St Louis Radio: FCC Clears Hoffmann’s Purchase of Audacy Cluster

FCC regulators approved the $20 million acquisition of six stations—including heritage news/talk KMOX-AM/FM—rejecting an informal objection that raised concerns about media consolidation, editorial independence, and local journalism. The FCC called the claims speculative. 

The deal marks Hoffmann’s first entry into radio broadcasting; the company already has significant newspaper and digital interests through Lee Enterprises and Hoffmann Media Group.

Hoffmann’s Audacy St. Louis acquisition is the first concrete step in a deliberate national strategy to build a large-scale, multi-platform local media company by pairing newspapers with radio stations in the same markets.

Key Details of the St. Louis Acquisition

The portfolio includes:

• KMOX (1120 AM / 104.1 FM) — the longtime “Trusted Voice of St. Louis” and flagship for St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
• KFTK-FM (97.1) — News/Talk.
• Music outlets: KYKY (Y98, Hot AC), KEZK (102.5, Adult Contemporary), WFUN (96.3 R&B), and WHHL (Hot 98.7, Hip-Hop/R&B).

Skydance Offers Voluntary Buyouts

• Company also mandates five-day in-office workweek

Skydance is giving some employees a one-time voluntary buyout option as it combines Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery following the close of their $110 billion merger. Eligible staff will receive personalized terms and a window to decide whether to accept the offer.

“As we bring our teams together, we recognize that not everyone will see their future here, and we respect that,” co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz wrote in a memo to employees. “To give eligible employees the option to move on in a way that works for them, we are introducing a Voluntary Buyout (VBO) Program. Those who qualify will receive an individual communication with their personalized details and terms, and a window to decide whether to accept this one-time offer.”

At the same time, Skydance is requiring employees to work in the office five days a week. The company said the policy will roll out on a phased basis by location so staff have time to adjust, with advance notice and support from managers.

“We truly believe this is in the best interest of our company and our people,” Ellison and Kreiz added. “We’ve seen the benefits firsthand at Paramount, and we want every part of Skydance to share in them. While many of you are already in the office five days a week, we understand this may be a significant change to the daily routines of others.”

Buffalo Radio: Country Goes Classic On WUSW

Radio One Buffalo has launched US Country on WUSW in Buffalo, N.Y., introducing a Classic Country format featuring hits from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. The station, which targets listeners throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario, is branded as “US Country – Buffalo’s Country Favorites.”

The station features a “Retro Hot Country” playlist highlighting artists including Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. Its on-air lineup includes veteran Buffalo Country personalities Buddy Shula, Wendy Lynn, Greg Ireland and Aaron James, with Liz Mantel scheduled to join the morning lineup in December.

“US Country is built around a clear promise: great country music and a station that feels connected to the people who listen,” said Radio One Buffalo owner Buddy Shula. “We’re bringing Buffalo country artists and songs that they have been craving, and that you can’t find anywhere else on the radio, locally.”

Omaha Radio: Summit Names Aaron Wilborn as Market President

SummitMedia has appointed Aaron Wilborn as Market President of its Omaha operations, where he will oversee the company’s radio stations, digital platforms, and events business.

Wilborn joins SummitMedia from Dick Broadcasting Company, where he has served as President since 2018, leading the company’s radio group as well as its digital and events divisions. A broadcast executive with more than 25 years of experience in radio and digital sales, he previously served as President and CEO of Apex Media Corporation in Charleston, S.C., overseeing radio, digital, outdoor advertising, and information technology operations. Earlier in his career, he held senior sales and market leadership roles with Clear Channel/iHeartMedia in Jacksonville, Fla.; West Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.

Aaron Wilborn

“I’m incredibly excited to join SummitMedia,” Wilborn said. “Omaha is an outstanding market, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team to strengthen our advertiser relationships and make a lasting impact in the community.”

SummitMedia Executive Vice President Randy Chase welcomed the appointment, pointing to Wilborn’s leadership experience and growth opportunities in the market. “Aaron brings discipline, focus and energy to the Omaha market,” Chase said. “With Omaha growing at an accelerated pace, we see tremendous potential for our stations, our advertisers and our team.”

SummitMedia’s Omaha cluster includes KQCH-FM (Channel 94.1), KSRZ-FM (Star 104.5), KEZO-FM (Z92) and KKCD-FM (Classic Rock 105.9).

