MSBC 38 Set For August 5-7, 2026 Cleveland - Conference/Hotel Registration Now Open

Audacy Unveils Regional Leadership Realignment; Shifts Towards A 'Content-First Model'

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – Audacy has announced a shift away from the traditional market-based structure with one that organizes its programming teams and content by verticals. In a company memo yesterday by CEO Kelly Turner obtained by Jockline, she said in part, "For decades, radio has been organized by market geography. This legacy model doesn’t best serve our business in today’s digital, multi-market landscape, or leverage the extraordinary talent and scale we have within our formats.

"Starting this week, we will organize all our programming teams and content by verticals - news, sports, country, alternative, etc - instead of by location. This unlocks greater scale, resources and expertise for our Brand Managers and frees our market leaders to focus intensely on revenue-generating activities."

Turner added: "To ensure the success of this new approach, Chris Oliviero, our Chief Business Officer and New York Market President, will lead the Content Organization, including Programming, Podcast and Product, and continue to report to me. Reporting to Chris, Leah Reis-Dennis continues to lead our Podcast strategy; John Pacino oversees Product; and Jeff Sottolano continues to oversee Programming, working with our accomplished central team and Format VPs. Brand Managers will now report directly to their Format VP."

"As part of this structure change, Bob Philips (Chief Revenue Officer) and Liz Mozian (EVP, Revenue Operations) will report directly to me to ensure our sales strategies are as modern as our content," said Turner. "Additionally, I let you know Brian Purdy was transitioning from Regional President to Senior Advisor this year. In close consultation with our leadership team, we have reassigned the markets he was overseeing to our other Regional Presidents

Turner closed by saying, "Local radio remains a lifeblood, and this helps make us even stronger and better as the business evolves. I look forward to connecting with you on our next Audacy All-Team Check-In, where we can discuss these changes and the exciting year ahead."

EDISON: Podcast Listening Hours Increased by 355%: Video Is Redefining Podcasting

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – New podcast consumers are more likely to actively watch video podcasts than longtime consumers, according to The Evolving Ear: How New Listeners are Shaping Podcasting’s Next Chapter, a report from Edison Research presented yesterday via webinar. Drawing from over 20 years of Edison Research data, Senior Research Director Gabriel Soto revealed how the next wave of podcast consumers is reshaping the medium.

The study examines “first-year” podcast listeners—those who started listening within the last year and represent 20% of U.S. weekly podcast consumers—comparing their behaviors to “long-timers” who have been listening for five years or more and account for 25% of weekly consumers. Much of the data stems from Edison Podcast Metrics, Edison Research’s quarterly research study of weekly podcast consumers, who represent 40% of the American population. Key findings include:

Key findings include: 

• Podcast Listening Hours Increase by 355%: According to Edison’s national Share of Ear quarterly study, ten years ago Americans spent a total of 170 million weekly podcast listening hours. Today, Americans spend a total of 773 million hours per week—an increase of 355%. 
• Video is Redefining Podcasting: 77% of first-year listeners actively watch video podcasts, surpassing the 75% who listen to audio-only podcasts. Video has transformed the definition of the word podcast, and its effect continues with new consumers. 
• Video Discovery Drives Audio Listening: 72% of first-years and 68% of long-timers say they have started listening to the audio-only version of a podcast after discovering its video version, demonstrating that video discovery helps drive audio consumption. 
• Smart TVs Surpass Smart Speakers: Podcasting is disrupting what’s on TV in American households. Since 2021, the share of US podcast consumers who use smart TVs most often for podcasts has increased from 1% to 9%, surpassing podcast consumption on the smart speaker.  
• Social Media Platforms Dominate for First-Years: First-years are 9 times more likely than long-timers to use social media platforms—Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram—most often to consume podcasts. (9% vs 1%) 
• Demographics Are Evolving: First-year listeners are far more likely to be women, with 52% of first-years identifying as women versus 39% of long-timers. There’s an 8-year difference in median age between first-years (35) and long-timers (43). In terms of ethnicity, 39% of first-years identify as Hispanic, Black, Asian, or with another non-white ethnic group, compared with 25% among long-timers. Despite being younger, first-years are more likely to be Republican (36%) than Democrat (29%). 

“As an industry, we need to be prepared for the incoming diversity of both people and thought,” said Gabriel Soto, Senior Research Director at Edison Research, when outlining the evolving demographics of podcast consumers. Soto also implied that increases in video podcast consumption on Smart TVs and Social Media meant “that podcasting also needs to be prepared for a state of constant disruption.”

Garret Doll Named Morning Host And Brand Manager Of WOKQ Portsmouoth, NH - Now On The Hunt For Co-Host

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – Townsquare Media has named Garret Doll Brand Manager of Top-rated Country station, 97.5 WOKQ Portsmouth and host of its next morning show. "WOKQ isn’t just a radio station - it’s a legacy,” said Doll. “To step into this role at a station with this kind of history is both an honor and a responsibility I don’t take lightly. I’m beyond excited to join Townsquare Media and help guide this station into its next era—one that’s fearless, fun, and focused on the community we serve every day.”

“WOKQ has been deeply rooted in The Granite State for generations of listeners, and Garret truly understands what makes this community special,” said Christine Sieks, Regional Vice President and Market President. “He has a natural ability to create local, relatable, and meaningful content… connecting local listeners, businesses, and the stories that matter most across the region.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Garret to Townsquare,” said Townsquare Director of Country Content and Programming Matty Jeff. “His vision, leadership, and passion for country—combined with a strong multi-platform mindset—make him the perfect fit to lead the iconic 97.5 WOKQ.” Doll’s first mission is to find a brilliant co-host for the station’s morning show. If you have the passion to entertain country fans in a great market with the tools to win, go to https://careers.townsquaremedia.com now!

Sid Rosenberg Celebrates 10 Years on WABC Radio With Seven-Hour Live Broadcast

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – WABC Radio Morning Host Sid Rosenberg marked a major milestone today, celebrating 10 years on WABC Radio with a special seven-hour live broadcast from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., airing from WABC’s event space, Studio 77. The anniversary broadcast was a star-studded, emotional, and unforgettable celebration of Rosenberg’s long term impact on New York radio, featuring appearances and messages from some of the most influential voices in politics and media.

Joining Sid live on the air were John and Margo Catsimatidis, Owners of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio. During the broadcast, John Catsimatidis reaffirmed his bold vision for the legendary station, vowing to take WABC Radio international. “Sid Rosenberg is one of the most authentic voices in radio today,” said John Catsimatidis. “For the past 10 years, he’s connected with listeners in a way that’s real, passionate, and fearless. WABC is growing, we’re investing in the future, and Sid is a huge part of why this station’s best days are still ahead — not just in New York, but around the world.”

“Ten years at WABC has been the honor of my career,” said Sid Rosenberg. “This station gave me a microphone, a family, and the freedom to be unapologetically myself every morning. I’m incredibly grateful to John and Margo Catsimatidis, Chad Lopez, and the entire WABC team for believing in me, and to the listeners who’ve been with me through every high and low. This anniversary isn’t about looking back — it’s about how much more we’re going to do together.”

Beasley's 98.5 The Sports Hub To Offer Wall-To-Wall Coverage Of Super Bowl From Radio Row

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – Beasley Media Group’s 98.5 The Sports Hub, The Official Flagship Station of the New England Patriots, will be bringing fans wall-to-wall Super Bowl Week coverage live from Radio Row in San Francisco culminating with the official local call of the Big Game. Starting Monday, February 2nd right through Sunday’s game, listeners can expect nonstop Patriots coverage, exclusive interviews, and original content across on-air, digital, and social platforms.

Live from Radio Row / Monday–Friday Zolak & Bertrand | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET Felger & Mazz | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET “Big Game Preview” | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET Daily show hosted by Joe Murray along with Alex Barth, who will be live from San Francisco, the show will feature daily updates on the team practices, injury reports, interviews, and analysis, Show will stream live on 98.5 YouTube channel. In addition, 98.5 The Sports Hub will deliver two full weeks of original Patriots coverage featuring insights from David Andrews, Bert Breer, Greg Bedard, Mike Reiss, Paul Perillo, Andrew Callahan and Chris Gasper — available on-air, online, and across social channels. “After an eight-year absence,

The Sports Hub is thrilled to celebrate the Patriots’ return to the big game with fans across the region,” said station Program Director Rick Radzik. “We’ll once again deliver the best coverage all week, capped by the best call of the game on Sunday. Pats Nation will be well represented in San Francisco, and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

“Super Bowl” is a trademark of the National Football League. This release is for informational purposes and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the NFL.

United Stations Appoints Ken Prehl As Director Of Affiliate Sales & Special Projects

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – United Stations announced the appointment of Ken Prehl as Director of Affiliate Sales & Special Projects. In his new role, Prehl will oversee United Stations’ affiliate sales and relations, including client partnerships, affiliate engagement, and collaboration on product strategy and development.

Prehl brings more than two decades of experience from AccuWeather, where he most recently served as Director, Audio Services. During his tenure, he rose from broadcaster to head of the company’s radio division, earning a reputation as a respected product leader with deep insight into station operations and affiliate support.

“Ken and I worked closely together for more than a decade while he served in senior leadership at AccuWeather, and I have the utmost confidence in his professionalism, leadership, and commitment to our vision,” said Stefan Jones, President of United Stations. “He is uniquely qualified to lead our affiliate relations efforts and help drive growth across our expanding product portfolio.”

Prehl added, “United Stations has a clear trajectory and strong leadership. I’m excited to join the team and help shape the company’s future while delivering meaningful value to our affiliates and partners.” Ken Prehl reports directly to President Stefan Jones. His appointment is effective immediately. He can be reached at kprehl@unitedstations.com

98.9 WRMF's KVJ Show Delivers A Night of Laughs, And Unfiltered Fun At The South Florida Fair

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 28TH, 2026 – 97.9 WRMF'S The KVJ Show lit up the Coke Florida Stage at the South Florida Fair on Friday, January 23rd, with a packed evening of comedy, chaos, and unmistakable KVJ charm. Fans filled the venue for an up-close, uncensored experience that brought the beloved radio crew’s on-air chemistry to life like never before.

The live event featured a high-energy mix of fan‑favorite games, performances by The Snack Pack, outrageous stories, and behind-the-scenes banter pulled straight from The KVJ Show and their After the Show (ATS) podcast. Audience members got in on the action with interactive segments, improvised moments, and the signature unpredictability KVJ is known for.

The KVJ Show continues to strengthen its connection to listeners with immersive events like this—bringing the community together for an unforgettable night of entertainment and unfiltered fun. KVJ LIVE AT THE SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR (recap HERE)

Lady Gaga Covers Mister Rogers Theme For Super Bowl Ad

‘American Idol’ Sings With Best Debut In Four Years

Alex Cooper Sets Surprise Podcast Special With K-Pop Star Rosé Ahead of the Grammys

Stephen Colbert Reveals Date Of Final 'Late Show' Episode With Subtle Dig At CBS

Pharrell Accused Of Cutting Longtime Collaborator Out Of Profits And Deals

Lady Gaga Covers Mister Rogers Theme for Super Bowl Commercial

Neil Young’s Gift To Greenland: Free Access To His Entire Music Catalog

Unused 'That Thing You Do!' Demos By ’90s Power-Pop Bands Surface 30 Years Later

Sources: Bill Belichick Will Not Be A First-Ballot Hall of Famer

Claire Danes Admits She Had A ‘Meltdown’ After Learning She Was Pregnant At 44

Sundance Film Festival Saying Goodbye To Park City, Utah

Photo/DKC

SHARE JOCKLINE WITH A COLLEAGUE -  CLICK HERE

Kyle Madson & Jesse Tapia Lead Off New On-Air Lineup On Audacy's ESPN 1320 Sacramento

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – Aucacy's ESPN 1320 (KIFM-AM) in Sacramento, unveils a new programming lineup effective February 2. The station is launching “The Jump,” a new morning show co-hosted by Kyle Madson and Jesse Tapia. “The Jump” will air weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. PT and re-air as “The Jump: Rewind” from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT. Tapia is stepping into the role of an on-air host for the first time and will continue serving as the producer for “D-Lo and KC.” “D-Lo and KC” with Damien Barling & Kenny Caraway is shifting to afternoon drive and will be heard from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. PT.

James Ham is expanding his role as the Sacramento Kings insider, spearheading the station’s coverage of the team. Listeners can hear breaking news updates and analysis from him weekly on “The Jump” and “D-Lo & KC.” "Jesse brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for sports, and we’re excited to evolve our lineup with the launch of ‘The Jump,’ bringing high-energy to Sacramento mornings,” said Madson, Brand Manager and Host, ESPN 1320. “By moving the unmatched wit of D-Lo & KC to the full afternoon drive and having James as our Kings Insider across all shows, we’re doubling down on the local insight and personality that defines Northern California sports radio."

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Tapia. “Hosting is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid, and I can’t wait to be on air with Kyle talking sports and just having fun on the radio."

IT'S TODAY: Edison's' 'Evolving Ear: How New Listeners Are Shaping Podcasting’s Next Chapter '

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – Edison Research will present The Evolving Ear: How New Listeners are Shaping Podcast’s New Chapterin a webinar on Tuesday, January 27th at 2 PM ET. The future of podcasting may be unpredictable, but listener trends offer the best clues about where it’s headed.

Drawing from over 20 years of Edison Research data, Senior Research Director Gabriel Soto will explore how the next wave of podcast consumers is shaping the medium. Discover who these consumers are, the topics capturing their attention, what they think about AI, and more.

This session, originally delivered as a keynote at Podcast Movement, has been reimagined as a webinar to help podcasters, networks, brands, and audio professionals stay ahead of a rapidly evolving market. Edison Research is now a part of SSRS. Register HERE

MediaCo Appoints Maire Mason To Lead Local Radio And Television Operations Across NYC, Chicago And Denver

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – MediaCo Holding Inc. announced the appointment of Maire Mason as Vice President and General Manager of Local MediaCo Markets. In this role, Mason will oversee MediaCo’s local radio and television operations across New York City, Chicago, and Denver, with responsibility for marquee brands including HOT 97 (WQHT-FM), WBLS-FM, Luna 107.5 (WBLS-HD2), La Buena (WQHT-HD2), and EstrellaTV’s WMBC-TV in the New York tri-state area

Mason joins MediaCo from Spanish Broadcasting System, where she served as Vice President and General Manager for the New York market. Her career also includes more than 20 years at CBS Radio/Infinity Broadcasting, as well as senior leadership roles at Univision New York and Cumulus Media, where she helped launch New York City’s first FM news station and its first country station.

“Maire is an extraordinary executive and one of the top leaders in audio,” said Albert Rodriguez, CEO of MediaCo Holding Inc. “Her experience, market insight, and leadership make her the ideal person to lead our local operations as we continue to grow.” “This opportunity doesn’t come around often,” said Mason. “I’m excited to lead iconic brands like HOT 97 and WBLS alongside La Luna, La Buena, and WMBC, and to work with a leadership team that is building something special.”

MediaCo also announced Liz Paulino has been appointed Director of Sales, reporting to Mason, further strengthening the company’s local leadership team.

Z-93 Scott Sharp Return To Mornings At Z-93 Dayton

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – Connoisseur Media’s WGTZ-FM/Z-93 announced the return of Scott Sharp, a familiar and beloved voice for the Gem City. Sharp has been named as the new morning show host: The Morning Z with Scott Sharp, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

“I am beyond excited to be back on the Morning Z on the legendary Z-93,” said Sharp. “Being live every morning from 6 to 10 allows us to take things to the next level and focus on what's happening NOW in Dayton. The music you remember, the station you remember and now the fun you remember, LIVE every morning on Z-93”.

"The Z-93 relaunch continues to grow, “ said Joel Murphy, Z-93 Program Director. “Scott's passion for knows no bounds. I have no doubt his strong commitment to the brand, our listeners and our clients will take us to the next level. We're just getting started!"

670 The Score Chicago To Air 'Honoring an Original: A Terry Boers Celebration of Life'

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – Audacy's The Score will remember legendary host Terry Boers with a special show today from noon to 7 p.m. The Score will remember Boers by airing "Honoring an Original: A Terry Boers Celebration of Life." The special show will celebrate the life and legacy of Boers, who passed away on Friday.

He was a Score original, having started at the station with its inception in 1992. Across 25 years, Boers shaped The Score and authored so many memorable moments before retiring in 2017. We'll remember him and those moments Tuesday by sharing our favorite memories and welcoming on former Score hosts and co-workers.

Following his passing, Operations Director Mitch Rosen posted on X, "Terry was original, funny, smart, witty and most importantly a beautiful person. Terry's family's wish is there won't be a funeral, but The Score will celebrate his life on the air next week. So today and forever, RIP Terry Boers."

You can listen on the airwaves on 670 The Score, on the online stream HERE and on the Audacy app. You can also watch the show on 670 The Score's YouTube page and Twitch stream.

Photo/courtesy of Audacy

Joy Lab Podcast Named Ambie Award Nominee In Wellness & Relationships Category

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – The Joy Lab Podcast has been nominated a 2026 Ambie Award in the Wellness & Relationships category, recognizing the show’s impact as a mental health resource at the intersection of psychology, health and accessible storytelling. Presented by The Podcast Academy, The Ambies honor excellence and innovation across the audio and podcasting industry. The nomination places Joy Lab among the most influential wellness podcasts and underscores the growing role audio plays in mental health prevention, early support, and public awareness.

“Being nominated for an Ambie Award by The Podcast Academy is incredibly meaningful," said Aimee Prasek, PhD, co-host of Joy Lab. "Joy Lab was created to normalize mental health conversations and help people build skills that don't just help them feel better—but actually help them tap into their joy. We meet listeners where they are with science-backed, human conversations that offer tools, clarity, and hope. This nomination affirms that podcasting can be a powerful, public health vehicle to boost our individual and collective mental health.”

Public voting is now open for the 2026 Ambie Awards. TPA members can cast their vote in the Wellness & Relationships category by visiting: VOTE HERE/ Winners of the 2026 Ambie Awards will be announced on February 23, 2026, during On Air Fest in Brooklyn, NY.

Benztown Introduces 'AirReady' Powered By AI,

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – Benztown announces that it has powered up its Audio Production Libraries with today’s launch of an advanced new feature “AirReady,” the innovative feature is powered by AI technology. Andreas Sannemann, Chief Executive Officer, Benztown, said: “AirReady is a game-changer for Benztown’s library offerings and marks a step towards ultimate creative freedom in customizing the imaging elements that you love with one click.”

Oliver Klenk, Head of Production & Composition, Benztown, noted: “AirReady transforms how production teams work with our libraries. Instead of spending hours rebuilding imaging pieces, producers can now focus on what matters most - creating distinctive, on-brand audio that connects with their audience. This technology gives stations the flexibility to maintain their unique sonic identity while leveraging the full creative potential of Benztown's production libraries."

Benztown will host a free 30-minute AirReady webinar for radio professionals on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 9:00am Register for the webinar HERE. For more info, contact Masa Patterson, VP, Sales & Operations, Benztown, at: mp@benztown.com or at (818) 842-4600.

Reacting To Chaos In A Hyper-Connected World

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 26TH, 2026 – In Consultant Tracy Johnson latest 'Insiders Radio Network' article titled: 'Dealing With Tragedy: React To Now, he highlights a critical shift in how radio must operate in our hyper-connected world — where news breaks not in minutes, but in seconds via push notifications and endless social scrolls. Radio can ill-afford to lag behind, treating crisis like just another segment after the ad break. Instead, it has to pivot to offering what digital feeds often lack — trusted voices delivering context, empathy, and community-specific insights that help listeners process the chaos.

This "React to Now" mindset isn't just for live tragedies; it extends to anything that disrupts the audience's world, from local disasters to cultural shocks. Johnson adds that the speed problem is real. Narratives evolve so fast that delaying a response can make a station seem out of touch or uncaring. For personalities on voice-tracked or automated shows, the advice to "just do it" (without recklessness) means building in flexibility with pre-plan interruption protocols

Johnson offers alist ways, how this could look in practice: Immediate acknowledgment: A quick, 15-30 second break-in to say, "We're aware of the developing situation in [location/event], and we'll bring you local updates and resources as we confirm facts." Adding value: Shift from "breaking news" (which listeners already have) to "what it means for you"—interviewing local experts, sharing safety tips, or facilitating community calls for support." "Long-term credibility: These moments build loyalty; mishandle them, and audiences drift to podcasts or apps that feel more immediate," says Johnson. "You've likely seen this play out firsthand. It's a tough balance, but embracing it could keep radio relevant in an era dominated by instant gratification.

"So how can radio personalities compete in a world that rewards instant reaction, especially when many stations are voice-tracked or partially automated?,' asks Johnson. "The answer is uncomfortable but simple. You cannot wait. Just Do It When something genuinely affects the audience, air talent must react immediately or risk being irrelevant. That does not mean being reckless, emotional, out of control, trying something you’re not capable of, or speculating before the facts are known. It means acknowledging the moment while it still matters. Read complete article HERE

'The Kristin Show With Ethan Cole' Debuts Today In Afternoons On Cumulus' Q99.7 Atlanta

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 26TH, 2026 – Just a day after Cumulus Media announces that Q99.7/WWWQ-FM Atlanta was launching a new afternoon drive show, 'The Kristin Show,' hosted by Kristin Klingshirn on Friday Kristin posted a video on social adding that Ethan Cole would be joining as co-host. And with the news came word that the show would now be called 'The Kristin Show With Ethan Cole. The Show will debut today on Q99.7m weekdays, Monday through Friday from 2:00pm-7:00pm.

Klingshirn joined “The Bert Show” as co-host in 2011 on WWWQ-FM. The show was later heard in over 20 markets across the U.S. and ran for about 25 years before ending in October 2025, when Bert Weiss retired. She started her areer with promotions and on-air roles at stations in Lexington, KY, Cincinnati, OH, and Raleigh, NC, before landing in Atlanta.

Justin Schaflander, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Atlanta, said in part: “Kristin’s return to Q99.7 marks the first of many exciting moves as we begin a powerful new chapter for this heritage Atlanta brand. Her passion for this city and her commitment to using her platform for good are exactly what Q99.7 stands for. Kristin has spent more than two decades earning the trust, laughter, and loyalty of Atlanta listeners. -- We are thrilled to launch The Kristin Show as the opening step in the evolution of Q99.7, and there is so much more to come.”

Cole most recently aired in afternoons on iHeart's Power 96.1/WWPW until early 2024. Since leaving Power 96, he's aired on middays for Bonneville’s Now 100.5/KZZO Sacramento. Cole, originally from Los Angeles says, "I’m excited to be back in Atlanta (I lived here for four years and yes, The Local has the best wings you can argue with the wall), and hanging out with you every afternoon on Q997. Oh, and I’m about to be a first-time dad with no idea what I’m doing, so make sure you’re tuned in if you love chaos! "

[WATCH] KROQ's Kevin Klein Calls On Listeners To Help Find Wife's Stolen Car During Live Show

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 26TH, 2026 – Kevin Klein, co-host of the "Klein/Ally Show" on Audacy's KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, was at the station doing his morning show when his wife called, saying her car had been stolen from their driveway as she was getting ready to drop their kids off at school. Klein immediately turned to the LA community, transforming his morning broadcast into a search party. The response was a powerful testament to the bond between a host and their audience. Listeners and law enforcement flooded the lines to check in, including Scott, who successfully spotted the vehicle at a location Klein had shared.

This rapid recovery proved that while radio hosts support their community through the speakers every day, the community is just as ready to have their backs the second the mics are off. The recovery, however, revealed that this was no mere joyride, but a calculated robbery designed to bypass modern security.

Klein shared an update on Friday, noting that while he was getting the keys replaced, the dealership pointed out an SOS light. It turned out that the thieves tore through the rooftop and rear paneling to systematically cut every wire connecting the vehicle to GPS and satellite tracking. The dealerships told Klein that they have seen this issue three times this past month.

Thanks to the quick work of the loyal LA community, Klein's family was able to get the car back before the GPS signal was cut off. What a wild week for Klein's family. They've been able to get their car back, but at a potentially $5K cost in repairs. Klein shared on the air that he's so thankful for the LA community for having his back. WATCH HERE

Curtis '50 Cent Jackson Producing Podcast That Explores DMX’s Origin Story

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 26TH, 2026 – “50 Cent” Jackson Producing Podcast That Explores DMX’s Origin Story To Be Hosted By Jadakiss.' Jackson’s G-Unit Audio is teaming with Narratively on a new podcast series to explore the early life and rise of the late rapper and actor DMX. In collaboration with iHeartPodcasts, 'Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX' will be available everywhere podcasts are heard later this year.

Hosted by Jadakiss, the series will take listeners back to a time before the world knew DMX — when Earl Simmons was a young, fiercely talented artist hustling, battling, and surviving his way through Yonkers, New York. Family members, childhood friends, collaborators, rivals, and cultural icons will share intimate, firsthand insight into DMX’s formative years across the series’ first season.

According to Deadline “DMX’s story is bigger than the music — it’s about survival, faith, pain, and purpose,” shared Jackson. “Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX gives people a chance to understand where X came from, before the fame, through the voices of the people who were really there. This is the story that shaped the legend.”

