Study Finds Radio's Reach Of Adults 25-64 Remains Strong

AM/FM radio remains the dominant force in U.S. audio consumption, with 84% of adults aged 25-64 tuning in weekly, according to the newly released 2026 FMR/Eastlan Ratings National Radio Listening Survey. This reach has held steady for the past five years, demonstrating remarkable resilience amid the rise of digital alternatives.

The survey underscores radio's stability even as competing platforms grow. Streaming audio reaches 63% of the demographic weekly, while personal music listening stands at 60%. Podcast listening, at 40% weekly in 2026, has stabilized following a surge during the 2025 election year.

Researchers note that increased podcast engagement appears to represent net new time spent with audio overall, rather than cannibalizing audiences from radio, streaming, or satellite services.

Traditional broadcast delivery continues to lead overwhelmingly. About two-thirds (roughly 66%) of primary radio listening occurs via conventional AM/FM receivers. In contrast, only 11% happens through phone apps and 16% via streaming platforms. The preference for over-the-air is even stronger in smaller markets (ranked 31 and below), where traditional AM/FM accounts for 68% of primary listening.

The study also delved into video podcast consumption. Among viewers who watch podcasts on video platforms, a striking 72% rely primarily on YouTube. Instagram and TikTok each draw just 10% of these viewers, highlighting YouTube's commanding lead in the video podcast space.

This nationally representative survey included 1,000 demographically balanced and geographically diverse adults aged 25-64 across the United States, making its findings statistically projectable on a national scale.

Deloitte's Media & Entertainment Outlook Highlights AI

Deloitte's 2026 Media & Entertainment Industry Outlook, released in early March 2026, warns that the media landscape is becoming dramatically more crowded and competitive as AI-generated content floods social feeds, platforms, and screens—redefining what "quality" means and forcing traditional players to adapt quickly or risk losing ground.

The core message: Competition has fundamentally shifted. It's no longer primarily about big budgets, distribution power, or streamer-vs-streamer rivalries. Instead, everyone—from legacy studios and broadcasters to tech giants, independent creators, and AI-driven entrants—is now battling for the same finite consumer attention in an oversaturated environment.

Key drivers of this transformation include:

• AI's flood of content — Generative AI dramatically lowers barriers to creation, enabling an explosion of material across formats. This abundance raises the stakes for differentiation, as sheer volume dilutes visibility and challenges traditional notions of premium production value.
• Evolving definitions of quality — With AI tools producing near-professional outputs (including approaching Hollywood-level video), audiences increasingly prioritize relevance, authenticity, engagement, and personalization over pure production polish. "Quality" is becoming more subjective and audience-defined.
• 
  Cross-platform audience intelligence — Success hinges on understanding viewer behavior across fragmented ecosystems (social media, streaming, gaming, short-form video, podcasts/vodcasts). Companies must invest in sophisticated, unified data insights to capture and retain attention effectively.
• Efficiency imperatives — AI isn't just for content generation; it's essential for streamlining operations, reducing costs, and scaling production in a margin-pressured environment.

Traditional media companies face mounting pressure from tech entrants (e.g., platforms leveraging AI at scale) and creator-led innovation, where independents and micro-series thrive in new monetization models. Deloitte highlights rapid growth in areas like in-app micro-series (projected to reach $7.8 billion in global revenue) and podcast/vodcast advertising ($5 billion globally), signaling where attention and dollars are migrating.

For 2026, the report outlines a clear playbook for incumbents and challengers alike: strategic specialization (doubling down on unique strengths rather than trying to compete everywhere), aggressive adoption of AI tools for both creative and operational efficiency, and a renewed focus on creator partnerships and deep audience understanding to stand out in the noise.

CNN Deletes Tone-Deaf Story About Teens Arrested At NYC Protest

There's been condsiderable backlash to a CNN story centered on a now-deleted social media post (tweet on X) about two Pennsylvania teenagers arrested in New York City for allegedly throwing homemade bombs (improvised explosive devices, or IEDs) during a protest outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence (Gracie Mansion) on Saturday.

