The most discussed stories yesterday (4/29) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump’s First 100 Days
2. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War / The Economy
3. Deportations / Abrego Garcia Case
4. Trump vs Harvard
5. Canadian Elections
Afternoon drive talk host Tyrone Johnson exits Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “97.5 The Fanatic” after three years leading the afternoon drive show. Crossing Broad
reports that Johnson tweeted on Friday afternoon: “It was a good run. I regret nothing.” The story notes that Johnson – producer and co-host – took over hosting the afternoon show in 2022 after Mike Missanelli’s departure. The most recent iteration of the show included Rickey Bo and Sylvana Kelleher and Crossing Broad says the show’s ratings were on par with the station’s morning show ratings. Read the full story here.
According to a report from The 420, Urban One confirms that it has suffered a significant data breach that “compromised sensitive personal information of hundreds of individuals.” Urban One says that
ransomware attack involved unauthorized access to its network resulting in the exposure employee data including names, Social Security numbers, direct deposit details, W-2 tax information, and home addresses. The attack is being attributed to Cactus, a known ransomware gang. The organization says it stole 2.5 terabytes of data and posted a sample of documents to back its claims. The report goes on to say that Urban One maintains no financial account information or electronic medical records were compromised. See The 420 story here.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Write news copy the way you would tell someone the story in person.
Avoid news-speak, such as:
Visualize a listener – one person – and make eye contact. You’ll matter more.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Talk host Mark Walters tells TALKERS that he celebrated his 16th year as host of “Armed American Radio” on Sunday evening’s broadcast. Walters is CEO of CCW Broadcast Media which produced “Armed American Radio” and “AAR Daily Defense.”
Key Networks is partnering with cable news network NewsNation to syndicate a radio simulcast of NewsNation’s primetime two-hour special, “CUOMO Town Hall: The First 100 Days,” that will air live
on Wednesday (4/30) from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET. The special is being moderated by anchor Chris Cuomo, along with Bill O’Reilly and Stephen A. Smith, plus a live phone interview with the president. The program originates from New York and will showcase Trump administration officials including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside leaders of the Democratic Party. The town hall will be held in front of a live studio audience comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America is thanking all of those in the broadcasting industry who have supported the BFoA’s mission. The organization says, “The ads that you run and the emails you
send on our behalf help us get the word out to radio and television professionals that the Foundation is here to lend a hand-up to those in our industry who need it most.” The BFoA created the 2025 BFOA Overview Video narrated by Deborah Norville and a second video featuring a BFOA grantee, the Toscano family that benefitted from the Foundation. See the Overview Video here and the Toscano family video here.
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Trump Approval Ratings
2. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
3. Colorado Underground Nightclub Raid
4. Deportations-Detentions
5. Pope Francis Funeral
WPHT, Philadelphia early afternoon talk host Dom Giordano (pictured above interviewing an unidentified administration official) was among the media personalities broadcasting from the White House recognizing the Trump administration’s first 100 days. Giordano tells TALKERS, “We broadcast from the White House covering Trump’s First Hundred Days and we lucked into great guests on a very underrated part of it – RFK Jr. taking on the food industry.”
WHO, Des Moines afternoon drive talk host Simon Conway was among the talk hosts invited to the White House to speak with administration officials recognizing the first 100 days of the Trump administration. Conway tells TALKERS he has interviewed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism Dr. Sebastian Gorka, and Border Czar Tom Homan. He’s pictured above with Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Conway’s afternoon show simulcasts on WMT, Cedar Rapids and WOC, Davenport, Iowa. He also hosts of “Good Morning Orlando” on WFLF.