In addition to Jackson, Miller, and Baez, the series is executive produced by Noah Rosenberg and Paul Anderson of Workhorse Media, the latter of whom negotiated the deal on behalf of Jackson and Narratively in partnership with IAG.

iHeart Announces 'Game Recognize Game' Hosted By Pro Basketball Players Breanna Stewart And Myles Turner

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 26TH, 2026 – iHeart announced the new original podcast “Game Recognize Game with Stewie and Myles,” co-hosted by active professional basketball players WNBA superstar Breanna “Stewie” Stewart and NBA defensive powerhouse Myles Turner. The weekly show will debut on January 28, 2026 with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays. The only show co-hosted by active players from both the WNBA and NBA.

"This has never been done before,” said Turner. “An NBA player and a WNBA player, both active players at that, who can give our perspectives. People can lean on us for anything they want to know about the sport, the lifestyle, the game, the culture – this is the place to come." "There's a few topics that Myles and I are definitely going to butt heads about, said Stewart. “The cats versus dog situation, UConn versus Texas. I know he's like into yoga and all of that, and I'm just working on my flexibility, but I can't wait to really dissect it all. See if he can change my mind about some things, but not about UConn and not about the cats!"

“Game Recognize Game with Stewie and Myles” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Boomeroom Music Network Launches 'Then & Now' Radio Show and Format

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 26TH, 2026 – Boomeroom Music Network and Boomeroom LLC today announced the launch of their groundbreaking "Then & Now" radio show format, designed to inject fresh energy into classic hits, oldies, and adult contemporary stations while preserving the nostalgia that loyal listeners crave.

The "Then & Now" concept pairs a timeless hit ("Then") from iconic legacy artists of the 1950s–1990s with a compelling newer release ("Now" or "NEWdie but Goodie") from the same artist. This creates a seamless, discovery-driven listening experience that feels both familiar and exciting—something no algorithm can replicate. “Then & Now show gives stations something they desperately need: freshness without risk,” said Alan Scharf, Founder and CEO of Boomeroom Music Network. “It pairs the songs listeners already love with the new music their favorite artists are still creating—a tailor-made discovery experience for audiences that radio has overlooked for years. It’s familiar, it’s surprising, and it reminds listeners that the artists who shaped their lives are still out there making great music.”

Key benefits include: •  Refreshing the oldies/classic hits format without alienating core listeners  • Spotlighting new music from trusted legacy artists like Billy Joel, ABBA, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, The Rolling Stones, Whitney Houston, and many more •  Combating repetition fatigue by expanding beyond the typical 300–600 song library - •  Enabling unique storytelling, artist context, and human personality on air and •  Appealing to underserved demographics: 35–49 (curious about artist evolution), 50–69 (active, affluent loyal listeners), and younger music enthusiasts seeking authentic discoveries  - CLICK HERE for full show demo.

For more info, contact Alan Scharf, Founder & CEO, Boomeroom Music Network
Email: abscharf@gmail.com Phone: 954-260-3142

FOX Sports Radio's Rob Parker To Be Inducted Into The Black Sportswriters Hall of Fame

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – FOX Sports Radio’s Rob Parker—co-host of The Odd Couple with Rob Parker & Kelvin Washington, MLB Network analyst, and founder/editor of MLBbro.com— is among the 2026 inductee class for the Black Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Parker started his career as a sportswriter in 1986 at the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. By age 22, he was a full-time sportswriter at the New York Daily News.

Throughout his career, Parker became a trailblazer—serving as the first African American sports columnist at the Detroit Free Press (1993) and at Newsday in New York (1995). In 1991, he became the first African American beat writer to cover the Cincinnati Reds for The Cincinnati Enquirer. He later spent nine years as an award‑winning sports columnist at The Detroit News. Parker will be joined by fellow 2026 inductees Clifton Brown, Garry D. Howard and Ron Thomas. The Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at North Carolina A&T State University's Deese Ballroom at the Student Center.

“What an honor to be recognized by your peers, your people,” said Parker, who celebrated his 40th year in journalism earlier this month. “I’m thrilled to be inducted alongside such a groundbreaking sports editor and accomplished writers. What a class! I’m both humbled and grateful.” The Black Sportwriters Hall of Fame was founded by Parker in 2025 to recognize and honor Black sportswriters and editors for their excellence in journalism.

Steve Bertrand Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award From The RTDNA Foundation

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – WGN Radio announced that the RTDNA Foundation and their 2026 First Amendment Awards has honored Steve Bertrand with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The foundation’s awards celebrate the efforts to promote responsible journalism and preserve the constitutionally guaranteed rights to do so. A cornerstone of the airwaves for four decades, Steve Bertrand retired from WGN Radio in November 2025. His tenure with the station began as an intern in the 1980s, eventually transitioning to anchoring the news in 1992.

Steve stands among a select group of industry leaders recognized this year: JuJu Chang, ABC News Vladimir Duthiers, CBS News Kevin Goldberg, Freedom Forum Jennifer Griffin, Fox News Tom Llamas, NBC News NPR and PBS Bill Owens, (former) 60 Minutes Manu Raju, CNN Jim Rodenbush, (former) Indiana Daily Student Vitus “V” Spehar, Under the Desk News Asal Rezaei, CBS News Chicago (Citation of Courage Award).

The RTDNA Foundation, the educational arm of the Radio Television Digital News Association, is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism and fostering leadership in the newsroom. Through professional development, scholarships, and fellowships, the Foundation supports the global broadcast and digital news community by promoting diversity, protecting First Amendment rights, and helping journalists navigate the impact of technological change.

Deja Vu Joins 106.3 WSRB-FM Chicago For Middays Beginning February 2nd

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – Compass Media Networks proudly announces that The Deja Vu Show is coming to the Chicago airwaves weekdays 10am to 3pm on WSRB-FM starting on February 2, 2026. “We’re excited to welcome Deja Vu to Soul 106.3 WSRB Chicago for middays,” said WSRB Program Director, Jay Alan. “Deja’s energy, authenticity, and positivity make it a perfect fit for our listeners during the workday.”

Deja Vu added, “Chicago is a city made up of passionate people! From the food, the teams, and of course the music, what’s not to love? Stepping into middays on WSRB is truly an honor. I’m beyond excited to connect with our listeners every day and bring that positive & passionate midday energy to The Windy City. Let’s make some unforgettable moments together, Chicago!”

For more information about adding The Deja Vu Show to your station, contact Nancy Abramson, NAbramson@compassmedianetworks.com

Full Metal Jackie Radio Expand Affiliate Roster With Addition Of WLZX/Springfield, Ma And WTMT/Asheville, NC

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – Full Metal Jackie Radio continues to expand its affiliate roster with the addition of Saga Communications WLZX/Springfield, MA and WTMT/Asheville, NC. The weekly two-hour syndicated metal show, hosted by Jackie Kajzer and distributed by Radio Resources, blends current heavy music, classics, and artist interviews each weekend. Now heard in 50 markets including the legendary KLOS/Los Angeles.

The new station additions also coincide with the anniversary re-release of Kajzer’s book, Full Metal Jackie Certified, now available in the official merch store at FullMetalJackieRadio.com, including signed copies and collectibles.

“Every week, I get to put the spotlight on the bands that built this scene and the artists pushing it forward,” said Kajzer. “I’m beyond grateful to welcome new stations into the FMJ family—and to celebrate the FMJ Certified anniversary at the same time.” For more information on Full Metal Jackie from Radio Resources, contact Rich O’Brien, rich.obrien@radioresources.com

Westwood One To Broadcast NFLChampionship Sunday, Presented By Intuit Turbotax

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the official audio partner of the National Football League, will present live play-by-play coverage of NFL Championship Sunday, presented by Intuit TurboTax, on January 25. In the first of two highly anticipated championship showdowns, the New England Patriots battle the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship at Empower Field at Mile High. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with the winner claiming the coveted Lamar Hunt Trophy. Westwood One’s live coverage begins at 2:00 PM ET.

The excitement continues Sunday evening as the Los Angeles Rams face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship at Lumen Field in Seattle. The victor will hoist the prestigious George Halas Trophy, and Westwood One brings you every moment of the action with live coverage starting at 6:30 PM ET. This season marks Westwood One’s 39th consecutive year as the official audio partner of the NFL.  

 The complete broadcast schedule follows:  AFC Championship at 2:00 pm ET New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos Broadcast Announcers: Ryan Radtke & Mike Golic Sideline Reporter: Laura Okmin NFC Championship at 6:30 pm ET Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks Broadcast Announcers: Kevin Harlan & Kurt Warner Sideline Reporter: Ross Tucker For the 17th consecutive season, Scott Graham will host Westwood One’s pre-, half-, and post-game coverage for NFL Championship Sunday.   Westwood One will broadcast every NFL postseason game, from Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl LX, on approximately 500 radio stations nationwide as well as on westwoodonesports.com, the Westwood One Sports App, SiriusXM, NFL+, and via the NFL App. 

iHeart And Rider Strong Unveil 'The Red Weather' Podcast

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts announced it is partnering with actor, filmmaker and podcaster Rider Strong (Boy Meets World, Cabin Fever) to launch his new audio series, “The Red Weather.” This innovative 8-episode autofiction podcast, inspired by Strong's initial work on a documentary about communes in and around his hometown of Sebastopol, California, masterfully blends a fictional true-crime mystery with a profoundly personal real-life narrative. The series will premiere with its first two episodes on January 28, with episodes launching twice weekly thereafter.

“‘The Red Weather’ started with me grabbing a microphone and asking old friends about kids we knew who grew up in so-called ‘cults,’” said Rider Strong. “As the memories piled up, I wanted to find the best way to draw listeners into that unique time and place. I’m excited to team up with iHeart to bring this deeply personal project to audiences everywhere.”

“The concept behind ‘The Red Weather’ is truly unique, blurring the lines between what is real and what is masterful storytelling in a way that draws the listener in, providing them a glimpse into what life was like during Rider’s formative years,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “Part fiction, part true crime and part autobiographical, this podcast will captivate audiences.”

“The Red Weather” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

CRS And Whitney Allen Launch 'Hot Mic' Scholarship to Support Emerging Female Talent

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 23RD, 2026 – Country Radio Seminar (CRS), in partnership with recently retired Country Radio Hall of Fame on-air personality Whitney Allen, has launched the Whitney Allen “Hot Mic” Scholarship, a new initiative designed to support and elevate emerging female on-air talent in country radio. The scholarship will award one recipient a complimentary full registration to CRS 2026, along with round-trip airfare to Nashville and accommodations at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

The purpose of the Whitney Allen “Hot Mic” Scholarship is to identify female on-air personalities early in their careers who are striving to make a meaningful impact at their station, in their community, and within the country format. Eligible female applicants must have one to five years of experience in the radio industry, serve in a primary on-air role, and be first-time attendees of CRS. Applications must be submitted here by Feb. 2.

Allen began her radio career in 1979 and transitioned into country radio in 1982. After early success at KCBQ/San Diego, she moved into the Los Angeles market at Pirate Radio and KIIS before joining the nationally syndicated “After Midnite" in 1995. She later hosted afternoons at KZLA/Los Angeles and went on to create and host “America’s Hot List,” as well as “The Big Time” and “Big Time Saturday Night.”

CRS 2026 will take place March 18–20 in Nashville, Tennessee. General registration is $698 per person and is available at www.countryradioseminar.com. Limited single-day passes are available for $349 (maximum of two per person) and include access to panels, speakers, luncheons, and networking events for the selected day, excluding Friday’s New Faces of Country Music® Showcase. For more information, visit www.countryradioseminar.com and follow CRS on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also call 615-327-4487 for additional information.

Podcast Category Added For NABLF 2026 Service To America Awards; Entries Now Being Accepted

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) is now accepting entries for the 2026 Celebration of Service to America Awards. These prestigious awards honor the critical role local television and radio stations play in serving communities across the country. All stations and broadcast groups are encouraged to submit their most impactful community service campaigns that took place in 2025. The entry window will close on March 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

This year, the Foundation is introducing an Original Content Podcast category to recognize local stations that are leveraging their digital expertise to deliver accessible, creative and trusted content to their communities and beyond via podcast app or station website. Additionally, the First Informers Award will recognize one radio and one television station as exemplary sources of immediate information during emergencies, crises or natural disasters.

“No other media platform matches the power of local television and radio to reach people in real time where they live and work,” said NAB Leadership Foundation President Michelle Duke. “Audiences trust their local stations because broadcasters are deeply rooted in their communities — championing local causes, investigating consumer issues, and delivering timely, trusted reporting. We are proud to honor their extraordinary public service.”

Winners will be notified in early April 2026, and awards will be presented at the Celebration of Service to America Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2026. The event will gather the broadcasting community with members of Congress and other policymakers to salute the exemplary work of local stations. Get more info HERE

Edison: Clinch A Championship, Clinch New Fans

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – In Edison Research's latest 'Insights,' IT points to a SSRS Sports Poll that captures fandom benchmarks and trends for over 80 different collegiate and professional sports, including college football. With a nationally representative sample backed by the SSRS’s Opinion Panel, and trending data that goes back to 1994, Sports Poll is a unique source of intelligence.

In turning to a Sports Poll, it shows how many new Hoosier fans there might be after Indiana’s historic win in the college football championship game Monday night. Since 2000, every team that has secured a college football national championship has then experienced a growth in fandom the following year. On average, teams that win the championship experience a 41% increase in team fandom. The largest jumps in fandom occurred when Oklahoma fandom grew by 96% following their 2000 championship win, and then after Texas secured the 2005 championship and saw a 97% increase in fans.

“Fans” for a school are those who name the school as their favorite college football team. This year’s champion, Indiana University, starts at an unusually low number of fans nationally. The completion of their incredible worst-to-first storyline over the last two years under coach Curt Cignetti and quarterback Fernando Mendoza, puts them in prime position for a major fandom leap.

Edison Research recently joined SSRS. This is only a small example of the wide variety of data the SSRS Sports Poll captures regarding fandom. All data is based on the US population 12+ and collected continuously from January to December each year.

Radio One's 93.9 Kiss FM Wash, DC Welcomes Back Khalia 'Little Bacon Bear' Canty For Middays

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – WKYS-FM, Washington DC Radio One's Hip Hop 93.9, has announced the return of Khalia ‘Little Bacon Bear’ Canty to the station as midday host. "We’re excited to welcome Little Bacon Bear back to WKYS," said Operations Manager Arthur “A-Plus” Willis. "Her return strengthens our lineup and our commitment to deliver quality content for the DMV”.

“I am thrilled that Little Bacon Bear has come back home to WKYS,” added Eddie Harrell, Jr., Co-President of Urban One’s Audio Division. “Her return solidifies our commitment to being the number one source of hip-hop and R&B in the DMV.” Beyond radio, “Little Bacon Bear” is one of the DMV’s most coveted young DJs, consistently at the forefront of music, nightlife, and DMV culture.

Canty originally joined WKYS in 2017 as evening host following in the footsteps of her father, ‘EZ Street’ making her on-air debut during his interview of then-President Obama in 2012.

Jessica Chenoweth Rises To Music Director Of 103.7 KSON San Diego

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – Audacy's 103.7 KSON in San Diego, has elevated Jessica Chenoweth to Music Director. Starting February 2, Chenoweth will oversee strategy for the station’s music catalog, while continuing her responsibilities as the Executive Producer of “John and Tammy: San Diego's Morning Show.”

“Jessica’s elevation to this role is a testament to her strategic brilliance,” said Scotty Roddy, Brand Manager, 103.7 KSON. “We’re excited to leverage her thorough mindset and innate talent for discovering new country music. Under her leadership, we will continue to build a community that captivates and connects with our listeners.”

“When I started in radio over 20 years ago, I would organize my music director's CD stash just to be a part of the music selection anyway I could,” said Chenoweth. “Being named the Music Director at the legendary KSON is a dream come true, and I couldn't have anyone better teaching me the ropes than Scotty.”

Chenoweth brings over two decades of broadcasting experience to the airwaves. Her career began at KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, where she worked on the production team for “On Air with Ryan Seacrest.” Since 2016, she has been the Executive Producer of “John and Tammy: San Diego’s Morning Show,” which airs weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT.

Red Apple Audio Networks Adds 'Concha At Night' Show To Weekly Lineup

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – Red Apple Audio Networks, the national syndication arm of Red Apple Media, announced the launch of a new weekday evening program hosted by Joe Concha. Titled Concha At Night, the program airs Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET and is available to radio stations across the country beginning next Monday, January 26. Concha At Night debuted in New York City earlier this month on flagship station WABC Radio. The expansion follows the strong performance of The Joe Concha Show on Sundays, which airs on WABC Radio from 11 a.m. to 12 noon ET, and where the program has quickly gained momentum under the station’s programming leadership.

In addition, the Sunday program is also syndicated as is “Joe Concha Sounds Off,” a hard hitting two-minute weekday feature packed with opinion and punch. Building on that success, Red Apple Audio Networks will now offer the weekday edition to radio stations nationwide, providing affiliates with a compelling evening talk product.

“WABC has been instrumental in building the Sunday program and this opportunity,” said Concha. “Red Apple Audio Networks understands how to grow talent and deliver content that connects with audiences. I’m excited to bring this program to stations and listeners nationwide.” Stations interested in affiliation can contact RAAN at affiliation@redappleaudionetworks.com

Cumulus And Eon Media Form Partnership To Develop And Launch AI-Driven Initiatives

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – Cumulus Media and media technology company Eon Media announce that they have entered into a joint partnership to develop and monetize AI-enabled projects for audio. The partnership and new AI-powered technologies will optimize Cumulus Media’s 395 U.S. radio stations and extensive digital assets to drive and measure consumer and audience engagement.

Cumulus Media’s owned and operated stations, programs, and personalities, including morning shows, talk shows, and other spoken word content, generate hundreds of thousands of hours of unique new audio content each year. For listeners, this partnership means discovering more of what they love faster and finding new paths to the shows, topics, and conversations they care about. These AI-enabled platforms will give audiences more ways to connect with Cumulus content, ensuring it meets them where they already are.

Mary G. Berner, President and CEO, Cumulus Media, said: “We are excited to join forces with Eon Media to create innovative solutions that will provide Cumulus Media with access to new market opportunities and untapped monetization paths. Importantly, this partnership will significantly enhance our ability to drive greater discoverability. By expanding touchpoints and engagement opportunities, we ensure our listeners and audiences can connect with our content more easily and more often than ever.”

Skyview Networks Expands Relationship With FanServ

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 22TH, 2026 – Skyview Networks announced today an expanded partnership with FanServ for streamlined management of digital audio advertising for developers and advertisers. This collaboration aligns Skyview Networks and FanServ in providing clients with digital audio sales solutions from streaming to programmatic across all formats of Skyview’s extensive portfolio spanning sports, entertainment and information publishers.

“We're thrilled to expand our sports-focused approach to all audio segments through this alliance with Skyview Networks,” said Brad Friedman, CEO of FanServ. “FanServ was built to unite publishers, advertisers, and rights holders in discovering the true value of the fan. Extending programmatic solutions beyond sports to radio will create richer, more accountable ad experiences that drive results for everyone in the ecosystem.”

“Skyview’s top objective is serving our clients with superior outcomes,” said Steve Jones, President and CEO of Skyview Networks. “By partnering with FanServ, our publishers can capitalize on the explosive growth of audio ad spend while agencies can more efficiently leverage network radio’s broad reach with FanServ’s digital targeting tools.”

“I'm thrilled to lead this charge at the intersection of broadcast radio and digital audio innovation,” said Paul Lajoie, GM, Streaming Audio of FanServ. “With FanServ's digital targeting precision and Skyview's proven sales and technology competencies, we're creating a new standard for how broadcasters monetize digital impressions with data-driven efficiency and real-time impact.”

Live 105 Honored As Legendary Station Of The Year By Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall Of Fame

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – Audacy's Live 105/KITS-FM in San Francisco is now in the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame’s (BARHOF) 2026 as Legendary Station of the Year. BARHOF will honor Live 105 with a ceremony at the California Historical Radio Society in Alameda on January 30. The station launched in 1986 and pioneered a modern rock format that built a loyal audience and left an indelible mark on the music and broadcasting industries.

The event will feature a diverse group of Live 105 alumni and current staff. The speaker list includes former Brand Managers Richard Sands and Mark Hamilton; former General Manager Ed Krampf; former Promotions and Marketing Director Gabby Medecki; and former Music Director Steve Masters. They will be joined by former on-air personalities Alex Bennett, Big Rick Stuart, Mike 'No Name' Nelson, Spud, Lori Thompson, and Roland West, as well as Vice President of Programming John Allers and hosts Aaron Axelsen, Dallas Osborn, and Marci Wiser.

"We are deeply honored and so proud to see Live 105's rich legacy recognized,” said Kieran Geffert, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy San Francisco. “It's a milestone that truly reflects decades of culture, creativity, and community.” “What an incredible honor for an incredible brand and people who’ve made Live 105 the legend it is,” said John Allers. “Very few radio stations have influenced and inspired listeners, artists and radio professionals the way Live 105 has over its 40 years.”

“Live 105 was simply the coolest station in the Bay Area during the 1980s, into the 1990s, and beyond. And its listeners knew it was just that,” said David Jackson, Founder, Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame. The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, a program of the California Historical Radio Society, presents archival broadcasts, historical documents, photos, music surveys and biographies that tell the stories of Bay Area radio. The organization has recognized a Legendary Station each year since 2009.

Hall Of Famer 'DeDe In The Morning' Kicks Off 2026 With Five New Affiliates

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – DeDe in the Morning, the nationally syndicated, top-rated Urban morning show hosted by Radio Hall of Famer DeDe McGuire, begins 2026 with strong momentum, with the addition of five new affiliates to its growing national lineup. Joining the DeDe in the Morning family are WHJX-FM, Hot 106.5 (Jacksonville, FL) owned by Cox Media Group; WDLD-FM, Live 96.7 (Hagerstown, MD) owned by Connoisseur Media; WQKS-HD2, STREAMZ 100.5 ( Montgomery, AL) owned by Bluewater Broadcasting, WCDW-HD3, Hot 92.9 (Binghamton, NY) owned by Equinox Broadcasting, and WHGM SOUL 1330 AM / 100.1 FM (Havre de Grace, MD) owned by K Baldwin Media One.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know that more cities are choosing to start their mornings with us,” said DeDe McGuire. “Adding five new stations means more laughs, more love, and more fun —and I couldn’t be more excited to grow with our listeners nationwide.” In Jacksonville, DeDe in the Morning is now heard on two Cox Media stations. Elroy Smith, Director of Urban Content at Cox Media Group and Program Director of HOT 106.5 and Power 106.1, called the move historic for the market. “Airing the same morning show on two urban frequencies is unprecedented in Jacksonville,” Smith said. “Power 106.1 continues to serve hip-hop listeners, while HOT 106.5 introduces the show to an R&B audience.”

Hosted by DeDe McGuire alongside her on-air team, The show recently completed a national promotion across all 85 affiliates for a spot on the Maxwell Urban Hang Cruise, with the winning entry coming from WJMR, Milwaukee. To find out how to add DeDe in the Morning to your station, contact mailto:NAbramson@compassmedianetworks.com

Stephen A. Smith Named First Recipient of The BFOA Broadcast Personality of the Year Award

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is being honored with the very first Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) “Broadcast Personality of the Year Award.” The award will be presented during the BFOA’s Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Monday, March 9. The Gala is a major fundraiser for the BFOA, which provides financial assistance to broadcasters in acute need from debilitating disease or disaster. A native of Hollis Queens, Smith has grown his career from a high school reporter for the NY Daily News to a multi-platform powerhouse in media.

“We are excited to introduce the Broadcast Personality of the Year Award and there is no one better to be our first honoree than Stephen,” said Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation.” There are very few in broadcasting that are as authentic as Stephen. His tremendous work ethic and candid delivery make Stephen a personality on any platform that you must pay attention to, and I know first-hand his work ethic is second to none.”

“I am honored to receive this recognition from Tim and the Broadcasters Foundation,” stated Smith. “The Broadcasters Foundation is a unique charity that helps support those in our industry who are suffering under the most daunting circumstances. I am delighted to be a part of this important fundraising gala that will help so many.”

Smith began his broadcasting career in radio at 1050 ESPN, New York City, where Tim McCarthy was General Manager. Smith has hosted national radio programs on the ESPN Radio Network and the Fox Radio Network and local programs on ESPN radio stations in New York City and Los Angeles. 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 and Judge Judy Sheindlin with the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award. For more info, to apply for aid or make a donation, visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, or contact 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

The Wolf Portland's Nick & Kristen To Receive Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award During CRS 2026

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB) will honor Nick Steele and Kristen Flowers, morning show hosts on Audacy’s 99.5 The Wolf (KWJJ-FM) in Portland, with the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award during CRS 2026, set for March 18–20 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Named after broadcast veteran Tom Rivers, the award celebrates his legacy by recognizing individuals in the country radio industry who exemplify a magnanimous spirit of caring and generosity through hands-on community service. Recipients demonstrate a deep personal commitment of time, talent, and resources to meaningful causes, reflecting the very best of country radio.

