Creators, Commentators, or Publishers: Liability Remains the Same
Independent political commentators on YouTube have embraced the "creator" identity, but the legal label does not shield them. Courts treat their videos as publications, applying the same defamation standards that govern traditional broadcasters. The absence of FCC oversight removes a regulatory layer but leaves the core liability unchanged. Monetization and rapid‑editing practices further heighten exposure to false‑statement claims.
Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (April 6-10)
Talk radio monitoring service TALKERS released its weekly ranking of the most discussed topics on news and talk stations for April 6‑10. The list was led by geopolitical tension surrounding Iran’s cease‑fire talks and Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, followed by volatile...
WTOP Promotes Woodfork as Part of Renewed Sports Initiative
WTOP, Washington’s all‑news station, promoted Rob Woodfork to senior sports analyst as part of its renewed sports initiative. The move is framed as a key element of the station’s long‑term strategy to evolve local sports coverage beyond scores toward deeper...
Edison: Radio Still Dominates In-Car Listening
Edison Research’s Q1 2026 Share of Ear report shows AM/FM radio still commands the majority of in‑car listening, capturing 55% of total audio time among Americans aged 13 and older. Streaming services have grown but remain a distant second at 16%...
Dr. Murray Sabrin Launches Weekly Podcast
Dr. Murray Sabrin, a veteran libertarian economist and former New Jersey gubernatorial candidate, has launched a weekly video podcast called “Health, Wealth, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The show blends interviews with experts from health care, finance, and politics with...
Audacy: 84% Trust All-News Radio
Audacy commissioned a study by Alter Agents revealing that 84% of respondents trust all‑news radio for local news, surpassing both broadcast TV and social media. The research also shows the radio audience is nearly evenly split across the political spectrum,...
Beasley 2025 Q4 Net Revenue Falls 21.1%
Beasley Broadcast Group posted Q4 2025 net revenue of $53 million, a 21.1% drop from the same quarter a year earlier, and full‑year revenue of $205.9 million, down 14.3% YoY. The quarter recorded an operating loss of roughly $230 million, driven primarily by...
Jon Patch Celebrates 36 Years of “Talkin’ Pets”
Radio veteran Jon Patch is marking the 36th anniversary of his nationally syndicated weekend show “Talkin’ Pets.” Since its 1990 debut, the program has paired veterinarians and trainers to deliver fresh, hour‑long episodes that can air live on Saturdays or...
Podtrac Top U.S. Podcasts for March Remain Steady
Podtrac’s March 2026 U.S. podcast ranker shows little movement, with NPR’s “NPR News Now” holding the top spot for a second straight month. DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” advanced to #6, while “The Dan Bongino Show” slipped to #11. NPR’s “The...
Black Effect Podcast Network Welcomes Winner of “Pitch Your Podcast”
iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s Black Effect Podcast Network have added "The Black Mother Wound Podcast" as its newest show, crowning it the winner of the 2025 "Pitch Your Podcast" contest at the Black Effect Podcast Festival. Hosted by Jennifer Arnise, the series...
NRG Media Closes on Sale of Nebraska Stations
NRG Media has finalized the sale of its Nebraska radio portfolio to Usher Media LLC, a company owned by Alan Usher. The deal transfers KGKG-FM’s news/talk station KGFW‑AM in Kearney and three music‑focused FM stations in Hastings, Grand Island and...
Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (4/7)
Talk radio’s daily roundup highlighted five hot‑button issues on April 7. President Trump’s push for an Iran cease‑fire deadline dominated headlines, while volatile oil prices and market moves sparked extensive analysis. The battleground elections in Georgia and Wisconsin captured political...
Segura Named OM for WMAL-FM, Washington
Cumulus Media announced Luis Segura will serve as operations manager for its Washington, D.C. news/talk station WMAL-FM, effective May 4, following the retirement of longtime program director Bill Hess. Segura most recently led programming at KSFO in San Francisco. Cumulus...
Monday Memo: Why Local Media Still Moves Communities
Steven Pinker’s concept of common knowledge highlights how societies coordinate when people know what others know. Local radio and TV stations act as the most efficient channels for creating that shared reality, especially amid fragmented digital media. The article argues...
Graham Returns to Hot Talk 99.5 Morning Show
Leanne Graham has rejoined Dick Broadcasting’s WRNN Hot Talk 99.5 morning show in Myrtle Beach, teaming up with longtime host Joe Cats and producer DJ Slide. Graham originally left the station in 2021 and returns after a three‑year hiatus. Program director Charlie Steele...
Former Miami Mayor Joins FOX News Media
Former Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez has been hired by Fox News Media as a contributor, offering legal and political analysis across the network's platforms. Suarez, who led Miami from 2017 to 2025, now serves as president of investment firm...
More Affiliates for Mark Walters’ “Armed American Radio” And “Daily Defense” Shows
Mark Walters' CCW Broadcast Media added several new radio affiliates for his flagship programs, Armed American Radio and Daily Defense Hour, during February and March. The shows now broadcast on KVOC in Casper, Wyoming; WOBX in North Carolina; WNRJ in...
