Industry News

WABC, New York Spices Up Sunday Mornings

WABC Radio is adding a one-hour show hosted by former White House press secretary Sean Spicer to its Sunday morning lineup. “Full Court Press with Sean Spicer” will debut this Sunday (3/1) at 10:00 am ET.img Station owner John Catsimatidis says, “Big name personalities define WABC Radio. Sean is a powerful addition to our Sunday lineup and another example of WABC’s unmatched ability to attract major talent and deliver must-hear talk. The show is going to be fast, fearless, and honest, with smart conversation, sharp opinion, and honest discussion about the stories driving the country.” Spicer comments, “WABC Radio doesn’t whisper, it leads! It is one of the most iconic and influential radio stations in the U.S. WABC Radio listeners expect truth, energy, and authenticity, and that’s exactly what I’m going to give them. I couldn’t be more excited to join the incredible 77WABC lineup.”

Industry News

SAVE THE DATE: TALKERS 2026 Conference Set for Friday June 5 at Hofstra University

After taking a hiatus in 2025, the 27th installment of the annual iconic TALKERS conference has been set for Friday, June 5.

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Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis speaking at TALKERS 2024

It will, as in recent years, be held at the super modern facilities of Hofstra University on Long Island, NY.  TALKERS founder Michael Harrison issued the statement: “We are delighted to again be presenting this important event in conjunction with our colleagues at Hofstra’s multi-award winning WRHU-FM within the prestigious Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the university’s beautiful campus.”  In keeping with tradition, this event will feature an all star line-up of speakers tackling the existential issues facing the medium and industry of radio and its ever-evolving role within talk media.”

Complete details including agenda, registration, and hotel accommodations will be posted in TALKERS in the immediate days and weeks ahead.  But in the meantime, save the date: Friday, June 5, 2026 at Hofstra University on Long Island, conveniently located just outside of New York City.

Industry News

SummitMedia Signs Off KXSP-AM, Omaha

Back in 1923 when the station signed on, its calls were WOAW-AM. It was put on the air by the insurance company Woodmen of the World.img They wanted WOW but those calls were taken. Still the station was known as WOW and boasted that Johnny Carson started his broadcast career there. The station took the calls KXSP in 2005 and was broadcasting a sports talk format using ESPN content. SummitMedia sold the station’s tower land, prompting the station’s sign-off.  

Industry Views

Progressive Talk Media Star Thom Hartmann Interviewed

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WYD Media nationally syndicated progressive talk show host, Thom Hartmann is Michael Harrison‘s guest this week on Up Close Far Out – a YouTube video presentation of broadcast industry trade publication TALKERS magazine.  Hartmann is one of – if not THE – most influential and longest running progressive radio and talk media commentators on the scene today.  His daily program is heard on several hundred radio stations as well as the SiriusXM Progress 127 channel, Free Speech TV, Substack, YouTube, and Facebook. He is a prolific best-selling author and publishes a widely read daily newsletter, the Hartmann Report. Hartmann is currently ranked number 8 on the prestigious TALKERS Heavy Hundred list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America.  Harrison and Hartmann discuss the state of news/talk media, the challenge of covering the Trump presidency, and both commentators’ concern about the administration’s escalating infringement on First Amendment rights. To experience the video in its entirety please click HERE.

Industry News

Podtrac Releases Multi-Channel Podcast Ranker for January

Earlier this year, Podtrac announced its new multi-channel podcast ranker that takes into account audio, video and video clips. Today, the company releases its first multi-channel ranker for January 2026 and Meidas Touch Network’s “The Meidas Touch Podcast” is #1 on theimg strength of the video podcast and podcast clips, while “The Joe Rogan Experience” is #2 with consumption split almost evenly between audio and a combination of video podcast and podcast clips. Perhaps not surprisingly, NPR’s “NPR News Now” (#4) consumption came primarily from audio with about 20% coming from podcast clips. Candace Owens’ “Candace” leapt 71 places to finish the January period at #10. Her program’s consumption was primarily a split between video podcast and podcast clips. See the chart here.

