Earnings season highlighted ongoing advertising pressures across traditional radio, offset in places by digital and podcast growth, while the industry pushed hard on the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act in the lame-duck Congress, navigated executive transitions and station moves, and marked retirements and losses of longtime voices.
🗼Beasley Media’s 3Q Results: Beasley Broadcast Group reported third-quarter net revenue of $42.8 million, down 16.1% from $51.0 million a year earlier (10.2% on a same-station basis). Local revenue (including local digital packages) was 76% of the total and fell 6%. Digital revenue was $9.8 million (23% of net, or 24% excluding political), down 24%. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $1.3 million from $3.9 million. The company posted an operating loss of $12.8 million (vs. a small loss a year earlier), driven largely by a $13.1 million FCC license impairment, and a net loss of $12.1 million ($6.51 per diluted share). New business was 14% of revenue; digital margins improved. CEO Caroline Beasley and the team pointed to cost reductions and local direct growth as partial offsets amid agency advertising weakness.
🗼Saga Communications Reports Widening Net Loss: Saga reported Q3 net operating revenue of $26.7 million, down 5.4% from $28.2 million. A $9.2 million non-cash impairment on FCC licenses (tied to higher interest rates, lower margins, and reduced market projections) drove an operating loss of $9.8 million and a net loss of $7.1 million (vs. much smaller losses a year earlier). Excluding the impairment, the net loss would have been about $240,000 ($0.03 per share). Station operating income was $2.4 million. Political revenue rose sharply. The board maintained the $0.25 quarterly dividend (payable December 11 to holders of record November 23). Nine-month revenue was down 5.8% and the net loss was $8.5 million.
🗼iHeartMedia Reports Higher Revenue for 3Q: iHeartMedia posted Q3 consolidated revenue of $1.03 billion, up 3.3% year-over-year (0.9% excluding political). Digital Audio Group revenue rose 14% to $389 million, led by podcasting up 24% (to roughly $174 million). Audio & Media Services Group revenue climbed 23%. Multiplatform Group (broadcast radio) revenue fell 5%. GAAP operating income improved substantially to $73 million, but adjusted EBITDA declined 17% to $170 million. CEO Bob Pittman highlighted podcasting and digital strength amid industry headwinds. The company plans to break out podcasting as its own reporting segment starting in 2027.
🗼Senator Sets Confirmation Vote for FCC Nominee: Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) scheduled a November 18 vote to advance the nomination of Danielle Thumann Severs (a senior legal adviser to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr) as an FCC commissioner. Confirmation would give Republicans a 3-1 majority. The hearing occurred earlier in the week; Democrats raised concerns about pairing and agency independence. The move is part of lame-duck efforts before Democrats take Senate control in January.
🗼Philly R/TV Newsman, Retires After 69-Year Career: Legendary Philadelphia broadcaster Larry Kane, 84, retired after 69 years in radio and television, including the last 23 at Audacy’s KYW Newsradio (1060/103.9). He began in Miami radio in 1957 at age 15, became the youngest major-market TV news anchor at 6ABC Action News, and later worked at NBC10, CBS3, ABC News/WABC-TV, and elsewhere. He covered political conventions, interviewed figures including MLK and Malcolm X, met presidents and popes, and famously covered the Beatles. He said he was happy to stop now to spend time with grandchildren, while noting his voice had softened. His final commentary stressed press freedom and local news.
🗼Cumulus Makes More Staff Payoffs After Emerging from Bankruptcy: Cumulus Media, which emerged from Chapter 11 in October after eliminating roughly $550–600 million in debt and becoming privately held under Alden Capital Group (with existing management continuing), began another round of layoffs. Cuts hit multiple markets, including Albuquerque (market manager/VP Jeff Berry, on-air talent, producers, and promotions staff at stations including KKOB, KRST, and others). Additional reductions were reported in other markets and at Westwood One. This follows earlier 2026 cuts amid revenue declines (spot revenue down double digits in prior periods).
🗼Full Court Press for Senate Vote on the Car Radio Act: With the House having passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act in September and more than 60 Senate co-sponsors (filibuster-proof support), the National Association of Broadcasters intensified its lame-duck push for a Senate vote before the session ends January 3. NAB EVP of Government Relations Shawn Donilon and others emphasized pathways including taking up the House bill or attaching it to larger legislation. PSAs urged listeners to text “AM” to 39179. President Trump has indicated support. Time is limited with a short calendar of working days.
🗼Kevin & Ally Drive News Success for KROQ FM: Audacy’s KROQ (Los Angeles) posted its strongest ratings since summer 2004, with a September 6.7 share among adults 25–54. The “Klein.Ally.Show” (Kevin Klein and Ally Johnson) in mornings ranked No. 1 across major demos in September (including 10.8 in 18–34 and 9.4 in 25–54) and has led 25–54 for much of the year, though it was second in October behind KYSR’s “The Woody Show.” The resurgence ties to the return of longtime PD Kevin Weatherly (2022) and Kevin Ryder in afternoons (2025), plus the morning show’s local connection and storytelling. The station is preparing for its 35th Almost Acoustic Christmas.
🗼Radio and SiriusXM Do Best with In-Car Listening: Edison Research (via Share of Ear) found AM/FM radio and SiriusXM significantly over-index in the car relative to their overall audio shares (AM/FM index 160; SiriusXM 232). AM/FM continues to dominate ad-supported in-car audio time. Other platforms peak elsewhere: YouTube and audiobooks at home; streaming music and podcasts in “other” locations (gym, stores, etc.). The data underscores radio’s traditional strength in vehicles as the industry advocates for dashboard access.