Goodman Joins KOA’s Rockies Coverage
iHeartMedia’s KOA Denver announced that Zach Goodman will join the Colorado Rockies Radio Network beginning April 4, adding his voice to every home and away game. Goodman, a Colorado native, spent the last two seasons as the radio play‑by‑play announcer for...
Asheville’s WWNC Adds FM Signal
iHeartMedia's Asheville news/talk station WWNC (570 AM) has begun simulcasting on FM translator W225CJ at 92.9 MHz. The move, announced by iHeartMedia Carolinas president Drew Salamon and SVP Zac Davis, follows the station’s critical role during Hurricane Helene. By adding FM coverage,...
Saga Files for 15-Day Extension on 2025 Annual Report
Saga Communications filed a Form 8‑K with the SEC requesting a 15‑day extension to submit its 2025 Form 10‑K, missing the March 31 deadline. The company cited the need for additional time to resolve technical tax issues and accounting impacts stemming...
Pioneering Black Talk Host Bob Law Dies at 86
Bob Law, the pioneering Black radio personality behind "Night Talk," died at 86. The program, launched on New York’s WWRL, entered national syndication in 1981 via the National Black Network, becoming the first Black talk show broadcast across the United...
Dan Dakich Re-Ups with Outkick; Exits WXNT, Indy Radio Show
Multimedia sports platform OutKick has secured Dan Dakich on a multi‑year contract to continue hosting his "Don’t @ Me" show, effective April 1. As part of the agreement, Dakich will exit his traditional radio slot on Cumulus Media’s WXNT‑AM in Indianapolis, making...
Allen Sliwa Named PM Drive Co-Host at KGB-AM, San Diego
iHeartMedia’s San Diego station KGB‑AM announced that veteran broadcaster Allen Sliwa will co‑host its afternoon drive program with Jon Schaeffer, airing weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sliwa comes from the Los Angeles Lakers Radio Network, bringing high‑profile NBA experience to...
TALKERS News Notes
Baltimore Public Media announced a revamped daily schedule for WYPR, adding a live Friday news roundup hosted by Mat Bush and expanding its production team with five new hires. Programming director Maxie Jackson highlighted that the changes align with the...
Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (3/30)
Talk radio’s daily roundup on March 30 highlighted five dominant storylines shaping the national conversation. Listeners heard intense debate over the escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict and a potential Strait of Hormuz blockade, while soaring gas prices and volatile financial markets dominated...
Monday Memo: “Tell Me What Happened”
Personal injury attorneys face a paradox: injuries happen constantly, yet the market is flooded with lawyers, creating an oversupply that outstrips demand. Most firms rely on interchangeable billboards and TV spots promising six‑figure settlements, resulting in a noisy, undifferentiated advertising...
“Friday Night Live” Celebrates Five Years
Kevin McCullough and Cristyne Nicholas marked the fifth anniversary of their “Radio Night Live” program on Salem Media’s WNYM‑AM (970 The Answer) on March 27. Since its March 2021 debut, the show has produced roughly 260 episodes and hosted more...
Salem Media Adds Roku to FAST Partners
Salem Media announced a partnership with The Roku Channel, placing its Salem News Channel directly in Roku’s ad‑supported FAST lineup and Live TV guide. The move follows a recent launch on Amazon Prime Video’s free FAST service and comes as...
“That KEVIN Show” Adds Affiliate Stations
Salem Media announced that its flagship talk program, "That KEVIN Show" hosted by Kevin McCullough, will now air on three additional owned‑and‑operated stations—KDXE in Little Rock, KSLR in San Antonio, and KNTH in Houston. Both the Monday‑Friday weekday edition and...
Bankruptcy Court Allows Cumulus to Use Cash Collateral to Continue Operations
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston approved Cumulus Media's request to use cash collateral, allowing the radio‑broadcast group to keep operating while it pursues a pre‑packaged Chapter 11 plan. The reorganization enjoys support from 83 percent of its lenders and would shift...
CBS News Radio Fallout: Is Broadcast Journalism a Sacred Profession?
CBS News Radio announced its shutdown, ending a century‑long broadcast legacy. The decision was dissected on WPRO’s “The News with Gene Valicenti,” where hosts compared early radio pioneers to today’s media owners. The discussion highlighted the Ellison family’s recent acquisition...
Caroline Beasley to Be Honored by the Florida Association of Broadcasters
Caroline Beasley, chief executive of Beasley Broadcast Group, will be inducted into the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame on June 18, 2026, during a ceremony at The Breakers in Palm Beach. The Florida Association of Broadcasters announced the honor, which...
WVOM Removes George Hale From the Morning Show
Blueberry Broadcasting terminated veteran broadcaster George Hale after a 22‑year run as co‑host of WVOM’s morning show, announcing the decision while he was on vacation in Florida. Vice‑president Bruce Biette framed the move as a need to "evolve the station,"...
Civic Media Closes on Milwaukee Signals
Milwaukee broadcaster Civic Media has finalized its purchase of AM station WZTI and two FM translators previously held by Milwaukee Radio Alliance. The company will maintain the classic hits music format while integrating local news coverage on the newly acquired...