Industry News

Charlie Kirk Show Still Ranks High on Triton Digital’s U.S. Podcast Chart

Triton Digital releases its U.S. Podcast Ranker for January 2026 based on weekly average downloads for participating networks and the top twoimg posts remain unchanged – iHeart Audience Networks’ “Stuff You Should Know” at #1 and Audacy Podcast Network’s “48 Hours.” Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” falls only one spot to #4. Other noteworthy shows include iHeart Audience Network’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” rises on place to #10 and Audioboom’s “The Bulwark Takes” climbs nine places to #21. See the complete chart here.

Industry News

Hillsdale Students Win Awards at IBS NYC 2026

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Two Hillsdale College students took home first-place awards at last weekend’s Intercollegiate Broadcasting System College Media Awards given out at the 86th International IBS Conference in New York City. TALKERS was a presenting sponsor of the conference. Erika Kyba ’26 won first place in the Best Specialty Show (Non-Music) category for her WRFH show, “The Poetry Fix,” a five-minute weekly podcast feature that makes the beauty of classic poetry accessible to a modern audience. Lauren Smyth ’25 was named Best News Director, Radio. Smyth’s role was to ensure that news coverage on WRFH was accurate, timely, educational, and fun. WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM general manager Scot Bertram says, “Our students are dedicated and creative. They consistently produce outstanding content, and it is exciting to see their work recognized among some of the finest programs in the country.”

Industry Views

Michael Harrison Reveals Roots as an Immigrant

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TALKERS magazine publisher Michael Harrison reveals and openly discusses his perspective as an immigrant in this country disclosing his irrevocable inability to ever return to his land of origin. In a brief 2 1/2-minute video commentary described by TALKERS editors as “experimental,” Harrison is presented as a thoughtful figure who candidly talks about the natives in this “peculiar” new world. He admits to making adjustments to blend in and get along. As an old, seasoned man humbly seated on a bench just across chilly New York Harbor from Ellis Island, Harrison captures a profoundly original view of 21st century America seen though his eyes as an outsider attempting to assimilate into a new culture. He ultimately examines the evolving state of his humanity.  Check it out here.

Industry News

FSR’s Colin Cowherd to Air on WJBR, Tampa

Beasley Media Group is adding FOX Sports Radio’s “The Herd withimg Colin Cowherd” to the program lineup at WJBR-AM, Tampa “Florida Alumni Radio 1010AM” in the 112:00 noon to 3:00 pm daypart. The program will also be simulcast on 92.1 FM in Hillsborough County, 103.1 FM in Pinellas County, and 104.7 HD2. The show will air weekdays from Noon – 3:00 p.m. ET.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (February 23-27, 2026)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (2/23-27) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Trump’s SOTU Address
  2. Epstein Files Fallout / Clinton Testimonies
  3. U.S.-Iran Talks
  4. Cuba Speedboat Incident
  5. Economy / Tariffs / Mortgage Rates
  6. Trump-Vance Withhold Medicaid Funds from Minnesota
  7. Russia-Ukraine Talks
  8. Gaza Instability / North Korea Nuclear Threats
  9. Winter Weather / Mamdani-NYC Police Relations
  10. Nancy Guthrie Case

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Jeffrey Epstein / Ghislaine Maxwell
  3. Bill & Hillary Clinton
  4. Mike Johnson
  5. Abbas Araghchi / Badr al-Busaidi
  6. JD Vance
  7. Vladimir Putin / Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  8. Benjamin Netanyahu
  9. Zohran Mamdani / Kim Jong Un
  10. Nancy Guthrie / Savannah Guthrie

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

FCC Seeking Public Comments on Sports Broadcasting Practices and Marketplace Developments

The FCC’s Media Bureau is asking for the public’s comments on the current state of sports broadcasting. In making the announcement, the Commission says, “Many games are still available for free over broadcast TV, but there has been a surge in recent years of games going behind the paywalls of various streaming services.  While this can increase the number of games and sports available to fans, many consumers today find it more difficult to find the events they want to watch and are now paying to sign up for one or more video distribution platforms that consumers can find difficult to navigate.”

