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KSON’s Kimo Jensen on Longevity, Legacy, and Life After San Diego Radio

Kevin Callahan
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KSON’s Kimo Jensen on Longevity, Legacy, and Life After San Diego Radio

Most exits in the media business are, frankly, pretty messy. They happen abruptly on a random Tuesday, or they unfold quietly during a corporate budget cycle. Worse, talent sometimes stays five years too long and burns out the engine.

But every once in a while, someone gives us the blueprint for the perfect exit.

A Legacy Built in San Diego

Enter Kimo Jensen. In July, after over 30 years anchoring the afternoons at KSON in San Diego, Kimo is hanging up the headphones. He isn’t just retiring. He and his wife, Shannon, are jumping in with both feet, packing their bags, and moving across the globe to the Italian countryside. Arrivederci, San Diego!

Staying at one major-market heritage brand for three decades isn’t just an elite professional accomplishment — it’s a statistical anomaly. It means you survived multiple ownership flips, structural turnarounds, and a total evolution of the media landscape. More than that, it requires you to be a genuinely world-class human being.

Back when I was the Regional VP of Programming for Audacy and Program Director for KSON, rooms could get predictably tense — as radio rooms often do. Kimo was always the antidote to that friction. He brought an unflappable chill into the building every single day.

My absolute favorite memory of our time together was our morning routine. I’d text him early with promo adjustments or station imaging needs. Every so often, I’d get a quick reply: “I’ll circle back with you in a bit, KC. I’m in a board meeting.”

For any other employee, that meant a mind-numbing deck or a status update. For Kimo, it meant he was out on the water, sitting on a surfboard, catching waves — keeping his head exactly where it needed to be.

I caught up with the “Smilin’ Hawaiian” to download his 30-year masterclass in longevity, managing corporate weather, and how to successfully steer your life into the ultimate Dolce Vita.

*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*

The Masterclass in Longevity

Kevin Callahan: Kimo, staying at one station for nearly three decades in modern media is like finding a unicorn in the air-studio. What is the secret to staying fresh, relevant, and hungry when you’ve been looking at the same market and the same dashboard since the ’90s?

Kimo Jensen: “Being open to always learning. As radio has evolved over the past thirty-plus years, so has the market, and so has technology. Staying on the pulse of that — and the latest technology and social media — helps to keep things fresh and relevant.”

KC: You’ve survived multiple ownership changes, corporate turnarounds, and programming shifts. What did you understand about managing the “corporate weather” that you can share with other talent?

Kimo: “Be a good communicator, BUT also be a good listener. With the shifts in programming, ownership, and corporate turnarounds come plenty of fresh ideas. Always be receptive to new ideas and direction. The minute you stop is the minute you stop growing.”

KC: KSON is one of the most storied, heritage brands in the Country format. When you look back at day one versus your final sign-off, how much of the station’s soul remained exactly the same, despite how much the platform changed?

Kimo: “The one thing that never changed was the passion the listeners have — not only for the radio station itself, but the voices they hear daily. They really consider us part of the family.”

Curation, Egos, and the 20-Something Blueprint

KC: Beyond being an elite afternoon personality, you’ve been a massive weapon for Audacy’s national imaging team. How did your approach to production and ‘theater of the mind’ change over the years?

Kimo: “When I started at KSON, imaging was all about making everything bigger than life. It seems to have evolved more into word economy. In other words: get the message out, keep it short, and whatever you do, don’t get in the way of the music. So, in today’s imaging, be the spice.”

KC: What is one piece of advice you’d give to a 20-something talent entering a multi-station cluster today who wants to build the kind of legacy and brand longevity you accomplished?

Kimo: “Always have an open mind, and be ready to try anything. I mean, I never thought I’d end up playing country music following ten years of Top 40 and hip-hop! But once I jumped in, it ended up being a blast.”

KC: The industry knows you as a world-class creative, but your peers constantly point out that you are simply a good guy. In a business that can easily breed cynicism, how did you protect your optimism and manage to stay entirely grounded while carrying the weight of being a major-market cornerstone?

Kimo: “Simple! When I saw how much the egos were hated by fellow coworkers, air staff, and management, I always tried to go above and beyond to NOT be that guy. That sales guy you just pissed off is not coming back around with a client who wants you to endorse his product. You’re obviously too tough to work with.”

Destination Italy

KC: You are trading Southern California beaches for the Italian countryside next month. What was the exact moment you and Shannon looked at each other and said, “We aren’t just retiring; we are moving across the globe”?

Kimo: “With dual citizenship (American & Italian), my wife has always wanted to try it, but both of us were working. The best we could do was visit for about ten days. Now we can jump in with both feet and be totally immersed. Not only in Italy, but anywhere in Europe. Surf in France, snowboard the Swiss Alps, cappuccinos in Rome.”

KC: Radio people are notoriously addicted to timelines. How long do you think it’s going to take your internal clock to adapt to the Italian lifestyle where time is basically a suggestion?