Steele and Flowers are being honored for their extraordinary philanthropic leadership through Nick & Kristen’s Medical Debt Payoff, an annual initiative now in its sixth year. During the most recent campaign, held Nov. 17–21, 2025, the duo raised enough funds to eliminate $2.17 million in local medical debt across the Pacific Northwest. The effort was conducted in partnership with national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. Since its inception, Nick & Kristen’s Medical Debt Payoff has raised more than $18 million, fully relieving medical debt for over 10,000 individuals and families throughout the region, providing life-changing financial relief, and restoring dignity to those impacted by unexpected medical hardship.

General registration for CRS 2026 is $698 per person and is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. Limited single-day passes are also available for $349 (maximum of two per person) and include access to panels, speakers, luncheons, and networking events for the selected day, excluding the New Faces of Country Music® Showcase. New Faces of Country Music® tickets are sold separately for $110 and are limited; early purchase is strongly encouraged. For more information, visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com and follow CRS on Facebook, X, and Instagram. The dates for CRS 2026 are March 18–20.

Griffin Adkins Joins On-Air Team at 101.1 The Pulse Jasper, GA

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – 101.1 The Pulse (WLJA-FM) Jasper, Ga. announced that Griffin Adkins, former Assistant Program Director, morning show producer, and syndicated host at 104.7 The Fish in Atlanta, has officially joined the station’s on-air lineup. Adkins will co-host The Morning Pulse with Dan & Griffin alongside Dan Ratcliffe, airing weekday mornings and serving listeners across North Georgia with uplifting, faith-forward country music and meaningful conversation.

Griffin joined The Pulse team in June, overseeing promotions and assisting with programming. This move marks his official addition to the daily on-air schedule. Griffin and Dan previously worked together at WFSH and are reuniting to bring a fun, engaging, and informative morning show to listeners across the region. In addition to his on-air role, Griffin will take on expanded programming and brand oversight responsibilities for The Pulse. The Morning Pulse with Dan & Griffin airs weekday mornings on 101.1 The Pulse (WLJA-FM).

The Yacht Club Enters 2026 With New Stations Docking

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – As Yacht Rock continues to grow as the newest boom format of 2026, The Yacht Club with Meredith Marx has added multiple new affiliates to its station roster. Joining the Yacht Club roster are Manning Broadcasting's 94.3/102.1 FRED-FM in Frederick/Hagerstown MD, Horne Radio's 105.3 WFIV Knoxville TN, and Fowler Media's WITO Ironton OH.

The Yacht Club with Meredith Marx is a three-hour weekly sail, playing hits from the 1970s and 1980s and even introducing you to some of the deeper tracks of artists listeners know and love. In addition, Meredith curates a unique listening experience that includes popular yacht rock hits, deep dives and nostalgic surprises such as TV themes from the past as well as mixing in interview clips with Yacht Rock artists .

Marx said, "I am thrilled to welcome more stations aboard the yacht! Yacht Rock is an incredible music genre with audiences of all ages and it's really nice to see that reflected in my audience. We have a really special show here that gives a nostalgic feel and takes people back in time. Growing The Yacht Club has been a true labor of love and I am excited to continue porting with new affiliates"

Meredith Marx has been a radio personality for over 25 years. She spent her childhood backstage at concerts with the biggest stars with her father's sound company. In addition to The Yacht Club, Meredith hosts the podcast "Backstage Pass with Meredith Marx" interviewing the biggest music artists of all-time. To dock The Yacht Club on your station visit www.theyachtclubshow.com/syndication-info or email captainmarxonair@gmail.com for more information.

Tracy Johnson: 'Time To Get Off The Ratings Treadmill'

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – In a special limited series from Consultant Tracy Johnson, he examines the uncomfortable truths broadcasters rarely say out loud, the systems quietly undermining relevance and revenue, and the hard choices for 2026 required to build influence in an audio world that no longer owes radio its attention. In part one, he says it's time to Get Off The Ratings Treadmill.

Radio’s biggest problem is not ratings. Radio’s biggest problem is what it has become willing to do in order to maintain them. An entire industry began mistaking measurement for meaning and credit for connection. Ratings stopped being a tool and became the destination. Once that happened, everything else, programming decisions, sales narratives, compensation plans, even talent behavior, bent around serving the system instead of the audience. The result is a medium running harder than ever while going nowhere.

Ratings Are a Lagging Indicator, Not a Growth Engine - Ratings tell you what already happened. They do not tell you why it happened, what to fix, or what to build next. They do not tell you how to grow relevance or revenue in a fragmented audio marketplace. Yet radio continues to treat ratings as if they are predictive, strategic, and foundational to the business itself. They are none of those things. Ratings are a lagging indicator, like reading last quarter’s bank statement and calling it a business plan. Useful for reference. Dangerous when used as a compass. When an organization optimizes everything around a lagging indicator, it sacrifices long-term health for short-term credit. That is exactly what has happened in radio. Read complete article HERE

Coming Soon: Part Two: Stop The Madness: Today’s Programming Tactics Are Unsustainable

Kazeem Famuyide Joins 'The Kid Mero Show' On MediaCo's HOT 97 New York

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – While no official release as of yet, MediaCo is reportedly adding another host to its new morning show on WQHT-FM/HOT 97 New York. Kazeem Famuyide announced via social that he will begin co-hosting alongside The Kid Mero on HOT 97 Mornings with Mero, starting this week. "I've listened to HOT 97 my entire life. I was born here. Raised here. Raised by Hip-Hop," Famuyide wrote. "The opportunity to wake up the greatest city in the world on the most legendary station in music is not lost on me. I've waited my entire life for this."

Kazeem added: "I’ll be riding shotgun every morning with the Mayor of the mornings aka Mero Mamdani from 6am-10am on @HOT97. A dream come true and a new era. Wake that ass up, tri-state and but preset." According to Urban Radio Nation Famuyide is a former creative writer and producer for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a writer for the Bleacher Report’s Facebook Watch series, No Script with Marshawn Lynch, and for MTV2’s, Uncommon Sense. Currently he, Mero, and Monica McNutt are regular contributing podcast co-hosts on Carmelo Anthony’s podcast “7PM in Brooklyn.”

MediaCo’s HOT 97/WQHT-FM New York’s announced on January 13th the launch of its brand-new morning show, HOT 97 Mornings with Mero. The show will be hosted by The Kid Mero. Hailing from the Bronx, The Kid Mero is a New York Times best-selling author, Writers Guild Award winner, and a Variety “Comic to Watch.” He currently hosts Victory Light with The Kid Mero and co-hosts 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony.

Cumulus DFW Radio Stations Raised Over $3.5 Million For DFW Charities In 2025

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – Cumulus reports that its Dallas-Fort Worth, TX radio station group raised a total of $3,559,468 for DFW Metroplex charities during 2025. In addition, Cumulus Dallas-Fort Worth supported signature community events with other groups to help raise additional millions in charitable donations. Cumulus Media owns and operates six popular radio stations serving DFW, including: 99.5 The Wolf/KPLX-FM (Country); WBAP-AM NewsTalk 820 AM/93.3 FM (News/Talk); Sportsradio 96.7FM/1310 AM The Ticket/KTCK-FM (Sports); 93.3 FM-HD2 Country Legends & Texas Classics/WBAP-HD2 (Classic Country); New Country 96.3/KSCS-FM (Country); KLIF 570 AM/96.3 FM-HD2 (News/Talk).

Among the many local non-profit organizations that benefited from successful Cumulus Dallas radio station promotions, radiothons, events and fund drives in 2025 are: • Cook Children’s Medical Center/Children’s Miracle Network • Senior Source • Hope Supply Co. • At Last! Urban Boarding • Special Olympics Texas • Cornerstone Clothes Closet • Mothers Against Drunk Drivers • Austin Street Center for the Homeless • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy of Dallas • Charles E. Nash Elementary School of Fort Worth • Denton State Supported Living Center • North Texas Food Bank • Tango Charities

In addition, Cumulus DFW’s six stations joined forces for the annual Cumulus Cares Food Drive, generating donations of 13,000 pounds of food and $1,300 cash to area food banks. Dan Bennett, Regional Vice President and Market Manager, Cumulus Dallas-Fort Worth, said: “Cumulus DFW listeners joined us and our partners to change lives for the better in the Metroplex through their generosity, commitment and caring. Powered by our six popular Cumulus DFW stations and our generous listeners and partners, we raised over $3.5 million in cash in 2025 to serve our community’s needs.”

AWM Foundation Extends Deadline For 51st Gracie Awards Entries

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 20TH, 2026 – The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has announced an extension for submissions to the 51st Gracie Awards. The extended deadline is January 29, while the regular deadline, with no additional fee, is January 22, (11:59pm ET).

The Gracie Awards, presented by AWMF, have recognized programming and individual excellence b

y women across all media for more than five decades. Submissions from television, streaming, radio, audio, and digital media are encouraged. A full list of the categories, including new categories for 2026 can be found here.

“As we build on the momentum of last year’s 50th anniversary celebration, extending the submission deadline allows more time to ensure that outstanding work from across the industry is recognized and considered.” said Becky Brooks, President of AWM/F. Additionally, each entry directly supports the AWM Foundation, with the Gracies serving as the largest fundraiser of the year. National winners will be honored at the Gracies Gala on May 19 at the Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel) in Beverly Hills. Local and student winners will be honored at the Gracies Luncheon on June 16 at Cipriani 42nd in New York.

The 2026 Gracie Awards entry eligibility air dates are from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Entry details can be viewed at https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/call-for-entries/

Managing Entertainment-Driven Shows When Your City Becomes The Epicenter Of National Attention

By Dave Ryan

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 19TH, 2026 – Amid the intense unrest in Minneapolis sparked by the January 7th fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent, the Twin Cities has once again become an epicenter of national attention. The incident occurred during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, where Good was shot multiple times while in her vehicle. This led to massive protests and clashes around the Whipple Federal Building and streets near the shooting site. A second ICE-involved shooting happened days later.

As local Minneapolis news/talk radio outlets keep churning out steady coverage, analysis, and heated debates on the ongoing issues, music stations likely took a different approach. Longtime 101.3 KDWB morning host Dave Ryan captured the mindset in his own words: "As an entertainer, I ask myself, Do we really need to be another voice in this discussion? Is there still room for laughter in the world? When a caller recently tried to steer the conversation toward the "ICE situation in Minneapolis," the show's reply was straightforward and firm: "No. We choose not to."

In explaining further, I have always said, “We don’t do politics on this show.” I’m not Joe Rogan. Looking for politics on my show would be like going into Taco Bell and asking for a Big Mac. “But this isn’t about politics anymore, it’s about human rights.” Valid point. Actual text message from Friday morning: “Just wanted to call out that ICE occupying our city and attacked and arresting citizens isn't a matter of politics - it's a humanitarian issue. What is happening around our state is inhumane.”

Of course it’s important. 100 percent. We live here too. It is something that is almost constantly discussed not only in media, but among friends, relatives and co-workers. Most of my friends have posted about it on social media. I’m in Colorado as I write this. I had beers with a friend from Colorado yesterday and it was the first thing he brought up. You cannot escape it. Or can you?

As an entertainer, I ask myself, “Do we really need to be another voice in this discussion? Is there still room for laughter in the world?” When Renee Good was killed, I was worried. This time it felt different. I thought I had to seriously address this on the radio. I hardly slept the night before, puzzling over what I would say and how I would handle it. When we went on the air at six am, I gave it my best and most sincere effort. I said we are absolutely aware of the events that took place. It’s horrific that it happened and it’s also horrific that things like this seem to keep happening in our city. I said we would cover any updates on the story through the morning.

Then, I added “We know that if you want to get involved in hearing about it constantly and hear or read outrage about it, there are plenty of places to find that. I respect that. At the same time, I know so many people listen to this show because they have an expectation of us to bring them a little spark of joy. So many people rely on this show for their mental health, to help them get through their morning, to feel a connection, to laugh with their kids on the way to school. To smile and nod their head and sometimes shake their head. We have always been a balm; a relief from all the horrible things you could be thinking about. And that’s what we’ll do. I hope we get it right. Let us know.”

Every single comment we heard that morning supported us. Not one person complained or insisted we talk about it. Listeners agreed that they come to KDWB as an escape from the awful news they hear, either that day or any other day. And remember, we are in Minneapolis, the epicenter of everything that the country is discussing.

Of course, the danger is, people will tune in and not hear us acknowledge what’s going on, wondering why we’re not mentioning it. It sounds completely tone deaf to not address it, so we did, every 20 minutes or so we’d update the facts on the story, and again mention that we are here to serve a different purpose than most media outlets.

Sometimes it feels day-to-day. I hope there never comes a time when things escalate to a point where we literally cannot continue doing the show and delivering the emotion and connection that people expect from our show. I hope you never have to deal with a situation like this in your market. Maybe you’ll handle it differently than we do, and I respect that.

I can only add that people come to your show for an experience they can’t get anywhere else. It’s can be very difficult to stray from your brand, but giving your listeners the content they expect, sprinkled with some genuine humanity will always be the correct formula.

Green Day, Twenty One Pilots And More Rocked The Stage At The 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 19TH, 2026 – The 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO hosted the biggest names in Alternative Rock including Green Day, Twenty One Pilots, Cage the Elephant, Sublime, Good Charlotte, Gigi Perez, Mt. Joy and Almost Monday all on one stage at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Hosted by Woody of iHeartRadio ALT 98.7’s nationally syndicated “The Woody Show,” the event also featured special appearances by No Doubt, Mark McGrath and more and broadcasted live for fans on iHeartRadio Alternative and Rock stations across the country and on iHeartRadio.com.

The music heard on iHeartRadio’s Alternative and Rock stations shined on stage with an extraordinary lineup that included these special moments: Cage the Elephant opened up the show with an electric performance of their hits “Spiderhead,” “Trouble,” “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” “Shake Me Down,” “Cigarette Daydreams,” “Come a Little Closer” and more.

Green Day closed out the 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO show with a legendary performance of “American Idiot,” “Holiday,” “ Know Your Enemy,” “Longview,” “One Eyed Bastard,” “Brain Stew,” “Basketcase,” “When I Come Around,” “Good Riddance,” and more.

iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Presented by Capital One is part of iHeartMedia’s roster of incredibly successful, nationally recognized concert events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival. Photos: Getty Images for iHeart

97.9 WRMF's KVJ Show Unveils ‘Captain Crust’

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 19TH, 2026 – 97.9 WRMF’s Jason Pennington & Virginia Sinicki from the KVJ Show have created a Superhero Duo, Captain Crust and Princess Pepperoni, who have launched a give-back campaign called “The Power of Pizza". It's a grassroots effort to bring pizza to friends of The KVJ Nation to brighten their day. As Captain Crust says, "Anything is possible through the power of pizza!" Earlier this week, the duo brought a stack of free pizzas to The Learning Center School in Royal Palm Beach, FL.

The Learning Center School is a Public Charter School for students on the autism spectrum. The kids were delighted. The lunch hour was filled with love, hugs, and a mini concert put on for Captain Crust and Princess Pepperoni by the children of The Learning Center. It was truly a beautiful day.

In addition to visiting schools like this one, Captain Crust and Princess Pepperoni have also brought pizza to several local Children's Hospitals and two local shelters for abused women.

Q104.3's Jim Kerr Announces Longtime Co-Host Shelli Sonstein Is Stepping Away From The Show

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 16TH, 2026 – An emotional Jim Kerr announced on yesterday's show that his longtime co-host, Shelli Sonstein, had decided to step away from the show. He shared: “The day before yesterday, Shelli told me that she had decided to step away from our show, and from Q104.3,” Kerr said. “Now, I’ve spent the better part of 49 years in a small room like the one I’m in right now with Shelli. We have gone through some amazing experiences together, and we knew each other very well, but we also knew you know us very well too. And Shelli, along with me, always really believed that you are friends, so please bear with me for just a little while, while we discuss early morning friendship." Watch announcement HERE

The station posted at its website: "22 years ago Shelli Sonstein was reunited with me to wake up New York on Q104.3. Today she has decided to step away from the show permanently. While we are saddened by Shelli’s decision to leave, it is completely understandable, and our hearts are with her. Thank you Shelli for an amazing 22 years!

The news followed Sonstein's heartbreaking revelation on September 4th (JL 9/6) that her 38 year old daughter Dina Sonstein Berman (shown bottom left) had died from from an overdose. After a absence from the show, she announced on-air: "I wanted to explain my sudden absence on-air. On Monday, I lost my 38 year old daughter Dina Sonstein Berman to an overdose, which we believe was intentional , though we may never get our closure. For most of her life, Dina struggled with Crohn’s Disease, followed by addiction and mental health issues. My daughter’s addiction began at the hands of doctors, who not only prescribed opioids, but surgically implanted a pain box in her, giving her daily doses of dilaudid and more."

The last show Jim and Shelli did together was July 31. After that she went on vacation - then Jim went on vacation followed by their executive producer Trevor Marden's vacation. They were all supposed to be back after Labor Day and unfortunately it never happened. Her last show was in August.

iHeartMedia Announces Nominees For Its 2026 Podcast Awards At SXSW Hosted By Ego Nwodim

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 15TH, 2026 – iHeartMedia announced nominees for The 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards in partnership with South by Southwest® (SXSW®). For the second consecutive year, awards will be presented at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas in celebration of the best in podcasting and most influential creators in the industry. In addition to the in-person show on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 7 p.m. CDT, the ceremony will also be live-broadcasted on select iHeartMedia Radio Stations and on the iHeartRadio app.

Actress, comedian and host of the “Thanks Dad” podcast, Ego Nwodim, will emcee this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards. The event will span all genres of podcasts including Comedy, Crime, Sports, News, Business, Pop Culture, Food and more, with winners in each category determined by a panel of industry leaders, creatives and visionaries. The night’s top honor, Podcast of the Year, will remain in the hands of the fans. From January 14 through February 22 listeners can cast their votes for their favorite shows at iHeartPodcastAwards.com. The nominees for the 2026 Podcast of the Year include: “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” “The Breakfast Club,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” “The Daily,” “The Rest Is History,” “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von,” “Call Her Daddy,” “Heavyweight” and“Giggly Squad.”

“Podcasting continues to be one of the most vibrant and fast-growing mediums in media today,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “We are thrilled to return to Austin and ACL Live at the Moody Theater to celebrate the storytellers who are pushing the boundaries of audio. We can’t wait to see which show the fans crown as their Podcast of the Year for 2026.”

In addition to the fan-voted and category awards, iHeartMedia will present three Icon Awards – Social Impact Award, Audible Audio Pioneer Award and Innovator Award – honoring individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions to the podcasting medium.

Freddy Rivera Rises From Weekend's To Weekday Afternoons At KOLA 99.9 San Bernardino

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 15TH, 2026 – KOLA 99.9 announces that 20-year on-air personality Freddy Rivera will take over Afternoon Drive effective Monday, January 19th. His promotion fills the shift vacated in mid- December with the retirement of Inland Empire radio legend Vic Slick.

Freddy, a So-Cal native, has been with KOLA since 2021 as a weekend/part-time/fill-in personality. Prior to KOLA, Freddy's 20-year career spans stops at KGGI Riverside/San Bernardino, KIIS-FM Los Angeles, and KDMX Dallas.

"Coming back to the Inland Empire and joining the team at KOLA feels like stepping into the chapter I've been working toward for years. This community raised me, and I'm honored to bring my voice home every afternoon. I'm ready to do the best work of my career at such a legendary station," said Freddy.

"From the first time I met Freddy, I wondered how we could get him in here full-time. He's an extremely talented and energetic broadcaster. I couldn't be happier”, said Jeff Parke, General Manager at KOLA.

"It turns out the best person to take over afternoons was already in the building," said KOLA Program Director Gary Springfield. "Freddy is great to work with, and I'm really excited about what he'll bring to afternoons for the Inland Empire."

Jaxon Returns To iHeart's ALT 104.5 Philadelphia For Middays

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 14TH, 2026 – iHeartMedia announced that Philadelphia rock radio veteran Jaxon is officially returning to the airwaves and re-joining ALT 104.5, Philadelphia's Alternative, as weekday midday host, effective Tuesday, January 20. Jaxon will host middays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including the signature hour Post Modern Radio 104.5 from 12–1 p.m.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Jaxon back to where he belongs — on the Philadelphia airwaves, connecting with the listeners who’ve been part of his story for two decades,” said Dustin Matthews, ALT 104.5 Director of Programming and Brand Strategy. “With Post Modern Radio 104.5, he’ll continue to tell the stories and play the music that honors Philadelphia’s alternative history, from the ’80s through the 2000s.”

“I’m back where I belong,” said Jaxon. “I’m fired up to be rejoining Dustin Matthews and the ALT 104.5 family in Philadelphia. After two decades on the Philly airwaves, I’ve learned one thing — stepping away never lasts long. This city and its radio always pull me back.”

Jagger & Jessie Swap Shifts At MIX 96.5 Houston

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 14TH, 2026 – By way of a memo this week from JR Ammons, VP Operations & Programming Brand Manager for Audacy St Louis / Houston and Kansas City, he announced "We’re making a lineup adjustment on Mix 96.5 Houston. Jagger is moving from afternoons to middays (9a–1p), and Jessie Watt will step into afternoons (1p–6p)."

He adds: "Jessie’s personality and energy is flat-out contagious, and having her live in afternoons strengthens a critical daypart for Mix. Jagger is one of the best air personalities in the country, and this move puts him in a position where we can still take advantage of his talent as he continues to build relationships with our listeners. This is the right move as we continue to evolve Mix. I’m confident this lineup positions us well moving forward."

We're told Jagger (who airs from Kansas City) will continue to co-host Jenny & Jagger In The Morning with Jenny Matthews on courntry outlet WDAF/106.5 The Wolf, Kansas City.

Connoisseur Media's WEBE 108 Brings Radio Vets To CT Radio

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 14TH, 2026 – Connoisseur Media’s heritage adult contemporary radio station, WEBE 108, welcomes several broadcast veterans to the airwaves. Listeners in the southern Connecticut area will be able to hear these familiar voices on the air – voices they grew up with and voices that helped define the region. WEBE 108 is proud to welcome: Howard Hoffman — A seasoned radio talent with experience at major markets including WABC, WOR, KABC, WQHT and WPRO and Cruisin’ Bruce Palmer — A beloved personality whose work at WWBB, WODS, WSRS, and Westwood One has made him a favorite among generations of radio fans. There's also MJ Arnold and Laura Feist — Both returning members of the WEBE lineup.

"With these moves, our commitment to live, local, personality radio that entertains and informs the communities we serve shine bright,” said Robby Bridges, WEBE 108 Program Director. “I'm thrilled to add these huge talents to the already iconic lineup at the legendary WEBE 108, including Danny Lyons, Storm N Norman and Allan Lamberti!"

"I was convinced getting back on the air was never going to be as fun it was – then Robby Bridges and WEBE 108 proved me wrong,” said Howard Hoffman. “I can’t believe I’m working with these legends and superstars of Connecticut radio who said, ‘Welcome home!’ I’m lovin’ this new family and grateful for this thrill ride."

“Cruisin my way to Connecticut… A special thanks to Connoisseur Media’s SVP/General Manager Kristin Okesson, SVP of Programming Keith Dakin, and WEBE 108 Program Director Robby Bridges - and the entire group's staff for welcoming me aboard so warmly!” added Bruce Palmer.

Photo courtesy of Howard Hoffman Photo courtesy of Bruce Palmer

MediaCo's HOT 97/WQHT-FM New York Debuts 'Mornings With Mero' Hosted By The Kid Mero

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 13TH, 2026 – MediaCo’s HOT 97/WQHT-FM New York’s announced the launch of its brand-new morning show, HOT 97 Mornings with Mero, premiering today, January 13, airing 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET. The show will be hosted by The Kid Mero. Hailing from the Bronx, The Kid Mero is a New York Times best-selling author, Writers Guild Award winner, and a Variety “Comic to Watch.” He currently hosts Victory Light with The Kid Mero and co-hosts 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony.

“HOT 97 has always been about representing the culture of New York, and Mero is New York,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, EVP of Content & Growth at MediaCo. “He’s authentic, hilarious, fearless, and deeply connected to the community. HOT 97 Mornings with Mero is going to set the tone for the city every morning and create must-listen moments for our audience.”

"HOT 97 is the station—it's been the voice of NYC hip-hop and culture for decades," said The Kid Mero. "I grew up listening to HOT 97, so to get the morning slot here isn't just a job—it's a responsibility to continue that legacy while bringing it into this next era of media. We're gonna laugh, we're gonna get into it, but it's always gonna be real, and a real good time!"

“This is a new era for HOT 97, one that reflects both where the culture is and where it’s going,” said MediaCo CEO Albert Rodriguez. “With the continued growth of the HOT 97 brand alongside Hot TV, this is an integral moment for us to expand our reach and deepen our impact across platforms.” The launch of HOT 97 Mornings with Mero marks a new chapter in HOT 97’s commitment to delivering culture-defining content and compelling personalities across radio and digital platforms."

Julia Lepidi Announces 'The Julia Show Has Come To An End' Following 15-Year Run

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 12TH, 2026 – Longtime Audacy host Julia Lepidi has announced her departure from the Philadelphia-based company ending The Julia Show after nearly 15 year run. Lepidi most recently hosted mornings on Alt 98.7/WDZH Detroit. She also hosted a syndicated midday show on a select number of Audacy stations nationwide.