The incident involved Emir Balat, 18 (a high school senior from Langhorne, Bucks County, near Philadelphia), and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19 (from Newtown, also Bucks County). 

Authorities described it as an ISIS-inspired attack motivated by extremist ideology. The suspects face serious federal charges, including providing material support to a terrorist organization, using a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. 

One suspect reportedly shouted "ISIS" during arrest, and the other allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The devices were thrown into a crowd at an anti-Islam (or anti-Muslim) protest and counterprotest but failed to fully explode, emitting smoke instead.

CNN's original X post framed the story this way: "Two Pennsylvania teenagers crossed into New York City Saturday morning for what could’ve been a normal day enjoying the city during abnormally warm weather. But in less than an hour, their lives would drastically change as the pair would be arrested for throwing homemade bombs during an anti-Muslim protest outside of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. Here's what we know so far."

Critics, primarily from conservative commentators, media watchdogs, and users on X, accused CNN of downplaying the severity by referring to the suspects as ordinary "Pennsylvania teenagers" out for a casual day trip.

Omitting key context like the terrorism allegations, ISIS inspiration, or the potential lethality of the act.

Using soft, narrative language that portrayed the suspects sympathetically (e.g., focusing on how their "lives would drastically change") rather than emphasizing the alleged terror plot.

R.I.P.: Tommy DeCarlo, Longtime Lead Singer For Boston

Tommy DeCarlo, the longtime lead singer of the classic rock band Boston, has died at the age of 60. DeCarlo passed away on Monday, following a battle with brain cancer. 

His family announced the news in a heartfelt statement on Facebook, revealing he was diagnosed with the illness in September 2025. "After being diagnosed with brain cancer last September, he fought with incredible strength and courage right up until the very end," the post from his children Annie, Talia, and Tommy Jr. read. They requested privacy during their grieving period.DeCarlo's remarkable journey began as a devoted fan of Boston. 

Born on April 23, 1965, in Rome, New York, and raised in Utica, he discovered the band at age 12 and became captivated by the voice of original lead singer Brad Delp. A self-taught musician who started in school choir and played piano, DeCarlo worked ordinary jobs—including as a manager at Home Depot in North Carolina—while pursuing music on the side.

Fox Reports Seven Consecutive Quarters Of Revenue Growth

Fox News Media's advertising revenue continues to surge, with executives at Fox Corp. seeing significant further growth potential in ad pricing and overall company performance.

Fox Corp. President and COO John Nallen told Deutsche Bank investors this week, that Fox News remains underpriced by about 50% compared to broadcast television, creating clear room for pricing increases. 

"That's the opportunity on pricing for Fox News to continue to move up in pricing, and we've seen that," Nallen said.

In the current scatter market, Fox News has achieved high single-digit increases in national ad rates and mid-single-digit gains in direct response advertiser rates. The network has drawn more advertisers to both its linear and digital platforms.

Fox News Media—which encompasses Fox News Channel, Fox Business, Fox Nation, Fox Weather, and digital properties—has posted seven consecutive quarters of advertising revenue growth.

Looking ahead to the upfront TV and streaming selling season, Nallen described the broader Fox Corp. advertising market (including Fox Television Network and Tubi) as "really healthy." Scatter pricing is rising, with low cancellation rates and few options exercised from upfront commitments.

Nine of Fox's top 10 advertiser categories are up, including finance, pharmaceuticals, and technology; only entertainment is down.

For the rest of the year, Nallen anticipates strong demand at Fox Television Stations driven by midterm election spending. Overall, he predicts the advertising market will set records, with estimates around $11 billion across all media—led by heavy investments in local TV stations and digital platforms.

