Radio Broadcasting
When News Breaks: When a breaking news event happens, 36% of U.S. adults say they typically turn first to their preferred news organization to get more information, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey from the Pew-Knight Initiative. Another 28% look to search engines like Google or Bing, and 19% make social media their first destination. A smaller share (5%) usually asks friends, family or acquaintances for more information.
The FCC Makes The Rules: At its March open meeting in Washington, the FCC adopted a sweeping update to its broadcast rules, approving a Report and Order that streamlines radio regulation, modernizes filing systems, and eliminates outdated requirements. The order revises part of the Commission’s rules to better reflect current industry practices, reduce administrative burdens, and improve clarity for broadcasters. Officials described the changes as part of a broader effort to modernize regulation and align policies with today’s technology. The agency eliminated all remaining references to the legacy Consolidated Database System, making LMS the sole platform for filing and accessing broadcast applications while updating form names to match the newer system.
Keeping The Faith: Faith-based radio has a long history in America, dating back to the earliest broadcasts of Sunday services at the beginning of the 1920s. Today, there are more than 4,000 terrestrial religious radio stations in the United States, according to a Pew Research Center analysis from the Pew-Knight Initiative. That’s about a quarter of the roughly 17,000 AM and FM stations in the U.S. that are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. Almost all U.S. adults – 98% – live within the local coverage range of at least one religious radio station.
Media Industry
Netflix is raising prices in the U.S. for the second time in a year: The hikes include its ad-supported and ad-free Standard plans and Premium plan. Per an update on its website, the Standard With Ads plan will increase by $1 to $8.99 per month, while the ad-free Standard and Premium plans will each increase by $2 to $19.99 and $26.99 per month, respectively, effective Thursday. Netflix Standard subscribers can add an extra member for $7.99 per month with ads and $9.99 per month without ads. Premium subscribers can add up to 2 extra members for $7.99 per month with ads and $9.99 per month without ads.
Nielsen is in hot water: After delaying the rollout of new methodology for its monthly Gauge reports, which was set to show a temporary downtick in streaming's domination over linear networks. While Nielsen reversed course on the rollout after backlash from streamers, the delay in the rollout has ruffled feathers across the TV industry.
Meta has laid off several hundred employees across various divisions: RIFs including sales, recruiting and the Reality Labs department as the technology giant continues to funnel more money into the development of artificial intelligence (AI). According to a report from TechCrunch, Meta’s cuts will affect under 1,000 employees across the U.S. and multiple international markets, some of whom may be offered a position within a different team or geographic location.
U-S News
Senate Deadlock Breaks: Lawmakers in the Senate have unanimously passed a bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, securing a path to ending the weekslong shutdown that has left airports in turmoil. The eleventh-hour agreement provides money for all of DHS except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. It still has to pass the House of Representatives before going to President Donald Trump's desk.
The late-night dealmaking came after Trump said earlier in the evening that he would pay Transportation Security Administration workers with or without the help of Congress. As hundreds of temporarily unpaid TSA workers have resigned since the shutdown started, and more have increasingly called off the job, wait times in airport security lines have hit historic highs in recent days.
War Pause: President Donald Trump said on The Five that he is extending a pause on U.S. strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6, citing progress in ongoing negotiations. Trump said he approved a 10-day extension after Iran requested more time, noting that discussions are “going fairly well” and signaling a potential opening for a broader agreement. The pause delays planned attacks on Iranian oil and energy facilities, which had been part of a broader U.S. military strategy during the escalating conflict. The original deadline had been shorter, but Trump said he chose to extend it to allow diplomacy to continue.
Stocks fell sharply Thursday: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 450 points, as rising oil prices and renewed uncertainty over Iran negotiations rattled investors. The sell-off came as oil prices surged amid concerns about ongoing conflict and disruptions to global supply, with crude climbing above $100 per barrel. Markets were further pressured by doubts about a potential diplomatic resolution, after optimism earlier in the week faded. Conflicting signals from U.S. officials and Iran—along with the rejection of a proposed ceasefire—added to volatility on Wall Street.