Good Morning: Here's The TGIF Pulse For April 24

Radio Broadcasting

How We Listen: The gap between traditional AM/FM broadcast listening and digital consumption of radio station content has narrowed dramatically, with broadcast now accounting for just 54% of time spent with a listener’s favorite station and digital platforms making up 44% — a mere 10-point difference, according to the Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026.

WEEI Making Changes: Audacy's Sports WEEI has once again reshuffled its afternoon drive programming in an effort to reverse persistent ratings woes in one of Boston sports radio’s most competitive dayparts. The station has informed co-hosts Andy Hart and Nick “Fitzy” Stevens that they were being let go. Third co-host Ted Johnson, a former New England Patriots linebacker, will remain with WEEI in a role that has not yet been fully defined. 

Hurley Promoted: iHeartMedia Philadelphia has announced Jeff Hurley has been named Senior Vice President of Programming for the market’s 105.3 WDAS FM, Power 99, ALT 104.5, Q102, Rumba 106.1, Fox Sports The Gambler 1040 AM stations.

Media Industry

FNC Sweeps: Fox News Channel swept primetime cable ratings for the week of April 13-19, 2026, claiming all 10 of the top cable programs, while CBS delivered the strongest primetime performance among the broadcast Big Three (ABC, NBC, and CBS) with multiple original series cracking Nielsen’s national top 10.

DOJ, Stations Meet About NFL: Justice Department antitrust officials met this week with broadcast-television station operators to discuss the accelerating migration of live sports from traditional over-the-air broadcasting to streaming services, part of a broader investigation into the sports-media marketplace.  The meetings occurred during the NAB Show in Las Vegas, where DOJ representatives sought feedback from local TV station executives on how the shift is affecting their businesses, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Nerd Prom Special: FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Jimmy Failla will host a special White House Correspondents’ Dinner edition of FOX News Saturday Night program this Saturday, April 25th at 9 PM/ET. Taking place at the Washington Hilton, the two-hour special will feature Failla as he speaks with celebrities, politicians, athletes and his FNC colleagues as they make their way in and react to the dinner.

U-S News 

Tech Job Cuts: Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is set to lay off 10% of its global workforce as the company refocuses on artificial intelligence, according to an internal memo shared with employees and reviewed by Bloomberg. This is expected to be the first round of sweeping layoffs, set for May 20, with a second round scheduled for the second half of the year, as the company aims to reduce its workforce by 20%

What Really Happened?: The U-S is paying attention to a list of people who have gone missing or died, citing concerns about their connections to scientific research, some of it potentially classified. The list includes multiple scientists, spans several years and involves a patchwork of people from different backgrounds and circumstances. The White House, multiple federal agencies and members of Congress have said they are taking a closer look at whether there are connections between the list of about 10 cases.

A Test of Wills: The war on Iran, interrupted by a cease-fire that he extended indefinitely this week, has morphed from all-out bombardment to a volatile, costly standoff at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Neither side appears eager to return to the violence that ensnared much of the Middle East before the April 7 cease-fire, though both insist they are ready for it. And neither side is showing signs of capitulating to the other’s demands. The result is round after round of taunts, threats and maritime incidents, with many of the tensions playing out on social media

Digital Gains As Source For Radio Content

The gap between traditional AM/FM broadcast listening and digital consumption of radio station content has narrowed dramatically, with broadcast now accounting for just 54% of time spent with a listener’s favorite station and digital platforms making up 44% — a mere 10-point difference, according to the Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026.

For the first time in the survey’s 22-year history, the divide has shrunk to single digits, down from a 15-point gap the previous year and a staggering 71-point chasm in 2013, when broadcast dominated at 85% versus 14% digital.

This line graph illustrates the dramatic narrowing over 13 years. Broadcast listening has declined from 85% in 2013 to 54% in 2026, while digital has risen from 14% to 44%. The gap shrank from 71 points to just 10 points.

