Radio History: May 17

➦In 1903...comic actor Artie Auerbach was born in New York City.  He became famous as “Mr. Kitzel”, first on the Al Pearce radio show in 1937, then as a regular on Jack Benny‘s radio & television shows for 12 years. He suffered a fatal heart attack Oct. 3, 1957 and died at age 54.

➦In 1938...the Radio quiz show "Information Please!" premiered on the NBC Blue Network

Information Please was one of the most popular radio shows in the 1930s and 1940s. Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran were regulars with Clifton Fadiman acting as host. RKO produced a series a films of the radio show and most of them have been lost.

➦In 1939...nearly 1800 fans crowded into the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, New York to attend an unusual dual-network dance remote radio broadcast of the suddenly very popular Glenn Miller and His Orchestra that was aired on both NBC and Mutual.

➦In 1943...The Jack Kirkwood Show made its NBC debut, after 5 years locally on San Francisco radio.  Kirkwood would eventually become second-banana on the Bob Hope radio show, and continue with his own various network radio features through early 1953.

➦In 1971...In the NYC Market, Country WJRZ 970 AM became Top40 WWDJ..The station was hampered by a directional signal that covered Manhattan and parts of New Jersey well but suffered in the rest of the five boroughs and was virtually non-existent on Long Island and western New Jersey. Eventually, FM competition from WCBS-FM and adult top 40 station WXLO (now WEPN-FM), and an evolution to adult Top 40 by WNBC (now WFAN), began to eat into WWDJ's ratings.

According to traxandgrooves.blogspot.com, the station first began as WAAT in Jersey City around the late 1920's (it was once at 940 kHz, shifted to 970 around 1941; relocated to Newark around the mid-'40's). In 1958, WAAT and its FM sister (94.7 MHz) were sold to National Telefilm Associates, which changed the call letters to WNTA. In 1961-62 NTA sold the stations to Bergen Broadcasting; '62 was when the WJRZ calls were first used. (The 94.7 frequency would end up going by the calls of WFME, now Entercom's WNSH.) WNTA also had a TV outlet (previously WATV) which NTA unloaded around the same time as it sold the AM and FM stations; the TV station is today PBS outlet WNET/13. It was around 1969 that Pacific & Southern Broadcasting took over WJRZ.Beatles, Beatles, and more Beatles.

WJRZ played all Beatle songs for a few days before becoming WWDJ top 40.When WWDJ started, it looked like it would fill the AM gap left by the demise of WMCA and in many ways it was (especially to those who only had AM in their cars).  Although 97DJ was no 'MCA, they still played more of a variety music than 77 WABC. Unfortunately, as in the case of WMCA, it was another AM station with signal problems.

They were directional 5 kw both day and night.WWDJ was owned by Pacific & Southern, who also operated KKDJ about the same time in Los Angeles, which was an FM station. KKDJ used the same jingle package as its sister station WWDJ. Another problem that DJ had an idenity crisis in that it did not know whether to be a New York station or a New Jersey station.

In November 1973 it was ranked 15th in the Arbitron ratings.WWDJ changed format to Religious on April 1, 1974.

➦In 2004...actor Tony Randall, who began in radio as “Reggie” on I Love a Mystery, then starred in TV’s Mr. Peepers & The Odd Couple, and was an entertaining guest on hundreds of TV talk shows, died of pneumonia following heart surgery at age 84.

➦In 2006...NYC and Philadelphia radio personality Long John Wade died at the age of 66.

FCC Chair Signals Aggressive Push on Media Regulation

FCC Chair Brendan Carr is openly adopting an aggressive, confrontational approach to regulating the media industry, describing tactics aimed at challenging broadcast licenses — including those of major companies like Disney — as a deliberate way to “shock” the sector and assert authority.

In a recent interview, Carr embraced what he characterized as a Trumpian style of regulation, saying the FCC under his leadership intends to use its full powers without hesitation. “If you didn’t take us seriously, now you should,” Carr stated. “I got my time, I got my shot, I took my shot.”

The comments mark a sharp shift toward using federal regulatory tools as instruments of political pressure and public signaling, targeting legacy media outlets that Carr and allies view as misaligned with current administration priorities.

