Tag: "WXKS-AM"
Thursday, October 28, 2021
iHeartMedia Adds ‘Jim Polito Show’ to WXKS-AM, Boston. Boston news/talk outlet WXKS-AM “Talk 1200” is adding “The Jim Polito Show” to the morning drive daypart, replacing the FOX Sports Radio programming currently airing there. Jim Polito’s morning show launched on iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTAG-AM, Worcester and was eventually rolled out to news/talk WHYN-AM, Springfield and
news/talk WHJJ-AM, Providence, replacing the local morning shows on those stations. iHeartMedia president of the New England area community markets Sean Davey says, “I am proud of Jim and his growth. More than anyone I know, Jim loves politics and the ‘give and take’ that goes with it. For him to be heard in Boston is so exciting and the natural next step in Jim’s growth.” Polito comments, “Boston is the next stop for making serious talk fun. I do battle with the political establishment and succeed where others fail by changing minds and waking people up on the ‘right’ side of the bed.”
John Batchelor Returns to New York Airwaves on WOR. Nationally syndicated nighttime radio personality John Batchelor returns to the New York City air on November 1 as iHeartMedia’s news/talk 710 WOR, The Voice of New York adds his program, “Eye on the World with John Batchelor,” to the schedule in the 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight daypart. WOR program director Tom Cuddy says, “I have been a fan of John’s for almost two decades and the dedication he consistently displays in tracking down the details behind the important stories anywhere in the world and then sorting them out for listeners.” Batchelor says, “I am astounded to be invited to join the legendary WOR at this promising time, when the listeners of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut begin the hard work to recover from these last rough years. This is a privilege.” Batchelor’s program broadcasts nightly from New York and is syndicated by CBS Audio.
iHeartMedia Spends $64 Million to Repurchase All Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock. The company announces that it has – via its subsidiary iHeart Operations, Inc., repurchased and cancelled all of its 60,000 outstanding shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, paying for it with cash on hand. The cash repurchase price for each Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock is $1,000, plus a premium equal to the remaining dividends required to be paid through the optional redemption date of May 1, 2022 discounted at a negotiated rate. This results in an aggregate redemption amount of $64.35 million to be paid to the holders of the $60 million Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “We are pleased to have voluntarily repurchased the full balance of our $60 million preferred stock, demonstrating our commitment to strengthening our balance sheet and increasing free cash flow, while still maintaining ample liquidity. Repurchasing early allows us to realize interest savings, exit the most restrictive instrument on our balance sheet, and continue to reinforce iHeart’s commitment to improving our capital structure. This action continues to demonstrate our confidence in our business moving forward.”
Armstrong & Getty Are This Week’s Guests on Harrison Podcast. The long-running, highly successful, West Coast-based news/talk radio duo Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty are this week’s guests on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” They started out as DJs in music radio in the early 90s but transitioned to all-talk and landed a big-time slot in 1998 as the morning team on news/talk station KSTE in Sacramento, California where they developed a reputation throughout the radio industry for their freshness and youthful dynamics. They’ve remained a huge attraction on that station to this very day but their reputation and reach has spread and continues to grow far beyond the Golden State’s capital. They are now a morning powerhouse in California’s major cities including KABC, Los Angeles; KSFO,
San Francisco; and KGB-AM, San Diego and are heard throughout the West as well as on an increasing number of stations spreading East via their own independent syndication. “When I first heard them years ago, they sounded to me more like the kind of talk show hosts one would expect to hear on a rock station than on a serious news outlet. They were funny and irreverent and surrounded with a cast of characters that gave their show more of the feeling of a morning zoo than a round table of stuffy panelists,” says TALKERS founder Michael Harrison. “But even though they were zany and played the goofball roll to a certain degree, their antics were offset by obvious intelligence, keen insight, excellent interviewing skills and a ton of information about what was happening in the news.” Today, this compelling act – though still first and foremost entertaining and full of engaging pop culture – has matured and is a perfect fit for news/talk stations looking to cover the news and maintain a conservative orientation, but without the pedantic posture that can sacrifice a more eclectic audience. Even more important,” says Harrison, “Jack and Joe remain irreverent and are not rigidly beholden to any singular ideology or political personality. They present their opinions issue by issue. As we approach 2022, the show is uniquely positioned to be a major element in the unfolding news/talk radio universe.” To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here.
iHeartMedia Swipes Green Bay Packers Football from Good Karma Brands. The business relationships between radio stations and sports franchises are not immune to change but iHeartMedia’s new deal with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers that moves play-by-play broadcast rights in the state’s largest market from Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ, Milwaukee to its own crosstown sports talk WRNW-FM “97.3 The Game” beginning in 2022 is huge because WTMJ has enjoyed broadcasting Packers games since 1929. The team announced the news yesterday (10/27) and clarifies that this change only affects the Milwaukee affiliate as the team brought the Packers Radio Network in house in 2018. Packers VP of sales and business development Craig Benzel says, “iHeartMedia enthusiastically pursued the opportunity that being part of the network creates, and we are looking forward to how their innovative approach will appeal to Packers fans in southeastern Wisconsin. The Packers have greatly appreciated the partnership with WTMJ over the years and will always respect the history they have with the franchise.” The press release says, “‘97.3 The Game’ WRNW and iHeartMedia Milwaukee will offer an attractive demographic opportunity to reach new listeners with a growing sports talk radio segment and other programming formats in the Milwaukee area. Additionally, the partnership offers a variety of new platforms that will support key Packers initiatives, including iHeartMedia’s new audio partnership with the NFL which features podcast distribution.” The most recent Nielsen PPM numbers (6+, weekly AQH share) from the September 2021 survey show WTMJ ranked #1 in the market with a 9.1 share and WRNW-FM ranked #15 with a 1.3 share.
