Tag: "Bernard Kerik"
Friday, September 10, 2021
NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS magazine, is now posted. This new episode titled, “Mandates and Milestones,” looks back at this past week of 9/6 – 9/10. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS magazine; Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Dan Mandis, talk show host/program director, WWTN-FM, Nashville; Kyle Bailey, news director, program director, anchor, KQEN, Roseburg, OR; Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, talk show host, Compass Media Networks; Claire Carter, health and social commentator, Good For You Radio; and Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company. The show airs each week on its flagship, WONK-FM, Washington, DC, Friday evenings at 6:00 pm ET. It also airs throughout the weekend on WTIC, Hartford; KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA; KDFD, Denver; KFNX, Phoenix; KTLK-FM, St. Louis; WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; WVLY, Wheeling, WV; WTRW-FM, Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA; WVOX, Westchester, NY; KBDT, Dallas; KQSP, Minneapolis; KBKW, Aberdeen, WA; WGDJ, Albany, NY; WJFN-FM, Richmond, VA; WZFG, Fargo; KTGO, Tioga, ND; KWAM, Memphis; K-NEWS, San Luis Obispo; WGMD, Rehoboth Beach, DE; WCHM, Clarkesville, GA; WPHM, Port Huron, MI; KSYL, Alexandria, LA; KTOE, Mankato, MN; WCED, DuBois, PA; K-NEWS 101.3, Owensboro, KY; WWTK, Sebring, FL; WSAR-AM/FM, Fall River, MA; WIZM-AM/FM, La Crosse, WI; WMVA, Martinsville, VA; KQEN, Roseburg, OR; the Virginia Talk Radio Network; CRN Digital Talk Radio Network; the iHeart Podcast Network; Pioneer Valley Radio, Springfield, MA; Podcast Radio, UK and many more. To listen to this week’s episode, please click here. To view the latest TALKERS magazine topic research, please click here. “The Michael Harrison Wrap” is now available in syndication via Talk Media Network to stations across America on a market exclusive basis. For affiliation information, please click here or call 616-884-8616.
WABC, New York Presents ‘9/11 – 20 Years Later.’ New York City news/talk outlet WABC, in conjunction with Tunnel to Towers, is presenting two days of programming called, “9/11 – 20 Years Later,” in commemoration of the anniversary of the terror attacks. The Red Apple Media-owned station is airing the programming today (9/10) and tomorrow (9/11) on WABC and on WLIF-FM, Long Island. The two days will feature
listener remembrances and guests who were on the front lines on 9/11, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former New York Governor George Pataki, former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, and former Fire Department of New York Commissioner Thomas Von Essen. Station owner John Catsimatidis says, “9/11 was the day everyone in America became a New Yorker. We witnessed the tragedy of lost lives and the courage of our first responders as they raced into the burning towers. We experienced the best in leadership from Rudy, George, and Bernie, and I thank them for joining us as WABC remembers 9/11, 20 years later.” WABC will report live audio and video from the St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine at 7:30 pm tonight when the Shrine’s translucent marble dome will be illuminated. The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is the only house of worship at the World Trade Center and the only one that was destroyed in the attacks on 9/11. It includes a non-denominational bereavement center and is open to everyone of all faiths.
Sean Hannity Celebrates 20 Years in National Syndication. As TALKERS magazine noted on Tuesday when we reported Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk radio superstar Sean Hannity had surpassed the 650-affiliate mark, he is also celebrating his 20th year in syndication today (9/10). Hannity’s program launched the
day before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2021. Since that time, Hannity has climbed to the #1 spot on TALKERS magazine’s annual feature, “The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America” (a.k.a. The Heavy Hundred), he’s been honored by the NAB with two Marconi Awards for “Nationally Syndicated Personality of the Year” and was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2017. He comments, “But for this audience, I would not be where I am today. I am humbled and grateful for the men and women who give me this microphone every day, and to the greatest country in the world, that allowed me the opportunity to pursue this dream. Thank you.” Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott adds, “Sean is one of the most talented personalities in all of talk radio, and we couldn’t be happier to mark this special milestone with him. His passion for talk radio and dedication to his audience continue to drive growth and success for our station and advertising partners.”
Round Two of August PPM Ratings Released. The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s August 2021 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen’s August survey period covered July 22 – August 18. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways. In Washington, DC, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips four-tenths for a 3.3 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) but moves up to the #10 rank while Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM adds four-tenths for 9.2 share and the #1 rank in the market. iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO, Boston stays in the #9 rank after adding three-tenths for a 3.8 share while sister all-news WBZ-AM rises to the #3 rank on the strength of three-tenths rise and a 6.2 share finish. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM continues to hold down the #1 rank even though it lost a half share and finished with a 7.5 share. Meanwhile, Sinclair Broadcast Group’s all-news KOMO-AM/FM also loses a half share for a 5.8 share finish but rises from #4 to #3. You can see Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets (as well as yesterday’s first round) here.
