Bloodbath At Audacy Stations Nationwide

On Thursday, employees across the United States at Audacy, received disheartening news as the company implemented a series of layoffs affecting various stations and roles. The cuts, part of a broader restructuring effort, touched numerous markets and personalities, including some high-profile figures in the radio industry.

Among those impacted was David O’Leary, a beloved voice at Boston’s Magic 106.7 (WMJX), who announced his departure after two decades with the station. 

David O'Leary

O’Leary, a fixture in the Boston radio scene, shared the news with his listeners and followers via social media. “A little news: After 20 marvelous years at MAGIC 106.7, my time there has come to an end,” he wrote. Reflecting on the volatility of the broadcasting world, he added, “Broadcasting is an exciting and often unpredictable industry, and the company is making some cutbacks.” Despite the abrupt end to his tenure, O’Leary remained optimistic, stating, “I’m absolutely fine, and excited about what’s ahead for me.” In a heartfelt farewell, he expressed gratitude to his colleagues, giving special mention to Sue Tabb and Kendra the Entertainer. “I’ll miss you, but am incredibly proud of our time together and the great work we did on the air. I’m excited for what’s ahead!” he concluded.

Another casualty of the layoffs was Lucy Burdge, a familiar name in Boston media circles. Burdge, who previously worked at sports radio station WEEI before transitioning to a sports betting host role at Audacy’s BetQL network, also saw her time with the company come to an end. In her own social media post, she reflected on her decade-long journey with Audacy. “After 10 years with Audacy, today was my last day,” she wrote. “I am deeply grateful for all of the opportunities, experiences and mostly the wonderful people I worked with in the past decade and I’m looking forward to what’s next.” Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter that spanned multiple platforms and roles within the company.

Lucy Burdge

The layoffs were not confined to Boston but rippled across Audacy’s nationwide network of radio stations. Audacy, which owns WEEI, Magic 106.7, and several other Boston-area stations, as well as properties in markets across the country, has been navigating a challenging period. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2023 after restructuring its finances, but the latest cuts signal ongoing efforts to stabilize and adapt to a shifting media environment.

In an official statement, an Audacy spokesperson addressed the workforce reductions, framing them as a strategic necessity. “Audacy has made workforce reductions to ensure a strong and resilient future for the business,” the spokesperson said. “We are streamlining resources to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to best position Audacy to continue serving listeners and advertisers with excellence.” The statement underscored the company’s intent to remain a key player in the industry despite the difficult decisions.

The layoffs come at a time when the media industry as a whole faces mounting pressures, including competition from digital platforms, changing listener habits, and economic uncertainty. For Audacy, which operates over 200 radio stations nationwide and produces podcasts and digital content, the cuts reflect a broader trend of consolidation and cost-cutting. Employees and observers alike have noted the emotional toll of such changes, with veteran broadcasters like O’Leary and Burdge expressing both gratitude for their past and hope for their future, even as the company they leave behind recalibrates its path forward.

Broadcasters Encouraged By Talk Of Radio Deregulation

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington made headlines Wednesday at the 2025 NAB State Leadership Conference with comments signaling a strong push toward radio deregulation. 

Speaking in a fireside chat with NAB EVP of Legal and Regulatory Affairs Rick Kaplan, Simington stated, “Should we expect broadcast deregulation? I think it’s absolutely clear that we will.” This remark stirred excitement among radio and TV operators eager for regulatory relief to better compete with Big Tech platforms like Google, Facebook, and streaming services, which face fewer restrictions.

Simington expressed optimism about a shift in the FCC’s focus under Chairman Brendan Carr, suggesting the agency would move away from heavy-handed oversight toward a more “infrastructure-focused” approach, prioritizing “bread and butter, hard technology issues.” He criticized existing regulations as outdated, saying, “They don’t just come from another era, they come from another paradigm,” a comment met with murmurs of agreement from the audience. His stance aligns with a broader narrative among broadcasters who argue that loosening rules—such as ownership caps—would level the playing field against unregulated digital giants.

He also touched on the FCC’s enforcement processes, which he has recently criticized, noting that Supreme Court decisions (likely referencing the end of Chevron deference in 2024) could challenge the FCC’s fining authority. Simington suggested this might disproportionately affect broadcasters, hinting at a need to rethink enforcement to favor deregulation.