With that said, it is asking for consumers to “address the current and emerging trends in the distribution of live sports programming.  How does the present marketplace benefit or harm consumers?  How does theimg recent trends towards fragmentation facilitate or inhibit the ability of local broadcast television stations to meet their public interest obligations, including their production of local news and reporting?  In what ways is the marketplace continuing to evolve and how will future changes impact consumer access to free over-the-air news and information, including public safety information?”

NAB president Curtis LeGeyt issued the following statement in response: “NAB thanks Chairman Carr for his leadership in examining the rapid changes in the sports broadcasting marketplace and what they mean for American viewers and local communities.

“Consumer access to premier games through free, over-the-air television has long been a cornerstone of the American sports fan experience. As distribution becomes more fragmented across streaming services and paywalls, fans face higher costs and greater confusion just to follow the teams they care about. Local broadcasters provide the widest reach for live events, bringing fans together to celebrate their favorite teams.

“As the Commission evaluates these marketplace trends, it is important to ensure that local stations have a fair opportunity to compete for premium sports rights. That includes modernizing outdated ownership restrictions that limit broadcasters’ ability to achieve the scale necessary to compete in today’s media marketplace. We look forward to participating in this proceeding and providing real-world insight into how disruption in the media landscape is affecting viewers and local stations.”

Industry News

Craig Collins Show to Air on KSEV/KGBC in Houston

Patrick Communications’ news/talk KSEV/KGBC, Houston announces the addition of “The Craig Collins Show” to its daily lineup airing fromimg 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, beginning March 9. The station says, “Craig is a veteran talk show host having previously worked at WGN Radio and 93 WIBC. He is also a frequent guest host with Radio America’s ‘The Dana Show’ and ‘The Chad Benson Show’ and WIBC’s ‘Tony Katz and the Morning News.’” Colling says, “How awesome is it to be at the same radio station I remember reading about in The Way Things Ought To Be! I can’t wait to get started. A big thank you to Bonny, Russell and the entire team at KSEV!”

Industry News

MIW: Gender Analysis Study Reveals Best Management Opportunities for Women Remain in Sales

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc releases the results of its 25th Annual Gender Analysis Study in which it compiles and analyzes the number of women rising to management roles within the radio industry. MIW says the ongoing study “provides one of the longest-running benchmarks of female leadership progress in broadcasting.”img According to the study, 22.07% (2366 stations) had women holding the general manager position in 2025. This is a slight increase from last year where the number was 21.67% and compared to 2004 continues to show solid growth when the percentage of female general managers was only 14.9%. MIW says, “Overall, the best management opportunities for women in radio continues to be in sales management. 35.31% (3561 stations) had a woman sales manager in 2025 which is basically flat from 35.67% in 2024. The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be in the area of program directors/brand managers. Women currently program 13.02% (289 stations) which is a slight gain from 12.38% in 2024. MIW board president Sheila Kirby comments, “Twenty-five years of data give us clarity. We are encouraged to see movement in general manager and programming roles, particularly within the Top 100 markets. At the same time, flat growth in sales leadership and the continued underrepresentation of women in programming nationally remind us that progress is not automatic. Sustainable advancement requires intention. MIW remains committed to mentoring, advocating, and creating pathways for women to lead at every level of the industry.”

Industry News

Salem’s Greg Clugston to Leave for University Post

Longtime Salem Radio Network White House correspondent Greg Clugston is leaving the radio network to join Communications faculty atimg Indiana Wesleyan University, effective July 1. SRN VP/news Tom Tradup says, “Greg is the consummate professional whose solid coverage will be sorely missed by our Washington Bureau and by our listeners nationwide.” Tradup says Clugston served on the White House Travel Pool and often traveled on Air Force One covering President Trump for SRN News.

