Good Morning! Check Your Pulse for Thursday, April 23

Radio Broadcasting

Cumulus Pain: Cumulus Media is arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is no longer a hypothetical risk — it is concrete evidence of the severe damage caused by Nielsen’s controversial “Network Policy.” Cumulus states that one of the irreparable harms it warned about has now occurred: “Cumulus declared bankruptcy.” The company directly links the bankruptcy to the loss of access to Nielsen’s national “Nationwide” ratings, claiming the policy forces broadcasters to buy expensive local ratings data to obtain the national product essential for selling advertising.

WABC Tops: John Catsimatidis, the 77-year-old billionaire owner of New York grocery chains and oil assets, has transformed the once-fading AM station WABC into the most listened-to talk radio station in the United States, according to Nielsen data. Since acquiring the station in 2019, he has grown its weekly audience to more than 400,000 listeners.

No Bull for Gates: After 18 years as the heartbeat of 94.9 The Bull, Kristen Gates — the longest-serving on-air personality in the station’s history — has exited the country powerhouse. The 52-year-old Atlanta radio veteran made the announcement on social media, leaving fans and industry insiders stunned and searching for answers. Gates offered no explanation for her sudden departure.

Media Industry

NFL Defensive: The National Football League defended its television distribution strategy in a meeting with Federal Communications Commission officials last week, as regulators examine the ongoing shift of live sports from free over-the-air broadcast networks to paid subscription streaming services. The NFL met with senior FCC staff on last Friday.

FNC Strong: FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of April 13 averaging 3.2 million weekday primetime viewers and 299,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading ABC (2.8 million and 458,000 in the 25-54 demo) and NBC (2.8 million and 452,000 in the 25-54 demo) in total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

Think Bigger: Radio’s digital advertising revenue reached a record $2.3 billion in 2025, now accounting for 24.4% of the average station’s total ad revenue and serving as the primary force stabilizing the industry after years of decline, according to the 14th Annual Digital Benchmarking Report released at the 2026 NAB Show.

U-S News

Sail Away: Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired on Wednesday after months of infighting with senior Pentagon leaders and disagreements over how to revive the Navy’s struggling shipbuilding program. Phelan is leaving the Pentagon and the Trump administration effective immediately, wrote Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, in a terse statement. Phelan had championed the “Golden Fleet,” a major investment in new ships including a “Trump-class” battleship. 

Scam: The Southern Poverty Law Center is accused of funneling millions of dollars to at least eight leaders and members of hate groups — including a Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard and a fundraiser for a neo-Nazi group — to act as informants. The Alabama-based non-profit was charged by the DOJ with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy on Tuesday for allegedly hiding from donors the fact that it doled out more than $3 million over the course of nearly a decade to “field sources” tasked with infiltrating violent extremist groups.

RFKJr Endorses Measles Vac:  Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly backed away from his longstanding criticism of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. On Wednesday, he made his strongest statement yet — albeit on behalf of his department and not himself. “We promote the M.M.R.,” Kennedy told the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday morning, referring to the combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. “We have advised every child to get the M.M.R. That’s what we do.”

Cumulus Media: The Harm Is Irreparable

Cumulus Media is arguing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is no longer a hypothetical risk — it is concrete evidence of the severe damage caused by Nielsen’s controversial “Network Policy.”

In a new appellate brief, the radio broadcaster states that one of the irreparable harms it warned about has now occurred: “Cumulus declared bankruptcy.” The company directly links the bankruptcy to the loss of access to Nielsen’s national “Nationwide” ratings, claiming the policy forces broadcasters to buy expensive local ratings data to obtain the national product essential for selling advertising.

Without nationwide ratings, Cumulus says it cannot effectively sell national ad inventory, leading to immediate losses of customers, market share, and goodwill. The filing urges the Second Circuit to quickly reinstate a preliminary injunction that would block Nielsen from tying its national and local ratings products together.

The dispute centers on Nielsen’s Network Policy, which Cumulus calls an unlawful tying arrangement. Even when a standalone national ratings option was offered, the company argues the pricing made it impractical. Cumulus warns that the radio industry stands at a crossroads, with its own bankruptcy highlighting the urgent need for more competition in audience measurement services.

