Radio History: May 10

➦In 1922...WHB-AM, Kansas City, Missouri, signed-on.

According to fadedsignals.com, Sam Adair and John Schilling signed WHB on the air in 1922 from Kansas City.  Cook Paint and Varnish Company purchased the station in 1930.  It was an independent station until becoming a Mutual Network affiliate in 1936.

WHB operated as a daytime-only station until the FCC granted it full-time status in 1946.

Cook sold WHB-AM to Omaha entrepreneur Todd Storz in 1954.  He enjoyed success with a Top 40 pop format on his stations in Omaha and New Orleans.  Storz flipped WHB to the nation’s first 24-hour Top 40 format.  It became Kansas City’s most popular station by the end of the year.

WHB-AM’s 10,000-watt signal made the station one of the most powerful Top 40 stations in the country. It became a model for many stations around the nation seeking to copy the success of the Top 40 format.

Here’s a sample of what WHB sounded like in 1960:

Storz Broadcasting sold WHB to Shamrock Broadcasting in 1985.  The new owner dropped Top 40 for a oldies.  In 1989, KCMO-FM flipped to oldies, drawing away WHB-AM’s listeners.

WHB began simulcasting a farm/country music format in 1993.  It swapped frequencies with KCMO-AM in 1998, giving the station a larger daytime coverage area. (DA50Kw-D, DA5Kw-Night).  WHB had been broadcasting at 710 AM (DA10Kw-Day, DA 5Kw-Night).

Union Broadcasting purchased WHB and flipped the station to its current sports format in 1999.

➦In 1924..Chicago radio stations underwent significant call sign changes, reflecting the evolving regulatory landscape of broadcasting. Station KZN changed to KFPT, WGN became WEBH, and WDAP took on the WGN call sign. These shifts, reported by the Chicago Tribune on May 31, 1924, were part of efforts to reduce interference and clarify station identities as radio grew in popularity. While not precisely on May 10, this activity highlights the dynamic state of early commercial broadcasting in the U.S., with stations adapting to new regulations and market demands.

➦In 1929...Radio Personality Scott Muni was born Donald Allen Muñoz in Wichita, Kansas, Muni grew up in New Orleans, joined the U-S Marine Corps and began broadcasting in 1950, reading "Dear John" letters over Radio Guam. After leaving the Corps, he began working as a disc jockey; in 1953 he began working at WSMB in New Orleans. His mentor was Marshall Pearce. In 1955 he took over for Alan Freed at station WAKR in Akron, Ohio, and after that worked in Kankakee, Illinois.  Muni then spent almost 50 years at stations in New York City. He died on September 28, 2004 at the age of 74 in New York City.

➦In 1934...Gary Owens born Gary Bernard Altman (Died at age 80 – February 12, 2015). His polished baritone speaking voice generally offered deadpan recitations of total nonsense, which he frequently demonstrated as the announcer on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Owens was equally proficient in straight or silly assignments and was frequently heard on television and radio as well as in commercials.

Gary Owens

Owens started his radio career in 1952 as a news reporter at KORN, Mitchell, South Dakota and two years later was promoted to news director. In 1956, he left KORN for a newscaster job at KMA, Shenandoah, Iowa before moving on to a disc jockey job at KOIL, Omaha, Nebraska. He also worked in Dallas, New Orleans, St. Louis, and at KIMN in Denver before relocating to California in 1959, working at KROY in Sacramento and KEWB in Oakland before finally settling in Los Angeles.

Owens moved to KEWB's sister station KFWB in Los Angeles in 1961. From there, he joined the staff of KMPC in 1962, where he remained for the next two decades working the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. shift Monday through Friday.

A gifted punster, Owens became known for his surrealistic humor. Among his trademarks were daily appearances by The Story Lady (played by Joan Gerber); the Rumor of the Day; myriad varieties of "The Nurney Song"; and the introduction of the nonsense word "insegrevious", which was briefly included in the Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary.

Owens moved from KMPC to another Los Angeles station, KPRZ 1150 AM, in the early 1980s, hosting mornings at the "Music Of Your Life"-formatted station.

In the late 1990s, Owens hosted the morning show on the Music of Your Life radio network, where he later had the evening shift and hosted a weekend afternoon show until 2006.

He died Feb. 12 2015 of complications from his life-long diabetes, at age 80.

➦In 1954...Bill Haley and the Comets released the classic "Rock Around The Clock," which became the first rock and roll song to top the charts.

➦In 1972…George Washington Trendle died (Born - July 4, 1884).  He was a Detroit lawyer and businessman best known as the producer of the Lone Ranger radio and television programs along with The Green Hornet and Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.

George Trendle

During the 1920s, George W. Trendle was a Detroit, Michigan, lawyer who had established a reputation as a tough negotiator specializing in movie contracts and leases. Trendle became involved in the Detroit area entertainment business in 1928 when local motion picture theater owner John H. Kunsky offered Trendle 25 percent ownership in exchange for his services.

Trendle and Kunsky formed the Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Company in 1929 after purchasing Detroit radio station WGHP. The radio station's call letters were changed to WXYZ.

WXYZ was initially affiliated with the CBS but became an independent station within a year. Trendle's partner, Kunsky, legally changed his name to King in 1936, and the Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Company became the King-Trendle Broadcasting Company. WXYZ improved its technical facilities through the 1930s, expanding its studios, raising its daytime power from 1,000 to 5,000 watts in the late 1930s, and increasing nighttime power to 5,000 watts in time for its mandated 1941 move from 1240 to 1270 kHz under the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement.

