Good Morning: Check the Pulse for a Happy Wednesday, April 22

Radio Broadcasting

The Radio Hall:  The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today the selection of the Radio Hall of Fame 2026 nominees. The 24 nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners. Voting for inductees begins Friday, April 24th, 2026, and runs through Friday, May 8th, 2026.

Cumulus MIA: Due to the ongoing antitrust lawsuit between Cumulus Media and Nielsen, Cumulus stations are not included (or are no longer publicly listed/visible) in the March 2026 PPM ratings now being released. Cumulus's contract with Nielsen expired on December 31, 2025, and the two parties have not reached a new agreement amid the litigation (filed by Cumulus in October 2025, with Nielsen counterclaims and related appeals/stays).

All He Needs Is Love: K-LOVE has announced Gator Harrison will be joining the radio division of the Ministry, assuming the role of Chief Media Officer on the Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) and overseeing the K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks, live events and partnerships.

Media Industry

Prediction Markets: Why Media Companies Are Taking an Interest?  Media outlets are increasingly partnering with prediction market platforms—not as competitors, but as complementary tools for storytelling, audience engagement, and new revenue. 

Joe Hosts Game Show: Veteran sportscaster Joe Buck is nearing a deal to host a new ESPN-branded version of Jeopardy! n The program is expected to debut this summer across Disney platforms, with streaming availability on Hulu and Disney+ and possible linear runs on ABC and ESPN, according to sources. If finalized, the series would represent a high-profile extension of the Jeopardy! brand produced by Sony, which owns the property and has been exploring expansion opportunities.

U-S News

Dems Win In VA:  Democrats maintained their electoral momentum on Tuesday by securing the passage of an aggressively gerrymandered House map in Virginia, which could deliver the party up to four extra seats as it tries to win back control of Congress. National party leaders had been heavily invested in the outcome.

Trump Extends:  The status of U.S.-Iranian negotiations to end the war in the Middle East was unclear on Wednesday morning, hours after President Trump said that he was extending a fragile cease-fire. There was no immediate public response from top Iranian officials to Mr. Trump’s announcement.

DOJ Vs SPLC: The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that a grand jury indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center for making fraudulent payments of millions of dollars to members of the Ku Klux Klan and other neo-Nazi organizations. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a news conference that the 11-count indictment filed in an Alabama federal court alleged the left-wing nonprofit had in the past decade paid at least $3 million to eight members of the far-right groups.

Radio Hall Nominees Unveiled

The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today the selection of the Radio Hall of Fame 2026 nominees. The 24 nominees were chosen by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, with input from the radio industry and listeners.

Voting for inductees begins Friday, April 24th, 2026, and runs through Friday, May 8th, 2026. The top six vote recipients will gain induction as part of the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame Induction class. The additional inductees that will make up the induction class will be selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.

Nearly 1000 industry members will receive a ballot on Friday, April 24th, to cast votes for up to six nominated individuals. The confidential ballot will be conducted by Votem.com and overseen by Miller Kaplan‘s Andrew Rosen.

The Radio Hall of Fame inductees for 2026 will be announced on Wednesday, May 20th, and will be honored at the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, October 8th at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. Information on tickets for the event will be available soon.

The 2026 Radio Hall Nominees Are:

• Andie Summers
• Big D & Bubba
• Bob Stroud
• Boomer Esiason
• Charlie Van Dyke
• Enrique Santos
• Fred Winston
• 
  Funkmaster Flex
• Helen Little
• Joey Reynolds
• John & Ken
• Johnny Magic
• Kevin Matthews
• Kid Leo
• Larry Elder
• Lee Arnold
• Monica May
• Pat Hughes
• Raul Brindis
• Rickey Smiley
• Ryan Cameron
• Shotgun Tom Kelly
• The Electrifying Mojo
• Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!

Radio Recap: More PPMs From Neilsen

Nielsen has begun releasing 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.