Steve Wilson To Lead Podcasts For Netflix

Netflix has tapped former Apple executive Steve Wilson to lead its podcasting division, TheWrap has learned, as the streamer expands its slate of licensed and original audio and video podcasts.

The appointment, first reported Monday by Bloomberg, comes just over a week after Peter Rice replaced Bela Bajaria as Netflix's chief content officer.

Wilson spent nearly 15 years at Apple, from 2006 to 2020, and was among the earliest members of the Apple Podcasts team. He later served as chief strategy officer at Daylight Media, formerly QCODE, from 2020 to 2026.

Microsoft Offers Voluntary Buyouts

Microsoft is extending voluntary buyout offers to roughly 60,000 employees in the U.S., Canada, India and the U.K., the company said Monday. The time-limited program, available to select workers, includes financial support and career planning resources.

Eligible employees will receive an email with their individual offer details within hours, Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a message to staff. “The Voluntary Exit Offer reflects an important part of how we’re evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter,” she wrote.

Microsoft expects a lower acceptance rate than its previous voluntary retirement program in April, which offered buyouts to about 8,600 employees and saw more than 30% accept, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company employed 223,000 people as of the end of June.

That earlier program formed part of a broader effort to overhaul Microsoft’s performance system and its approach to bonuses and stock options, according to a memo from Coleman at the time.

Six Americans Sue Trump Over WH Press Access Limits

Six Americans sued President Donald Trump on Monday, arguing that his administration’s restrictions on White House press access violate the public’s First Amendment right to independent reporting on the government.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York by Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute and Yale Law School’s Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic, challenges the policy of excluding news organizations over coverage the president considers false or unfavorable. It seeks protections for the entire press corps, saying the threat of lost access discourages critical reporting.

“The First Amendment protects the public’s right to know what its government is doing,” said Katie Fallow of the Knight Institute. “The White House cannot decide what information Americans receive by punishing critical reporting.”

A White House official said journalists are not entitled to Oval Office access and can report from outside. The suit follows the barring of CNN, MS NOW and Politico; a judge ordered their access restored on Oct. 13 while their separate case proceeds. Plaintiffs include journalists, academics, a teacher and a student who rely on independent White House coverage.

Record College Football Viewership Propels ESPN

• ESPN networks are averaging 2.2 million viewers through Week 7, the second-best start to a college football season since 2011 
•  ESPN and ABC have aired eight of the season’s 10 most-watched games across all networks and a record eight telecasts with at least 8 million viewers through Week 7 
• College GameDay is on pace for its most-watched season ever, averaging 2.8 million viewers with six of the nine most-watched regular-season episodes in the show’s history

College football on ESPN is delivering its second-best start since 2011, with viewership up 15 percent over two years. Through Week 7, the sport is on pace for unprecedented viewership across linear windows, with ABC’s Saturday prime window posting its highest per-game average on record and College GameDay recording six of its nine most-watched regular-season episodes in history.

Viewership at a glance

ESPN networks are averaging 2.2 million viewers across 120 games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU — the second-best start for ESPN since 2011. Viewership is up 15 percent compared to the same point two years ago and only slightly down from last year’s record-breaking season.

ABC alone is on pace for its second most-watched college football season on record, averaging 6.8 million viewers across 23 games — on par with last year and up 26 percent over two years, and more than twice the audience of its closest competitor. Across the sport, nationally rated college football games have generated 93 billion minutes watched to date, on record pace and up 3 percent year-over-year.

Nielsen notables

• ESPN networks have aired eight of the 10 most-watched games of the season across all networks ESPN has aired the top 25 most-watched games on cable this season 
• ESPN and ABC have delivered eight games with 8 million or more viewers — the most on record for a media company through Week 7 
• ESPN and ABC have accounted for 58 percent of all live college football game minutes viewed across nationally rated linear networks — 2.5 times any other media company 
• ESPN and ABC have aired the top game in 16 of 21 Saturday windows across noon, late afternoon and primetime — four of seven at noon, five of seven in late afternoon and all seven in primetime

Baltimore Radio: ‘Ravens Daily’ to Debut on WBAL NewsRadio

Michael Pierce, Kyle Youmans

The Baltimore Ravens and WBAL NewsRadio announced Monday the Nov. 9 premiere of “Ravens Daily,” a two-hour, year-round weekday radio show hosted by “Voice of the Ravens” Kyle Youmans and former Ravens defensive lineman Michael Pierce.

