Jim Ryan

110 POSTS
Jim Ryan is a Music Radio columnist for Barrett Media. In addition, he runs Jim Ryan Media LLC, a consulting company which assists major market radio brands and top talent including national radio personality Delilah. Prior to relaunching his consultancy in 2025, Jim spent 15 years with Audacy/CBS Radio, serving as SVP of Programming. Among his responsibilities included programming WNEW-FM and WCBS-FM.  His career includes additional programming stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Jim was voted the #2 PD of 2024 in Barrett Media's Top 20 series in the AC category. He can be reached by email at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.

Music Radio Morning Shows Ignored a 26-Million-Viewer Moment

One morning show told me they didn’t make the hockey win a focus because women don’t care about sports. That, to me, was like saying male-targeted news radio shouldn’t have mentioned the Nancy Guthrie story because men don’t care about kidnappings.

Randy Micahels Was Right — But Music Radio Paid the Price

Randy Michaels compared radio to railroads. Trains are still running, and radio stations are still playing the hits of yesterday and today. But there’s a lot less of both.

If Music Radio Wants Listener Loyalty, Give Them a Story to Follow

If you’re on the air and have built a relationship with your audience, are you telling your story? The more listeners know about you and the cast of your show, the more points of relatability they will have with you.

Music Radio Doesn’t Need Better Research — It Needs More Courage

Visionaries took chances on Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, WFAN, and Charlamagne tha God. If those leaders had played it safe, radio’s AQH would be significantly lower today.

From Casey Kasem to PPM: Why Teasing Still Works and Matters for Music Radio

This is most critical during morning shows, when listeners are distracted by their routines.

Breaking

Why Gordon Borrell Believes Digital Is Winning Over Local Advertisers

“It comes with statistics. You place a radio ad, and the station can’t tell you how many people heard it, how many people liked the ad or liked the program.”

Why Heidi Raphael Returned Home to Lead the New York State Broadcasters Association

“I have met and worked with so many wonderful people. I don’t take that for granted. I’m grateful every single day.”

Bru’s Rocket Ride: From Polka Hour to Coast-to-Coast Radio

"It was one of those places where I really got to mess up and find my voice,"

MLB Network’s Intentional Talk Reversal Proves Connection Is Media’s Most Valuable Currency

"Intentional Talk has become, and continues to be, your favorite baseball player's favorite baseball show."