Radio Broadcasting
MARC Buys Even More: MARC Media Group is buying five radio stations just north of metro Tampa along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Sheffield Get Triple-Duty: Cumulus has promoted Mike Sheffield, Programming Operations Manager, Cumulus Erie, PA, to Program Director of Classic Rock station 97 ROCK/WGRF-FM in Buffalo, NY, and Z102.3/WQHZ-FM Erie, PA.
Billy Joel Is Okay: Searches for the singer’s name displayed a Goole information box reading, “Died Sept. 17, 2026.” “Billy’s not dead,” his publicist, Claire Mercuri, cinfirmed. “I was just emailing with him.”
EAS Nat'l Test: FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, the agencies announced.
Media Industry
Stop The Reviews: Disney asked a U.S. judge on Thursday to block the FCC from conducting an early review of eight ABC station licenses, arguing that President Donald Trump’s threats against reporters and broadcast networks show the review is retaliatory.
Foreign Money Okayed: The FCC has waived the 25% foreign-ownership cap so Paramount Skydance can use overseas capital to fund its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery,
MNF Sets Record: ESPN’s MNF season opener between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs delivered an audience of 23.2 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and NFL+, becoming the most-watched Week 1 game in ESPN’s Monday Night Football era
U-S News
Pump Pain: Gasoline prices across the United States rose sharply in mid‑September 2026, with the national average reaching $4.44 per gallon and California, Alaska and Hawaii posting the highest state rates.
Building Bridges: Ed Sheeran and Patriots owner Robert Kraft each pledged $2 million for Palestinian humanitarian aid, aiming to "build bridges" amid the controversy over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour.
Stormy Weather: A large storm system will bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, and isolated severe weather from the Rockies to the Northeast this weekend, with the threat shifting eastward and additional storms expected in Texas and the Southwest next week