FCC to Vote Aug. 6 on Repealing National TV Ownership Cap

The FCC will vote on August 6 to eliminate its 39% national television ownership cap and replace it with a case-by-case public interest review, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced Wednesday.

The change would shift from a rigid, decades-old blanket limit—last updated more than 20 years ago—to a flexible approach allowing the FCC to approve mergers that serve the public interest and block those that do not. Officials say the move will better align regulations with today’s competitive media market, promote localism, encourage investment in news and information, and let broadcasters compete more effectively against unregulated digital platforms.

In its current form, the rule has functioned as a near-total prohibition on deals pushing national audience reach above 39% of TV households, presuming such transactions are not in the public interest. The proposed case-by-case review would let the FCC fully evaluate factors like localism, viewpoint diversity, and competition for each specific deal.

Brendan Carr

“Strict ownership limits on local broadcasters that prevent them from competing with other players in the modern marketplace are not in the public interest,” the commission stated. “While competitors are free to reach 100% of their relevant market segments, this FCC rule has generally limited broadcasters to competing for just 39% of theirs.”

The FCC emphasized it is exercising long-standing statutory authority under the Communications Act to update the rule. Both Republican and Democratic chairs have previously affirmed this power, and Congress has never stripped the agency of its ability to modify ownership limits.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) applauded the proposal, calling the current restrictions “decades-old ownership restrictions that apply only to broadcasters—and none of our competitors—out of step with today’s media marketplace.” 

NAB said eliminating the cap will help local stations “better compete, invest and serve their communities with the most trusted and freely available news and information.”

A Nexstar spokesman welcomed the review as “long-overdue,” noting the rules were written before streaming services, smartphones, and social media existed. “No one would suggest limiting the reach of YouTube, Amazon, or CNN, yet local broadcasters are still forced to compete under rules written for a different century,” the spokesman said.

The draft order will be released publicly on FCC.gov tomorrow.

Report: Howard Stern Cutting Back To One Show Per Week

Howard Stern has laid off approximately a dozen staffers from his SiriusXM show as he shifts to producing just one new episode per week after Labor Day, according to sources.

The radio personality informed staff of the cuts during a Zoom call on Monday. He plans to retain a core team of veteran producers while filling remaining airtime with material from his extensive archives.

Affected employees were sent home immediately and will receive severance packages based on their tenure with the network. The move comes after months of speculation about Stern’s future. In December 2025, he signed a new three-year contract that he described as giving him greater “flexibility.” 

How Sunshine Protection Act Would Impact Radio

A bill backed by President Trump that would make daylight saving time permanent — leading to later sunsets in the dead of winter — is gaining momentum and bipartisan support.

The US House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on Tuesday evening, which could make the twice-yearly ritual of changing the clocks a thing of the past. On Monday, the monumental bill had cleared a key House hurdle — with the House Rules Committee approving the rule in a 6-4 vote.

Trump has signaled his support for the bill, writing in a Truth Social post that it would be a “very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!”

What is the Sunshine Protection Act?

The House and Senate versions of the bill both seek to make daylight saving time permanent. This would eliminate the biannual time change in the Spring and Fall — a practice currently followed by every US state except Hawaii and parts of Arizona.

Under the bill, Americans would spring the clocks forward in March and skip “falling back” in November.

Language from the bill, which Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Florida) introduced, was already included in a broader transportation proposal in May that passed by roll call vote in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Proponents have argued that sparing Americans from the biannual time change would boost outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic activity, and lessen negative impacts on sleep and seasonal depression.

Detractors have said the switch would greatly impact farmers who would have to cope with later sunrises.

Impact On Radio

No specific studies directly address permanent DST's impact on radio broadcasting.  But there would be shifts in Listener Habits:

• Morning and Evening Commutes: Permanent DST would mean later sunrises in winter (e.g., sunrise after 8 AM in some regions) and later sunsets. This could shift peak commuting times, affecting when people listen to radio during drive-time slots (typically 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM). Stations might need to adjust programming schedules to align with new commuting patterns. One unlikely groups against this idea is National Religious Broadcasters. Why? Because a reduction of morning daylight means more time on reduced power for AM radio stations.
• Evening Listening: Extended evening daylight could increase outdoor activities, potentially reducing evening radio listenership as people spend more time outside rather than indoors with radios or streaming devices.
• Morning Shows: With darker mornings, listeners may wake up later or feel less engaged early in the day, prompting stations to tweak morning show formats or timing to maintain audience engagement.
• Seasonal Content: Radio stations often tailor content to seasonal events or daylight-driven activities (e.g., summer playlists or winter holiday programming). Year-round DST could blur these distinctions, requiring more flexible programming strategies.
• Audience Measurement: Radio ratings depend on listener data, which could shift with new daily routines under permanent DST. Advertisers may demand updated metrics to reflect these changes, affecting ad rates and revenue.
• Retail and Event Ads: Extended evening daylight could boost ads for outdoor events, retail, or dining, as businesses capitalize on longer evenings. Radio stations might see increased demand for evening ad slots.
• Broadcast Scheduling: Stations synchronized with network programming or satellite feeds might face challenges if national schedules don't align with local time perceptions under permanent DST. This could require renegotiating syndication agreements.
• Energy Costs: Later sunsets might reduce lighting costs for studios but could increase energy use for evening broadcasts if staff work later hours.
• Regional Variations: The impact would vary by geography. Northern regions with extreme daylight shifts (e.g., Alaska or the Upper Midwest) might see more pronounced effects on listener behavior than southern regions with milder changes (e.g., Florida or Texas).

