Friday, May 6, 2022
iHeartMedia Reports Q1 2022 Consolidated Revenue Up 19.4%. Financial results from the first quarter of 2022 foriHeartMedia Inc. reveal consolidated revenue of $843 million, an increase of 19.4% over the same period a year ago. The company’s net loss shrank during the first quarter to $48.7 million from the $242 million net loss posted during Q1 of 2021. iHeartMedia posted operating income of $12.3 million for the first quarter, compared to the operating loss of $76.4 million it reported in Q1 of 2021.
Looking at the company’s reporting by segment, broadcast radio was up 16.2% on revenue of $416.5 million, and networks was up 2.1% on revenue of $117.6 million. Those, along with sponsorships & events, comprise the company’s Multiplatform Group. The Digital Audio Group consists of digital excluding podcasting, which reported revenue of $145.7 million (up 22.2%), and podcasting, which reported revenue of $68.5 million (an increase of 78.7%). The company’s Audio & Media Services Group reported revenue of $60.9 million (up 10.4%) for the quarter. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO
Bob Pittman states, “We’re pleased to report another quarter of strong results, and believe our performance is further evidence of the successful execution of our digital transformation and multiplatform strategy, and the power of our position as the #1 audio company in America across broadcast radio, digital radio, and podcasting. We remain committed to building on iHeart’s transformation into a data-led, digitally focused business; to investing in areas with high-growth potential; and to continuing our focus on innovation and being at the forefront of new technologies and digital platforms which create incremental growth opportunities for Audio.”
‘Toucher & Rich’ Morning Show Expands to Springfield, Mass. Market. The “Toucher & Rich” morning program based at Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WBZ-FM, Boston “98.5 The Sports Hub” will be heard on rock Saga Communications’
WLZX-FM/W253CD in the Springfield-Northampton, Massachusetts market beginning on May 9. The program, hosted by
Fred Toucher (left) and
Rich Shertenlieb (right), began expanding to affiliate stations throughout New England last fall. This is an uncommon move for Saga, which has a history of keeping its morning drive programs live and local. Toucher & Rich comment, “We’re excited to be launching ‘Toucher & Rich’ in Springfield and Northampton on ‘Lazer 99.3 and 98.5’ with our new friends at Saga Communications. We’re fortunate to have some of the most loyal listeners in radio and look forward to introducing our show to a whole new audience of potential T&R diehards.”
Moms & Media 2022.
“Two years into COVID,” Moms’ media consumption is changed. “The Research Moms” at
Edison Research updated their annual report in a Thursday webinar consultant
Holland Cooke attended; and HC’s “one-sentence version” is: “To reach Mom, use smartphones, Alexa, Facebook, and TikTok.” Click here for his notes, and links to download the report and watch a video of the narrated presentation. Read more
here.
FANTASTIC SPEAKER LINEUP AND AGENDA for TALKERS 2022.
TALKERS is presenting the 25
th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running, largest and most important convention,
TALKERS 2022, on Friday, June 10, 2022 on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio.
TALKERS 2022 will be a “who’s who” of the talk media industry…
Red Apple Media CEO/WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis is set to keynote with special guest addresses to be provided by iconic Key Networks personality Bill O’ Reilly and FOX News Radio/FOX News Channel star Brian Kilmeade.