She shared the news on Instagram, saying, "Today was my last day with Audacy, and The Julia Show has come to an end. After nearly 15 years with the company, I’ve decided not to renew my contract. This wasn’t a hasty decision. I’ve known for a while it was time for me to move forward.”

Lepidi joined Audacy (formerly CBS Radio) in 2012 at WDZH where she was eventually transitioned to nights for three years and then mornings in 2018. In November of 2019 she took over nights at co-owned B96/WBBM-FM Chicago. She later contributed to The Church of Lazlo in afternoons on WDZH while maintaining her Chicago slot and then returning to mornings on Alt 98.7 in September of 2022.

Lepidi added: “A huge thank you to everyone who has helped get me to where I am today. Twenty-year-old me, who got a job in promotions by dancing on a table because they told us in broadcasting school to ‘try to be memorable,’ wouldn’t believe I got to where I am now—the only solo female-led morning show in Detroit while simultaneously nationally syndicated in Top 40. And a massive thank you and hug to everyone who has supported or listened through the years."

Tracy Johnson: '8 Things I Learned From Jerry Cesak,' Co-Host Of The Iconic 'Jeff & Jer' Showgram'

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 12TH, 2026 – For those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with the late Jerry Cesak, co-host of the legendary "Jeff & Jer' show in San Diego, it's been a tough few days following news of his passing. Among them was Consultant Tracy Johnson who worked with the late Jerry Cesak for nearly 11 years. He wrote. "Radio lost one of the all-time great performers last week. Radio Hall-of-Famer Jerry Cesak was a star in every sense of the word. I worked with Jeff and Jer for nearly 11 years at two stations in San Diego. Here are eight ways he made me a better programmer, manager, and broadcaster:

Showmanship: Jerry was an entertainer first, a radio personality second. He was the best example of becoming a local celebrity who happens to be on the radio. Radio needs more stars. Jerry was a star.

A Performer: Jerry knew the art of performance included exaggeration. He “turned up the volume” without sacrificing authenticity. He once told me: “If it’s amusing, laugh like it’s humorous. If it’s humorous, laugh like it’s funny. If it’s funny, laugh like it’s hilarious. If it’s hilarious, laugh like it’s the funniest thing you ever heard. Here’s an example of Jerry displaying this quality.

The ultimate Team Player: Jerry knew how to make space for his partners and make them better without upstaging them or disrupting their story. His big laugh was contagious, and he used it to enhance segments that featured other players. His masterful technique: Back away from the microphone so it adds ambiance but doesn’t overwhelm the storyteller’s momentum.

Passion: He was one of those personalities who couldn’t wait to get out of the building, and couldn’t wait to come in and do it again tomorrow. He cared deeply about his craft and those around him. He went to war for everyone on his team, and that love was genuine.

Storytelling: Jer knew how to be self-deprecating without being a punching bag. And could he tell stories! He knew how to add the right details and depth at the right time to reel the audience (and his cohosts) into the tale. This is one of the best examples of telling a story with color, drama, and detail you’ll ever hear.

Authenticity: Jerry knew who he was on the air and realized his on-air persona reflected his real-life personality. His on-air character became a larger-than-life version of his real life.

Humble Pride: Jeff and Jer were the driving force of two “worst-to-first” stations I programmed (Q106 and Star 100.7, both in San Diego). After our 22nd-to-1st run in 1997, I asked what he considered their #1 strength. He said, “The key to our success is sincerity, and when we learned to fake that, we had it made.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that seemingly flippant, self-deprecating line.

Leadership: He was the heart and soul of the Jeff & Jer Show. He was a leader who looked out for everyone on the show. I miss you, Jerry. Thank you for being you.

Taylor Swift Leads 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award Nominations Followed By Bad Bunny And Others

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 9TH, 2026 – The nominations for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are in, and many of your favorite artists are up for awards at the annual show, set to take place live from Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26th. The 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2025, while also offering a preview of the upcoming hits of 2026.

Artists receiving multiple nominations this year include Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Benson Boone, BLACKPINK, Chris Brown, Ed Sheeran, Ella Langley, GloRilla, Grupo Frontera, HUNTR/X: EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, Jelly Roll, JENNIE, j-hope, KATSEYE, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, Linkin Park, LISA, Mariah the Scientist, MOLIY, Morgan Wallen, Myles Smith, RAYE, ROSÉ, Sabrina Carpenter, Shinedown, sombr, SZA, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift, Twenty One Pilots and Zara Larsson.

Like in years past, iHeartRadio is letting the fans choose the winners in several new and established categories. Fan voting will determine this year’s Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite TikTok Dance, Favorite Debut Album, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, Favorite On Screen, Favorite Tour Photographer, Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite Tour Style, Favorite Tour Tradition and Favorite K-pop Collab.

Social voting begins on January 8th, and will close on March 19th at 11:59pm PT for all categories. Fans can vote by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards. Tune in to see which artists will take home an iHeartRadio Music Award on Thursday, March 26th at 8pm ET live (PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The show will also be broadcast on iHeartRadio stations across the country and on the iHeartRadio app. Check out this year's nominees HERE

The NAB Unveils 2025 Year In Review; 'A Year Of Transformative Innovation, Impactful Storytelling'

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 9TH, 2026 – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has sharted its 2025 Year in Review, "Strengthening Broadcasting, Empowering Local Voices." The website highlights a year of unwavering advocacy, transformative innovation and impactful storytelling from broadcasters across the country.

According to the site, "in 2025, we saw real momentum on important issues: A congressional majority supports keeping AM radio in vehicles and this bill is waiting on House and Senate floor action. Hundreds of thousands of advocates mobilized to modernize outdated ownership rules. Our industry united to defend local journalism and advance broadcast technology, such as the Broadcast Positioning System. We also celebrated 25 years of NAB’s Broadcast Leadership Training Program, welcomed more than 55,000 attendees to NAB Show and launched an effort to strengthen local journalism using NextGen TV technology. See report HERE

Joe Maumee Joins The Pat & Cody Show On 105.1 KNCI Sacramento; AJ Maguire Takes Afternoons

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 9TH, 2026 – Exciting news from Bonneville Sacramento as starting Monday, Joe Maumee will be joining The Pat and Cody Morning Show for the all new 'Pat and Cody with Joe show. Joe has entertained Sacramento listeners for over 20-years and helped to make our community a better place to live. We’re so excited to welcome him to the New Country Family beginning Monday at 6AM when we start giving away FREE MONEY with KNCI’s Double Your Paycheck! Country Radio Hall of Fame personality Pat Still and Cody Robinson have been hosting the KNCI Morning Show for the last eight years. Maumee formerly co-hosted The Dog & Joe Show with Craig 'Dog' Stalians at crosstown Classic Rock KYRV/93.7 The River.

"We are excited to welcome someone with the market credibility Joe has to our team," said Chad Rufer, Director of Programming for Bonneville Sacramento. "Joe is a talent I've admired for years. Adding him alongside Pat and Cody on mornings brings an exciting new chapter for Sacramento radio listeners."

Bonneville also named former Sunny 106.5/KSNE Sacramento morning host AJ Maguire to KNCI for afternoons, replacing Pacey Cervantes, who left the station in November to run for Congress. "I'm extremely excited to be joining the KNCI team and to be back in the format I love, while working for a company that has been on my bucket list my entire career," said Maguire.

Audacy Partners With Podscribe To Enhance Attribution Measurement

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 9TH, 2026 – Audacy has named Podscribe as a preferred measurement partner beginning in 2026. Through this partnership, Podscribe will enable attribution across most of Audacy’s digital portfolio, including streaming audio, podcasting, CTV, and display, with client-facing dashboards and API access that support automated reporting and portfolio-level insights. The collaboration will also support select broadcast attribution initiatives within Audacy’s radio portfolio, complementing existing measurement partners.

“Audacy consistently strives to deliver measurable results for advertisers, and our partnership with Podscribe further strengthens that promise,” said Michael Biemolt, President of Digital Sales, Audacy. “With enhanced attribution and transparency across our portfolio, we’re giving clients even greater confidence in how Audacy drives performance at scale.”

“We’re excited to partner with Audacy, a company that has built an impressive audio platform through premium content, strong local and national reach, and continued innovation,” said Matt Drengler, Head of Partnerships, Podscribe. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to independent, industry-leading measurement and gives advertisers clearer insight into performance so they can grow in audio.”

Recently, Audacy has announced major collaborations with iHeartMedia and TuneIn to broaden distribution, with Sonos to expand Sonos Radio’s advertising business, with Jomboy Media to introduce creator-driven sports content to broadcast radio, and with MOGL to modernize sports marketing through athlete-influencer integrations.

NY Broadcasters Association Begins Search for New President

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 9TH, 2026 – After 15 years at the helm of the New York State Broadcasters Association, President David Donovan will be stepping aside at the end of 2026. While Donovan will continue to lead its government relations efforts, the Association formed a search committee to begin the process of selecting a new President to run the Association.

NYSBA Chairman Chris Musial stated, “David is doing an outstanding job, but he believes the time has come to turn over management of the Association to the next generation. The Board of Directors is delighted he will continue to lead our lobbying efforts in Albany and Washington. The NYSBA Board and Executive Search Committee look forward to advancing the important work of Broadcasters on Multiple Platforms as we begin this search.”

“It has been a great run. Our goal is to bring someone on board earlier in the year to have a smooth transition. NYSBA has an outstanding Board of Directors and the best staff of any association in America,” said Donovan Resumes will be accepted until February 28, 2026. For more information and to apply for the position, go to https://www.nysbroadcasters.org/president-job-listing

Jerry Cesak, Beloved San Diego Co-Host Of The Iconic 'Jeff & Jer' Show, Has Passed Away At 74

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 8TH, 2026 – It's with deep sadness that we report the passing of Jerry Cesak (shown above top center), co-host of San Diego's beloved 'Jeff & Jer Show.' He was 74. He passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, in the arms of his loving wife, Pam."

In a Facebook post, Pam wrote Jerry was born in Maryland where he graduated with a theater degree from the University of Maryland before embarking on what he humorously called a "short 30-year diversion" into radio broadcasting. His career began in Washington, D.C., and took him through Baltimore, Minneapolis and Detroit, where he met his longtime radio partner and co-host, Jeff Detrow.

{Performing under the names Jerry St. James and Jeff Elliott, the duo’s partnership spanned three decades, becoming one of the most enduring shows in the industry. After successful runs in Detroit and Chicago, they brought their hilarious, heartfelt, and listener-driven morning show to San Diego in 1988, where it quickly became the most popular program in the city’s radio history. For 27 years, the Jeff & Jer Showgram delivered laughter, empathy, and community spirit to their devoted "eleven" listeners across San Diego.

The show was responsible for numerous landmark community events, including a post-9/11 "Human American Flag" that drew over 110,000 people (shown above), the "Jingle Ball" holiday concerts benefiting Becky’s House (a sanctuary for victims of domestic violence), "Whirl till You Hurl," and the "Chargers Human Bolt." Throughout his career, Jerry was honored as "Personality of the Year" by Billboard Magazine and Radio and Records. In 2016, Jeff & Jer were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Jerry retired from daily broadcasting in 2015, closing a chapter he described by saying, "Radio was never work. We always had so much fun every single day, it’s like high school with pay."

Beyond the airwaves, Jerry was a lifelong and passionate advocate for animal welfare. He served on the boards of the Humane Society of the United States and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Together, Pam and Jerry founded the Unicorn Foundation, which produced the multimedia show Bless the Beasts, touring the United States to raise awareness about animal cruelty. Jerry used his microphone for animals whenever he could and was instrumental in passing Prop 2, a bill which ended suffering for millions of farm animals. Jerry’s most recent contribution was the establishment of Charlotte’s Medical Center at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. The CMC is a 5,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that offers free or low-cost medical care to shelter animals and foster groups. Jerry’s creative talents also extended to writing and the arts.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Pam Cesak, and his devoted animal family: Winston, Gigi, Savanah, and Isabella. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rancho Coastal Savanah, and Isabella. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. For more information, contact: Bob Bolinger bbbolinger@gmail.com

At-Home Podcast Listening Continues to Climb

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 8TH, 2026 – In Edison's latest 'Insights,' it says the majority of audio listening remains at-home, but we now see a shift back towards pre-COVID levels. Our first insight of 2026, from Edison Podcast Metrics, illustrates where U.S. weekly podcast consumers most frequently consume podcasts and how this specific sector of the audio world has changed over time.

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Just as we saw last week, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed where weekly podcast consumers listen to or watch podcasts most often. In 2019, 48% of weekly podcast consumers said they listened to podcasts most often at home. The number jumped significantly to 58% in 2020. In the case of podcasts, at-home has continued to rise over time, with 63% of weekly podcast consumers picking that as their primary podcast consumption location.

Parallel trends around podcast consumption, especially on TVs, are likely keeping these numbers from reverting to the pre-COVID rates. Click the image to enlarge Edison Podcast Metrics is the only podcast measurement service that captures consumption across all networks, shows, and platforms in the U.S. Subscribers to this product have access to all of our research, rankings, and show profiles through online dashboards—including comprehensive rankings for 500+ podcasts with detailed insights across thousands of shows.

Tracy Johnson: How to Turn Listeners Into Fans

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 8TH, 2026 – Every show should have a common goal that, when achieved, will lead to higher ratings, increased revenue, and a bigger bonus check. Make it your mission to convert ordinary listeners into fans. That sounds easy, but it’s not because listeners are fickle. Most use the radio in the background, scanning the dial for instant gratification. But fans are passionate and will stay tuned so they don’t miss out. A loyal fan base is the most valuable asset a radio station can have. Fans have an emotional connection. In your quest to drive more engagements, converting listeners into fans should be your top priority, and that starts with understanding how listeners become fans.

Nobody pledges undying loyalty to a show that hands out the most prizes, though it’s true that rating respondents tend to be active contest players. They use you as a means to an end (to win something). The things you do (music, information, contests, service elements, features, etc.) are instruments to increase tune-in and can help develop listening habits. But that’s not how to turn listeners into fans. Listeners become fans by developing an emotional connection with the brand, typically through relationships with personalities.

When listeners become fans, the utility (e.g., a personality) is not easily replaced. This is why legendary shows can change stations and take the audience with them, often leaving their former station in shambles. Just as die-hard sports team fans are loyal whether the team is winning or losing, fans of personalities don’t easily switch allegiance, but earning those fans is hard. Converting casual listeners into fans of a personality isn’t easy, but the formula is simple.

Listeners become fans when they relate to you in one of three ways: Listeners form connections when they identify character traits they see in themselves, usually starting with common interests. Demonstrate your character traits by sharing a point of view on relevant topics curated to help listeners “recognize themselves.” When they identify with you, they become invested.

Team shows offering multiple characters (and dozens of character traits) increases the odds of connecting with more listeners. But even solo shows can demonstrate attributes that remind listeners of someone they love. (Your Name) is like someone I’d like to become or at least hang out with. Aspiration is a powerful attraction. Likeable personalities are irresistible when they embody traits the audience wishes it had. That isn’t easy to reach, but being someone they would like to have coffee, lunch, or drinks with is also aspirational. Get Entire Article HERE

https://insidersradionetwork.com/how-to-turn-listeners-into-fans/

Mallory, Jake, And JR Team For Mornings On Connoisseur Media's KUPL 98.7 The Bull Portland

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 7TH, 2026 – KUPL 98.7 The Bull is proud to announce a brand-new, locally focused morning show, premiering Tuesday, January 20. The new show features Jeff “JR” Ramsey, Jake Byron, and Mallory Santic. At a time when local voices matter more than ever, The Bull’s new morning show is designed to reflect the character of Portland — connecting listeners to their city, their music, and each other, each and every (weekday) morning.

JR Ramsey joins The Bull with a strong background in notable radio markets like Nashville, Denver, Arizona, and “the other Portland.” I’m fired up, grateful, and beyond excited to wake up with Portland every weekday morning on 98.7 The BULL!” said Ramsey. Jake Byron returns to The Bull and to morning radio. Byron spent over a decade at 98.7 The Bull. “Connoisseur Media is making possible what I only dared to dream; a return to the daypart I called home for 15 years,” Byron said. Mallory brings a digital-first perspective and a deep love of country music. “I’m so excited to be part of launching a new morning show on 98.7 The Bull,” said Santic. “I love Portland, I love country music, and I can’t wait to start mornings with listeners and connect with the city we call home.”

“Connoisseur Media, since our purchase of Alpha, has been going from market to market to add a stronger local presence,” said Keith Dakin, SVP of Programming. “We believe that for radio to thrive in 2026, we have to be a major part of our communities, and having a strong morning show like this is a giant piece of the puzzle.”

CPB Votes To Disband After Congress Pulls Funding

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 6TH, 2026 – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has voted to dissolve after Congress eliminated all federal funding at President Trump’s request. CPB said operating without funding would risk political misuse and legal exposure, prompting an orderly shutdown. The decision has already triggered layoffs and budget crises across public radio and television stations.

After 58 years of service to the American public, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board of Directors has formally voted to dissolve the organization, it affirmed on Monday. The Desk reports the CPB Board determined that continuing as an unfunded entity would not serve the public interest and could expose the organization to political misuse or legal risk. Instead, CPB will conduct an orderly closure, distributing remaining funds in alignment with congressional intent and preserving its archives through partnerships with the American Archive of Public Broadcasting and the University of Maryland.

“What has happened to public media is devastating. After nearly six decades of innovative, educational public television and radio service, Congress eliminated all funding for CPB, leaving the Board with no way to continue the organization or support the public media system that depends on it,” CPB Board Chair Ruby Calvert said in a statement. “Yet, even in this moment, I am convinced that public media will survive, and that a new Congress will address public media’s role in our country because it is critical to our children’s education, our history, culture and democracy to do so.”

“For more than half a century, CPB existed to ensure that all Americans — regardless of geography, income, or background—had access to trusted news, educational programming, and local storytelling,” CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said on Monday. “When the Administration and Congress rescinded federal funding, our Board faced a profound responsibility: CPB’s final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain de-funded and vulnerable to additional attacks.” “Public media remains essential to a healthy democracy,” Harrison said. “Our hope is that future leaders and generations will recognize its value, defend its independence, and continue the work of ensuring that trustworthy, educational, and community-centered media remains accessible to all Americans.”

Miami’s Big 105.9 Inks Multi-Year Extension With Legendary Morning Show Host Paul Castronovo

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 6TH, 2026 – iHeartMedia Miami’s Big 105.9 (WBGG) announced today a new long-term agreement with legendary South Florida Classic Rock morning host Paul Castronovo, extending his iconic morning show for another multi-year run. Under the new deal, “The Paul Castronovo Show” will continue to broadcast live on Big 105.9, airing weekdays from 6:00 a.m.-10 a.m. ET.

Castronovo has been a fixture in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale radio scene for decades, blending comedy, local culture and engaging interviews. “iHeart just signed me on for another five years. Either they really love me—or they lost a bet,” joked Castronovo. “Honestly, I’ve got the best job in South Florida. Every morning, I get to laugh with my friends—and they actually pay me for it! This new deal will mark 47 years of doing radio in South Florida and that’s just wild.”

With more than 40 years in the market, Castronovo is one of the longest-running radio personalities in South Florida. He has hosted morning shows for numerous stations including WSHE and WZTA before making Big 105.9 his home nearly 25 years ago — cementing his status as one of the region’s most enduring and recognizable voices.

“Paul brings a distinctive mix of personality and an authentic community connection that truly resonates with his loyal listeners and advertisers,” said Shari Gonzalez, Market President for iHeartMedia Miami/Fort Lauderdale. “We’re thrilled to have Paul continue his incredible radio run in Miami and keep his iconic morning show on Big 105.9 for years to come.” Beyond the microphone, Castronovo is deeply committed to the community. He has helped raise more than two million pounds of food for Farm Share and has served in leadership roles with the Miami Dolphins Foundation, including as co-chair of Fins Weekend, as well as on the Board of Directors for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. iHeartMedia Miami has a strong cross-platform presence and includes a number of iconic brands and franchises — both broadcast and digital — encompassing more than 11 stations comprised of music, talk and news formats.

DeDe In The Morning Expands Presence In Jacksonville With Simulcast On CMG's HOT 106.5

Coincides With Launch of DeDe In The Morning: 'Pays Your Bills'

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 6TH, 2026 – WHJX Hot 106.5 welcomes DeDe In The Morning to its weekday lineup beginning Monday, January 12. The program will air simultaneously on HOT 106.5 and CMG’s Tru Hip Hop station Power 106.1 (WJGL-HD2), marking a rare dual-frequency morning show presence in the Jacksonville market. Distributed by Compass Media Networks, DeDe In The Morning is heard on nearly 100 stations nationwide.

DeDe McGuire has been heard mornings on Power 106.1 since June 2022, where the show has delivered standout performance on a translator signal. In 2025, DeDe was a top 4 show with African Americans in Jacksonville. DeDe’s debut on HOT 106.5 coincides with the launch of DeDe In The Morning: Pays Your Bills, giving listeners five chances each weekday to win $1,000.

“Expanding DeDe In The Morning to HOT 106.5 is a significant milestone for the show and for Jacksonville,” said Nancy Abramson, SVP Affiliate Sales & Content, Compass Media Networks. “This move allows the program to reach even more listeners while maintaining its strong local connection.” McGuire, a radio Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2025), is a multi-award-winning broadcaster who has been named multiple times as one of Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women in Radio. Her honors include a Gracie Award, the AirBlazer Award for Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, and the International Black Broadcasters (IBBA) Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Jacksonville has consistently supported DeDe In The Morning, and I’m excited to officially join the HOT 106.5 family,” said McGuire. “Being heard on two stations in the market allows us to connect with even more listeners each morning.” Elroy Smith, Director of Urban Content at Cox Media Group and Program Director of HOT 106.5 and Power 106.1, called the move historic for the market. “Airing the same morning show on two urban frequencies is unprecedented in Jacksonville,” Smith said. “Power 106.1 continues to serve hip-hop listeners, while HOT 106.5 introduces the show to an R&B audience.”

The Dana Cortez Show And XYZ With Erik Zachary Kick Off 2026 With Added Markets

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 6TH, 2026 – The Dana Cortez Show and XYZ with Erik Zachary air in new markets this week included DCS airing middays on KZFM-FM Corpus Christi, TX, while XYZ with Erik Zachary will be airing evenings on Connoisseur Media’s WEZN-FM Metro Fairfield, CT. Through the addition of KZFM-FM to the DCS affiliate lineup, Dana Cortez and her co-hosts, DJ Automatic and Anthony A., will be bringing their real-life storytelling, engaging humor, and authenticity to new audiences.

"We are excited to join the legendary hip-hop station Z95 in Corpus Christi, home of Selena!” said Dana Cortez. “Gino Flores and his team have always presented great radio, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

With the expansion into evenings on WEZN-FM, XYZ with Erik Zachary and the recent addition of Audrey Dehler as XYZ’s new producer, Erik Zachary and his co-host, Jordan Foster, are well-positioned for a successful year ahead. 

“Erik Zachary and his crew are bringing life and excitement to evenings,” said Keith Dakin, SVP of Programming at Connoisseur Media. “We love our partnership with the show and are excited to bring them to STAR 99.9 and the listeners of Connecticut.”

“This collective growth for our programs is an exciting step in continuing to elevate our syndication networks to new listeners and markets,” added Andrew Kalb, EVP, Strategic Business Operations. “We pride ourselves on our ability to offer high-quality content and greater opportunities for our advertising partners to connect with additional audiences.”

The Dana Cortez Show is available mornings, middays or afternoons, Monday through Friday, and The Dana Cortez Weekend Show is available Saturday or Sunday with delivery via FTP. XYZ with Erik Zachary is available five hours daily, Monday through Friday, as well as weekends. For additional information on either show, visit skyviewnetworks.com/dcs or skyviewnetworks.com/xyz or contact affiliation@skyviewsat.com.

Beasley Celebrates 65 Years of Radio Broadcasting

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 5TH, 2026 – In 2026, Beasley Media Group proudly marks its 65th Anniversary- an importanckground). At a time when many smaller communities lacked access to local broadcasting, he recognized radio’s unique ability to inform, connect, and serve. That vision became the cornerstone of the company. This milestone reflecting decades of growth, innovation, and service to communities across the country. The Company was founded on December 3, 1961, when its late founder, George Beasley, was awarded an FCC license to build WPYB-AM, a daytime-only radio station in Benson, North Carolina (shown in background)

Over the past 65 years, Beasley has grown from a single radio station into a diversified media company, operating 55 radio stations in large and mid-sized markets and extending its reach through digital and live event platforms. While the media landscape has continued to evolve, Beasley’s dedication to local communities, exceptional content, and trusted partnerships has remained unwavering.

The anniversary theme - “65 Strong: Forward Together” - reflects both the strength of the company’s foundation and its focus on the future. To mark this milestone, Beasley Media Group has introduced a commemorative 65th Anniversary logo, which will be featured throughout 2026 across company communications, platforms, and events. The logo serves as a visual representation of Beasley’s enduring legacy and forward-looking vision. “Reaching 65 years is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and dedication of the people who make Beasley Media Group what it is today,” said Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer. “While we are incredibly proud of our legacy, this milestone is equally about where we are headed- continuing to evolve, embrace innovation, and strengthen the local connections that have always set us apart.”