In 1931, Kunsky-Trendle acquired WASH and WOOD in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The two stations merged facilities, including studios and transmitters, but retained both station licenses. WASH was on the air from 8 a.m. to noon, and WOOD from noon to midnight. WOOD-WASH became an NBC Red affiliate in 1935. King and Trendle decided to drop the WASH license in 1942, keeping the WOOD identification.

In 1946, the newly formed American Broadcasting Company purchased the King-Trendle Broadcasting Company and its radio stations for $3.65 million. This sale was for the broadcast facilities (including WOOD, WXYZ, and the Michigan Regional Network) and a construction permit for what would later become WXYZ-TV (channel 7) but did not include ownership of Trendle's radio programs.

Here is an episode of The Lone Ranger from 1937...

➦In 1982...Top 40 formatted WABC 770 AM, New York City, played it's last record before converting to Talk Radio.

WABC ended its 22-year run as a music station with a 9 am–noon farewell show hosted by Dan Ingram and Ron Lundy. The last song played on WABC before the format change was "Imagine" by John Lennon, followed by the familiar WABC "Chime Time" jingle, then a moment of silence before the debut of the new talk format.

Disney’s ABC Challenging FCC

ABC has charged the Federal Communications Commission with infringing on its First Amendment rights, paving the way for what could become a lengthy and high-profile legal confrontation between the network and the Trump administration.

In a filing with the agency, the network argued that regulators were creating a “chilling effect” on free speech by attempting to penalize political content they opposed. The document, which became public on Friday, marks the most forceful pushback by any major television network since President Trump launched his sustained effort last year to rein in media organizations.

The stance represents a notable shift for ABC. Under its parent company, Walt Disney, the network had initially adopted a more conciliatory approach toward Trump, settling a defamation lawsuit with him for $15 million in December 2024—a case that many legal experts viewed as unlikely to succeed in court.

The FCC has also targeted ABC’s daytime political talk show “The View,” questioning whether it can continue to receive an exemption from the “equal time rule,” which requires broadcasters to give opposing political candidates equal airtime.

In a formal filing, Disney’s Houston station KTRK-TV called the FCC’s actions “unprecedented” and “beyond the Commission’s authority.” The station argued that “The View” has long qualified as a “bona fide” news interview program and is therefore exempt from the equal time obligations, reports The L-A Times.

“The Commission’s actions threaten to upend decades of settled law and practice and chill critical protected speech, both with respect to The View and more broadly,” KTRK-TV said in the petition for a declaratory ruling.

The dispute sets up a direct confrontation between ABC and the Trump administration. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has openly criticized both Kimmel and “The View.” Earlier this year, Carr declared that long-standing exemptions for certain programs, including “The View,” are no longer valid.

An FCC spokesperson said the agency would review Disney’s claim that “The View” qualifies as a bona fide news program.

“Decades ago, Congress passed a law that generally prohibits broadcast television programs from putting a thumb on the scale in favor of one political candidate over another,” the spokesperson said. “The equal time law encourages more speech and empowers voters to decide the outcome of elections.”

CBS News Parts With Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi

CBS News will part ways with “60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi when her contract ends at the end of May, according to a Page Six report, following a high-profile editorial dispute with Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss last year.

Alfonsi, who remains on staff through May, has retained prominent Hollywood litigator Bryan Freedman.known for negotiating exits for Megyn Kelly, Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson to handle her departure, Page Six reported.  A CBS News spokesperson declined to comment Friday.  Alfonsi and Freedman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The move comes as Weiss is preparing significant changes to the newsmagazine once its current season concludes this month.

Dispute over Trump administration segmentThe split stems from tension over a December 2024 segment titled “Inside CECOT,” which examined the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants to a high-security prison in El Salvador. Alfonsi publicly criticized Weiss’s last-minute decision to hold the piece, calling it “not an editorial decision” but “a political one.”

“If the standard for airing a story is that ‘the government must agree to be interviewed,’ then the government effectively gains control over the ’60 Minutes’ broadcast,” Alfonsi told colleagues. “We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state.”

Weiss said the segment was delayed because it lacked sufficient on-the-record responses from the administration to advance the reporting. She later acknowledged it should not have been pulled so close to airtime but maintained it needed additional work. 

The piece ultimately aired the following month.

Alfonsi, who has reported for “60 Minutes” since 2015, described the incident last week while accepting the Ridenhour Courage Prize as part of a broader “toxic spread of corporate meddling and editorial fear” rather than an isolated dispute.

Rupert Murdoch Warning: Streamers Could ‘Kill’ Broadcast Networks

Rupert Murdoch personally warned President Donald Trump during a White House dinner in February that allowing streaming services to acquire more live sports rights would destroy traditional broadcast networks, according to a person familiar with the private conversation.

The media mogul’s intervention represented an unusually direct and aggressive lobbying effort. Murdoch, whose Fox Corporation pays billions of dollars annually for sports broadcasting rights, was actively urging the president to help protect the very industry partners from which Fox buys content — creating a striking conflict in which a major payer sought to undermine its suppliers’ leverage.

The warning underscores the intense fear within legacy television that digital streamers, such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube TV, and Apple TV+, are poised to fragment and ultimately dominate the lucrative live-sports market. 