Charlie Sislen to Retire from Research Director; Karen Morriss Joins as Director of Client Services. Radio pro Charlie Sislen is retiring from his role at Research Director, Inc after 24 years with the company as a partner. His last day will be December 31, 2021. Sislen says, “It has been a pleasure being part of Research Director, Inc. for the past 24 years. I woke up every day excited not only about what would come next, but also more importantly the people I would interact with. I enjoyed every conversation with Research Director, Inc.’s amazing team, our tremendous clients, and everyone who makes our
industry great. I want to especially thank my partner, Marc Greenspan, who had the vision to bring me into this company and partnered with me to build a truly remarkable organization. I am leaving a phenomenal team, whose hard work made my role as the face of the company easy. They made the difference for every one of our clients. Now is the time of my life where I must shift my focus from my career, which I love, to my family and my community. Research Director, Inc. and the radio industry will always be in my heart. My thanks to all who were such an integral part of this life‐changing journey.” As a part of the transition, Karen Morriss joins the team as the director of client services. She says, “I’m excited to be joining the Research Director, Inc. team. I’ve known Marc and Charlie for over 30 years and have great respect for both of them. I look forward to working with their wonderful clients.”
Triton Digital and Signal Hill Insights Collaborate to Create Demos+ Podcast Metrics Service. This collaborative effort between Triton Digital and audio research firm Signal Hill Insights results in the enhancement to Triton’s Podcast Metrics that provides audience demographic and socio-demographic data on podcast listeners and downloads in the United States. Triton Digital says the new Demos+ solution is “the first-ever integration of census and survey-based research podcast measurement methodologies. Through this collaboration, podcast publishers, advertisers, and agencies will be able to leverage podcast download metrics by person-level demographic, socio-demographic, media behavior and purchase intent propensities.” The two firms say they’ve “launched a large, year-round survey that is representative of the population of podcast listeners in the United States. Demos+ utilizes the Podcast Metrics measurement census-level data to identify listener overlap to scale the podcast survey-based insights. This unique approach enables Triton to project the audience composition for virtually all size podcasts – a capability previously hindered by podcast survey sample-size limitations. With this insight, podcasters will see a clear view of their audience, and marketers can more easily identify the podcasts which best reach their target audience.”
TALKERS News Notes. Promotions and marketing pro Sandy Corcoran joins Summit Media as promotions director for the company’s Omaha station group that includes sports talk KXSP “AM 590 ESPN” and four music brands. Corcoran served for 10 years with Audacy where she was the assistant director of marketing and promotions for the Phoenix cluster, including KOOL-FM, KALV-FM, and KMLE-FM. She says, “I’m excited for the opportunity to join SummitMedia and their heritage brands in Omaha. Radio and music are my biggest passions. I couldn’t be happier to oversee promotions and events for this cluster.”.…..Podcast firm PodcastOne extends its podcast production partnership with REELZ to launch “Sex, Lies & Murder,” the latest true crime podcast in a series of shows co-produced by the two media companies. “Sex, Lies & Murder” episodes feature the real stories of sex-driven crimes that have rocked communities. These are the stories of a suburban housewife who becomes a killer. A church pastor who has extramarital sex then his wife joins the dearly departed. It’s a soccer mom who is found dead and police uncover her double life as a midnight escort. PodcastOne president Kit Gray states, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our long standing relationship with REELZ through our latest podcast “Sex, Lies & Murder.” Listeners and advertisers alike know that our REELZ-
branded programming is edge-of-your-seat content that the podcast world is hungry for and we are excited to deliver.”…..ABC News is covering the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow with correspondent Karen Travers reporting from Glasgow. She’ll file regular reports for newscasts, “Perspective” and other audio platforms. ABC Audio will also release a five-part climate report series examining the consequences of climate change and issues the conference is planning to address. Additionally, ABC News’ flagship daily podcast “Start Here,” hosted by Brad Mielke, will dedicate multiple segments to the effects of climate change and how Americans are addressing the problem.