Audacy promotes Jenny Nelson chief marketing officer. In this role, Nelson will oversee all Audacy’s
marketing efforts, including brand/design, research, B2B marketing/activation and corporate communications. The company says she will also continue to focus on sales enablement and supporting Audacy’s local and national sales. Most recently, she served as EVP marketing solutions & strategy.
iHeartMedia names David Hillman EVP, chief legal officer and secretary. Hillman will oversee all legal matters for the company, including the compliance, regulatory and corporate governance functions, as
well as the company’s Government Affairs, Business Affairs and Privacy teams. Hillman was most recently chief legal officer for Venu Sports. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “David has very relevant experience across a range of media businesses, as well as specific familiarity with the audio industry. We believe his wealth of experience will make him an ideal addition to the iHeart executive team as we continue to grow our momentum as the #1 audio company in America.”
Urban One to Reveal First Quarter Results. Urban One announces that it will hold a conference call for investors, analysts and other interested parties to discuss its results for the first fiscal quarter of 2025 on May 13 at 10:00 am ET.
Ted Cruz Podcast to Air in Detroit. Adell Media announces its Detroit radio station WFDF-AM “Detroit’s News Talk Superstation” begins airing “Verdict with Ted Cruz” to its weekend lineup, effective April 27, 2025.
SiriusXM to Broadcast from Pope’s Funeral. SiriusXM will provide live, on-location coverage of the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday 3:30 am ET on The Catholic Channel with the funeral Mass expected to begin at 4:00 am ET. Father Dave Dwyer and Lino Rulli, hosts on The Catholic Channel, will lead the broadcast live from Rome, offering commentary, prayers, and reflections throughout the liturgy.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (4/21-25) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
1. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
2. Financial Markets / Fed Chair Powell’s Status
3. Russia-Ukraine War / Israel-Gaza War
4. Abrego Garcia Deportation Case
5. Pope Francis Dies
6. Google Anti-Trust Ruling/Meta Anti-Trust Case
7. Hegseth Signal Chat Controversy
8. Iran Nuclear Talks
9. State Dept. Reorganization
10.“60 Minutes” Producer Quits
People
1. Donald Trump
2. Xi Jinping
3. Jerome Powell
4. Volodymyr Zelensky
5. Kilmar Abrego Garcia
6. Pope Francis
7. J.D. Vance
8. Elon Musk
9. Pete Hegseth
10.Bill Owens
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
A statement from Cumulus Media indicates that the company is moving its stock from trading on the NASDAQ to trading on the OTC (over-the-counter) market. Cumulus was set to be delisted from
NASDAQ after failing to bring its stock price above $1 for the required period of time. The statement says the company will do this “rather than investing time, effort, and cost into developing a plan to remain on NASDAQ.” The change takes effect on May 2 and solely impacts the trading venue. “The CMLS ticker remains the same and it does not affect the company’s operations. Cumulus remains focused on executing its strategy and driving long-term growth.”
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez announces she’s partnering with consumer and civil society organizations for speaking engagements and listening sessions focused on protecting the rights and
freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment and fighting back against what she calls the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign of censorship and control. Gomez says, “Since the founding of our country, the First Amendment has protected our fundamental right to speak freely and hold power to account. Today, the greatest threat to that freedom is coming from our own government. Silencing dissenting voices is not a show of strength – it’s a sign of fear. We must continue to speak out against this growing campaign of censorship and control before this dangerous new normal becomes the status quo.”
The latest book from Ramsey Solutions CEO Dave Ramsey is a #1 national bestseller. Build a
Business You Love is a book in which Ramsey shares the lessons he’s learned starting his business on a card table in his living room and growing it into a $250 million-a-year company. Dave Ramsey says, “For people serious about starting a business, it’s the ride of a lifetime. It will be hard, and it will take longer than expected, but it also offers the opportunity to become a better person as you become a better leader. I hope readers find the courage to keep going, the humility to keep learning and the heart to build something that serves others.”
Red Apple Media makes the news reported earlier this week by the New York Post official that legendary New York Yankees play-by-play announcer John Sterling will host an hour-long sports talk show on Saturdays at 4:00 pm. Sterling says, “This is a thrill… the ballgame’s NOT over. I am eager to connect with sports fans on 77 WABC and looking forward to bringing the biggest names in sports on the air to share their stories and insights with listeners.”