🗼Reporters Without Borders Calls for Removal of FCC Chair: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urged the incoming Congress (Democrats gaining control in January) to impeach FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, citing alleged weaponization of the agency against press outlets critical of the Trump administration, threats to licenses, investigations, and erosion of independence. RSF said this was its first call for removal of a U.S. official. Carr has previously described the FCC as not formally independent.
🗼Country Singer to Acquire WRLT-FM in Nashville: Garth Brooks’ Sevens Network LLC agreed to buy the 100.1 frequency currently used by adult-alternative “Lightning 100” (WRLT) from Tuned In Broadcasting for $3 million, subject to FCC approval. Brooks plans to launch “FM-100,” a country station blending legends, current artists, and especially female voices, with local information elements. Lightning 100 will move to 106.3 FM and 102.5 HD3 via Cromwell Media, preserving its format. Brooks said the idea stemmed from a “Save Our Station” post and aims to serve Nashville.
🗼Appeals Court Rules Trump Administration Illegally Fired VOA Chief: The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed that Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz was illegally fired by then-senior adviser Kari Lake (and others) in August 2025. Removal required approval from the independent International Broadcasting Advisory Board. The panel upheld a lower-court injunction, rejecting arguments that the statutory protections were unconstitutional and describing them as a barrier protecting journalistic integrity. Abramowitz welcomed the ruling.
🗼Grand Rapids: WLAV Adds Chuck and Dave The Freak Morning Show: Cumulus Classic Rock WLAV-FM (97 LAV) in Grand Rapids added the nationally syndicated “Dave & Chuck The Freak” (Beasley Media / Key Networks, based at WRIF Detroit) for mornings (6–10:30 a.m.). The irreverent show (Dave Hunter, Chuck Urquhart/“The Freak,” and ensemble) replaces the prior local morning team. Travis Gibbs moved to afternoons; other dayparts remain local. Hosts and distributors welcomed the Michigan expansion.
🗼Financial Woes for MediaCo: MediaCo Holding disclosed ongoing defaults under its credit agreements. A November 2 third amendment extended the maturity of its Delayed Draw Term Loans from October 31 to the earliest of November 30, 2026, or certain acceleration/other triggers. The administrative agent (WhiteHawk) acknowledged continuing defaults while reserving rights. The company has faced liquidity pressures, a going-concern warning, reclassified debt, and prior covenant issues; it has limited cash and negative working capital.
🗼SiriusXM Announces New CEO: SiriusXM appointed board member Anjali Sud (currently CEO of Fox’s Tubi streaming service, with prior experience at Vimeo) as CEO effective January 1, 2027. She succeeds Jennifer Witz, who is stepping down after nearly 25 years (including about six as CEO) and will remain in an advisory role through the end of 2027. Sud brings digital media, streaming, and advertising expertise; she has served on the board since March 2025. The company cited a strong foundation for the next phase.
🗼Two Veteran Voices Retire at KSL in Salt Lake City: Bonneville’s KSL Newsradio (1160/102.7) bid farewell to two longtime anchors. Morning co-host Amanda Dickson retired after nearly 40 years in radio (most of them at KSL, 34+ as morning host), signing off around November 12. Afternoon news anchor Jeff Caplan retired after more than four decades in broadcasting (including time at WCBS New York and years at KSL), with his final show earlier in the week. Both were praised for their connection with Utah listeners. The station announced new lineup elements, including Britt Johnson joining mornings with Andy Farnsworth and a new afternoon show.
🕇RIP, In Memorial:
Art Schreiber, Longtime New Mexico Radio General Manager: Art (Arthur A.) Schreiber, a pioneering all-news broadcaster and advocate for the blind, died November 7 at age 98. His career included roles as reporter, anchor, news director, and VP/GM at Westinghouse stations (Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York) and Hubbard (Minneapolis-St. Paul and KOB Albuquerque). He covered the Beatles’ first U.S. tour (and played Monopoly with them), interviewed JFK and MLK, and later lost his sight to detached retinas yet continued working and advocating, helping establish the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. He also ran for mayor of Albuquerque.
Dick Lamb, Longtime Hampton Roads Radio Personality: Dick Lamb, a defining voice and figure in Hampton Roads (Virginia) radio and television for decades, died November 10 at age 88 after a lengthy illness. He began in Baltimore in 1955, joined the Norfolk market in 1958, hosted shows including “The Dick Lamb Show” on TV, “Breakfast Bunch” on 101.3 2WD for more than 25 years, and “Dick Lamb and the Morning Wave” on 92.9. He was also a station owner/executive (involved in launching adult contemporary FM and Max Media properties) and mentor. He retired from mornings in 2019. The family requested donations to Alzheimer’s or blood-cancer charities.
🛈Look Ahead: Radio Industry Meetings and Seminars
- November 18: RAB webinar with Borrell Associates, “Digital Progress Report for 2026 — What to Expect in 2027” (1 p.m. ET), examining digital growth, forecasts, and strategies.
- November 19: WorldDAB Summit in Vienna (focus on digital radio, automotive, regulation; keynote “Why Radio Wins”).
- November 23: Radio TechCon 2026 in London (IET Savoy Place)—sessions on cybersecurity, cloud transmission, studio upgrades, TAMS, and more.
- December 2: RAB live presentation on “The AI Advantage for Radio Sales.”




