The U.S. tried year-round DST during World War I (1918) and from 1974–1975 (Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act), but both were repealed due to public backlash, particularly over dark winter mornings.

Advocacy Group Appeals FCC License Renewal for Philly Fox 29

The Media and Democracy Project has asked a federal appeals court to compel the Federal Communications Commission to hold a full vote on the license renewal for Fox Television Stations’ WTXF (Fox 29) in Philadelphia, escalating its long-running challenge against the station and its parent network.

The group, which opposes the Media Bureau’s decision to renew the license without full Commission review, argues that a complete vote would open the door for broader legal action against Fox. It has targeted the station over alleged “news distortion” and character concerns linked to Fox’s top leadership.

The FCC’s Media Bureau approved the renewal earlier this year, a routine administrative step for broadcast licenses. However, the Media and Democracy Project contends the decision bypassed proper scrutiny, particularly given its allegations of systematic issues at Fox that it says undermine the public interest obligations of broadcasters.

ABC Radio Criticized For Airing Pre-Recorded Overnight Newscasts

ABC News Radio is facing scrutiny after it delayed coverage of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death over the weekend because it aired pre-recorded newscasts during overnight hours.

The longtime South Carolina Republican senator, 71, died Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, after a brief and sudden illness. His office announced the news around 2:42 a.m. ET Sunday. A preliminary medical examiner’s report attributed the death to an aortic dissection. 

However, ABC News Radio’s 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. ET newscasts did not include the breaking story. Affiliates first received network notification via email around 4:30 a.m., and an obituary was added to the Newscall system at 3:30 a.m. 

The network had been using pre-recorded or re-aired newscasts overnight for nearly two years, a cost-saving practice that left some stations without immediate updates on major overnight developments. 

Millennials Tune in Digital Audio More Often

Millennials Lead Digital Audio Consumption, Outpacing Gen Z56% of millennials tune into digital audio every day—the highest share of any generation and well ahead of Gen Z at 47%—according to an April report from The Harris Poll and EMARKETER.

This daily listening habit positions millennials as the core audience for audio platforms, challenging the common assumption that younger cohorts dominate emerging media. Rather than a fleeting trend, the data reveals a sustained and growing preference among adults in their late 20s through early 40s.Podcast reach reinforces the millennial strength. 

Edison Research shows that 68% of millennials and Gen Xers aged 35–54 now listen to podcasts, up from 61% a year earlier. In contrast, reach among listeners 34 and younger actually declined over the same period, highlighting a shift toward older segments within the digital audio space.

Music, not talk, drives the daily habit. Across every generation, music playlists consume the largest share of digital audio time. For millennials, music accounts for 55% of listening, rising to 65% among Gen X, far outpacing podcasts and other formats, per the same Harris Poll and EMARKETER survey.

Happy Wednesday: Here's The Pulse for July 15

Radio Broadcasting

Radio's Value: Radio remains one of the most valuable entertainment options in the car, according to a major new study released Tuesday by Nielsen in partnership with iHeartMedia.

Becker Joins CMG: Phil Becker will join Cox Media Group as Vice President of Audience & Content Growth, a newly created position, starting Monday, July 20.

ABC News Radio Facing Critics: ABC News Radio is facing scrutiny after it delayed coverage of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death over the weekend because it aired pre-recorded newscasts during overnight hours.

Howard Cutting Back: Howard Stern has laid off approximately a dozen staffers from his SiriusXM show as he shifts to producing just one new episode per week after Labor Day, according to sources.

Nielsen Study Highlights Car Radio’s Enduring Value

Radio remains one of the most valuable entertainment options in the car, according to a major new study released Tuesday by Nielsen in partnership with iHeartMedia.

The “comprehensive” research underscores radio’s strong hold on drivers even as automakers increasingly consider dropping AM/FM receivers from new vehicles — a move the report warns would represent a multibillion-dollar gamble for the industry. 

The findings arrive at a pivotal moment for broadcast media. The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act — which would require AM capabilities as standard equipment in all new passenger vehicles — continues to advance on Capitol Hill but faces hurdles, with broadcasters from 31 states lobbying lawmakers as recently as Tuesday. Meanwhile, the FCC could deliver a significant lift to AM/FM radio at its August Open Meeting. 

iHeartMedia, which owns many leading spoken-word AM stations, partnered on the Nielsen study as the industry confronts declining in-car access to traditional radio. The report emphasizes radio’s unique role in delivering free, local news, emergency alerts, and entertainment without relying on data connections or subscriptions — advantages that remain critical during commutes and long drives.

More Than Just Music: Safety, Sports, and Connection

Phil Becker Named VP/Audience & Content Growth at CMG

Phil Becker will join Cox Media Group as Vice President of Audience & Content Growth, a newly created position, starting Monday, July 20.

