination for fans of both New York clubs to stay up-to-date and informed about their favorite team. We are excited to celebrate this legendary rivalry alongside MLB at their New York flagship store and bring the passion New York sports fans have.” 
2025. Looking at Salem’s business segments, the company reports Broadcast Programming Revenue (from local and national block programming) of $17.2 million in Q1 of 2026, while Broadcast Advertising Revenue (national & local spot, network advertising) was $9.27 million during the quarter. Meanwhile, Salem’s total digital revenue for the period was $18.1 million. Salem Media announced this week that it is in the process of being acquired by WaterStone in a stock purchase deal that will take the company private. 
For years, Harrison Legal Group has informed media creators about the legal risks of using copyrighted clips, songs, images, and broadcasts without permission. The issue became central enough to inspire my book, Playing the Clip: The Definitive Digital Media Creator’s Guide to Fair Use (TALKERS Books, 2026). The premise was straightforward: modern media runs on borrowed material, but borrowing comes with legal exposure.