Cumulus is asking the appeals court to affirm U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas’s January preliminary injunction, which halted the policy. It notes that a key September deadline looms, after which it will lose access to Nationwide ratings, making the harm increasingly urgent.

Nielsen, however, is pushing the Second Circuit to overturn the injunction. The ratings company argues that Cumulus’s bankruptcy has undermined the core premise of the injunction, stating that “bankruptcy has now occurred, and a preliminary injunction cannot stop what has already happened.” 

Nielsen denies a direct causal link, attributing Cumulus’s financial troubles primarily to broader industry challenges such as declining radio audiences, digital competition, macroeconomic pressures, high interest costs, and looming debt maturities.

The expedited appeal continues even as Cumulus’s underlying antitrust lawsuit (filed last October) remains paused due to the bankruptcy proceedings. Cumulus filed for Chapter 11 in March and recently received court approval for its reorganization plan, which eliminates roughly $600 million in debt. The company expects to emerge from bankruptcy next month, pending FCC approval.

NFL Defends Broadcasting Strategy

The National Football League defended its television distribution strategy in a meeting with Federal Communications Commission officials last week, as regulators examine the ongoing shift of live sports from free over-the-air broadcast networks to paid subscription streaming services.

The NFL met with senior FCC staff on last Friday. Documents detailing the meeting, dated Tuesday and released publicly on Wednesday, show the league presented a 17-page slide deck emphasizing that more than 87% of its games remain available on free broadcast television. Additionally, 100% of games in the local markets of the competing teams air on local over-the-air TV. The NFL stated this broadcast percentage has remained relatively stable for two decades.

"This distribution model is good for our fans, for local television broadcasters, for our 32 clubs in small and large markets alike, and for the competitiveness of the game itself," the NFL told the FCC. The league highlighted that 86 of the top 100 TV programs in 2025 were NFL games and that it strategically selects matchups each week to deliver the most compelling games to individual broadcast markets. It also noted that Sunday Night Football on NBC has been the No. 1 primetime program for 15 consecutive years.

The FCC has been reviewing how the migration of marquee sports programming to standalone subscription streaming platforms fragments the market and raises costs for viewers. Many events once available on free broadcast or traditional cable packages now require separate paid services, frustrating fans. In 2025, NFL games appeared across 10 different services, with estimates suggesting fans could spend over $1,500 annually to watch every game.

Major broadcast station owners, including Fox Corp. and Sinclair, urged the FCC last month to address Big Tech companies acquiring rights to football, baseball, and other sports, warning it could weaken local TV news operations. A coalition of more than 700 affiliate stations for CBS, NBC, Fox, and ABC last week called on the FCC to act to keep high-profile sports on free over-the-air television, stating that "sporting events can’t unify Americans if the cost of watching them turns us into a nation of haves and have-nots."

The National Association of Broadcasters argued that global streaming giants such as Amazon Prime, YouTube (Alphabet), Apple, and Netflix can treat live sports as loss leaders to attract subscribers.

A 1961 federal law grants major sports leagues an antitrust exemption, allowing them to pool teams’ television rights and sell them collectively as a package. 

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has publicly questioned whether heavy reliance on streaming could jeopardize this protection.  The NFL maintains its model remains the most fan- and broadcaster-friendly in sports, with local simulcasts ensuring accessibility even for nationally streamed games. The meeting and filings represent the league’s proactive response to the FCC’s broader inquiry into sports broadcasting practices and their impact on consumers and local stations.

Ratings Recap: Day 3 of Nielsen PPMs

Nielsen continues to release its March Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings, covering the survey period from March 5 through April 1. The four-week book included the shift to Daylight Saving Time, the arrival of spring, and the start of Passover.

MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD:  Status Quo

Just when you thought the leaderboard might shake things up, the top four stations on the 6+ dial stayed locked in place like an old familiar playlist — though every one of them took a step backward this time around.