FOX News Digital Continues to Dominate All News Brands

During April, FOX News Digital led all broadcast networks and news competitors with total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views and multiplatform minutes, according to Comscore.** 

FOX News Digital nabbed 191 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors (up 46% year-over-year), 1.7 billion multiplatform views and 3.6 billion multiplatform minutes throughout April.* Meanwhile, CNN and ABC News saw double-digit year-over-year declines across the board. 

**Additional highlights include:

• On YouTube, FOX News delivered 471.9 million video views, nearly quadrupling ABC News and NBC News and dominating MS NOW by more than 167 million views, according to Emplifi. 
• FOX News also more than septupled CBS News’ 62.6 million views for the month. Year-over-year, FOX News saw a 45% advantage with YouTube video views and led competitors including MS NOW (304.4 million views), CNN (203.3 million views), ABC News (119.3 million views), NBC News (115.2 million views) and CBS News (62.6 million views).
• The FOX News Mobile app drew 6.3 million unique viewers during the month of April leading the CNN mobile app which saw 3.7 million unique viewers.**

Here's Why NYTimes Printed A Non-Factual Story

Nicholas Kristoff (left)

The New York Times this past week published graphic, largely unverified allegations of systematic sexual abuse, including claims that Israeli guards used dogs to rape Palestinian prisoners, in a column that Douglas Murray has condemned as one of the most grotesque and timed libels against Israel in modern media.

In an opinion piece this week, longtime Times columnist Nicholas Kristof cited anonymous Palestinian detainees alleging routine rape, sexual torture, and animal-assisted assaults by Israeli soldiers and prison staff. Murray, writing in The New York Post, described the article as a deliberate fabrication designed to preempt and overshadow an upcoming Israeli commission report documenting Hamas’s widespread and systematic use of sexual violence during the October 7, 2023, massacre.

The timing was not accidental, Murray argues. 

Kristof’s column appeared just one day before the expected release of evidence showing Hamas’s “integral” policy of gang rapes, mutilations, and sexual assaults on both living victims and corpses,  crimes backed by extensive video footage, forensic findings, and eyewitness testimony. By flooding the information environment with even more lurid and implausible accusations against Israel, the Times piece aimed to block any public sympathy or understanding for the Jewish state’s security needs.

Hollywood Elite Donate To Spencer Pratt’s Bid for LA Mayor

Reality television star Spencer Pratt is drawing significant financial backing from Hollywood’s highest ranks for his insurgent campaign for Los Angeles mayor, with major Democratic megadonor Haim Saban and Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge each contributing the maximum allowable amount.

The unexpected support for the former The Hills personality reflects deep frustration among entertainment industry leaders with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Hall’s handling of the devastating Palisades fires, according to industry insiders. Donors are reportedly treating the donation as an “anti-vote” — a protest against the current administration rather than pure enthusiasm for Pratt himself.

MLB's Rivalry Weekend On ESPN App

MLB.TV on the ESPN App will showcase nearly 40 games during Major League Baseball’s second annual MLB Rivalry Weekend presented by Booking.com, featuring several of the sport’s most historic and compelling matchups from Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17.

The weekend features 15 rivalry series, including 11 Interleague rivalries and four regional rivalries, highlighted by marquee matchups such as the Subway Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees, the Freeway Series featuring the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Crosstown Classic between the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.

Daily Mail U.S. Hit with Lawsuit Alleging Severe Gender Discrimination

Marianne Garvey, a real estate reporter at the Daily Mail’s U.S. operation, has filed a lawsuit against the publication, its Money & Commerce Editor Daniel Jones, and Managing Editor Richard Ellis, accusing them of fostering a hostile work environment, retaliation, severe and pervasive gender discrimination, and sexual harassment.

The complaint, filed in New York, claims that shortly after Garvey joined the company, female colleagues warned her about Jones’s abusive behavior toward women. Her legal team further alleges that the Daily Mail ran a smear campaign against her while protecting abusive male executives in an effort to silence women who speak out.

“This is one of the worst I’ve seen,” said Rosemarie Arnold, Garvey’s attorney. “In my long-standing career of protecting innocent victims of workplace harassment and abuse, this is one of the worst I’ve seen.”

Ad-Supported Streaming Has Slowed Sharply

Ad-supported streaming in the U.S. reached 110 million subscribers in Q1 2026, up 10% from the prior year, but growth has slowed sharply.