While Simington didn’t detail specific deregulation proposals—like whether he’d support the NAB’s call to eliminate all AM ownership limits or iHeartMedia’s “middle ground” approach—his comments build on his prior record. In November 2021, he told the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association that he’d push for relaxing ownership rules, questioning whether broadcasters still wield the market power justifying stringent regulations from a bygone era. His March 2025 remarks reinforce this deregulatory zeal, positioning him as a key ally for radio industry leaders seeking freedom to innovate and grow.

Simington also nodded to recent Supreme Court rulings—likely the 2024 decisions gutting Chevron deference—which could limit the FCC’s ability to impose fines or enforce old rules. He argued this hits broadcasters harder than digital platforms, reinforcing his case for leveling the playing field through deregulation rather than piling on more oversight.

The audience—radio and TV leaders—loved it, reportedly murmuring in agreement. Posts on X from March 5 reflect this enthusiasm, with some calling it a “game-changer” for radio’s fight against Big Tech. Others speculated on practical outcomes: fewer ownership restrictions could spark consolidation, letting big players like iHeart or Cumulus snap up more stations to bulk up their ad revenue and digital offerings. Smaller operators, though, might worry about getting squeezed out.

BIA Advisory Service Update: Digital Pacing Revenue

According to the latest forecast by BIA Advisory Services, local advertising revenue in the United States is projected to reach a substantial $171 billion in 2025, excluding political spending. This figure represents a notable increase of 6.1% compared to the previous year, 2024, with the growth primarily driven by a surge in digital media spending. The rise in digital advertising underscores the ongoing shift in the media landscape, as businesses increasingly allocate their budgets toward online platforms to reach their target audiences effectively.

When political advertising is factored into the equation, the total estimated local ad spend for 2025 climbs slightly to $171.4 billion. However, this combined figure reflects a modest decline of 0.5% from 2024 levels. The slight downturn can be attributed to the unusually high volume of political advertising that characterized 2024, likely influenced by major election cycles, which typically inflate ad spending in even-numbered years. In contrast, 2025, as an off-cycle year, is expected to see a natural reduction in political ad investments.

BIA’s latest projections include minor refinements to its earlier 2025 estimates. Specifically, the forecast for ad revenue excluding political spending has been revised upward by a marginal 0.03%, while the total local ad revenue, including political contributions, has been adjusted upward by 0.1%. These tweaks reflect BIA’s efforts to fine-tune its predictions in response to evolving market dynamics and newly available data.

In a news release accompanying the forecast, Nicole Ovadia, Vice President of Forecasting and Analysis at BIA Advisory Services, commented on the findings. “Our latest forecast indicates that local advertising is showing resilience, despite the ongoing changes in the economic landscape,” she stated. Ovadia emphasized that while core advertising spending—outside of political cycles—is expected to remain steady, the firm has recalibrated its outlook to account for several key influences. These include macroeconomic factors such as fluctuating interest rates and shifts in consumer sentiment, as well as significant changes in how audiences consume media. The latter, in particular, has fueled the robust growth of digital advertising, as businesses adapt to trends like increased online engagement and the proliferation of streaming platforms, social media, and mobile usage.

The forecast highlights the adaptability of the local advertising sector, which continues to evolve amid technological advancements and economic uncertainties. As digital channels increasingly dominate the media ecosystem, they are poised to play an even more central role in driving advertising revenue growth in the years ahead.

Most Podcast Listening is At Home

Edison Research was inspired by a comment overheard recently about podcast listening, and how it’s common knowledge that most podcast listening happens in the car. In the spirit of combating popular misperceptions, this week’s insight seeks to clarify where the majority of podcast listening time actually takes place (hint: it’s not in the car).

Edison Research’s Share of Ear study collects listening location data for audio consumption among all platforms in the U.S., including home, work, car, and “any other place.”  

At-home listening accounts for an impressive 67% of total daily podcast consumption time according to the most recent Share of Ear. Besides the reality that people spend by far the most amount of their time at home, the at-home environment offers a variety of listening devices including smart speakers, internet-connected TVs, and computers, in addition to mobile phones. Since so many shows now have video components, at-home listeners can view podcast video on screens larger than their mobile phones. And we know from our qualitative research that podcast listeners can listen while they multitask at home.  