Sports programming remains one of the few content categories still reliably drawing massive audiences to linear television. If streamers secure a significantly larger share of marquee games, advertising and affiliate revenue for networks like Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC could collapse.

The Wall Street Journal reports Murdoch’s move was described as a “bold play call” even by the standards of a businessman renowned for decisive, high-risk maneuvers. It highlights the existential pressure facing traditional broadcasters as media rights negotiations for major leagues, especially the NFL, grow increasingly competitive and expensive.

The situation is particularly noteworthy because Fox has long been a key partner to the NFL and other leagues, committing enormous sums, often in the billions, for broadcast rights. By pressing the White House on this issue, Murdoch was effectively asking the administration to intervene in a way that could limit the negotiating power of the leagues Fox itself pays so handsomely. This rare alignment of interests between a major media buyer and the government against its content suppliers illustrates the depth of concern over the future of the broadcast model.

DOJ Antitrust Review Adds Urgency

Murdoch’s lobbying occurs amid a separate but related Justice Department investigation. The DOJ is examining whether major sports leagues, including the NFL, should retain antitrust exemptions that allow them to collectively negotiate national television and streaming deals on behalf of their member teams. Any changes to these protections could reshape how rights are sold, potentially opening the door for more fragmented, streamer-friendly deals.

The outcome of both the policy discussions and the DOJ review carries enormous financial implications. Broadcast and cable networks have relied on sports as a cornerstone of their business, while tech giants with deep pockets are eager to use live games as a wedge to grow their subscriber bases. Murdoch’s intervention highlights that the battle is not merely corporate but reaches the highest levels of government, with the future structure of America’s sports-media ecosystem hanging in the balance.

For Fox and peer companies, the stakes extend far beyond any single rights deal, they involve the long-term viability of the traditional television business model itself.

Netflix To Stream NFL's First-Ever Game From Australia

Netflix will air the San Francisco 49ers against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, marking the league’s first regular-season game ever played on Australian soil.

A person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press that the streaming service secured the rights. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the full schedule has not yet been released.

The game is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, with a prime-time U.S. kickoff at 7:35 p.m. CT (8:35 p.m. ET). Due to the 15-hour time difference, it will begin at 10:35 a.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 11, in Melbourne.

The Rams, led by reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, will serve as the home team against NFC West rival Brock Purdy and the 49ers. The teams split their 2025 season series.

The Melbourne matchup is one of nine international regular-season games the NFL has scheduled for 2026. It follows the season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

League officials are considering making that Wednesday game an immediate Super Bowl rematch, potentially against the New England Patriots. A Wednesday season opener would be only the second in NFL history; the first occurred in 2012 when the New York Giants hosted the Dallas Cowboys to avoid a conflict with the Democratic National Convention.

The NFL is expected to release the complete 2026 schedule next week, in time for network upfront presentations to advertisers beginning Monday.

Netflix, which has streamed Christmas Day games in recent seasons, is taking on a significantly larger presence in 2026. The platform is expected to broadcast additional major matchups, including the night before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and two games on Christmas Day. NBC is expected to produce the Australia broadcast.

Moms Turn To Music to Relax and Cope

U.S. women 18 and older listen to music for a wide range of personal and emotional reasons, but those with children under 17 (“Moms”) show distinct preferences compared to women without young children, according to the 2025 Women’s Audio Report from Edison Research and SiriusXM Media.

The report reveals that the top two overall reasons women choose music are “to be entertained” and “to relax.” However, clear differences emerge when parenting status is factored in: Moms rank “to relax” as their number one reason (50%).

Women without children under 17 ranked “to be entertained” highest (51%).

Moms are also significantly more likely to use music as a coping tool. Nearly four in ten moms (39%) say they listened “to cope during a difficult time,” compared with just 28% of women who do not have children under 17. The data did not suggest moms face more hardships; rather, it highlighted that music serves as a particularly valuable emotional resource and mood regulator for them.

Music remains one of the few activities that can be deeply personal yet also highly communal. People turn to it for joy, comfort, focus, nostalgia, social connection, and emotional processing. The 2025 Women’s Audio Report offered a detailed look at how American women engage with audio content, with a dedicated focus on mothers and the unique role music plays in their daily lives.

Whether tuning into a favorite radio station during a commute, curating a Spotify playlist while doing household chores, or playing YouTube music videos with their children, moms appear to lean on music as a reliable source of calm and emotional support.

The findings underscore how life stage, particularly motherhood, shapes media consumption habits. For many moms, music is more than background noise or entertainment; it functions as an accessible, on-demand tool for stress relief and emotional resilience amid busy, often demanding routines.

Hartford Radio: Michael Johnson Jr New Spoken Word PD

iHeartMedia has appointed Michael Johnson Jr. as Program Director for its Sports and Talk radio outlets in Hartford and New Haven.

In the role, Johnson will lead a portfolio of four influential stations: WUCS (Fox Sports 97.9), flagship home of the UConn Sports Radio Network in Hartford; WPOP-AM (NewsRadio 1410) in Hartford; and in New Haven, 960 WELI-AM and WAVZ-AM (Fox Sports 1300). 

He will be responsible for programming strategy, content development, on-air talent oversight, and growing the stations’ audiences across broadcast and digital platforms.