The pace marks a significant deceleration. In Q1 2025, ad-supported subscriptions nearly doubled year-over-year, rising from 53 million to 100 million.

Hulu maintains the largest share of U.S. ad-supported streaming subscribers at 23% (25.3 million), according to Antenna estimates. However, its overall share of total U.S. streaming subscribers slipped from 26% a year earlier as competitors intensified their ad-tier offerings.

Annoying Kars4Kids Jingle Banned In California

The catchy “1-877-Kars-4-Kids” jingle is now barred from broadcast in California unless the ads include prominent disclosures, after a judge ruled the charity’s advertising campaign violated state false advertising and unfair competition laws.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Gassia Apkarian issued the order last week in a lawsuit brought by California resident Bruce Puterbaugh. He donated a 2001 Volvo after repeated exposure to the ads but later felt misled about where the money went.

The court found that Kars4Kids commercials created the misleading impression that car donations primarily helped needy or disadvantaged children in California. In reality, 60% of the proceeds support Oorah, an organization that funds Orthodox Jewish programs in New York, New Jersey, and the Middle East.

Radio History: May 16

➦In 1925...the first live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was originated by WHAS Louisville  and was also carried by WGN in Chicago. The call of the Derby featured an announcer who watched from the windows of one of the famous twin spires of Churchill Downs.

➦In 1925..Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg designed the dynamic loudspeaker, a significant advancement in audio technology. This invention improved the sound quality of radio broadcasts, making them clearer and more accessible to listeners, and laid the groundwork for modern audio systems.

➦In 1929...the anthology crime series True Detective Mysteries began its almost 30 year run, debuting on CBS radio, though its most popular years (1944-58) were on Mutual.

True Detective Mysteries were truly audience participation shows - each show provided descriptions of the true-story criminal and encouraged audiences to provide information leading to their capture. Rewards of $500 and later $1000 were offered in return for helpful clues from listeners.

➦In 1932...the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act was passed in Ottawa, subjecting private stations to the control of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC). Five years later the Commission became the CBC.

➦In 1942...The Whistler, a radio mystery drama, made its debut on the west coast regional CBS Network. It aired on until September 22, 1955. The show was also broadcast in Chicago and over Armed Forces Radio. On the west coast, it was sponsored by the Signal Oil Company: "That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." There were also two short-lived attempts to form east-coast broadcast spurs: July 3 to September 25, 1946, sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company; and March 26, 1947, to September 29, 1948, sponsored by Household Finance.

➦In 1947...Jack Mullin demonstrated the Magnetophon at Institute of Radio Engineers convention. The Magnetophon tape recorder was one of the first recording machines to use magnetic tape in recording voice and music.

Chicago Radio: Program Director Stephanie Tichenor Exits WLS AM

Stephanie Tichenor, Program Director of heritage news/talk station WLS-AM 890 in Chicago, has left Cumulus Media after seven years in the role.

A Cumulus Media spokesperson confirmed Tichenor’s departure to Media Confidential Friday evening. No reason for her exit was disclosed, and the company has not announced a successor or timetable for a replacement.

Detroit Radio: Jim O'Brien Exits Beasley's WCSX FM

Longtime morning radio host Jim O'Brien, known as "Big Jim," has ended his run at classic rock station 94.7 WCSX-FM, closing the popular "Big Jim's House" show after more than two decades on air.

O'Brien announced his departure Thursday, May 14, 2026, via social media, stating: "After an incredible run at WCSX, my time with the station has come to an end. I'm grateful to the listeners, teammates, clients, veterans, and Detroit community who allowed me to be part of their mornings for so many years. Detroit has been my home for 24 years, and I'm proud of everything we built together. More to come soon."

L-A TV: MLB Angels Fire Team Announcer

Patrick O’Neal, who has served as a television announcer for the Los Angeles Angels for the past 13 seasons, will not return to the club, the team has announced.

Patrick O'Neal

O’Neal, 58, rotated play-by-play duties with lead voice Wayne Randazzo and also handled pre- and postgame hosting responsibilities on Angels telecasts. He has simultaneously contributed to Los Angeles Kings hockey broadcasts.

