Industry News

Longtime Radio Exec Bob Moore Passes

Retired radio executive Bob Moore died on Tuesday (11/10) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His obit passed on by The Weiss Agency says of Moore, “He leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning decades of broadcasting, some of radio’s most recognizable personalities, and programming decisions that helped shape the sound of Los Angeles radio.” The imgOshkosh, Wisconsin native’s career took him to Los Angeles as manager for Greater Media overseeing KHTZ, KLSX and KRLA. Moore managed KLSX when it dropped music for talk. Moore and his programming partners were betting that listeners would embrace a different kind of talk radio: less focused on traditional political commentary and more centered on humor, entertainment, personality and everyday life… Bob was instrumental in shepherding Howard Stern‘s arrival to the Los Angeles market. The initial lineup included Howard Stern, Kato Kaelin, Susan Olsen, Ken Ober and The Regular Guys, among others. Tom Leykis and Adam Carolla would become important parts of the station’s subsequent history… In a business that has undergone enormous changes in ownership, technology, distribution and audience behavior, Bob Moore represented a generation of radio executives who understood that success ultimately came down to people and ideas. Moore is survived by his loving wife Helen, cherished daughter Daron, wonderful son-in-law Dan, his beautiful grandkids Bode and Jovi, and his beloved dog Lupin.

Industry News

Audacy Names Gelb to Lead 104.3 WQAM

Audacy’s sports talk WQAM-FM, Miani names Zach Gelb its new brand manager. Audacy regional president Claudia Menegus says, “Zach brings a blend of programming instincts and imgnationwide sports talk experience that positions him perfectly to continue the growth and success of 104.3 WQAM. His vision and leadership will be vital as we continue to elevate our flagship partnerships, inspire our talented team and deliver the best sports coverage for South Florida’s passionate fan base.” Gelb comments, “I’m honored and elated for the opportunity to help lead WQAM, a legendary sports station that I have great respect for and have been listening to for years. I’m excited to build our next chapter with this incredible staff and deepen our connection with our passionate South Florida fanbase. I’m grateful to Chris Olivero, Jeff Sottolano, Claudia Menegus, Chris Kinard and everyone at Audacy for their belief in me. I am beyond ready to take this new, exciting step in my career.”

Industry News

WJBC’s Scott Miller Victim of New Cumulus Cuts

A new round of personnel cuts at Cumulus Media claims news/talk imgWJBC, Bloomington, Illinois morning host Scott Miller. He posted news of his departure in a Facebook video saying, in part, “As many of you know, radio is a business and sometimes difficult decisions are made that are beyond our control. While this isn’t the ending I would have written, I leave here with nothing but gratitude for the opportunity to spend these years with you… wherever life takes me I’ll always be grateful for the time we shared together.”

Industry News

Cumulus’ WWTN-FM, Nashville Cuts Brian Wilson

Another talk pro who exits Cumulus Media is WWTN-FM, Nashville “SuperTalk 997 WTN” air personality Brian Wilson. He posted news of his exit via Facebook, saying, “I have been notified that imgeffective 11/15 I will no longer be associated with SuperTalk 997 WTN. My last appearance was this morning with Dan Mandis. The parting was not something I expected, but it was not acrimonious. We part as friends. I am nevertheless saddened at the news. I have truly enjoyed my time at WTN and thank Cumulus for allowing me to serve on this amazing radio platform. I also want to thank the many listeners who found some value in what I brought to the microphone. Many of you have become friends and please know I feel very honored to have connected with you. What’s next? Stay tuned. Free Agent, Baby!”

