Beasley Media Group has partnered with Podcast Radio and KMG Networks to bring a podcast-centered format to four separate U.S. markets.

The new format — which has seen success in the United Kingdom — will be heard on Beasley-owned stations in Charlotte (WSOC-HD3), Detroit (WCSX-HD2), Ft. Myers/Naples (WXKB-HD2), and Tampa (WJBR-AM).

The Podcast Radio format features live “podjocks” and will utilize podcast portions like songs, airing 5-7 minute clips of shows before pushing listeners to listen to the whole podcast on their favorite platform. Gene “Bean” Baxter of Kevin & Bean is the first unveiled “podjock”. The network has already inked deals with TedAudio and Wondery.

The move marks Beasley’s first attempt into the format.

“Caroline, the team, and Beasley’s great station brands will make fantastic first movers into the Podcast Radio format as they embrace this unique new radio content as a leader in both broadcast and digital,” Podcast Radio CEO Gerry Edwards said.

“This concept has been highly successful for Gerry and his team in the United Kingdom, and we believe our audience will fall in love with the Podcast Radio U.S. version we present on our stations,” added Beasley Media Group Chief Content Officer Justin Chase.

Each station will have its own unique branding, utilizing the Podcast Radio name and the location of the station.

“When we evaluated the business opportunity in America, it was their forward-looking team that shared our vision immediately and stepped up to work collaboratively to execute this across key regions within the Beasley Media Group platform,” KMG Networks Founder & CEO Gary Krantz said.

Seemingly every news media professional has an opinion on the decision of Fox Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch to step aside and allow his son, Lachlan, to take control. That list includes KFI-AM 640 morning host Bill Handel.

During his morning show Friday, Handel reacted to the news of Murdoch’s departure, noting the massive amounts of success the billionaire had.

“This is an organization that he built, which is second to none, that now owns The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post. He has for decades had unbelievable influence in the Republican Party, and his decision to step down as chairman now that sent all kinds of shock with shockwaves through the political world, especially the Republican world, just as the presidential rates heats up,” Handel said.

He continued by noting that while Fox News turned into a “shill” under Murdoch’s watch, the success is undeniable.

“He is one of the most interesting characters in the world of broadcast. I got to tell you that everything this guy touches turns to gold. He anticipated everything– except for a couple of big, big mistakes that didn’t hurt his billionaire status very much. Rupert Murdoch is truly one of the most influential people that are out there in the world of media, in the world of what we see, and in the world of what we hear.”

77 WABC has risen to new heights under the ownership of John Catsimatidis and his Red Apple Media group. Morning host Sid Rosenberg shared his appreciation for his owner Friday morning.

Before welcoming Catsimatidis to Sid and Friends in the Morning, Rosenberg shared a story of a recent meeting the two had in his New York office.

“I’ll tell you, I had a meeting — I’m not gonna tell you what it’s about, it’s none of your business — but I had a meeting a couple of days ago in John’s office. We discussed a couple of topics and it was great meeting. Ended in about a half hour. Then I leaned over and gave him a big kiss, like I always do,” Rosenberg said.

“I told him I loved him, which I really do love him. I’ve been in this business now for 25 years and I’ve worked for the biggest radio stations and companies in the history of this business and it’s never been that way ever.

“John, I just want to tell you that the way you run the company, the way you treat your employees — basically me — is really nice. It’s more like a family having a discussion than it is an employee sitting with a boss.”

John Catsimatidis told Sid Rosenberg he appreciated the kind words, and that he continues to “really enjoy the people at WABC”. The billionaire then shared that the group has worked together to become number one and “We’re gonna surpass number one”.