CBS News: Staffers To Hear Of Reorganization Plans

CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is set to unveil her vision for the network's future during an all-staff town hall meeting on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET.

In an email sent to employees on Monday, Weiss invited staff to join her for a discussion on “the future of CBS News” and encouraged them to submit questions in advance. The meeting's exact timing had been kept confidential until the email went out, according to a CBS News insider who described the agenda as unveiling “a new structure and plans for the future of CBS News.”

The announcement comes amid ongoing changes at the network since Weiss took over as editor-in-chief. 

Bari Weiss

Her leadership has involved significant restructuring efforts, including cost-cutting measures, shifts in programming priorities—such as an emphasis on town hall formats—and reported internal tensions. Recent moves have included high-profile town hall events (some controversial), staff memos soliciting input on roles, and efforts to reshape coverage to appeal to broader or different audience segments.

The Tuesday town hall represents a key moment for Weiss to outline her reorganization plans directly to the workforce. Details on the specific changes—such as potential shifts in editorial structure, programming, staffing, or strategic direction—remain undisclosed ahead of the meeting.

Staff have been actively encouraged to participate by sending questions beforehand, signaling an opportunity for dialogue during a period of transition at the storied news division.

Nielsen Antitrust Lawsuit Motions Loom

The Cumulus Media antitrust lawsuit against Nielsen has shifted to a much slower, years-long litigation timeline in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The most immediate next step is February 2, 2026, when Nielsen is required to file its formal response to Cumulus's complaint. This is widely expected to be a motion to dismiss, which will test whether Cumulus's monopolization claims can survive initial scrutiny and proceed to discovery.''

If Nielsen files the motion to dismiss:

• Cumulus's opposition brief is due March 4, 2026.
• Nielsen's reply would follow on March 18, 2026.

After briefing concludes, Judge Jeannette Vargas will decide the motion. 

A denial—which her prior rulings (including the December 2025 preliminary injunction) suggest is likely—would advance the case into the lengthy discovery phase. This could involve extensive document production, executive and third-party depositions, and competing economic expert analyses, potentially stretching into late 2026 or well beyond.

The claims center on Nielsen's alleged monopolization in national and local radio ratings markets, including accusations that it excluded or disadvantaged competitors such as Eastlan through practices like its "network tying" policy.

Only after discovery would the parties file summary judgment motions, where either side could seek a ruling based on the factual record without a trial. If those fail and no settlement is reached, a full trial remains years away—a typical path for complex Section 2 monopolization cases.

In parallel, appellate proceedings continue in the Second Circuit, which has temporarily stayed Judge Vargas's preliminary injunction pending further review. However, the primary momentum has now moved to the district court's procedural calendar.

News Media Coverage of MN Shooting: Polarizing

A 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on Saturday during protests against federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. This was the city's second fatal shooting by federal agents that month, fueling nationwide protests, outrage, and intense political clashes over President Trump's immigration crackdown.

Key incident details

DHS stated Pretti approached agents armed with a handgun, resisted disarmament, and posed an imminent threat, justifying defensive shots. However, bystander videos analyzed by CNN, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, and others showed him holding a phone—not a gun—while aiding a pepper-sprayed woman shoved by agents. He appeared disarmed and on the ground before multiple shots were fired. Witnesses in sworn statements and court filings refuted claims he brandished a weapon.

Pretti was remembered by family, colleagues, and nurses' unions as a dedicated caregiver for veterans, an outdoors enthusiast, and a kind neighbor. His family condemned federal accounts as "sickening lies," calling the killing unjust.

Weekend developments

Protests erupted with hundreds enduring subzero temperatures for vigils and rallies, spreading to Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. Chants included "Say his name: Alex Pretti" and demands to abolish ICE; some events, including NBA games, faced disruptions.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz activated the National Guard, accused agents of brutality and evidence tampering, demanded their withdrawal, and sued to preserve evidence. A federal judge issued a temporary order on January 25 prohibiting destruction of evidence.

New “angle” video shows moments before federal agents’ shooting that killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, near Glam Doll Donuts.

Minneapolis police say he was a gun owner with a valid permit to carry; DHS has said he was armed with a gun and two magazines. #ICE pic.twitter.com/xpy030nt9B

— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) January 24, 2026

Timeline of Coverage Over the Weekend

• Saturday: Initial live blogs from CNN and NBC focused on the shooting, victim identification, and erupting protests. ABC and DW reported on the scene's chaos, with agents using tear gas. Al Jazeera and AP provided early live updates on Pretti's nursing role and the immigration context.
• Sunday: Coverage shifted to video refutations (NPR, Washington Post, Reuters), memorials, and blame exchanges. PBS and HuffPost highlighted family statements and broader reactions, including from sports figures and CEOs. International media like SinEmbargo and Sky News noted the judge's order and global perceptions.

On Sunday morning, most major television networks were closely examining multiple videos of the previous day's fatal shooting in Minneapolis, where federal immigration agents killed a protester. They dissected slow-motion footage and freeze-frame stills to piece together the sequence of events.

Fox News, the country's highest-rated cable news network, offered little of this detailed scrutiny.

From the time of the shooting late Saturday morning, most of its hosts, reporters, and guests remained intently aligned with the Trump administration's official account: that the victim, 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, had essentially brought the fatal encounter on himself.

“Only one person could have prevented this from happening and it’s Alex Pretti,” Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Charlie Hurt declared on Sunday morning. “He should have not been there.”

Overall, weekend coverage was intense and polarized, amplifying tensions around federal immigration enforcement, with mainstream U.S. media (CNN, NBC, PBS) providing balanced but critical scrutiny, while international outlets underscored the incident's implications for America's image. Social media from news accounts amplified video evidence and calls for justice.

Radio Stations Silenced During Weekend Storm

A major winter storm, named Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel, swept across a large portion of the United States over the weekend. It brought heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and significant ice accumulation, particularly in the mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. This caused widespread power outages (with reports of hundreds of thousands to nearly a million customers affected at peaks), travel disruptions, flight cancellations, and infrastructure damage.