‘ESPN Chicago’ Names Winner of Small Business Contest. Sports talk outlet WMVP-AM “ESPN Chicago,” in partnership with First Midwest Bank, announces that Chicago-based Amani Coffee is the winner of the “Giving a Small Business a Big Future” contest, that awards the purpose-driven company with a customized $50,000 advertising campaign to air on “ESPN 1000.” Amani Coffee was chosen based on its
dedication and passion to support its customers and communities. Founded in 2016, Amani Coffee brings organic coffee grown in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Chicagoland area via direct, personal relationships with the country’s farmers. The company operates with a focus on fostering sustainable farming and engages customers in its efforts to give back by donating 10% of every purchase to a nonprofit organization of the customer’s choice and 10% to Amani’s own charity, which builds infrastructure where its farmers live. To date, the company has built a school, created a clean water supply and provided better coffee process equipment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “ESPN Chicago” market manager Mike Thomas says, “We’re excited to offer Amani Coffee the chance to connect with the passionate Chicago area sports fans. ‘ESPN Chicago’ and First Midwest Bank are proud to support a local business, especially one who gives back to others in such a meaningful way. We’re looking forward to meeting with Amani Coffee and helping them continue to do great things in our community.”
Longtime Talk and Music Radio Personality Don Geronimo to Host Mornings on ‘Big 100’ in Washington. Washington, DC-area radio legend Don Geronimo returns to the market to host the morning drive show on iHeartMedia’s classic hits WBIG-FM “BIG 100,” effective September 23. Geronimo was most recently with iHeartMedia
Sacramento hosting “The Don Geronimo Podcast” from 2014 to 2019. He’s well known in DC for co-hosting “The Don & Mike Show” based at WJFK-FM from 1991 through 2008 and syndicated nationally by Westwood One for a period. He also worked at WAVA-FM in 1986 and WPGC-FM in 1980. Geronimo says, “I am thrilled to wake up with Washington D.C. on the iconic ‘BIG 100.’ I can’t wait to return to my hometown to host a morning show that engages our DC listeners, allowing them to participate in live show content and games while hearing the best classic rock.”
TALKERS News Notes. The Baltimore Sun names Urban One founder Cathy Hughes its 2021 Business and Civic Hall of Fame honoree. Quoted in the accompanying piece is
Emory University senior lecturer in film and media management Nsenga Burton, who says, “Cathy Hughes’ leadership in entertainment is unparalleled and has served as a model for many who have come behind her in the industries she represents. In a world where the term visionary is tossed around loosely, Cathy Hughes is in fact a visionary who helped change the media landscape and made room for women and African Americans as owners where there was previously little to none. She has a legacy that will continue to inform, entertain, influence and uplift well into the future.”…..On Monday (9/13), iHeartMedia chairman & CEO Bob Pittman
and president & COO Rich Bressler will take part in a Q&A session during the BofA Securities “2021 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference.” The session takes place at 2:20 pm ET and will be webcast live…..Cumulus Media announces a new podcast series for this fall titled, 
“Voices of Football,” on the “Just Getting Started with Rich Eisen” podcast. The first episode in the series features Al Michaels in “From Sun Devil to Sunday Night Football,” discussing the full span of his career and decades calling football play-by-play. Other episodes will feature sports media figures Joe Buck, Erin Andrews, Kevin Harlan, Jim Nantz, and Michael Strahan…..FOX Sports Radio, a division of Premiere Sports Network, announces its weekend lineup for the 2021 football season and adds some new talent and programs for this fall. First, Joy Taylor – co-host of the
“The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” – returns to host “The Joy Taylor Show” from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET Saturdays. FSR says, “Taylor’s distinctive opinions on the sports world will be on full display, in addition to conversations with insiders, players and experts.” Also, FSR adds podcast/radio show “Covino & Rich” – Steve Covino and Rich Davis – for the 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm slot. FSR VP of sports programming Scott Shapiro comments, “We’re thrilled to add Joy and ‘Covino & Rich’ to what’s already the best live weekend sports roster in the game. No matter what happens on the football field or beyond, FOX Sports Radio features instant reaction 24/7 with the most engaging and credible hosts in the space.”…..Former NFL offensive lineman Willie Colon joins the “Morning Men” show on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio channel alongside co-hosts Evan Cohen and Mike Babchik. Colon played with the Steelers and Jets during his career and after he retired, he joined Barstool Sports as a radio host for the “Barstool Breakfast” show on the Barstool Radio channel on SiriusXM.
Philly Sports Talker Big Daddy Graham Dies. Philadelphia television outlet WPVI-TV
“ABC 6” reports that longtime market sports radio personality Big Daddy Graham, a.k.a. Edward Gudonis, has died at 68. Although he’d been diagnosed with and beaten cancer in the past, in 2019 the longtime overnight host on Audacy’s sports talk WIP-FM was diagnosed with a blood clot on his spine that caused him to become paralyzed from the waist down and he never recovered from the illness.
COVID-19 Top News/Talk Story for Week of September 6-10. The topic of COVID-19, including vaccines, masks, kids in schools, and mandates combined as the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was Joe Biden’s presidential approval rating tied with the economy. Following at #3 was discussion about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio 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.