SAN FRANCISCO: Two Tie At The Top

The 6+ leaderboard is typically ruled by two spoken-word powerhouses. In March KQED Inc. News/Talk 88.5 KQED remained #1 for the third consecutive book but slipped to its lowest share in over a year (9.9 – 8.6). That opened the door for Audacy All-News 740 KCBS / 106.9 KFRC to climb and tie for the lead (8.8 – 8.6).

Bonneville Adult Contemporary 96.5 KOIT held steady as the top music station at #3 (5.0 – 4.8). A pair of stations tied for #4: Bonneville Hot AC/CHR 99.7 NOW (KMVQ) edged up one spot (4.6 – 4.5), while iHeartMedia Soft AC 98.1 The Breeze (KISQ) soared from #7 to tie it with its strongest showing since November (3.7 – 4.5).

iHeartMedia Hot AC Star 101.3 (KIOI) eased back to #6 (4.7 – 4.1). KOIT further extended its cume dominance, growing 12.7% (1,016,200 – 1,145,600). Overall market listening was up 2.7%.

In 25-54: A flat 99.7 NOW (KMVQ) rose to #1 for the first time since August. KQED dropped to a very tight #2, ending a two-book run at the top. Star 101.3 (KIOI) returned to #3 with a modest gain.

It was a jump ball for #4: KOIT held its position despite a small share dip, while flat Audacy Alternative Live 105 (KITS) climbed from #6. iHeartMedia Pop CHR WiLD 94.9 (KYLD) slipped to #6 with a slight decrease.

ATLANTA: A Streak Stops — Then Snaps Back

In February, Cox Media News/Talk WSB-AM saw its impressive six-book winning streak in 6+ come to an end at the hands of Urban One Urban AC Majic 107.5/97.5 (WAMJ). This month, WSB-AM came roaring back to reclaim the #1 spot (6+) with a strong gain (6.6 – 8.5).

The battle for second place remained tight. Cox Media Classic Hits 97.1 The River (WSRV) returned to #2 (6.8 – 7.0), while WAMJ slipped to #3 (7.2 – 6.9).  Audacy Urban AC V-103 (WVEE) held steady at #4 (6.0 – 6.7). Cox Media Urban AC Kiss 104.1 (WALR) climbed to #5 (5.7 – 6.4), and Cox Media AC B98.5 (WSB-FM) eased to #6 (5.9 – 5.8).

WSB-AM continued to dominate cume, posting a 1.1% increase (762,100 – 770,600). Overall market listening ticked up 0.3%.

In 25-54:  Last month WVEE and WAMJ were co-leaders. This book, V-103 (WVEE) rebounded strongly to capture the 25-54 crown for the seventh consecutive survey. Majic 107.5/97.5 (WAMJ) slipped to #2 with a modest decline.

B98.5 (WSB-FM) held at #3 with a small gain, while 97.1 The River (WSRV) rose to #4 — marking its fourth straight up book. WSB-AM posted its highest 25-54 share since November as it jumped two spots to #5. Audacy Sports 92.9 The Game (WZGC) tumbled four places to #8, hitting its lowest share since September.

Why Are Cumulus Media Stations Missing From March PPMs?

Due to the ongoing antitrust lawsuit between Cumulus Media and Nielsen, Cumulus stations are not included (or are no longer publicly listed/visible) in the March 2026 PPM ratings now being released.

Cumulus's contract with Nielsen expired on December 31, 2025, and the two parties have not reached a new agreement amid the litigation (filed by Cumulus in October 2025, with Nielsen counterclaims and related appeals/stays).

As a result, Cumulus stations have been absent from publicly released Nielsen data since the start of 2026. This was already noted with the January 2026 PPM ratings and continues with the March 2026 book (survey period approximately March 5–April 1, 2026).

Industry sites covering the March 2026 PPM releases explicitly note that Cumulus-owned stations are not shown or "do not subscribe" in affected PPM markets, such as Dallas (e.g., KPLX, KSCS), Houston (e.g., WKHX), and others. Leaderboards and rankings exclude them.