“The Angels organization would like to thank Patrick O’Neal for his 13 years of dedication to the Angels broadcast team,” the club said in a statement. “He brought a sense of pride to each telecast, something that was felt by Angels fans watching at home.”

In a statement posted to X, O’Neal wrote: “Thank you to the Angels for the amazing broadcast opportunities. I cherish every moment and every friend I made. It’s the great people I will miss the most. Chopping it up talking baseball with some of the best to ever do it. It will be hard to replace that. Go Halos!”

NYC Radio WFAN Leads Off Subway Series With All-Day Broadcast

As New York’s most passionate sports rivalry takes center stage, WFAN (WFAN-FM/AM), the most listened-to sports radio station in America, is bringing fans directly into the action. On May 15, the station will broadcast live all day from the MLB Flagship Store (NYC), leading into the Yankees vs. Mets Subway Series matchup at Citi Field as part of MLB “Rivalry Weekend.”

The station’s entire weekday lineup will air at its regular schedule, including “The Warm Up Show” from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET, “Boomer & Gio” from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, “Evan & Tiki” from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET and “The Craig Carton Show” with Chris McMonigle from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. All festivities at the flagship store lead fans to the New York Yankees pre-game show at 6:35 p.m. ET and the play-by-play broadcast with Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman at 7:15 p.m. ET.

ESPN Promotes Mike Foss to EVP Sports News and Entertainment

ESPN has named Mike Foss to succeed the retiring David Roberts as Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment, with the promotion effective immediately. Roberts recently announced he would be retiring at the end of August. Roberts and Foss will work together on a transition of the role in the coming months.

Foss, who has been ESPN Senior Vice President, Sport Studio & Entertainment, since 2023, steering the creative and operational direction for ESPN’s daily programming, will report to Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Content.

“In his nine years with ESPN, Mike has continually demonstrated his collaborative leadership style and excellent organizational and management skills, as well as his boundless vision, innovation and creativity,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Content. “I am confident that he will continue to do so in his new role and help make us better every day.”

Upon assuming his new role, Foss will gain oversight of ESPN’s vast news operation including sports news and coverage, investigative and enterprise journalism, research and digital editorial. He also will begin oversight of ESPN’s Creative Content Unit and Studio Enhancement Team.

Buffalo Radio: NFL Bills Choose 97 Rock As New Flagship

The Buffalo Bills are launching a fresh chapter in game day radio, partnering with Cumulus Media to make 97 Rock (WGRF-FM) the team’s official flagship station in Buffalo beginning with the 2026 NFL season. The move returns Bills broadcasts to FM radio and to the iconic 97 Rock, which previously served as the flagship from 1998 to 2011.This partnership marks the official launch of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network. 

For the first time, the team will produce and manage all radio broadcasts in-house, delivering expanded pregame, postgame, and in-game coverage with deeper analysis and storytelling throughout the season. In addition to 97 Rock in Buffalo, WSKO The Score 1260 will serve as the Syracuse affiliate. 

Additional network stations, including those in Rochester and Southern Ontario, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“As we prepare to move into Highmark Stadium, we’re thrilled to bring Bills football back to 97 Rock and expand our reach to even more fans across Western New York, Central New York, and Southern Ontario,” said Pete Guelli, Bills President of Business Operations. “This partnership guarantees our fans a best-in-class broadcast experience every game day.”

Disney Sells 10+ Super Bowl Ad Slots at $9M Each

Disney has secured more than 10 30-second advertising spots for the upcoming Super Bowl, selling them for approximately $9 million apiece after initially seeking $10 million per slot from advertisers.

The sales come as the entertainment giant pushes to capitalize on the NFL’s marquee event, one of the most expensive advertising platforms in television. While the final price landed slightly below Disney’s original asking rate, the deals still represent a significant haul potentially exceeding $90 million from just those 10+ slots.

D-C Radio: WTOP GM Joel Oxley Announces Retirement

Joel Oxley, president and general manager of WTOP and Federal News Network, announced Wednesday that he will retire later this year after nearly 35 years with the company, including 28 years as general manager.

Oxley, who turns 65 this year, made the surprise announcement during the station’s annual employee service anniversary celebration, where he first praised 25 colleagues marking 10 to 30 years with the organization.

“Because we are doing well, and because the best time to make changes is when you are doing well, and because I’m flipping 65, I’ve decided it’s time for me to hang up my cleats and retire,” Oxley told the newsroom. 