INCREDIBLE LINEUP: Speakers already booked with more to be announced (in alphabetical order): Dr. Asa Andrew, CEO/Host, The Dr. Asa Network (“Believe”); Bruce Avery, GM, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University; Mike “Bax” Baxendale, Host, WAQY-FM (Rock 102), Springfield, MA; Marc Beaven, GM, WCBM, Baltimore; Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media; David Bernstein, GM Broadcast Operations, TALKERS; Michael Berry, Host, The Michael Berry Show (syndicated)/KTRH, Houston (local); Grace Blazer, VP, National NTS Brand Coordinator, Director of News and AM Programming Florida Region, iHeartMedia Miami; Phil Boyce, SVP/Spoken Word Format, Salem Media Group, Salem Radio Network/Operations VP, New York Region; John Caracciolo, President/CEO, JVC Broadcasting; John Catsimatidis, CEO, Red Apple Media/owner, WABC, New York; Kevin Casey, VP/executive editor, TALKERS; Heather Cohen, SVP, The Weiss Agency; Mandy Connell, Host, KOA, Denver; Michael Czarnecki, Director of Brand Operations, Binnie Media; Amy Daniels, PD, myTalk 107.1, Minneapolis-St. Paul; Kevin DeLany, VP, News & Talk Programming, Westwood One; Jimmy Failla, Host, FOX News Radio; Erica Farber, President/CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau; Alex Fife, VP Operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia – Total Traffic & Weather Network; Mike Gallagher, Host, Salem Radio Network; Dom Giordano, Host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Lee Habeeb, Host/Producer, Our American Stories; Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS; Dottie Herman, Vice Chair, Douglas Elliman Real Estate/Host, Eye on Real Estate, WNYM (AM 970 The Answer), New York; Harry Hurley, Host, WPG, Atlantic City; Victoria Jones, executive director, DC Radio Company; Jeff Katz, Host, WRVA, Richmond; Brian Kilmeade, Host, FOX News Radio/FOX News Channel; Kraig Kitchin, President, Sound Mind, LLC; Josh Leng, CEO, Talk Media Network; Mike McVay, President, McVay Media Consultants; Frank Morano, Host, WABC, New York: John T. Mullen, OM, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University; Chris Oliviero, Market President/GM New York, Audacy, Inc.; Bill O’ Reilly, Host/Commentator, Key Networks; Sid Rosenberg, Host, WABC, New York; Rob Schmitt, Host, Newsmax TV; Buck Sexton, Co-Host, The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Premiere Networks; Todd Starnes, Owner, KWAM, Memphis/Host, The Todd Starnes Show; Doug Stephan, Host, DJV Show/CEO, Stephan Multimedia; Walter Sterling, Host, Sterling On Sunday; Greg Stocker, PD, WPHT, Philadelphia; Julie Talbott, President, Premiere Networks; Paul Vandenburg, Owner/Host, WGDJ, Albany, NY; Dr. Daliah Wachs, Physician/Host, Genesis Communications Network; Lisa Wexler, Host WICC, Bridgeport/Probate Judge, Connecticut; Brett Winterble, Host, WBT, Charlotte; Larry Young, Host, WOLB, Baltimore; Rich Zeoli, Host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Martha Zoller, Host, WDUN, Gainesville, GA; and Michael Zwerling, Owner, KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA (more to be announced).
TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says, “We are delighted to be able to join forces again with our colleagues at Hofstra – the site of our very successful 2021 and 2016 events – and enjoy the remarkable resources that its Lawrence Herbert School of Communication brings to the table.”
As was the case last year, this event will be held in a COVID-19 compliant environment based upon the circumstances at the time of the convention. As is its tradition, TALKERS 2022 will boldly address key issues – some existential – facing the talk radio and talk media industries at this dramatically critical juncture of rapidly accelerating technological and societal change as well as identifying the remarkable opportunities inherent in these developments. It will also provide participants with unique and powerful networking opportunities. Attendance at the conference is limited to members of the working media and directly associated industries as well as students enrolled in accredited learning institutions. All attendees will be required to register in advance on the phone with credit cards. Attendance will be limited, and the conference is again expected to be an early sellout. Full details about the agenda (more than 50 in-person, luminary speakers) sponsorship opportunities and hotel information will continue to be posted in TALKERS in the days ahead. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $349. Because space will be limited and a sellout is anticipated, all registrations are non-refundable.
To register or to obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.
Travel and Hotel Information for TALKERS 2022. The full-service Long Island Marriott Uniondale is serving as the closest and best hotel for TALKERS 2022. To reserve rooms, please click here. All New York area airports are a car ride away from the hotel and Hofstra: JFK (18 miles), LaGuardia (24 miles), MacArthur (34 miles), Newark (47 miles). Free and convenient parking information at Hofstra will be posted here shortly.