Michael Johnson Jr

"Michael's energy, passion and leadership make him a strong fit to lead our Sports and Talk portfolio in Hartford and New Haven," said Dylan Sprague, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Boston/Hartford. 

"These are powerful brands with deep community ties, and we're excited to build on their success under Michael's leadership."

Johnson joins iHeartMedia from Townsquare Media in Albany, New York, where he most recently served as Brand Manager of WTMM (104.5 The Team ESPN Radio). While there, he also worked extensively on-air as a play-by-play announcer for University at Albany football and men’s basketball, bringing both programming expertise and firsthand sports broadcasting experience to his new position.

"I am thrilled to begin this next chapter at iHeart," Johnson said. "Sports fans are passionate and engaged. I am eager to grow all of the stations, deepen the connections with listeners, and continue expanding our digital presence."

Axios Local Expanding to 43 Cities

Axios is accelerating the growth of its local news operation, aiming to reach 43 U.S. cities by the end of 2026 as it seeks to capitalize on demand in underserved markets.

The company paused its local expansion at 30 cities in 2023 after falling short of revenue targets. It is now resuming growth with a sharper focus on “news impoverished” areas where local journalism has significantly declined.

Axios Local is not yet profitable, but executives view the renewed expansion, combined with new technology investments, as a key step toward financial sustainability. The company has seen strong audience momentum, particularly in paid membership. Since the end of 2025, the number of paying supporters has doubled in just four months.

This growth in donations and subscriptions signals increasing willingness among readers to financially support high-quality local news, a critical factor for Axios as it scales its city-level newsletters and reporting.

Courtesy of Press-Gazette

The renewed push reflects a broader recalibration at Axios. After an aggressive early rollout, the company pulled back to stabilize operations and refine its model. The current strategy emphasizes quality over rapid, unprofitable growth, prioritizing markets with limited competing local news sources. 

These “news deserts” often have weaker coverage of city government, education, housing, and business, topics central to Axios’ concise, newsletter-driven style.

By targeting these areas, Axios hopes to establish itself as a trusted, essential source while building a more sustainable revenue base through advertising, sponsorships, and reader contributions.

Newsmax Audience Surges in April

Newsmax Inc. Friday reported continued strong audience growth across its cable channel, streaming services, digital platforms, and social media, further establishing itself as one of America’s fastest-growing news brands.

The network is now carried on all major cable and pay-TV systems after successfully renewing key distribution deals with DISH, Verizon, Mediacom, Fubo, Optimum, and Charter, while adding Hulu Live TV over the past year.

According to Nielsen data:

• April total audience reach hit 16.6 million viewers, up 27% year-over-year.
• More than 7 million viewers in the key 35-64 demographic tuned in during April.
• Q1 2026 total viewership reached 30.4 million, a 29% increase from Q4 2025.

April also delivered notable ratings growth across major programs compared to Q1 averages:

• 
  “Wake Up America” +17%
• “Finnerty” +11%
• “Greg Kelly Reports” +9%
• “Carl Higbie: FRONTLINE” +8%
• “Rob Schmitt Tonight” +7%

All Newsmax dayparts and key demographics showed substantial growth in Q1 2026.

Newsmax has surpassed 25 million social media followers across major platforms, marking a new record.

Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy credited the company’s multiplatform strategy for the results. “Our strategy is working. We are continuing to build audiences and engagement across every platform and for every audience,” Ruddy said. “We have a tremendous foundation in the pay-TV ecosystem, and as ratings continue to grow, so do our cable affiliate revenues.”

Newsmax is projecting a 13% revenue increase for 2026, driven by growth in advertising, affiliate fees, streaming, and international licensing. The company also expects significant expansion for its paid streaming service Newsmax+ and its free ad-supported channel Newsmax2, now available on nearly all major OTT platforms.

Radio History: May 9

➦In 1914...Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was born (Died at age 85 from heart failure – December 20, 1999). In a career that spanned more than 50 years, he recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980. His number-one hits include the self-penned songs "I'm Moving On", "The Golden Rocket" and The Rhumba Boogie and famous versions of "I Don't Hurt Anymore", "Let Me Go, Lover!", "I've Been Everywhere", "Hello Love", as well as other top 10 hits.

Snow was an accomplished songwriter whose clear, baritone voice expressed a wide range of emotions including the joys of freedom and travel as well as the anguish of tortured love. His music was rooted in his beginnings in small-town Nova Scotia where, as a frail, 80-pound youngster, he endured extreme poverty, beatings and psychological abuse as well as physically punishing labour during the Great Depression. Through it all, his musically talented mother provided the emotional support he needed to pursue his dream of becoming a famous entertainer like his idol, the country star, Jimmie Rodgers.

Hank Snow

As a performer of traditional country music, Snow won numerous awards and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

In March 1933, Snow wrote to Halifax radio station CHNS asking for an audition. The rejection letter he received only made him more determined and later that year he visited the station, was given an audition and hired to do a Saturday evening show that was advertised as "Clarence Snow and his Guitar."  Snow's audition with the Canadian division of RCA Victor in Montreal, Quebec, on October 29, 1936 led to the release of his first record with "The Prisoned Cowboy" coupled with "Lonesome Blue Yodel".  He signed with RCA Victor, recording for the label until 1981. A weekly CBC radio show brought him national recognition and, he began touring Canada until the late 1940s when American country music stations began playing his records.