Happy TGIF: Check The Pulse for May 15

Radio Broadcasting

News Service Launches: Red Apple Audio Networks Launches 24-Hour Nationwide News ServiceRed Apple Audio Networks will debut the Worldwide News Network on Saturday, May 23, at 12:00 a.m., introducing a new 24-hour national radio news service focused on hard news, breaking headlines, and fact-driven reporting to affiliates across the country.

WTOP GM Retires: Joel Oxley, president and general manager of WTOP and Federal News Network, said Wednesday he will retire later this year after nearly 35 years with the company, including 28 years as general manager. Oxley, who turns 65 this year, made the surprise announcement during the station’s annual employee service anniversary celebration.

Non-Coms Settle: Miami-Dade School Board, SFPMG Reach 7-Year Settlement for WLRN. The long-running dispute between the Miami-Dade County School Board and South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG) over NPR affiliate WLRN-FM Miami (91.3) has been resolved.

Israel Threatens To Sue NY Times For Defamation

The Israeli government plans to file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and veteran columnist Nicholas Kristof following the publication of an article accusing Israeli soldiers, prison guards, and settlers of systematic sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the move on Thursday, saying he had directed his legal advisers to pursue “the harshest legal action” possible against both the newspaper and Kristof, who reported the story from the occupied West Bank.

The decision marks a significant escalation in Israel’s response to international media coverage of its treatment of Palestinian detainees. Netanyahu’s office framed the article as containing false and damaging claims that constitute libel, potentially harming Israel’s reputation and the safety of its personnel.

Florida Radio: Parties Resolve Dispute For Non-Com WLRN

A long-running legal battle over the future of NPR affiliate WLRN-FM Miami (91.3) has been resolved through an out-of-court settlement.

In an agreement announced Thursday, the Miami-Dade County School Board — which owns the news/talk station — and South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), which manages it, have reached a new seven-year management contract for WLRN. 

The deal also ends their dispute over SFPMG’s planned purchase of urban AC station WFLM (104.7) in West Palm Beach.

R.I.P.: Claudine Longet, Actress, Singer, Married To Andy Williams

Claudine Longet (1942-2026)

Claudine Longet, the actress and singer best known for 1960s TV roles and a high-profile 1976 trial after fatally shooting her Olympic skier boyfriend, has died at age 84.

Longet’s nephew, Bryan Longet, announced the news on social media, writing in French: “You were a true source of inspiration in my life, and you always will be. One more star in the sky. Thank you for everything, Auntie.”

R.I.P.: Clarence Carter, Soul Singer Known For Bawdy Hits

Clarence Carter, the Southern soul singer and guitarist famous for his unabashed songs of adultery and lust such as the late-1960s hits “Slip Away” and “Back Door Santa,” died on Thursday. He was 90.

His death was confirmed by Rodney Hall, president of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where many of Carter’s hits were recorded. No further details were immediately available.

Blind from a young age, Carter stood out with his deep, declamatory baritone and a signature lecherous, full-throated laugh. He blended the fiery delivery of a backwoods preacher with the raw humor of a juke joint, most memorably on the extended spoken-word track “Making Love (At the Dark End of the Street).” 

Radio History: May 15

 ➦In 1923...WJZ moved to New York City.

The WJZ call sign was first used on what is now WABC in New York City. The original Westinghouse Electric Corporation, whose broadcasting division is a predecessor to the current broadcasting unit of CBS Corporation, launched WJZ in 1921, located originally in Newark, New Jersey.

WJZ was sold in 1923 to the Radio Corporation of America, who moved its operations to New York, and in 1926 WJZ became the flagship station for the NBC Blue Network.  NBC Blue would become the American Broadcasting Company in 1942. ABC later established WJZ-FM and WJZ-TV at the same time in 1948.

In 1953 ABC merged with United Paramount Theatres, and changed the call letters of their New York area stations to WABC, WABC-FM (now WPLJ) and WABC-TV. Four years later, Westinghouse Broadcasting acquired Baltimore television station WAAM (channel 13) and changed its call letters to WJZ-TV, which remained an ABC affiliate until 1995 when the station switched to CBS.