Hubbard Launches New Cubs Podcast
Hubbard Radio’s 312 Sports network is launching “Off the Ivy: A Chicago Cubs Podcast,” hosted by Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola, and Cody Delmendo. The show joins an expanding Chicago‑focused lineup that already includes “Dan Bernstein Unfiltered,” a Bears podcast, and...
Audacy Pittsburgh Produces Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon
Audacy’s Pittsburgh stations KDKA-AM and KDKA-FM "93.7 The Fan" hosted the seventh annual Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon on March 24, raising funds for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The event, sponsored by grocery chain Giant Eagle, leveraged...
WWO: Local Business Uses AM/FM to Create Unaided Awareness
Bug‑a‑Way Pest Control, a Joplin, Missouri pest‑control firm, moved from zero unaided brand awareness to 20 percent after launching an AM/FM radio jingle. The campaign, orchestrated by Westwood One’s Audio Active Group, demonstrated that a simple audio hook can generate significant...
Monday Memo: “What Matters Next” For Radio?
Kate O’Neill’s new book *What Matters Next* argues that AI is not the primary disruptor for radio; human behavior is. The author contends that stations that stay relentlessly human—curious, adaptive, and empathetic—will thrive, while those that double‑down on automation risk...
NYC Radio Icon Richard Neer Publishes 16th Book
Legendary New York radio veteran Richard Neer has released his 16th book, *The Perfect Beast*, continuing the Riley King detective series. The novel blends classic murder‑mystery intrigue with a timely exploration of artificial‑intelligence encroachment on radio and podcast talent. Neer, whose...
“The Meidas Touch” Tops Podtrac’s February Multi-Channel Podcast Ranking
Podtrac’s February 2026 multi‑channel podcast ranking places The Meidas Touch at the top, followed by The Joe Rogan Experience and The Rest is History. The ranking aggregates audio, video, and clip consumption across the U.S., highlighting Meidas Touch’s dominance in video formats....
Radio Night Live Celebrates Five Years of Promoting NYC
Radio Night Live, the Friday night program on WNYM‑AM 970 The Answer, celebrated its five‑year anniversary after launching in March 2021 amid the pandemic. The show, co‑hosted by Kevin McCullough and Cristyne Nicholas, highlights New York City’s tourism, entertainment, hospitality...
New Syndicated Radio Programming Initiative Launches
Maryland Media One has launched Seaboard Networks, a new radio programming and syndication venture delivering 24/7 turnkey formats to stations across the United States. The company will distribute both music‑driven and spoken‑word content, beginning with the Outdoor Radio Network, a...
NYFestivals to Honor Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Stephen Capus
New York Festivals Television & Film Awards and Radio Awards will honor Stephen Capus, president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and former NBC News chief, with its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. The accolade will be presented at the Storytellers Gala on...
NRG Media to Sell Northern Wisconsin Stations to Midwest Communications
NRG Media announced the sale of its Northern Wisconsin radio portfolio, including WOBT‑AM and eleven FM translators, to Midwest Communications’ WRIG, Inc. The transaction expands Midwest’s presence in the Wausau and Rhinelander markets and brings a suite of sports‑talk programming...
Audacy Hosting “The Business of Sports Fandom” Webinar
Audacy is hosting a webinar on March 23 titled “The Business of Sports Fandom: Turning Passion into Advertiser Performance.” The panel features Audacy SVP Jason Newman, Genesco Sports Enterprises CEO Kit Geis, and former NFL star Tiki Barber. The discussion will explore...
Katz and Barrett Celebrate WRVA Anniversary
WRVA, Richmond’s historic talk‑radio station, marked its centennial on March 19, 2026. The celebration featured veteran hosts Jimmy Barrett, who spent 16 years anchoring Richmond’s Morning News before moving to Houston’s KTRH, and Jeff Katz, the station’s afternoon‑drive personality for 13 years....
Radio America Unveils Helios Media Podcast Network
Radio America announced the creation of Helios Media, a new podcast network dedicated to developing, distributing, marketing, and monetizing next‑generation audio content. The company highlighted its proven podcast track record with titles such as The Dana Show, Chicks on the...
WPHT Helps Raise $110k for Veterans Charity
Philadelphia talk radio station WPHT hosted its ninth "Talk Radio 1210 WPHT Radiothon" on March 12, raising $110,115 for the Travis Manion Foundation. The event brought together on‑air personalities Dom Giordano, Rich Zeoli, Nick Kayal, Greg Stocker and Dawn Stensland, who aired veteran...
Townsquare Media Reports 2025 Q4 Revenue Down 9.6%
Townsquare Media posted Q4 2025 net revenue of $106.5 million, a 9.6% decline from the same quarter a year earlier, and recorded a $4.8 million net loss after earning $25 million in Q4 2024. Segment results showed a 14.8% drop in total digital...
Andy Hooser Show Goes National Via Talk Media Network
Wichita-based talk radio host Andy Hooser announced that his program “The Voice of Reason with Andy Hooser” will be nationally syndicated through Talk Media Network. The one‑hour conservative show will air live weekdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, originating from...