Kimo: “I love that line, ‘Time is basically a suggestion.’ Not sure how long it will take, but anyway you slice it, that just sounds like a great retirement.”

KC: If you had to pick one Country song that serves as the official theme song for this upcoming Italian chapter of your life, what is it?

Kimo: “Haha, like you said, time is basically a suggestion… Maybe ‘It’s 5:00 Somewhere.'”

The Executive Summary

Look at Kimo’s career path and you’ll find the ultimate antidote to the anxiety gripping our industry right now. So often, we spend too much time overthinking it. Ultimately, Kimo survived it all by relying on three simple, unshakeable pillars: stay open to learning, treat the support staff with respect, and never stop being the “spice” on the air.

He didn’t let the grind consume his life. Instead, he protected his peace, put in his time, and built a legendary family relationship with San Diego. Perhaps most importantly, he knew exactly when it was time to step away and go live.

To my friend Kimo: thank you for decades of elite radio, and thank you for always bringing the chill when the building needed it most. Enjoy the lifelong board meeting in Italy. You earned every single wave. The next time I text, I hope you’re in a board meeting.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Three National Radio Hall of Famers to Speak at Barrett Media Audio Summit

Jim Ryan
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Three National Radio Hall of Famers to Speak at Barrett Media Audio Summit

Have you ever been to a National Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony? I have. In fact, I was there the night Jim Harper inducted Jim Kerr, and the evening in Chicago when Beth Bacall welcomed her husband Broadway Bill Lee into the Hall. I even had the pleasure of attending at least one of the nights Scott Shannon — longtime member of the National Radio Hall of Fame — emceed the show. These three legends will tell their stories next week in New York at the Barrett Media Audio Summit, and it’s bound to be memorable.

Scott Shannon: Programmer, Morning Man, Legend

While most everyone in our business knows of Scott Shannon‘s accomplishments as a programmer, he may also be the greatest morning show ringmaster in the history of radio. He had the uncanny ability to know when Mr. Leonard needed to be part of a break at Z100 in the ’80s, or when weatherman John Elliott’s punchline would pop on CBS-FM 40 years later. While he was the PD and morning man for much of his career, the radio trades spent more time highlighting the programming side of that combo. Did Scott the programmer make Scott the DJ better? Perhaps we’ll find out next week.

Jim Kerr: New York’s Morning Drive Icon for Over 50 Years

If you’ve never followed New York radio, you might have no idea how prolific Jim Kerr’s career has been. At just 21 years old, Jim became the youngest morning drive host in the biggest market in America when he took over that shift at WPLJ. I would venture to say nobody has done more morning shows in New York radio than Jim. After all, he’s been doing it for over 50 years. There are not many people who have held the same job in the same market for that long. How has entertaining a market of 17 million people changed over that time? I can’t wait to hear his story.

Broadway Bill Lee: A Career Defined by Historic Moments

Broadway Bill Lee’s résumé is a listing of some of the greatest stations in American radio history. Throughout that time, he has let his audience know about some of the most monumental events in the world. He was already an on-air talent at the legendary KFRC in San Francisco on that Monday night when John Lennon was shot and killed. He first brought his fast-talking rap style to New York in 1987 at Hot 103, before it moved to 97.1. He’s one of the city’s most familiar talents, having spent significant time at WKTU and then WCBS-FM since its relaunch. How has doing a show at so many legendary stations changed him over the years? You’ll see that radio life through his eyes next week.

During my time as a programmer in New York, I had to compete with all three of these amazing personalities. I can’t tell you how many times I was listening to one of them on a competitor station and heard a break that totally demoralized me. How can you compete with Scott, Jim, or Broadway? They are three of the greatest to ever crack a mic. Moreover, their longevity, success, and place in the National Radio Hall of Fame tell part of the tale. Don’t miss them next week in New York at the Barrett Media Audio Summit to hear the rest of their stories.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Approaching The Summit: Mark Adams, Z100/New York

David Hill
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Approaching The Summit: Mark Adams, Z100/New York

Approaching The Summit is a series of special interviews created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing featuring speakers at the upcoming 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Follow along with this series as prominent names surrounding the event June 30-July 2 share their insights and expectations for what’s to come in the Big Apple. The Summit takes place at the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street. For tickets and hotel room reservations, click here or visit the Summit section at the top of the website.

Mark Adams serves as Program Director of iHeartMedia’s Z100 (WHTZ) in New York and Vice President of CHR Programming. He joined iHeartMedia in 2013, taking the VP/Programming role for the company’s Portland cluster. He then moved to San Francisco, where he programmed CHR Wild 94.9 (KYLD) and Hot AC Star 101.3 (KIOI). Adams took the reins at Z100 in May 2024, becoming just the sixth Program Director in the station’s 40-plus year history. His peers named him the #1 CHR programmer of 2024 in Barrett Media’s Top 20 series.