EDISON: At-Home Listening Finds A 'New Normal’

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 – Trended data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear® study illustrates the dramatic effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on U.S. listening habits and how things have changed since. The graph above illustrates the percentage of daily audio listening time that is done at home from 2015 to Q3 2025 among people in the U.S. 13+.

From 2015 to 2019, Edison's survey found that just over half of all daily audio time was spent listening at home, averaging a little above 52% over those years. The share of time spent listening to audio at home then increased sharply in 2020 to 59%, due to office work moving into homes, and other social distancing practices. This new trend continued into 2021 and 2022, with many wondering if life would ever look as it had before the pandemic.  

The trend starting in 2023 seems to point to a ‘new normal’, with the average between then and 2025 at 55%, seemingly reflecting a world where many office workers continue to work from home at least a few days each week. Share of Ear® subscribers have access to share of listening time spent at home, work, in a car, or in another place, along with a variety of other data points on how Americans engage with audio. Contact us to learn more about a subscription to Share of Ear®.

Cumulus' WWO To Debut 'Nightly With Jade & Tyler' Starting January 5th

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 – Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announced the launch of a new nighttime CHR music show featuring music and entertainment personalities Jade Jones and Tyler Frye, and debuting on Monday, January 5, 2026. “Nightly with Jade & Tyler” will deliver five hours of today’s hottest hit music, Monday through Friday, from 7:00pm to Midnight.

Jade joins Westwood One from WWWQ-FM in Atlanta. Tyler, a proud Chicago native and lifelong Bears fan, has built a career across major markets including Tampa, Denver, Raleigh, Houston, and Kansas City. He comes to Westwood One from KMJK-FM in Kansas City. Jade and Tyler will continue their daily shifts on WWWQ-FM and KMJK-FM.

Collin Jones, President, Westwood One, said: “Jade and Tyler bring an unmistakable spark to weeknights. Their mix of music, personality, and real-time social connection gives stations a fresh, dynamic edge audiences feel immediately. If it’s trending, they’re on it. If it’s hot, they’re playing it. We’re thrilled to kick off the new year with a show that brings this level of energy and fun to listeners nationwide.”

Jade Jones commented: “I’ve got butterflies! I’m excited to bring my voice, heart, and perspective to a national audience. I’m looking forward to connecting with the people on the other side of the speakers." Tyler Frye remarked: “This is the ultimate dream of mine; I am forever grateful and blessed for this amazing opportunity. I can't wait to co-host with Jade, who is already a mega superstar. This is going to be fun. I want to thank Donna Baker, Leslie Whittle, Doug Hamand, Susan Stephens and Brian Philips for this giant opportunity.” Of note, For more information, visit HERE

Northwest Kansas KLOE 730 To Go 'Permanently Silent' Following Fallen Tower From Extreme Wind

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 30TH, 2025 – NWKS Radio and Kansas Broadcast Company confirm that the broadcast tower for Goodland’s 730 Gold KLOE has fallen following a series of extreme wind events that impacted northwest Kansas in mid to late December. A Station Rooted in Northwest Kansas History, KLOE first signed on the air in 1948 becoming a trusted voice for Goodland and the surrounding region for more than 75 years. The station celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023.

During the powerful windstorm on December 17 and 18, wind gusts across the Kansas Colorado border reached 70 to more than 80 miles per hour with Goodland experiencing gusts near 79 miles per hour. Those winds caused the porcelain insulators at the base of KLOE’s tower to fail, leaving the structure leaning and unstable. Engineering assessments confirmed the tower itself remained intact but with multiple insulators broken and replacement parts difficult to source the facility could not safely operate.

Despite hopes that the tower would remain standing until repairs could begin, additional wind gusts late Saturday night December 27 into Sunday December 28 caused the tower to shift and ultimately fall to the southwest into a nearby wheat field. The tower came down without causing any damage to surrounding property or structures and without injury. What This Means for KLOE Due to the significant cost of constructing a new AM tower and the realities facing AM broadcasting today, Kansas Broadcast Company has made the difficult decision that KLOE 730 will not be repaired or rebuilt and will go permanently silent.

KLOE’s tower may have fallen but its legacy stands tall. The station’s influence helped shape local broadcasting in northwest Kansas and its spirit will live on through continued local programming news coverage and community engagement across NWKS Radio’s stations (100.3 The Ride KRDQ, RockIt 102.5 KKCI, KXXX 790, and FlyOver Country 97.9 KWGB) Photo/NWKS Radio Kansas Broadcast Company

Corey Dylan: How To Use Social Media To Stay Employable. 'Visibility Is The New Job Security'

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 30TH, 2025 – In Corey Dylan's latest video, she points out that hiring decisions are now happening online before interviews ever occur. Her worksheet (linked below) helps you turn your experience into visible proof of value.

Step 1: Audit Your Online Presence - 1 Google your name: what shows up on page one? 2 Does your LinkedIn headline clearly explain what you do today? - 3 Is your profile photo current and professional? Is your brand cohesive across all platforms? 4 Do your bios match where you’re going, not just where you’ve been? Employers hire momentum, not history. 

Step 3: Create Proof of Value - 1 Share wins and lessons learned from your career. - 2 Comment intelligently on industry posts. Engage often, don’t just post and forget about it. 3 Post 1–2 times per week to stay visible. Consistency is the key to being seen.

Visibility is the new job security. Your experience IS still valuable, it just needs to be seen. Watch Video HERE

Lana Harris, Ronndell Smith And Million Connally-Cooper To Host HOT 97 News Starting In January

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 29Th, 2025 – MediaCo Holding Inc. announced the launch of HOT 97 News, a daily live national TV show created at the intersection of journalism, hip hop, conversation, and culture. HOT 97 is entering the news space for the first time with a bold new format in January 2026. HOT 97, the legendary hip-hop brand born in New York City and synonymous with culture-shifting conversations, is expanding its voice beyond radio to redefine how news is delivered across America.

Leading the new news format will be Lana Harris, Ronndell Smith, and Million Connally-Cooper, breaking down every topic, elevating community voices, and giving people the context they need to move smarter every day. HOT 97 News will broadcast and stream nationally across all HOT 97 TV and digital streaming platforms beginning January 2026. In addition, HOT 97 TV is also expanding its local footprint with HOT 97 News – Atlanta, a daily one-hour live news show focused exclusively on the Atlanta metro area.

The local edition will spotlight Atlanta-area news,music, entertainment, and community conversations, reflecting the pace, perspective, and voice of the city. HOT 97 News – Atlanta will air on WHOT-TV 66 in Atlanta and stream across major platforms, giving local audiences access both on television and digitally.

Buzz Knight Media Productions Donates Select Episodes To Rock Hall Of Fame Library & Archives

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 18TH, 2025 – Buzz Knight Media Productions, lead by creator Buzz Knight, has announced the donation of select episodes from his widely popular Music Saved Me podcast into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame library and archives. The podcast, created by Knight and hosted by acclaimed TV and radio personality Lynn Hoffman, features intimate conversations with world renowned recording artists and industry figures who reveal how music has profoundly impacted their own lives, offering fans inspiring stories of resilience, healing, and transformation, while also providing personal context behind the songs they have come to love.

Episodes selected for The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame archives were based on their contribution to documenting music’s therapeutic and life-changing power across different generations.

Episodes now included in the archive are Train’s Pat Monahan, Run-DMC’s Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, Def Leppard’s Rick Allen, The Head and the Heart’s Charity Rose Thielen & Matt Gervais, Shinedown’s Brent Smith, singer-songwriters Lauren Monroe, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mary Gauthier, country recording artists Whey Jennings and Struggle Jennings, Neo-classical pianist BLKBOK, and Teen Cancer America’s Simon Davies.

“I’m honored to donate Music Saved Me to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Knight remarked. “Lynn Hoffman has created something truly special with this podcast—capturing deeply personal stories that demonstrate music’s ability to heal, inspire, and literally save lives Preserving these conversations in the Rock Hall’s archives ensures that future generations can witness the profound impact music has on the human spirit.”

Buzz Knight Media Productions Music Saved Me and Takin A Walk podcasts are part of The iHeart Podcast Network, in conjunction with Premiere Networks. Listen now on iHeart Media, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at MusicSavedMe.net.

Howard Stern Inks Extension With SiriusXM For Three More Years, 'I Still Love Being On The Radio'

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 16TH, 2025 – During his last show of the year, Howard Stern officially announced that he will continue to host “The Howard Stern Show” exclusively on SiriusXM for three more years. Howard Stern will be back live on the air on Monday, January 5.  

“I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all. More free time and continuing to be on the radio. Yes, we are coming back for three years,” Howard said. “Thanks to the good folks here at SiriusXM, who I told you, I really do adore,” Howard added. “I was able to create Robin, a more flexible schedule and so we’ll be back. I know you and I have talked about it privately Robin, even though you’re pretending you didn’t know the announcement. But I did check with my Robin to see that she was up for it as well because if Robin wasn’t up for it, then I wasn’t going to do it.”

“I still do love being on the radio. I think the show is better than ever, I really do believe that in my heart,” said Howard Stern during his announcement.  Watch announcement HERE Courtesy of SiriusXM

Steve Goldstein: The Liquid Content Era Is Here,' The 'What's A Podcast Era Is Over'

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 15TH, 2025 – Amplifi Media's Steve Goldstein's declares in his latest blog: "This is it. I’m calling it. The “What’s a podcast?” era is over. 2025 was the year the podcast world finally acknowledged the audio landscape had shifted for good. While the industry debated definitions and formats, audiences simply kept moving to new platforms, new screens, and new behaviors. The podcast industry is always changing.

Throughout the years in the Amplifi Thought Letter, and in my NYU Business of Podcasting class, we’ve tracked this journey across three distinct eras. And now, in 2026, we enter the fourth. Era 1: The “MeUndies” Era This era represents the dawning days. Podcasting began as a small, intimate medium. Public radio dominated the charts, and early brands like MeUndies took a chance on host-read ads. There was an infamous Mailchimp ad on Serial. The entire industry generated roughly $750,000 a year. Simple. Direct. Audio-only and some glorious trailblazing shows.

Era 2: The Spaghetti-Against-the-Wall Era Then came the rush. Big business discovered podcasting. Expansion and experimentation followed. Everyone from Amazon to SiriusXM, Spotify, and Sony—everyone raced to acquire networks and IP. Money flowed. Ambition spiked. Experiments multiplied. Some shows soared; many didn’t. It was messy, and while some things stuck, a lot of spaghetti oozed down the wall. Regardless, this era professionalized the industry and expanded its creative boundaries.

Era 3: The “What Is a Podcast?” Era For the last few years, we’ve been right here - the identity crisis phase. Conferences became group therapy sessions. Articles and agencies debated the definition of a podcast. So much hand wringing. Can a podcast be video? (See Joe Rogan). Meanwhile, audiences simply watched our content on YouTube and wondered why more podcasts didn’t have video.

Today we know podcasting is not audio or video, from research we did with Coleman Insights, it’s both Era 4: The Liquid Content Era - The next era of content isn’t emerging — it’s here. We’re in the liquid content era, defined by how audiences behave—not by how the industry wishes they would. And yes, the debate is still very much alive. Is a podcast a format? A platform? A show? An on-demand container? In many ways, that conversation misses the point. A podcast isn’t really a format anymore — it’s a form. Continue Reading HERE. Steven Goldstein, Amplifi Media If The Thought Letter was forwarded to you, please sign up HERE, it’s free.

iHeart Chicago Stations Raised $925,831.00 During Its Annual 'Lurie Children’s Radiothon'

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 15TH, 2025 – iHeartMedia Chicago announced that “Lurie Children’s Radiothon” raised $925,831.00 in support of the patients and families at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The “Lurie Children’s Radiothon” was broadcast live on Thursday, December 11

“The Lurie Children’s Radiothon is more than an event—it’s a celebration of hope and community,” said Adam Kurtz, Region President for iHeartMedia Chicago. “We are honored to join forces with our partners and listeners to support the incredible care Lurie Children’s provides to patients and families across Chicagoland.” "The Radiothon represents a truly vital partnership that allows us to spotlight the resilience of our young patients and the dedication of our care teams who champion children's health every day," said Dr. Thomas Shanley, President & CEO of Lurie Children's.

"Our collaboration with iHeartMedia Chicago and the incredible generosity of their listeners empowers us to transform the lives of children in our community and across the broader region we serve." For the past six years, the radiothon has raised over $4.6 million to benefit Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Q3 2025 Edison: Podcast Audiences Older Demos Surge From 29 To 39 Median Age Since 2017

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 12TH, 2025 – Westwood One's analysis of Edison Research’s Q3 “Share of Ear.” study of 4,000 Americans shows that AM/FM radio still dominates ad-supported audio with a 64% share, followed by podcasts (20%). Ad-supported music streaming platforms have audience shares in the low to mid-single digits: Spotify (6%), Pandora (5%), YouTube Music (1%), and Amazon Music (1%).

Of note, As older demographics flock to podcasts, the median age of the podcast audience ages sharply In 2017, podcasts’ daily reach was greatest among 18-24s. Eight years later, podcasts’ daily reach has surged, especially in older demographics. The older the age group, the greater the growth in the podcast daily audience.

Today, podcasts’ greatest reach centers on 25-44s, with significant growth among 45-64s. The podcast median age soars from 29 in 2017 to 39 due to a massive influx of older listeners The last two years have seen podcasts’ median age grow from 34 in 2023 to 39 in this recent Q3 2025 report. Still, podcasts remain one of the youngest media platforms.

You’ll miss two-thirds of America if your audio media plan only has digital audio; Adding AM/FM radio causes reach to surge from 33% to 74% of the U.S. The net reach of Spotify, Pandora, and podcasts only reaches one-third of Americans. Adding AM/FM radio to the media plan causes reach to surge from 33% to 74%. Read full report HERE

It's Official: Audacy's WFAN New York Announces The Return Of Craig Carton In Afternoons

Evan Roberts & Tiki Barber to Debut New Midday Show With Shaun Morash

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 11TH, 2025 – Following multiple reports last week, WFAN (WFAN-FM/AM) has officially announced a revamped weekday programming lineup, effective January 5, 2026. The changes are highlighted by the return of Craig Carton, who will host “The Carton Show” alongside Chris McMonigle.

The station is also launching a new midday show, "Evan & Tiki," featuring Evan Roberts, Tiki Barber (shown right) and Shaun Morash. “Evan and Tiki” executive producer Tommy Lugauer will host a new evening show, "After Hours."

"Craig Carton's return reaffirms WFAN's position as New York's premier sports destination for big personalities, compelling conversation and highly engaging content that is difficult to ignore,” said Chris Oliviero, Chief Business Officer and New York Market President, Audacy. “Our 2026 lineup has familiar marquee voices all day and all night, guaranteeing that whenever you tune into The Fan, you will be smack dab in the middle of the New York sports culture."   

"WFAN has always been home to me,” said Carton. “Having the opportunity to return and rejoin the best sports talk station in the world is an opportunity I am eagerly looking forward to and beyond excited for.”

Craig Carton rejoins WFAN after previously co-hosting “Carton & Roberts” (2020–2023) and “Boomer and Carton” (2007–2017) on the station. Additionally, he currently hosts "The Craig Carton Show" podcast through FOX/Red Seat Ventures. His weekend WFAN show, "Hello, My Name Is Craig," has aired since 2021 and is regarded as one of the top addiction-oriented podcasts available. In 2024, Carton was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

County Approves 'Seacrest Stadium' At Georgia High School In Honor Of Famous 1992 Graduate

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 10TH, 2025 – At its Dec. 8th meeting, The DeKalb County Georgia School Board approved “Seacrest Stadium” as the name of Dunwoody High School’s soon-to-be-renovated athletic complex at its Dec. 8 meeting. The stadium is named in honor of its famed 1992 Dunwoody High School alumnus. Appen Media reports The “Bring It Home” campaign needs to raise $1.5 million from the community to match Ryan Seacrest’s roughly $1 million pledge.

As a student at Dunwoody High School, Seacrest auditioned for and earned the opportunity to host the school’s morning announcements. At just 16 years old, he transformed the daily announcements into a full morning broadcast show, beginning each day with an enthusiastic, “Good morning, Dunwoody!” Of note: Ryan was also a member of the football team, which won the 1992 AAAA Regional Championship.

The “Bring It Home: One Family, One Field” campaign ramped up in August after the School Board approved an item allowing the Dunwoody community to privately fund and build additional seating and associated structures necessary to host high school varsity football games. In late November, committee member Catherine Mootz said the campaign had an alumnus committed to donating a large lump sum, rumored to be around $1 million, separate from the community fundraiser.

“Ryan Seacrest and his parents, Gary and Connie, worked steadfastly for more than 20 years with members of the community to help make this stadium a reality,” Mootz wrote in her announcement. “The new Seacrest Stadium will give Dunwoody something it has never truly had — a home field worthy of its pride and tradition.”

Ryan Seacrest now hosts and produces the internationally syndicated “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” and “American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest.” In addition to his 'American Idol' duties, last year he took the reins of “Wheel of Fortune.” For more information regarding plans for Seacrest Stadium, visit bringithomedunwoody.com. Photo/bringithomedunwoody.com

Miguel & Holly Returning Home To Tampa Bay For Mornings On iHeart's Mix 100.7

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 4TH, 2025 –  iHeartMedia Tampa Bay’s Mix 100.7 announced today the return of the popular “The Miguel & Holly Show,” effective Monday January 5, 2026. The show will broadcast weekdays from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. The Miguel & Holly Show” was one of Tampa Bay’s leading shows from 2015 to 2022. After a successful three-year run in Charlotte, NC, the fan-favorite duo is returning home to Tampa Bay.

“I am thrilled to welcome Miguel and Holly back to Tampa Bay mornings on Mix 100.7,” said Tommy Chuck, Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Tampa Bay. “Their energy, authenticity and deep connection to this community is exactly what our listeners love.  It feels like welcoming old friends back home — and we’re excited for them to kick off each morning with laughter, real conversation, and a great variety of music!”

“Tampa Bay made me who I am and returning with Holly truly feels like a homecoming,” said Miguel.  “We’re excited to be back, and I can’t wait to reconnect with our listeners every morning.”

“I’m thrilled to be back in Tampa Bay, the place my family calls home, and even more excited to be back in the studio with Miguel,” said Holly.  “We’re ready to share more laughter, fun and meaningful moments with this amazing community!” Miguel & Holly are represented by Heather Cohen of The Weiss Agency.

NAB Announces 2026 Crystal Radio Award Finalists

JOCKLINE, DECEMBER 4TH, 2025 – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced the 50 finalists for the 2026 NAB Crystal Radio Awards. Since 1987, these awards have honored radio stations for their outstanding community service efforts, from radiothons for their local children’s hospitals and support for veterans to food drives after severe weather events.

Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the finalists by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations and public relations firms. The awards will be presented during a special ceremony at the NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 2026.

See all the 2026 Crystal Radio Awards finalists HERE

‘Dude, Call The Police’: Body Found in Frederick MD After Man Calls Into 'Elliot In The Morning Show'

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 24TH, 2025 – A man called into iHeart DC 101.1’s 'Elliot in the Morning show and said he saw a dead body weeks earlier in Frederick, Maryland. According to NBC4 Wash., a man who called himself 'Joseph' called into the show on Friday and launched into a story about being out “exploring nature.” “Look what I came upon,” the caller said. “Dude, you found a dead body?” Elliot asked. “Yes,” the caller replies. “Dude, call the police!” the host repeatedly urges him.

The caller said he saw the body in a “tent city” in Frederick and it remained there “as of, whatever, 18 days ago.” Later Friday, the Frederick Police Department said they were aware of information shared on a radio show about someone found dead in a wooded area off East Street and Carroll Creek Crossing. Detectives responded and found someone dead. An investigation is underway. The name of the person who died was not immediately released, nor was information on how they may have died. Bottom Photo/Radio Hall of Fame

iHeart Makes 'Guaranteed Human' A Core Part Of Its Brand; Keeping Everything 'Real And Authentic'

Encourages Use of AI powered tools such workflow automation, show prep, editing and more

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 26TH, 2025 – iHeartRadio’s chief programming officer and president, Tom Poleman, sent a memo to its staff on Friday saying that iHeart doesn’t and won’t use AI-generated personalities or “play AI music that features synthetic vocalists pretending to be human." He wrote in part: 'Team: A few weeks ago, I shared that iHeart is one of the last truly human entertainment sources and our listeners come to us for companionship, connection, and authenticity — something AI can’t replicate. We’re Guaranteed Human. We don’t use AI-generated personalities. We don’t play AI music that features synthetic vocalists pretending to be human. And the podcasts we publish are also Guaranteed Human. Thank you for leaning into our commitment to keep everything we do real and authentic. That’s what makes us special.

In explaing why this matters so much; Poleman points to research that says: • 70% of consumers say they use AI as a tool, yet 90% want their media to be from real humans. • 92% use social media, but 2/3 say it makesing them feel worse and more disconnected. • 92% say nothing can replace human connection — up from 76% in 2016. • 9 in 10 say human trust can’t be replicated with AI."

Poleman clarifies: "To be clear, we do encourage the use of AI powered productivity and distribution tools that help scale our business operations - such as scheduling, audience insights, data analysis, workflow automation, show prep, editing and organization. Those tools help us reach more people efficiently, while preserving the human creativity and authenticity that define our brand. We talk to our listeners constantly, and they tell us they are also using AI as a tool, but they tell us there’s a limit.

"The bottom line is our research," says Poleman which tells us that 96% of consumers think “Guaranteed Human” content is appealing. So, we’re leaning in. Thank you for keeping it real and making “Guaranteed Human” something that our audience hears and feels every day. Sometimes you have to pick a side — we’re on the side of humans."

Tracy Johnson: 'Stop Trying To Be An Expert. Try Harder To Be Entertaining'

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 24TH, 2025 – In his latest post at Tracy Johnson's Insiders Radio Network, he writes that listeners are not grading you on expertise, but rather on your ability to hold their attention. "Unless you work on a station where your job is to be an authority (news stations or a highly specialized format or show), there’s no need to validate your credentials every time you open the mic," says Johnson. "Yet personalities burn huge amounts of airtime trying to justify why they are talking about a story.

"You’ve heard it. The qualifiers, disclaimers, and endless, usually unnecessary background. It is defensive broadcasting," says Johnson. "You don’t have to establish credibility to be entertaining, so stop trying to be an expert. The vast majority of performers are entertainers, and audiences simply want to feel something. That should shape how you select, frame, and perform every story."

"Stop Trying To Be An Expert," instructs Johnson. "There’s no time or patience for B-level content. You need to make every story count. You are not briefing the United Nations, so use each story as a vehicle to make the audience smile, laugh, or react. The entertainment is never in the content itself; it is in what you do with it. A story is raw material. The narrative should not end with the facts; it should begin there."

But here's the good news, adds Johnson: "There is no shortage of raw material. There has never been more content available, more bizarre headlines, more human moments, more pop culture absurdity. Be selective and filter every possible story through three performance criteria. Read complete article HERE

Edison: The Radio Receiver Remains The Dominant Device For Listening To AM/FM By 13+ In The U.S.

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 – According to Edison's latest Insights, it shares that listening to streamed audio content on phones, computers, smart speakers, and smart televisions now dominates the audio sphere. While AM/FM radio is available on all these digital devices, the radio receiver remains the dominant device the U.S. 13+ population uses to listen to AM/FM radio during an average day.

Back in 2015, 93% of time spent listening to AM/FM radio was done using a radio receiver. Smart speakers were just being released, and households were less likely to own smart TVs than they are now. Ten years later, the portion of AM/FM listening done over a traditional receiver has dropped to 87%. The mobile device and smart speaker have made small gains over the past ten years, chipping away at the radio receiver’s primacy. Broadcast radio companies have made efforts to embrace digital platforms and technologies, but the traditional radio receiver continues to dramatically outperform all other devices for radio listening.

Naturally, in-car listening is a very large portion of time spent with AM/FM, and listening in this environment is almost entirely on a traditional receiver. But even in other locations, radio listening is mostly happening to the ‘over-the-air' signal on receivers. Share of Ear® captures listening habits across platforms, devices, locations, and content types. Trending analyses like the one shown above are available for full subscribers.

The Record from Edison Research and Nielsen is a quarterly report card on how U.S. consumers spend their listening day, specifically focused on the adsupported audio environment. For Q3 2025, daily audio consumption of ALL audio among those ages 13+ totaled 3 hours and 53 minutes across ad-supported and ad-free platforms like radio, podcasts, streaming music services, and satellite radio. Ad-supported audio accounted for 64% of all listening in Q3 2025. In looking only at this ad supported audio universe, listeners age 13+ spent 62% of their daily time in the third quarter with radio, 20% with podcasts, 15% with streaming music and 3% with satellite radio.

Click here to see The Record for Q3 2025.