WJR-AM, Detroit Celebrates 100 Years on the Air. On Wednesday (5/4), Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR-AM, Detroit kicked off a year-long Centennial celebration. WJR signed on for the first time on May 4, 1922, as WCX, which changed a few years later to WJR to reflect the ownership of the Jewett Radio and Phonograph Company. Cumulus says, “The station has served the community with excellence for 100 years, with a 50,000-watt signal that can be heard across nearly half the country at night, providing the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan, and the Upper Midwest with news, music,
sports, and information by some of the most talented people in the radio industry. Through the years, WJR’s legendary lineup has featured broadcasting giants such as
Paul W. Smith,
Jack Parr,
Mitch Albom, J
.P. McCarthy,
Frank Beckmann,
Ernie Harwell,
Guy Gordon, and
Rush Limbaugh.” In the last several months leading up to Wednesday’s 100th year birthday, WJR has presented dozens of on-air vignettes that mark memorable moments, tell interesting stories, and feature the unique sound and talented people from WJR’s history. In addition, the station has populated www.wjr.com with archival video, audio and photos that tell the story of WJR’s first 100 years. Cumulus Detroit VP and market manage
Steve Finateri comments, “Being at WJR is like being part of an all-star team at every position in this famous Fisher Building. WJR is iconic because of the extremely high standards set by so many world class broadcasters over the past 100 years. Today, those same high standards and our ‘blow torch coverage’ is what still attracts top newsmakers from around the Great Lakes Region and is the reason for our continued success. We take great pride in our programming, our business and civic relationships, and serve the community by raising millions every year for numerous worthy charities that improve the quality of life in Detroit. The best-of-the-best seem to find their way to WJR, and I know that tradition will continue on for the next 100 years.”
TALKERS News Notes. Chicago media writer Robert Feder reports that Windy City
media personality and former WGN-AM, Chicago morning drive host
Steve Cochran is going to be heard on
Cumulus Media’s WLS-AM in mornings next week. Cochran will guest host the program that is without a permanent host since
Bruce St. James exited the station last month. Since exiting WGN, Cochran has been producing a twice-weekly podcast titled, “Live from My Office.”…..Audio streaming service
TuneIn names
Tom Fuelling chief financial officer. Fuelling has served as CFO for
Hulu,
OpenX,
ARTISTdirect and most recently,
Spokeo, Inc. TuneIn CEO
Richard Stern says, “Tom is an incredible addition to our growing leadership team. His experience scaling global media businesses that consumers love is unparalleled. Working in a competitive landscape, TuneIn has emerged as a leader in live audio streaming and we look forward to working with Tom as he’ll help us sustain and maintain our growth both domestically and abroad.”…..
FOX News Media, in partnership with the National Merit Scholarship Program, announces the selection of the recipients of the third annual Dr. Charles Krauthammer Memorial Scholarship. This year’s scholarships will be endowed to
Emmett Gaffney, son of vice president of documentary programming,
Brian Gaffney and
Grace LeCroy, the daughter of FOX News assignment desk manager
Lillian LeCroy and FOX News Edge photojournalist
Phil LeCroy. The winners will be featured on the network’s evening newscast, “Special Report with anchor
Bret Baier,” on which Dr. Krauthammer was a fixture over the years. Additionally,
Daniel Krauthammer will appear on the program tonight to discuss his father’s legacy. In making the announcement, FOX News Media CEO
Suzanne Scott says, “We are pleased to continue the tradition of honoring Charles Krauthammer’s extraordinary and celebrated career. Emmett and Grace are exceptional students whose many talents extend beyond the classroom. It is our hope that Charles’ brilliant intellect, integrity and courage will serve as an inspiration for them throughout their next endeavors in higher education. Congratulations to Emmett, Grace, and their families.”
Roe v Wade Top News/Talk Story for Week of May 2-6. The leak of a draft decision indicating the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers Ten
TM. At #2 this week was partisan politics tied with the 2022 and 2024 elections, followed by January 6 committee activity tied with
Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP at #3. The Talkers Ten
TM is a weekly chart of the stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from
TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart
here.
Tags: 100 years, Bob Pittman, broadcast radio, Bruce St. James, CFO, Chicago, Detroit, Edison Research, Ernie Harwell, first quarter, Frank Beckmann, Fred Toucher, Guy Gordon, Holland Cooke, iHeartMedia, J.P. McCarthy, Jack Parr, Jewett Radio and Phonograph Company, Mitch Albom, Moms & Media, net loss, networks, news/talk radio, Northampton, operating income, operating loss, Paul W. Smith, Podcasting, Q1, Revenue, Rich Shertenlieb, Rush Limbaugh, Saga Communications, Springfield, Steve Cochran, Steve Finateri, Talkers Magazine, Tom Fuelling, Toucher & Rich, TuneIn, WGN-AM, WJR-AM, WLS-AM, WLZX-FM
Category: Front Page News, Industry News