Biden’s Infrastructure and Social Spending Bills, COVID-19, Virginia Governor’s Race, Petroleum Industry Testimony/Climate Change, Supply Chain Woes/Inflation, Migrant Caravan/Immigration Policy, China’s Taiwan Aggression, and Rust Set Shooting Investigation Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/27). The state of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure and social spending bills as Democratic factions battle over where to spend; the rate of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., vaccine approved for kids, and mask & vaccine mandates; the tight race between Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Republican challenger Glenn Youngkin; today’s testimony before Congress from petroleum industry CEOs about climate change; the ongoing supply chain breakdown and soaring retail prices; a migrant caravan in Mexico approaches the U.S. border and the Biden administration’s border and immigration policies; China’s continuing military aggression toward Taiwan; and the investigation into the deadly shooting on the Santa Fe set of Alec Baldwin’s Rust film were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Friday, June 18, 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, “Delta Blues” looks back at this past week of June 14-18, 2021. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS magazine; Jennifer Horn, morning show co-host (870 AM the Answer) KRLA, Los Angeles/co-host DJV Show; Harry Hurley, host, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; Bill O’ Reilly, commentator, Key Networks; 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; 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; 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.
Travis & Sexton Set To Bow On 400+ Affiliates. Being billed as one of talk radio’s biggest-ever launches, Premiere Networks’ three-hour (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm, ET) “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” debuts next Monday (6/21) on more than 400 stations. The program inherits the timeslot held for more than three decades by talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh. Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott remarks, “The reaction from our radio station and advertising partners has been tremendous. Clay and Buck are proving to be a winning combination as we prepare to launch their new show in this highly-coveted timeslot.” Starting in September 2016, Travis began hosting Fox Sports Radio’s “Outkick The Coverage with Clay Travis” on more than 350 affiliates. Travis founded Outkick.com, which he sold to Fox Corporation earlier this month; he currently co-hosts FS1’s first daily gambling TV show, “Fox Bet Live.” Meanwhile, former CIA officer/NYPD counterterrorism expert Sexton previously headlined Premiere Networks’ three-hour “Buck Sexton Show” on more than 200 stations. The NYC native appears on The First, a digital-first TV network available on more than 14 platforms. Charter “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” affiliates (all eleven owned by iHeartMedia) include: WOR, New York; KEIB, Los Angeles; KTRH, Houston; WXKS-AM, Boston; WIOD, Miami; KFYI, Phoenix; KTLK, Minneapolis; WFLA, Tampa; KDFD, Denver; KEX, Portland; and KFBK AM & FM, Sacramento. It will also be available as a podcast on the iHeartRadio Podcast Network.
Cumulus Media D.C. Designates Boden Vice President/Market Manager. Inbound from Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he was VP/market manager of Alpha Media’s four-station group, Jeff Boden is named to a similar position at Cumulus Media Washington (DC), where he will oversee news/talk WMAL “105.9 FM – Where Washington Comes To Talk” and sports talk WSBN “ESPN 630 AM The Sports Capitol.” Cumulus Media executive vice president of operations Dave Milner states, “WMAL and WSBN are exceptional stations and demand an exceptional leader at the helm. Jeff Boden is the perfect choice to take these legendary stations into the future. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on the Cumulus Media team. His deep experience and relationships in the market make him our ideal choice. Jeff is respected and appreciated by those in and out of the company and steps into the big shoes left by former VP/market manager Ken Roberts, who sadly and suddenly passed away in April.” Boden comments: “I am truly honored to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s wonderful to serve the local community and our advertising partners. I look forward to working with so many people I have known for years, as well as with newer additions to the team.” From 2005 – 2012, the American University alum and former president of Delmarva Broadcasting Company was president/general manager of WMAL (as well as then cluster-mates) WRQX and WJZW when the stations were owned by ABC Radio and later Citadel Broadcasting. Boden has served as board chair for the Washington Area Broadcasters Association and in the same capacity for the Greater DC/Maryland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Round Two of May PPM Ratings Released. The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s May 2021 PPM survey period has been released for 12 markets including: Washington (DC); Boston; Miami; Seattle; Detroit; Phoenix; Minneapolis; San Diego; Tampa; Denver; Baltimore; and St. Louis. Nielsen Audio’s May 2021 survey period covered April 29 – May 26. Mike Kinosian presents his “Ratings Takeaways” from this group of markets. In Seattle, Bonneville’s KIRO-FM “97.3 FM” gains four-tenths (6.2 – 6.6, 6+) to jump from second to first, the lone news/talker from these 12 PPM markets to finish at #1 (May 2021, 6+). Its Denver sports talk sibling – KKFN “104.3 The Fan” – notches that format’s greatest (6+) improvement among these 12 metros (2.1 – 3.0, +.9, #18 to #12, 6+). There’s a bit of irony in San Diego as three iHeartMedia-owned news/talk properties each pick up two-tenths: KOGO “News Radio 600” (5.5 – 5.7, fifth to second, 6+); KGB-AM “760 AM” (1.8 – 2.0, #20 to #19, 6+); and KFI “AM 640” (1.6 – 1.8, #21 to #20, 6+). In addition to Seattle’s KIRO-FM, the only other station from these 12 PPM-markets to land on top (May 2021, 6+) is American University-owned public radio news/talk WAMU (10.2 – 9.5, -.7, 6+), which repeats at #1 the fifth straight month. See Mike Kinosian’s complete “Ratings Takeaways” from this second round of markets (as well as yesterday’s first round) here.
