New Skydance Company in Control of CNN
The merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery became official today as the companies come together under the new moniker Skydance, led by CEO David Ellison. The new company also includes the two news divisions CBS News and CNN. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (right inside) was a guest this morning (10/6) on Newsmax TV’s “Wake Up America” program co-hosted by Mark Lotter (l) and Sharla McBride (r) along with veteran journalist Dennis Kneale (left inside) to provide analysis about what the merger will mean to CNN’s programming. The question was: will the change of ownership push CNN’s programming to the “center” or “right?” Harrison said that “ratings and revenue” will ultimately determine CNN’s political positioning regardless of who owns it. He explained – from an industry programming perspective – it is a mistake to assume that like-minded TV news channels are allies. You can see the Newsmax segment here.
new deal for the Salem Radio Network to serve as the new home for his daily 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET program. Additionally, the two-hour weekend version of “The Voice of Reason” currently distributed through the Salem Radio Network, expands to three hours. Hooser comments, “We are excited for the new opportunities working closely with Salem Radio on the program as we continue to grow, becoming one of the fastest-growing independent talk radio shows in the nation!”
chatbot providers to clearly disclose that users are interacting with artificial intelligence, give users access to their own chat logs, establish data security requirements, restrict the use of chatbot conversations for advertising and behavioral profiling, require affirmative consent before adult users’ conversations are used for AI training, and establish stronger protections for minors. Morano says, “Every transformative technology has had growing pains. Radio changed politics and mass communication. The telephone changed the meaning of distance. Cinema and television changed entertainment, advertising and culture. Society eventually developed rules, norms and expectations around all of them.
or Go Home: How Small Thinking is Killing Advertising and What to Do About It. Both publications point to a number of conclusions that advertisers should be aware of: 1) Advertisers have two jobs: Convert existing demand by reaching the five percent who are in the market and create future demand via brand building focused on the 95% of consumers who are not in the market; 2) “Big media ads” (AM/FM radio, TV, and outdoor), are more effective at creating future demand because they create a greater sense of quality, popularity, and trust for brands; 3) Ads from “big media” (AM/FM radio, TV, and outdoor) stick in minds more than digital or social media ads. Over 85% of online ads don’t reach the 2.5 second Attention-Memory Threshold, according to Amplified Intelligence’s Karen Nelson-Field; 4) Don’t be afraid of “waste.” It’s the part of advertising that works. 
Lotus Communications Corp’s Seattle operations is seeking an account executive. In the Seattle market Lotus operates all-news KNWN-AM/FM, talk KVI and country KPLZ in addition to its digital marketing solutions. 
2026. LAUNCH was created to develop and advance women pursuing careers in broadcast engineering, audio production and technical operations. The year-long mentorship pairs a rising professional with an experienced industry leader for one-on-one guidance, professional development and deeper exposure to the technologies and operations powering today’s broadcast and audio industry. MIW Board President Sheila Kirby said, “As technology continues to transform every part of the broadcast business, we need more women building, operating and leading the systems that will take our industry forward. Expanding LAUNCH to include women working with our technology partners and vendors allows us to reach talented professionals across a much broader part of the broadcast ecosystem. This program is about giving women access to the mentorship, technical knowledge and relationships that can help turn career potential into long-term leadership.”
Suzanne Scott says, “Karoline’s firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of today’s political landscape. We look forward to her providing our audience with authentic and sharp insight across all FOX News Media platforms.” Leavitt’s experience includes running as the Republican candidate for congress in her home state of New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2022, serving as communications director for then-House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and during the first Trump Administration serving as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary.
Too often, for too many in radio, it has been a Blue Christmas in recent years. If you have been displaced – or if you are working, and, shall we say, “assessing your options” – don’t underestimate what you have to offer.