The storm knocked at least nine radio stations off the air, according to reports from the FCC. This includes eight FM stations and one AM station. The primary cause appears to be downed power lines due to ice buildup, which left stations without electricity. 

Many likely lacked sufficient backup generators (or the generators failed/underperformed) to keep transmitters running during prolonged outages.

The FCC activated its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) started Friday. This required broadcasters in hundreds of counties across up to 12 states to submit daily status reports on their operational status, power issues, equipment, and restoration efforts.

The FCC's data came from voluntary submissions to DIRS, but specific details on the exact call signs, locations, frequencies, or owners of the nine off-air stations were not publicly identified in the reports.

 No television stations were reported knocked off-air, and impacts on other infrastructure (like cell towers) remained low (under 1% out in monitored areas). No radio stations had requested Special Temporary Authority (STA) from the FCC for emergency operational changes at the time of reporting.

The Grand Ole Opry canceled its Saturday, January 24, in-person performance and suspended Opry House tours over safety concerns from the severe weather. To maintain its remarkable streak of continuous broadcasts, however, the Opry pivoted to a radio-only format, airing the show live on WSM-AM (and streaming via the Opry and WSM websites) at 7 p.m. CT, preserving the legacy that dates back decades.

WaPo Cancels On Site Olympic Coverage

The Washington Post has abruptly canceled its on-site coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, just two weeks before the Games begin in early February.

Managing Editor Kimi Yoshino informed more than a dozen journalists via email on Friday that the newspaper would not send any staff contingent, citing a reassessment of priorities for 2026. 

"We realize this decision and its timing will be disappointing to many of you," she wrote, offering to discuss further.

The move surprised affected reporters, many of whom had already booked travel. The Post had secured 14 credentials and incurred significant sunk costs—including flights, housing (at least $80,000), and office space—previously approved by management.

This breaks with longstanding precedent at the newspaper, which typically deploys 10–20 staffers to the Winter Games (and more for Summer Olympics, such as 26 in Paris in 2024). Olympic articles have ranked among The Post's most popular sports content.

The decision reflects ongoing financial pressures. 

The Post has faced mounting losses, including $100 million in 2023, leading to buyouts that cut 240 jobs that year and additional rounds since—often affecting high-profile journalists—as subscription and ad revenue fell short of projections.

 The Washington Post could shut down its entire sports section after management informed staffers that it was abruptly scrapping its planned coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics two weeks before the opening ceremony.

The decision by the Jeff Bezos-owned publication to cancel coverage of the Winter Games coincides with a report from Puck News journalist Dylan Byers, who tweeted on Saturday that “massive layoffs” at the paper were imminent.

Under Jeff Bezos's ownership since 2013, The Post had expanded globally with hubs in Seoul and London and aggressive international hiring, but recent years have seen retrenchment amid industry-wide challenges.

Atlanta Radio: The Kristin Show Launches Today On WWWQ

Ethan Cole and Kristen Klingshirn

"The Kristin Show" debuts Monday with Kristin Klingshirn on WWWQ Q99.7 FM airing weekdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Her co-host is Ethan Cole, who previously handled afternoons on rival Power 96.1 (now at 105.3) from 2021 to 2024.

Q99.7 star, Jade Jones moves from Afternoons to the Q99.7 midday slot, as she takes the mic as Midday Host from 10:00am-2:00pm.

Three months after the end of the long-running morning hit "The Bert Show," where Klingshirn served as co-host for over a decade, she expressed deep emotion about the milestone. "I got a little choked up this week while finalizing the logo," she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

"This accomplishment has been over 20 years in the making. That logo represents a lot of blood, sweat and tears."  Klingshirn joined "The Bert Show" in 2011 after stints in Lexington, Cincinnati, and Raleigh, becoming Bert Weiss' longest-running co-host and bringing effervescent energy to the program. The show built a strong following among female listeners in the 2000s by emphasizing authenticity and personal stories, later expanding to syndication in markets like Indianapolis and Nashville.

Weiss retired late last year, citing a loss of passion for radio, and now focuses on family, travel, and his podcast company. 

Klingshirn, who developed a close friendship with him, knew of his plans for two years and discussed transitions, but Cumulus Media (Q99.7's owner) opted for different plans that kept her on board in afternoons."I'm grateful those plans include me and I can flex all I learned from 'The Bert Show' in the afternoons," she said. She holds Weiss in high esteem and draws confidence from his belief in her abilities.

The station did not offer her the morning slot to directly replace "The Bert Show" and has not named a permanent successor, instead playing music in mornings for now. 

Cumulus chief content officer Brian Philips described the shift as part of the company's approach to "change up the mix a bit."

For Klingshirn, a married mother of a young son, the afternoon hours offer better work-life balance. She aims to bring her morning-honed skills to the new slot while adapting to potential differences in audience expectations.   She believes core radio listeners still seek an uplifting escape amid podcasts and streaming competition. Cumulus executives praised her passion for Atlanta and commitment to positive impact.

Ironically, she will compete in the afternoon slot against another "Bert Show" alum, Brian Moote, on rival Star 94.

Denver Radio: KFAN's Paul Allen Facing Backlash Over On-Air Quip

Longtime Minnesota Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Paul Allen sparked significant backlash with an off-the-cuff remark about "paid protesters" during his Friday morning show on KFAN.

The comment occurred in the opening segment while Allen chatted with former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway and Vikings beat reporter Alec Lewis. The conversation began with the extreme frigid weather in Minnesota, veered into unusual cold-weather phenomena like exploding trees, and then prompted Allen to interject unprompted: "In conditions like this, do paid protesters get hazard pay?" 

He followed up by noting it was something he'd been thinking about that morning, seemingly referencing ongoing protests in Minneapolis (tied to reports of an ICE-related incident or anti-ICE demonstrations).

