Good Morning! It's Already Wednesday, Here's The Pulse For April 15

Radio Broadcasting

Fewer Follow Local News: A Pew Survey reveals that only 21% now follow local news very closely — a sharp drop from 37% in 2016. At the same time, 42% of Americans get their news from online-only sources, nearly triple the 15% recorded in 2018. The findings, part of ongoing research by the Pew-Knight Initiative, highlight a continuing transformation in how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage with their communities.

Radio Sales Careers: RAB has announced its 2026 Media Career Academies, part of the National Radio Talent System (NRTS)—the industry's premier student training initiative, powered by RAB. Aligned with RAB's mission to drive growth through education, training and workforce development, the academies provide immersive, hands-on experience for students pursuing careers across broadcast radio, podcasting and digital audio.

Media Industry

Claim Nielsen Metrics Devalue Media Companies: An NBCUniversal executive has publicly criticized Nielsen after the media-measurement firm delayed and then rolled back a methodological update to its Gauge report that would have temporarily boosted reported broadcast and cable TV viewership. The February's report would have incorporated viewing data from the Advertising Research Foundation for the first time. Nielsen delayed the change last month after streaming services questioned preliminary numbers showing declines in their audiences. 

Carr Doubles Down: FCC Chair Brendan Carr doubled down Tuesday on his argument that the NFL could lose its antitrust exemption if it moves too many games behind streaming service paywalls. The DOJ is investigating the league amid outcry that it has become too pricey and complicated for sports fans to watch their favorite teams – and Carr warned that oversight could extend to the FCC and Congress, too, if the shift to streaming worsens. “That experience has become frustrating for lots of Americans over the years,” he said of watching games to CNBC.

Reporter Resigns: Dianna Russini has resigned from her job at the Athletic after Page Six published photos of her at a luxury hotel with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. The veteran NFL reporter shared the news in a letter to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg. “I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” the letter said.

U-S News

Iran Trade Stops: The U.S. military said early Wednesday Iran time that it had completely stopped all commercial trade to and from Iranian ports less than 36 hours after implementing a naval blockade. President Trump had ordered the Navy to stop any ships from transiting the Strait of Hormuz after weekend peace talks in Pakistan ended with no agreement.

Israel-Lebanon Talk: The U-S announced on Tuesday that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to “launch direct negotiations” to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, a conflict that has threatened to upend the fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran. The announcement came after the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel met face-to-face in Washington, along with the U.S. secretary of state, Marco Rubio. While the meeting was not considered high-level talks, it was notable because Israel and Lebanon do not have diplomatic relations. 

Swalwell Chief of Staff Rebuke: The former chief of staff to Eric Swalwell responded to the rape allegations against his former boss with a brutal rebuke about how no one is working for the congressman anymore. Benjamin Burnett replied to a request for comment from the Hill about the swarm of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct allegations against the embattled former congressman. “As of 2 PM (ET) today neither Cassie [Baloue] nor I work for or report to the former Congressman,” the post on X read.

Local News Engagement Declines As Online Sources Rise

A December 2025 survey of U.S. adults reveals that only 21% now follow local news very closely — a sharp drop from 37% in 2016. At the same time, 42% of Americans get their news from online-only sources, nearly triple the 15% recorded in 2018.

The findings, part of ongoing research by the Pew-Knight Initiative, highlight a continuing transformation in how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage with their communities.

The decline in local news attention signals potential challenges for community awareness and participation. Local journalism has traditionally served as a key source for information about city government, schools, crime, and neighborhood issues. With fewer people prioritizing it, experts worry about reduced civic knowledge at the hyper-local level even as national and digital news consumption grows.

Meanwhile, the surge in reliance on online-only outlets reflects the broader digital shift that has accelerated since the late 2010s. Social media platforms, news apps, newsletters, and independent websites now dominate many Americans’ information diets, often delivering content faster and more personally tailored than traditional newspapers or television.

The Pew-Knight Initiative, a partnership between Pew Research Center and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, funds research examining these exact trends. Its work explores not just where people get news, but how they process it, how it shapes their worldviews, and how it influences real-world community involvement.

These latest figures add to a growing body of evidence showing an increasingly fragmented and digital-first media environment. While online sources expand access and variety, the drop in local news engagement raises questions about whether Americans are as informed about the places they live as previous generations.

Further analysis from the initiative is expected to examine the consequences of these shifts for democratic participation, trust in institutions, and community cohesion in the years ahead.