Snow moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1949, and "Hank Snow, the Singing Ranger" (modified from his earlier nickname, the Yodeling Ranger), began recording for RCA Victor in the United States in 1949.

A regular at the Grand Ole Opry, in 1954 Snow persuaded the directors to allow a young Elvis Presley to appear on stage. Snow used Presley as his opening act and introduced him to Colonel Tom Parker. In August 1955, Snow and Parker formed the management team, Hank Snow Attractions. This partnership signed a management contract with Presley but before long, Snow was out and Parker had full control over the rock singer's career. Forty years after leaving Parker, Snow stated, "I have worked with several managers over the years and have had respect for them all except one. Tom Parker was the most egotistical, obnoxious human being I've ever had dealings with."

Alan Freed

➦In 1929...WJW-AM, Cleveland, Ohio signed-on.

The station was a staple of the Cleveland airwaves for more than 40 years under its original call letters of WJW.

The station was started in Mansfield, OH as WLBV sin 1926 under the ownership of John Weimer.  The call letters became WJW in 1928, reflecting his initials. He sold it in 1931 to Mansfield Broadcasting Association.

WJW moved to Akron in 1932.  William O’Neill purchased the station in 1943 and moved it to Cleveland.  The station moved from 1210 kHz to 850 kHz and increased its power to 5,000 watts.

During its history, WJW aired Alan Freed's "Moondog" rock'n'roll show.

O'Neil sold WJW on 17 Nov. 1954 to Storer Broadcasting, which teamed it with its local television operation, WXEL.  Storer dropped the ABC radio affiliation in 1957 to become independent, although the station later had a brief affiliation with NBC before becoming independent again.

During the 1960s the "Ed Fisher Show" was immensely popular during a 10-year run, as was the station's adult contemporary format of news, talk, and jazz. Sold to Erie Broadcasting in the fall of 1976, WJW began to highlight talk shows and adult popular music. It had begun separate FM programming in 1965 on a station that eventually passed into separate ownership as WGCL.

WJW was sold 1986 to Booth American Broadcasting, at which time it exchanged its long-familiar call letters for WRMR. In 1990 Booth sold the station to Independent Group Ltd., a local group that owned WDOK.

Today, the station's call sign is WKNR 850 AM and airs sportstalk. The station now has 50Kw-Day, 5Kw-Night.

➦In 1932...WFLA/WSUN, Clearwater, FL, tested first directional AM antenna.

Seattle Radio: 100.7 The Wolf Launches New Morning Show

Ellen Tailor and Aaron Crawford

100.7 The Wolf (KKWF-FM), an Audacy station in Seattle, has launched “Ellen & Aaron,” featuring Ellen Tailor and Aaron Crawford, in morning drive. The duo can be heard weekday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT.

“We are excited to bring Ellen back home and welcome Aaron to mornings on 100.7 The Wolf,” said Drew Bland, Brand Manager, 100.7 The Wolf. “With Ellen’s established rapport and Aaron’s local stage presence, this show is a celebration of everything our community loves. Our listeners are in for a ride as we set a new chapter in Northwest mornings.”

Court Rules In Favor Of Fox News vs. Smartmatic

A New York appeals court ruled Thursday morning in favor of FOX News, allowing the network to pursue additional discovery on how federal criminal proceedings against Smartmatic and its executives have affected the company’s business.

The decision enables FOX News to examine the impact of a superseding indictment that named Smartmatic as a defendant, particularly regarding allegations tied to the company’s activities in Los Angeles County.

Nexstar Media Reports Strong Double-Digit Growth

Nexstar Media Group Thursday posted record net revenue of $1.396 billion in the first quarter, a 13.1% increase from the same period a year ago, the company announced.

Net income surged 64.9% year-over-year to $160 million, while advertising revenue climbed 19.1% to $548 million, highlighting robust demand across the company’s television stations, digital platforms, and national advertising sales.

The strong performance marks Nexstar’s best-ever first-quarter top-line result and reflects continued momentum in core broadcasting operations as the company benefits from a recovering advertising market and its diversified media portfolio.

Nexstar’s Q1 results underscore improving industry conditions for local television groups, with advertising revenue growth outpacing overall revenue gains. The 19.1% jump in ad sales points to higher political spending, strong automotive and retail categories, and increased digital advertising on the company’s websites and apps.

Primetime TV Ratings: Nielsen Reports Modest Network Results

Nielsen ratings for the week of April 20-26, 2026, showed CBS maintaining its edge among the Big Three broadcast networks in primetime viewership, though overall audiences remained challenged amid competition from cable, streaming, and sports programming.

CBS averaged the highest primetime audiences among ABC, NBC, and CBS, with network-wide figures around 3.8 million viewers in key dayparts, bolstered by strong scripted series such as Tracker (8.174 million viewers for recent episodes) and Marshals. ABC followed closely in some metrics but posted softer overall numbers, while NBC trailed slightly in weekday comparisons.

Happy TGIF: The Pulse For May 8 Starts Your Day

Radio Broadcasting

Revenue Drop: Saga Communications, reported first quarter 2026 net revenue declined 5.6% to $22.9 million, down from $24.2 million in the same period a year ago.

Seattle's Newest Morning Show: 100.7 The Wolf (KKWF-FM), an Audacy station in Seattle, has launched “Ellen & Aaron,” featuring Ellen Tailor and Aaron Crawford, in morning drive.