*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

The Format’s Biggest Challenge

David Hill: What is the biggest challenge facing your format right now?

Mark Adams: While not limited to CHR, I would argue the greatest challenge for any contemporary format is contending with the fundamental breakdown of popular consensus dynamics. As available audiences grow more algorithmically fragmented and audio and entertainment options multiply, driving familiarity gets harder every day. Music and personalities no longer solely define great radio brands. There are ancillary components — podcasting, digital and social media, short-form video, and events — that are integral to success. Creating and adopting new tactics and strategies to evolve with the changing needs and expectations of our audiences is a constant process.

The State of the Industry

DH: What is your view of the industry right now — both where it stands today and where it’s headed?

MA: I remain optimistic. Radio continues to be a frequent part of consumers’ media habits. Nine out of ten Americans listen to broadcast radio each month. Our reach is unparalleled, and we remain one of the best options for effectively reaching the masses. Consumers increasingly distrust algorithms and artificial intelligence. That makes the human connection we deliver more valuable than ever. That emotional engagement extends to favorite personalities and brands, where we offer companionship, community, and curation. That human endorsement is more powerful and valuable today than ever before.

Advice for the Next Generation

DH: What would you tell someone younger in the business who is trying to figure out where they fit?

MA: The best advice I could offer today is not a great deal different than what I might have shared at any point during my career. Strive to network with professionals who can offer you mentorship, advice, and direction. And if you have the chance to join a company — no matter what the initial role may be — take full advantage of that opportunity. Get in the building. There are always opportunities for sharp and adaptive professionals with a strong work ethic and a passion for learning.

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 by clicking here.

FOX Sports Delivers a Winning Formula for the FIFA World Cup 2026

John Molori
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FOX Sports Delivers a Winning Formula for the FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup with coverage on FOX Sports and FS1 has been different this year. There seems to be a palpable and visceral energy emanating from the screen as we watch these athletes and coaches from around the globe.

Off the pitch, the United States has wholeheartedly embraced both fans and players from visiting teams. Most notably, Boston became the new second home of the Scotland club and its fans, who joyously drank the region dry while their team played at the World Cup’s Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Everyone expects that top-flight teams like Argentina and France would put on a show for fans. However, all of the teams have brought their respective A-games with flair and excitement. The same can be said for the on-air personalities calling and commenting on the action. FOX’s FIFA World Cup Today studio show team of Rob Stone, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Alexi Lalas has been outstanding, bringing more sparkle to this already star-studded spectacle.

I am pleased that FIFA no longer tries to turn non-soccer fans into soccer fans. Instead, this year’s World Cup has presented the best of what the game offers, thereby drawing eyeballs to the action.

Soccer Kicks Different

One of the most heart-palpitating matches featured a Group I tilt between Norway and Senegal on Monday, June 22. The game came right down to the wire, with more than nine minutes of extra time and Norway pulling out a 3-2 victory. This game also showcased another group of FOX’s World Cup broadcasters. Englishman Ian Darke on play-by-play and U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan providing color analysis. They were joined by rules analyst Dr. Joe Machnik and pitchside reporter Katie Shanahan.

Soccer is a totally different game from a broadcasting standpoint because there is so much time and space to fill. With so many moments of inaction, soccer makes baseball look like the Kentucky Derby. There is a lot of downtime as players strategically plot movement on the pitch. As well as numerous stoppages in play.

It is incumbent upon the announcers to make this idleness interesting. Darke and Donovan were outstanding. Creating the best collaboration between England and the United States since the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Darke is one of the truly iconic voices of international soccer. He has been with ESPN since 2010 and has called most of the major soccer tournaments in the world on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Donovan is a certified American soccer legend who has broadcast some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. He played in three World Cups for the United States and retired in 2018. He’s tied with former teammate Clint Dempsey as the all-time leading scorer in USMNT history. Donovan is also one of the greatest MLS players of all time, with the league’s MVP trophy now bearing his name.

The famed British announcer and megastar American player have matched together better than Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.

They captured the drama of the Norway-Senegal game. FOX’s cameras did an excellent job showcasing the intense action on the pitch. From players violently butting heads to cramping to the point of being unable to walk. The match became highly emotional, with plenty of chirping back and forth between the Senegalese and Norwegian players.

Donovan was particularly impressive in discussing how Senegal did not quit despite trailing by two goals late in the game. After Norway’s victory, Darke noted that despite Senegal’s tireless effort, it would now be difficult for the team to avoid eventual elimination from the tournament.

Sensational Studio Coverage

FOX’s World Cup studio analysts have been just as terrific, and not just the aforementioned Ibrahimovic and Lalas. Following the Norway-Senegal game, FS1’s FIFA World Cup Today featured host Pien Meulensteen, Mikel John Obi, Juan Pablo Angel, and Javier Hernandez. The quartet discussed the next round of Group I games. Those featured France vs. Norway in what should be a tremendous match. Meulensteen brings a dignified enthusiasm to her role as studio host. It is very difficult to get the most out of three desk analysts, but she did an expert job distributing questions and airtime.

