Given the rise and acceptance of online media, printed newspapers have become less important in day to day life. Prior information reported by Pew Research says that since 2004, weekday newspaper circulation in the United States has plummeted by 57%. Additionally, newsroom employees in the newspaper industry have dropped by 51% between 2008-2019.

On today’s edition of The Michael Smerconish Show, the death of newspapers was a focus of conversation. The longtime radio and television broadcaster, author, and newspaper columnist expressed sadness after learning a prominent newsstand in Philadelphia had decided to stop selling newspapers. The decision was made due to slumping sales and the news industry’s challenges brought on by the digital age.

“Apart from me feeling nostalgic for the ink rubbing off on my fingers as I’m on a train to Washington, what’s really going on here is that those papers are often the glue that hold together communities,” explained Smerconish. “If nobody is at the school board then you get some of the shenanigans that are happening at school boards across the country.”

Smerconish shared information reported by the Associated Press in 2022 which claimed that newspapers were dying at the rate of two per week. The print industry had six thousand three hundred seventy seven active newspapers in May of 2022, down from eight thousand eight hundred ninety one in 2005. That represents a drop of two thousand five hundred and fourteen over the period of seventeen years.

If those facts weren’t enough to depress you if you’re an advocate for newspapers remaining alive, here’s another. A total of three hundred sixty newspapers have been shut down since the pandemic took place in 2020.

Dan Bongino recently celebrated two years on the radio with Westwood One. The network offered a Sunday special of Bongino’s program, highlighting some of the top moments from the past week.

During the sixty minute special, Bongino welcomed former president Donald Trump for a 10-minute chat about political issues. After the Trump interview and an epic rant by Bongino on an issue raised by a listener, a conversation with James Lindsay about cultural Marxism aired.

The program wrapped up with a discussion between Bongino and Westwood One and Fox News host Mark Levin. Bongino credited Levin for taking a shot on him by allowing him to fill in on his national radio show when he had very little experience.

“Maybe I took a shot but you were running for office, and it was obvious to me that you were a few steps above,” said Levin. “You were a cop, secret service, studied philosophy, and I would listen to you talk, and in radio or TV, you either have it or you don’t, and you had it.”

After complimenting him for his loyalty, Levin praised Bongino for his show‘s success, and for his ability to connect with the audience.

“The audience comes first, everything else comes second,” explained Levin. “The company that we work for is wonderful but you can’t interfere with us and our audience. The audience is key, that’s what Rush taught me. They’ll stick with you if you stick with them. Don’t underestimate their intelligence.”

The conversation ended with Bongino and Levin talking about the issues surrounding AM radio. Both agreed that it’s a political issue that has little to do with the frequency where content is being offered. The two men believe it’s a case of corporate executives trying to reduce choice, something that both hosts vehemently reject.

PodcastOne has announced its upcoming Pay-Per-View event for June 4, 2023. According to a news release, The event, “Adam Carolla & Friends,” will feature renowned comedian and PodcastOne host Adam Carolla.

The evening broadcast live from the Belly-Up Tavern near San Diego, CA, will commence at 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT. Carolla will be joined by fellow comedians Brad Williams, Kimbles Hume, and other special guests for a 90-minute show of Carolla’s trademark topical and edgy comedy.

“I am delighted that LiveOne and PodcastOne have created this new PPV opportunity for Adam Carolla Podcast fans to enjoy an evening of comedy with me, Kimbles Hume and the great Brad Williams live from one of the best live performance venues in the country at Belly Up in Solana Beach, California!” said Carolla.

In 2020, Adam Carolla achieved a significant milestone by collaborating with LiveOne and PodcastOne for a live-streamed event that garnered an impressive 1.1 million views. The record-breaking event was recorded at The Houston Improv in May of that same year. Since 2009, The Adam Carolla Podcast has entertained millions of listeners and has become the world’s most downloaded podcast daily.

With episodes released five days a week and featuring uncensored content, Carolla engages in in-depth interviews with a wide range of guests, including Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, Nicolas Cage, Alec Baldwin, and Matt Damon, providing listeners with an unparalleled front-row seat to his passionate rants.

You can find “The Adam Carolla Show” and PodcastOne’s extensive lineup of shows on various platforms, including PodcastOne itself, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and other podcast platforms. Among PodcastOne’s diverse range of programming are acclaimed performances such as the Webby Award-winning “Baby Mamas No Drama,” “Coffee Convos,” “I’ve Had It,” “The Jordan Harbinger Show,” “Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe,” “When Reality Hits with Jax and Brittany,” the Webby Award-nominated “LadyGang,” as well as A&E’s “Cold Case Files” and “I Survived.” These podcasts can be accessed and enjoyed wherever podcasts are available for listening.

You can now purchase tickets for the Pay-Per-View event, which includes access to rewatch the event, by visiting liveone.com/carollalive.