Industry News

Saga Reports Q3 Net Revenue Falls 5.4%

Saga Communications reports its operating results for the third quarter of 2026 and says net revenue was $26.7 million, a decline of 5.4% from the same period in 2025. Station operating expense decreased 1.7% for the quarter to $24.2 million compared to the imgsame period last year. The company notes, “For the quarter, we had an operating loss of $9.8 million compared to an operating loss of $626 thousand for the same quarter last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $2.4 million compared to $3.5 million for the same period last year. For the quarter, the company recorded a non-cash impairment charge based on an evaluation of FCC license values of $9.2 million. Without the non-cash impairment charge, the company’s operating loss would have been $563 thousand for the quarter compared to an operating loss of $626 thousand for the same period last year.” Saga reports that it paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on October 16, 2026. The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend was approximately $1.6 million.

Industry News

TALKERS Books Drops “Speeches They Never Gave,” Richard Chemel’s Collection of 50 Imagined Addresses by Historic Figures to Modern Audiences

Veteran music promoter, new-media pioneer and former TALKERS Pop Culture Editor is available for interviews on AI, authorship and what old voices can tell a modern newsroom

TALKERS Books has published Speeches They Never Gave: Volume One, a collection of 50 imagined speeches compiled and created by Richard Chemel. The paperback went on sale at Amazon on November 7.img

imgThe premise is simple but fascinating. Chemel takes a figure from history or literature, hands that person a present-day subject, and stands them in front of a specific modern audience. For example, Mark Twain talks to journalists about social media. Abraham Lincoln addresses newsroom editors on political polarization. Socrates takes on the internet and misinformation for a room of high-school students. Dracula explains fear and public relations to media executives, and P.T. Barnum has a few things to tell advertising executives about their own business.

Several of those rooms are full of people who work in this industry, and that is by design. Chemel spent his career in and around broadcasting. In the 1970s, he worked in radio promotion on behalf of musical artists including Heart, ELO, and Bob Seger. He moved into special-interest video marketing with Jane Fonda’s home-fitness series, Shirley MacLaine’s Inner Workout and WrestleMania. He was the first host of the Los Angeles Times online platform, moderated chats for MSN Money on CNBC, and served as pop culture editor of TALKERS magazine. The book began with a question he typed into a search engine: what would Al Capp have to say about the world today? The answer suggested a larger project, and each of the 50 pairings that followed started the same way – as a question Chemel wanted to hear answered.

In his author’s note, Chemel writes that broadcasting taught him that “the right voice, saying the right thing to the right room,” can move people further than almost anything else. He was a 20-year-old student at Kent State in May 1970, and he traces his conviction that listening matters back to that month.

A plain statement about AI

Chemel used AI tools in drafting the speeches and says so in the book, in a section titled, “How This Book Was Made.” He describes prompting, rejecting, rewriting and revising, and he is specific about what the tools did not do: choose the premise, the speakers, the audiences or the argument of any speech. “Tools change,” he writes. “Someone still has to have the idea, make the choices, and put a name on the result.”

That disclosure makes him a timely guest. Questions he can take on the air include:

  • When a host, writer or producer uses AI, what does the audience have a right to know?
  • Who is the author when a machine helps with the sentences?
  • Is it fair to put new words in the mouth of Lincoln or Jefferson, and where is the line between interpretation and fabrication?
  • Why does a 19th-century voice sometimes say something about social media that a contemporary one can’t?

The speeches are works of creative interpretation. None was actually delivered by the person or character depicted.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “We are very proud to add this timely book to our growing catalogue of talk media-friendly works by authors who make great conversational guests.”

For each paperback sold on Amazon, a donation goes to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. This is an independent promotion; Amazon is not a sponsor.

Availability: Speeches They Never Gave: Volume One is available now at Amazon. More information is at hellospeeches.com.

