Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root Show to Be Simulcast on UntamedNation Platform

Las Vegas-based talk media personality Wayne Allyn Root announces that his Talk Media Network nationally syndicated radio show will be simulcast as a two-hour podcast on UntamedNation.com andimg streamed live on Rumble, and soon on both YouTube and X. Root tells TALKERS, “I’m thrilled to announce I’m now part of ‘Untamed Nation’ two hours a day. This gives my fans a daily choice – they can listen to my talk show on the radio, or they can watch both hours streamed as a podcast. Untamed is quite a unique platform. Untamed cuts through the noise and brings the truth to light. We are bold, empowering, and disruptive. No filters, no fear. Just raw untamed truth. It’s the perfect platform for ‘the loudest MAGA mouth in the world.’”

Industry News

2025 Black Effect Podcast Festival Set for April 26 in Atlanta

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God announce that the Black Effect Podcast Festival will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm at Pullman Yards in Atlanta. Charlamagne Tha God will join the festival alongside some of the Black Effect’s most popular personalities for a day full of live podcastimg tapings and discussions aimed at aspiring podcasters in the Black community. He says, “We’re excited to return to Atlanta, building on the incredible momentum of the podcast industry and the growing impact of Black creators in the space. As the influence of Black voices continues to shape culture and drive conversations, The Black Effect remains committed to powerful storytelling, meaningful brand collaborations and unforgettable live experiences. This year, we’re celebrating not just where we’ve been – we’re embracing the limitless future of Black podcasting and the influence it holds.”

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 Budget Battle
2. Musk’s “Justify Your Job” Email
3. Tariffs and Inflation Fears
4. Russia-Ukraine War/U.S. Minerals Deal
5. Immigration Gold Card

Industry News

Townsquare Announces New $490 Million Credit Agreement

Townsquare Media Inc announces a new $490 million credit agreement with Bank of America. The dealimg provides Townsquare with a five-year, $470 million senior secured term loan facility and a five-year, $20 million senior secured revolving credit facility. Townsquare used $453 million of net proceeds from the Senior Secured Credit Facility plus cash on hand to redeem the outstanding 6.875% senior secured notes due 2026. Both the term loan and the credit revolver mature on February 19 of 2030.

Industry News

iHeartMedia and Qatar Partner for Regional Podcasting Hub

iHeartMedia announces a multi-year partnership with the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar to create a thriving podcasting industry in the Middle East and North Africa. iHeartMedia says, “The partnership brings world-class podcasting infrastructure to Qatar and will spark a wave of creative storytelling across the MENA region, leading to the region becoming a global podcasting hub.” iHeartMedia will developimg a state-of-the-art podcast studio in Qatar, accompanied by a lineup of original shows and the introduction of some of the world’s most popular podcasts to Arabic-listening audiences. It will also execute specialized masterclasses to nurture local talent and host global industry events, including Web Summit gatherings, positioning Qatar as a meeting point for the world’s top podcasting voices. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman comments, “Podcasting has exploded in the US and is now a mass-reach medium. And iHeartMedia, with our expansive network as the #1 podcaster in America, is in a unique position to grow strong listenership around the globe. iHeartPodcasts features a massive catalog of original shows spanning every category and this new partnership creates an opportunity to work with a long roster of incredible creators and distribute even more content to new audiences in the Middle East.”

Industry News

Rickard and Boyd Join Bowen on “The Fan Morning Show”

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Indianapolis sports talk WFNI-AM/WIBC-HD2/W228CX/W298BB “93.5 & 107.5 The Fan” announces the addition of Jeff Rickard and James Boyd to the morning show with incumbent Kevin Bowen. The Urban One station says, “Kevin Bowen, a staple of Indy sports radio and a trusted voice on ‘The Fan,’ continues his role as your morning companion. Known for his deep roots in Indianapolis and unmatched Colts coverage, Kevin brings day-to-day expertise and the local sports passion fans love. Joining him is Jeff Rickard, an experienced and nationally respected sports media veteran who has called Indianapolis home for over a decade. Twice honored as Sports Illustrated’s National Sports Radio Host of the Year, Jeff delivers a wealth of knowledge, versatility, and charisma that guarantees compelling, high-energy discussions. Adding a fresh perspective is James Boyd, a dynamic Colts reporter for The Athletic with a sharp eye for analysis and storytelling. Alongside his insights on the Colts, James also occasionally writes on the Pacers and Fever.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Promotes Jessica Fuller in Asheville