FOX Sports Radio Lands in Palm Springs. Arrington Broadcasting LLC’s KFSQ-AM, Palm Springs is now broadcasting FOX Sports Radio’s lineup of sports talk content. Station owner and GM Brian Arrington says, “We’re proud to welcome FOX Sports 1270 AM to the Coachella Valley! It’s an exciting moment to bring some of the biggest names in sports/talk – Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Doug Gottlieb, and more – right here to Palm Springs.
LABF Announces 2025 Giants of Broadcasting Awards. The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation is recognizing trailblazing industry leaders for lifetime achievements during the 2025 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony on November 14 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Inductees includes ABC News’ David Muir, Rick Dees, and sportscaster Lesley Visser.
The most discussed stories yesterday (4/23) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
1. Tariffs / U.S.-China Trade War
2. Russia-Ukraine War
3. Francis Funeral-New Pope Selection
4. “60 Minutes” Controversies
5. Trump’s Anti-DEI Actions
Premiere Networks is making the podcast, “Verdict with Ted Cruz,” available to news/talk stations as a one-hour weekend show. The show is co-hosted by Texas Senator Ted Cruz and radio personality Ben Ferguson.
Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott says, “Senator Cruz is a political insider whose views and opinions are valued by audiences. We’re always looking for engaging and entertaining programming that resonates with listeners, and the continued success of ‘Verdict’ made the decision to expand the program to radio a no-brainer. By harnessing the immense power of broadcast radio, we’re confident Verdict with Ted Cruz will reach millions more listeners across America every week.”
Longtime New York Yankees play-by-play announcer John Sterling is going back on the radio to host a Saturday afternoon radio show on Red Apple Media’s WABC, New York. Sterling tells NorthJersey.com that he’s
hosting a one-hour show airing Saturdays from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Sterling spent 35 years as the voice of the Yankees prior to retiring last spring. Sterling says he is no stranger to sports talk radio having hosted a show on WMCA, New York during the 1970s. See the NorthJersey.com story here.
Andy Bloom, who served with numerous radio companies during his career, was convicted by a Hennepin County, Minnesota jury of two counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct. The 61-year-old former radio executive faces sentencing on May 13. The trial came a year after Bloom was charged after complaints filed by his then-15-year-old daughter. He is currently being held without bond. The investigation began after Bloom’s daughter reported multiple acts committed over an extended period of time between January of 2022 and July of 2023. During his career, Bloom served as programmer for WPHT and WIP in Philadelphia and was most recently with WCCO-AM in Minneapolis, a role he exited in 2018.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that Tegna’s sports talk WBNS-FM, Columbus “97.1 The Fan” will be seeing some programming changes soon. The longtime afternoon drive show “Common Man & T-Bone,” starring Mike
Ricordati and Jonathan Smith, will be split up with Smith moving to mornings alongside Tyvis Powell. The current morning show, “Morning Juice,” hosted by Brandon Beam and Bobby Carpenter is going away with Beam moving to the evening “Buckeye Show” and Carpenter going to the digital side for a 6:00 am to 8:00 am streaming show. See the Dispatch story here.
PodcastOne partners with Flightpath to use its predictive analytics platform. PodcastOne says the move will provide its sales and operations teams with the tools to optimize yield, unlock revenue potential, execute faster,
and make more strategic decisions. PodcastOne director of podcast business Michal Ksepko says, “Flightpath gives us the clarity and efficiency we need as our business scales. From forecasting to cross-platform analysis, their tools are helping us operate smarter and drive stronger results for both our creators and brand partners.”
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that former WNIR, Akron radio personality Angela Bellios has died at age 53.
The story reports that the 53-year-old Bellios, who had left the radio business in 2021, was found dead at a friend’s home where she had been staying while dog-sitting. The cause of death was not revealed and is pending an investigation. See the Beacon Journal story here.