Good Morning! Time To Check The Pulse for Wednesday, March 11

Radio Broadcasting

Nielsen's mSurvey Launch Modernizes Diary Measurement:   Nielsen Audio's mobile survey (mSurvey) continues to generate buzz as a major step forward for radio audience measurement. Officially launched earlier in March (with rollout starting in the Spring 2026 survey period), mSurvey shifts the traditional paper diary system to a smartphone-friendly digital format. It targets higher engagement, especially among younger, diverse, and harder-to-reach demographics (e.g., Black, young, and renting households initially), while traditional diaries remain for others.

Eastlan/FMR Study Shows Radio Listening Remains Strong:  A new 2026 FMR/Eastlan Ratings National Radio Listening Survey finds that AM/FM radio maintains a dominant 84% weekly reach among adults ages 25-64—remarkably stable over the past five years despite podcast growth (now at 40% weekly). The study emphasizes radio's consistent dominance in the audio space, with no significant erosion even as other platforms expand. Reports from Radio Online and similar sources highlight this as reassuring data for broadcasters facing ad revenue pressures and streaming competition, underscoring radio's broad accessibility and role in daily habits.

Media Industry

Massive Layoffs Accelerating in Journalism:  The 2026 journalism layoff wave has intensified dramatically in the first months of the year, already surpassing prior full-year totals in some trackers. Major outlets including the Washington Post, Nexstar Media Group, Politico, Vox Media, Bustle Digital Group, CNBC, Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and others have announced cuts. Industry observers describe this as a structural shift driven by declining ad revenue, platform dominance, and AI efficiencies, rather than temporary corrections. Press Gazette and other trackers note the pace suggests thousands more jobs could vanish by mid-year.

Trust and Audience Shifts in News Media:  Pew Research updates show declining confidence in journalists (e.g., only 56% of U.S. adults have some trust in national news orgs, down significantly year-over-year), with younger audiences favoring platforms over brands. This ties into broader trends of "fake news" narratives and platform convenience eroding traditional media.

U-S News

Intensified U.S. Airstrikes on Iran:  The Pentagon described this as the "most intense day" of strikes yet against Iranian targets, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighting massive air assaults. The U.S. reportedly struck over 5,000 targets overall in the campaign, destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, and intercepted most Iranian ballistic missiles (down 90% effectiveness claimed). At least 140 U.S. service members have been wounded so far, with ongoing operations emphasizing that Iran is "badly losing."

Trump Administration Statements on War Timeline:  President Trump vowed the war would "end very soon" without providing a specific timeline, stating operations would conclude when military objectives are met. White House briefings and Trump comments frame it as nearing an "end stage," with Trump to determine final steps. There's pushback on nation-building in Iran (e.g., Speaker Mike Johnson stating it's not America's responsibility).

Escalating Tensions and Oil Market Impacts:  Iran threatened to block oil exports through key routes like the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation, prompting U.S. warnings of severe consequences. Global oil prices have seen sharp fluctuations—spikes earlier in the week followed by drops amid the uncertainty—directly affecting U.S. gas prices and economy.

Nielsen Claims mSurvey Launches New Era of Radio Measurement

Nielsen Audio launchea its mobile survey (mSurvey) this Spring, introducing a smartphone-based electronic option for respondents to log radio listening as part of the ongoing modernization of its diary-based audience measurement system.

The new tool debuted with the Spring 2026 survey period and complements the traditional paper diary by making reporting more intuitive and accessible on mobile devices. It aims to increase participation, improve data accuracy and cleanliness, speed up collection, and enhance representation—particularly among younger audiences—in more than 150 local U.S. markets.

Nielsen Audio Managing Director Rich Tunkel highlighted the launch in the Radio Advertising Bureau's latest "Radio Matters" blog, calling mSurvey "the latest piece of a multi-year transformation plan designed to make our measurement more resilient and ensure the radio audience is represented more robustly." 

He noted that the initiative culminates years of preparatory work and builds directly on prior steps to boost respondent engagement and sample balance.