iHeartMedia Asheville names Jessica Fuller senior vice president of sales for the cluster that includesimg news/talk WWNC-AM, sports talk WPEK-AM “ESPN Asheville,” plus five music brands. She says, “I couldn’t be more thankful for the mentorship and support I’ve received throughout my career at iHeart, which has brought me to this exciting opportunity. Working alongside such talented colleagues in this beautiful, resilient mountain town is a true privilege. I look forward to continuing to grow with iHeartMedia and helping our amazing clients succeed with the best strategies in the business.”

Industry News

Matt Jones Inks New Deal with iHeartMedia Kentucky

Air personality Matt Jones and iHeartMedia sign an exclusive five-year agreement for Jones to continue his current role as host of “Kentucky Sports Radio” on NewsRadio 630 WLAP-AM in Lexington, SportsTalk 790img AM in Louisville and 51 other stations around Kentucky. iHeartMedia Kentucky/Memphis area president Kristy Beebe states, “We are incredibly excited to extend our partnership with Matt Jones and ‘Kentucky Sports Radio.’ Matt’s unique insights and engaging style have made him a beloved figure in the sports community, and we are proud to continue bringing his show to our dedicated audience. This renewal underscores our commitment to delivering top-notch sports content and maintaining our position as the leading audio company in the region.”

Industry News

SRN’s Gallagher and Tradup at NRB Conference

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Pictured above at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas attending the National Religious Broadcasters’ International Christian Media Convention are Salem Radio Network talk host Mike Gallagher (left), Colorado Christian University president (and former Salem Sacramento talk host) Eric Hogue (center), and SRN VP/news and talk programming Tom Tradup (right). Some 5,000 attendees are expected at the four-day convention.

Industry News

Susan Larkin Joins NAB Radio Board of Directors

Audacy chief operating officer Susan Larkin is appointed to the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Board of Directors by Radio Board Chair Collin Jones, assuming the seat previously held by David Field.img Larkin leads Audacy’s portfolio of markets, revenue and content teams, overseeing the company’s extensive audio platform, which includes broadcasting, podcasting, digital, network, live events, music, sports and news. She is also a board member of the Radio Advertising Bureau and has served on the boards of the Florida Association of Broadcasters and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Industry News

Broadcasters Foundation Announces Awards Recipients

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announces the recipients of the 2025 Leadership Awards, the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award, and the Chairman’s Award in advance of the BFOA Annual Breakfast set for Wednesday, April 9 in the Encore Resort during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The 2025img Leadership Award honorees are: Chris Forgy, president & CEO, Saga Communications; David Kantor, former CEO of Urban One’s Radio Division; Curtis LeGeyt, president & CEO, NAB; Susan Larkin, COO, Audacy; Dennis Lyle, president & CEO, Illinois Broadcasters Association; and Valari Staab, chairman, NBC Universal Local. The 2025 Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award honoree is Scott Herman, former COO, CBS Radio, and chair, Broadcasters Foundation of America. The2025 Chairman’s Award honoree is Richard Bodorff, senior counsel, Wiley Law.

Industry News

MSG Broadcaster Al Trautwig Dies at 68

The New York Post reports that New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig died on Sunday (2/23) at his home on Long Island after complications from cancer. The Post notes, “The Long Island native had been a mainstay in New York sports fans’ homes over his decades-long broadcasting career, covering everything from the Yankees to the Knicks and Rangers, as well as the New York City Marathon and the Olympics.” See the Post story here.

Industry News

WQAM, Miami to Host Buckets & Bets Event

Audacy sports talk WQAM-AM, Miami will host “Buckets & Bets,” presented by Hard Rock Bet March 20-23 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Described as the ultimate college basketballimg tournament watch party, Buckets & Bets will “provide college basketball enthusiasts with a front-row seat to all the men’s college basketball tournament action. Massive LED screens around the room will display every game from the tournament. Fans will have access to an open bar, on-site betting, bar games, insider commentary, and more special surprises.”