NBCUniversal: Nielsen Metrics Devalue Media Companies

An NBCUniversal executive has publicly criticized Nielsen after the media-measurement firm delayed and then rolled back a methodological update to its Gauge report that would have temporarily boosted reported broadcast and cable TV viewership.

The February's report would have incorporated viewing data from the Advertising Research Foundation for the first time. Nielsen delayed the change last month after streaming services questioned preliminary numbers showing declines in their audiences. Instead of releasing the new figures, which reportedly showed traditional TV leading overall viewing in February for the first time in nine months, Nielsen canceled the report and pushed the update to this fall.

On Tuesday, the company released a February Gauge using its previous methodology, which again showed streaming maintaining a clear lead in TV viewing.

Mark Marshall, chairman of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, said the developments reinforce industry concerns that Nielsen systematically overestimates streaming viewership. He argued this hurts traditional TV owners in ad negotiations and damages company valuations.

“Every media company is valued on a multiple of something, right? The baseline for all of these is revenue, and if that revenue is understated due to incorrect measurement, then absolutely, the valuations of these media companies are being impacted,” Marshall said. “That is why a change needs to happen.”

He added that the consequences extend to employment and could force more media mergers and acquisitions.

Nielsen maintains that the Gauge, a monthly snapshot of platform viewing shares, is not the currency used in ad buying and selling. Its primary ratings service, Big Data + Panel, has already incorporated the Advertising Research Foundation data since January.

However, Marshall and other TV executives say the Gauge carries significant influence because its numbers frequently appear in news coverage, earnings calls, press releases, and analyst reports, shaping market perceptions and advertising decisions.

Dem Lawmaker Admits Ignoring Swalwell Rumors

On Tuesday, a fifth woman, model Lonna Drewes publicly accused former Congressman Eric Swalwell of drugging, raping, and choking her during a 2018 encounter in West Hollywood, and she announced she will file a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his California gubernatorial campaign on Monday, following multiple sexual misconduct allegations that prompted the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to open a criminal investigation.

Senator Ruben Gallego, Democrat of Arizona, acknowledged Tuesday that he had heard longstanding rumors that Representative Eric Swalwell was “flirty” with women, but chose not to act because of their close friendship.

The NY Times reports the admission came on the same day that Swalwell resigned from Congress facing multiple allegations of sexual assault.

Gallego, a former House member who chaired Swalwell’s brief 2020 presidential campaign and spent years working closely with him, said he never personally witnessed any inappropriate behavior. He added that Swalwell had misled and manipulated him into believing the accusations of harassment and assault were unfounded.

“I never saw him engage in any of the predatory behavior, harassment, sexual assault,” Gallego said of Swalwell, who has denied the allegations.

Gallego expressed regret for not confronting Swalwell about the rumors he had heard and suggested his inaction reflected a broader culture of tolerance for such whispers in Washington.

“We have to be honest with ourselves,” Gallego said. “Like, I think a lot of people in D.C. treat these kinds of rumors as just like part of the course of playing here, or something like that. We should have figured out how to approach that.”

The Arizona senator’s comments provide a rare glimpse into the environment on Capitol Hill, where years after the #MeToo movement, rumors of misconduct have often been dismissed or kept quiet, allowing accused lawmakers to continue rising in power.

FCC Chair Doubles Down on Warning to NFL Over Streaming Shift

FCC Chair Brendan Carr on Tuesday stood firm in his criticism of the NFL, warning that the league risks losing its longstanding antitrust exemption if it continues pushing more games behind streaming service paywalls, making it increasingly difficult and expensive for fans to watch.

Carr’s remarks come as the Department of Justice investigates the league amid growing public frustration that following favorite teams has become too fragmented, costly, and complicated for average American households.

“That experience has become frustrating for lots of Americans over the years,” Carr told CNBC.

The FCC chairman cautioned that if the NFL’s aggressive shift toward streaming services worsens, regulatory scrutiny could broaden beyond the Justice Department to include the FCC and even Congress. He argued that such a move threatens the league’s special legal protections, which have historically shielded it from certain antitrust challenges.

Carr first raised the issue in recent weeks, highlighting how the NFL’s broadcasting strategy — once centered on free over-the-air television — has evolved into a patchwork of premium cable packages, streaming exclusives, and pay-per-view options. Many fans now face a confusing array of subscriptions to catch every game, driving up costs and alienating traditional audiences.

Brendan Carr

The NFL has defended its approach, citing the need to adapt to changing viewer habits and generate revenue in a competitive media landscape. However, consumer complaints have mounted, with reports of households paying hundreds of dollars annually just to access regular-season games that once aired freely on broadcast networks.