Study: 89% Say Absence Of A Radio In A New Car Would Probably Keep Them From Purchasing

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 – According to a new study by Critical Mass Insights shows that consumers overwhelmingly want access to AM/FM radio in their cars. The study found that 96 percent of Americans cite built-in AM/FM radio as important in a new car, and 98 percent say it’s important that radio is easy to find in cars. Across all demographics, consumers ages 18 to 74 broadly agree that radio access is key: Even among those who don’t listen to either AM or FM routinely, about 9 in 10 say it’s important to have it available in situations where they need it. These include severe weather events, natural disasters, man-made tragedies and other emergencies where 97 percent of Americans say it’s important to have access to live radio.

“The bottom line here is just how much people value having easy access to both AM and FM radio in their cars. Consumers want radio for a variety of different reasons that are largely unique to local radio -- everything from discovering what new music matters to weather updates, the latest sports reports and local news and events,” said Elizabeth Falke, Senior Vice President of Research for Critical Mass Insights. “This is largely due to the special connection on-air talent forms with listeners, as 9 in 10 Americans say having radio personalities easily available in their cars is important because it helps them feel less lonely.

For consumers who rely solely on the radio for their audio needs, the absence of a radio in their car would force them to subscribe to alternative methods and raise their daily costs. Overall, the research shows that losing built-in radio would greatly impact the purchasing decisions of a new vehicle with most consumers: 96 percent of Americans would miss the radio if it were removed from cars 89 percent of Americans say the absence of a radio in a new car would probably keep them from purchasing. "The ease and simplicity of radio is embedded in the lives of drivers consuming various forms of audio in their cars,” said Falke.

For Second Year In A Row, Sabrina Carpenter Is iHeartRadio's Most Listened To Artist In 2025

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 – It’s time for iHeartRewind – its annual list of iHeart’s most played artists and songs of the year! For the second year in a row, Sabrina Carpenter claimed the top artist spot, racking up more than 2.7 billion total audience spins (TAS). She was followed closely by SZA and Kendrick Lamar, while The Weeknd, Bruno Mars and Morgan Wallen each surpassed 2 billion TAS. Other artists who made the Top 10 included Lady Gaga, Benson Boone, Post Malone and Shaboozey.

Taking a look at specific songs, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile” dominated the charts with over 1.1 billion TAS. Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s “Luther” and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” also defined the year’s sound, showing just how powerful collaborations and breakout hits were in 2025. Across genres, pop fans tuned in the most for Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, and SZA, while Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll led country.

Hip-Hop was dominated by GloRilla and Kendrick Lamar; alternative fans gravitated toward Linkin Park and Green Day; and R&B listeners turned up the volume for Chris Brown and Usher.

iHeartRewind found this data by compiling total audience spins (TAS) and streams across iHeartRadio broadcast stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app. Check out the full lists below to see the top artists and songs, both overall and by genre. And keep an eye out for your personalized iHeartRewind, arriving in inboxes soon! SEE FULL LIST HERE - Lev Radin/Shutterstock

Hubbard Taps Tim Virgin For Afternoons At 97.1 The Drive Chicago; Janda Lane Shifts To Middays

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2025 – Hubbard Radio Chicago’s 97.1 The Drive (WDRV) Brand and Content Director, Keith Hastings, announced today the addition of Tim Virgin to the station's lineup. Virgin has been a defining voice on Chicago’s airwaves for decades. Known for his unmistakable voice, sharp wit, and deep love of rock, he has helped shape the city’s soundtrack and connect with generations of listeners.

“Tim is a multi-talented personality who will bring tremendous value to Driver Nation, our advertisers, and the community,” said Hastings. Virgin will now be heard in Afternoon Drive on both KSHE/St. Louis and Chicago’s 97.1 The Drive.

“A few months away was long enough to remind me exactly where I belong--on a legendary station in the city I love, talking about the music that raised me — ROCK! Huge thanks to Keith Hastings, Keith Lawless, and Greg Strassell for bringing me on board. CHICAGO ...Let’s get loud!” stated Virgin.

With Virgin’s move to Afternoon Drive, Janda Lane will shift to Middays and continue to host her weekly Behind The Song podcast, recognized with a Marconi from the National Association of Broadcasters and a Silver Dome from the Illinois Broadcasters Association as the 2025 Podcast of the Year.

Connoisseur Media Portland Announces A Series Of Leadership Promotions And Appointments

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2025 – Connoisseur Media today announced a series of strategic promotions and new appointments across its Portland radio properties, strengthening programming leadership and positioning the cluster for continued success and growth. Grant McHill has been promoted to Program Director for NewsRadio 101.1 FM KXL. “As someone who has worked at KXL for a decade, I appreciate and understand the station's importance to the community and its potential for growth in Portland and beyond,” McHill said. “I am thrilled, honored, and thankful for this opportunity. A huge thank you to Jeff Warshaw, Keith Dakin, Mark Handwerger, and Ross MacLeod for their confidence in me.”

Connoisseur Media also welcomes Kendall Stewart as Assistant Program Director for 101.9 KINK and Live 95.5. Stewart will additionally host middays on Live 95.5. Stewart most recently served as Assistant Program Director at The Current in Minneapolis–St. Paul. “I’m beyond thrilled to join the Connoisseur Media family and be part of the creative energy behind KINK and Live 95.5!” Stewart said. “I can’t wait to dive in and be part of the radio magic happening every day at these amazing stations. Portland, let’s go!”

At 98.7 The Bull, midday host Jamie Tanchyk expands his responsibilities, adding Music Director duties to his role. Additionally, Ross MacLeod, Operations Manager for Portland, will assume the added role of Program Director for the iconic Triple-A 101.9 KINK.

Ryan Chase Exits 'The Roula & Ryan Show With Eric' On 104.1 KRBE Houston After 20 Years

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 17TH, 2025 – According to local media reporter Mike McGuff, Ryan Chase is no longer with 104.1 KRBE Houston. Earlier this year, "The Roula & Ryan Show" was renamed "The Roula & Ryan Show with Eric." McGuff says late Friday afternoon they changed the station's website to reflect the new show called "The Roula Show with Eric ft. Special K & Sam." However, this was soon deleted.

Chase began his radio career at K-Fox 95.5 Lufkin. Chase later worked for 92.3 K-Rock WXRK New York in the late 1990s, where Howard Stern was the morning show host. 1998, he left New York for 94.5 The Edge in Dallas-Fort Worth, where he worked mornings on "Jagger, Ryan and Michelle." In 2003, Chase joined MIX 96.5 and began working with Roula on "The Roula and Ryan Show," alongside producer Eric Rowe. The morning show duo moved to 104.1 KRBE in 2006, taking over for Atom Smasher and Maria Todd.

Tom Bergeron Apologizes To Bobby Bones After Calling His 2018 DWTS' Mirrorball Win 'Shocking'

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2025 – After Tom Bergeron called Bobby Bones’ 2018 'Dancing With the Stars' win the most shocking in his career followed by the popular host promptly returning his Mirrorball trophy, the former DWTS' host has apologized. EOnline's Olivia Evans says Tom Bergeron walked back a 'misstep' after the former Dancing With the Stars host shared in Parade Magazine he thought, “Ouch,” when Bobby won. Bones expressed hurt over the public callout and shared his intention to return his trophy. In response, Tom directly addressed the former contestant with a message of regret.

“Sorry, Bobby,” Tom wrote in a Nov. 13 Instagram post. “Sometimes I should fall back on my training.” Alongside the comment, the former America’s Funniest Home Videos star included a screenshot of a personal note he wrote to The Bobby Bones Show. “Bobby, it wasn’t my intention to hurt your feelings,” Tom wrote. “My ‘ouch’ was based on my honest feeling that your win spoke to a need to address the balance between judge and viewer voting.”

Begeron who served as a Guest Judge on this week's DWTS, left the show in 2019 after nearly 20 years as its host. He emphasized that his reaction to Bobby’s win was more about how he knew the audience would feel, also expressing empathy for his professional partner Sharna Burgess. “I always felt bad that you and Sharna had to deal with the aftermath of that win,” he explained. “I certainly regret pouring any salt into that old wound.”

According to the New York Post, Bones revealed he did not intend to be on “DWTS” but joined the cast because he had a contract with ABC and they asked him to compete to promote his own show. Bones added, "I had a great attitude. I worked hard and here we are, six years later I’m still catching strays out of nowhere,” he said.

Photos: Top left/Shutterstock, Top right/by Eric McCandless/ABC , at bottom: Tom Bergeron Instagram

Survey: People Care About Music And Want To Know If They're Hearing AI or Human Made Tracks

'80% of survey respondents wanted fully AI-generated music clearly labeled for listeners

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2025 – According to a survey released Wednesday, it's become increasingly difficult for people to tell the difference between music generated by artificial intelligence or by humans. CBS reports the polling firm Ipsos asked 9,000 people to listen to two clips of AI-generated music and one of human-made music in a survey conducted for the streaming platform Deezer. "Ninety-seven percent could not distinguish between music entirely generated by AI and human-created music," said Deezer in a statement.

The survey was conducted between October 6 and 10 in eight countries: Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States. Deezer said more than half of the respondents felt uncomfortable at not being able to tell the difference. Pollsters also asked broader questions about the impact of AI, with 51 percent saying the technology would lead to more low-quality music on streaming platforms and almost two-thirds believing it will lead to a loss of creativity.

"The survey results clearly show that people care about music and want to know if they're listening to AI or human made tracks or not," Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier said in a statement. Deezer said there's not only been a surge in AI-generated content being uploaded to its platform, but it's attracting listeners as well. In January, one in 10 of the tracks streamed each day were completely AI-generated. Ten months later, that percentage has climbed to over one in three, or nearly 40,000 per day.

Eighty percent of survey respondents wanted fully AI-generated music clearly labelled for listeners. Deezer is the only major music-streaming platform that systematically labels completely AI-generated content for users. Read Article HERE

[WATCH] Doug Podell's Retirement Announcement Draws TV Spotlight In Detroit

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025 – Following this week's announcement (JL 11/10) that iHeart's longtime host Doug “Doc of Rock” Podell would be retiring from 106.7 WLLZ/Wheels on December 5, FOX 2 News Detroit's Lauren Edwards caught up with Podell at the station for an interview. He tells Edwards that following the announcement, he took a lot of calls, including one from Ted Nugent. He added that with his birthday (on Tuesday) "I'll be 73. It really was time."

With prior stops in Minneapolis and Cleveland, he counts working with Howard Stern as Manager in Cleveland at 98.5 WNCX and becoming his 3rd affiliate and going number 1, was among his many career highlights. As for Detroit, he say "It loves its radio. It loves its rock and roll -- and it especially loves its radio personalities and I love them back.'

Podell said in a station release, “It’s been an incredible ride. From my earliest days at WABX to returning to WLLZ, where I first took on a leadership role, it feels like the perfect place to sign off. I’ve been lucky to spend 50 years doing what I love, in the city I love, surrounded by listeners who made it all worth it.” Photo/Screengrab FOX 2 - WATCH HERE

Fred Jacobs: Radio Makes It Way Back To TV; Filmed In The Former Home Of WPTF Durham, NC

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025 – In Fred Jacob's latest blog he points to radio's return to the spotlight in Netflix's highly popular series: 'Stranger Things.' Jacobs says, "Over the decades, radio has had its share of pop culture moments—on TV and in movies, in particular. From Good Morning, Vietnam to WKRP, AM and FM stations have enjoyed their cameos as settings and even as plot devices.

Whether it was Kelsey Grammar’s “Frasier Crane” or Clint Eastwood’s late night DJ in 'Play Misty For Me,' radio has often been in the Hollywood spotlight. But it’s been awhile. As radio has found itself under attack, primarily by digital media, the times when stations and DJs have had their moments in the sun have diminished. The days when you tell someone you work in radio, you’re likely to hear the retort, “Does anyone listen to radio anymore?”

"That’s why I perked up when I learned the ultra-popular Netflix show, 'Stranger Things,' will make radio a centerpiece in its season 5, the show’s finale," Jacobs says. "Matt and Ross Duffer created Stranger Things way back in 2016, and the show has enjoyed an impressive run. It has been especially popular among 18-29 year-olds, as well as broader audiences that appreciate its 1980s setting."

Jacobs says, "Stranger Things has proved it has the power to resuscitate past hits. Last season, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill“—a 1985 release—made an incredible comeback thanks to the show. In fact, it became an even bigger hit than when it was originally released. I blogged about it when the song—and Bush—returned to the pop culture center stage thanks to the appeal of Stranger Things. You can check it out here.

So, the question is, could the show help shine a spotlight on the glamor, mystery, and rich history of radio when the first episode of the new season drops on November 26? Will today’s young people watch the show and come away with a positive feeling about radio and working in radio stations?

Interestingly, the show’s producer based WSQK on a real radio station—WPTF in Durham, North Carolina—owned by Don Curtis of Curtis Media. The art deco building is no longer in use, but the structure itself is reminiscent of how radio stations looked eighty years or so years ago. Read complete blog HERE - Photo/Netflix

Talentmasters' 38th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp To Make First-Ever Stop In Cleveland

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025 – Talentmasters' 38th Annual Morning Show Boot (MSBC) is making its first-ever trip to Cleveland, Ohio, the home of Rock and Roll. MSBC host/founder Don Anthony says, "We're most pleased to name Cleveland as the host city for MSBC 38 in 2026. When choosing each year's location, there are typically three important factors that contribute to our decision. As always, we first select a city that's easily accessible by air or a city that can be traveled to by car from numerous surrounding cities. One look at a map and you'll see that Cleveland is a fairly short drive from several top cities, including Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Cincinnati, and several others."

Anthony also noted that this year's hotel is close to numerous restaurants and entertainment spots. "The Hilton Cleveland Downtown is located in the heart of Downtown Cleveland, close not only to several top food and entertainment spots, but near landmarks such as The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the famous Euclid Avenue District."

Finances and budgets are tight for many in the business, so it was important to MSBC organizers that affordability for our attendees and sponsors remain a top concern for choosing this year's location. As a result, we're happy to share that The Hilton is now offering attendees our lowest nightly rate in years (you can book now at the link below).

To celebrate the announcement of next year's choice city, MSBC is selling a small batch of tickets for just $267 (regularly $465).* Once they're gone, they're gone! No encores. Here's one last chance to grab one HERE . *Some restrictions apply.

Heart's Nancy Wilson Makes A Case For Howard Stern To Be Inducted Into The Rock Hall Of Fame

JOCKLINE, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2025 – Among the celebrity attendees at this past weekend's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction Nancy Wilson of Heart. American Songwriter reports that Wilson had a somewhat interesting answer when asked about who she thought should be inducted into the Rock Hall. While various stars offered different names, Wilson didn’t name a singer or band. Instead, she pointed to Howard Stern.

In making her case, Wilson said, “Howard is such a rock star and such a patron of rock and roll. He could actually be inducted next year and I would say yes to that.” And knowing that some might only remember Stern from the past, she added, “He’s not an a**hole anymore.”

The publication says, getting support from Wilson, Stern will need a few more supporters before he enters the Rock Hall inductee conversation. But for those wondering, he could enter the Rock Hall thanks to the Ahmet Ertegun Award. In the past, the award was given to both Alan Freed and Tom Donahue. Both were radio hosts who pioneered radio at the time. Although Wilson supported Stern, she traveled to the Rock Hall to help induct Soundgarden.

Former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres Named New Co-Host For 'The Enrique Santos Morning Show'

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 28TH, 2025 – iHeartMedia has named Dayanara Torres as a new co-host of “The Enrique Santos Morning Show.” Originating from iHeart's Miami’s TÚ 94.9 FM (WZTU-FM), launched on Monday, October 27. Torres, a former Miss Universe, Film and TV actress, and acclaimed TV host, is officially joining the show, marking her radio debut and expanding her voice to listeners through the Enrique Santos Morning Show Network.

Joining Enrique and Dayanara on-air are DJ Xtreme, Harold Valenzuela, and Julio El Producer — along with newcomer Gaby Jordan, the show’s digital reporter and entertainment correspondent, who will keep audiences plugged into what’s trending across pop culture and social media.

“Dayanara has already conquered the worlds of pageantry and television — now she’s conquering morning radio,” said Santos. “She’s real, she’s radiant, and she’s the perfect addition to our family. The chemistry is instant, and the laughs are non-stop.”

“This is such a beautiful new chapter for me,” said Torres. “I’ve always loved connecting with people, and now I get to do it every morning — live, real, and full of laughter. I’m thrilled to join Enrique and this amazing team, and I can’t wait to wake up nuestra gente across the country with joy, energy, and heart.”

Report: 'The Chasm Is Widening Between NPR And The Corporation For Public Broadcasting'

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 28TH, 2025 – NPR's legal team has privately questioned the CPB's longtime chief executive, Patricia Harrison, under oath earlier this month, according to the radio network's legal filings, and is scheduled to do so publicly at a court hearing this morning. According to NPR's David Folkenflik, 'The chasm is widening between NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the nonprofit that funneled federal dollars to public media until Congress killed that funding earlier this year. in court documents, NPR has presented evidence to bolster its case that the board of the nonprofit corporation first approved a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract for NPR to operate a satellite distribution system for public radio stations.

CPB rejects that, saying that it awarded the contract to a different group to better serve the nation's diverse array of public radio stations. NPR and CPB each declined comment for this story, citing the litigation. The two institutions — along with PBS — have stood together at the core of public media for more than a half century. They formed a united front as they lobbied lawmakers against clawing back the $1.1 billion already approved by Congress and signed into law by the president for the broader public media system.

More than 60 years after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 into law, Congress is voting on whether to take back federal funding already promised for the public media system. The Republican majority has accused PBS and NPR of left-leaning bias and being a waste of taxpayer funds. Read Article HERE

It's A Wrap: The Bert Show Signs Off After 25 Years; 'I'm Just Feeling Tremendous Gratitude'

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 27TH, 2025 – With Jockline coming to you daily from Atlanta, this indeed was a surreal morning tuning into Q99.7 and missing the longtiime voice of Bert Weiss, the iconic The Bert Show came to an end Friday morning. Among the media who packed the control room for his final broadcast was Atlanta's News First (watch here). As he closed his show he said, “I’m just feeling tremendous joy and tremendous gratitude. So I’ll end it with that. Thank you guys so much. Thank you for being here for me." “Twenty five years in radio is a thousand years. Thank you for twenty-five years. I guess that’s it, you guys.”

Reaching out from his hometown of San Diego, Weiss shared how it felt when the clock hit 10 am On Friday. He told us, "First time I've felt joy and sadness at the same time. I'm at peace. But also sad. But also very proud of what we've all done for 25 years. 

Having lived the Radio Dream' of being an incredibly successful morning host in a major market in the same city and station for 25 years, we asked what do you say to that young, up and coming host reading this that would like to walk in your footsteps? Is it still possible? "I think the dream to be creative and entertaining and be seen and be a force in people's lives is def possible. And needed. The platform is inconsequential," he answered. 

We had to ask is there was a moment in the last few days or weeks where you suddenly froze for a second and wondered if you were about to make the biggest mistake of your life? "NOT ONCE', he replied. NOT ONCE. There are few things I've been sure of in my life and this is one. Could I come in here and continue to get paid? You bet. But I think what mainstream morning radio has turned into doesn't fit who I am anymore. And that's ok! But why wait? This industry has given me everything in my life. To come in here and pretend for a year? Naaaaa. That would be cheating an industry that has given so much to me and also cheating everybody that works on this show so hard every day

With regard to what's next at Q99.7 in Atlanta, he said he absolutely had no idea, but had heard that The TJ Show would be added on a number of his Westwood One Syndicated affiliates. We also asked how tough it might be to tune in and listen to his successor from his longtime studio?. "Totally at peace with this, man. I'm sure it'll be surreal. But I had my time. 

As for the immediate future, he and his fiance plan to travel abroad. He also plans now to put more focus on getting shows to Pionaire Podcast Network. "I think it's very unique in that its owner comes from the talent side of things. I want to provide the same type of excitement, creativity and freedom I had in morning radio. I'm looking at all sorts of podcasts and giving them the space (and the marketing) to truly be themselves. I'm excited about it. I may even do my own travel podcast at some point. "

"Meanwhile, The sun is rising in San Diego right in front of me and I'm on my computer. Everything I didn't want in retirement. lol. You and I are forever connected Don (Anthony). Talk to ya soon." Top Photo/ANF Screengrab

Michelle Lehman: Free Local Radio In Cars Is Not A Luxury, But a Critical Lifeline When Disaster Strikes

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 24TH, 2025 – Michelle Lehman, NAB's Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, writes that recently Tesla announced plans to remove FM radio – in addition to AM – from its low-cost models (Tesla Model 3 shown below). Instead, their customers will have to rely on streaming and paired smartphone audio. But when disaster strikes and internet service goes down, local radio in cars becomes a lifeline – not a luxury.

Radio is one of the most reliable, universal ways Americans receive urgent information, and AM radio is the backbone of the emergency alert system. “When the power is out and cell service is down, AM radio becomes a critical lifeline,” wrote the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “Its long range and ability to operate during power outages, natural disasters and extreme weather events make it an indispensable resource for those in desperate need of reliable updates. As first responders, we can receive news about roads closing, dams breaking, and rescue efforts by tuning into local AM radio stations in our vehicles.”

Automakers like Tesla put profits above public safety when they remove local radio. Vehicles remain one of the primary places Americans listen to radio each day, and during emergencies, over‑the‑air radio saves lives. Streaming over cellular data or internet is vulnerable to network outages and can require subscription fees. Radio is a local, trusted medium, anchored in communities across America, that responds when emergencies happen and when lives are at stake.

Each month, 82 million listeners depend on AM radio to always be on, delivering news, sports, talk, traffic and weather reports they depend on every day. Lawmakers understand the public safety benefits of radio. That’s why more than 340 senators and House members are supporting the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would require AM radio as a standard safety feature in all new cars. The time is now to pass this critical legislation and protect Americans behind the wheel. Make your voice heard at Depend on AM Radio. Bottom Photo/Tesla

Curtis Sliwa Quits Radio Show During Fiery On-Air Clash After Being Called On To Drop Out Of Race

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 23RD, 2025 – Popular New York host and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa angrily quit his radio show at 77 WABC on Wednesday in a fiery on-air showdown after its owner and one of the station’s fellow host called on him to drop out of the race. The New York Post reports he raged on the station’s airwaves “you will never see me at the studios of WABC again” as he accused colleagues of betraying him and complained to host Sid Rosenberg that the station was giving preferable treatment to independent candidate, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“Let me just say Sid, I am directing my comments to everybody at WABC,” Sliwa told Rosenberg, who is nudging Sliwa to move aside so Cuomo has the best shot at upsetting Democratic nominee and front-runner Zohran Mamdani. “They have said I’m selfish. Selfish? Are you out of your mind?” Sliwa continued. “… But that’s why you will never see me at the studios of WABC again, never, no matter how this election turns out.”

Station owner, John Catsimatidis, said in an interview with The New York Post following the on-air blowup, “Regardless of all the news going around, I’ve always said great things about Curtis Sliwa, about how well he knows the city. But in a places like New York City where 70% of New York City are Democrats, the real Democrat is Andrew Cuomo, not Zohran Mamdani and Democrats should vote for Cuomo. I’ve never asked that he leave the race but recommended that a lot of other people have said he should."

According to the Post, Catsimatidis also implied Wednesday he doesn’t believe Sliwa’s time at the station has ended after his emotional vow. “I’ve supported Curtis for the last 30 years, his organizations and him,” he said. “Me and Curtis have a handshake deal and he has a 30-year contract. When he calms down, I believe Curtis has always been reasonable.” Read New York Post article HERE

Top photo: Lev Radin - Bottom Howard Weiss both from Shutterstock

Tracy Johnson: During Times Of Change, 'The Challenge Isn’t Survival. It’s Staying Relevant'

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 21ST, 2025 – In Tracy Johnson's latest 'Insider Radio Network' article titled: 'Staying Relevant in a Shrinking Industry: Continuous Learning and Reinvention,' he points out, "If you’ve been in radio long enough, even for a couple of years, you’ve seen the cycle: consolidation, layoffs, “restructuring,” and the same pep talk about doing more with less. In a way, it’s validating to be one of the survivors. On the other hand, is that what you’d want? How do you stay relevant in a shrinking industry?"

"In reality, most industries are reducing humans, but the demand for what radio people do best has never been bigger. Storytelling, connecting, entertaining, and managing (programming) content are thriving across platforms," says Johnson. "The challenge isn’t survival. It’s staying relevant during cutbacks and a technology attack that threatens your relevance." Among Johnson's suggestions is to embrace new tools (Even If They Scare You). You don’t need to become a coder or data scientist, but you do need to experiment and learn to use tools that make you faster, sharper, and more creative."

"A talented and resourceful person who can leverage AI can legitimately replace two or three dinosaurs who reject new tech and start reinventing yourself," says Johnson, "Learn to use AI writing and voice tools like ChatGPT or ElevenLabs. Don’t worry. Mastering AI voices won’t make you irrelevant or bring on your own demise. It puts you on the cutting edge! If you’re a producer, have you experimented with audio editing and mixing shortcuts in software like Hindenburg?"