Rich Tunkel

Key foundational initiatives since 2024 include:

• eScreener: A digital tool for collecting household demographics and contacts, which eased recruitment of hard-to-reach, digitally inclined groups and created a more balanced sample from the start.
• Digital incentives: Added alongside mailed cash/checks, with redeemable rewards at major retailers and payment platforms. These appealed strongly to younger listeners, achieving a 94% redemption rate in initial rollout.
• Targeted reselects: Re-inviting past-participant households with 18-34 members, yielding a 14-point increase in 18-34 sample proportionality in one season; the program continues for sustained youth representation.
• 100% address-based sampling (fall 2024): Replaced phone-based recruiting—which skewed older (55+)—with physical addresses for more accurate reflection of local market demographics.

Study: Sports Fans Fed Up with Fragmented Viewing Options

A new study reveals that sports fans are increasingly frustrated by the fragmentation of viewing options across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, making it difficult to simply find and watch their favorite games.

According to Hub Entertainment Research’s “Evolution of Sports: What’s the Score?” Wave 5 report—based on a survey of 3,733 U.S. sports fans conducted in late 2025 to early 2026—87% of fans say it is at least somewhat frustrating to figure out where to watch the sports they follow today. Nearly a quarter (almost 25%) describe themselves as “very frustrated.”

The proliferation of sports rights across multiple services has turned following teams and leagues into a complex and aggravating task, diminishing the overall enjoyment of the experience.

“Fans will go to great lengths to watch the sports they care about—but that doesn’t mean they enjoy hunting across multiple apps to find them,” said Jon Giegengack, principal at Hub and one of the study’s authors. Services that simplify discovery—through tools or by consolidating rights for an entire sport—provide greater value, leading to more satisfied viewers and reduced churn.

Analyst: YouTube Is World’s Biggest Media Company

YouTube has been crowned the world's largest media company by revenue in 2025, according to influential research firm MoffettNathanson.

The Google-owned video platform generated $62.3 billion in total revenue last year, narrowly surpassing Disney's media properties at $60.9 billion. This marks the first time YouTube has claimed the top spot among global media giants.

Analysts Michael Nathanson and his team highlighted YouTube's strong position amid industry shifts. Unlike traditional media companies grappling with audience fragmentation, AI disruptions, and declining linear revenues, YouTube faces fewer such headwinds. Its dual revenue streams—advertising (over $40 billion in 2025, exceeding the combined ad revenue of Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery) and subscriptions (including YouTube Premium, Music, TV, and NFL Sunday Ticket)—provide a robust foundation.

Local Radio Networks Acquires Radio Workflow

In an acquisition that creates the industry’s first all-in-one platform for programming and back-end office operations, Local Radio Networks (LRN), the leading provider of 24/7 music formats, has purchased Radio Workflow (RWF), the industry’s most advanced cloud-based management, traffic, billing, sales, and AI-powered production platform, designed specifically for broadcasters. Together, the merged companies deliver a revolutionary turnkey solution that provides broadcasters with tremendous cost-saving synergies, increased bottom-line profitability, and improved creative output, freeing broadcast owners to focus on growing their station revenue.

Steve Swick, Chief Executive Officer of Local Radio Networks, said, “Uniting with Radio Workflow brings together unprecedented cost saving opportunities, as well as the best 24/7 music programming across the radio dial for Small and Medium Market station owners and operators, allowing them to focus on growing their business up and down the Main Streets of their local communities. Broadcasters no longer have to concentrate their personnel on programming and operations; instead, they gain both in a single, integrated solution designed by leaders in Middle-Market Radio, who understand the unique demands of Small and Medium Market radio owners.”

LRN’s rapid expansion to 875-plus affiliated stations has been driven by its ability to deliver nineteen highly researched 24/7 music formats with maximum localization of content and control features that owners and operator’s demand. Radio Workflow’s technology solution transforms broadcasting’s back-end office into a modern, cloud-based platform that simplifies traffic, billing, creative, and production. The merger unites both company’s strengths — programming and automation, content, and technology — under one roof, giving radio broadcasters a single, one-stop solution to drive growth and efficiency not offered by any competitor.