KHTK Extends Its Pact With The NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Continuing a partnership that dates back to 1994, Bonneville Sacramento sports talk KHTK “Sports 1140” will remain the radio flagship of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Bonneville Sacramento senior vice president and market manager Steve Cottingim remarks, “We are excited to continue our relationship with the Sacramento Kings for years to come. Bonneville’s commitment to our local community continues to make KHTK the perfect home for our Sacramento Kings.” KHTK program director Jason Ross notes, “Having the opportunity to work on the radio broadcasts for the team and to work for the radio station, I feel the passion of this fanbase and the community.” Sacramento Kings president of business operations John Rinehart adds, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with KHTK, providing an incomparable experience for the best fans in the NBA. KHTK brings a shared passion for the community and their broadcast not only paints the picture of game action but also provides a high level of entertainment for listeners.” As part of the long-term deal, KHTK will have streaming rights within 75 miles of Golden 1 Center.
Quintet Welcomed To Colorado Public Radio’s Board Of Directors. Joining the CPB board this past Wednesday (6/16) are: Linda Appel Lipsius; Ricardo Baca; Lori Bergen; Steve ErkenBrack; and Sherisse Hawkins. Board chair Philip Johnson remarks, “We are happy to welcome these members to the board of directors. Each of them brings a passion for community and [Colorado Public Radio‘s] mission, along with professional and personal experiences that will enrich and inform the board’s efforts.” Lipsius joined the board of Denver Urban Gardens in 2020 and became executive director in 2021. She is co-founder and former CEO of Teatulia Organic Teas and was a vice president at Orange Glo International. Indigenous-born Colorado native Baca is a journalist, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. He served as The Denver Post‘s first-ever marijuana editor and founded news vertical The Cannabist, where he extensively covered the advent of adult-use cannabis and related issues across the country. AdCann named Baca “Marketer of the Year” in 2019. Bergen is the founding dean of the College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she holds the James E. De Castro Chair in Global Media Studies. A former journalist, she has been a faculty member and served in academic leadership roles at Kansas State University, Texas State University and Marquette University. ErkenBrack served as president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Plans; Mesa County’s elected District Attorney; and Colorado’s chief deputy attorney general. He has founded two law firms in Grand Junction and Denver and is currently “Of Counsel” with Grand Junction’s Hoskin Farina & Kampf, P.C. He was president of the Colorado District Attorneys Council. Engineer/technologist Hawkins is founder/CEO of PageDip. The award-winning business owner has appeared in Vanity Fair and on ABC-TV‘s “Shark Tank.” She worked as a Walt Disney Imagineer, building theme park attractions around the globe, and a system architect specializing in digital video delivery.
NAB Show Accepting Nominations For “Product Of The Year.” The awards recognize the most significant and promising new products and technologies developed by NAB Show exhibitors. Award recipients will be selected by a panel of industry experts in 16 categories and announced October 12 during the official awards ceremony/reception. Nominated products and technologies must be available for delivery this calendar year. NAB executive vice president of global connections and events Chris Brown notes, “NAB Show is the premier venue to launch and demonstrate new products that sit at the intersection of media, entertainment and technology. We look forward to exploring innovations from the past two years and celebrating their impact on our industry.” In addition to “Radio,” product categories for this year’s NAB Show “Product of the Year” awards are as follows: AI/Machine Learning; Asset Management, Automation, Playout; Audio Production, Processing and Networking; Camera Support, Control and Accessories; Cameras; Cloud Computing and Storage; Digital Signage & Display Systems; Graphics, Editing, VXF, Switchers; Grip Equipment; Hardware Infrastructure; IT Networking/Infrastructure & Security; Location/Studio Lighting; Monitoring and Measuring Tools; Remote Production; and Streaming. Nominations are being accepted through September 17; companies can submit product nominations here.
New FCC Rules Address Emergency Alerts. The latest FCC-adopted policies are aimed to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on radios, mobile phones, and televisions. The move is in response to a false 2018 emergency alert in Hawaii, which mistakenly warned of an incoming ballistic missile attack. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 subsequently directed the FCC, in consultation with FEMA, to adopt rules to strengthen emergency alerting in various areas. The Commission adopted a “Report and Order” to ensure that more people receive relevant emergency alerts, enable government agencies to report any false alerts, and improve the way states plan for emergency alerts. Specifically, the “Report and Order” combines the current “Presidential Alerts” category with alerts from the FEMA Administrator to form a new non-optional alert class called “National Alerts.” Under the alert class, all states are encouraged to form State Emergency Communications Committees, which help administer alerting on the state level, or to review the composition and governance of existing committees, as well as require certification of annual committee meetings, while providing a checklist of information that should be included in annual state Emergency Alert System plans. It also specifies that government agencies may report false emergency alerts to the FCC’s 24/7 Operations Center and clarifies how alert originators can repeat their alert transmissions.