Houston Radio: Gerardo Sproet Exits Middays At KKBQ

Gerardo Sproet, the longtime voice on 93Q Country, has exited his role as midday host, leaving the popular Urban One-owned station searching for a replacement.

Station management has already posted a job listing seeking a new midday personality who is “fun, compelling, talented, professional” and skilled at creating great radio in a PPM-friendly environment.

A Houston native, Sproet spent his entire radio career at KKBQ (93Q Country). He started in the promotions department in 2019, moved on-air in 2022, was promoted to evening host in July 2023, and shifted to middays in January 2025. He took over the slot that had been without a permanent host since Corey Dillon departed in October 2024.

Gerardo Sproet

The Houston Chronical reports Sproet addressed his exit in a Facebook post, which quickly drew emotional reactions from listeners.

“What????? Nooooooo I liked listening to you — my radio stayed on 92.9 while you were on,” one commenter wrote.“This can’t be for real. He was the best on there. I’m gonna miss him,” another added.

“Will miss hearing you on the radio! But bigger things will be coming your way!” a third person commented.

KKBQ, branded as 93Q Country and “Houston’s Country Leader,” is one of the market’s most prominent country stations. Licensed to Pasadena and serving the Greater Houston area, the station broadcasts on 92.9 FM and has earned multiple Academy of Country Music (ACM) Radio Station of the Year awards.

Sproet’s departure marks the latest shakeup in Houston country radio this year. Earlier this month, the morning duo Frito & Katy was removed from 100.3 The Bull after roughly 15 months on air.

Chicago Radio: WBBM Up In The Air Over News

For decades, Chicago’s all-news station WBBM-AM 780 (and 105.9 FM) has marked the top of every hour with its familiar five-note sounder followed by national news from CBS Radio. Those notes will play for the last time next month.

CBS News Radio will shut down for good on May 22, 2026, ending nearly a century of service that supplied top-of-the-hour newscasts to roughly 700 stations nationwide. The closure is part of broader layoffs and restructuring at CBS News amid economic pressures and the shift to digital media.

WBBM station leaders say they are confident they will fill the five-minute slot effectively, though the exact replacement remains undecided.

“I think all options are on the table,” said Craig Schwalb, WBBM’s brand manager and news director, tells  The Chicago Tribune.   “We’ll make the best decision for Chicago and for our station when the time comes.”

Schwalb, who took over in January 2023, now faces a challenge unprecedented for the station: operating without the long-standing CBS network feed.

WBBM has built its own powerful legacy as a Chicago institution. It pioneered the all-news format in 1968, helping make the “news wheel” a staple in major markets. In 2011, it added an FM simulcast on 105.9 to expand its reach. The station was acquired by Audacy (then part of the CBS Radio cluster) in the 2017 merger.

Despite the loss of CBS programming, WBBM management has emphasized that the station itself is not going anywhere and will continue delivering local, state, and national news.

The end of CBS News Radio marks the close of an era that helped shape modern broadcast journalism, from Edward R. Murrow’s reports to the development of national radio news long before television dominated.

WBBM officials are currently evaluating whether to partner with another national network or expand local programming to cover the void left at the top of the hour.

Mike McVay Receives Annual MIW Erica Farber Impact Award

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has named Mike McVay, President of McVay Media, as the recipient of the Third Annual MIW Erica Farber Impact Award.

The award recognizes individuals who drive meaningful change in the radio industry by actively supporting impactful organizations and generously contributing their time, expertise, and resources. Honorees are honored as champions of service and advocates for growth and progress within the industry.

“Mike McVay has been a consistent and powerful advocate for both the radio industry and the advancement of women within it,” said MIW Board President Sheila Kirby. 

“His willingness to share his time, expertise, and influence has made a lasting impact on MIW and the broader community we serve. Mike doesn’t just support the mission — he actively helps move it forward. That kind of leadership is exactly what the Erica Farber Impact Award represents.”