To book Richard Chemel for an interview, or for signed and bulk orders:hellospeeches@gmail.com

Industry News

Webster to Co-Host WNYC’s “Radiolab”

Professional science journalist Molly Webster joins WNYC as co-host of “Radiolab,” alongside Latif Nasser. WNYC says “Radiolab” is “the iconic podcast and public radio show that blends rigorous imgreporting with immersive storytelling and sound design.” Webster has spent the past 14 years as a reporter, producer and guest host of the show. Webster succeeds current co-host Lulu Miller, who will shift to focus full time on the podcast, “Terrestrials.” “Radiolab” executive producer Sarah Sandbach comments, “Molly has a remarkable ability to approach complex science with a refreshingly human perspective. Her questions are my questions; when Molly is in the interviewer’s seat, I know she will answer what I want to know and also take me places I never expected.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (November 9-13, 2026)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (11/9-13) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Midterms Aftermath / New Congress
  2. Nvidia Affairs-Huang Resigns
  3. New GOP Leaders
  4. Hegseth Under Fire
  5. Iran War
  6. SCOTUS Approves Border Wall
  7. Threats Against Bessent
  8. Veterans Day / Hegseth Group Reprimanded
  9. Colom Wins Miss. Senate Race
  10. DC Shooting / Brooklyn Building Collapse

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. JD Vance
  3. Hakeem Jeffries
  4. Chuck Schumer
  5. Jensen Huang / Alice Huang
  6. Jim Jordan / John Thune
  7. Pete Hegseth
  8. Scott Bessent
  9. Scott Colom
  10. Elon Musk

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

Industry News

iHeartMedia Denies Plans to Sell Podcasting Business

Responding to a report by Bloomberg that the company is exploring the sale of its podcasting segment in order to raise cash and boost its stock price, iHeartMedia released a public statement to The Hollywood Reporter denying the report. THR writes that imgiHeartMedia was talking with “investment bank Moelis & Co and others to possibly sell part of all of its podcast business, which is one of the biggest podcast networks, with shows including ‘Stuff You Should Know,’ ‘Las Culturistas,’ ‘The Breakfast Club’ and more.” The statement from iHeartMedia reads: “While we don’t generally comment on rumors or speculation, I can tell you that we have no plan to sell our podcasting business. iHeart has built the number one podcast publisher in America, with unmatched scale, premium talent and strong financial performance. Podcasting is a core strategic growth engine for our company, and we continue to invest in expanding its reach and potential, including through video podcasting.” See THR’s story here.

Industry News

RSF Urges Democrats to Impeach FCC Chair Carr

France-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging the new Democrat-controlled U.S. Congress to impeach Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr. The organization’s statement begins: “Carr’s tenure as FCC Chair has been defined by his campaign to intimidate and punish media organizations disfavored by the president. He has launched baseless investigations into news organizations, seized on vaguely imgwritten regulations to punish news outlets for speech deemed anti-Trump, threatened the broadcast licenses of TV and radio networks based on their editorial lines, gutted rules against media ownership consolidation, put his thumb on the scales of massive media mergers to benefit Trump allies, and improperly supported midterm campaigns. His consistent abuse of his office demands urgent action from Congress.” The executive director of RSF North America is Clayton Weimers and he is quoted in the organization’s statement saying, “The American people have decisively rejected the Trump administration’s trampling of the Constitution. Few individuals have been more instrumental to the White House’s campaign to weaken the First Amendment than Brendan Carr. The incoming Congress now faces a defining test of its commitment to the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. Press freedom cannot be defended through words alone. RSF does not take the question of impeachment lightly. In fact, our organization has never before called for the removal of a US official. But the severity and persistence of Carr’s misconduct demand an extraordinary response. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to hold him accountable. Restoring the FCC’s independence must be central to that effort.”

Industry News

Joe Pags and Compass Sign Multi-Year Extension

Talk radio star Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo and Compass Media Networks are agreeing to continue their partnership for syndication of “The Joe Pags Show.” Compass says, “This multi-year extension is a testament to the remarkable talent of Joe Pags and imgthe power of talk radio today and continuing into the future. The show currently holds the #7 position on TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” chart of the most important talk radio hosts in America and has a long history of success, blending insightful commentary with humor and engaging discussions on topics that matter most to its 2 million monthly radio listeners.” Pags comments, “I am thrilled to continue my relationship with Compass Media Networks. The great folks at Compass Media Networks have become family and have shown incredible faith in what I do. Growing to 170 stations nationwide in the midst of amazing competition is a great commentary to how well they do what they do.”