Johnson adds, "Don’t wait for corporate to train you or provide solutions. They probably won’t. Start playing. Curiosity is your new job security. Figure out the answers your boss wants and start doing it! - Read article HERE

Connoisseur Media To Expand West Coast Footprint With Acquisition of Bonneville San Francisco

JOCKLINE, OCTOBER 8TH, 2025 – Connoisseur Media has entered into an agreement to acquire Bonneville International Corporation’s San Francisco market stations, including KUFX, KBLX, KMVQ (99.7 NOW), and KOIT. The transaction is pending regulatory approval by the FCC and is expected to close later this year. This agreement marks a significant milestone in Connoisseur Media’s ongoing expansion, following its recent acquisition of Alpha Media and will bring the total number of stations to 220 in 48 markets upon completion. Connoisseur currently owns KEZR and KBAY in San Jose as well as KUIC and KKIQ in the East Bay.

“San Francisco is a world-class media market, and these iconic stations are a perfect complement to our growing portfolio,” said Jeff Warshaw, Founder and CEO of Connoisseur Media. “We are excited to greatly expand our service to the Bay Area. Our goal is to have a real presence with local programming, local voices, and being a significant part of the community. That’s what defines us, and that’s what listeners and advertisers deserve.”

The broker on the transaction was Kalil & Co., Inc. Connoisseur Media had legal representation by Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, while Bonneville International was represented by Strong & Hanni.

SHOCKER: Bert Weiss Announces Retirement Following 25-Year Run On Oct. 24th

JOCKLINE, SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2025 – After 25 years on air, Bert Weiss will retire from The Bert Show, bringing the nationally syndicated morning-drive program to a close with its final broadcast on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

Since launching the show in 2001, Weiss has become one of the industry’s most recognizable morning drive voices, building a loyal community of listeners across the country and creating a program that redefined morning radio with its candor, humor and unforgettable moments.

From being the first to put Justin Bieber on the radio to generating headline-making interviews – including when Usher revealed that a conversation on The Bert Show had inspired his “Confessions” album two decades earlier – Weiss consistently carried conversations far beyond the studio. Throughout his career, he fostered communication across cultures and lifestyles in pursuit of empathy and understanding

Beyond broadcasting, Weiss’ legacy is defined by giving back. Through his nonprofit, Bert’s Big Adventure, he has provided hundreds of children with chronic and terminal illnesses – and their families – with all-expenses-paid trips to Walt Disney World, creating memories that last far beyond a single broadcast. Following his retirement, Weiss will continue to lead the organization, ensuring its mission remains central to his life’s work.

“For 25 years, listeners have allowed me to be part of their mornings, their commutes and their lives – and that is the greatest gift of my career,” said Bert Weiss. “It’s almost unheard of in radio for an audience to stay with a show this long, and I’ll never take that loyalty for granted. Every laugh, every tough conversation and every shared moment has meant the world to me.”

His career has been recognized with inductions into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame and Friends of Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, multiple National Radio Hall of Fame nominations and numerous “Best of Atlanta” honors.

“We launched Bert and team with a loose plan to electrify Atlanta radio with a bold, buzzing morning show on a brand-new Top 40 station, operating on a then-unreliable ‘move-in’ signal from Anniston, Alabama,” said Brian Philips, Chief Content Officer for Cumulus Media. “In the ensuing 25 years, Bert emerged as the obsessive architect of humor, truthfulness and humanitarianism. With brilliant help from a hand-picked, evolving team, he built a national award-winning powerhouse. ‘The Bert Show Era’ is a historic chapter in Atlanta – and American – radio. As he reimagined the possibilities of morning entertainment, I’m sure he will attack retirement with wild, fun originality. Thank you, Bert."

Weiss will also remain focused on Pionaire, the boutique podcast consultancy he co-founded to mentor talent and elevate authentic storytelling in the digital space. Known for its hands-on approach and curated client roster, Pionaire helps creators cut through a crowded landscape by pairing authentic content with smart strategy. Through the company, Weiss continues to champion voices and build platforms that spark real connection between audiences and talent.

As he closes this remarkable chapter, Weiss looks ahead to getting married, traveling the world and discovering new adventures beyond the mic.

Tracy Johnson: What Happens When You Get 52 Radio Pros In A Room And Discuss Real Problems

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 15TH, 2025 - In our latest MSBC 37 Recap, Tracy Johnson sheds light on our first-ever, experimental, limited-seat event that took place at 8:00 am last Friday in Austin. Despite it's size, it proved to be one of this year's most talked about session.

"Every August, Morning Show Boot Camp brings hundreds of passionate radio personalities together for panels, meet-ups, and more coffee than is probably healthy," says Johnson. "But this year, something different happened. Tucked away in a quiet room, without a stage, without a panel, and without a script, 52 broadcasters circled up for an experimental session called Duct Tape, Coffee, and Content." The idea was simple: no lectures, no ego, no “impress-the-room” flexing. Just a conversation among people who love this industry and are fighting every day to keep it alive. And it worked."

"MSBC's Don Anthony’s vision to innovate by creating a breakout workshop was wildly successful."We covered a lot of ground in a little over an hour (and another 30 in hallway conversations afterward), says Johnson, but the themes that emerged hit directly at the core of what it means to do radio in 2025. We talked about what it’s like to work without a team — or with a “team” that’s more like a mirage."

We heard from hosts who wear 15 hats and still manage to sound local, timely, and compelling every day. We shared frustrations about ego-driven personalities on cast-heavy shows with producers, writers and budgets. All things we want, and many we need. But in this environment, we don’t have them. And then we dug into how to actually do this thing better, even if it’s patched together with Duct Tape, Coffee, and Content.

Less Content, More Impact - One of the most resonant takeaways was the principle of Concentration of Force. It’s a military term, repurposed for broadcasters who are spread thin but still expected to make magic. Instead of packing your show with average breaks, we walked through how to build a single segment that acts as a “lightning rod feature” that hits so hard, it becomes your show’s your show’s equivalent of Carpool Karaoke. Your thing. Your brand. And maybe even your way out of the grind. We demonstrated how less content, done better, creates more connection, more memorability, and more freedom.

As Radio Content Pro’s digital spokesperson and resident radio expert Ava Hart put it: “You don’t need more content—you need the right 10% that slaps.” The energy shifted when we reframed it: It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing the most important things better and letting the rest go. That’s not laziness. That’s survival.

Continue Reading HERE

Mike McVay Recaps MSBC 37's Radio Roundtable; 'Saw No One At 'Boot Camp Wave The White Flag'

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 14TH, 2025 - Mike McVay, President of McVay Media Consulting, once again led this year's Morning Show Bootcamp 37's Radio Roundtable titled 'Managing Success In The Age of Uncertainty.' While on a road trip, we caught up with McVay who offered a brief recap of this year's session. He tells Jockline, "The Radio Roundtable has become synonymous with me as moderator. It usually features panelists that are made up of a blend of company leadership in the content arena, programming influencers, futurists, and on-air performers. This year was no exception.

Joining McVay onstage was iHeart SVP/Programming Jill Strada, Audacy national personality Katie Neal, Programming Consultant and legend Jim Ryan, EVP Programming & Audience at Hubbard Radio Greg Strassell, and Audacy Chief Programming Officer Jeff Sottolano. The years of experience this group possess, the real life scenarios they’ve seen, and their impact on the industry as well as individuals in the room brought an attentive audience to the edge of their seats.

The discussion included radios need to overcome its’ inferiority complex, to understand the nature of the business as it sits today, and the necessity to be more than one dimensional in ones job or position. That included suggestions on doing a regular “ride along” with sellers, supporting sales by making appearances and embracing ad endorsements, as well as being open to multitasking on more than one media platform.

Jeff Sottolano emphasized that the economic crisis facing all of us in radio is having a great impact on the business, and changing the expectations that management has of talent. Jim Ryan added, "As we saw in the podcasting session, your cume is not listening to your show as much as you’ve thought. If you’re on the air 20 hours a week, you need to be on your audience’s mind when you’re not on the air through You Tube, podcasts and social media."

McVay shared that the session included topics that generated real discussion on the state of the industry, opportunities for talent, especially in an evolving (or devolving) business, where do talent fit into the industry, the role of syndication, creating talent value, and what’s the talent side hustle look like in the near and far away future. It concluded with a piece of takeaway information as to what’s on the horizon for radio. While positive, the view of the future brings a touch of apprehension, but I saw no one at Morning Show Bootcamp wave the white flag of surrender. Quite the opposite."

SNAPS: John Moug Gets His First Tattoo At MSBC

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 13TH, 2025 - As you may have heard, there were a lot of 'firsts' at MSBC 37 In Austin this year including our first-ever 'Tattoo Parlor.' Nearly 20 attendees signed up for an array of radio-themed art such as a microphone, portable radio, etc., but at least one person showed up for their first-ever tattoo.

John Moug, of Audacy's B96 Chicago's Moug & Karla Show, arrived at the parlor all smiles, but grimaced just a bit as he was penned with his first tat. He and others were easily spotted in the hallways with bandages over their new design. Based on feedback, you can look for the tattoo parlor to return to MSBC 38 in ..... (oops, coming soon) - Watch John's experience HERE

Photo at right courtesy of KARLA, photo at left from MEL ROSE @stuckwithmel

Fred Jacobs: 'The Spirit Of MSBC 37' Austin; Boot Camp Attendees Are 'A Glimpse Of What’s Next'

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 12TH, 2025 - Fred Jacobs writes in his blog 'The Spirit of MSBC', that it may seem hard to believe but one of radio’s longest running get-togethers is actually collection of on-air talent, mostly from commercial stations. They come from near and far, representing big companies as well as mom & pops, morning shows and syndicated programs, as well as talent working a myriad of dayparts, markets, and situations.

That’s the way radio has evolved in recent years. And as we’ve learned from our AQ studies of commercial radio talent over the past several years, today’s personalities wear an average of “3 hats.” Remarkably, about one-third don “4 hats” or more as part of their expanding job responsibilities as part of industry demands that require more than ever while often delivering less in return – compensation, time off, and emotional rewards.

But talent soldiers on, mostly with a big smile on their collective faces, still glad to be part of a business unlike any other. And at this year’s Boot Camp in Austin – #37 if you’re counting – they once again showed up in droves, braved the Texas heat in August, and enjoyed each other’ company, camaraderie, and generosity. That last point is key. This is a group that graciously shares their knowledge and experiences with the next generation of air talent. Now, if you’re cynically thinking, “Fred – there is no next generation of radio personalities,” I would suggest you think again. Because a look at Morning Show Boot Camp attendees is a glimpse of what’s next.

Most of those who make the trek to this event are young – to the point where guys like me feel our age – and are happy about that. A majority also pay their own way, so the value of Boot Camp is high – and so are the expectations for the conference itself. The thing about Boot Camp that sets it apart from other radio conferences – across radio platforms – is the unbridled passion and energy you feel everywhere – in the main presentation area, the sponsor exhibits area, in the restaurants and bars. It’s everywhere and it’s a defining difference.

Talent at this event are realistic and well-aware of the tense dynamic between their ilk and management – especially these days, when salaries and marketing resources have greatly dwindled, especially since the pandemic. But most seem undaunted by the shifting sands of radio, excited to try the next stunt they learned about in this year’s “Battle of the Bits,” a Boot Camp tradition that seems to grow with each passing year.

For corporate officers, consultants, talent coaches and others mostly on the periphery, this event makes you feel hopeful and inspired by what may be around the corner. In case you didn’t know, Morning Show Boot Camp is the brainchild of Talent Masters founder Don Anthony. He staked out this turf decades ago on the belief the radio business could only be successful with a commitment to on-air personalities. All these years later, and Boot Camp is a symbol of Don’s very prescient “all-in” bet on the power of talent. Yet, there are times when the commercial radio “powers that be” seem to struggle with the obvious. Read complete blog HERE

'Radio Is About Connection, Not Perfection' - PT.2 With Radio's Kramer & Jess In 'The Last Word'

THE MOUTH, JUNE 26TH, 2025 - Welcome to our latest edition of 'The Last Word' - today we share Part 2 of a 2-part look at Kramer & Jess of MIX 106.5. From college radio to stops in Savannah, Panama City, Tampa and Phoenix, Steve Kramer met with Jess Dutra in San Diego in 2015 and later joined as a team on MIX 106.5 in Baltimore. Now in their 10th year together, they continue with Pt. 2 of 'The Last Word' in Jockline:

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IN RADIO (STEVE) I've learned there's always more to learn, and people to learn from. Let them help you. After you do this for a while, you get comfortable, which is good, but to get someone who is even better than you to be able to take you to the next level is priceless. We've been so lucky to have Jim Ryan work with our show recently, and he's been so pivotal in pointing out our blind spots, implementing new ideas, and motivating us, it's like rocket fuel. Find people who are better than you, and let them help you!

(JESS) You’ll try on a lot of voices (might even be forced into some) before you realize the best one was yours all along. I spent years thinking I had to sound a certain way, be what I thought people wanted to hear, but the biggest growth happened when I let go of all that and just showed up as me. Radio is about connection, not perfection.

WHAT I TELL YOUNG JOCKS WHO ASK ME ABOUT RADIO (STEVE) I actually just had a conversation with a girl graduating high school who was interning with us. She likes radio, but she also likes podcasting, graphic design, and social media and wasn't sure what to do. I told her GOOD! Go be good at all of that! I have a broadcasting degree which holds the same weight as DVD collection nowadays. Go be really good at as much content as you possibly can. Because radio is no longer just talking into a microphone. 

(JESS) Fall in love with the grind, not just the thought of being on the radio. Radio isn’t just about having a good personality, it’s about showing up when no one’s watching, staying curious, building community, and being real. Don’t try to be the next someone else. The magic happens when you stop performing and start being you.

LISTENER FROM HELL EXPERIENCE (JESS) As radio hosts, we deal with rude DMs, texts, and comments all the time, it comes with the job. And 99.9% of the time I just ignore it. But there was one listener who went out of her way to bully me online. For months, she left nasty comments always aimed directly at me. One day, after she called me “immature” for wearing a Disneyland sweatshirt, I finally had enough. I looked at her Facebook page and saw posts about “kindness,” “Live Laugh Love” banners, and... WAIT FOR IT...her Christmas tree completely covered in Disney ornaments!!??!!

So I responded: “Hi there! I've noticed that you've been leaving very hurtful and nasty comments on our page for quite some time now, specifically geared toward me. I visited your profile and saw your ‘Live Laugh Love’ banner… but your attitude isn’t living, laughing, or very loving. Feel free to unfollow at any time—your negativity is unnecessary. And if you have that much of a problem with me, why waste your energy on someone you clearly don’t like? Save your energy, queen. Stay blessed!!”

And guess what? Haven’t heard from her since.

MY BIGGEST REGRET - (JESS) I don’t really believe in regrets. Something I often talk about on my podcast Life in Bloom with Jess is how I believe everything you go through (good or bad) is part of shaping who you’re meant to become. But if I had to name a hardship that taught me something worth passing along, it would be not advocating for myself sooner. There were times I stayed quiet when I should’ve spoken up, accepted less than I deserved, or waited for someone else to validate me. I’ve learned that no one will fight for you harder than you. Use your voice. Set your boundaries. You’re not being “difficult”. You’re being clear about your worth.

(STEVE) I spent more time developing Kramer than I did developing Stephen. For the last 20 something years, I have really busted my butt learning how to be my radio self, and I think I'm pretty good at it. I've had a ton of amazing mentors along the way (if you're reading this and wondering if I am talking about you, I am), that have been so generous to take me under their wing and teach me, and still to this day, I'm  learning new ways to evolve with this business. I can tell you how to set up a morning show bit, a clock, plan segments, write teases, payoffs, sales calls, social media, you get it. But 5 years ago, if you asked me, "Ok, but who is Stephen?" I don't think I would even know where to begin to answer that question. And it was a really lonely place when I didn't know that answer. So for the purpose of answering this question, I'd say I regret having a better work/life balance earlier on in my career. But if you're reading this and feel like you also can't answer that question, I've also learned it's never too late to find the answer. And what I've found is the more I figure out who Stephen is, the better I become as Kramer. 

WHAT I WORRY ABOUT MOST (STEVE) Our world. I am writing this the morning after the attack on Iran. My best friend since 4th grade is currently stationed in Syria, so as I sit here and talk radio with you, my thoughts and my heart and definitely on the other side of the world right now. I hope everyone you know and love is safe. We are living in crazy times for sure. Sending you a lot of love and may you be a comfort to your listeners who are going through these same feelings you are. 

(JESS) Everyone tells you to “be different” and “just be yourself”, but then they hand you a script that sounds nothing like you, or ask you to play into a formula that hasn’t worked in a decade. I worry that we say we want authenticity in this industry, but we don’t actually give people the space to be it or accept them when they are. I’m tired of hearing, “the audience won’t get it”. People are weird. Get with it. I worry about the lack of female-led voices…REAL voices, especially women of color. We’re not just underrepresented, we’re often unheard and undervalued. I want to see more women not only on air, but at the table making decisions. What worries me the most isn’t whether radio can survive, it’s whether we’ll actually allow ourselves to evolve. And that starts by valuing who we put on air, what we’re saying, and why we’re saying it. 

'Kidd Kraddick Taught Me The Importance Of Being Authentic; Kellie Rasberry Gets 'The Last Word' In Jockline

THE MOUTH, JUNE 6TH, 2025 - In this week's edition of 'The Last Word,' we connected with Kellie Rasberry, longtime co-host of the highly popular Kidd Kraddick Show. Kellie began her radio career in Florence, SC, first reporting local news and then hosting her own morning show. In 1994, she landed in Dallas as co-host of The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, where she continues to this day. The show reaches 65+ markets and more than 2 million people each week.

As part of the Kraddick Show, Kellie has won a Gracie Award, the MIW/MSBC Airblazer Award, and is a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to radio, Kellie has co-hosted various TV shows, including DishNation, and currently co-hosts two podcasts, 'Love Letters to Kellie' and 'A Sandwich and Some Lovin’. Adding to her accolades, she now gets 'The Last Word' in Jockline.

I FIRST GOT THE RADIO BUG when I was just a kid. I LOVED the radio. The American Top 40 with Casey Kasem is one of my earliest childhood memories. In the 80s, I would tape Rick Dees’ Weekly Top 40 and listen to it repeatedly throughout the week. At night, I’d lie in bed and turn the radio dial as slowly as possible along the AM dial, trying to pick up stations from as far away as possible. I remember being so excited to hear voices crackling out of Chicago, all the way from my bedroom in Florence, SC!

MY FIRST BIG BREAK came when I went to a talent convention, hoping I’d be signed by an agent who would help me become a sitcom actress. I ended up meeting the owner of a radio station who saw my monologue and thought I’d be great on the radio.

BEST RADIO SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD would be The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show! Nothing will ever match the magic Kidd created in the 90s and continued to create until his death in 2013. I got to where I am today with 90 percent of the credit going to Kidd Kraddick, who taught me the importance of being authentic despite the risks. The remaining 10 percent I give to me for being brave enough to follow his advice.

BEST INTERVIEWS EVER would include a long list, but the ones that immediately jump out for me are Jon Bon Jovi, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Costner, Mariah Carey, John Travolta.

HOW YOU ENDED A BAD INTERVIEW POLITELY …Gary Busey was having what I would describe as a manic episode and threatened to kick my a**. Kidd led all of us into our morning show office and we locked ourselves inside until Gary left.

BEING A WOMAN ON THE AIR is an honor! I get such a thrill hearing from young women in radio today who say I inspired them in some way. When I was just starting, I didn’t really have that many women to look to for inspiration, other than Ellen K, of course!

MY GREATEST FEAR is becoming irrelevant and forgotten.

'Radio Will Never Go Away,' Say's Charlotte's Maney As He Gets In 'The Last Word'

THE MOUTH, MAY 30TH, 2025 - In this week's edition of 'The Last Word,' we cornered Maney, host of 'The Maney and LauRen Show' 95.1 WNKS Charlotte. Maney's morning radio career kicked off in 1998 in Little Rock. This was followed by stints at KRQQ, Tucson, KDND, Sacramento, WHBQ Memphis, and now syndicated out of WNKS, Charlotte. Here below he shares a few thoughts and stories in 'The Last Word' with Jockline.

I FIRST GOT THE RADIO BUG growing up in Northern NJ, I was always listening to the radio. The NYC radio battles were legit in the 80's and 90's. Having Howard Stern, Imus, Scott Shannon, Jim Kerr, and Ross Britton on the dial! How could you not get the radio bug? MY FIRST SHOW started with weekend shifts in the Poconos at WSBG. There was no digital editing software when I started, my calls were on reel to reel in 1997 ahhhh! 

MY BIG BREAK came when I was working at the research department at Z100. Lukas (his former co-host) was leaving the night show to go do mornings in Little Rock. He asked me to co-host and produce. I didn't hesitate.

AND THEN THE CONTEST - I really loved working for Steve Weed at KDND. I loved Sacramento. We worked hard to get ratings and put on a good show, I really matured as a 3rd mic there. Obviously all that changed in January of '07 (following the tragic Wee for a Wii contest). The sadness will never go away. So many people's lives were changed that day. I had to do right by the victim's family and was a witness for them at the trial - a lot of people don't know that.  MY SECOND CHANCE Came from Chris Taylor at WHBQ in Memphis. He hired me a year and half after Sacramento. I jumped at the chance to get back on the air at a great station and to work with Kennedy. He took a chance on me and it worked out for everyone. It was a cut in pay (LOL) but I loved every minute in Memphis, I met my wife there and it's like my second home!  WHY I NEVER QUIT - Like so many other talented people reading this... I feel compelled to entertain. We're built to wake people up and make them smile on their bad day. I had to get back on the air! 

I'D SAY THE SINGLE GREATEST RADIO SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF RADIO is The Howard Stern Show. I interned for Howard in 95 or 96... I got to see how an amazing radio show was put together from within. I made it on the air for like 3 seconds one morning. MY RADIO HEROES would be The NYC crew! Jim Kerr (who I met at MSBC a few years ago), Howard obviously, Elvis Duran (Who I worked with briefly) Mike and the Mad Dog, and I love Mojo.

OH YEAH, THERE WAS THIS REMOTE when I was in Tucson at KRQ. An AE asked me to go to a construction site and host lunch for the crew. The workers had no idea who I was, and I didn't know what to say on the call ins. The girls from the company's office who set up the remote didn't even show up. I gave t-shirts to iron workers and plumbers! 

WHAT I'VE LEARNED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IN RADIO is there are NO guarantees...bring your 'A' game every time you turn on the mic, because you;re connecting with someone who needs you. WHAT I TELL YOUNG TALENT WHO ARE ON THE FENCE ABOUT RADIO - My co-host LauRen and I tell all the interns to learn as much as you can while you're with us. Radio will never go away - content is king! So you're more of a content creator than a broadcaster these days! Good luck!

WHAT STILL KEEPS ME AWAKE AT NIGHT is not knowing what tomorrow will bring...

Reach out to Maney HERE

THE LAST WORD With Kevin Rolston: 'My First Time On The Air Was Out Of Desperation'

THE MOUTH, MAY 23RD, 2025 - In our latest edition of 'The Last Word' we caught up WRMF's Kevin Rolston, co-host of the hugely popular KVJ Show in West Palm Beach. Kevin's radio career saw him go from Ohio University to Z100 New York City as a promotional intern. He left there to go to Mix 102.7 in Fresno and later followed Jon Zellner to Mix 93.3 in Kansas City. From there it was Wild 95.5 in West Palm Beach.

14-years later we wound up at a station in Miami. Rolston says, "Feeling they were uncomfortable with a controversial show, they let us go in just a few months saying there was no way we'd ever work in Miami. Ultimately, it played well for our non-compete. We actually wanted to go to WRMF anyway." Now many years later and much success back in WPB, Kevin gets 'The Last Word.

FIRST TIME I GOT THE RADIO BUG was when I did college radio at a station that only broadcast to one dorm via cable TV. Needless to say, we had zero listeners and that was a good thing. We did skits and were terrible for one hour a day. No real station would have put up with all the crap were were broadcasting, but I had so much fun I knew I wanted to do it more.

MY FIRST TIME ON THE AIR was out of desperation. All the full-time DJ's wanted to go to a Van Halen concert and I was the only one that could run the radio station. They had no choice but to put me on, if they were all gonna go. They didn't want me to talk, but it was conditional. So, they all hotlined me to critique all my breaks when they were drunk coming home from the concert. After all that, for some reason, I actually wanted to do it again.

MY BIG BREAK came when I drove cross-country for a morning show producer opening and beat out the only other candidate. The morning host had been a producer for Scott Shannon at Z100. He taught me everything he learned from working on The Z Morning Zoo. My PD was Jon Zellner and he was instrumental in teaching me radio done the right way. I couldn't have accidentally wound up in a better place to start.

FIRST TIME MEETING A BIG-TIME HOST WAS was Stereo Quad Suzy Wad out of 92X in Columbus. I grew up listening to her. Her Friday night show was magical. Sadly, when we met I had just DJ'ed a frat party at Ohio University and was massively hammered. What was worse is that I was taking over for her to be the post-prom DJ at ky old high school. When we met, I wasn't wearing a shirt.