Following home, at-work contributes 16% to the overall daily listening time to podcasts.

The car, often thought of as prime podcast real estate, captures 11% of daily listening time. Edison theorizes that because people often take short drives during the day including quick trips to the store, or school, or on errands, that those short trips might not be conducive to becoming fully engaged with a podcast. 

Finally, 6% of listening happens in various other locations, such as gyms, grocery stores, or while walking.  

The next time you press play on your favorite podcast, chances are you’re joining millions of others as they listen from home and let the stories unfold. Whatever the reasons, home is the undisputed champion of podcast listening locations. 

36.6M Watched Trump Address, The Most On Fox News Channel

FOX News Channel’s (FNC) coverage of President Donald Trump’s first second term address before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4th was the highest rated joint address to congress in cable news history with an audience of 10.7 million viewers and 1.9 million in A25-54 from 9:17-10:58 PM/ET, according to Nielsen.

FNC’s programming surrounding the address, co-anchored by chief political anchor Special Report’s Bret Baier and anchor and executive editor of The Story Martha MacCallum, drew the largest audience in all of television yesterday, topping broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS in viewers and all cable networks across the board. FNC’s special coverage was the highest-rated joint address coverage in network history and posted triple digit increases versus President Joe Biden’s joint address in 2021 and grew in viewership versus Trump’s first term joint address in 2017.

 The network also drew the largest audience for the democratic response, averaging 5.9 million viewers and nearly 1 million in A25-54. During coverage of the speech, FNC held 74% of the cable news audience share in viewers and 70% in the A25-54 demo as MSNBC (1,924,000 viewers; 237,000 25-54) and CNN (1,929,000 viewers; 585,000 A25-54) were down versus President Trump’s 2017 address. FOX News Media delivered an audience of 13.6 million viewers and 2.9 million in A25-54 across FNC, FOX Business Network (FBN) and FOX Network.

FNC’s programming of the address and response from 9-11:30 PM/ET averaged 9.7 million viewers and 1.7 million in A25-54, leading all of television. The special live edition of Hannity following the democratic response delivered 3,924,000 viewers and 687,000 in A25-54. FNC’s primetime lineup from 7-11 PM/ET dominated cable television with 7.6 million viewers and 1.3 million in A25-54.

📺Data from Nielsen Media Research: 9:15 – 11 PM/ET

• 
  FNC – 10,703,000 viewers; 1,933,000 A25-54
• ABC – 6,332,000 viewers; 1,708,000 A25-54
• CBS – 4,009,000 viewers; 1,065,000 A25-54
• NBC – 3,909,000 viewers; 1,085,000 A25-54
• FOX – 2,652,000 viewers; 892,000 A25-54
• CNN – 1,929,000 viewers; 585,000 A25-54
• MSNBC – 1,924,000 viewers; 237,000 A25-54
• FBN – 245,000 viewers; 47,000 A25-54

According to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion, FNC has the most politically diverse audience in cable news with more democrats and independents watching the network than any other in the genre as its anchors and hosts interview newsmakers across the political spectrum. 

Most recently, FNC’s Bret Baier and Sean Hannity had the first interviews with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (6.4 million viewers) and Vice President JD Vance (4.2 million viewers), respectively, since their controversial meeting in the Oval Office. Since the November 5th election, network now holds 68% of the cable news share and has delivered the top 754 telecasts. In primetime, the FNC’s ratings have risen 14% in viewers compared to 2024 to date as CNN (down 37%) and MSNBC (down 41%) have seen their audiences collapse to record lows in primetime. FNC has increased its total day viewership increase by 26% compared to 2024 to date. While FNC averages 2.7 million viewers and 336,000 in the 25-54 demo in primetime post-election, MSNBC has collapsed to 790,000 viewers and 73,000 in the 25-54 demo and CNN dropped to just 469,000 viewers and 98,000 in the 25-54 demo. Across total day, FNC has garnered 1.8 million viewers and 230,000 in the 25-54 demo compared to CNN with just 380,000 viewers and 68,000 in the 25-54 demo and MSNBC’s 515,000 viewers and only 49,000 in the 25-54 demo.