R.I.P.: Pat Caputo, longtime Detroit sports columnist and radio personality, died Thursday at age 67 after battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

News Corp Reports Higher Revenue, Beats Expectations

News Corp posted a 9% rise in revenue to nearly $2.2 billion for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, beating analyst forecasts and driven by growth at Dow Jones, HarperCollins Publishers, and its digital real-estate services businesses.

The media company also reported an 18% increase in segment EBITDA to $343 million, a 13% rise in net income from continuing operations to $121 million, and adjusted earnings per share of 21 cents — topping the 19 cents expected by analysts polled by FactSet. Earnings per share from continuing operations rose to 16 cents from 14 cents a year earlier.

Chief Executive Robert Thomson said the company remains on track for another year of record profitability.

Saga Reports 5.6 Percent Drop in Net Revenue

Saga Communications, Inc. Q1 2026 Earnings Summary, ending ended March 31, 2026. Saga reported first quarter 2026 net revenue declined 5.6% to $22.9 million, down from $24.2 million in the same period a year ago.

Financial Highlights (vs. Q1 2025)

• Net revenue: $22.9 million, down 5.6% ($1.3 million).
• Digital revenue: $4.4 million, up 25.2%.
• Station operating expenses: $22.0 million (essentially flat).
• Station operating income (non-GAAP): $0.9 million, down 62%.
• Net loss: $2.4 million ($0.38 per share), vs. $1.6 million loss ($0.25 per share) last year.

Traditional radio advertising continued to decline, partially offset by strong digital growth. Political revenue was negligible in both periods.

iHM, MapQuest Bringing Streaming to Navigation Platform

iHeartMedia and MapQuest have announced a new partnership that integrates iHeartRadio’s live audio streaming directly into MapQuest.com, marking the first time the navigation site has offered audio content.

Users visiting MapQuest.com will now see a prominent “Live Radio” button in the top-right corner of the map interface. This allows drivers and travelers to stream live iHeartRadio stations seamlessly while receiving real-time directions, combining navigation with entertainment in one platform.

The integration targets MapQuest’s tens of millions of monthly users, giving them easy access to iHeart’s extensive lineup of broadcast radio stations, podcasts, and other audio content without switching apps. A mobile app version of the feature is planned for a future phase.

R.I.P.: Pat Caputo, Longtime Detroit Sports, Radio Personality

Pat Caputo, longtime Detroit sports columnist and radio personality, died Thursday at age 67 after battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Caputo’s family announced his death in a statement posted to his X account on May 7.“Today May 7th we lost Pat to cancer,” the post read. “Pat was surrounded by his family. Thank you for all your support.”

Known for his gruff, blunt style and deep knowledge of Michigan sports, Caputo was a fixture in Detroit media for more than four decades through columns in the Oakland Press, radio shows on 97.1 The Ticket, and television appearances. 

Radio History: May 8

Arthur Q Bryan

➦In 1899...Arthur Quirk Bryan born (Died from a heart attack at age 60 – November 18, 1959). He is best remembered for his longtime recurring role as well-spoken, wisecracking Dr. Gamble on the radio comedy Fibber McGee and Molly and for creating the voice of the Warner Brothers cartoon character Elmer Fudd.

DeeBax · The Grouch Club (2/21/1940)

In the late 1920s, Bryan was an announcer at WOR radio in New York City. Contemporary radio listings in a daily newspaper indicate that he was still at WOR as late as September 13, 1931. In October 1931, he began working as an announcer at WCAU in Philadelphia, and in 1933 he moved to Philadelphia's WIP.  By 1934, he was heard on WHN in New York. In 1938–1939, he was a regular on The Grouch Club on the CBS Pacific network and was featured in some short-subject films made by the group.

Bryan's work in animation did not go unnoticed by radio producers. Although his first forays into that medium were accompanied by instructions that he use the Fudd voice, Bryan soon came to the attention of Don Quinn and Phil Leslie, the production and writing team responsible for Fibber McGee and Molly and their supporting characters, two of whom spun off into their own radio hits, The Great Gildersleeve and Beulah. The Gildersleeve character, played by Harold Peary, became series broadcasting's first successful spin-off hit; that plus the onset of World War II (which cost Fibber McGee & Molly their Mayor La Trivia, when Gale Gordon went into the Coast Guard in early 1942, and "The Old Timer" Bill Thompson was drafted almost a year later) nabbed nearly every other remaining male voice.

Bryan was first hired for the new Great Gildersleeve series, to play the part of Cousin Octavia's secretary/assistant, Lucius Llewellyn (using the Elmer Fudd voice), and later one of Gildersleeve's cronies, Floyd Munson, the barber. His work on the series (in Bryan's natural voice) so impressed Quinn and Leslie, that Bryan was added to the cast of their main show, Fibber McGee and Molly, in 1943.

In the early 1940s, Bryan played Waymond Wadcliffe on the Al Pearce & His Gang program on CBS. Bryan starred as Major Hoople (from June 22, 1942 to April 26, 1943) in The Charlotte Greenwood Show. and played Lt. Levinson on radio's Richard Diamond, Private Detective (from September 6, 1950 to June 29, 1951). In the mid-1940s, he had the role of Duke on Forever Ernest.

➦In 1915...John Archer was born in small town Nebraska.  He is best remembered as the radio voice of Lamont Cranston, The Shadow, for a year in the 1940’s.  Later in life, as a resident of Greater Seattle he was a founding member of REPS, the Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound.  He died of lung cancer Dec. 3 1999 at age 84.