Cox Media Urban AC WHQT (Hot 105) slid back into the #1 throne with a 7.2–6.7 share. Right behind it, AC WFEZ (Easy 93.1) held onto silver with a 7.0–6.3 dip — its smallest share since last June. Audacy AC WLYF (101.5 Lite FM) cruised in at #3 with a 6.3–6.0 reading, while Televisaunivision Spanish Hot AC WAMR (Amor 107.5) rounded out the top four at 6.2–5.7.

Then the momentum shifted. The two stations that had been battling for #5 last book both climbed — with SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3) breaking away to claim the spot solo at 5.1–5.5. 

Meanwhile, Audacy Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 The Beach) eased back to #6 with a 5.1–5.4 share.  In the cume race, WLYF turned up the volume with a healthy 2.6% lift, surging into the #1 position (779,700–800,000). Across the market, total listening rose a modest 1.2%.

In the 25-54 demographic, the script flipped dramatically:  After more than a year of dominance, WFEZ finally lost its crown. It tumbled to #2 with its lowest score in over 12 months. Stepping into the spotlight was WHQT, which posted a slight uptick to seize the #1 spot — though the gap between the two remained razor-thin. Further down the chart, iHeatmedia's Spanish Adult Hits WMIA (Magic 93.9) came roaring back, vaulting all the way from #8 to #3 as it shook off a string of soft books. WLYF cooled off to #4, ending its four-book hot streak. Cox Media Rhythmic AC WFLC (Hits 97.3) slipped to #5 despite managing a small share gain, while WMXJ and WCMQ landed in a dead-heat tie for #6.

SEATTLE-TACOMA:  The Talk Of the Town

For the third book in a row — and the 13th time in the last 14 surveys — Universaity of Washington N/T KUOW stood firm at #1 on the 6+ leaderboard, easing from 9.5 to 8.4.  Yet the real momentum was building just behind the leader. 

Alternative station KEXP (Friends of KEXP) charged forward from #5 all the way to #2, delivering its fourth consecutive up book with a strong leap to 6.3. Close behind, iHeartmedia Classic Hits KJEB (95.7 The Jet) slipped one spot to #3, holding steady at 5.6. Crista Contemporary Christian KCMS (Spirit 105.3) eased down to #4 with a 5.4–5.0 share.

The mid-tier kept shifting as well. HUBBARD AC KRWM (Warm 106.9) climbed into #5, rising to 4.9. Meanwhile, Audacy Active Rock KISW (The Rock) dropped to #6, hitting its lowest share since July at 4.7. It landed in a tight tie with Bonneville Sports KIRO-A (Seattle Sports 710 AM), which came storming back from #10 with a solid rebound to 4.7.

In cume, KRWM held onto the top spot despite a 0.9% dip (613,200–607,800). Overall market listening slipped by 0.6%.

In 25-54:  the race intensified: KEXP claimed the #1 position for the third straight survey and powered into double-digit territory. KISW reclaimed #2, but with its weakest performance in over a year, allowing the gap between the top two to widen to nearly five full shares. KUOW held steady at #3 but fell to its lowest rating since October. It was joined in the tie by KJEB, which came flying in from #7 after recovering from a down book. AUDACY Alternative KNDD (107.7 The End) slipped to #5 despite posting a slight increase.

The former #5 pair split ways: Hubbard Pop CHR KQMV (MOViN’ 92.5) stepped down to #6, while KCMS dropped into a tie at #7 with KIRO-A, which surged upward from #12 with a nice rebound.

TV Ratings: Fox News Makes Another Strong Primetime Performance

FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of April 13 averaging 3.2 million weekday primetime viewers and 299,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading ABC (2.8 million and 458,000 in the 25-54 demo) and NBC (2.8 million and 452,000 in the 25-54 demo) in total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC drew 2.7 million viewers and in Monday - Sunday total day, FNC drew 1.7 million viewers. FNC outpaced the cable competition combined among total viewers during Monday-Sunday total day and primetime. Notably, CBS Evening News (3,779,000 million viewers) posted its lowest rated week since host Tony Dokoupil took the helm with its second consecutive week under four million in total viewers.