FOX News Media’s digital properties, according to Adobe Analytics, saw growth with page views, media initiates, unique devices and minutes spent compared to both President Trump’s 2017 Joint Address and President Biden’s 2021 Joint Address. FOX News Digital saw 2.8 million livestream views with an average minute audience of 278,000 from 9-11 PM/ET. On YouTube, FOX News commanded 20 million views yesterday according to Emplifi. On social media, FOX News was number one in total social engagement among the news competitive set. The platforms garnered 5.2 million social interactions on Facebook, X and Instagram and 53.8 million social media video views across Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok according to Emplifi.

Virtual News Center Adds 2 Affiliates For Newscasts

Virtual News Center is proud to announce its partnership with WLVL and WEBR, serving Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY. Owned by Kenmore Broadcasting Communications, Inc., the station now provides listeners with 24-hour-a-day news coverage.

“We really enjoy using Virtual News Center.  It allows us to have a 24-hour news presence with minimal staff,” said station Owner Frank Miller.  “Being a small operation, budget is a concern, but we are a News/Talk station and our listeners depend on us for information for the community and Virtual News Center helps us to provide that at a price that is affordable and also on a schedule that is very flexible.” 

Anchoring the news for WLVL and WEBR are experienced broadcasters Peter Kileen on weekdays and Sandi Conner on weekends.

“We've enjoyed the flexibility of the product.  We've enjoyed the timeliness of it, and again, it makes smaller, locally owned stations like us keep the community informed with ways that are a little more budget-friendly, said Miller.

"Bill Yuhnke and Frank Miller are doing great news talk radio as an independent for the Niagara Falls/Buffalo region," said Joel Dearing, CEO of Virtual News Center. "We are excited to serve them and their audience with news content seven days a week."

Virtual News Center continues to expand its reach, offering professional, market-specific news, weather, and traffic coverage to radio stations across the country. By providing top-tier content without the need for a full-time newsroom, Virtual News Center helps stations maintain their identity and connection with their listeners.

For more information about Virtual News Center and its services, visit virtualnewscenter.com or contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@virtualnewscenter.com.

NBC Sports 'Kicking The Tires' For MLB

Major League Baseball (MLB) is scrambling to reassign a portion of its national live broadcast rights after ESPN terminated its agreement covering Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby, and the wild-card playoff round.

According to Puck’s John Ourand last week, MLB has initiated “early” discussions with potential partners such as NBCUniversal, Netflix, and Amazon. However, he emphasized that these negotiations are primarily geared toward 2028, when all of MLB’s national rights will be up for grabs, rather than solely addressing the package ESPN abandoned.

A source speaking to Front Office Sports revealed that NBC finds the prospect of adding MLB “intriguing,” partly because it could secure a high-profile live sports event for Sunday nights throughout the year. Following the resounding success of Sunday Night Football, NBC intends to slot major NBA games into that time frame after the football season ends, with baseball potentially filling the rest of the calendar. Still, another source raised a critical concern: “At what cost?”

ESPN had been set to pay $550 million annually through 2028, but The Wall Street Journal reported that the network was unwilling to exceed $200 million per year. In 2023, ESPN’s Sunday night package averaged 1.51 million viewers over the season, marking its best ratings since 2019.

It’s widely noted that MLB’s existing rights deals—Apple’s $85 million for Friday night games and Roku’s $10 million for a Sunday package—caused friction with ESPN.

Survey: News Podcast Listeners More Educated With Higher Income

According to The Podcast Landscape, a study conducted by NPR in collaboration with Signal Hill Insights, listeners of news podcasts tend to be better educated and more affluent than the average American. The research, based on an online survey of 5,071 U.S. adults conducted in June 2024 and recently highlighted by NiemanLab, offers a detailed look at this audience’s demographics, preferences, and listening habits.

Among the survey respondents, 43% of news podcast listeners hold a four-year college degree or higher, surpassing the 35% of the general population with similar credentials. 

These listeners are also more likely to have earned a two-year degree or pursued postgraduate education, further distinguishing them from the broader populace. Financially, they outpace the average American as well, with an average annual income of $73,000 compared to $69,250 for the total population. Additionally, 36% of news podcast listeners earn over $75,000 annually, compared to 32% of all consumers, suggesting a relatively well-off and educated listener base.

