Santa Claus is making his list and checking it twice. But has he considered what to gift the news/talk radio industry this holiday season?
With the big day just a few days away, we surveyed many news/talk radio hosts around the country, asking what they hoped Santa Claus would leave under their news/talk radio trees this year.
WLS-AM 890 morning host Ray Stevens had a wish not only for the news/talk format, but for the radio industry as a whole.
“I’ll start with this: I still believe in Santa Claus so this is my wish for not just news talk, but for the entire industry,” Stevens said. “I would ask Santa that every radio chair be staffed with a live and local host and that those hosts would be involved in the community to spread copious of cheer and community service throughout the listening area.
“I wish for this because streaming and podcasting can’t do those things as good as live local radio! I’d also wish that there was only an option to listen to AM and FM radio! I know we can’t get everything we ask for but at least we can dream.”
Meanwhile, new America at Night host McGraw Milhaven had a list for news/talk radio Santa to deliver this Christmas.
His list included:
- Keep AM in every car ever made from this point on
- Tone down the vitriol on talk radio. We are all on the same side. We all love our country.
- Every single radio broadcaster to attend at least one industry gathering. We need to keep sharing ideas and keep helping each other. We are all in this together.
Salem Radio Network host Chris Stigall said that he got the ultimate Christmas gift from news/talk radio Santa Claus in 2024 when his show was launched into national syndication in morning drive.
This year, he had a much more self-described “pithy” answer.
“I’d like to ask Santa for a pontoon boat sponsor. Call me!”
In a similar vein, nationally syndicated host Erick Erickson said he was asking Santa Claus for more stations as affiliates, with a “stay tuned” message accompanying his comments.
“For the industry, I hope Santa brings us an appreciation for a broader center/right audience that wants more than just DDC and Trump-centric coverage,” he said. “We’re missing depth and breadth in coverage. Oh, and may Santa deliver us something other than Nielsen-based ratings,” he added with a laugh.
93 WIBC midday host Rob Kendall had a practical ask for Santa Claus.
“I’d like for the radio industry to reinvest in people to cover state and local governments,” Kendall said. “There’s a lot of rotten behavior from elected officials, and they’re doing it more frequently because they believe they will get away with it, due to a lack of people watching over them.”
600 KOGO host Lou Penrose, meanwhile, joked that he needed help on the equipment side.
“Louder headphones,” he said with a laugh. He also added that, selfishly as a San Diego-based host, he’d love to see “a Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris fight for the Democratic nomination” for President in 2028.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