TALKERS News Notes. As reported by The New York Post, former WNYC, New York City reporter Fred Mogul has brought a defamation and wrongful termination suit against the New York Public Radio news/talk station. Filed earlier this week in Manhattan Supreme Court, the suit claims that Mogul was falsely accused of plagiarism over two lines of AP copy included in a draft of a report for WNYC sister site Gothamist but not the completed January 28 piece, which credited AP. Mogul, who was fired February 5, alleges that editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper told over 50 staffers that Mogul failed to credit AP on the story’s byline
and had “lifted another person’s words.” Mogul, however, claims the draft followed WNYC’s style guide … RAB senior vice president of insights, Annette Malave, successfully completed the University of South Florida Muma College of Business’ “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace” certificate. The 14-hour course focused on how companies and organizations can create more diverse workplaces while addressing equity issues and fostering inclusivity. Malave comments, “Multicultural efforts have always been a passion of mine throughout my career in the ad industry. The events of 2020 made me realize that I needed more than just passion, but an education on the role that diversity, equity and inclusivity play in our lives and in the workplace. I hope to take what I learned from this course and apply it to what I do in life and what we offer at RAB.” … Word comes from RobertFeder.com that Good Karma Brands Chicago sports talk WMVP “ESPN 1000” will add an FM HD2 simulcast, slated to be functional for tonight’s game between the White Sox and Houston Astros.
Art Lovers Go Hunting For A Bargain. In addition to hosting a daily three-hour (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm) show on Cox Media Group Jacksonville news/talk WOKV-FM, Toronto-born Mark Kaye does a weekly program on Newsmax TV. When the New York University-educated Kaye heard that Hunter Biden had changed careers to become a professional artist, he decided to do some painting of his own. The subject of his effort was fellow Florida resident Donald Trump. Kaye remarks, “When we reported that Hunter Biden was painting full time, we laughed; [however], when we heard art dealers were prepared to offer [as much as a million dollars] for an original Hunter Biden painting, we cried. If Hunter Biden could get [that much money] for his paintings, so could we.” Kaye crowdsourced ideas from his listeners and asked them what he should paint. “If they asked for it, we painted it.” That’s how he ended up with the portrait of Trump. Kaye’s portrait is currently for sale via online auction with an asking price of $10,000 or best offer. Kaye comments, “We’ve seen Hunter Biden’s work and, quite frankly, this painting is way better. As far as the $10,000 asking price, we didn’t want to be greedy – plus, people love a bargain.” Kaye’s fans have driven the price to $2100. Kaye will announce the winner immediately after the auction concludes next Monday (6/21).
Nielsen-MRI Fusion Study: 37% Of Newsmax Viewers Identify As Independents. A recent Nielsen-MRI fusion study profiled Newsmax‘s audience and found 37% of its viewers described themselves as “independents”; CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News each drew 35%. In addition, 37% of Newsmax viewers label themselves Republicans; 26% say they are Democrats. Seven of ten (70%) report they always vote in national, state, or local elections. According to Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, “This study shows that Newsmax attracts a very diverse group of Americans from all backgrounds. One thing they have in common is their appetite for real news delivered by objective journalists with no axes to grind – something that’s resonating with independent voters.” Top jobs held by Newsmax viewers include positions in education, office/administration, sales, management, construction, and farming. Newsmax attracts an equal mix of the sexes, with a 50/50 male-female split.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Limbaugh to Leave WRKO, Boston – Again. This is not the first time that Premiere Networks’ Rush Limbaugh might not be heard on the Entercom news/talk outlet. His show was heard on iHeartMedia-owned crosstown WXKS-AM for a little more than two years before returning to WRKO in 2012. Now, Premiere says in a statement that it and Entercom management were unable to come to terms on a renewal deal. “We were unable to reach agreeable terms for the Rush Limbaugh show to continue on WRKO. A final broadcast date will be announced in the near future. Rush Limbaugh airs daily in every measured media market in America, and we look forward to announcing exciting news for our Boston listeners soon.”
iHeartMedia flipped WXKS-AM to business news using Bloomberg after its time as a news/talker with Limbaugh and such local personalities as Jeff Katz. It will be interesting to see where the Limbaugh show pops up in Boston. Unless there’s a format flip to talk in the future for an iHeartMedia FM – and we doubt that’s likely – the list of potential quality AM signals that might be a home to the show are few. Still, it’s possible that this is just a stage of the process that will see the two sides come to terms eventually. It would be a shame to see Limbaugh’s show languish on an inferior AM signal – seems like a lose-lose situation for both sides.
Nielsen: Radio Gives ‘Brand Lift’ to American Family Insurance. From a study with the help of Katz Radio Group looking to prove the effectiveness of radio advertising, Nielsen Audio engaged in a study to measure the brand impact of a radio campaign on insurance decision makers (ages 25-64). The analysis included insurance decision-makers who tuned in to one or more stations airing American Family Insurance commercials and compared their engagement with the company to that of decision-makers who did not listen to those stations. Nielsen says, “The results of the study showed that radio increased brand health metrics, particularly among decision-makers seeking new insurance, in the areas of favorability, recommendation and intent to request a quote from American Family Insurance. The study found that insurance decision-makers who heard the campaign were 25% more likely to request a quote from American Family Insurance than those who didn’t hear it. And brand-switchers who were exposed to the campaign were nearly twice as likely to request a quote, highlighting radio’s ability to influence the insurance company’s best prospects.” Read more here.