In the role, Becker will lead audience growth strategy for CMG’s Radio division across broadcast, streaming, podcasting, social media, and emerging platforms. He will collaborate with programming leaders and market managers to expand audience reach, strengthen content performance, elevate on-air talent, and accelerate multi-platform growth, the company announced Tuesday.

“Phil brings a strong and unique combination of audience expertise, content leadership, and a passion for developing talent,” said CMG Radio President Rob Babin. “His experience and audience-first approach will help strengthen our brands and position CMG Radio for continued growth.”

Lawsuit Could Block CNN-Paramount Merger, Easing Staff Fears

A lawsuit that could derail the anticipated merger of Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN and Paramount Skydance’s CBS News is offering CNN employees a temporary reprieve from concerns over massive job cuts and potential political influence.

The merger, originally expected to close as early as this month, would combine the two news operations and trigger significant layoffs. Recent headlines have fueled anxiety at CNN, particularly over the possibility that CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss could play a leadership role in the merged entity.

Weiss assumed the top editorial job at CBS News in October 2025. Since then, the network has faced a string of negative stories, including internal turmoil at “60 Minutes.” Adding to CNN staff worries is the close relationship between Paramount Skydance owners, the Ellison family, and President Donald Trump, raising fears of political interference in editorial decisions if the deal goes through.

During Sunday’s “State of the Union,” Trump told Jake Tapper at the close of their interview: “We’re trying to have CNN go on a normal path. And we’ll do that.”

Paramount faces mounting pressure to complete the deal. If the merger is not finalized by Sept. 30, the company must pay shareholders a 25-cent-per-share “ticking fee” — totaling roughly $650 million per quarter.

CNN CEO Mark Thompson has sought to calm employees, telling them during a recent global town hall to focus on executing their strategy “with confidence and gusto” rather than dwelling on uncertainties.

FOX Nation, Conor McGregor Team For Bare Knuckle Championship

FOX Nation has partnered with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor for World's Baddest Man, a new original documentary competition series, announced Lauren Petterson, president of FOX Nation. Premiering in summer of 2027, the series is hosted by McGregor, who is prominently featured throughout as elite domestic and international fighters compete in a high-stakes, bracket-style tournament for the chance to be crowned the World's Baddest Man.

In making the announcement, Petterson said, "Conor McGregor is one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports, and we're excited to partner with him on a bold new original series unlike any other. World's Baddest Man combines premium documentary storytelling with world-class competition, providing FOX Nation subscribers unprecedented access to unique athletes while showcasing the grit, determination and heart required to compete for one of the biggest prizes in combat sports."

Hubbard, BFOA Team With Ultimate Morning Boot Camp Kickoff

Hubbard | Media That Connects and the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) are joining forces to host the Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC) Pre-Game Party for an unforgettable evening of networking, reconnecting, and celebration.

For the first time, Hubbard's signature MSBC Pre-Game Party and the Broadcasters Foundation’s popular Media Mixer will unite as one can't-miss event, officially launching the three-day Morning Show Boot Camp conference.

The MSBC Pre-Party takes place Wednesday, August 5, from 6pm. to 8pm at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Widely regarded as the premier gathering before the conference begins, the event sets the stage for three days of learning, collaboration, and industry connections.

Radio History: July 15

➦In 1913... Lloyd Estel Copas born (Died at age 49 – March 5, 1963).  He is known by his stage name Cowboy Copas, and was a country music singer popular from the 1940s until his death in the 1963 plane crash that also killed country stars Patsy Cline and Hawkshaw Hawkins. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Copas was born in 1913 in Blue Creek, Ohio, in Adams County. He began performing locally at age 14, and appeared on WLW-AM and WKRC-AM in Cincinnati during the 1930s. In 1940 he moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he performed on WNOX-AM with his band, the Gold Star Rangers.

In 1943, Copas achieved national fame when he replaced Eddy Arnold as a vocalist in the Pee Wee King band and began performing on the Grand Ole Opry. His first solo single, "Filipino Baby", released by King Records in 1946, hit No. 4 on the Billboard country chart and sparked the most successful period of his career.

➦In 1929...“Music and the Spoken Word” debuted on KSL Salt Lake City.  It is still on the air today, the oldest continuous nationwide network broadcast in the world.  It is a 30-minute of inspiring messages and music produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; the music is performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Jocko Henderson

➦In 2000…Radio personality Douglas “Jocko” Henderson - WOV, WADO died.

Henderson began his broadcast career in 1952 at Baltimore station WSID, and in 1953 began broadcasting in Philadelphia on WHAT.  He hosted a show called "Rocket Ship" out of New York radio stations WOV and WADO from 1954 to 1964, which was an early conduit for rock & roll.

He was known for a distinctive style of rhythmic patter in his radio voice, which he had learned from a Baltimore deejay, Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert.   Henderson continued on the stations WDAS and WHAT until 1974, as a personality  in Philadelphia and New York as well as hosting concerts in both cities and a TV music program in New York. 

In addition to Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, Henderson was also broadcast on stations in St. Louis, Detroit, Miami, and Boston.