Carr’s comments signal potential bipartisan momentum in Washington to examine professional sports leagues’ media practices. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concern about the accessibility of major sporting events, traditionally viewed as part of the public airwaves’ cultural fabric.

The Justice Department’s ongoing investigation is expected to review the NFL’s broadcasting agreements and market power, with Carr’s Tuesday statements adding pressure on the league to reconsider its streaming-heavy strategy before facing wider regulatory consequences.

NFL Reporter Resigns Over Intimate Photos With Patriots Coach

NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic less than a week after photos surfaced showing her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury resort in Arizona, prompting an internal investigation by the publication’s parent company, The New York Times.

The resignation comes as The Athletic and The Times examined both the nature of Russini’s personal relationship with Vrabel and her past professional coverage of him and the Patriots. 

Russini, 43, was immediately sidelined from reporting duties during the review.

Photos published April 7 by the New York Post’s Page Six showed the pair, both married to other people, holding hands, hugging, lounging poolside, and sitting together in a hot tub at the adults-only Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona, around March 28. 

Additional images captured them on a private rooftop bungalow.

+ Memo from Steven Ginsberg to Athletic staff: pic.twitter.com/deNfBBHhDl

— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) April 14, 2026

Russini and Vrabel, 50, both described the interactions as innocent and part of a larger group setting. Russini told the Post the images “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.” Vrabel called it a “completely innocent interaction.” The Athletic’s executive editor initially defended her, stating the photos were “misleading and lack essential context” and occurred publicly in front of others.

However, the published images raised enough questions about potential conflicts of interest that The Athletic reopened its review. Sources told ESPN and The New York Times that her coverage of Vrabel, whom she has reported on for years, including during his tenure as Tennessee Titans coach, is under scrutiny. She has not filed any stories since April 7.

Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after a prominent run at ESPN as a national NFL insider.

Disney Begins Layoffs Including Positions at ABC News

ABC News is set to lose around a dozen staffers as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative at parent company Disney, which is eliminating up to 1,000 jobs across the organization.

The layoffs at ABC News — home to flagship programs like Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and The View — were reported Tuesday by sources close to the network. They form a relatively small slice of Disney’s latest round of reductions, which began this week under new CEO Josh D’Amaro.

Disney announced the job reductions in an internal memo from D’Amaro, who succeeded Bob Iger earlier in 2026. The CEO described the moves as necessary to “streamline our operations” in a “fast-moving” media environment and to build a more “agile and technologically-enabled workforce.”

The majority of the cuts target Disney’s newly consolidated marketing and brand organization, led by Asad Ayaz. Additional impacts hit studios, television units, ESPN, product and technology teams, and certain corporate functions.

This round marks the first significant layoffs under D’Amaro’s leadership. Disney’s total workforce stood at more than 230,000 at the end of its most recent fiscal year (many part-time theme park employees). The 1,000 cuts represent a modest percentage overall but signal continued efficiency efforts in traditional media and linear TV amid streaming competition and softening ad revenue.

ABC News has faced previous rounds of reductions in recent years:In March 2025, nearly 200 jobs were cut across ABC News and Disney Entertainment Networks (about 6% of that group’s workforce).
Earlier cuts included the shutdown of 538 and mergers of shows like 20/20 and Nightline.The latest dozen positions at ABC News appear concentrated in support or behind-the-scenes roles tied to the wider marketing consolidation rather than on-air talent or core editorial staff, though specifics remain limited.

“All American Patriotism” by Rachel Campos-Duff Releasing In May

FOX News Books, the publishing arm of FOX News Media, will debut its 19th title on May 19th; “All American Patriotism” by FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. 

In this second collaboration with the imprint, Campos-Duffy curates a striking collection of photographs capturing the nation’s natural wonders, alongside the patriotic anthems and foundational documents that have defined the American spirit. Featuring personal reflections from FOX News Media personalities along with a foreword by Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of the late Charlie Kirk, the book will provide an inspirational look at the history and vision of the country.

Rachel Campos-Duffy

In commenting on the announcement, Campos-Duffy said, “As America celebrates her 250th birthday, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that we’re facing an identity crisis. My hope is that this collection of stories from patriotic members of my FOX family reminds us of who we are. We are the descendents of conquistadors, pilgrims, rebels, freedom-loving revolutionaries, Indian chiefs, pioneers, outlaws, emancipated slaves, missionaries, and rugged cowboys. As we mark our 250th anniversary, may these stories serve as a celebration—of the people, the resilience, and the spirit that have made us the greatest nation in human history on the face of the Earth.”