Howard B. Price: For AM/FM Radio, Doing Good is Good for Business. TALKERS magazine publisher Michael Harrison speaks with the ABC Television Networks director of business continuity, Howard B. Price on this week’s installment of the international hit podcast, “Up Close and Far Out,” about the responsibility licensed AM, FM and television stations have to serve the public with timely and accurate information during both natural and man-made disasters. According to Price, “This is why we hold the license.” Aside from all the entertainment elements that radio provides and that Price says he “enjoys as much as anyone else,” he points out, “That is not, however, why radio stations are licensed – they are licensed to serve the public interest, convenience and necessity.” Price continues, “And while that definition can certainly include quality entertainment and
programming that stimulates and enlightens – at the end of the day, what it is all about is being there in times of crisis… making sure that our communities stay informed, that decision-makers have the information that they need in real time, and to be able to apply the necessary time and resources to be able to deal with emergent events. This is the role that radio was born to play.” Price explains what he describes as the essential element of this truth. “If you want to keep people focused on the idea that terrestrial radio is still relevant, that electrons flying out of tall sticks on a single channel is still a very important thing for us to preserve and enhance, then you not only have to talk the talk – you have to walk the walk. And ‘walking the walk’ means that when your community is in crisis, you’ve got to be there to inform them. You’ve got to be able to put people on the street, you’ve got to be able to go to the scene of wherever news is breaking, and make sure that people have the information that they need both to calm them and comfort them as well as provide them with the essential information that allows them to make the right decisions for themselves and their families and businesses.” Price adds, “The old line for radio still exists… you go to any old-time sales manager and he’ll tell you radio is a street business, it’s a retail business and nothing is truer about that than when it comes to reporting the news in local communities.” According to Price, nothing can be more important to the survival of terrestrial radio than remaining visible and relevant to their local communities. He also explains how this philosophy applies to music radio as well as talk and all-news formats, citing examples including how, in the wake of 9/11, Scott Shannon and Todd Pettengill flipped their WPLJ, New York morning music show around “on a dime” from being an entertainment show into serious news mode without the benefit of having a news department. They became “comforters in chief” and did an extraordinary job of rising to the occasion. Price points out that music stations that cede listeners to talk and all-news stations during a serious crisis are foolish to give their listeners reasons to punch out because they might not come back. Harrison and Price also discuss ways in which any radio station – regardless of budgetary and resource limitations – can be fully prepared to serve its listeners in this fashion during a severe emergency explaining that in this day and age of convenient digital communications and citizen journalism, there is no excuse not to be ready to go into action. Michael Harrison states, “Although many people still believe that the idea of radio rising to the occasion and super-serving its audience in times of crisis might seem idealistic, quaint, naïve, and unrealistic – even ‘boy scout’ – that it ironically might be THE answer to AMs and FMs maintaining their importance and relevance going forward.” Harrison concludes this fascinating podcast by suggesting that terrestrial radio should always treat its audience with compassion, empathy, and a deep-seated desire to be helpful and give anyone who might be listening the support they need just getting through the pain, rigors and hardship of day-to-day life as a human being in a highly pressured, dangerous world. To listen to the entire podcast please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box in the right hand column of every page of Talkers.com. “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison” is a presentation of Podcast One. Howard B. Price will be receiving the Gene Burns Memorial Award for Freedom of Speech at Talkers New York 2015 on Friday, June 12.
Bobby Bones EAS SNAFU to Cost iHeartMedia $1 Million. The Federal Communications Commission has laid down a $1 million fine for country WSIX-Nashville and Premiere Networks parent company iHeartMedia for the misuse of the EAS tones. The company admits to misuse of the tones and will pay the penalty. The agency writes in its ruling that the “FCC has long prohibited the transmission of actual or simulated EAS tones in circumstances other than a real alert or an authorized test.” WSIX-FM, Nashville – Bobby Bones’ flagship station – aired a false emergency alert during the broadcast of the nationally syndicated show and, as the FCC writes, “broadcast or transmission of
emergency tones outside an emergency or authorized test violates FCC regulations designed to protect the integrity of the EAS system. False broadcast of an emergency signal can cause unnecessary public concern and undermine the urgency of real alerts. While commenting on an EAS test that aired during the 2014 World Series, Bobby Bones, the show’s host, broadcast an EAS tone from a recording of an earlier nationwide EAS test. This false emergency alert was sent to more than 70 affiliated stations airing [the show] and resulted in some of these stations retransmitting the tones, setting off a multi-state cascade of false EAS alerts on radios and televisions in multiple states.” In the last six months, the Commission has taken five enforcement actions totaling nearly $2.5 million for misuse of EAS tones by broadcasters and cable networks.