With more than four decades in broadcasting, McVay has held senior leadership roles including Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One, where he oversaw programming for more than 500 radio stations, as well as podcasting, digital distribution, and content strategy.

Where Things Stand: Media and Prediction Markets

Prediction markets are online platforms that allow participants to buy and sell contracts tied to the outcomes of real-world future events—such as election results, sports outcomes, economic indicators, award winners, or geopolitical developments. 

These are typically binary "yes/no" contracts (e.g., "Will Candidate X win?") that pay out $1 if the predicted outcome occurs and $0 otherwise. The market price of a contract (e.g., trading at $0.65 for "yes") reflects the crowd's collective assessment of the probability of that event happening.

Traders with better information or analysis have an incentive to buy or sell accordingly, creating a self-correcting mechanism: prices aggregate dispersed knowledge more efficiently than polls or expert forecasts in many cases.

Why Media Companies Are Taking an Interest

Media outlets are increasingly partnering with prediction market platforms—not as competitors, but as complementary tools for storytelling, audience engagement, and new revenue. 

Radio Pro Gator Harrison Segues to K-Love

K-LOVE has announced Gator Harrison will be joining the radio division of the Ministry, assuming the role of Chief Media Officer on the Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) and overseeing the K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks, live events and partnerships.

Harrison joins K-LOVE after a storied career in radio, bringing nearly 40 years of highly relevant experience to the role. Most recently, Harrison served as senior vice president of programming for more than ten years at iHeartMedia where he oversaw broadcast, streaming, digital, social media and live events. Additionally, Harrison has held various other roles in radio since beginning his career in 1986, each expanding his depth of experience, including program director, operations director, and on-air personality.

He has won multiple industry awards for his work including national recognition from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA), among others. While he appreciates the recognition, Harrison has found his ministry work to be equally rewarding. In 2015, he founded Believers – a ministry serving and discipling professionals in the music industry. His new role at K-LOVE represents the culmination of his incredible industry experience and his heart for people.

Report: Joe Buck To Host ESPN Jeopardy!

Veteran sportscaster Joe Buck is nearing a deal to host a new ESPN-branded version of Jeopardy!, sources told Front Office Sports.

The program is expected to debut this summer across Disney platforms, with streaming availability on Hulu and Disney+ and possible linear runs on ABC and ESPN, according to sources. If finalized, the series would represent a high-profile extension of the Jeopardy! brand produced by Sony, which owns the property and has been exploring expansion opportunities.

Buck, the longtime lead play-by-play voice for ESPN’s Monday Night Football and part of the network’s Super Bowl broadcast team alongside Troy Aikman this coming season, is no stranger to the show’s format: he guest-hosted a week of Jeopardy! in August 2021 following Alex Trebek’s death.

ESPN Jeopardy! is expected to tilt toward celebrity competitors rather than open casting, with multiple on-air ESPN personalities reportedly slated to participate. The concept is not without precedent: a sports-focused iteration, Sports Jeopardy!, aired on Crackle from 2014–2016 and was hosted by Dan Patrick.

Sony will produce the series, and further details — including an official announcement, episode count, exact premiere date and full contestant lineup — have not yet been released.

Oxnard-Ventura Radio: Bill Smith New VP/MM For Cumulus

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed William E. “Bill” Smith as Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Oxnard-Ventura, CA.

Smith joins Cumulus Media from American General Media, where he was General Manager for its Bakersfield, CA, stations. Prior to that, he was Local Sales Manager for Hearst Television in Sacramento, CA, and was Director of Sales for News Press Gazette Television in Idaho Falls, ID.

Bill Smith

Bob Walker, President, Operations, Cumulus Media, said: “We are eager to welcome Bill to lead Cumulus Oxnard cluster. Bill brings a proven track record of building and leading high-performing sales organizations, along with a commitment to partnering with content teams to create meaningful connections that help local businesses grow. We are excited for the energy, leadership, and results he will bring to the community.”