Industry News

Erick Erickson Offers Free Christmas Show to Stations

The nationally syndicated “Erick Erickson Show” is offering its annual Christmas Special available to any station that wants it – imgcurrent affiliate or not (market exclusive). The program airs live on December 24 and December 25. Erickson says, “Our Christmas Special steps back from the daily headlines. Why does the world feel off balance? What’s our role in it? And why do billions of people still mark the birth of a child 2,000 years ago? We talk with thought leaders and theologians about the bigger questions the holiday puts in front of us.” Stations interested in carrying the special should contact Fisher at The Erick Erickson Show, Fisher@EWErickson.com, to confirm receiver enablement and clearance.

Industry News

WNTX, Fredericksburg Goes Silent

Connoisseur Media has filed with the Federal Communications imgCommission to take news/talk WNTX-AM, Fredericksburg, Virginia off the air due to financial challenges. The station went off air on November 1 as Connoisseur has filed for Special Temporary Authority to keep the station dark while the company considers the future of the signal. WNTX is a Class D AM non-directional with a daytime power of 1000 watts and nighttime power of 37 watts.

Industry News

Geter Named Digital Media Director for CMG Atlanta

Cox Media Group names Cherish Geter digital media director for the company’s Atlanta stations, including news/talk 95.5 WSB img(WSB-AM/WSBB-FM). Geter most recently served with Sinclair Broadcast Group as station manager for WCTI-TV and ECTI-TV in Greenville, North Carolina. CMG Atlanta director of sales Kris Hackett Lucas says, “Cherish brings the digital expertise and collaborative approach we were looking for as we continue building on our top Atlanta sales organization. We’re excited to welcome her to the team and look forward to the impact her leadership will have for our clients and our people. She brings a passion for digital marketing that we are all excited about.”

Industry News

Cotroneo Exits WTMJ, Milwaukee

Sports talk pro Dominic Cotroneo announces his exit from Good Karma Brands news/talk WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee where he was imghost of the pre- and post-game shows for Brewers baseball as well as for the “Brewers Weekly” show. He posted to social media: “I wish nothing but the best; they gave me an opportunity in the 2022 season to be the new postgame radio host, and that’s not an honor I take lightly. It was 100% my decision. I did the best that I could, and I think WTMJ appreciated my efforts. Sometimes it’s OK to say goodbye. It gets to a point where you need to take a leap of faith. It doesn’t mean I’m going to leave Milwaukee or leave this market.”

Industry News

Dellilo Rises to Director of Marketing and Promotions for iHeartMedia New York

iHeartMedia New York ups Danielle Dellilo to director of marketing and promotions. New York EVP of programming Thea Mitchem says, “We’re incredibly excited to have Danielle step into imgthis role. Her leadership, infectious enthusiasm and ability to make things happen have made her a go-to for our teams, talent and sales partners. I’m incredibly proud of the leader she has become over the past 10 years. Danielle has earned this opportunity, and we’re thrilled to have her leading marketing and promotions for our legendary New York brands and talent.” The cluster includes news/talk WOR and The Black Information Network WWRL in addition to five music brands.

