Radio Broadcasting
Analytics Upgrade: Xperi today launched DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal Premium, a new tier that upgrades its broadcaster portal to deliver the most comprehensive, timely radio listening analytics available. Built on the DTS AutoStage platform — now integrated into more than 16 million vehicles worldwide and producing over 34 million hours of U.S. radio listening data per month — the new Premium tier gives stations near real-time competitive station rankings by daypart and expanded, exportable music charts.
Christmas In April: NPR announced Thursday a $113 million windfall from two charitable donors, including $80 million from billionaire philanthropist Connie Ballmer — the largest gift from a living donor in the organization’s history. An anonymous donor contributed the remaining $33 million.
Kids Want Entertainment: A major survey of American teenagers reveals that nearly 9 in 10 use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat primarily for entertainment. The findings highlight both the central role these apps play in teen social life and emerging concerns about their impact on daily routines, particularly sleep. According to the Pew survey, about 90% of US teens cite entertainment as a key reason for using the three dominant short-form and messaging platforms.
Media Industry
Netflix Founder Exits: Netflix Chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings will leave the company’s board when his term expires in June, the company said Thursday, saying he will not stand for re-election so he can focus on philanthropy and other pursuits. Shares fell more than 8% in after-hours trading after Netflix issued disappointing guidance alongside its quarterly report. The results, Netflix said, were its first earnings since abandoning a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and HBO Max.
MSN Comes Up Short: Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany sharply criticized MSNBC and CNN on Wednesday for failing to cover recent sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., despite those networks’ strong past advocacy for the #MeToo movement. “When that young woman was making her claim yesterday you looked over at MSNBC: not covering. You looked over at CNN: not covering,” McEnany said on The Five.
Media Mess: Mediaite has suspended its founding editor Colby Hall after an investigation revealed more than a half-dozen serious errors in his One Sheet newsletter, including fabricated stories, invented quotes, misattributions, and apparent plagiarism. The latest incident involved Hall awarding independent journalist Lachlan Cartwright “Newsletter of the Day” earlier this month for a supposed exclusive on Jeff Shell negotiating his exit from Paramount Global. Cartwright’s outlet, Breaker, never reported the story.
U-S News
Israeli, Lebanon Ceasefire: A 10-day cease-fire began at midnight Friday in Lebanon, halting clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah and clearing a major hurdle to U.S.–Iran peace talks. Israeli and Lebanese officials confirmed they would enact the truce, which President Trump announced following a U.S. diplomatic push earlier in the day.
Pump Pain: Rising gas prices are squeezing household budgets and adding pressure to the U.S. economy, increasing the risk of higher inflation, rising unemployment and slower growth this year. Under Mr. Trump’s initial timeline, U.S. involvement in the Middle East would have concluded by now, allowing for a quicker easing of global energy costs that have hit consumers and businesses.
Political Murder-Suicide: Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, once a rising Democratic figure until sexual-assault allegations derailed his career, killed his estranged wife and then himself weeks before a court-ordered move-out deadline, police and court records indicate.