The remark echoed a common conspiracy theory claim that large protest groups are often composed of paid participants rather than genuine demonstrators. It drew immediate local criticism for appearing to dismiss or mock people protesting in dangerous subzero temperatures, with some calling it insensitive, politically charged, and poorly timed.

The story gained national traction after sports media site Awful Announcing highlighted the clip and context in an article titled something along the lines of Vikings announcer Paul Allen pushing 'paid protesters' conspiracy in Minneapolis. Coverage spread to outlets like the Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, Daily Mail, Defector, and Yahoo Sports, with some pieces noting calls for Allen to resign or face consequences from the Vikings organization or KFAN.

Allen later addressed the controversy on his show, describing the line as a "cheap one-liner" and apologizing, saying he would avoid such remarks going forward. Reports indicate the segment was edited out of the podcast version of the show. He has otherwise been relatively quiet on the matter in follow-up appearances.

The incident highlights how casual on-air banter can quickly escalate into broader scrutiny when touching on divisive topics, especially amid real-world events in the local community.

El Paso Radio: FCC Orders License Hearing For 3 Stations

The FCC has escalated a long-running probe into the ownership and control of three El Paso, Texas, radio stations, designating their licenses for a formal hearing that could result in revocation.

The stations in question are:

• KBNA-FM (97.5 MHz, "Ke Buena 97.5"), a regional Mexican-format outlet.
• KAMA (750 kHz AM), programmed as Spanish adult contemporary.
• KQBU (920 kHz AM), which is currently off the air (silent).

In a Hearing Designation Order released Friday, the FCC's Media Bureau stated that its investigation into a proposed transfer of control — linked to applicant Lorena Margarita Pérez Toscano and entities like 97.5 Licensee TX — has "raised more questions than it has resolved." 

Key concerns include potential unauthorized transfers of control, misrepresentations in filings, and whether the true ownership structure complies with FCC rules requiring full disclosure and approval for changes in station control.

The order requires the involved parties to appear before an administrative law judge to show cause why the licenses should not be revoked under Section 312(a) of the Communications Act. The hearing will also evaluate whether any proposed transfer application can be granted.

This development stems from an application filed around 2023 involving the stations, but FCC scrutiny revealed inconsistencies in ownership documentation and control that could violate rules against hidden or undisclosed principals.

If revocation occurs, the stations could go dark permanently or be reassigned through a new licensing process. KBNA-FM and KAMA remain on air for now, while KQBU's silent status adds complexity to restoration or transfer prospects.

The case highlights ongoing FCC enforcement priorities around transparent ownership in broadcasting, especially for minority- or foreign-influenced entities. No final decision has been made; the hearing process could take months or longer, with parties able to present evidence and arguments.

The Listener Radio Imagines vs. The Listener Radio Actually Gets

by Dave Van Dyke,  

President and Founder of Bridge Ratings

Radio has spent a lifetime imagining its listener. 

This listener is alert. Focused. Emotionally available. They sit through commercial breaks like it’s a civic duty. They hear every word the air talent says. They notice when the segue is late. They appreciate the imaging. They understand contest rules on the first listen. 

This listener is imaginary. 

The listener radio actually gets is driving, daydreaming, late, hungry, mildly stressed, and only vaguely aware that the radio is on. They didn’t choose the station so much as end up there. They’re listening… but not listening-listening. 

And that’s where the comedy lives. 

The imagined listener hears a perfectly crafted break. The real listener hears, “—and coming up—oh good, this song.” 

The imagined listener notices branding consistency. The real listener notices when the song hits fast. The imagined listener listens linearly. 

The real listener listens opportunistically—until the light turns green, the call comes in, or life interrupts again. 

Radio programmers know this. Air talent know this. 

Yet radio meetings still revolve around the imagined listener—the one who is paying attention, evaluating the product, and forming strong opinions about sweepers. Meanwhile, the real listener is folding laundry. 

Here’s the twist: radio doesn’t succeed despite distracted listening. It succeeds because of it. 

Radio is the medium that doesn’t demand eye contact. It doesn’t pause your life. It rides alongside it. 

The real listener doesn’t lean in—they let radio tag along. That’s why clarity beats cleverness. Why repetition works (even when we roll our eyes). Why the best air talent sound like companions, not presenters. And why moments matter more than perfection. The imagined listener wants radio to impress them. 

The real listener wants radio to fit. When radio forgets this, it overproduces, overbrands, and overexplains. When radio remembers it, the medium feels effortless—even when it’s anything but. 

The future of radio doesn’t belong to the listener who’s paying close attention. It belongs to the one who isn’t… and keeps listening anyway. 

Radio still wins — because it fits real life.

➤Dave Van Dyke is currently President and founder of media consumption analysis research firm Bridge Ratings and its subsidiary StreamStats LLC, the company has been providing radio stations with proprietary on-demand streaming data based on format core listener music consumption behavior. More Information: HERE

The Wake-Up Pulse For Jan 26

Radio Broadcasting:

Commercial Radio Revenue and Growth Forecasts:  

• Borrell Associates' forecast positions radio for a steadier 2026, describing it as having found "the formula" amid mixed projections elsewhere in media.
• Programmatic audio advertising is accelerating, with forecasts pointing to around $1.2 billion in capture as advertiser access grows through automation.
• BIA Advisory Services highlights "Radio's Resilience Through Digital Extension" as a top 2026 ad trend, with major expected growth in digital/streaming extensions for traditional broadcasters.
• However, national radio spot ad revenue continues declining modestly (projected -3.5% to about $1.70 billion in 2026, following a similar drop in 2025).

Positive Performers and Company News: MediaCo Holding Inc. reported breakout audio growth at the end of 2025, ranking among the fastest-growing radio broadcasters in the U.S., driven in part by strong performance from EstrellaTV's audio-related efforts.