Industry News

Talk Radio Pro Rusty Humphries Launches AI Tool for Veterans

After a radio career that spanned more than 30 years – including 15 years as a nationally syndicated talk radio host – Rusty Humphries is unveiling his latest project. It’s called Coach Jeff and imgit’s an AI assistant for U.S. veterans and first responders, their families and “anyone looking for a great friend.”  Humphries says that the reality of occupations like soldier or first responder is that “isolation hurts people more than the job does.” The press kit for Coach Jeff paints a picture these Americans are all too aware of: “You come home from the job and you can’t put it down. You can’t say it to your wife without scaring her, to your boss without being judged, or to a stranger without being handled. So, you say nothing.” As a talk host, Humphries spent years listening to people imgin exactly that spot, and he puts it simply: isolation is the accelerant, and connection is the antidote. The AI is based on a real Army military police soldier and combat veteran named Jeff Pelton, who helped build the product. Humphries says users know that Coach Jeff is AI “but he is always there, he remembers you and he calls it like it is.” See more about Coach Jeff here.

Industry News

iHeartMedia’s Third Quarter 2026 Net Revenue Up 3.3%

Reporting on its financial results for the third quarter of 2026, iHeartMedia reveals net income of $1.03 billion – an increase of 3.3% over the same period a year ago (although revenue was up just 0.9% excluding political). Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman says, “We generated Adjusted EBITDA of $170 million. Our Digital imgAudio Group, led by podcasting, and our Audio and Media Services Group both continued to deliver strong results and profitability. Given the accelerating adoption of audio programmatic, we believe that the continuing rollout of our AudioGraph platform has the potential to meaningfully improve the performance of our broadcast radio business, enabling us to meet the advertising community the way they want to buy advertising.” The company reports a net loss of $8.2 million for the quarter, down significantly from the $65.8 million it reported a year ago. President and COO Rich Bressler adds, “In Q3 the Digital Audio Group’s revenue was $389 million, up 13.8% vs. prior year, and our Q3 Adjusted EBITDA margins were 32.8%. While this quarter was negatively impacted by a number of factors, we believe many of our revenue challenges are addressable – and beginning in 2027, we expect to establish podcasting as a separate reporting segment, which will provide greater insight into its financial performance and make it easier to fully value all four of our segments and our entire company.”

Industry News

Urban One Q3 2026 Net Revenue Falls 5%

Urban One reports its operating results for the third quarter of 2026 and states net revenue was approximately $88 million, a decrease of 5.0% from the same period in 2025. The company reported an operating loss of approximately $126.6 million for the quarter compared to operating income of approximately $2.5 million for the imgsame period a year ago. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III says, “Market conditions in radio continued to adversely impact revenue in the third quarter. We were helped by net political revenue of over $0.8 million in the quarter and the acquisition of stations in our Dallas market, effective July 17th, which contributed an additional $1.9 million of net revenue in the quarter. Net political revenue for the full year is expected to be $8.8 million across all divisions. Weak demand in the Cable TV scatter market, shifted more inventory to the direct response category at lower rates in the third quarter. We saw an increase in local digital revenue in our radio markets, but large client attrition and suppressed rates in national direct digital revenue meant significant revenue declines in the overall digital segment… Management is hyper-focused on cost reductions heading into next year and has identified at least $20 million of annualized savings.”

Industry News

Newsmax Addresses Plans for Miami Radio Stations

Yesterday (11/9), TALKERS reported that Newsmax has filed with the FCC to acquire two Miami radio stations – WAQI-AM and WQBA-AM – from Latino Media Network for $1.8 million. Today, Newsmax says it intends to keep the Spanish-language programming on the stations. Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy says, img“‘Radio Mambí’ [WAQI-AM] is an institution. For decades, it has been the voice of a community that understands the value of freedom because it has fought to preserve it. We are honored to continue that tradition and ensure ‘Radio Mambí’ remains a trusted source of news, information, and conversation for generations to come.” Newsmax Radio and Audio CEO Ralph Renzi adds, “We are excited to serve the communities of South Florida through these legendary radio stations and to expand the Newsmax brand in this important and dynamic market. WAQI and WQBA have deep roots in South Florida, and we look forward to building on their legacy while creating new opportunities to inform, engage, and connect with their audiences.” Newsmax says expects to begin its operations and programming for the stations in the coming months. The transaction is subject to customary FCC and other regulatory approvals and conditions.