The program will air live Monday through Friday from 3–5 p.m. on WBAL NewsRadio and multiple Ravens digital platforms, offering specialized analysis and conversation both during the season and throughout the offseason.

Produced by Ravens Productions, “Ravens Daily” will feature comprehensive game breakdowns, key player spotlights, and exclusive interviews with Ravens Legends, current players, NFL media, team officials, and others. Episodes are structured to follow the rhythm of the NFL calendar and deliver year-round insight into the team.

“‘Ravens Daily’ is all about the Ravens Flock, with access and interviews they want, delivered in an informative and entertaining manner each day,” Youmans said. “The incredibly talented individuals at Ravens Productions have long set the standard for digital content in the NFL. To bring that same level of storytelling and content to radio is a huge responsibility, and we can’t wait for fans to enjoy it.”



Pierce, who played seven seasons with the Ravens (2016–19, 2022–24) after signing as an undrafted free agent, will contribute a player’s perspective drawn from his on-field impact and community involvement.

“The more fans listen to Michael Pierce, the more they’ll enjoy his personality and connection to the organization,” Youmans added. “Our goal is to provide the stories and analysis from ‘The Castle’ that are appointment viewing.”

Dan Joerres, President and General Manager of WBAL-TV, WBAL NewsRadio and 98 Rock, said the show expands the stations’ longstanding partnership with the Ravens. “Kyle Youmans and Michael Pierce will bring a distinct perspective to WBAL NewsRadio, and I know our listeners will enjoy hearing from them every weekday.”

R.I.P.: Donnie Iris, Pittsburgh-Based Singer/Songwriter

Donnie Iris (1943-2026)

Pittsburgh music legend Donnie Iris died at age 83, just two weeks after announcing his retirement from performing.

Iris had been battling cancer for several years. Iris, born Dominic Ierace, was famous for his work with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry in the 1970s and for his solo career with the Cruisers in the 1980s. 

He wrote the Jaggerz's number 2 Billboard hit "The Rapper" and had solo hits like "Ah Leah!" (which reached number 29) and "Love Is Like a Rock" (which peaked at number 37). 

 He announced his retirement after a September 28 performance at the opening of Citizens Live at the Wylie, a new concert venue near Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena. 

In a Facebook post, Iris said, "After much thought, and in light of recent health issues, I have made the difficult decision to retire from future concert performances." 

 He expressed deep gratitude to his fans, family, musicians, crew, and promoters, calling music a constant source of joy and inspiration throughout his life. Reflecting on his final show, Iris said, “It was a meaningful and fitting moment to share with all of you in my hometown.”

Radio History: Oct 27

➦In 1920...Westinghouse's radio station in East Pittsburgh, KDKA was issued the first-ever commercial radio license.  But it would be another week before it took to the air .. with the Harding-Cox election returns Nov. 2.   The audience was approximately 1,000 people.

KDKA's roots began with the efforts of Westinghouse employee Frank Conrad who operated KDKA's predecessor 75 watt 8XK from the Pittsburgh suburb of Wilkinsburg from 1916. Conrad, who had supervised the manufacturing of military receivers during WWI, broadcast phonograph music and communicated with other amateur radio operators via 8YK. On September 29, 1920, the Joseph Horne department store in Pittsburgh began advertising amateur wireless sets for $10, which could be used to listen to Conrad’s broadcasts.

Westinghouse vice president and Conrad’s supervisor, Harry P. Davis, saw the advertisement and recognized the economic potential of radio.  Instead of it being limited as a hobby to scientific experimenters, radio could be marketed to a mainstream audience. Consequently, Davis asked Conrad to build a 100-watt transmitter, which would air programming intended to create widespread demand for Westinghouse receivers.

The KDKA call sign was assigned sequentially from a list maintained for the use of US-registry maritime stations, and on November 2, 1920, KDKA broadcast the US presidential election returns from a shack on the roof of the K Building of the Westinghouse Electric Company "East Pittsburgh Works" in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.

According to Britannica.com, the first voice and music signals heard over radio waves were transmitted in December 1906 from Brant Rock, Massachusetts (just south of Boston), when Canadian experimenter Reginald Fessenden produced about an hour of talk and music for technical observers and any radio amateurs who might be listening. Many other one-off experiments took place in the next few years, but none led to continuing scheduled services. On the West Coast of the United States, for example, Charles (“Doc”) Herrold began operating a wireless transmitter in conjunction with his radio school in San Jose, California, about 1908. Herrold was soon providing regularly scheduled voice and music programs to a small local audience of amateur radio operators in what may have been the first such continuing service in the world.