Industry News

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. Musk vs Federal Workers
2. Russia-Ukraine War/Trump-Macron Meeting
3. Mike Johnson’s Budget Resolution
4. Bongino Named to FBI Post
5. MSNBC Changes

Industry News

Dan Bongino Chosen as Deputy FBI Director

President Donald Trump announces that Cumulus Media | Westwood One nationally syndicated talk host Dan Bongino will become the deputy director of the FBI. Prior to his career as a talk media personality, Bongino served as a police officer in New York City and as a Secret Service agent. The Wall Street Journal notes that Bongino becoming the deputy director is the first instance in 117 years that the post will be filledimg by a political appointee instead of a career agent. The role of the deputy director is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the bureau’s law enforcement. The Journal also reports that new FBI director Kash Patel had “offered Republican senators private assurances that he would name a special agent with bureau experience” in order to provide “operational expertise and experience.” The FBI Agents Association has made no public statement so far. Cumulus Media issued the following statement: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dan Bongino on his decision to take on the role of deputy director of the FBI. Dan has entertained and informed tens of millions of listeners every day and we are grateful for our successful partnership. We look forward to welcoming Dan back in the future. We truly value our audience, advertisers, and affiliates and remain dedicated to bringing them the next exciting chapter for this programming soon. Dan’s last show will be Friday, March 14.”

Industry News

Report: Red Apple Chief Catsimatidis Supports Family Friend Over Frank Morano for Staten Island Council Seat

According to a story at SILive, Red Apple Media Group owner John Catsimatidis is throwing his support behind Republican Staten Island City Council seat candidate Griffin Fossella over fellow Republican and WABC overnight host Frank Morano. Catsimatidis says he’s a longtime family friend of the Fossellas andimg that Griffin Fossella worked for him on his 2013 NYC mayoral campaign. Responding to the issue, Morano tells SILive, “We all have personal relationships in this race. I’m proud to have the support of the Staten Island Republican Party… and I look forward to debating my opponent on the issues impacting South Shore residents. John [Catsimatidis] is a good friend and has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to do a nationally syndicated radio show. I’ll always be grateful to him for every opportunity he’s given me.” Catsimatidis says of Morano, “He’s a good broadcaster and he always has a job at WABC.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: For Podcasters, “The Magic Words” Are Even MORE Magic

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgRadio is an intimate, one-to-one medium; so “you” and “your” – speaking to one person – will resonate more than addressing “all of you.” There’s only one of me.

Podcasting is even more personal, because listeners choose content in a more intentional way than they push dashboard AM/FM buttons. And because many podcast topics are specialty topics, it’s high-affinity stuff.

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A major league sportscaster I’ve coached (who really gets it) put it this way: “We’re Fed-Exing it to their brains.” Said another way: Make eye contact.

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

FOX News: Hannity’s Trump and Musk Interview Grabs 5.4 Million Viewers

FOX News reports that Sean Hannity’s interview with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk “dominated television” on Tuesday night with 5.4 million viewers and 733,000 in the 25-54 demo. The interview deliveredimg a 52% increase with viewers and 58% increase in the 25-54 demo compared to Hannity’s 2025 average and saw a 129% increase with viewers compared to the same day last year. The FOX News exclusive secured nearly 70% of the cable news audience at 9:00 pm ET and was the highest-rated episode of “Hannity” in 2025 aside from Inauguration Day. According to YouTube analytics and Emplifi, FOX News drove 20.5 million video views across YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram and Facebook.

Industry News

Dr. Asa Featured in Ongoing TNA Wrestling Storyline

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Nationally syndicated talk radio and talk TV star Dr. Asa (Asa Andrew, MD) has been developing a side career in the professional wrestling business in which he plays the roles of a ringside physician. You can see him in this current developing storyline at TNA Wrestling in which he’s confronted by female wrestling star Tessa Blanchard. See the video here.



Industry News

Red Apple Launches “The StoneZONE”

Red Apple Audio Networks and 77WABC Radio are debuting a new evening show starring political strategist Roger Stone titled, The StoneZONE that will air live from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET. Red Apple chief Johnimg Catsimatidis says, “With the addition of The StoneZONE, radio audiences will have Roger’s perspective on news of the day in real-time. Our world is moving quicker than ever before, and listeners want to hear Roger’s insider’s understanding of what’s really going on in politics.” Following each evening’s broadcast, a video version of that StoneZONE will soon be exclusively available on Stone’s StoneZONE Rumble channel. This new show is in addition to the syndicated Sunday “Roger Stone Show” that also airs on WABC.