➦In 1933...the radio serial “Today’s Children” was heard for the first time.  The woman who would soon become a soap opera icon, Irma Phillips, who was an NBC Blue network program-features writer, starred in the role of Mother Moran.  Today’s Children became the #1 radio soap by 1938.

➦In 1961...Peter Tripp of WMGM 1050 AM in NYC found guilty of 35 counts of "commercial bribery".  Tripp was a Top-40 countdown radio personality from the mid-1950s, whose career peaked with his 1959 record breaking 201 hour wake-athon (working on the radio non-stop without sleep to benefit the March of Dimes). For much of the stunt, he sat in a glass booth in Times Square. After a few days he began to hallucinate, and for the last 66 hours the observing scientists and doctors gave him drugs to help him stay awake. Tripp suffered psychologically, after the stunt, he began to think he was an imposter of himself, and kept that thought for some time.

Red Apple to Launch New News Service

Red Apple Audio Networks is making a bold move into the national news arena with the May 23rd debut of the Worldwide News Network, the new 24-hour national radio news service built to deliver hard news, breaking headlines, and fact-driven reporting to affiliates across the country.

The service goes live at 12:00 AM on Saturday, May 23, immediately feeding stations professionally produced top and bottom of the hour newscasts every hour, seven days a week, while simultaneously igniting one of the most aggressive newsroom staffing initiatives in radio syndication.

Former CBS Radio broadcast journalists Michael Wallace, Cooper Lawrence, Bill Rehkopf, and Matt Pieper are the first major hires in what will be a rapid buildout of the network’s team of elite news anchors, correspondents, writers, and producers.

TV Ratings: ABC WNT Tops With Total Viewers

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (8.183 million) on all of broadcast and cable for the third time in the last four weeks during the week of May 4, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Graphic Courtesy of RoadMN

TV Ratings: TODAY Is The No. 1 Morning Show

NBC News’ TODAY is the #1 morning show across the board for the week, leading in total viewers, A25-54, and A18-49, while extending its dominant streaks versus both ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS Mornings.

TODAY ranked #1 in total viewers for the 16th consecutive week and secured its 27th weekly win of the season. The broadcast also delivered its 15th straight week of year-over-year total viewer growth, its longest such streak since August 2011, while posting the largest gains versus both the prior week and prior year among morning shows.

Graphic Courtesy of RoadMN

TV Ratings: Fox Dominates Cable

• FOX News Channel Outpaces ESPN as NBA and NHL Playoffs Continue 
• ‘CBS Evening News’ Continues its Ratings Slide

FOX News Channel (FNC) ended the week of May 4th with over 2.9 million weekday primetime viewers and 267,000 in the 25-54 demo. Securing 97 out of the Top 100 cable news telecasts among total viewers, FNC beat ESPN (2.4 million viewers and 1.1 million in the 25-54 demo) with primetime viewers during the NBA and NHL playoffs for the third consecutive week, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC saw nearly 2.5 million viewers and in Monday – Sunday total day, FNC drew nearly 1.6 million viewers. Notably, CBS Evening News continued its ratings slide (3.7 million viewers, 473,000 in the 25-54 demo), with the program posting its fifth consecutive week under 4 million viewers and falling below 600,000 in the 25-54 demo for 14 weeks in a row. On Friday, May 8th, CBS Evening News also saw its lowest-rated telecast (3.4 million viewers) since Tony Dokoupil took helm of the program.

Voice Actors File Big Tech Lawsuits

Voice actors, narrators, and other audio professionals have filed lawsuits accusing Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia of improperly using their voices to train AI systems and develop voice-related technologies.

The complaints, filed this week in federal court, claim the tech giants wrongfully harvested or replicated the plaintiffs’ distinctive voices without consent, compensation, or proper licensing. The plaintiffs include book narrators, broadcasters, podcasters, and other professional voice talent whose livelihoods depend on the commercial value of their unique vocal performances.

According to the lawsuits, the companies used these voices in large-scale datasets to build or improve text-to-speech, voice synthesis, virtual assistants, and generative AI audio tools. The suits allege violations of publicity rights, copyright, unfair competition, and other state and federal laws.