This profile might imply that news podcast listeners are a discerning group, a trait reflected in their reasons for abandoning podcasts they once enjoyed. 

Among those who stopped listening to a previously routine podcast, the top reasons included losing interest in the show (27%) or its topic (26%), frustration with too many ads (20%), repetitive or stale content (20%), and discovering a better alternative on the same subject (17%). Other factors included the podcast no longer being free (15%), an overload of irrelevant ads (13%), a change in host or talent (12%), or the show ceasing publication (11%). Non-news podcast listeners cited similar reasons for dropping shows, though their dissatisfaction rates were generally lower. The most significant differences appeared in complaints about excessive ads (14% for non-news listeners vs. 20% for news listeners), repetitive content (14% vs. 20%), and finding a superior alternative (9% vs. 17%).

The survey also revealed what news podcast listeners value most. 

Virtually all respondents (100%) had listened to a news podcast in the prior 30 days, with additional genres like political talk (53%), comedy (39%), sports (36%), history (32%), and true crime (30%) also popular among them. In contrast, non-news listeners favored comedy (34%) and true crime (28%) as their leading genres. Weekly news podcast listeners highlighted several key benefits: 93% appreciated discussions on topics of interest, 84% valued news or political analysis, 75% enjoyed having something to listen to while driving or traveling, 74% sought business news and information, and 71% liked the companionship during walks or exercise. By comparison, only 45% of non-news listeners tuned in for news or political analysis, and 44% for business insights, underscoring a sharper focus on informational content among news podcast fans.

RFK Jr. Proposess Direct To Consumer Ad Ban

Efforts to ban direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug advertising in the U.S., one of only two countries allowing it, stem from concerns over rising drug costs, misleading ads, and impacts on healthcare. The American Medical Association called for a ban in 2015, and lawmakers have proposed restrictions, like a 2024 bill to limit ads for new drugs. 

Critics say ads inflate prices and over-prescription; supporters argue they inform patients. Legal free speech protections, pharmaceutical lobbying, and media reliance on ad revenue pose challenges.

Recent Developments:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Proposal: During the transition to the second Trump administration, Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic and health policy figure, expressed intent to ban all pharmaceutical ads from TV and radio. This aligns with his broader critique of the pharmaceutical industry, though its feasibility under a business-friendly administration remains uncertain. Posts on X reflect mixed public sentiment—some support limiting misleading ads, while others oppose a total ban, fearing reduced access to treatment information.

Bipartisan Interest: There’s growing bipartisan acknowledgment of the need to address DTC advertising, though the GOP’s traditional pro-business stance may temper aggressive action. Discussions suggest innovation might shift overseas if ad restrictions tighten.

Despite the efforts, significant obstacles persist:

• Legal Barriers: U.S. courts have ruled that DTC advertising is protected as commercial free speech under the First Amendment. A broad ban would likely face constitutional challenges, requiring narrow, evidence-based restrictions to survive legal scrutiny.
• Industry Resistance: The pharmaceutical lobby, one of the most powerful in the U.S., has spent billions (e.g., $3.2 billion since 1998) to influence policy. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) defends DTC ads as a tool to educate consumers about treatments.
• Media Dependence: Legacy media, including TV networks, rely heavily on drug ad revenue—up to 70% of news show income in some estimates—making a ban economically disruptive for broadcasters.

Trump's "Golden Age" Address Polling Results Are Mixed

President Donald Trump’s approval rating following his March 4, 2025, address to a joint session of Congress reflects a polarized and shifting public response. The speech, delivered six weeks into his second term, focused heavily on domestic issues—highlighting tariffs, a “golden age” vision, and conservative wins—while largely sidestepping foreign policy despite his administration’s early global moves. Here’s what we know about his approval ratings post-speech:

Specific post-speech polls offer a mixed picture. A CNN poll of speech-watchers—skewing Republican by 14 points—found 70% had at least a somewhat positive reaction, though only 44% rated it “very positive,” a tepid response compared to historical first-term address bounces. 

However, this group’s optimism didn’t shift broader public sentiment much: pre-speech, 61% of watchers thought Trump’s policies were on the right track; post-speech, this edged up to 66%. 