Regulatory and FCC Developments The FCC's Media Bureau issued guidance in January 2026 on political equal opportunities rules for broadcasters, clarifying application (including potential implications for talk shows and bona fide news programming exemptions).

Broader FCC actions include spectrum auctions resuming (first in nearly four years), aimed at boosting wireless leadership, though this indirectly affects broadcast spectrum management.

Radio stations are pushing forward with online/digital platform development, with incremental increases in news directors and GMs launching important digital initiatives. 

Ominous Outlook for Media in 2026:  Multiple outlets describe 2026 as potentially challenging or even "ominous" for the sector, spanning Hollywood, journalism, streaming, and traditional media. Key pressures include economic squeezes, platform shifts, and a major looming deal with ripple effects on streaming services, film production, and news operations. NPR and Texas Public Radio highlighted this in early January pieces, noting that while the current environment is tough, worsening scenarios (e.g., further consolidation or revenue erosion) feel increasingly plausible.

Major Potential Consolidation and Mergers:   A blockbuster media deal continues to dominates, Paramount Global faces an extended hostile bid from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), with speculation around suitors like Netflix also in play. This could reshape entertainment, cable, sports rights, and broadcast landscapes. Analysts point to 2026 as a year of intensified consolidation in sports, cable, and broadcast media to combat disruption and subscription fatigue. Broader M&A trends emphasize dealmaking amid AI, streaming wars, and regulatory shifts.

The News

Massive Winter Storm Blankets Central and Eastern U.S.:   A powerful, expansive winter storm is gripping much of the country, bringing heavy snow, sleet, ice, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures. 

Key impacts include:

• At least seven confirmed deaths so far, with widespread power outages affecting millions.
• Over 13,000 flight cancellations (mostly over the weekend, with ongoing disruptions).
• Roughly 185 million people under various winter weather alerts, including blizzard warnings in parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
• Travel chaos at major airports, strained power grids, and emergency declarations in at least 24 states. 

Fatal Shooting of U.S. Citizen by Federal Agent in Minneapolis Sparks Outrage and Political Clash The killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, by a Border Patrol or federal immigration agent during an encounter has escalated into a major controversy:

• Videos and witness accounts appear to contradict initial DHS/federal claims of self-defense.
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has demanded President Trump withdraw ICE/Border Patrol agents from the city, accusing them of racial profiling and aggressive tactics in ongoing enforcement operations.

This marks the second fatal shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis in recent weeks (or less than a month), fueling protests, clashes between demonstrators and agents, and accusations of excessive force.

President Trump described ICE's work as "phenomenal" but suggested agents might eventually leave; Democrats in Congress vow to block or oppose related Homeland Security funding bills.

Former President Bill Clinton issued a strong condemnation of the "horrible scenes" in the city. Tensions are high, with federal-state blame-shifting and calls for investigations.

Sports

Super Bowl 60 Set: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks RematchThe biggest story right now is the matchup for Super Bowl LX (60) on February 8. It's a rematch of the famous 2015 Super Bowl (Patriots won on the "tuck rule" era drama, but this is the first time these two teams have met in the big game since then—over a decade ago).

• Seattle Seahawks advanced by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in a thrilling, high-scoring NFC Championship Game. QB Sam Darnold led the comeback effort, earning praise for proving doubters wrong and even triggering a performance bonus for reaching the Super Bowl. The game was described as a "barnburner" with late drama.
• New England Patriots reached their record 12th Super Bowl appearance by winning in snowy conditions against the Denver Broncos. Coach Mike Vrabel emphasized the team's turnaround rooted in "belief and identity," while rookie QB Drake Maye and Vrabel made history in the victory. A Patriots DT called out haters post-game.
• Storylines include: Patriots chasing to surpass the Steelers' Lombardi haul record; rarity of this matchup (not seen in over 20 years for these franchises); fallout from other playoff losses (e.g., Bills owner taking shots at a fired coach); and initial Super Bowl odds favoring one side slightly.

This rematch is generating massive buzz.

Fox News Contributor Disputes TWH ‘Misrepresentation’ of Shooting

A former D.C. homicide detective and Fox News contributor sharply criticized the White House for misrepresenting key details in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Ted Williams, appearing on Fox News special coverage, said he reviewed video of the incident "about a hundred times" and accused the administration—including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller—of spreading falsehoods. 

Williams specifically rejected claims that Pretti was "brandishing a weapon" (he possessed one but did not brandish it), that he "attacked" agents (video showed no attack), and Miller's public labeling of Pretti as a "domestic terrorist" without further evidence."

This man is dead, he has a family, and to go out and call him a domestic terrorist without giving any more information is just unacceptable!" Williams told anchor Jon Scott.

Mediaite reports Williams called for a full, thorough investigation by state and local authorities, urging the White House and others to "quiet down" and allow facts to emerge before issuing judgments. He emphasized that Pretti did nothing with the firearm during the encounter, and questions remain about whether the use of lethal force was justified.

This is a wake-up call to educators across the country: Ted Williams

Fox News contributor and former D.C. homicide detective Ted Williams criticizes Brown University's president amid complaints about security on ‘Fox Report.’

""We don't know how this person got in or when… pic.twitter.com/GnH9LMhwKD

— Politically Incorrect (@DirtyCitizen) December 21, 2025

When Scott asked if Pretti was "asking for trouble" by carrying a gun to a protest, Williams disagreed, noting that people have lawfully carried firearms at demonstrations in the past without incident, consistent with Second Amendment rights.

The shooting has sparked ongoing protests in Minneapolis, disputes over the official account versus video evidence, and calls for independent review amid conflicting federal and state narratives.

Event-Driven Content Separates The Haves From The Have-Nots

ESPN drew a massive 26.9 million viewers during the 10 PM hour on January 19, 2026, according to Nielsen data, crushing all competition in cable TV ratings and showcasing the enduring power of live sports.