THE SINGLE GREATEST RADIO SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF RADIO is Howard Stern in the 90's

SHOWS I STILL LISTEN TO would be The Bert Show, Dave Ryan, Mojo, Roula, Ryan & Eric, Jonjay & Rich, Woody, Elvis Duran, Brooke & Jeffrey

IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN I WOULD HAVE done a better job archiving audio, photos and video.

MY BIGGEST FEAR is being boring.

'Our Job On The Air Is To Create Community And Connection' Says Hits 96.1's Holly O'Connor

THE MOUTH, MAY 7TH, 2025 –– In our latest edition of 'The Last Word,' we shine the spotlight on Hits 96.1 Charlotte's Miguel & Holly (Miguel Fuller & Holly O'Connor shown above with Producer Kelbin). In the summer of 2008, they teamed with Steve Kramer (who now co-host on MIX 106.5 Baltimore on The Kramer & Jess Show) at WILN Island 106 in Panama City. They headed to Tampa in 2011 for CBS Radio's WSJT Play 98.7. Then Kramer went to Phoenix for KMEL Country. Holly and I went back to Panama City in 2013 with Mandy Williamson and worked there till 2015 when we went BACK to Tampa to work at CMG's WPOI HOT 101.5. Some 14-years later after landing in Panama, they landed in Charlotte with iHeart's Hits 96.1 in 2022. Today they get 'The Last Word' in Jockline.

OUR FIRST REAL BREAK CAME when Steve Kramer chose me out of other applicants to co-host the "That Guy" Kramer show in Panama City. -Holly - "When I joined Steve Kramer and Holly in Panama City, that’s when we all learned the power of building community through your four hour radio show. - Miguel

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS ON AIR I've learned that the mechanics of radio are always shifting and changing, sometimes even back and forth between two opposing ways of doing things. You can always learn a better way to operate. But our job on the radio is to create community and connection. - Holly - "Everyone wants to be a part of a community. We’ve been so fortunate to be able to create communities in a few different cities and people have continued to listen to us and be in our fam because they enjoy the community we’ve created and fostered." - Miguel

THE THING ABOUT SUCCESS is it's so fickle. You have to work hard, but a lot of hard working talented people are no longer in radio because of the nature of the business. Hard work + talent + networking + timing = success - Holly - 'Well, it's fleeting. You can’t let it get to your head. The days of reaching the top and coasting? Long gone. You have to constantly evolve, grow, and understand where your audience is going—because media moves fast. If you don’t keep up, your listeners will move on without you. - Miguel

THERE WAS THIS REMOTE back in Panama City, we used to do live broadcasts from Club La Vela (yes, that Club La Vela—MTV Spring Break vibes). The owner would bring in girls for me to put on the air, and they'd hang out in the studio. It was always super awkward because I just wanted to wrap up the broadcast and hit the gay club afterward! - Miguel - "When I first moved from Ohio to the Florida panhandle were awkward because these very southern people were skeptical of my "Yankee roots." I ended up slipping into a southern accent for years just to fit in on air and at events." - Holly

I MANAGE STRESS by going to therapy and to the gym! Also being fully present in the different aspects of my life away from the job. Once I pick my daughter up from school, I've stepped into my other full-time job as mom and I'm not checking emails or social media until she's in bed." - Holly"I manage stress by doing CrossFit, hopping on my Peloton, going for walks, cooking, or losing myself in some emotionally devastating, prestige TV drama. The sadder the better" - Miguel

IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN I would’ve spoken up more in the past. Over the years, Holly and I have worked with a lot of PDs. We've learned something valuable from each of them, and they’ve helped us grow. But there were times when someone new would come in, make a snap judgment about what we do and how we do it, without ever asking why. Because we work in a shrinking industry, I didn’t want to rock the boat or come off as “just talent” trying to push back. But what I’ve learned is that we’ve grown with our audience. Every show needs coaching, yes, but sometimes we forget that the people actually sitting in the studio day in and day out—talking to listeners on air and on social media—have a real bond with them. That perspective matters. - Miguel"I'd make my opinion more known. For years I thought I didn't know much about anything and kept silent, letting other people run discussions. Turns out, I have more knowledge and experience than I give myself credit for, and deserve to make my voice heard" - Holly

MY BIGGEST FEAR is not growing as a person. I’ve always said I never want to be one of those on-air talents stuck in the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. But I get it now, doing things the same way feels comfortable and safe. That’s why I try to actively challenge myself to stay open, keep evolving, and not get too comfortable -Miguel - "Letting down the people who depend on me." - Holly..

WLAV-FM Grand Rapids Michelle McKormick Gets 'The Last Word,'

'The Industry Has Changed, But The Rules Have Not. It's Still Showbiz!'

THE MOUTH, APRIL 29TH, 2025 –– In our latest edition of 'The Last Word,' we shine the spotlight on Michigan's venerable Michelle McKormick. With the exception of five years where she crushed it in Detroit, she has worked most of her career waking up Grand Rapids Michigan.

In addition to her show, she also coaches talent and has been a Morning Show Boot Camp regular for over 30-years. In all, she's spent more than 40 years on air and currently spearheads the Michelle & Gregg With Travis Show on Classic Rock 97 WLAV in Grand Rapids. Now she gets The Last Word with Jockline.

IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN the one thing I'd do differently is not oversleeping for my most important job interview ever .. New York City with Elvis Duran (I was a child). Also I might have been braver EARLIER in my career.. both with the business and the show.

I WAS ALMOST NAMED 'MICHELLE MCQUIRE but I wanted something that would be easy to remember… My first name is Michelle and I got hired the same day as a lady named Mary Maguire… And I thought that would be an awesome name and she never ended up using McGuire, but I felt funny using her name so instead I was at my friend’s house and watched her get high and put McCormick spice on something and said how about Michelle McCormick.. I spelled it differently to stand out.

MY FIRST REAL BREAK CAME was really two big ones. One was when I applied to become the music director back in like 1984. There were only 11 female music directors in the country and I got the gig. I learned a lot from a guy named Matt Clenett who took a chance on me. The second big one was my all-time Radio mentor Jim Davis, who was Big Jim Edwards on CKLW in Detroit for years and years… Watched me at a local roast and decided I needed to be moved from nights to midday and then eventually to mornings I learned so much from him AND when I got a call from Detroit to work with Gregg Henson .. the PD drove over to listen to our show in Grand Rapids.

EVERYTHING I'VE LEARNED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS ON AIR is while the industry has changed immensely, the rules of Radio have not. It is still SHOWBIZ… Details still matter… And I’m still here to let everybody know each morning that the world is OK, or at least as well as it can be. That’s my job. I know it sounds cheesy, but I still believe I’m the friend you’d hang out with at the bar… every morning. Also, listeners will love you most when you show then that you are as effed up and as flawed as they are.

WHAT I TELL YOUNG JOCKS is work hard… Don’t say no too much… And content creation is content creation. Jim Davis told me, “most people in radio are lazy. You only have to work a little bit harder to get a lot back. “ so true

I'M A STICKLER FOR Comedy timing… Letting a joke just sit there… And not have to run up it or make a comment on it. It’s really hard to do, especially for me. The key to comedy is TRUST. Y ou have to put trust in your show cast .. and slow down and listen and react… But trust them enough to get the job done and they have to trust you enough to get the job done. I’ve worked with people who trust me implicitly and I’ve worked with people who don’t… the shows are way funnier when you trust and respect your partner.

DID I MENTION THIS REMOTE where a girl showed up and had stomach cramps.  We finally called an ambulance .. SHE GAVE BIRTH right there without even knowing she was PREGNANT!  (I wish I was lying)

MY BIGGEST FEAR Is losing the opportunity to be on the air.. I’m an old school radio person and I just don’t want it to end.

Reach out to Michelle at mhmckormick@gmail.com

Eric Rowe: 'The Human Moments Made Audience Feel Closer To The Show' During The Pandemic

THE MOUTH, APRIL 28TH, 2025 –– Despite numerous distruptions and discomforts in the workplace during the Pandemic, for on-air talent the experience brought about some unexpected, yet beneficial changes in the basic tenets of show management. Eric Rowe, co-host of the KRBE-FM Houston's 'Roula & Ryan With Eric Show, writes in a piece titled: 'Why our show got stronger after the Pandemic', "We were one of those shows that weren't allowed to be in the studio for 19 months, so it was a different experience for us. I will say a lot of shows might feel the same way about how my thinking and attitude changed following this period. Here are some of the things that changed for us:

Stronger Team Chemistry & Appreciation for In-Studio Energy - You don’t take in-person energy for granted anymore. There’s a special magic in body language, facial reactions, and real-time banter that doesn’t translate over Zoom. You’ve learned how much you feed off each other’s energy. Even a slight laugh, eye roll, or hand gesture can completely change the rhythm of a break. Reuniting made everyone tighter as a team. After 19 months apart, being back in the same room feels like a creative reunion every day.

Sharper Communication & Trust Behind the Scenes - Remote broadcasting forced you to communicate better. You couldn’t rely on non-verbal cues or hallway chats — you had to spell everything out. You developed new systems for prep and segment flow. Whether it was shared docs, Slack, or show rundowns, those systems are still helping your show run smoother today. Trust was everything. Everyone had to be on top of their game, self-motivated, and clear on their role without being micromanaged.

More Listener Connection & Transparency - Listeners heard the “real” side of you more. Whether it was a dog barking or kids popping in, the human moments made the audience feel closer to the show. You could open up in new ways. There was more room for vulnerability, serious conversations, and mental health awareness — all things listeners valued. The pandemic gave everyone a shared experience. You weren’t just entertainers — you were companions during uncertainty.

Tech-Savviness and Flexibility - We became more tech-savvy as a team. Everyone learned to record from home, troubleshoot issues, and use platforms like Zoom, Cleanfeed, or SourceConnect. Now you have backup plans. If someone can’t make it to the studio — illness, weather, emergencies — you know how to pivot remotely. Remote guests and call-ins became easier. You learned how to better integrate outside voices into the show with clean audio.

More Thoughtful Content Planning - You became better planners. Remote work required tighter segment structure and clearer communication — now you apply that discipline even in-studio. You had to be more intentional with bits. When you weren’t vibing in person, you had to make sure the content stood strong on its own — no fluff. You listened more. Without visual distractions, you relied more on listening, and that sharpened your ability to react and build off each other.

Finally, New Segment & Social Content Ideas Were Born - Zoom fatigue led to creative reinvention. You explored new games, confession-style segments, listener-generated bits, and repackaged content for social. Remote shows taught you to “paint the picture” better. You learned to describe things more vividly and intentionally since there were no visual cues.

MIX 104.1's Karson & Kennedy Get 'The Last Word'

THE MOUTH, APRIL 15TH, 2025 - In this week's edition of 'The Last Word' we cast the spotlight on Karson & Kennedy, hosts of 'The Karson & Kennedy Show' on Audacy's MIX 104.1/WWBX Boston. Prior to Boston, they worked at Q98 WQSM Fayetteville NC, Hot 104.9 WHTF Tallahassee FL, Q107.5 WHBQ FM Memphis TN and finally at Mix 104.1 WWBX Boston, MA. Kennedy worked for a brief time at 96.1 KLPX Tucson AZ & Karson spent time at 104.3 WZYP Huntsville, AL. and 105.3 The Zone Dothan AL. In January of this year, they celebrated their 22nd anniversary on-air after meeting outside of radio 26 years ago! Now they get the last word.

FIRST TIME I GOT THE RADIO BUG...(Karson)I used to have a spiral notebook as a kid and I would write down the chart positions of every song on Casey Kasem's weekly countdown show. I moved a LOT as a kid so the radio personalities were familiar voices in my strange new places. (Kennedy) I didn’t. Karson made me do it. Seriously.

MY BIG BREAK - Karson: I'm still waiting for it… (Kennedy) Again, it was Karson. He brought me in to the studios at 2am to get tape to give to his boss. And that’s how I got my first job

FIRST TIME I WAS RECOGNIZED IN PUBLIC…(Kennedy) I don’t remember to be honest. But I will say every time someone comes up to me at the grocery store or Target it’s still a great feeling. Karson: I don't recall the first but I recall the most recent. This past Saturday my wife was on the phone with FedEx and the woman on the other end recognized HER voice from our show. Lana (Karson's wife) is way more famous than me.

FIRST BIGTIME RADIO HOST I MET –(Karson) Glenn Beck at Morning Show Boot Camp. (Thanks Don) I remember he was kind and polite and had on the most expensive looking shoes I had ever seen! Meeting John Garabedian at Boot Camp last year was also a wonderful memory. (Kennedy) When I saw Corey Foley at my very first Morning Show Boot Camp I sat in awe at the panel she was on. She had just shaved her head to raise $25K for breast cancer research. Everyone in the room wanted to talk to her and she was just 10 feet tall. Not sure I had the guts to say hi to her that day, but I was forever changed.

THERE WAS THIS ONE REMOTE – (Kennedy) We used to have a group of folks who put together a spreadsheet of all the remotes from all the stations in the market. They’d show up together and take all the stuff. I can’t hide my feelings well on my face, so needless to say I was asked not to be at the table when they came by. (Karson)A car dealership in Memphis TN in 2005 and we were being mobbed by a large crowd for some concert tickets. Kennedy had a full-blown panic attack and I helped escort her to a safe space. It took years for her to open up about her mental health but she has become such a vocal advocate for herself and others.

LISTENER FROM HELL –(Karson) Her name is Lisa W. and she has been posting hate messages about us and our show since day 1 in Boston in 2009 and still listens EVERY day. Go figure.

LISTENERS LOVE YOU MOST WHEN (Kennedy) You’re real. When you show them you’re no different and you share the same problems, that you can have a bad day too, but you can also celebrate the good days together.

THEY HATE YOU MOST WHEN (Karson) We get some small detail about a 'Can't Beat Kennedy' question incorrect. We are NOT Jeopardy. We do not have a team of people to fact check our questions, it's me and Producer Dan. Mostly Dan.(Kennedy) when you are not authentic. They can smell a lie like a fart in a car. Don’t do it.

ONE HOUR ALONE WITH ANYONE ON THE PLANET – Kennedy: I grew up in the Chicago burbs so for me, Larry Lujack, and Little Tommy on WLS with their Animal Stories still make me cry laughing. And Jonathan Brandmeier on the Loop made me feel like I was listening to something I wasn’t supposed to.

THE SINGLE GREATEST RADIO SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF RADIO (Karson) Howard Stern changed the game but so many influenced me, like MJ & BJ in Tampa. Phil Hendrie in his WIOD days, Bob & Madison and Kidd Kraddick.

I END HORRIBLE INTERVIEWS POLITELY BY SAYING -(Kennedy) Well, they usually hang up first, (Karson) What? Where am I?

WHAT I TELL YOUNG JOCKS (Karson) there is a lot of meat left on this bone. Go get it, move, do every job and do not be afraid to open up on the air as it will create a bond with your audience that can't be replicated. (Kennedy) Know your worth. Learn everything you can. Always say yes when given an opportunity. And I am ALWAYS here to help.

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IN RADIO (Kennedy) the only thing that differentiates us is US. Anyone can pipe in a show from somewhere else. It will NEVER cut through the way live and local does. Get out in the community. Meet the people who support you.(Karson) I have learned that being in a 25-year on air relationship with my wife and Kennedy is the best, craziest, fun, most stressful, demanding, do-not-recommend and rewarding adventure I will ever have in my life. I am grateful these two women have let me ride their coattails for so long.

WHAT I WORRY ABOUT MOST (Karson) Is if the Celtics go BACK2BACK!

WHEN I'M PRESIDENT OVER ALL OF RADIO – Karson: I will repeal the Telecommunications Act of 1996! (Kennedy) That is a job I would NEVER want.

WRVW-FM Ricki Sanchez Gets 'The Last Word' 'Being A Woman On The Air Is My Super Power'

THE MOUTH, APRIL 15TH, 2025 - In our latest edition of 'The Last Word' we cast the spotlight on Ricki Sanchez, host and chaos coordinator of 'Ricki, Zac & Manno In The Morning' on iHeart's 107.5 The River/WRVW-FM Nashville. Her résumé includes a whole lot of "fake it 'til you make it" moments, she has a background in radio, podcasting, and creating digital content that focuses on building connections through honest and amusing conversations. When she’s not on air, she’s probably petting someone else’s dog, avoiding adulthood, or making yet another glass of pinot noir disappear. Now Ricki gets the 'Last Word' with Jockline's Don Anthony.

I FIRST GOT THE RADIO BUG when I was in college. I had transferred for the Spring semester so I was looking for activities to make friends. My RA was the president of the radio station and during orientation, she said she was looking for a few more people to fill spots on-air. She gave me an hour on our online radio station (WPUB). My show was called "Expand Your Horizons” and I broadcast from a broken down, tiny ass studio. I played songs from multiple different genres and chatted about lifestyle-type stories. I don’t have any audio from it, but I wish I did so I could cringe in horror. I made ZERO friends from my experience, but I was hooked on radio. 

I WAS CRAZY NERVOUS the day I heard Elvis Duran say, "I overheard Intern Ricki..." I basically blacked out at that moment. Carla Marie, who was the phone producer at the time, said, "Get up, get in there!" my cafeteria credits for Starbucks anymore and that waking up early on a Friday sounded like a nightmare. Talk about a RUSH. I was nervous, excited, shocked... everything and then some. Luckily, I kept it together enough for him to have me on a few more times as an intern. Each time I was on-air, I rode that nervous high for days.

WHAT IT TOOK to get where I am now was a lot of failure and doing things I didn't want to do. I had a lot of jobs that I didn't love before I got the one that makes waking up easy. I failed so many times to get the on-air gig that I wanted to give up more than once (or even twice... or even three times). It took the willingness to keep going, despite the struggles. Still does.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT RADIO is the true impact it can have. I’ve learned that there’s nothing like listening and connecting to a live and local show. We have listeners who have sent us some of the most amazing messages about the impacts we’ve made and it blows me away every single time. From giving away tickets to a family who can’t afford live shows and hearing their pure joy/the sound of them holding back tears to helping someone live on the air as she explained she was suicidal the night before. (Her and I still DM from time to time to check in and she’s doing great right now.) Radio touches people in a way nothing else can. It’s special.

BEING A WOMAN ON THE AIR is my super power. Ricki, Zac & Manno in the Morning does exceptionally well in all female demos and I believe it’s partially because women want to hear women on the radio. They want to hear them as the driving force. I’m watching, listening, wearing, and talking about the same things these women who listen are. I’m their friend and every morning we laugh, cry, and chat about life as equals.

TAKING OVER MORNINGS is all I've ever wanted. Hearing a "Ricki, Zac & Manno in the Morning" promo still blows my mind and it's been that way for a year and a half. There are days I don't even feel like it's real. I still feel like I have so much to prove, but this is a massive step in the right direction and I’m happy as hell to be here (except when I’m told I can’t do any of the cool ideas I have cause of the “budget” *rolls eyes*). 

THE TRICK TO KICKING OFF A NEW SHOW is to tune out the noise! You have SO many people who want to share their opinions with you about what you should and shouldn't do. It can get very overwhelming, very quickly. Learning to listen to all the thoughts people have about you and your show without dwelling on them is a skill. It took me months to develop that skill and I'm better for it now. I can smile and nod with the best of them now!

OTHER SHOWS I LISTEN TO when I can, I'll listen to The Breakfast Club, Elvis Duran & The Morning Show, Intern John & Your Morning Show, and The Joe Show. 

THE THING ABOUT NASHVILLE... is it's not all about country music. We're Music City... meaning we love allllllll kinds of music here. Sure, there's plenty of country history here and a whole lot of it being played on Broadway, but if you live here you know that there's so much more out there to be heard. 

WHAT I TELL YOUNG JOCKS WHO ARE ON THE FENCE ABOUT STAYING IN RADIO is to get out if you don’t absolutely love it. This industry isn’t the easiest to get by in and it can really tear you apart. If you don’t love this *insert curse word here* then you’re going to resent the path you took later on in life. If you decide to stay… thank you. We need you. You’re more important than you know.

WNOR'S Rick Rumble Gets 'The Last Word'

There was this one remote where I was making stage announcements and being pelted with change, bottle caps, batteries..'

THE MOUTH, MARCH 31ST, 2025 - Welcome to 'The Last Word' — where we pull back the curtain and get a closer look at some of radio’s biggest stars, diving into their deepest thoughts, personal stories, and maybe even enduring our nosy questions. In a world flooded by TikTok chaos and endless scrolling, 'The Last Word' is your oasis of personal insight, fun facts and more.

Today, Rick Rumble gets the last word. Rick is host of 'Rumble in the Morning' featuring Rod Fitzwell, Sean Hood, Rina Rizzo and Mike Alexander, now in his 30th year at WNOR/FM in Hampton Roads, Virginia. A career that started in 1984 has seen Rumble cross the country twice, 9 stations, 7 states, 2 firings, 1 stolen tower, and a "I don't have any money to pay you this week'. He has helped to raise millions of dollars for charity, just last weekend hosting the For Kids Art Auction which took in $1.5 million dollars for homeless kids and families. Rumble's wife Mary is a successful realtor who keeps him around for laughs and handyman projects."

MY FIRST TIME ON THE RADIO was for vacation fill-in on an AM oldies station. I was called Dash Granite… borrowed from the Flintstones. MY FIRST REAL GIG was at WLAV Grand Rapids where the studio then was a small narrow box inside of a well-known downtown office building; Painted cinder blocks with carpet on the walls. Like a survival bunker for hippies. I sat behind the host, Kevin Matthews, (I was the news guy and hosted Saturday morning solo) and he looked at me in a mirror, like he was driving a car. We had rotary pots, couple of turntables. Albums were kept on the back wall. Just don't grab the Moody Blues, that's where the overnight guy would stash his weed. Matthews was gave me my first real break. He invited me to hang out at his radio show. That’s how I got started. THERE WAS THIS ONE REMOTE where we hosted a free concert in a downtown park with the band Candlebox, at the height of their popularity. Our contribution to the City's Free Friday concerts. It was estimated that nearly 40,000 people showed up, abandoned their cars in the street, and got very rowdy, effectively shutting down that part of the city. 2 people left in an ambulance. One was a guy who tried to climb the stage rigging and fell, the other was hit in the head with a 55 gallon drum that the crowd was throwing around like a beach ball. I was making stage announcements and being pelted with change, bottle caps, batteries, etc. The police showed up and literally pulled the plug, cutting power to the show, and sent the near-riot crowd home. The aerial pics in the paper the next day were stunning. We were invited not to return. YES, I HAVE A STASH OF OLD AIRCHECKS In a box in the attic. Don’t have anywhere or any reason to play them, but I can’t let go. I'M A STICKLER FOR Planning/Prep. Plan for every break. You can change the plan as the show goes to accommodate spontenaiety, but your show will never be worse than the original plan. There are no ”bad days”. LISTENERS LOVE YOU MOST WHEN we make fun of ourselves. THEY HATE YOU MOST WHEN we do “best of” for the holidays. BEST INTERVIEWS EVER – Musicians: Paul Stanley and Charlie Daniels. Comedian DL Hugley once explained that he worked at McDonalds as a kid, but never made a hamburger. We sent him to the McDonald’s down the street from the station on the phone with us, they knew who he was, but still wouldn’t let him make a hamburger. Hysterical. I END HORRIBLE INTERVIEWS POLITELY BY SAYING, ”We know you’re on a tight schedule, so thanks for being on the show today” . Right after the phrase “tight schedule” I hang up and give them no chance to reply, while I finish the sentence. WHAT I TELL YOUNG JOCKS WHO ARE ON THE FENCE ABOUT STAYING IN RADIO ....I tell them this can still be an amazing business, albeit narrower than it used to be. But you have to be honest with yourself. Do you have what it takes to be entertaining? What do you bring besides introducing the next song? We’re overstaffed on “announcers”. WHEN I'M PRESIDENT OVER ALL OF RADIO I will remind everyone that 82% of Americans listen to radio every week (Pew Research)…FOR FREE. It is still the greatest communication/advertising medium going. DID YOU USE AI TO ANSWER ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS? No, wish I had seen this question first…damn!

Products: Waves Audio Introduces 'Voice ReGen' — AI-powered Voice Cleanup For Content Creators

JOCKLINE, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 – Waves Audio announced today: ' Voice ReGen, an AI-powered voice enhancement service designed to deliver flawless sound for videos, podcasts' and all forms of content creation. Waves Voice ReGen is a new AI-powered online service that provides content creators with instant, professional-quality voice cleanup without the need for audio expertise, reshoots, or additional gear.

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To learn more, click here. Video: “Introducing Voice ReGen:

RTDNA Looking For Journalists To Serve As 2026 Edward R. Murrow Judges

Ready to help recognize journalism at its best? RTDNA is recruiting experienced journalists to serve as judges for the 2026 Edward R. Murrow Awards. This is your chance to lend your expertise, uphold industry standards and help spotlight exceptional reporting from across the country. Judges play a vital role in celebrating the work that moves our field forward. Your perspective matters, and we would be honored to have you on this year’s judging team.

The deadline to sign up is approaching soon. If you are interested in participating, please complete this form to let us know. Thank you for supporting RTDNA and the Murrow Awards. If you have questions, contact awards@rtdna.org. VOLUNTEER HERE