Broadcasters Foundation Hosts Celebrity-Filled Gala

Broadcasting’s biggest personalities mixed with television stars and media celebrities last evening as the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) transformed The Plaza in New York City into a who’s who of the industry at its annual gala, drawing nearly 300 leaders from radio and television for a night that celebrated broadcasting excellence while raising funds for colleagues in need.

Among the celebrities turning out for the evening were David Lasher of the hit series Blossom and Beverly Hills, 90210; Christine Taylor, film actress, including Dodgeball; Michael Kay, New York Yankees television announcer and ESPN Radio host; Jodi Applegate, journalist and television host seen on MSNBC and NBC; legendary radio personality Scott Shannon, known for his iconic runs at Z100 and WPLJ and as a VH1 television host; Deborah Norville, longtime BFOA Board member and veteran television journalist; Arthur Aidala, prominent attorney and talk show host; Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight; and NBC television personality Willie Geist.

The gala also honored several of broadcasting’s most influential figures. Stephen A. Smith received the inaugural Broadcast Personality of the Year Award; Ernest A. Liebre, Senior Vice President and Institutional Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, was presented with the Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award; Mark Lazarus, Chief Executive Officer of VERSANT and former Chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, received the BFOA Golden Mic Award; and Judge Judy Sheindlin was honored with the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award.

FOX 5’s Natasha Verma hosted the evening’s program as industry leaders, on-air talent, and media executives gathered in support of the Broadcasters Foundation’s charitable mission.
Proceeds from the gala support the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s work providing financial assistance to broadcasters and their families facing acute hardship due to illness, accident, or natural disaster.

Pictured above (L to R): BFOA President Tim McCarthy, Stephen A. Smith, Judge Judy Sheindlin; Mark Lazarus; BFOA Chair Scott Herman; and Ernest A. Liebre (Photo Credit: Ricardi Media)

Radio History: March 11

➦In 1903... Lawrence Welk born in Strasburg, ND (Died May 17, 1992).  He was a musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted the TV program The Lawrence Welk Show from 1951 to 1982. His style came to be known to his large audience of radio, television, and live-performance fans (and critics) as "champagne music"

During the 1920s, he performed with various bands before forming an orchestra. He led big bands in North Dakota and eastern South Dakota, including the Hotsy Totsy Boys and the Honolulu Fruit Gum Orchestra. His band was also the station band for the popular radio programming WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota.

When he settled in for 10 years at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, his dance remotes developed a national radio following. In 1951 Welk began weekly appearances on KTLA Los Angeles, which led to an ABC television show beginning in 1955. His show was near the top of the ratings throughout the 1950’s and ’60s.

His big hit was the 1961 million-seller, Calcutta.

➦In 1925..President Calvin Coolidge’s inauguration was broadcast live on 21 radio stations across the United States. This event marked a significant milestone in radio broadcasting history as one of the earliest instances of a presidential inauguration being transmitted to a wide audience in real time. It demonstrated radio’s growing capability to connect the nation, paving the way for future political broadcasts, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous "Fireside Chats" starting in 1933.

➦In 1969...After several failed auditions for Motown Records, Berry Gordy Jr. signed The Jackson Five to a contract.  Gordy sent them to Hollywood in July, hiring Suzanne de Passe to become their mentor.

Starting in August, the Jackson Five performed as the opening act for the Supremes, whose lead singer Diana Ross was planning to leave for a solo career at the end of the year. The group then recorded their first single "I Want You Back", written by the Corporation which consisted of Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, and Alphonzo Mizell with Gordy as a fourth partner. In October, their first single for Motown was released and the group promoted it while performing at the Hollywood Palace with Ross hosting. In December, the brothers made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and their debut album 'Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5' was released that same month.

➦In 2009...WXRK 92.3 FM NYC changed to Top40.