The surge came from the College Football Playoff National Championship game, where the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, claiming their first national title. The contest featured intense fourth-quarter moments that aligned with the Eastern Time peak, helping ESPN post record numbers for a non-Super Bowl event.

ESPN2 added 1.28 million viewers, likely from related coverage such as tennis.

Far behind, Fox News Channel led the news category with 1.86 million viewers, powered by "The Ingraham Angle." The program covered hot-button issues including protests at religious sites over ICE operations, Kamala Harris's post-election activities, proposals for the U.S. to buy Greenland, expanded detention facilities, a fatal ICE shooting involving a U.S. citizen, and a major raid tied to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

MSNBC followed with 1.39 million viewers, while no other networks reached the 1 million mark in total audience (2+ persons).

The rest trailed significantly: TLC had 513,000, TBS 485,000, CNN 438,000, HGTV 433,000, Hallmark Channel 337,000, Investigation Discovery 333,000, INSP 299,000, History 276,000, TV Land 272,000, and both Adult Swim and Food Network around 262,000.

The results highlight a stark divide in cable viewing: live sports and timely, controversy-driven news dominate, while entertainment and lifestyle programming on Cable is fragmented amid streaming competition.

Radio History: Jan 26

➦In 1899...writer/producer Wyllis Cooper was born in Pekin Illinois. He was the creator of NBC Radio’s scary series “Lights Out.” Besides writing, producing and directing, he hosted the show from its start in 1934 to 1936, when Arch Oboler succeeded him. He also was creator/writer/producer of “Quiet, Please!” on Mutual (1947-1948 ) and ABC Radio (1948-1949), and producer/narrator of the early TV series Volume One. He died June 29 1955 at age 56.

1936 group of breakfast-clubbers "start the day with a smile, music and an extra cup of cawfee." L-R: Carl Fasshauer, Bill Short, Earl Roberts, Walter Blaufuss, Helen Jane Behlke, Don, Frank Papile, Clark Dennis, Bill Krenz and Eddie Ballantine.

➦In 1907...bandleader Eddie Ballantine was born in Chicago. He was musical director of the Don McNeill Breakfast Club on NBC Blue/ABC Radio for almost thirty years. When that program ended in 1968 he became a stock market reporter for a Chicago TV station. He died Nov. 14 1995 at age 88.

➦In 1922...pianist Page Cavanaugh was born in Cherokee Kansas. He formed & led his own trio from 1943-1960, which was featured on NBC Radio’s Jack Paar Show in 1947. They worked as backup to Mel Torme recordings, and also were featured repeatedly on CBS Radio’s Songs by Sinatra. He died of kidney failure Dec. 19, 2008 at age 86.

This ad for KNOW appeared in a 1947 edition of Broadcasting

➦In 1932...KUT AM in Austin Texas became KNOW 1490 AM.

On December 7, 1926, the station's first license was originally granted, with the sequentially issued call sign of KGDR. It was owned by a company named "Radio Engineers" and broadcast in San Antonio, Texas. In December 1929, the station was renamed KUT and moved to Austin.That was followed by a call letter change to KNOW on January 26, 1932.

KNOW was owned by the KUT Broadcasting Company. It broadcast at only 100 watts, on 1000 kilocycles. The original KUT moved to Houston and later became KTRH. Today, the KUT call letters are found on the University of Texas' public radio station at 90.5, an affiliate of National Public Radio.

In the 1940s, KNOW moved to its current dial position at 1490 kHz, with the power at 250 watts. It served as Austin's ABC Radio Network affiliate, carrying ABC's schedule of dramas, comedies, news and sports during the "Golden Age of Radio."

In 1949, KNOW was acquired by the Pioneer Broadcasting Company. In the 1950s, it boosted its daytime power to 1,000 watts and remained at 250 watts at night. In the 1960s, it switched to a Top 40 sound. Air Staff in the 70's included P.D. Dave Jarrott, Randall McKee, Jason Wayne. Bill Mayne, Gil Garcia, Jim Gossett, David Gayle, Bill Moss. It call letters where change during the time Hicks Communication owned it from KNOW to KMOW since a mistake was made on giving up the old call letters but were now taken. As contemporary music listening shifted to the FM band in the 1980s, KNOW decided to serve Austin's growing African American community. It flipped to an urban contemporary format. That was coupled with Hicks Communications acquiring the station in 1981.

In 1989, KNOW was sold again, this time to Degree Communications, which switched the format to Oldies. In 1996, the station changed hands again, this time being acquired by San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications, now iHeartMedia. The call letters were switched to KFON and the format became talk radio {with FON standing for "phone"). It later shifted to sports talk.

In 2005, the station was acquired by Border Media Partners, which owned other stations in Texas, several serving the Latino community. KFON switched to a Classic Regional Mexican music format. There were further call letter changes to KLGO and KTAE, before Township Media switched the call sign to KTSN, standing for The Sun Network. Today KTSN is heard at 1060 AM and calls KJFK are assigned to 1490 AM and simulcasts KJFK 98.9 FM airing a JackFM music format.

The call letters live-on as KNOW-FM and are assigned to Minnesota Public Radio at 91.1 FM.

➦In 1947... “The Greatest Story Ever Told” began a 10-year run on ABC radio. It was the first radio program to dare to simulate the voice of Jesus Christ.

➦In 1969... The Beatles recorded “The Long And Winding Road.” And Ringo Starr wrote “Octopus’s Garden."

When issued as the group's final single in May 1970, a month after the Beatles' break-up, it became the group's 20th and last number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U-S.

Radio History: Jan 25

➦In 1910...Actress/dancer/radio personality Portland Hoffa was born in Portland, Oregon. After beginning a career in vaudeville she became known nationally as Fred Allen‘s wife and performing partner on his network radio series (1932-49). She died of natural causes on Christmas Day 1995 at age 85.