All of FOX’s studio experts bring impressive soccer resumes. Hernandez scored goals for Mexico in three FIFA World Cups. He was also part of the country’s 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship team. I like his straightforward and direct approach to analyzing past and upcoming games. Angel has eight career FIFA World Cup qualifying goals for Colombia. He views the matches with a serious and strategic mien. Obi brings an exciting and upbeat approach to the studio desk. The former captain of Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup team discussed how Norway has effectively withstood the pressure of World Cup play.

After a break, Meulensteen went right into highlights of Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria in Group J play. The match was highlighted by Lionel Messi’s 17th and 18th career World Cup goals. He’s now the tournament’s all-time leading scorer and moving him past Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

While we are still early in the 2026 World Cup, this performance by Messi places him squarely among those sports icons known by a single name: Jordan, Gretzky, Brady, Ruth, and Ali.

While narrating highlights of the game, the FS1 commentators discussed the collective field vision of the Argentine team. Noting how the players know where their teammates will be and can make pinpoint passes. Angel commented that Messi seems to be playing with a bit more serenity, perhaps because Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Meulensteen joined the discussion, pointing out that the Argentine team recognizes the firepower on its roster and game plans to create easy scoring chances. Obi, Angel, and Hernandez worked exceptionally well together. They played off one another and genuinely listened to the comments and topic shifts introduced by Meulensteen. You could sense their preparation, knowledge, and extensive experience in the sport.

Showcasing The World’s Game

I have been impressed with several of FOX’s international World Cup talents. These include Jacqui Oatley and Warren Barton, who reported live from Santa Clara while previewing the Group J match between Jordan and Algeria. This edition of FIFA World Cup Today also examined the early struggles of Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal team. Meulensteen, Obi, Angel, and Hernandez were joined live from Houston by Natalie Gedra, who reported on Ronaldo’s woes and what Portugal must do to live up to its pre-World Cup hype as the favorite in Group K. Shanahan also appeared on the show, offering a strong postgame interview with Norway’s Erling Haaland. The charismatic striker was the star of the match against Senegal, scoring two goals.

This impressive group of talents, many of whom are unknown to the mainstream American audience, are bringing information, analysis, and perspective to an already scintillating 2026 FIFA World Cup. They are showing that international superstars are not only on the pitch, but also on the air.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Why iHeartMedia Should Reconsider ‘Guaranteed Human’ Following Another Round of Layoffs

John Mamola
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Why iHeartMedia Should Reconsider ‘Guaranteed Human’ Following Another Round of Layoffs

There’s a lot of mixed messaging in media today. It’s no different than anything else in sports. When a team declares it’s all in on roster building, then passes on opportunities to acquire impact talent, its actions contradict its words. That’s mixed messaging. In radio, commercial-free hours still have sponsor messaging because advertisers are buying the lone piece of real estate in that commercial-free hour. When a broadcasting brand such as iHeartMedia promotes “guaranteed human” but continues to lay off humans, that’s mixed messaging.

Tuesday began yet another round of layoffs by iHeartMedia. I say “another” because that’s exactly what it is. Since I was laid off by the company in November 2024, there have been several more rounds of “reductions in force.” I’m not immune to understanding that layoffs are part of business, but this is becoming too much of a norm rather than an outlier.

“When you end up unemployed… say f**k it and go to the beach,” wrote one affected iHeartMedia employee.

“You can have good ratings, good revenue, etc. It doesn’t matter. Your number on that excel sheet can be picked any day,” writes another affected iHeartMedia employee.

“I’m just waiting my turn. It’s coming and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it,” said another iHeartMedia employee who is still awaiting word on her future.

Define Human

Without a doubt, layoffs are not rallying cries for employees. However, November 2024, October 2025, April 2026, and now June 2026 have all arrived. Each round of layoffs leaves its mark, forcing talented people to reevaluate their career aspirations and future in the industry. One that heals for some. Others never truly get over the moment.

Four times in less than two years, the biggest audio company in the country has lost some of its “human” touch. I agree that great content can win. But it takes local humans creating local connections with local audiences to deliver it.

For example, when iHeartMedia eliminated my position at WDAE in November 2024, the company also cut the local midday show hosted by Jay Recher and Zac Blobner. In its place came syndication. A national sports radio show that didn’t give Tampa Bay teams the attention they deserved. The scuttlebutt surrounding playoff runs, coaching changes, and the usual banter about key moments from the previous night’s games disappeared. For the midday audience, there was none of it.

Fifteen months later, audience demand for local content shifted the thinking. WDAE returned to live and local programming in middays.