Industry Views

The Radio Sales Playbook: Building the Proof from Day One

By Harmony Tenney, MBA

imgMake sure that you and your client are engaging monthly to ensure Proof of Performance, so that your campaign yield will be ready for harvest (renewal). Agree that the measure of success will be both monthly customer counts, and new customer revenue.

Set the expectations for the campaign’s proof of success at signing

It’s not as easy as this year’s total revenue compared with last year’s. Recognize “total revenue” includes things neither of you control: the weather, staffing, a competitor, a big account walking away. Measure what the campaign controls: new customers, new customer revenue, and each one’s estimated lifetime contribution to the bottom line.

Track these four numbers every month and tally them.

  1.    New customers – a simple count. They can ask, “Is this your first time coming in?” And make a tic mark on that day’s scratch page.
  2.    New customer revenue – what each new customer spent. Tally monthly.
  3.    How they heard about you – ask each new customer to ask and record the answer: radio, friend, web ad, drive-by, etc.

4.    What are their three favorite stations – yours will be on their list, after 13 weeks.

Keep the tallying simple enough that a busy employee will actually do it. Give them easy tools: a tally sheet.

Have their employees ask these four questions at checkout and on the phone:

“Is this your first time coming in?”

“How did you hear about us?”

Then ask them what their favorite three radio stations are, and if used, an offer from your station’s airwaves (usually the on-air talent’s name).

Then ask for two reports. A year-over-year sales report shows each month next to the same month last year. A sales-by-customer report, sorted by the first purchase date, shows exactly who is new and what they spent. With those two reports, my client’s $100,000 would have been visible every month. Those three numbers become the agenda. And when something big happens, like a lost account, a new competitor, or staff turnover, write it down that month, not a year later.

Managers: build measurement into every campaign

Put measurement terms in every annual agreement.

Schedule a proof review every 30 days before renewal, not nine months after signing. Coach your reps to hear “our bottom line didn’t move” as a cue to show the numbers, not to apologize.

Renewals and referrals come from proof. Proof is framed at signing. It ensures your renewal.

Dig deeper. Work the math. Get credit for what you grow.

S. Harmony Tenney, MBA, author of The Ultimate Radio Sales Playbook, is dedicated to connecting communities through radio’s superpowers. Radio Ink twice named her a Top Ten U.S. Radio Marketing Consultant. Reach her at Harmony@UltimateRadioSales.com or UltimateRadioSales.com.
Industry News

SiriusXM Announces New CEO

SiriusXM announces that Anjali Sud will assume the CEO position effective January 1, 2027. This comes after current CEO Jennifer Witz decided to step down after almost 25 years with the company and almost six years as CEO. Witz will remain in an advisory role at the Company until the end of 2027. Sud has served as an imgindependent director on the SiriusXM Board of Directors since March 2025 and will remain a member of the Board of Directors following her appointment. She currently serves as CEO of Tubi. SiriusXM Chairman of the Board Greg Maffei says, “Anjali has built some of the most successful consumer entertainment platforms. In her previous roles, she scaled audiences, expanded platforms, and led businesses supported by both advertising and subscription models. As a member of our Board, she has intimate knowledge of our business and strategy. With her digital media experience, CEO-level success, and Board perspective, we are confident Anjali will hit the ground running and build on our momentum as we continue to execute against our objectives. We believe she will be an outstanding CEO for SiriusXM.”

Industry News

MIW Announces 3rd Annual Erica Farber Mentorship in Management Program

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Inc announces that applications are now open for the 3rd Annual Erica Farber Mentorship in Management Program. This program is designed for imgwomen pursuing greater leadership responsibilities across the radio industry. The year-long program provides personalized mentorship, executive-level guidance and professional development opportunities to help participants advance their careers. The program welcomes applicants from a wide range of disciplines, including sales, marketing, programming, digital, operations and other areas of radio management. Get more info and apply here.