Industry News

Black Effect Podcast Festival Returns to Atlanta in April

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God announce the return of the Black Effect Podcast Festival Pullman Yards in Atlanta on April 25. Theimg company says Charlamagne Tha God will join the festival alongside some of the Black Effect’s most popular personalities for a day full of live podcast tapings and informative discussions aimed at aspiring podcasters in the Black community. Charlamagne Tha God says, “Each year we return to Atlanta with purpose and intention to amplify storytelling, champion community, and celebrate excellence in podcasting with thousands of our cousins from around the world.”

Industry News

Edison: Podcasting Overtakes AM/FM Spoken-Word Listening

According to data from Edison Research, podcasts have overtaken AM/FM in consumption of spoken-word audio. Edison says, “In 2015, AM/FM radio accounted for 75% of the time Americans spent with spoken-word audio sources. AM/FM radio was not only the mostimg dominant spoken-word audio listening platform, but it was fully sixty-five percentage points higher than podcasts, which accounted for 10% of listening time back then. Quarter by quarter and year over year, time spent using AM/FM radio to listen to spoken-word audio has declined significantly and shifted to time spent with podcasts. As of Q4 2025, 40% of time spent listening to spoken-word is now spent with podcasts and 39% of time is spent with AM/FM radio. Not only does radio not beat podcasts by a significant margin, it now trails the on-demand platform for spoken-word audio listening.”

Industry News

SAG-AFTRA Criticizes Nexstar News Cuts

SAG-AFTRA is condemning Nexstar Media Group’s decision to eliminate SAG-AFTRA positions at WGN-TV in Chicago and lay off multiple journalists at KTLA in Los Angeles and at stations across the country. SAG-AFTRA says, “These cuts strike a serious blow to a trusted source of news and information on which these communities depend.” SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin comments, “By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Partners with iFlag

The International Flag League – a.k.a. iFlag – the world’s largest flag football tournament organization names iHeartRadio its official media partner. This deal includes cross-marketing collaboration from bothimg brands with promotion nationally across iHeartMedia’s multi-channel ecosystem. iHeartMedia president of business development and strategic partnerships Michael Biondo states, “This partnership with the International Flag League showcases iHeart’s commitment to supporting emerging sports and the communities that champion them. By combining iFlag’s explosive growth with iHeart’s unmatched reach, we’re creating new opportunities for athletes, fans and brands to engage with the sport like never before.”

Industry News

FOX5’s Natasha Verma to Emcee BFOA Gala and Fundraiser

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces that FOX 5 New York’s Natasha Verma is hosting this year’s BFOA Gala and Fundraiser on Monday, March 9, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. BFOA imgpresident Tim McCarthy says, “Verma brings a vibrancy and excitement to our evening. The Annual Gala is our biggest fundraiser, and the money is needed more than ever. The number of requests for aid goes up every year. That means more broadcasters than ever before are aware of our mission and we must answer their cry for help.” As previously announced, this year’s BFOA Gala will also honor VERSANT CEO and former chair of NBCUniversal Media Group Mark Lazarus with the Golden Mic Award, Judge Judy Sheindlin with the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award, Stephen A. Smith with the inaugural Broadcast Personality of the Year Award, and Ernest A. Liebre with the Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (2/25)

The most discussed stories yesterday (2/25) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. Trump State of the Union Aftermath
  2. Cuban Boat Shooting
  3. Casey Means Nomination Hearings
  4. Epstein Files Blowback
  5. U.S.-Iran Tensions
Industry Views

If the Bot Lies, Who Pays?