S-D Radio: Connoisseur Selling Cluster To Locals

Connoisseur Media Agrees to Sell Watertown, SD Six-Station Cluster to Riverfront Broadcasting
Connoisseur Media has reached an agreement to sell its entire six-station cluster in Watertown, South Dakota, to Yankton-based Riverfront Broadcasting.

The stations included in the deal are:

• Country “New Country KS93” KSDR-FM Watertown
• Hot AC 96.1 KIXX Watertown
• Classic Country 96.9 KDLO-FM Milbank
• Classic Hits 104.3 KKSD Watertown
• Full Service 950 KWAT Watertown
• News/Talk 1480 KSDR Watertown

Urban One Reports $3.1M First-Quarter Loss

Urban One Inc. reported a net loss of $3.1 million for its first quarter on Thursday. On a per-share basis, the company posted a loss of 69 cents.

The broadcast media company, which primarily serves African-American and urban audiences through its radio stations, digital platforms, and cable television networks, generated revenue of $77.7 million during the quarter.

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This marks a return to red ink for Urban One in the opening quarter of the year. The results reflect ongoing challenges in the traditional broadcasting sector, including shifts in advertising spending and listener habits, even as the company continues to expand its digital and multi-platform presence targeting urban and multicultural demographics.

Urban One is one of the largest Black-owned media companies in the United States, operating a portfolio that includes iconic radio brands and content focused on Black culture, news, and entertainment. Further details on year-over-year comparisons, segment performance, or management commentary were not immediately available in the initial release.

Versant Reports Sharp Profit Drop in Q1 as Revenue Slips

Versant’s profit fell 22.1% to $286 million, or $1.99 per share, in the first quarter, while revenue declined 1.1% to $1.7 billion, the company reported.

The weaker results were driven by declines in advertising and linear distribution revenue, which more than offset growth in the company’s platforms business.

The profit decline marked a significant slowdown for Versant compared with the year-ago quarter. Earnings per share of $1.99 still reflect solid per-share profitability, but the 22.1% drop highlights pressure on the company’s bottom line amid shifting industry dynamics. Revenue of $1.7 billion similarly missed the pace of prior growth as traditional revenue streams softened.

Versant’s platforms segment delivered positive growth, underscoring the company’s strategic shift toward newer digital and platform-based offerings. However, this expansion was not enough to counteract headwinds in advertising sales and legacy linear (traditional TV/cable) distribution channels, which continue to face industry-wide challenges such as cord-cutting and changing viewer habits.

The first-quarter results illustrate the ongoing transition many media and technology companies are navigating as they balance legacy revenue sources with investments in modern platforms. Full details on Versant’s Q1 performance, including comparisons to analyst expectations and forward guidance, were not specified in the initial release.

25 New Recordings Added to National Registry

The Library of Congress announced Thursday that 25 culturally significant audio recordings — ranging from pop blockbusters to jazz masterpieces and Broadway classics — are being inducted into the National Recording Registry to be preserved for future generations.

Topping this year’s list is Taylor Swift’s 2014 album 1989, the pop superstar’s fifth studio album that swept the Grammys with wins for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. Also joining from the 21st century is Beyoncé’s 2008 smash hit “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”

The selections span a wide array of American music and sound heritage, including jazz, rock, pop, country, R&B, Broadway, radio, and even video game soundtracks. They bring the total number of titles in the Registry to 700 — a small but vital fraction of the Library’s nearly 4 million recorded sound items.

Other Notable Inductees:

• 
  Country and Americana: Works by The Charlie Daniels Band, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, and Rosanne Cash.
• R&B and Soul: Chaka Khan and earlier classics by Ray Charles and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
• Rock and Pop: The Go-Go’s groundbreaking ‘80s output, Weezer’s debut album, and The Byrds’ iconic “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season).”
• Holiday and Latin crossover: José Feliciano’s enduring “Feliz Navidad.”
• Jazz: Recordings by Oliver Nelson and Paul Anka.
• Broadway: The original cast album of the long-running musical Chicago.
• Gaming: The soundtrack to the influential demonic role-playing game Doom.

The National Recording Registry, established by Congress in 2000, selects recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Each year’s inductees reflect the rich diversity of the nation’s artistic output, ensuring that landmark works — from groundbreaking pop phenomena to foundational jazz and theatrical recordings — are preserved against the threats of time and technological obsolescence.