Following FOX News Books’ back-to-back New York Times bestsellers, “All American Patriotism” features heartfelt stories from FOX News Media personalities including Ainsley Earhardt, Sean Hannity, Bill Hemmer, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters and more, that capture the spirit that defines America at its semiquincentennial. Through nostalgic perspectives, the book offers readers an inspiring tribute to the nation, highlighting the values and unforgettable memories that continue to unite us.

RAB Schedules 2026 Media Career Academies

RAB has announced its 2026 Media Career Academies, part of the National Radio Talent System (NRTS)—the industry's premier student training initiative, powered by RAB.

Aligned with RAB's mission to drive growth through education, training and workforce development, the academies provide immersive, hands-on experience for students pursuing careers across broadcast radio, podcasting and digital audio.

2026 academies include:

• GAB Media Career Academy: Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia (May 11–16)
• IBF Media Career Academy, Illinois Broadcasters Foundation, Bloomington, Illinois (May 11–15)
• Kellar Media Career Academy, Appalachian State University (June 8–13)

Participants gain real-world training in content creation, sales, marketing and digital strategy, while building direct connections with industry leaders. 

Graduates earn RAB's Radio Marketing Professional (RMP) certification, helping accelerate entry into the workforce.

"Developing talent is essential to the future of our industry," said Mike Hulvey, president and CEO, RAB. "Through the National Radio Talent System and our Media Career Academies, we're introducing students to the power and opportunity within radio—today's leading audio platform—while equipping them with the skills and connections to build meaningful, long-term careers."

Additionally, over 100 students are attending the BEA Spring Conference and NAB Show in Las Vegas as RAB Student Scholars. The students participate in customized sessions, mentor matchups, curated exhibit-floor tours where they will network with exhibitors, discover career paths and gain a broadened view of radio broadcasting through this immersive experience. This is the 12th year of the program with over 1,200 students being introduced to the radio ecosystem underwritten by radio broadcasters.

Radio History: April 15

➦In 1898...Marian Irene Driscoll Jordan was born (Died from cancer at age 62 – April 7, 1961). She was an actress and radio personality. She was most remembered for portraying the role of Molly McGee, the patient, common sense, honey-natured wife of Fibber McGee on the NBC radio series Fibber McGee and Molly from 1935–1959. She starred on this series opposite her real-life husband Jim Jordan.

Jim Jordan and Marian Jordan

Jordan was first heard on radio with her husband Jim in 1924 after a bet that Jim made with his brother. The couple's performance was a success. They began performing at WIBO, a radio station in Chicago where they earned $10 a week.

Newspaper Ad late '30s

In 1927, Marian and Jim began their second radio show, The Smith Family which aired on WENR radio in Chicago. The show was a great boost to their career, ending in 1930.On April 16, 1935, Marian Jordan, her husband Jim, and writer Don Quinn, began broadcasting Fibber McGee and Molly, on the NBC Blue Network Chicago radio affiliate WMAQ. 

The series was a big hit. Marian played the role of Molly McGee, the patient and intelligent wife who supports husband Fibber McGee through various get rich quick schemes and misadventures.In 1938, the show and Jordan would both suffer major changes. During this time, Marian was drinking excessively. She entered a rehabilitation center in suburban Chicago and tried to get sober. "Molly" was written out of the radio show, and the program was renamed Fibber McGee and Company.

Those who knew Marian doubted that she would ever return to radio, especially after the show moved from Chicago to Los Angeles in 1939. However, Marian astonished everyone by travelling alone from Joliet, Illinois to Pasadena, California in March 1939. She was able to return to the character of "Molly," and some listeners considered her better than before. The show received high ratings, from season three in 1938 until the end of its run. 

It also gave birth to a spin-off. In 1941, a recurring character, Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, (played by Harold Peary), began a new show called The Great Gildersleeve. The radio and television series Beulah was also a spin-off of Fibber McGee and Molly.

Marian Jordan's health began to deteriorate in the 1950s. This was the beginning of the end both for the show and for Jordan. The program officially ended in 1956 but the Jordans continued their roles as Fibber McGee and Molly in short skits on the NBC radio program Monitor until October 2, 1959, when her poor health made her unable to continue.

➦In 1912…After midnight, two wireless radio operators at Cape Race, Newfoundland heard the last of the RMS Titanic's distress calls.

At 2:27 a.m., the "unsinkable" ocean liner sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg the evening before.

There were 711 survivors. A total of 1,517 people died, of which 328 bodies were recovered. Those too badly damaged or deteriorated were buried at sea, and the remaining 209 were taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they were claimed from the morgues or buried over an 11-day period starting May 3.