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer 

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A reporter recently asked a clean question with sharp edges: “Who is responsible when an AI defames someone?”
It sounds futuristic. It isn’t. It’s a standard defamation analysis dressed in new technology.
The most publicized early test involved radio host Mark Walters, who sued OpenAI after ChatGPT falsely stated he had been accused of embezzlement. The case was dismissed in federal court in Georgia in 2024. The court concluded the complaint did not plausibly allege the required level of fault. No federal appellate court has yet imposed defamation liability on an AI developer for a hallucinated statement alone.
That matters.
Defamation still requires a false statement of fact, publication to a third party, fault, and damages. An AI system cannot form intent. It cannot know falsity. It is not a legal person. But an AI output can absolutely contain a false statement about a real individual.
Courts will not ask whether “the AI defamed.” They will ask who published the statement.
Publication is broader than many assume. It does not require a broadcast tower. It requires communication to at least one third party. If a chatbot produces a false statement visible only to the person who prompted it and that person is the subject of the statement, there is typically no publication. The moment that output is emailed, posted, quoted, aired, or incorporated into a script, publication is satisfied.
The AI session itself is not the problem. Distribution is.
That is where fault enters the picture.
For public figures, plaintiffs must prove actual malice: knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth. “The computer said it” is not a defense. If a host repeats a serious allegation generated by a system widely known to hallucinate and fails to verify it, a plaintiff will argue reckless disregard. For private figures, negligence is usually enough. Failing to check an AI-generated accusation against readily available sources may meet that standard.
The technology does not lower the bar. Nor does it create a new type of immunity. It simply changes the source of the words.
The unsettled frontier is developer exposure under Section 230 and product liability theories. Courts have not yet produced a controlling appellate decision holding a model developer liable in defamation solely because a model generated a false statement. That question remains open, but it is not yet answered in plaintiffs’ favor.
Here is the practical reality for media professionals.
An AI can generate the sentence.
You are the one who makes it public.
That’s where liability is found.
Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at TALKERS.com.
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Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (2/24)

The most discussed stories yesterday (2/24) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Trump’s State of the Union
2. Tariffs and the Economy
3. Mexican Cartel Tensions / ICE activities
4. Epstein Files / U.S.-Iran Tensions
5. Winter Weather / Olympics

Industry News

Westwood One: Sports Talk Growing on the Air and Online

Westwood One’s Audio Active Group blog presents data about the sports talk genre as it experiences an apparent growth spurt. Based on ratings data from Nielen, the blog states, “Revenue shares and station counts are up. Nielsen reports the sports AM/FM radio format is number one in streaming shares among 18-34s and 25-54s. Ranking third of twenty-four AM/FM radio formats in household income, the sports AM/FM radioimg audience over indexes for a slew of major purchase categories.” Some of the key findings in the study include: 1) The number of sports-formatted AM/FM radio stations has grown +14% over the last decade, while revenue shares increased +38%; 2) According to Nielsen, the sports format ranks an astonishing number one in streaming shares among 25-54s and 18-34s, while in-car listening is the dominant location of listening among over-the-air sports AM/FM radio listeners; 3) Advertising on sports AM/FM radio is more effective than TV sports because the AM/FM radio audience is far more attentive and sports engaged; and 4) Ranked third in income of twenty-four AM/FM radio formats, the sports format has seen household incomes grow 17% since 2020. See the full blog post here.

Industry News

Jackson’s Daughter to Continue Premiere’s “Keep Hope Alive” Show

Premiere Networks announces that the long-running national weekend show “Keep Hope Alive with Rev. Jesse Jackson” will continue under the leadership of the program’s executive producer and host Santita Jackson, the eldest daughter of Rev. Jackson. Premiere Networksimg president Julie Talbott says, “We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson, and it has been an honor to work with him and his family throughout the past two decades of his ‘Keep Hope Alive’ radio show. Santita Jackson is uniquely positioned to carry forward his legacy and his unwavering commitment to community and social justice – values he championed so powerfully for listeners and stations across the country.” iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman adds, “Rev. Jackson has been a transformative voice in American life, and it was a privilege to work with him dating back to ‘The Jesse Jackson Show’ with Quincy Jones in the 1990s. We’ve valued our relationship with him over the years and look forward to celebrating his lasting impact on the national conversation and our culture – an influence that will continue to resonate for generations.”

