Radio Broadcasting Media
- Public Radio Broadcasting Day — January 13 marks Public Radio Broadcasting Day, honoring the history and inventors of radio technology, from Guglielmo Marconi's early transmissions to Reginald Fessenden's 1906 music broadcasts and the first live opera in 1910. Public stations like NPR affiliates and others highlight radio's enduring reach (consistently 90% of Americans weekly) amid digital shifts, with segments celebrating its role in news, music, and community service.
- Ongoing Coverage of Major National/International News on Radio Airwaves — U.S. radio outlets (e.g., WORLD Radio's "The World and Everything in It" and morning news casts) lead with Iran protests (death toll over 600, Trump signaling negotiations but potential U.S. intervention and 25% tariffs on countries dealing with Iran), Fed independence tensions (DOJ probes into Chair Jerome Powell), and domestic issues like ICE protests in Minnesota. These dominate talk, news, and public affairs programming, reflecting radio's strength in real-time, local/national analysis.
- Industry Operational and Regulatory Notes — Broadcast stations face routine FCC public file deadlines: by January 10 (recently passed), stations prepared/posted quarterly Issues/Programs lists for Q4 2025; upcoming Children's Television reports (for TV but relevant in cross-media groups) due by January 30. No major new FCC actions or ownership reforms hit on this exact date, but ongoing discussions (e.g., potential radio ownership cap easing in quadrennial review, reply comments due soon) continue in trade coverage.
- Broader Media Context Impacting Radio — Analyses (e.g., NPR and public radio pieces) warn of a challenging 2026 for media overall, including potential funding pressures on public broadcasting, consolidation risks in streaming/TV affecting ad revenue competition, and AI/misinformation challenges (MPR News segment on spotting deepfakes). Radio remains positioned as a resilient, trusted local medium amid these uncertainties.
Media News
NPR's critic-at-large Eric Deggans warned that 2026 looks "ominous" for media, including Hollywood and journalism. Key points:
- A massive potential deal (Netflix vs. Paramount tug-of-war over Warner Bros. Discovery) could reshape streaming, film, HBO, and CNN.
- Traditional outlets face misinformation, ownership pressures, and a hostile political environment eroding trust.
- Pushback against DEI programs in media companies, plus audience power to influence via viewing/choices.
Advertising forecasts: Growth expected (7%+ overall), but TV's share shrinks as digital/performance channels dominate—Hollywood risks being left behind.
Major U.S. News Stories
Economic & Market Updates: U.S. stocks and Treasuries stabilized after earlier volatility stemming from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's strong rejection of Department of Justice grand jury subpoenas targeting Fed independence. The dollar weakened modestly against major currencies.
Trump Administration Actions on Iran: President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from any country conducting business with Iran, escalating pressure amid ongoing anti-government protests and crackdowns in Tehran. This follows threats of tougher responses, including potential military options, as the U.S. weighs its stance.
Other Domestic Headlines: The December 2025 CPI inflation report is scheduled for release today at 8:30 a.m. ET, with markets watching closely for signals on Fed policy. Protests against ICE continue nationwide following incidents like the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, with additional federal agents deployed to Minnesota. A federal judge allowed work to resume on a major offshore wind farm project despite Trump administration efforts to halt it.
U.S. Sports: MNF: Texans 30 Steelers 6
NFL Playoffs: The wild-card round concluded dramatically over the weekend (Jan. 10-12), featuring close games, comebacks (including a historic fourth-quarter rally), and upsets. The divisional round is set for Jan. 17-18, with matchups and times to be confirmed soon—expect high-stakes action across CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN broadcasts.