➦In 1921...The Air Mail Radio Service of the Post Office Department adopted an experimental radio service for disseminating market news, initially started by WWV in cooperation with the Bureau of Markets of the Department of Agriculture on December 15, 1920. By April 15, 1921, this service, known as the "Daily Radio Marketgram," was adapted to transmit market news using a 2 kW spark transmitter and Morse code at 5:00 PM (except Sundays and holidays) on 750 kHz (400 meters). This marked an early use of radio for practical, non-entertainment purposes, laying groundwork for broader broadcasting applications.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette To Continue Operations

In a significant development for local journalism in Pennsylvania, Toledo, Ohio-based Block Communications Inc. has reached an agreement to sell the assets of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, the nonprofit organization behind the Pulitzer Prize-winning Baltimore Banner.

The transaction ensures the continuation of the historic newspaper, which had been set to publish its final edition on May 3 before shutting down operations. 

The sale takes effect on May 4, and the Post-Gazette name and brand will remain unchanged.

Under the new ownership structure, the newsroom and local business leadership will stay based in Pittsburgh, preserving the paper’s editorial voice and connection to the community it has served for generations. Non-local functions, such as technology infrastructure and broader business operations, will be integrated with the Venetoulis Institute’s existing teams to improve efficiency and sustainability.

The Venetoulis Institute, known for its innovative nonprofit model that has revitalized local news in Baltimore, plans to maintain the Post-Gazette’s current print schedule of two editions per week: Thursdays and Sundays. 

This approach aims to balance tradition with modern economic realities facing the industry.

A Storied Legacy

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the United States, with roots tracing back more than two centuries. Its survival marks a hopeful turn after months of uncertainty following Block Communications’ announcement of impending closure amid long-term financial challenges.

Olympics, Super Bowl Power NBCU to Gold Medal Performance

NBCU-Versant commanded the February TV landscape and captured the top spot among media companies as its presentations of Super Bowl LX and the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics generated impressive cross-platform audience engagement and helped curb seasonal viewing declines, according to Nielsen’s The Gauge™ and Media Distributor Gauge reports. NBCU-Versant was up 48% month-over-month to represent 13.1% of total television usage in February (+4.6 pts.), its best share of TV since the Paris Olympics in August 2024 (13.4%). 

NBC’s presentation of the Super Bowl delivered February’s largest TV audience with over 125 million viewers. The game also provided an optimal segue to kickoff NBC’s slate of extensive Winter Olympics coverage, which comprised 71 telecasts that helped provide a 60% overall bump for NBC affiliates in February. 

Peacock exhibited a 64% monthly uptick in viewing in February and recorded its highest share of television to date in The Gauge, achieving a 3.0% share of TV viewing. Notably, Peacock’s simulcast of the Big Game represented over 20% of the total Super Bowl audience and helped drive the platform’s most-watched day ever on February 8. Viewers who watched the Super Bowl on Peacock were considerably younger compared to the average age of the total audience, with 73% of viewers under age 50 versus 54% overall.

Peacock also got a boost from its new original series The ‘Burbs, which was released in full on Super Bowl Sunday. The time-tested strategy of a post-Super Bowl release worked to power the series to the highest average audience among streaming originals in February, and second-highest in minutes viewed. Additionally, Episode 1 of The ‘Burbs was notably the most-watched episode of the month across all original titles.

On the cable side, USA Network registered a 234% viewing increase in February due to its extensive Olympics coverage. An active news cycle drove a 4.4% increase in cable news viewing this month, with MSNOW notching a 7% uptick which contributed a full share point to the NBCU-Versant total.

Also notable this month: Tubi was up 4.1% and was the only other streamer to record a month-over-month viewing increase in addition to Peacock. Tubi added a tenth of a share point to finish at 2.2% of TV. The Grammys on CBS was the most-watched telecast in February that aired outside of Super Bowl Sunday. Meanwhile, sports coverage had the opposite effect on other media distributors due to the lack of NFL and college football playoffs on ABC/ESPN, CBS and FOX compared to last month.

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NOTE: The Gauge and Media Distributor Gauge (MDG) do not reflect Nielsen’s currency TV ratings that inform advertising sales. The Gauge and MDG reflect total TV viewing, which includes both ad-supported and non-ad-supported viewing. Nielsen made enhancements to its currency ratings for advertising in February 2026, with impact data provided to clients and the industry in advance. Nielsen is working on updates to The Gauge and MDG reports to better reflect and include currency enhancements for the Fall TV season, at which time Nielsen will provide additional back data to clients to assist in the transition.