This isn’t a knock on the quality product FOX Sports Radio provides as the sports radio partner for iHeartMedia. But while technology, budgets, and business models may change in the boardroom, one thing doesn’t change: local human connection. That’s a human guarantee worth living by.

No Guarantees

Human connection with those who walk the streets in your local community. Human connection that extends beyond the sports radio program and onto your social media feed. Bonds that can last for generations. Not just through topics of discussion, but through products and partners as well. We see research metrics every day showing that sports radio talent remains among the most influential voices in advertising.

That’s why iHeartMedia should seriously consider removing the mixed messaging of “guaranteed human.” It falls on deaf ears when listeners’ favorite humans are removed without notice.

The sole point of iHeart’s “guaranteed human” approach is human beings. Keeping humans in front of the audience, then letting AI do its work behind the scenes. It’s a novel way to market brands to consumers by assuring them that what they’re hearing on the radio, or through the iHeartRadio app, is indeed a human being.

Listeners of KXNO in Des Moines woke up Wednesday morning didn’t hear their favorite human beings. No discussions about their favorite topics or the latest involving the Iowa Hawkeyes or Iowa State Cyclones. Those same listeners also didn’t hear the content they’ve grown to love in afternoon drive.

Because of those personnel decisions, Ken Miller’s final show on KXNO never happened. Miller was set to retire at the conclusion of Wednesday’s program. The show was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his role in helping launch sports talk radio in Des Moines. Instead, because of the roster cuts, Miller stayed home. He chose not to attend in solidarity with his teammates who lost their jobs the day before.

There’s never a right time to enact layoffs, but companies often overlook the listener. They remove familiar voices without explanation and deny audiences the chance to say goodbye. That leaves listeners asking, why would I stay with a brand that keeps taking my favorite humans away?

What’s human about that?

You can say the same thing about stations in Birmingham, Anchorage, Indianapolis, Lexington, Pittsburgh, and my own home in Tampa Bay. Markets large and small. Stations ranging from sports radio to gospel. People who spent one, two, three, and even four decades working for iHeartMedia were out the door through no fault of their own.

All while iHeartMedia maintained its own café presence at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in France, where top syndicated talent engaged in discussions about building trust with the listeners they serve. The message was that human connection is paramount above all else. Yet no true local voices were represented.

Something To Consider

Local radio station employees want strong leadership. They want leaders who believe in the product they pour their passion into on a local level. CEO Bob Pittman once held that standard and vision. However, four rounds of layoffs in less than two years tell a much different story.

The radio business has always evolved. Formats change. Technology changes. Distribution changes. Cost structures change. None of that is new. What has never changed is that listeners build relationships with people, not platforms. They don’t wake up each morning for a corporate slogan. They tune in for the voices that inform them, entertain them, and become part of their daily routine.

That’s why “guaranteed human” is such a powerful promise. It’s also why it rings hollow when the very humans responsible for creating those connections continue to disappear without warning for local audiences.

Marketing campaigns can tell listeners that radio is built by people, but every layoff sends a different message. Layoffs tell them those people are expendable. At some point, iHeartMedia has to decide which message it truly believes. Because the greatest competitive advantage radio has never been technology, artificial intelligence, distribution, or scale. It’s been the local personalities who earn trust one conversation at a time.

Remove enough of those voices, and eventually the audience stops hearing the promise. All they hear is the silence left behind.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Shawn Anderson Explains How WTOP Handles Non-Stop News

Garrett Searight
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Shawn Anderson Explains How WTOP Handles Non-Stop News

Washington, D.C.’s all-news radio powerhouse WTOP has never faced a news cycle quite like this one, and afternoon anchor Shawn Anderson knows it better than most.

For years, Anderson has helmed afternoon drive at one of the country’s most-listened-to news stations. And lately, “afternoon drive” might as well be a misnomer. The news doesn’t slow down at 5 PM. It barely pauses.

Anderson traces the relentless pace back to a specific moment two summers ago.

“Basically, from the time Joe Biden had that disastrous debate with Donald Trump two years ago this month until now, we haven’t had a slow day, period,” Anderson said.

Things only accelerated from there. And the return of Donald Trump to the White House turned a fast current into a full-on torrent.

“It only accelerated once Donald Trump became president,” the longtime WTOP afternoon anchor said. That reality forced Anderson and the WTOP team to adapt — and adapt fast. Covering the Trump administration means triaging the news on the fly, sometimes choosing four or five major stories out of seven that break on a single day.

Learning to Run a Different Race

Anderson reached for an athletic analogy when describing what it felt like to suddenly operate at this speed.

“It was like being a miler in track and field and having to learn how to run a marathon at world-record speed,” Anderson said. “That was the ramp-up from a news standpoint, and we had to learn very quickly how to keep our heads above water.”

That adjustment didn’t happen overnight, but it didn’t take long either.

“It probably took us a few weeks to get used to that pace and realize that was going to be the pace we’d have to work at for the foreseeable future,” the WTOP anchor shared. Now, operating at that velocity is simply the job.