Industry News

Salem Announces New Podcast with Author Danielle Gill

The Salem Podcast Network debuts a new podcast hosted by conservative author Danielle Gill. She says, “I’m launching this podcast to create space for thoughtful conversations about culture, politics, andimg Christianity. This podcast is an extension of the conversations I’m already having – about faith, family, and what it means to live with conviction in a liberal culture. I’m excited to bring those discussions to a wider audience.” Salem Media SVP of content Phil Boyce states, “Danielle represents the next generation of conservative voices. As Salem continues to invest in new talent and new platforms, her voice reflects both where the conservative audience is headed and the future we’re building at the Salem Podcast Network.”

Industry News

BFOA Annual Breakfast Honorees Announced

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces the 2026 recipients of the Leadership Awards, Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award, and Chairman’s Award that will be presented at the BFOA Annual Breakfast on April 22 during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The 2026img Leadership Award honorees are: Heather Cohen, president, The Weiss Agency; April Carty-Sipp, EVP, Industry Affairs at NAB; Michael J. Hayes, president, Hearst Television; Mike Hulvey, president & CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau; Chad Matthews, president, ABC-Owned Television Stations; Alissa Pollack, EVP, Global Music Marketing, iHeartMedia. The 2026 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award honoree is John Catsimatidis, owner & CEO, WABC Radio/Red Apple Media. The 2026 Chairman’s Award honoree is Emmy-winning broadcast journalist Deborah Norville.

Industry News

Salem’s Tom Tradup to Attend SOTU from Visitors’ Gallery

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Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup will attend tonight’s State Of The Union address from the Visitors’ Gallery inside the U.S. House of Representatives, courtesy of U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK). Tradup tells TALKERS, “Over the years I’ve covered countless national political conventions and presidential inaugurations, but this will be my first time to see history unfold in-person during tonight’s Joint Session of Congress.” SRN’s live State Of The Union coverage will be anchored by Salem White House correspondent Greg Clugston and SRN’s Capitol Hill reporter Bob Agnew. Following Trump’s address, SRN will offer analysis and perspective from Salem personality and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins and former Congressman Ernest Istook (R-OK.) The network’s coverage will conclude with the Democratic Party’s response to the SOTU delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger.

Industry News

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (2/23)

The most discussed stories yesterday (2/23) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

  1. Trump’s State of the Union
  2. SCOTUS Tariff Ruling
  3. Mexican Cartel Leader Killed
  4. Epstein Files Fallout
  5. U.S.-Iran Tensions
Industry News

FCC Chairman Carr Announces Pledge America Campaign

Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr is announcing the agency’s Pledge America Campaign designed to dovetail with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. The announcement says that “consistent with their longstanding public interest obligations, America’s broadcasters play a key role in educating, informing, and entertaining viewers and listeners all across America, and they are particularly well suited to air programming that is responsive to the needs and interests of their local communities.  The Pledge America Campaign enables broadcasters to lend their voices in support of Task Force 250 and the celebration of America’s 250th birthday by airingimg patriotic, pro-America content that celebrates the American journey and inspires its citizens by highlighting the historic accomplishments of this great nation from our founding through the Trump Administration today.” Carr adds, “On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That revolutionary document set forth our founding principles – including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness – and put America on a collision course with destiny.  Over the following centuries, the American story has defined modern history and spread freedom, opportunity, and prosperity across the globe.  As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, it is important to reflect on the ideals and events that have defined our past while keeping an eye towards our country’s bright future. The White House is leading our national celebration of this historic event with the Salute to America 250 Task Force, which calls on the federal government, among others, to mark this momentous occasion.  As part of this effort, I am calling on broadcasters to pledge to provide programming that promotes civic education, national pride, and our shared history.” Carr shares some examples stations could use, including:

Running PSAs, short segments, or full specials specifically promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history.