Industry News

Todd Starnes Show Added in St. Louis Market

The nationally syndicated “Todd Starnes Show” is joining The Real Talk Radio Network has airing daily onimg KRTK, Hermann; KVMO, Vandalia; and KRTE, Steelville in Missouri. For information on carrying Todd’s show, email todd@starnesmediagroup.com.

Industry News

iHeartMedia’s KGB-AM Named SDFC’s English Radio Partner

Major League Soccer’s San Diego FC announces that iHeartMedia’s KGB-AM “San Diego Sports 760 AM” will serve as the club’s official English-language broadcast radio partner while Grupo PSN’s TUDN 1700 AM will be the club’s official Spanish-language radio partner. The multi-year partnerships ensure comprehensiveimg live match coverage, expert analysis, and exclusive club content for San Diego FC fans across the region. San Diego FC CEO Tom Penn comments, “We are thrilled to welcome iHeartMedia and Grupo PSN as our official radio broadcast partners. These partnerships will allow us to connect with fans in both English and Spanish, ensuring that every moment of San Diego FC’s journey is accessible to our passionate supporters.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend (2/22-23)

The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

1. Elon Musk and DOGE
2. Russia-Ukraine War/Zelensky
3. GOP Pols Hearing from Angry Constituents
4. Pope Francis in Critical Condition
5. Conservatives Win German Elections

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Now, the Advanced Course

By Walter Sabo
CEO Sabo Media Advisors
Walter M. Sterling
Host, “Sterling Every Damn Night,” WPHT Philadelphia
“Sterling On Sunday,” TMN Syndication

imgJim Gearhart is a remarkable on-air talent who was the AM drive host on New Jerey 101.5 for 20-plus years. In the 1960’s he was a star on WCBS-AM and WNEW. The illustration is an ad for his 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm show on WNBC circa 1968.

At first glance the ad presents a normal appeal to listen to Jim. Take another look. The message is: “Listen to Jim, he’s back,

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“AND, you can talk to the biggest stars.”

One-on-one conversation between a listener and a newsmaker was BRAND NEW. All of the WNBC ads at the time stress that listeners could talk directly with celebrities. Listeners had to be “taught” that radio took phone calls!

There are two different types of talk radio cities: legacy cities and expansion cities.

Until the mid-1980s there were approximately 48 full-time talk stations. Their host cities had embraced talk radio since the dawn of radio. Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Miami. When satellites made it possible for more cities to have a talk station, expansion talk outlets had a serious challenge. A challenge I witnessed at WHBQ, Memphis.

WHBQ was the first telephone talk station in the hometown of Elvis. It was not doing well despite strong talent, signal and RKO money. Very few calls. Focus group participants revealed the answer: “Oh, I can call in? I thought those were actors.” The people of Memphis had never heard a telephone talk station and therefore didn’t know how it “worked.”

WNBC had the same challenge. It was the first TELEPHONE talk station in New York. Dominant WOR was #1 for decades but never took a listener phone call. The ad for Jim sold the innovation that listeners could talk to the radio.

To evolve the format, collectively we desperately need new programming features. Features as compelling as the power of one listener talking one-on-one to a newsmaker.

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com

Industry Views

Decorated Navy Seal Robert J. O’ Neill is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Video

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The highly decorated Navy Seal who fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011, Robert J. O’Neill, is this week’s guest on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel video, “Up Close Far Out with Michael Harrison.” He is one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time having served at SEAL Team Two, SEAL Team Four and eight years at the legendary SEAL Team Six. Taking part in and leading over 400 combat missions, O’Neill operated in the Balkans, Liberia, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. During his remarkable career, Robert J. O’Neill has been decorated 53 times with medals and honors earned in heroic combat. Harrison and O’Neill engage in an intense conversation about morality, stress, drugs, fear, and the permanent consequences of battle incurred at the most demanding of levels. O’Neill is also the author of the New York Times and London Times bestselling memoir The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior. To view the video in its entirety, please click here.