Part of what makes the pace so demanding is the willingness to abandon a plan the moment circumstances change. Anderson said the team stays on a “swivel” — meeting at the start of each day to map out coverage, then tearing up that map when something bigger breaks.

“We might have to drop something we would normally cover because something new has superseded it,” Anderson said. “We’re not set in stone every day on what we do.”

That flexibility comes with trade-offs, though. Stories that would’ve led a broadcast in a slower news environment sometimes don’t make air at all. “Sometimes it feels like things slip through the cracks that, in a normal news cycle, you might report on,” Anderson said. “It might even be your lead story. But so many other things have happened that you just have to move on.”

Staying Local — and Staying Balanced

Perhaps the most distinct pressure Anderson faces isn’t speed — it’s balance. WTOP serves Washington, D.C., a market where “local news” and “federal government news” can blur together in ways they don’t anywhere else. Anderson’s aware of that tension and works hard to keep WTOP from tipping too far in either direction.

“We are at our best at WTOP when we are balanced between local and national, between politics and other issues, and between the bad stories and the good stories we want to tell,” Anderson said. That balance has grown even more critical as other local outlets scale back. With The Washington Post pulling away from community coverage, WTOP has stepped into that gap. “We’ve become one of the go-to outlets for local news,” Anderson said. “We’re very aware of that mission.”

Maintaining that mission in a politically charged climate isn’t easy. Anderson’s frank about the reality that unbiased coverage draws complaints from every direction — and says that’s actually a sign the station’s doing something right.

“When people complain from both sides of the spectrum, we know we’re doing our jobs correctly,” the WTOP anchor shared. “We get those kinds of complaints.”

Audience reactions have grown louder and more frequent over the course of Anderson’s career — and more politically charged. Still, he doesn’t see that as a reason to drift toward any particular lane. “Unbiased coverage is a mantra here, and everybody is well aware of that,” Anderson said. The path forward, in his view, is straightforward even if it isn’t easy: “You just have to ignore the noise a little bit, get the facts straight, and move forward in an unbiased way.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Why News/Talk Radio Programmers Can’t Afford to Ignore Afternoon Drive

Garrett Searight
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Why News/Talk Radio Programmers Can’t Afford to Ignore Afternoon Drive

Afternoon drive doesn’t get enough respect in news/talk radio. That’s not an opinion — it’s a programming blind spot that’s costing stations listeners, advertiser confidence, and staff morale.

New data from Crowd React Media makes the case plainly: 34% of those surveyed named afternoon drive as their primary daypart. Sure, morning drive still leads at 40%, but that gap isn’t exactly the Grand Canyon. And yet, walk into most programming meetings, and afternoons are often treated like a consolation prize rather than a competitive battlefield.

That needs to change.

Programmers have long operated under an unwritten rule: protect mornings at all costs. Invest the local talent there. Stack the breaks with news, weather, sports, and traffic. Make listeners feel like they’re getting something they can’t get anywhere else. That’s a smart strategy — and it’s absolutely the right instinct.

But here’s the problem: too many stations stop applying that instinct the moment morning drive wraps up.

What the Numbers Are Telling You

More than a third of listeners are telling Crowd React Media that afternoon is when they’re tuned in most. That’s a significant audience segment that deserves to be treated as such. Nobody in programming would dare say “mornings don’t matter.”

So why do so many stations quietly operate as if afternoons don’t?

Look around the dial and you’ll see the pattern clearly. A station runs a locally produced morning show — maybe two or three hosts, regular traffic updates, deep local news coverage. Then afternoon rolls around, and it’s a nationally syndicated program with minimal local breaks and a fraction of the content investment. That’s not inherently wrong. Hosts like Sean Hannity have built massive afternoon audiences across hundreds of stations, and there’s real value in that reach.

But the question isn’t whether syndicated content can work. It’s whether the overall daypart is getting the same level of strategic attention.

In many cases, it isn’t.

The Message You’re Sending

When you strip down local content in afternoon drive — fewer updates, fewer local breaks, less production energy — you’re sending a message. Listeners hear it. Advertisers see it. Staff feel it. That message is simple. And it’s damaging: afternoons don’t matter.

They do matter. And the data backs it up. The gap between afternoon and morning drive continues to narrow, and there’s no reason to assume that trend reverses itself. You don’t have to predict that afternoons will eventually overtake mornings to understand the strategic implications here. They don’t need to be number one to deserve serious investment.

Think about it this way: if a competitor came within six points of your candidate in a race that wasn’t supposed to be competitive, you wouldn’t ignore the next one. You’d adjust. You’d invest. And you’d take it seriously. The same logic applies here.

