Rich Valdés pushes talk media into streaming at Talkers 2026

Rich Valdés joined a top-panel discussion at Talkers 2026 in New York as his distribution network passed 1 billion YouTube views. The appearance underscored how radio and talk brands are shifting toward streaming, podcasts and multilingual video to reach new audiences.

Why it matters: - Talk media is moving beyond traditional radio as audiences spread across streaming, podcasts and connected-TV platforms. - Valdés used the Talkers 2026 stage to position his brand for that shift while his distribution partner reached a major digital milestone. - The broader takeaway: talk hosts now need multi-platform reach to stay visible and competitive.

What happened: - Rich Valdés spoke on The Big Picture Super Panel at Talkers 2026 at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on Soundstage A. - The panel also featured Tavis Smiley, Frank Morano, Chris Oliviero and Steve Jones. - Valdés discussed how talk media is evolving across streaming platforms and how broadcasters can adapt. - His appearance came as Global Media Federation, the parent company of Festiva TV and Oro Solido, surpassed 1 billion cumulative YouTube views.

The details: - Valdés said radio is not disappearing, even as traditional television has shifted and streaming platforms have grown. - Valdés pointed to iHeart Media’s move to place programming on Netflix with live broadcasts as a model for the industry. - Valdés said talk creators must meet listeners and viewers where they already consume content. - Valdés said audiences connect first with personalities, cultural references and strong content, not ethnicity alone. - Tavis Smiley agreed with that view during the panel. - Valdés said advanced AI lip-sync voice dubbing will let him bring his voice and commentary to new Spanish-speaking markets. - Valdés said that approach expands his reach into the Caribbean and South America. - Spanish-language Roku content through Festiva TV and Global Media Federation, in partnership with merengue artist Raul Acosta of Oro Solido, gives Valdés home-screen visibility across Roku’s 100 million-plus streaming households worldwide. - The English-language show is available free on Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio. - Full video is available through paid membership subscriptions. - Valdés thanked WABC Radio colleagues, where he developed as a live broadcaster in New York. - Valdés also thanked early mentors Curtis Sliwa and Mark Levin, along with Theresa Gage, Kevin Delany and the Cumulus/Westwood One executive team. - Valdés said the future belongs to broadcasters who preserve radio’s traditions while adopting new technologies and platforms. - Talkers Magazine Publisher Michael Harrison praised Valdés and the other panelists for their work and continued improvement.

Between the lines: - Valdés is framing his career less as a radio-only move and more as a broader media strategy built around video, podcasting and international distribution. - The AI dubbing plan suggests the next growth lane is multilingual expansion, not just audience growth in the U.S. - The Roku and podcast presence shows the brand is trying to meet listeners on free and paid channels at the same time.

What’s next: - Valdés is expected to keep expanding his streaming and digital video footprint after leaving Cumulus/Westwood One at the end of 2025. - His podcast, Rich Valdés This Is America, will remain available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and Roku’s Festiva TV Channel in English and Spanish. - More information is available at RichValdes.com.