➦In 1940...Eric Hilliard "Rick" Nelson born (Died – December 31, 1985).  He starred alongside his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957 he began a long and successful career as a popular recording artist.

As one of the top "teen idols" of the 1950s his fame led to a motion picture role co-starring alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin in Howard Hawks's western feature film Rio Bravo (1959). He placed 53 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and its predecessors, between 1957 and 1973, including "Poor Little Fool" in 1958, which was the first #1 song on Billboard magazine's then-newly created Hot 100 chart. He recorded 19 additional Top 10 hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 21, 1987.

Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949 playing himself in the radio sitcom series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single, debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and released the #1 album titled Ricky. In 1958, Nelson released his first #1 single, "Poor Little Fool", and in 1959 received a Golden Globe nomination for "Most Promising Male Newcomer" after starring in Rio Bravo. A few films followed, and when the television series was cancelled in 1966, Nelson made occasional appearances as a guest star on various television programs.

He, his fiancee & 5 others were killed in a plane crash Dec 31, 1985 enroute to a New Year’s Eve performance in Dallas.  Nelson was 45.

➦In 1959...NBC Radio aired the final broadcast of “One Man’s Family” after being on the air 27 years. The Carleton E. Morse creation had completed 3,256 episodes since its beginnings in San Francisco back in 1932.

➦In 1962…Beatles manager Brian Epstein had a chance meeting with engineer Ted Huntly at a London record store. After Epstein related his discouragement about the Decca label rejecting the band, Huntly suggested he send a demo recording of the Beatles to EMI and, in particular, to one of their producers, George Martin.

➦In 1968...George Dewey Hay died at age 72 (Born -November 9, 1895).  He was the founder of the original Grand Ole Opry radio program on WSM-AM in Nashville, Tennessee, from which the country music stage show of the same name evolved.

L-A Radio: 97.1 The Fan Unveils Debut Weekday Lineup

Top: Derek Fisher, Cody Decker, Alex Curry

Row 2: Brock Vereen, Doug McKain and Bill Reiter

97.1 The Fan, the first-ever FM all-sports station in Los Angeles and an Audacy station, announces its debut weekday programming, beginning May 18 at 6:00 a.m. PT.

➤6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PT: "Derek & Decker” with Derek Fisher and Cody Decker 
Start your day with “Derek & Decker,” 97.1 The Fan’s high-octane morning show. Five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and former MLB player Cody Decker bring big personality and big-league insight, mixing dynamic energy with championship perspective.

➤10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PT: "Brock & Alex” with Brock Vereen and Alex Curry
“Brock & Alex” is where sports meet Hollywood. NFL veteran Brock Vereen and host Alex Curry bring energy, access, and perspective to the biggest stories in sports. This is LA sports through the lens of its stars.

➤2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PT: "D-Mac & Reiter” with Doug McKain and Bill Reiter
“D-Mac & Reiter” own drive time on 97.1 The Fan. Doug McKain and Bill Reiter bring insight, opinions, and fan interaction to the biggest stories of the day. If it matters tonight, they’re breaking it down before the game starts.

Radio, TV Losing Ground As News Sources

More Americans are turning to online-only sources for local news, which have more than doubled in popularity since 2018, even as traditional outlets like local TV and newspapers see declining use.

As of 2025, 42% of U.S. adults say they get local news at least sometimes from online-only sources (not included in other categories), up sharply from just 15% in 2018.Traditional sources remain common but are losing ground:

• 65% get news from local TV stations at least sometimes, down slightly from 70% in 2018.
• 36% get news from local daily newspapers, down from 43% in 2018.

At the same time, digital and civic alternatives are growing:52% now use online forums or discussion groups for local news, up from 38% in 2018.

TV Ratings: Fox News Outguns ESPN Playoffs In Primetime

FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of April 27th with over 3 million weekday primetime viewers and 286,000 in the 25-54 demo, beating ESPN (2.7 million viewers) during the NBA and NHL playoffs for the second consecutive week, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC saw nearly 2.6 million viewers and in Monday – Sunday total day, FNC drew over 1.6 million viewers. Notably, CBS Evening News (3.8 million viewers, 539,000 in the 25-54 demo) continued its downward trajectory, posting its fourth consecutive week under 4 million viewers and falling below 600,000 in the 25-54 demo.

The Five maintained its dominance in the afternoon with 3.8 million viewers and 336,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier garnered nearly 2.8 million viewers and 250,000 in the 25-54 demo. During the 7 PM/ET hour, The Ingraham Angle secured over 2.6 million viewers and 215,000 in the 25-54 demo. In the 8 PM/ET hour, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 3.3 million viewers and 268,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity notched nearly 2.9 million viewers and 261,000 in the 25-54 demo. During the 11PM/ET hour, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher nabbed over 1.5 million viewers and 187,000 in the 25-54 demo.

FNC’s late-night success Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 3 million primetime viewers and 328,000 in the 25-54 demo, continuing to dominate the cable and broadcast competition across the board, including ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2.4 million viewers and 310,000 in the 25-54 demo), NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.1 million viewers and 245,000 in the 25-54 demo), and NBC’s The Late Show with Seth Meyers (752,000 viewers and 163,000 in the 25-54 demo).

Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN

FNC continued to see its daytime shows outpace the broadcast competition. America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9AM-11AM/ET; 2 million viewers), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11AM-12PM/ET; 2 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1PM-3PM/ET; 2 million viewers), The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3-4PM/ET; 2.2 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4-5PM/ET; 2.3 million viewers) all outranked CBS Mornings (1.8 million viewers), NBC’s Today Jenna & Sheinelle (1.5 million viewers) and ABC’s GMA3 (1.3 million viewers).

TV Ratings: ABC's WNT Remains In Usual No.1 Spot

For the third week in a row, “World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (8.300 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of April 27, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Graphic courtesy of RoadMN

• “World News Tonight” ranked as the No. 1 newscast across broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (8.300 million), Adults 25-54 (1.004 million) and Adults 18-49 (754,000).
• “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.231 million, 928,000 and 690,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+33%/+2.069 million), Adults 25-54 (+8%/+76,000) and Adults 18-49 (+9%/+64,000).
• For the tenth straight week, “World News Tonight” built on its Total Viewer lead over “NBC Nightly News” on the same week last year (+44% – 2.069 million vs. 1.436 million) by double digits.
• For the ninth week running, “World News Tonight” saw gains on the year-ago week in all key target demos: Total Viewers (+13%/+973,000 – 8.300 million vs. 7.327 million), Adults 25-54 (+5%/+52,000 –1.004 million vs. 952,000) and Adults 18-49(+10%/+67,000 – 754,000 vs. 687,000).
• “World News Tonight” (8.300 million, 1.004 million and 754,000, respectively) outperformed “CBS Evening News” (3.862 million, 541,000 and 379,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+115%/+4.438 million), Adults 25-54 (+86%/+463,000) and Adults 18-49 (+99%/+375,000).
• “World News Tonight” widened its lead over “CBS Evening News” versus the year-ago week in Total Viewers (+20% – 4.438 million vs. 3.691 million).

Edison: 13-34s Lead Daily Audio TSL

Americans ages 13 and older continue to spend about four hours per day with audio, with younger listeners leading the way.

As of the first quarter of 2026, U.S. listeners aged 13–34 devote the most time to audio at 4 hours and 30 minutes daily. Those aged 35–54 follow closely at 4 hours and 3 minutes, while Americans 55 and older spend 3 hours and 17 minutes per day. 

These figures come from Edison Research’s Share of Ear®, the industry’s only comprehensive audio measurement service that tracks all platforms and sources.

The data reveal remarkably stable overall audio consumption. Since Share of Ear launched in 2014, total daily audio time among people 13+ has hovered consistently around the four-hour mark, demonstrating audio’s enduring role in daily life even as platforms and technologies have evolved dramatically.

Age-Based Differences Stand Out

• 13–34 year-olds lead in total audio time, reflecting heavy use of on-demand streaming, podcasts, and short-form video audio.
• 35–54 year-olds remain strong audio consumers, blending traditional radio with newer digital options.
• 55+ listeners spend the least time overall but still dedicate more than three hours daily, often anchored by AM/FM radio and familiar music sources.

The breakdown underscores that audio remains a cross-generational medium, though listening habits and preferred formats shift noticeably by age.

Ted Danson Adjusts Following Health Scare

Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen

Ted Danson is making significant lifestyle adjustments following a recent health scare that reminded the 78-year-old “Cheers” star of his own mortality.

The actor shared details of the unspecified medical issue during the May 6 episode of his podcast “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” which featured guest Valerie Bertinelli.

“I had a bit of a health scare; I’m totally fine,” Danson told Bertinelli. He added that the experience drove home that “mortality, it’s the real deal; it’s not just a rumor.”

Danson joked that “Ted Danson doesn’t get a free pass,” noting there wasn’t any single factor he could blame for the issue. He described the scare as “humbling and calming” and said it “was the best thing that could have happened.”

As a result, the longtime actor is now “doing some things differently,” including meditating twice a day alongside his wife, Mary Steenburgen. “I’ve always talked about it and lied about it,” he admitted with a laugh.

USA Today reports Danson called the experience the “biggest gift,” saying it clarified the mindset he wants to carry for the rest of his life.

“You can be curious about other people. You can listen, and you could be supportive, caring, you can witness them,” he explained. “That’s the best thing I can offer.”

The candid conversation highlights Danson’s reflective approach as he continues his long and celebrated career in entertainment.

Good Day: Here's Your Pulse For Thursday, May 7

Radio Broadcasting

Audio TSL: Americans ages 13 and older continue to spend about four hours per day with audio, with younger listeners leading the way. As of the first quarter of 2026, U.S. listeners aged 13–34 devote the most time to audio at 4 hours and 30 minutes daily. Those aged 35–54 follow closely at 4 hours and 3 minutes, while Americans 55 and older spend 3 hours and 17 minutes per day. 

Grant's Gone: Grant Napear’s weekday afternoon show on Fox Sports Radio Sacramento has been canceled after eight months. The former Sacramento Kings broadcaster announced the cancellation Monday on social media.  The program, which aired from 3 to 6 p.m. on iHeartMedia’s Fox Sports Sacramento, launched in September 2025. It marked Napear’s first return to Sacramento radio since he lost both his TV and radio jobs in June 2020.

97.1 The Fan: the first-ever FM all-sports station in Los Angeles and an Audacy station, announces its debut weekday programming, beginning May 18.