RTDNA: Technology in Newsrooms. The fourth part of a series from the Radio, Television, Digital News Association and Hofstra University professor emeritus Bob Papper focuses on newsroom technology and the plans news directors have to upgrade or add to current equipment. Though the bulk of the article deals with television news, radio is addressed. Papper reports that, according to his questionnaires returned by news directors, plans to acquire new technology have nosedived over the years. “Three years ago, 38% of radio news directors and general managers said they’d be making no technology purchases in the next year. Two years ago, the number rose to 44%. Last year, 69.3% said nothing. This year, the abstention crowd is up to an astonishing 78.6%.” Read more from the study here.
Odds & Sods. Jim Fronk exits Great Eastern Radio’s Concord, New Hampshire where he wore two hats as co-host of the “New Hampshire Wake-Up Show” on news/talk WTPL and as midday jock on sister classic rock WLKZ “104.9 The Hawk.”
Voice of ‘Letterman’ Visits CBS Sports Radio. “Late Show With David Letterman” voice Alan Kalter visited CBS Sports Radio’s “Gio and Jones” program to talk about the final three shows hosted by David Letterman. Kalter chatted about his favorite sports guests on the show and his first day on the job at Letterman. He also teased the surprises to come on the final show that airs Wednesday (5/20) on CBS TV. Pictured here are (from l-r): Gregg Giannotti, Kalter, and Brian Jones.
2016 Presidential Prospects/Iraq Policy Questions, Stephanopoulos Clinton Donations Scandal, Hillary Clinton Emails Case, Deadly Texas Biker Brawl, and Iran Nukes-Gulf Military Actions Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/18). The potential candidates for president in 2016 and the issue of the U.S.’s Iraq policy being put before the Republican candidates; the scandal at ABC News over George Stephanopoulos’ donations to the Clinton Foundation; the continuing investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email matter; the deadly biker brawl in Waco, Texas over the weekend that took the lives of nine bikers; and the Iran nuclear program questions and the Gulf nation’s current naval operations in the region were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Norm Pattiz’s Launchpad Digital Media Announces Debut of PodcastOne.com. Calling it “a single, online destination that makes it easier than ever to discover, download and enjoy the most popular podcasts,” Launchpad Digital Media debuts PodcastOne.com. In a statement, the company says the site is “already home to more than 200 major podcasts including those from some of the biggest names in radio, news and entertainment, such as: Adam Carolla, CBS News, Dr. Drew, Tom Green, Dennis Miller, Ron Paul, Laura Ingraham, Penn Jillette, Maria Menounos and more.” Chairman of Launchpad Digital Media
and Courtside Entertainment Group, Norm Pattiz, states, “What others have done with music, we are doing with the spoken word – helping listeners discover new programming based on their listening habits. This is a powerful promotional vehicle for any program looking to grow audience in a big way. In addition, by delivering talk, comedy, news, sports and entertainment radio as on-demand podcasts accessible via the internet, Podcast One expands the reach of national radio programs to every listener in the country – eliminating void and uncleared markets, while helping radio grow its audience and receive fair value for it.” Users go to PodcastOne.com, pick their favorite podcasts and add them to their listen list. Podcast One suggests new shows based on what they already enjoy and the list is continuously updated with the freshest episodes and users can listen online or download and take their favorite shows with them. Launchpad Digital Media president Kit Gray says, “Podcast One helps people spend less time searching for great content and more time discovering and enjoying it. The site’s discovery feature and easy-to-use social network interface allow Podcast One to provide programs with unprecedented exposure to a previously untapped audience.”
Jim Bohannon to Receive the TALKERS magazine Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Dial Global radio talk personality Jim Bohannon has been named by the TALKERS editorial board as the 2013 recipient of the publication’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Bohannon began his illustrious on-air career in 1960 at KLWT in Lebanon, Missouri. He began working as a reporter at Mutual Broadcasting System in 1983 and went on to become the fill-in host for that network’s pioneering Larry King Show. In 1993 he took over the hosting reigns of that program which he maintained through its ownership by Westwood One to its present incarnation as a Dial Global property. Bohannon also hosts Dial Global’s “America in the Morning.” The recipient of numerous industry awards and honors, Jim Bohannon has been a member of TALKERS magazine’s Heavy Hundred every year since its inception in 1995 and is an inductee in the National Radio Hall of Fame. He will be presented the TALKERS Lifetime Achievement Award at the forthcoming national convention, Talkers New York 2013 on Thursday, June 6 in New York City.
Clear Channel Brings Bloomberg Radio to WXKS-AM, Boston. The comedy format currently airing on Clear Channel’s WXKS-AM, Boston – formerly Talk 1200 – will move to WXKS-FM’s HD-2 channel and Friday will see the debut of a full-time business news station. Bloomberg Radio programmer Al Mayers – who programmed news/talk WRKO, Boston almost 20 years ago – tells the Boston Herald, “There’s been a retrenchment in business coverage and we hope to come in there and fill that void. Boston’s a great center for the things that our customers are very interested in.” Mayers says there are 26 Bloomberg journalists stationed in Boston who will contribute to program content. He says there will be eight hosts and that programming will be guest-driven. The new venture will also include a relationship with Bentley University to use its faculty for content and commentary.