The Five continued to command the afternoon with 3,838,000 million viewers and 339,000 in the 25-54 demo – outranking CBS Evening News (3,779,000 million viewers) in total viewers for the second week in a row. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 2.9 million viewers and 250,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle delivered nearly 2.8 million viewers and 217,000 in the 25-54 demo. Jesse Watters Primetime at 8PM/ET secured over 3.5 million viewers and 308,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity averaged over 2.9 million viewers and 256,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher at 11PM/ET notched nearly 1.7 million viewers and 197,000 in the 25-54 demo.

FNC’s late-night sensation Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged just over 3 million viewers and garnered 333,000 in the 25-54 demo, continuing to dominate late-night competition in total viewers and the 25-54 demo across the board. Gutfeld! continued to dominate the broadcast competition including CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in total viewers (2.1 million viewers and 302,000 in the 25-54 demo) and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1.7 million viewers and 225,000 in the 25-54 demo).

FNC continued to see its daytime shows outpace the broadcast competition. America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9AM-11AM/ET; 2.1 million viewers), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11AM-12PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1PM-3PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers), The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3-4PM/ET; 2 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4-5PM/ET; 2.3 million viewers) all beat NBC’s Today Third Hour (2.0 million viewers), NBC’s Today Jenna & Sheinelle (1.3 million viewers), CBS Mornings (1.8 million viewers), and ABC’s GMA 3 (1.3 million viewers).

TV Ratings: ABC's WNT Top Newscast, Broadcast, Cable TV

A few months after taking the anchor seat at “CBS Evening News,” Tony Dokoupil still lags far behind his rivals, the latest Nielsen figures show.The nightly newscast pulled in about 3.8 million viewers and fewer than 500,000 adults in the key 25-to-54 demographic during the week of April 6 — a sharp drop that left it trailing both “ABC World News Tonight” and “NBC Nightly News” by wide margins, according to recently released ratings.

ABC’s flagship broadcast, meanwhile, remains the clear leader in the nightly news wars, drawing more than 8 million total viewers and topping 1 million in the 25-to-54 demo during the week of April 6 — nearly double CBS’s audience in both categories.

• “World News Tonight” outdelivered “NBC Nightly News” (6.411 million, 943,000 and 658,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+27%/+1.734 million), Adults 25-54 (+7%/+67,000) and Adults 18-49 (+13%/+86,000).
• For the eighth straight week, “World News Tonight” built on its Total Viewer lead over “NBC Nightly News” year to year (+18% – 1.734 million vs. 1.474 million) by double digits.
• For the seventh week in a row, “World News Tonight” saw gains on the same week last year in all key target demos: Total Viewers (+9%/+644,000 – 8.175 million vs. 7.531 million), Adults 25-54 (+3%/+28,000 – 1.010 million vs. 982,000) and Adults 18-49 (+3%/+22,000 – 744,000 vs. 722,000).
• “World News Tonight” (8.175 million, 1.010 million and 744,000, respectively) more than doubled the performance of “CBS Evening News” (3.804 million, 482,000 and 347,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+115%/+4.371 million), Adults 25-54 (+110%/+528,000) and Adults 18-49 (+114%/+397,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its margins over “CBS Evening News” versus the year-ago week in Total Viewers (+17% – 4.371 million vs. 3.721 million), Adults 25-54 (+11% – 528,000 vs. 474,000) and Adults 18-49 (+2% – 397,000 vs. 388,000).

NYC Radio: WABC Is America’s Top Talk Radio Station

John Catsimatidis, the 77-year-old billionaire owner of New York grocery chains and oil assets, has transformed the once-fading AM station WABC into the most listened-to talk radio station in the United States, according to Nielsen data. Since acquiring the station in 2019, he has grown its weekly audience to more than 400,000 listeners.

According to a Los Angeles Times profile, Catsimatidis co-hosts the station’s award-winning evening show “Cats & Cosby” alongside veteran journalist Rita Cosby, interviewing political figures and like-minded guests daily. 

He maintains close ties with President Trump, a relationship spanning 45 years that has helped place WABC in the national political spotlight. In December, Trump first revealed the U.S. military’s initial land strike on Venezuela during a call into the station.