Among the general public, CNN’s pre-speech poll (February 24–28) had Trump at 48% approval and 52% disapproval, and no significant post-speech bounce was reported by March 5. A Reuters/Ipsos poll ending March 4 showed just 33% approved of his handling of cost-of-living issues—tied to new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—dragging his overall approval to 44%, with 49% saying the country was on the wrong track.

WATCH: CNN polling guru shocked that Trump's approval ratings over Biden on Russia-Ukraine handling are on a “different planet.”

“Look at Biden in 2024. He was 22 points under water. Holy cow!” Trump is now at +2.

Gap of approval between them is “wider than the Gulf of… pic.twitter.com/yoD6UtZQzM

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) March 6, 2025

X posts from March 5 reflect this divide. Some users cited a 76% approval rating for the speech itself (possibly from a CBS/YouGov snap poll of viewers), with supporters praising his command of the room. 

Others pointed to FiveThirtyEight’s underwater numbers, with critics noting his base loved it (70% of MAGA, one speculated) while Democrats jeered—some literally walked out during the address. The speech’s audience-specific approval (69% positive per CNN, 76% per CBS) didn’t translate to a wider lift, likely due to its partisan tilt and the broader public’s economic unease.

Context matters here. Trump’s 47.6% approval on March 4–5 is higher than his first term’s early low (40% in February 2017) but lags behind Biden’s 53.4% or Obama’s 66% at similar points.

MSNBC's Wallace and Maddow Ripped For "Twisted" Criticism

MSNBC hosts Nicolle Wallace and Rachel Maddow are facing fierce criticism, labeled “sick and twisted,” for politicizing President Trump’s decision to honor 13-year-old cancer survivor Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel as an honorary Secret Service agent.

During Trump’s congressional speech on Tuesday, he highlighted DJ’s inspiring battle with brain cancer, a moment that moved many as the child, dressed in a police uniform, displayed his new badge.

Yet, on an MSNBC panel, Maddow and Wallace turned the heartfelt scene into an attack on Trump. Maddow called it “disgusting,” accusing Trump of exploiting DJ’s survival—initially given a months-to-live prognosis—as a self-serving spectacle. “The president made a spectacle out of praising a young man who’s survived pediatric cancer—as if he had something to do with it,” she fumed.

Nicole Wallace says she hopes the child doesn't k!ll himself. What an insane thing to say about a child. The left is evil.
pic.twitter.com/2PMG9NnLX0

— Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) March 5, 2025

Wallace, meanwhile, tied DJ’s dream of becoming a police officer to the January 6 Capitol riot. After expressing hope for his long life, she added, “I hope he never has to defend the Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters, or be one of the six who lose their life to suicide,” referencing officers’ post-riot suicides. She further speculated about DJ testifying against rioters, only to see Trump pardon them—a convoluted jab that stunned viewers.

Social media erupted in response. “MSNBC used DJ Daniel to attack Trump. THESE PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TWISTED,” one X user wrote. Another blasted, “Rachel Maddow couldn’t leave the boy out of politics. Pathetic TDS!” A third demanded Wallace’s firing: “She politicized DJ’s moment, talking suicide and J6 after his brain tumor diagnosis. Disgraceful.” The backlash underscored widespread outrage over the hosts’ handling of DJ’s story.

ESPN February Viewership Highest in Seven Years

ESPN’s February 2025 viewership was the network’s highest for the month of February in seven years, dating back to 2018. Year-over-year, February’s viewership was up 21% from 2024, with February 2025 averaging 575,000 viewers every minute of the month. ESPN’s multi-year audience high was boosted by the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game, which scored ESPN’s highest hockey audience ever, and further amplifies the company’s industry-leading sports portfolio.

ESPN’s February 2025 multi-year high viewership, measured in average minute audience, immediately follows the company’s January 2025 viewership, its most-watched month across the entire year since 2015 (120 months). The back-to-back signature results have built the foundation for ESPN’s premier start to 2025.

More February 2025 Highlights:

• Best in a Decade: Combining all of ESPN’s programming with sports programming on ABC, more minutes were watched by fans in February 2025 than any other February dating back to 2015 across the two networks.
• Sports Viewership Share Increase: While increasing its own viewership, ESPN also secured more of the overall share of sports viewership across all networks, compared to February 2024. This February resulted in ESPN accounting for 30% share (up from 27% last year) during the month. Outside of Fox, who carried Super Bowl LIX, no other competitor network had a double-digit share.