Afternoon drive isn’t asking to be treated like the star of the show. But it’s earned the right to be treated like a legitimate daypart — one with local presence, consistent content quality, and real programming strategy behind it. The stations that recognize that now will be better positioned as the numbers keep trending in that direction.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

WJR 760’s Ann Thomas Shares How Digital Has Expanded the Program Director Role

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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WJR 760’s Ann Thomas Shares How Digital Has Expanded the Program Director Role

The Barrett Audio Summit is headed to The Big Apple next week. And the best and brightest leaders from across the country will be joining us to break down what’s breaking and making the industry. This includes WJR 760 Program Director Ann Thomas.

She spoke with Barrett Media, giving us a preview of what to expect from her Tuesday morning panel.

Krystina Carroll: People sum up a Program Director’s job as managing talent, but it’s so much more than that. Can you just help me understand what else there is besides the managing talent aspect that you do so well?

Ann Thomas: Well, that’s a good question. A program director is basically responsible for all of the programming that you would hear on a radio station. From early morning throughout the night and into the next morning, 24/7. Here at WJR, I’m responsible for what goes out onto the airwaves. That includes our local programming, our network programming, our news and information, our traffic, our weather, our sounders, our promos. Everything that you hear coming out of your radio, I’m responsible for.

KC: You’re in charge of everything people hear 24/7 on WJR. But with the rise of apps and social media, are you also in charge of everything people see on the app 24/7 as well? Has your role expanded?

AT: Yes, the role has definitely expanded. I do have a great team. We have an incredible digital department. The head of our digital department, Curtis Paul, does a wonderful job. He’s in tune with what I think, so we’re working together constantly. But yes, the role of a program director has definitely expanded because you have to pay attention to what’s on all of your social media sites and your website to make sure it matches the on-air product.

KC: There’s a lot of pressure and a lot to do. But being able to connect with other program directors is so important. What makes the Barrett Media Audio Summit essential for any successful program director?

AT: This will be my third year attending the Summit, and I think it’s invaluable. It’s a great way to sit and listen to other program directors and hear what they’re doing. To network with them, get some new ideas, and see how they deal with issues. It’s a wonderful way to figure out how I can do my job better. The information you get out of that Summit is invaluable.

The Biggest Challenges

KC: What was the biggest challenge of 2025 for you?

AT: One of the challenges we have in the radio world is that we’re no longer just radio stations. Now we’re basically multimedia platforms where we’re taking all this great local content that we have throughout the day and making sure it can be seen on other platforms. While we’re doing it — and I think we’re doing a really great job at it — it’s challenging because you have to make sure that you’re getting the local content out properly and to all of the right channels.

For me, that is something I think about constantly. How can I take what we’re doing on the air and make sure it’s seen on social media, on Facebook, on YouTube? It’s been challenging. But honestly, it’s been a lot of fun, too.

KC: Is this part of what you foresee to be a bigger challenge not only this year, but over the next five years?

AT: Absolutely. I think it’s something that we all need to be talking about all the time.

Managing Talent in the Social Media Era

KC: Has it become difficult with the rise of social media to attract people to the station?

AT: I don’t think it’s become difficult. I think maybe it’s a little bit different. Managing talent is interesting in the sense that if you’ve got seasoned talent, you deal with them a little bit differently than you would a newer or younger talent. You have to take a look at every person and see what they need and how you can help them be creative and grow. One of the things I think all program directors are looking at is what the talent’s social media presence is and how that can help your radio station.

If you’ve got seasoned talent who maybe doesn’t use social media as much, that’s ok. Because they’ve already got a pretty big following on the radio, and they can still use social media in the way they’re used to doing it. But if you’ve got a younger talent, that’s where you may suggest they try to elevate and work on their brand through social media. And then push people to listen on the radio. So I don’t think it’s more difficult — I think it’s more interesting. There’s a lot of potential for a talent to grow his or her brand, both on social media and then over to the radio.

KC: Most talent today aren’t going through the markets like they used to. They would start at market 100 and, hopefully, end up in a top 25. Today, it’s very different. When you’re looking for new talent, are you looking for followers? Are you looking for experience? What exactly makes talent good for Detroit?

AT: I don’t think that’s changed that much over the years. You want somebody who is entertaining and stands for something, who’s able to relate to the audience and develop a relationship with them. You want a talent who is fun, engaging, and just really interesting to a listener — and they’re going to do that both on their social media channels and on the air. I don’t think it’s changed that much in what you’re looking for. Obviously, I’m always looking for talent that can relate to the Detroit area and Michigan audiences.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

NewsNation Sets Schedule for America 250 Special Featuring Bill O’Reilly

Garrett Searight
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NewsNation Sets Schedule for America 250 Special Featuring Bill O’Reilly

NewsNation will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a new special featuring Bill O’Reilly. The network plans to air the one-hour program on July 2nd during primetime.