The billionaire’s profile is rising further with a cameo role as businessman Christopher Galanis in the Oscar-nominated film “Marty Supreme,” which begins streaming on HBO Max on April 24 and reaches about 60 million U.S. subscribers. Director Josh Safdie cast him after noticing his “larger-than-life regional businessman” persona during his 2013 New York City mayoral run.  Catsimatidis previously rented a basement apartment to real-life table tennis champion Marty Reisman, who inspired the film.

While many billionaires fund space exploration or longevity research, Catsimatidis chose to invest his fortune in reviving a traditional AM talk radio station past its prime. In a midtown Manhattan studio overlooking Third Avenue, he appears distracted on air—scrolling his phone—but snaps to attention with concise opinions when prompted.

“He can look like he’s taking a little bit of a nap, but he’s always ahead of you in the conversation,” said radio consultant Jerry Crowley, who first gave Catsimatidis his own show years earlier.

Catsimatidis built his empire from humble beginnings. 

Born in Greece, he immigrated to the U.S. as a toddler after his father served 16 years as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island. Raised in West Harlem, he studied electrical engineering at New York University but dropped out to pursue business. 

As a teenager, he sold aftershave from his car trunk. In the late 1960s, he bought a 50% stake in the Manhattan supermarket where he worked as a clerk and grew it into the Red Apple Group, which now includes Gristedes supermarkets, hundreds of gas stations, an oil refinery, and extensive real estate holdings.

The station remains a passion project for the self-made magnate, who continues blending business success, on-air commentary, and unexpected Hollywood cameos into a larger-than-life career.

Atlanta Radio: Frank Ski Returns As V-103 Tweaks Line-Up

Francesca Amiker, Frank Ski and DJ Sturgess

V-103 (WVEE-FM), an Audacy station in Atlanta, announces a series of programming updates effective May 11.

Four-time Emmy Award–winning broadcaster Francesca Amiker is joining “The Big Tigger Morning Show” as the new co-host, weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET. DJ Sturgess, a producer on “Greg Street Afternoons,” is elevated to night show host and will be heard weeknights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM and on Saturdays.

Frank Ski returns to the station as a weekend host on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m ET and will be heard throughout the week as the station’s contributor.

“Francesca is a powerhouse talent and we’re excited for our listeners to hear her on ‘The Big Tigger Morning Show,’” said Reggie Rouse, Vice President of Programming and Brand Manager, V-103. “This new lineup, highlighted by Francesca’s arrival, Frank Ski’s return, and the well-deserved elevation of DJ Sturgess, reinforces V-103’s position as the city’s most influential station. V-103 continues to be the heartbeat of Atlanta, driven by personalities who truly care about our community.”

“Joining V-103 feels like stepping into history while helping shape its future. This station is the heartbeat of Atlanta and the soundtrack to so many lives, including mine. To be a voice on that platform alongside Big Tigger—an icon —is surreal,” said Amiker. “I grew up listening to V-103, and that connection only grew stronger over time. I’m excited to return home to Atlanta with a station that truly puts the people first and get to pour back into the community that taught me everything I know.”

The new weekday lineup for V-103 is as follows:

• 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET: “The Big Tigger Morning Show”
• 10:00 am. - 3:00 p.m. ET: Danie B
• 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET: Greg Street
• 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET: DJ Sturgess
• 10:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m. ET: Joyce Littel-Quiet Storm

Atlanta Radio: Kristen Gates Exits 94.9 The Bull After 18-Year Run

After 18 years as the heartbeat of 94.9 The Bull, Kristen Gates — the longest-serving on-air personality in the station’s history — has exited the country powerhouse.

The 52-year-old Atlanta radio veteran made the announcement on social media, leaving fans and industry insiders stunned and searching for answers. Gates offered no explanation for her sudden departure.

Kristen Gates

Gates built her career in the fiercely competitive Atlanta market. She first burst onto the scene at Kicks 101.5, sharing mornings with the legendary — and now late — Cadillac Jack. In 2008, she made the bold move to rival station 94.9 The Bull, where she quickly became a morning show staple. She co-hosted first alongside Jason Pullman, then later teamed with Spencer Graves, helping shape the station’s sound for more than a decade.