SiriusXM Names Scott Walker Chief Ad Revenue Officer

SiriusXM has named Scott Walker as its new Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, taking over from John Trimble, who is stepping down after 16 years with the company. Walker, who joined Pandora in 2008 prior to its acquisition by SiriusXM, most recently held the position of SVP at AdsWizz.

Among his first priorities, Walker will focus on enhancing the satellite broadcaster’s measurement and attribution tools.

Scott Walker

Walker said, “I’ve been part of this company for years, and what drives me is my deep appreciation for audio’s unique impact. We’ve been at the forefront of the podcasting boom, and we’re committed to further investing in this space as it evolves into a multifaceted platform.”

This commitment is reflected in SiriusXM’s $125 million deal with Alex Cooper for her Call Her Daddy podcast and Unwell Network. Under the agreement, Cooper will oversee production, development, and budgeting for both existing and upcoming shows, spotlighting influencers like Madeline Argy, Harry Jowsey, and Owen Thiele, with SiriusXM providing financial backing.

Walker’s appointment aligns with SiriusXM’s strategic pivot toward its automotive subscriber base, which makes up 90% of its customers. This shift follows a lackluster year for its streaming-centric efforts, with streaming services now reframed as “value-added benefits” for automotive subscribers, seamlessly integrated into hybrid in-car systems.

In 2024, SiriusXM ended with 33 million subscribers, gaining 149,000 self-pay subscribers in Q4 but posting a net loss of 296,000 for the year. Paid promotional subscribers dropped by 353,000, though the trial pipeline held steady at 7.3 million. The company has set a goal to cut costs by $350 million through 2024, with plans for an additional $200 million in annualized savings by 2025. It also anticipates reducing its debt by $700 million and forecasts $8.5 billion in total revenue for 2025.

Westwood One To Air Basketball's Championship Week

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, America’s largest audio network, will present a total of 19 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball games from Conference Championship Week.Westwood One’s postseason basketball coverage tips off on Saturday, March 8th, with the Ohio Valley Conference Championship game, and continues through Selection Sunday, March 16, with broadcasts that day of the Ivy League, the SEC, and the American Athletic Championship games.

Westwood One will also broadcast Selection Sunday, which will reveal the 68-team field for both the men’s and the women’s tournaments. 

Jason Horowitz will host Selection Sunday coverage with PJ Carlesimo and Debbie Antonelli as analysts.The other Championship games Westwood One will broadcast that week are the Big East, the CAA, Conference USA, the Patriot League, MVC, Big South, SoCon, America East and WCC games. The Women’s Conference Championship games include the Big East and the Ivy League.

ABC News Eliminating It's Political Unit 538

ABC News Group, a division of the Walt Disney Company, is shutting down its political unit, 538, which focuses on polling, surveys, and data analysis, as part of a larger round of layoffs.

The layoffs will affect approximately 200 employees, accounting for less than 6% of the workforce across ABC News Group and the Disney Entertainment Networks division. Specifically, 15 staff members from 538 will lose their positions.

The decision aligns with a broader consolidation strategy, which also involves adjustments to ABC’s on-air programming.

On Wednesday morning, shortly after sending an all-staff memo announcing layoffs at ABC News, network president Almin Karamehmedovic joined a virtual meeting with the FiveThirtyEight team. The 15 staffers at the political analysis site owned by ABC News had learned the previous evening—via a Wall Street Journal report—that they were being let go. Now, they were hearing it from Karamehmedovic himself.

But Karamehmedovic, like other managers carrying out mass layoffs at ABC News that day, had little to say about it. According to Oliver Darcy at Status he appeared to be reading from a script as he delivered the devastating news. He offered no explanation for why the Disney-owned network had decided to shutter FiveThirtyEight, which it acquired in 2018 along with data whiz and then-editor Nate Silver.

As part of these changes, the network plans to combine its “20/20” and “Nightline” programs into a single broadcast segment. Additionally, the “Good Morning America” production team will be streamlined, with oversight consolidated under one manager, Simone Swink.