Show” (12:00 noon to 2:00 pm ET) adds rotating co-hosts Cheryl Casone, Marcus Lemonis, and Lou Basenese alongside current host Jackie DeAngelis. Additionally, Liz Claman will launch a new Friday night program titled, “Claman’s Power Players” (7:00 pm to 7:30 pm ET). FOX News Media president and executive editor Jay Wallace says, “We’re excited to bring viewers fresh programming from a seasoned team of journalists, offering expert insight and analysis on the forces shaping the economy and driving business news. FOX Business remains committed to delivering compelling business news, market analysis, and conversation throughout the day, and these changes will further strengthen our weekday lineup.”
honor community service efforts conducted between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026. A panel of judges representing the broadcast industry and community service organizations will review the submissions and select 50 finalists. From that group, 10 stations will be named Crystal Radio Award winners. Winners will receive national recognition during a ceremony at the NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2027.
Midwest Communications news/talk WMBD, Peoria, Illinois dismisses longtime morning drive co-host Dan DiOrio and morning drive news anchor Julia Bradley. DiOrio had served with the station for the past 35 years, most recently co-hosting the “Greg and Dan Show” alongside Greg Bratton, who continues as the station’s morning host solo.
“asked weekly consumers how they would feel if their favorite podcast host started using an AI-generated version to host their podcast. Most weekly podcast consumers, 66%, reacted negatively to the idea. One-third of weekly podcast consumers said they would feel ‘deceived,’ with another third feeling ‘upset.’ Thirty-two percent said ‘skeptical,’ followed by 28% who felt ‘betrayed.’” On the flipside, “14% of weekly podcast consumers were ‘impressed’ by the usage of an AI-generated host. Another 12% were optimistic, and 10% were ‘fascinated,’ all at the bottom of the list.”
use to pay down debt. The offering includes a single institutional investor buying 357,000 Class A shares, or common stock equivalents at $14 per share in the registered direct offering. The concurrent private placement covers warrants to buy up to 357,000 Class A shares at $15 per share. The warrants first become exercisable six months after issuance and expire five-and-a-half years after issuance.
partnership brings together two international organizations that share a belief in the power of storytelling to inform, connect and inspire positive change.” Executive Vice President Rose Anderson adds, “I’m thrilled that New York Festivals is partnering with AwareNow Media on this new special award. Our TV & Film and Radio Awards have a long history of recognizing award-winning health and medical documentary storytelling. These stories can be an inspiration for so many. We hope the AwareNow Award will put an even brighter spotlight on this type of programming and encourage the filmmakers and audio storytellers around the world who use their craft to share knowledge, raise awareness, and inspire positive action.”
under an LMA. The deal is contingent upon FCC approval. The sale of Galaxy’s stations comes a little more than a month after Galaxy founder and CEO Ed Levine announced his plans to retire at year’s end. Levine says, “I have been fortunate to live out a lifelong dream of mine for the past 36 years. Time and life march on. While I will miss Galaxy and Syracuse/Utica, I could not be
happier to hand things off to Pamal Broadcasting.” Pamal is owned by founder James Morrell and he tells Syracuse.com, “With this addition, Pamal stations cover an enormous geography ranging from New York City, Long Island and Northern New Jersey, through the entire Hudson Valley to the Capital District, up to Lake George and now out through Utica and Syracuse. It truly is a great opportunity for us all.” 
Jeff Connell comments, “Jeff’s experience, editorial judgment and deep understanding of the Seattle market make him the right person to lead Northwest Newsradio’s news and programming.” At the same time, Lotus announces programming changes at KNWN and sister news/talk KVI. At KNWN beginning Monday (10/5), the midday schedule will include Bloomberg Radio’s “Balance of Power” from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, “Bloomberg Businessweek Daily” from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon, and “The Ramsey Show” from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. Local programming will see Scott Carty join Aaron Wright on “Northwest Afternoon News.” Eric Heintz becomes morning editor and sports, and Kevin Dodrill adds KNWN APD duties to his role as program director for KVI. At KVI, “The Ari Hoffman Show” moves from afternoon drive to the 6:00 am to 9:00 am daypart. Westwood One’s Dan Bongino will air in early afternoons with Compass Media Networks’ Lars Larson holding down afternoon drive.