Talkers Magazine

Pictured above is WHO, Des Moines talk host Simon Conway (right) with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright (left). Conway tells TALKERS that this is the fourth time he’s been invited to the White House to speak with administration officials. He says, “It is a true honor. You kind of have to pinch yourself actually when you realize where you are.” Conway spoke with seven officials including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner (below).

The National Association of Broadcasters opens the entry window for the 41st annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards, recognizing radio stations for outstanding community service. The 2027 awards will honor community service efforts conducted between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026. A panel of judges representing the broadcast industry and community service organizations will review the submissions and select 50 finalists. From that group, 10 stations will be named Crystal Radio Award winners.

FOX Business Network unveils a new weekday programming lineup effective October 12 that includes “Big Money in the Morning” (6:00 am to 9:00 am ET) hosted by Dagen McDowell, Brian Brenberg and Taylor Riggs with Barron’s Josh Schafer. “The Big Money Show” (12:00 noon to 2:00 pm ET) adds rotating co-hosts Cheryl Casone, Marcus Lemonis, and Lou Basenese alongside current host Jackie DeAngelis.

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (9/28-10/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS: Stories Midterm Elections The Economy / Rising Consumer Prices and Mortgage Rates Jack Smith Hearings SCOTUS ICE Deportations Ruling Trump AI Execs Meeting UK Base Attack Thwarted / FlyDubai Flight 1073 Incident Hegseth’s Pentagon Cuts / U.S.-Iran War Cornell Rape Allegations U.S.-China Relations Christa Pike Execution Attempt People Donald Trump Ken Paxton /...

The New York Festivals TV & Film Awards and Radio Awards announce a partnership with AwareNow Media to launch the AwareNow Award that recognizes storytelling using the power of film, audio and documentary to "raise awareness and inspire action around health and medical issues." New York Festivals says, "The partnership brings together two international organizations...

Midwest Communications news/talk WMBD, Peoria, Illinois dismisses longtime morning drive co-host Dan DiOrio and morning drive news anchor Julia Bradley. DiOrio had served with the station for the past 35 years, most recently co-hosting the “Greg and Dan Show” alongside Greg Bratton, who continues as the station’s morning host solo. Co-hostDan DiOriodismissesGreg BrattonIllinoisJulia BradleyMidwest CommunicationsMorning Drivenews anchornews/talkPeoriaWMBD

Edison Research put questions about AI hosts before those surveyed for its Q1 2026 Edison Podcast Metrics and reports two-thirds have a negative reaction to the notion. Saying that it is exploring the role AI should play in podcasting, Edison says it “asked weekly consumers how they would feel if their favorite podcast host started using an AI-generated version to host their podcast. Most weekly podcast consumers, 66%, reacted negatively to the idea.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Beasley Broadcast Group is selling shares alongside private warrants for approximately $5 million in expected gross proceeds that it would use to pay down debt. The offering includes a single institutional investor buying 357,000 Class A shares, or common stock equivalents at $14 per share in the registered direct offering. The concurrent private placement covers warrants to buy up to 357,000 Class A shares at $15 per share.

The most discussed stories yesterday (9/30) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

Two New York-based broadcasters have swung a deal. Pamal Broadcasting is acquiring the 10 radio stations owned by Galaxy Media in the Syracuse and Utica markets. The stations – including sports talkers WTLA “ESPN Syracuse” and WRNY/W243DY “ESPN Utica/Rome” – will begin being operated by Pamal tomorrow (10/1) under an LMA. The deal is contingent upon FCC approval.