NY Times headline 1915

➦In 1915...Alexander Graham Bell in New York spoke to his assistant Thomas Watson in San Francisco, inaugurating America’s first transcontinental telephone service.

Lead paragraph of Times story

➦In 1916...radio/TV script writer Les Crutchfield was born. He became a prolific writer for Gunsmoke on both radio and television and wrote frequently for the CBS radio shows, Suspense, Escape, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, Romance and Fort Laramie, popular during the 1940s and 50s. He died while still quite young Oct. 6 1966 at age 50.

➦In 1919...Radio, TV newsman Edwin Newman was born. He died August 13, 2010 at 91.

➦In 1920...radio/TV announcer Roy Rowan was born in Paw Paw, Michigan. He is best remembered as the warm-up guy and announcer for all of Lucille Ball’s TV shows over two decades, but is also fondly recalled as the announcer for “People Are Funny” and especially “Gunsmoke” on radio, and “I Married Joan,” “Rawhide,” “Simon and Simon,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Lonesome Dove” miniseries and “Dallas” on television. He died of heart failure May 10 1998 at age 78.

➦In 1937... the first 15-minute broadcast of the daytime serial “The Guiding Light” aired on NBC Radio; it holds the record as the longest-running story line in soap opera history. The show remained on radio until 1956. “The Guiding Light” began its long run on CBS-TV in 1952, and signed off for the last time in 2009.

➦In 1944...a black maid named Beulah (played by a white man, Marlin Hunt) joined the “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio show for the first time. A spinoff show, “Beulah”, became a radio series in 1945. But it didn’t last long .. Hurt died a year later.

➦In 1961... just five days after his inauguration President John F. Kennedy held his first press conference at The White House. It was the first such event to be broadcast live on radio & TV.

➦In 1964...the Beatles reached the #1 spot on North American music charts, as their hit single, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, grabbed the top position in “Cash Box” magazine.

NYC Radio: MediaCo Poaches Maire Mason From SBS

Veteran radio executive Maire Mason is leaving Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) to join MediaCo as Vice President and General Manager, overseeing local radio and television operations in New York City, Chicago, and Denver—with plans to expand into additional markets.

The move, announced Saturday, represents a significant leadership change in the New York radio market, where Mason has been a prominent figure since joining SBS in 2018 as VP/GM for its flagship stations (including WSKQ-FM "Mega 97.9" and WPAT-FM "Amor 93.1"). 

Maire Mason

She later expanded her role to include oversight of Chicago's WLEY-FM in 2022.

At MediaCo, Mason will manage a portfolio that includes major New York stations such as Hot 97 (WQHT), WBLS, and Luna 107.5 (among others), along with television assets in these markets. Her new multimarket role positions her to lead integrated radio-TV operations amid ongoing industry consolidation.

Mason brings over 30 years of experience, including prior leadership positions at Cumulus Media (where she launched NASH-FM), CBS Radio, and Univision. Her departure from SBS, a leader in Spanish-language broadcasting, may prompt shifts in management for its key urban markets.

The transition highlights trends in broadcasting where seasoned executives are recruited to handle combined media platforms in major DMAs. Further details on operational changes or additional markets are expected to emerge soon.

Most recently, she served as Vice President/General Manager at Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) starting in February 2018, initially overseeing the New York market's flagship stations—including WSKQ-FM "Mega 97.9" and WPAT-FM "Amor 93.1"—where she drove unprecedented revenue growth and exceeded targets consistently. 

In 2021, her New York team achieved standout performance, and in October 2022, she expanded her role to also serve as VP/GM for Chicago's WLEY-FM, further strengthening SBS's urban and Hispanic-format operations.

Prior to SBS, Mason was Vice President/General Manager at Cumulus Media in New York, where she launched NASH-FM (WNSH-FM 94.7), the company's country music station, and led advertising sales operations. She built and grew the sales team for this new format in a competitive market.

Earlier highlights include a more than 20-year tenure at CBS Radio (later Infinity Broadcasting), where she served as VP/General Manager for iconic New York stations such as WCBS-FM, WNEW-FM, and WXRK-FM (K-Rock), managing programming, sales, and operations for some of the market's most legendary brands.

She also held leadership roles at Univision Communications, serving as General Manager and VP/GM, and briefly at Merlin Media.

Cumulus Consolidates K-C, Topeka Operations

Cumulus Media has consolidated its Topeka, Kansas, radio operations by relocating staff and closing local studios, shifting them approximately 60 miles east to its Kansas City facility as part of a broader effort to streamline management and infrastructure.

The move, confirmed by the company to WIBW (Topeka's local news outlet), combines the studios and oversight for its six Topeka stations with those in Kansas City. Cumulus emphasized that the change is operational only and will not disrupt service to the Topeka market.

Programming on all Topeka stations remains unchanged, including local content and sports broadcasts. All local sports coverage will continue airing as scheduled on existing outlets, such as KMAJ-AM (The Big Talker 1440/93.5 FM).

Cumulus highlighted that its partnerships within the Topeka community are "vital" and that serving local listeners remains a top priority, despite the physical relocation of teams and facilities. The consolidation aligns with industry trends among radio groups to centralize operations for efficiency amid ongoing cost pressures.

Cumulus has repeatedly stated that programming remains unchanged across its six Topeka stations:

• KWIC (Eagle 99.3 FM) – Classic Hits
• KDVV (V100) – Classic Rock
• KTOP-FM (Cat Country 102.9) – Country
• KMAJ-FM (Majic 107.7) – Adult Contemporary
• KMAJ-AM (The Big Talker 1440/93.5 FM) – Conservative Talk
• KTOP-AM (Sports) – Sports programming

All local content, including sports broadcasts on stations like The Big Talker, continues to air as before. Transmitter facilities remain near Topeka, so signal strength and reception for listeners in the area should be unaffected.