Her run took a turn in 2022 when iHeartMedia shifted her to afternoons to make room for a new locally produced morning show featuring Brian Moote, Jeremy “Otis” Maher, and Kimmie Caruba. That experiment proved short-lived: the show was unceremoniously dumped in 2024 and replaced with the Nashville-based syndicated “The Bobby Bones Show.”

After nearly two decades of loyalty and on-air chemistry that helped define Atlanta country radio, Gates’ departure marks the end of an era at 94.9 The Bull.

Radio Digital Sellers Urged To Think Bigger

Radio’s digital advertising revenue reached a record $2.3 billion in 2025, now accounting for 24.4% of the average station’s total ad revenue and serving as the primary force stabilizing the industry after years of decline, according to the 14th Annual Digital Benchmarking Report released at the 2026 NAB Show.

Borrell Associates CEO Gordon Borrell told NAB Show attendees during a session with the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) that while digital has arrested radio’s long revenue slide and is forecast to grow to $2.5 billion in 2026, many sellers are still not capitalizing on the massive untapped opportunity — particularly the 74% of existing radio customers who are not yet buying the station’s digital products.

Streaming audio ranks as the top digital revenue source, followed by targeted banners. The report, sponsored by Marketron, analyzed data from 3,763 radio stations across 852 market clusters, along with surveys of 406 local radio advertisers and 242 radio managers.

Borrell noted that traditional broadcast revenue continues its gradual decline, but strong digital gains have caused overall radio ad revenue to flatline and begin trending slightly upward.  Digital has grown dramatically from a $600 million supplement in 2016 to the $2.3 billion engine it is today.

A key theme Borrell emphasized is the low-hanging fruit among current clients: stations already have billing relationships, trust, and brand awareness with these advertisers, making digital upsells far easier than winning new accounts.

Bonneville International VP of Digital Sales Aleece Southern confirmed the pattern exists in every market regardless of size, drawing from her experience building Townsquare Media’s digital business.

San Antonio Radio: CMG Adds Jay Shannon As OM

Cox Media Group San Antonio has appointed veteran radio programmer Jay Shannon as its new Operations Manager, effective May 4, 2026.

In the role, Shannon will oversee programming strategy and day-to-day operations for the company’s San Antonio radio cluster. The stations include 99.5 KISS (Rocker), 101.1 KONO (Classic Hits), 100.3 KCYY (Country, Y100), 106.7 KTKX (Classic Rock, The Eagle), 105.3 KSMG (Hot AC), and 860 KKYX (along with its business news/talk AM operations).

Shannon joins Cox Media Group from iHeartMedia, where he held senior programming leadership positions across multiple Texas markets, including Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. His career spans more than 30 years and covers a wide range of formats, including CHR, Rhythmic CHR, Hot AC, Alternative, Urban, and AC. He brings deep expertise in programming, branding, marketing, and talent development.

Jay Shannon

Mark Shecterle, Vice President and Market Manager for CMG San Antonio, welcomed the hire, stating that Shannon brings extensive industry experience and strong leadership. He will collaborate closely with the existing team to support and grow the cluster’s stations.

Shannon expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, noting he is looking forward to working with the well-established San Antonio stations and their respected formats.

The appointment comes as CMG San Antonio’s FM stations have shown strong recent performance, with all five frequently occupying the top ratings positions in the market in key demographics and dayparts. 

Shannon’s return to the San Antonio market — where he previously worked — positions him to build on that momentum through strategic programming and operational oversight.

Radio History: April 23

Roy Orbison 1936-1988

➦In 1936...singer Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas. His biggest hit was “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which stayed at No. 1 for three weeks in 1964. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and died of a heart attack on Dec. 6, 1988, in Madison, Tenn., at age 52.

➦In 1976...Flashback...

➦In 1995...Radio, TV sportscaster and personality Howard Cosell died of a heart embolism at age 77 (Born Howard William Cohen  March 25, 1918). He was most prominent and influential on radio, television and print media from the early 1960s into the mid 1980s.