Layoffs On the Table as Comcast Transitions

Comcast is launching the largest cost-cutting transformation in its history, an overhaul expected to cost more than $1 billion in the next fiscal quarter while delivering substantially greater long-term savings, executives said on an earnings call Thursday.

The changes center on redesigning the organization, simplifying its structure, investing in technology including expanded AI for customer experience, and adding technology leadership to accelerate innovation. Chief financial officer Jason Armstrong told analysts, “We are fundamentally redesigning our organization. We’re simplifying our organizational structure to move faster, improve execution, and operate more efficiently.”

Where Things Stand: Possible MNF Booth Break-Up

The longest-running NFL broadcast pairing in history is fracturing over money and loyalty. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, partners for nearly 25 years, face a reported split after ESPN locked up Buck on a six-year, roughly $108 million extension while Aikman remains unsigned and has said he expects to become a free agent after Super Bowl LXI.⁠

The tension centers on contracts and perceived betrayal. In September, The Athletic reported that Buck agreed to the extension (raising his annual pay from about $15 million to $18 million), keeping him as the voice of Monday Night Football through ESPN’s Super Bowl in 2031. Aikman, finishing a five-year, $90 million deal that pays him $18 million annually and expires after the Super Bowl, has not received a formal offer, according to multiple reports. ESPN has declined to discuss talent contracts publicly before the game.⁠

Senate Vote On AM Radio Act Stalls Before Midterms

Automakers spent about $6.3 million in the third quarter lobbying against the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act after the measure cleared the House in September, as the bill remains stalled in the Senate with no vote expected before the midterms.

According to media reports, Toyota Motor North America reported roughly $1.7 million, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation about $1.5 million, Tesla $650,000, Honda $520,000, Volkswagen Group of America $420,000, and BMW of North America $230,000. Lucid USA reported $80,000 and Mazda $60,000. Other groups that have opposed pro-radio measures, including the Consumer Technology Association and SoundExchange, spent $810,000 and $290,000, respectively.

Talarico Has a Favorite Drag Queen. News Media Yawns.

U-S Senate candidate James Talarico’s recent CNN town hall performance revealed the skill that has him competitive in Texas: the ability to sound moderate while holding progressive views. The Austin-area state representative positioned himself as a pragmatic Democrat who would seek middle ground on the economy, healthcare, and immigration and who would not hesitate to challenge his own party. “I’m a proud Texas Democrat, but I already have a religion, and I already have a sports team,” he said. “So, I have no problem sharing hard truths with my party if it’s what’s best for Texas.”

Musk Claims Ukraine Violated Use of Starlink System

Elon Musk said Saturday that Ukraine had violated the terms of service for his Starlink satellite internet system by using it “for offensive drone strikes to kill people,” and that SpaceX had closed the loophole last week.

In a post on X, Musk, 55, offered his first public explanation of recent disruptions to the satellite communications that have become vital to Ukraine’s military operations against Russia. He distinguished between Starlink, which he described as a civilian service, and Starshield, a SpaceX system controlled by the U.S. government and intended for military use.

Vinyl Record Sales Increasing

Vinyl record sales in the United States topped $1 billion in 2025, the first time the format has reached that threshold since 1983, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Sales rose for the 19th consecutive year amid a resurgence driven by younger listeners, special-edition releases, and exclusive variants sold at both national chains and independent shops.

Nearly half of all global vinyl revenue came from the U.S. market last year. Overall recorded-music wholesale revenue, including streaming and physical formats, reached a record $11.5 billion in 2025, the RIAA reported.

How Cozy: Rehearsal Dinner Held At Mar-a-Logo

Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt married Saturday after hosting a pre-wedding rehearsal dinner the night before at Mar-a-Lago that was attended by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

The couple, longtime Fox News hosts, chose the Palm Beach club for the Friday celebration so they could include the president among their guests, sources told CNN. Trump did not attend Saturday’s wedding ceremony, which was held at a separate location. Earlier Friday he told reporters he planned to “go over and celebrate with Sean Hannity and Ainsley at Mar-a-Lago,” adding, “They’re doing a big, beautiful thing.” He had also been overheard discussing the weekend with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.