Smith commented: “I’m honored to step into this role at such an important moment for the Oxnard-Ventura market. My focus is on understanding the needs of our partners, our customers, and our team so we can build on what’s already working while thoughtfully improving where we can. I’m excited to contribute to that process and help us move forward.”

📻Cumulus Media serves the Oxnard/Ventura, CA market through four powerful audio brands across its radio and digital platforms — The New 95.1 KBBY/KBBY-FM (Hot AC); 100.7 KHAY/KHAY-FM (Country); KRUZ 103.3/KRUZ-FM (Classic Hits); and Groovy 106.3/KVYB-FM (Oldies).

FCC Commissioners Attend NAB Show In Las Vegas

At the NAB Show 2026 underway in Las Vegas, two FCC commissioners delivered contrasting messages to broadcasters, highlighting ongoing tensions over regulatory obligations, free speech, and the future of the industry in a competitive media landscape.

In her remarks titled “Finding the Angel of the Public Interest,” FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty revisited a long-standing challenge in communications policy. Drawing from a 1998 speech by then-FCC Chairman Michael Powell—who famously described the search for an “angel” to clearly define the public interest—Trusty noted that while no single figure emerged to resolve the ambiguity, the concept remains foundational to broadcasting.

Rooted in the Communications Act, the public interest standard encompasses a broad array of obligations, including technical requirements, business practices, sponsorship identification, emergency alerts, and restrictions on indecent content. Trusty emphasized core duties such as the “equal opportunities” rule for political candidates, as well as the principle of localism—requiring stations to serve their communities’ needs and retain the flexibility to preempt network programming for important local or national stories.

R.I.P.: Dave Mason Rock & Roll Hall of Famer

Dave Mason (1946-2026)

Dave Mason, the lead singer, guitarist, and co-founder of the legendary rock band Traffic, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 79.

The musician passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. No cause of death was disclosed.

“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason,” read a statement from his representative. “On Sunday, April 19, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, celebrated songwriter, musician, singer, and author, passed away peacefully at his home in Gardnerville, NV.”

The statement added that Mason died after cooking dinner with his wife Winifred, then taking a nap in his favorite chair with their Maltese dog Star at his feet. “He passed away peacefully... surrounded by the beautiful Carson Valley that he loved so much. A storybook ending. On his own terms.”

It concluded: “Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved. He leaves a lasting imprint on the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts he has lifted. His legacy will be cherished forever.”

Mason rose to fame in the 1960s as a founding member of Traffic alongside Steve Winwood. He later enjoyed a successful solo career with hits including “Feelin’ Alright?,” “Only You Know and I Know,” and “We Just Disagree.”

In 2024, Mason canceled his Traffic Jam Tour due to a serious heart condition. In 2025, he announced his retirement from touring, citing ongoing health challenges.

Mason was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of Traffic and maintained an influential career spanning more than five decades as a songwriter, performer, and collaborator with artists such as Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney.

Radio History: April 22

➦In 1920...Hal March was born in San Francisco (Died at age 49 from lung cancer – January 19, 1970).  In 1944, March first came to note as part of a comedy team with Bob Sweeney. The duo had their own radio show for a time and performed, in the early 1950s, as "Sweeney & March" on CBS Radio.   He also partnered with actor/comic Tom D'Andrea in the early years of television in a series entitled The Soldiers.

He also appeared on Burns and Allen, The Imogene Coca Show and I Love Lucy. He was best known as the host of CBS TV’s $64,000 Question from 1955 to 1958. As a result of the quiz show scandals, the show was canceled and March was out of a job for nearly a decade. He started hosting another show, It’s Your Bet in 1969.

➦In 1943...Salty Brine took over as host of the morning show “T.N.T. Review” on WPRO in Providence, Rhode Island, in April 1943 (specific date is unknown). Brine was morning man until April 28, 1993. This 50-year tenure is a significant milestone.