WWO to Air NFL Championship Games Sunday

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the official audio partner of the NFL, will deliver live radio play-by-play coverage of NFL Championship Sunday, presented by Intuit TurboTax, on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Westwood One’s broadcasts begin with the AFC Championship at 2:00 PM ET (note: game kickoff is 3:00 PM ET), as the New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. The winner earns the Lamar Hunt Trophy and advances to Super Bowl LX.Coverage continues with the NFC Championship at 6:30 PM ET, featuring the Los Angeles Rams at the Seattle Seahawks in Lumen Field. 

The victor claims the George Halas Trophy and a spot in the Super Bowl.Broadcast teams:

• AFC: Play-by-play by Ryan Radtke, analyst Mike Golic, sideline reporter Laura Okmin.
• NFC: Play-by-play by Kevin Harlan, analyst Kurt Warner, sideline reporter Ross Tucker.

For the 17th straight year, Scott Graham hosts pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows for both matchups.

This marks Westwood One’s 39th consecutive season as the NFL’s official audio partner. All postseason games, including these conference championships through Super Bowl LX, air on about 500 radio stations nationwide, plus westwoodonesports.com, the Westwood One Sports App, SiriusXM, NFL+, and the NFL App.

The Denver Broncos face the New England Patriots tomorrow at 3 pm ET without their quarterback, Bo Nix, who's out with an ankle injury. The winner will be crowned the AFC champion and earn a spot in the Super Bowl (Feb. 8). Then, at 6:30 pm ET, the Los Angeles Rams travel to the Seattle Seahawks to contend for the NFC title and a chance at the Super Bowl.

AFC Championship: Fox Forecaster Gives Patriots Advantage

Ian Oliver

A FOX Weather meteorologist and avid New England Patriots fan says Sunday's AFC Championship game at Denver's Mile High Stadium gives his team a weather edge, despite the challenges of high altitude and cold conditions.

Ian Oliver told Sports Illustrated that the thinner air at Denver's elevation (over 5,280 feet) reduces oxygen per breath, potentially fatiguing players, but it also cuts drag on the ball—enabling longer field goals, with Mile High often the site of NFL records in the 60- to 65-yard range.

Forecasts call for kickoff temperatures in the teens (°F), winds of 10-15 mph, and wind chills between 0 and 5°F. 

Oliver noted these elements will impact the game but represent better conditions than the Patriots faced last week and far milder than recent harsh weather expected in Foxborough.

As a self-described big Patriots supporter, Oliver highlighted New England's familiarity with cold, windy Northeast environments as a potential advantage when traveling west to face the Broncos in the thin air and chill.

News Corp's California Post Launches Monday

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp launched the California Post on Monday, January 26, 2026, debuting both print and digital editions as a bold, tabloid-style daily newspaper modeled after the New York Post.

The new outlet, based in a newsroom on the Fox studio lot in Century City, Los Angeles, promises irreverent coverage, sharp headlines, celebrity gossip (including a "Page Six"-style section), entertainment scoops, and a conservative-leaning voice emphasizing "common sense and accountability." 

Editor-in-chief Nick Papps described the launch as a "game-changer" and a chance to "disrupt the status quo" in California's media landscape, which the company views as dominated by legacy outlets.

Pre-launch buildup included staff memos hyping January 26 as "our moment," aggressive talent poaching from publications like Variety, the Los Angeles Times, and The Hollywood Reporter, and announcements framing it as a West Coast extension of the New York Post's sassy, agenda-setting approach.

The debut arrives amid mixed reactions in the L.A. media scene—some see it as a fresh, entertaining challenge to established players, while others question the viability of a print-heavy, right-leaning tabloid in a predominantly liberal state. Early coverage highlighted the risk of reviving print in 2026 but noted backing from Murdoch family leadership, including Lachlan Murdoch.

As the first editions hit stands and screens, the California Post aims to set the agenda with its signature blend of bold reporting, opinion, and entertainment focus. Reception and the inaugural front page will unfold in the days following the Monday launch.

R.I.P.: Terry Boers, Pioneering Chicago Sports Talker

Terry Boers (1951-2026)

Terry Boers, a founding host of Chicago's pioneering sports talk station 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) and a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, died Friday at age 75 from liver failure at his home in Florida, surrounded by family.

Mitch Rosen, vice president of The Score, confirmed the death. 

Boers had publicly battled health issues for years, including cancer treatments in the months leading up to his retirement from the station on Jan. 5, 2017—just three days after its 25th anniversary.

According to The Chicago Tribune, Boers helped shape The Score's early identity as a raw, unfiltered "clubhouse" for sports talk. He co-hosted first with Dan McNeil for 7½ years, then with Dan Bernstein on the long-running Boers & Bernstein show. Their style—edgy, opinionated, often laced with humor and innuendo—drew loyal fans who valued his authenticity, even as it sometimes pushed boundaries and drew criticism amid evolving standards.

"We push it. We blur it," Boers told the Tribune in 2007. "All of us go overboard. I plead absolutely guilty on many fronts."

To admirers, that unapologetic honesty was his hallmark. Former colleague Steve Rosenbloom praised him after retirement: "Live microphone or not, he didn’t change. ... He was honest in his writing. He was honest on the air. He never lost his witty, embracing sense of humor. He never lost his capacity for raging against injustice."

Boers joined The Score at its 1991 launch after being recruited by Seth Mason of parent company Diamond Broadcasting, who sought the funniest Chicago sportswriter in the press box. Boers left his Sun-Times features job eight months later on advice from friend Mike Downey.

A key early boost came in 1992 when Mike Ditka moved his call-in show to The Score. Boers often served as co-host or interlocutor, leading to memorable, unpredictable moments—including Ditka's infamous outbursts like "I'll whip your ass!" and "Who ya crappin'?"—that became Chicago sports radio lore. 

Boers later credited Ditka's star power as vital: "I cannot be sure the station would have succeeded without him," he wrote in his 2017 autobiography, The Score of a Lifetime. While the show's provocative edge helped build an audience, station leaders occasionally urged focus on sports and discretion. Boers acknowledged the risks, once calling some interactions "kind of like a suicide mission only less fun."