What We Know: NewsNation announced it will air Patriots and Plotters: Bill O’Reilly’s Unsung Heroes and Villains of the American Revolution on Thursday, July 2, at 9 PM ET. The special will replace that evening’s edition of On Balance. Hosted by Chief Washington Correspondent Leland Vittert, the documentary follows Bill O’Reilly as he explores lesser-known figures from the American Revolution. The program includes visits to historic sites in Boston and examines both celebrated patriots and individuals who opposed or undermined the revolutionary cause. Additionally, the special serves as part of the network’s broader America 250 coverage.

What They Said: “As America commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, there is no better time to revisit the extraordinary figures whose courage and sacrifice helped shape our nation’s history. The special offers a compelling look at the people and events that defined our nation, bringing history to life for a new generation. We are proud to feature it as part of our ongoing America 250 coverage.” –NewsNation President of Programming & Specials Michael Corn

What Remains Unclear: NewsNation hasn’t disclosed whether the special will be available on demand after its television debut. The network also hasn’t shared any encore plans beyond the initial broadcast.

What It Means: The special gives NewsNation another high-profile historical program tied to the nationwide America 250 celebration. Meanwhile, O’Reilly’s involvement brings a recognizable television and publishing figure to the project. As networks compete for attention around the semiquincentennial, original historical programming could help attract viewers interested in the nation’s founding story.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

KXnO Host Trent Condon On Station Layoffs by iHeartMedia: Listener’s Local Voice Was “Taken Away”

John Mamola
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KXnO Host Trent Condon On Station Layoffs by iHeartMedia: Listener’s Local Voice Was “Taken Away”

KXNO host Trent Condon broke his silence Wednesday. The KXNO host addressed devastating layoffs that gutted the station’s morning and afternoon drive programs following Tuesday’s programming day on the station.

What We Know: iHeartMedia began executing a company-wide reduction in force, eliminating KXNO’s entire morning and afternoon drive teams in the process. Moreover, the cuts removed the voices responsible for localizing content for Iowa’s passionate sports fans. Additionally, Wednesday marked what was supposed to be longtime host Ken Miller’s final show — coinciding with the 30th anniversary of sports talk radio in Des Moines. In addition, Miller chose not to appear on his final program on KXNO. Condon is an independent contractor who purchases the two-hour block from 12pm-2pm cst on KXNO, and is not an iHeartMedia employee.

What They Said: (All quotes from Miller & Condon on KXNO Wednesday)

KXNO Host Trent Condon shares his emotions of the KXNO layoffs yesterday: “My heart aches for the people, my friends, and for my colleagues. For the people that made the station what it is. The people that lost their jobs yesterday as corporate came down with a mandate of the layoffs. People that worked incredibly hard to give you listeners a product. To localize what we’re doing, and give you a voice. Regardless if you’re a Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Bulldog, or a Panther fan. Your voice to keep things local, and that was taken away.”

KXNO Host Trent Condon doesn’t feel a return is possible this time around at KXNO: “If you remember when this happened the last time, five years ago. The coming back, bringing things back. The hope that possibly could this happen again, I don’t think that’s going to happen at that level.”

KXNO Host Trent Condon on why Ken Miller decided not to attend his final show on KXNO celebrating the 30 year anniversary of sports talk in Des Moines: “Today was supposed to be Ken’s [Miller] final day. Ken decided not to come in. Standing up for his friends and colleagues, doing it in a way that he said he just didn’t feel comfortable. He talked to everybody. People tried to talk him into coming on here today to do his final show. On the anniversary of 30 years of sports talk radio starting in Des Moines. A place where people said it could never work, and it worked for 30 years. Ken said no.”

KXNO Host Trent Condon says the layoffs are just part of the industry: “They all deserve better. This was a station that was bringing in revenue. This is not a station that is hemorrhaging money. I know the financials, because I work in the financials. From the corporate, it’s not about Des Moines or Sioux City. It’s not about the little places. As acquisitions, changes, and mergers happen, all the big things. All the things that all of us, regardless of your line of work. It doesn’t matter where you work, or what you do for a living. We know what happens in these kind of spots. That’s where we are.”

What Remains Unclear: The full scope of iHeartMedia’s nationwide cuts remains uncertain. Furthermore, Condon suggested a rebound is unlikely for the laid off talent. In 2020, KXNO re-hired Travis Justice, Heather Burnside, and Sean Roberts of The Morning Rush, and Chris Williams and Ross Peterson of The Sports Fanatics, along with program director Andrew Downs. The re-hires followed a round of layoffs by iHeartMedia that faced backlash from station listeners and partners. Whether KXNO can restore any local programming in the vacated under current corporate priorities is an open question.

What It Means: As iHeartMedia continues with its latest round of layoffs, Des Moines is losing its lone local sports station. This is the second wave of layoffs to hit the brand in mass in less than six years. Moreover, timing of layoffs is never easy. However, the timing couldn’t have been worse for longtime listeners of the brand and sports radio in Des Moines. Miller’s decision to stay away from his final day shows the respect he had for those that unfortunately will no longer be heard on KXNO.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

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