Seni Tienabeso has been appointed to the newly created position of Vice President of ABC News Live, overseeing certain specialized units.

Last fall, ABC eliminated roughly 75 jobs under the direction of Almin Karamehmedovic, who became president of the network in August of the previous year.

Disney Entertainment Networks is also expected to see staff reductions due to declining ratings, according to The Wall Street Journal.

YouTube Brings Cheaper Sub Tier With No Ads

Alphabet's YouTube on Wednesday rolled out a $7.99 monthly subscription service that is ad-free for most videos, except music, to create a plan to compete more directly with offerings from Netflix.

Reuters reports the "Premium Lite" plan is aimed at customers who rarely watch music videos or listen to music. YouTube is a major player in the streaming music world, but the online video company has a substantial number of watchers who rarely use that function and may gravitate to the new service.

YouTube's existing $13.99 Premium plan has no ads, including for music, while a separate $10.99 plan offers ad-free music videos and other videos with ads, essentially the reverse of the new plan.

The new option fills a demand YouTube has been noticing for several years among users who already pay for other music streaming subscriptions. That dynamic is particularly apparent in the United States, where the market is led by Spotify and streaming offerings from Apple.

John Harding, a vice president of engineering, said the main focus of the new plan is to tap into a "much larger set of people" who otherwise might not consider paying for YouTube.

"We didn't feel that we really got it matching the tier for users that don't need the music content, and so that's where this revision comes in," said Jack Greenberg, the product director for YouTube Premium.

YouTube announced Wednesday that it had eclipsed 125 million paying subscribers, up from 100 million in January 2024, though those figures include users who are signed up for temporary free trials.

Radio History: March 6

➦In 1905...James Robert Wills born (Died – May 13, 1975 at age 70).  He was a Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western swing, he was widely known as the King of Western Swing.

Wills formed several bands and played radio stations around the South and West until he formed the Texas Playboys in 1934 with Wills on fiddle, Tommy Duncan on piano and vocals, rhythm guitarist June Whalin, tenor banjoist Johnnie Lee Wills, and Kermit Whalin, who played steel guitar and bass.

The band played regularly on Tulsa, Oklahoma radio station KVOO and added Leon McAuliffe on steel guitar, pianist Al Stricklin, drummer Smokey Dacus, and a horn section that expanded the band's sound. Wills favored jazz-like arrangements and the band found national popularity into the 1940s with such hits as "Steel Guitar Rag", "New San Antonio Rose", "Smoke On The Water", "Stars And Stripes On Iwo Jima", and "New Spanish Two Step".

Wills and the Texas Playboys recorded with several publishers and companies, including Vocalion, Okeh, Columbia, and MGM, frequently moving.  Throughout the 1950s, he struggled with poor health and tenuous finances, but continued to perform frequently despite the decline in popularity of his earlier music as rock and roll took over. Wills had a heart attack in 1962 and a second one the next year, which forced him to disband the Playboys although Wills continued to perform solo.

The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Wills in 1968 and the Texas State Legislature honored him for his contribution to American music.

Abbott & Costello

➦In 1906... Lou Costello born (Died from a heart attack at age 52 – March 3, 1959), was an actor, best known for his film comedy double act with straight man Bud Abbott.

Costello had started as an athlete, before working in burlesque on Broadway, where he stood-in for Abbott’s partner who had failed to show up. They formally teamed up in 1935. Their signature routine, "Who's on First?", was carried through to radio and then to their film debut One Night in the Tropics (1940) and Buck Privates (1941). The duo would go on to make 36 films.

During World War II, they were among the most popular entertainers in the world, and sold $85 million in war bonds. A winter tour of army bases caused a recurrence of the rheumatic fever which Costello had contracted in childhood, and his health was badly affected from then on, worsened by the death of his infant son. They launched their own long-running radio show in 1942, and then a live TV show.

But by 1955, they were felt to be overexposed, their film contract was terminated, and the partnership split soon afterwards.

➦In 1954...FM pioneer Edwin H Armstrong closed experimental KE2XCC.  The station began experimental broadcasts at 93.1 FM in June 1938 followed by full power broadcasting beginning on July 18, 1939.  Today the 93.1 FM frequency in NYC is occupied by WPAT-FM.