For a Good Start, Check The Pulse for Thursday, May 14

Radio Broadcasting

New Highs: Online audio and podcast listening in the United States reached new peaks in 2026, according to Edison Research’s annual “The Infinite Dial” study, conducted with SSRS and supported by SiriusXM Media. The report found that 81% of Americans age 12 and older (roughly 233 million people) listened to online audio in the past month, while 76% did so in the past week. 

Revenue Drop: Beasley Media posted first-quarter revenue of $41.3 million, down 13% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA turning to a loss of roughly $375,000. Same-station revenue fell 6.7%. 

Loss Narrows: Salem Media Group reported a significantly narrower net loss for the first quarter of 2026 as operating expenses declined sharply, even as total revenue fell year-over-year. For the quarter ended March 31, Salem posted net revenue of $45.9 million, down from $51.7 million in Q1 2025. The company narrowed its net loss to $2.6 million.

Online Audio, Podcast Consumption Hit Record High

Online audio and podcast listening in the United States reached new peaks in 2026, according to Edison Research’s annual “The Infinite Dial” study, conducted with SSRS and supported by SiriusXM Media.

The report found that 81% of Americans age 12 and older (roughly 233 million people) listened to online audio in the past month, while 76% did so in the past week. Weekly engagement among monthly listeners surged from 57% in 2006 to 94% this year. Adults 55 and older drove much of the growth, with monthly listening jumping from 52% in 2024 to 70% in 2026.

Podcast consumption also set records: 80% of Americans 12+ have now listened to or watched a podcast, 58% in the past month, and 45% in the past week. 

Monthly listening hit 68% among adults 35-54.

“Video isn’t replacing podcast audio. It’s expanding the tent,” said Megan Lazovick, Vice President of Edison Research at SSRS. “This is a dual-format medium now.”

The study also tracked generative AI for the first time: 93% of Americans recognize at least one AI brand and 57% have used one. AI users are significantly heavier audio consumers, with 87% listening to online audio weekly versus 61% of non-users.

YouTube led platforms with 84% monthly usage, while social media preferences split by age — TikTok among younger users and Facebook among those 55+.

Beasley Media Reports 18 Percent Digital Spike

Beasley Media Group is pursuing a “controlled, data-driven transformation” to stabilize its business after reporting another quarter of declining revenue, CEO Caroline Beasley told investors on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

The radio broadcaster posted first-quarter revenue of $41.3 million, down 13% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA turning to a loss of roughly $375,000. Same-station revenue fell 6.7%.“Our strategy is centered on three clear objectives.” 

Beasley said: “Stabilizing and rebuilding our core revenue base, particularly in local direct; scaling a higher-margin, more controllable digital business; and strengthening our balance sheet through disciplined deleveraging.”

Balance sheet moves made after quarter-end are central to the plan. The company sold its Fort Myers stations for approximately $18 million, completed a May 1 debt restructuring that exchanged $184 million in existing notes for $98 million in new PIK notes, repurchased $16 million of first-lien notes, and secured a new $35 million asset-based lending facility.

Salem Media Narrows Q1 2026 Net Loss

Salem Media Group reported a significantly narrower net loss for the first quarter of 2026 as operating expenses declined sharply, even as total revenue fell year-over-year.

For the quarter ended March 31, Salem posted net revenue of $45.9 million, down from $51.7 million in Q1 2025. 

The company narrowed its net loss to $2.6 million, or $0.08 per share, compared with a loss of $7.1 million, or $0.24 per share, a year earlier.

Operating expenses decreased to $48.4 million from $61 million, helped by the absence of restructuring costs recorded in the prior-year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses also declined.

All major revenue categories posted declines:

• Broadcast programming revenue fell to $17.2 million from $18.4 million.
• Broadcast advertising revenue dropped to $9.3 million from $10.2 million.
• Digital revenue slipped to $18.1 million from $19.7 million.

PSKY Defends WBD Merger

Paramount Skydance is pushing back against antitrust concerns, arguing that its $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery will increase competition in the entertainment industry rather than reduce it.

In a May 7 letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Paramount chief legal officer Makan Delrahim reiterated the company’s commitment to California movie theaters and audiences, calling the merger a source of “new competitive energy.” 

The letter responds to what Paramount describes as misinformation about the deal’s impact on the marketplace.