His legacy endures as one of Chicago sports media's most distinctive, enduring voices—outrageous, outraged, and always opinionated.

FCC's Chair Expresses 'Concerns' Over Netflix, WBD Deal

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has voiced significant concerns about potential competition issues if Netflix (NFLX) acquires assets from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), citing the massive scale and further consolidation it would bring to the streaming industry.

In a Bloomberg interview, Carr stated: “There are legitimate competition concerns that I’ve seen raised about [a Netflix] acquisition and just the sheer amount of scale and consolidation you can see in the streaming market.”

Carr praised Netflix's organic growth as "fantastic" but highlighted worries that combining it with Warner Bros.' film and TV studio assets—along with its streaming service—could exacerbate market dominance in an already consolidating sector.

Brendan Carr

By contrast, he expressed far fewer reservations about a potential acquisition of the same Warner Bros. Discovery assets by Paramount Skydance (PSKY). He noted that Paramount+'s smaller streaming footprint makes such a deal less problematic from a competition standpoint.

The FCC lacks direct jurisdiction over a Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery transaction, as it primarily regulates broadcast television licenses and neither company holds significant FCC-licensed assets in this context.

However, a Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger could fall under FCC review. This stems from Paramount's plans to raise funds from foreign sources to finance the deal, which may trigger FCC oversight related to foreign investment in broadcast-related entities (given Paramount's ownership of the CBS network).

Two 60 Minutes Correspondents 'On Thin Ice'

Veteran “60 Minutes” correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley are at risk of being fired after vocally resisting changes pushed by CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The pair could face termination as Weiss, who took over in October following Paramount Skydance's acquisition of her outlet The Free Press, pursues a major revamp of the long-running newsmagazine.

The NY Post quotes sources who describe the internal conflict as “Game of Thrones”-style drama, with one network insider warning, “It’s going to be a war,” and criticizing “60 Minutes” staff for arrogance.

Alfonsi is reportedly on particularly thin ice after clashing with Weiss over efforts to strengthen her recent report on El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, which Weiss pulled last month for lacking balance and Trump administration comment. Pelley has drawn scrutiny for repeated public and internal criticism of the new leadership.

CBS News is open to buying out contracts for talent and executives to facilitate changes. Alfonsi’s contract expires in a few months; Pelley’s timeline is unclear. Neither correspondent responded to comment requests, and CBS News has not commented.

Weiss has increased her oversight of key political and cultural stories at “60 Minutes,” including joining new Monday meetings with executive producer Tanya Simon—a break from the show’s decades-long tradition of near-autonomous operation under its executive producer.

Staff resistance stems partly from skepticism about Weiss’s qualifications: the 41-year-old former opinion writer and vocal Israel supporter lacks traditional TV news experience, with critics calling for more impartiality in the editor-in-chief role. Some “60 Minutes” veterans, including Lesley Stahl and Bill Whitaker, reportedly share doubts about her leadership.

Insiders suggest Alfonsi and Pelley may be trying to “wait out” Weiss, betting on CBS’s history of frequent leadership turnover. However, others warn this could backfire, as Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison appears to back Weiss’s mandate for change. 

“Everybody has a boss,” one source said, “and they need to realize that Bari Weiss is theirs.”The turmoil highlights broader tensions at CBS News under Weiss, amid staff complaints about her background in opinion rather than reporting and her political views.

ICE Accuses Father of 5-year-old of 'Abandoning His Child'

U.S. news media outlets are heavily covering the January 20, 2026, detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos (also reported as Liam Ramos or Liam Conejo) and his father by ICE agents in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, sparking widespread criticism, protests, and conflicting accounts of the incident.

Mainstream sources—including CNN, The Guardian, ABC News, CBS News, The Washington Post, PBS NewsHour, BBC, and local outlets like MPR News and Sahan Journal—frame the story as deeply troubling and traumatic. They report that agents took the boy and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias (from Ecuador), into custody in their driveway as the child returned from preschool. The pair was transferred to a family detention facility in Texas (often specified as the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley). 

School officials from Columbia Heights Public Schools, led by Superintendent Zena Stenvik, accuse ICE of using the boy as "bait" to lure family members out—such as having him knock on the door—while noting this is one of four students from the district detained recently. 

Coverage highlights outrage over detaining a young child, allegations of agents "circling schools," the mother's distress, and broader concerns about aggressive immigration enforcement near educational settings under the current administration. Many stories emphasize the boy's active immigration/asylum case, which prevents immediate deportation, and include calls for his release amid protests in Minneapolis.

Federal officials and ICE/DHS push back strongly, as reflected in reports from outlets like ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Post. They assert the father fled on foot during the encounter, "abandoning" the child in a running car amid freezing weather, forcing agents to stay with the boy for his safety (including reportedly buying him food via drive-through before reuniting them). 

DHS denies using the child as bait, calling such claims misleading or activist-driven smears that endanger officers. Some coverage notes the father is described as having a criminal immigration history.

Chilling images of a 5-year-old boy taken into custody by ICE along with his father in Minneapolis are sparking outrage. School officials say the child was used as bait, while DHS says the boy's father fled and abandoned the child. Matt Rivers has more. https://t.co/d8Hap9de7f pic.twitter.com/HBtg7F5hWC

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) January 23, 2026

The incident has fueled national debate on family separations, enforcement tactics, school safety, and immigration policy, with ongoing developments including superintendent interviews, lawyer statements, and political commentary (e.g., from Vice President Vance defending the actions as protective). As of January 24, 2026, the boy remains detained with his father in Texas, with no reported resolution. 

Media tone varies: left-leaning and mainstream sources lean toward condemnation and humanitarian concern, while official statements and some conservative-leaning reports emphasize law enforcement priorities and refute "hoax" narratives.