  • Including segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites that are significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites.
  • Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin.
  • Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting significant events that took place on that day in history.
  • Partnering with community organizations and other groups that are already working hard to bring America’s stories of unity, perseverance, and triumph to light.
Industry News

Civic Media Unveils New Talk Lineup for Four Stations

Civic Media announces a revamped news/talk lineup for four of its Wisconsin stations as the Civic Media Network programming will air on: WXCO, Wausau; WMDX, Madison; WAUK, Milwaukee; and WISS, Oshkosh-Appleton. The company unveils three new shows in the newimg daily lineup: “Daybreak with Brian and Jamie” airing 6:00 am to 9:00 am (starring Brian Noonan and Jamie Martinson); “The Jeff Santos Show,” airing from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm; and “Nite Lite With Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach” airing from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Civic Media vice president of product Aaron Carreno said, “We’re excited to refresh our programming with the addition of new radio shows and a continuous stream of digital content that meets audiences wherever they are. This growth reflects our commitment to delivering fresh voices, diverse perspectives, and engaging storytelling across every platform. By strengthening both our on-air and digital presence, we’re creating more opportunities for our community to connect, discover, and stay informed—anytime, anywhere.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: “What Matters Next” for Radio?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgIf you work in radio, you’ve heard every flavor of AI anxiety. Some fear it will wipe out jobs. Others treat it like a super shortcut – cranking-out spots, promos, and proposals faster and cheaper. Kate O’Neill’s “What Matters Next” lands squarely in the middle of this tension, and its message is one radio people need to hear: AI isn’t the disruptor. Human behavior is. AI just accelerates the consequences.

The book’s central argument is blunt: The organizations that thrive in an AI-driven world are the ones that stay relentlessly human. Not sentimental – human. Curious. Adaptive. Willing to rethink habits that calcified long before the first smart speaker ever said, “Now playing.” That’s a mirror radio hasn’t always wanted to look into.

For decades, the industry has survived by optimizing the familiar: tighter clocks, leaner staffs, syndicated shows, templated production, and “good enough” digital. AI tempts some operators to double down on that instinct – to automate more, localize less, and hope listeners won’t notice. This book argues the opposite: AI punishes sameness and rewards originality. When every business has access to the same tools, the differentiator becomes the people who use them with imagination, empathy, and purpose. That should sound familiar. It’s what radio used to brag about.

O’Neill also warns against the other extreme, the fear-driven paralysis that keeps talented people from experimenting. AI isn’t a job eater; it’s a task eater. It clears the underbrush so humans can do the work only humans can do: judgment, storytelling, connection, and community presence. In radio terms: the stuff listeners actually remember.

Imagine a morning show that uses AI not to replace prep, but to deepen it, surfacing hyperlocal stories, analyzing listener sentiment, or generating alternate angles on a topic the hosts want to explore. Or a sales team that uses AI to tailor proposals to each client’s issues instead of reshuffling the same deck. How about a newsroom (remember those?) that uses AI to sift data so stations can spend more time delivering what’s special to listeners (and sponsors): helpful local news they can’t get anywhere else. None of that eliminates jobs. It elevates them.

This book’s most important warning is this: AI widens the gap between organizations that learn and organizations that cling. Radio has lived through this before – streaming, podcasting, social media, smart speakers. The winners weren’t the ones who panicked or the ones who ignored the shift. They were the ones who adapted early, experimented often, and stayed close to their audience.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Audacy Expands WGR Programming to Rochester

Audacy expands its WGR Sports Radio brand into the Rochester market, adding most of the Buffalo based programming to sports talk WROC-AM/W239BF. Audacy says that while the WROC call letters will remain, the station will carry WGR Rochester branding and feature a lineup anchored by WGR’s flagship programming, along with a dedicated local show for Rochester listeners. Gene Battaglia hosts the early afternoon show, “The Sports Bar,” a locally focused program dedicated toimg Rochester sports. Audacy SVP and market manager Tim Wenger says, “This hybrid approach lets us bring the full strength and recognition of WGR’s established sports lineup to Rochester while still delivering a strong local voice tailored specifically to Rochester fans. We know how deeply connected Rochester listeners are to Buffalo-area teams, and this expansion allows us to serve that passion while preserving meaningful, local sports talk and engagement. With the launch of WGR Rochester, our reach now more fully covers the Rochester market and further cements WGR as Western New York’s sports giant and voice of the fans.”