Alan Colmes Show Moves to Earlier Air Time on Fox News Radio. The late-night talk radio show hosted by Fox News personality Alan Colmes will begin airing live at an earlier time – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm – starting on Monday, March 4. The network announces that it will continue to offer a re-feed from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am and that Colmes will do live programming during the later hours during times when there is major breaking news.
Melissa Etheridge Wins Gracie Award for Syndicated Radio Show. Musician and radio program host Melissa Etheridge will take home a 2013 Gracie Award for Outstanding Talk Show in the Entertainment/Information category for her Benztown Radio Networks-produced and syndicated radio program. The 38th Annual Gracie Awards will be presented on May 21, 2013, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Etheridge says in a statement, “I have won Grammys and an Oscar, but there is something especially meaningful about being recognized with a Gracie. I love radio, and it’s important to me to bring the voices of women to our audiences, as they share their respective truths about life, love and family — and as I share the same with them. It’s also a great pleasure to provide a forum where we can connect with each other about the music that moves us. I’m honored that people are responding to the show across the country and I thank the AWM Foundation for this award.”
Heavy Hundred to be Published Next Week. Hang in there talk radio enthusiasts. It’s almost here! The 2013 installment of TALKERS magazine’s signature annual feature, The 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America – otherwise known as “The Heavy Hundred” — is being readied for publication next week. According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “This feature is always a painstaking task for our editorial board to compile because it takes into account so many variables from the quantitative to the qualitative and plays such an important role in the lives and careers of so many established and rising stars of the industry.” Casey adds, “It also offers a snapshot impression to industry watchers outside the business of just what makes ‘talk radio’ tick. It defines its parameters, dispelling the widespread notion that spoken-word radio is any one single slice of a much bigger pie.”
Urban Talk/Music Hybrid WMCS, Milwaukee to Flip Formats. The All Pro Broadcasting–Times Shamrock venture called Milwaukee Radio Alliance that operates urban talk and music outlet WMCS, Milwaukee says it will flip the station’s format after 20 years targeting the African American community in the market. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Duane Dudek writes that Milwaukee Radio Alliance vice president Bill Hurwitz says the station has been losing money for the past 10 years and that the move is a business decision. He’s quoted saying, “Stations like this, basically super-serving the African American community — especially on AM — don’t exist in this country.” All Pro Broadcasting is operated by Green Bay Packers great Willie Davis and Hurwitz says if not for Davis, the station would have disappeared long ago. The move is affecting 15 full- and part-time employees including morning host Eric Von and PM drive talk host Earl Ingram.
The Conclave Names 2013 Rockwell Award Winners: Jaye Albright and Tom Kay. The Conclave Learning Conference announces country consultant Jaye Albright and Conclave executive director emeritus Tom Kay are this
year’s recipients of the Rockwell Award for 2013. Executive director Bob Shannon says of this year’s honorees, “Jaye Albright represents the best broadcasting has to offer. Always a student of radio, she’s also one of our best teachers and her influence on country radio is unmatched.” Regarding Tom Kay, Shannon says, “This is recognition for a job well done. If it weren’t for Tom, the Conclave wouldn’t exist today. Giving him the Rockwell Award makes all the sense in the world. I can’t tell you how pleased I am.” On her receiving the honor, Albright states, “As I think about the past Rockwell honorees, and how much I respect what each of them has given to our business over many, many years, I remain a bit stunned that The Conclave feels that I belong among them. I’m humbled, surprised, flattered and honored.” Albright and Kay will receive the Rockwell Award and be honored during “Conclave 38: The Learning Conference” in Minneapolis July 17, 18 and 19.
FCC Approves Journal Broadcast Group’s Purchase of WNOX, Knoxville. When the sale of Oak Ridge FM-owned news/talk WNOX, Knoxville to Milwaukee-based Journal Broadcast Group was announced late last year, M&M Broadcasting said it intended to sue Oak Ridge for breach of contract implying it had a deal to buy the signal. Now, the FCC has approved the transfer of the license from Oak Ridge to Journal and the speculation about the station’s future format gets more intense. Based on a scan of recent domain registrations, it appears Journal is considering moving its country WCYQ “Q93” to WNOX’s 100.3 signal and may be prepping a launch of a classic hits format for the 93.1 signal, thereby eliminating news/talk from the mix. Domain registrations can be intentionally misleading so only time will tell for sure what Journal’s intentions really are.
Phil Grande’s “Phil’s Gang” Show to Be Distributed on Business TalkRadio Network. The independently produced and syndicated financial talk show “Phil’s Gang” – hosted by Phil Grande – will be available to Business TalkRadio Network affiliates beginning March 11.
Sequestration Battle, John Kerry in Germany, ObamaCare, Iran/North Korea Nuke Threats, Michelle Obama ‘Automatic Weapon’ Gaffe, and Winter Weather Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/26). The looming March 1 sequester; Secretary of State John Kerry’s European tour; the implementation of the Affordable Care Act; nuclear weapons threats from Iran and North Korea; Michelle Obama’s “automatic weapons” gaffe; and the winter weather affecting large parts of the nation were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.