The findings, drawn from nearly 31,000 responses by core listeners of more than 500 U.S. radio stations, signal a fundamental shift in how audiences access audio content and underscore the urgency for broadcasters to strengthen their digital strategies.

🎧Key Trends and Demographic Variations

Digital listening has surged across multiple platforms, including station apps, website streams, smart speakers, and connected car systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The crossover has already occurred in key segments: digital consumption now exceeds traditional broadcast among Gen Z listeners and sports radio fans, with many other formats and demographics close behind.

The Techsurvey 2026, released Thursday, also highlights growing engagement with related digital video platforms such as YouTube, where 62% of core radio listeners report weekly or more frequent usage.

In 2013, when the tracking began, mobile streaming was emerging and smart speakers did not yet exist. Broadcast listening occurred overwhelmingly on “regular radios” in homes, cars, and workplaces. The rapid closure of the gap reflects broader consumer adoption of smartphones, in-car connectivity, podcasts, and on-demand audio options.

Fred Jacobs, president of Jacobs Media, described the trend as a “megatrend” that requires radio stations to “rethink everything,” regardless of department. He warned digital deniers that they are “swimming upstream” and urged the industry to integrate digital applications into sales, programming, marketing, and content decisions.

While broadcast radio retains strengths, particularly its free, easy access in vehicles, the data indicates an approaching inflection point where digital may surpass traditional delivery. 

This line graph illustrates the dramatic narrowing over 13 years. Broadcast listening has declined from 85% in 2013 to 54% in 2026, while digital has risen from 14% to 44%. The gap shrank from 71 points to just 10 points.

60 percent of respondents cite radio personalities as a key reason for listening, compared to 53% for music.

The survey also explores other evolving behaviors, including podcast preferences, push notifications, and concert attendance, providing stations with segmented insights by age, gender, and format.

Jacobs Media presented detailed findings in a free industry webinar emphasizing that core listeners’ habits serve as leading indicators for the wider audience. As external pressures like AI-driven advertising and media fragmentation intensify, stations that fail to close the execution gap on digital risk losing relevance in an increasingly competitive audio landscape.

Nielsen's Radio Ratings Wraps-Up March PPMs

TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER: Lovey Dovey

Cox Media's Soft AC WDUV (101.5 The Dove) continued its dominance, claiming the #1 spot for the second consecutive book in the 6+ rankings. The station delivered a strong gain, climbing from 8.6 to 9.8 — its highest Frosty-free share in more than a year.

Radio Training Network's Contemporary Christian WCIE (The Joy FM) held steady at #2 but slipped slightly from 7.3 to 7.0, its lowest share since October. CMG’s Classic Hits WXGL (107.3 The Eagle) repeated in third place with an unchanged 6.5 share. Beaslery's  Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105) remained in fourth, posting its fourth consecutive gain, rising from 5.5 to 5.9.iHeartMedia’s Active Rock WXTB (98 Rock) made the biggest leap of the book, surging from #8 to #5 with a solid increase from 4.9 to 5.7 — its best showing since April. CMGH's AC WWRM (Magic 94.9) eased one position to #6, ticking down from 5.3 to 5.1.

WDUV also strengthened its hold on the market, remaining the clear cume leader with a slight uptick from 653,500 to 655,100 (+0.2%). Overall market listening was up 1.8%.

25-54 Breakdown: WDUV posted another convincing win in the key 25-54 demographic, securing back-to-back #1 books while posting its highest Frosty-free share in over a year. WXTB had a standout performance, jumping from #6 to #2 with its strongest 25-54 book in twelve months. WRBQ settled into third place after a three-book upward run. iHM's Pop CHR WFLZ (93.3 FLZ) slipped to #4, ending a five-book surge. WCIE landed at #5, where it was joined by WWRM, which moved up one spot despite recording its fourth straight down book. iHM's AC WMTX (Mix 100.7) fell two positions to #7.

Boston Radio: WEEI Overhauls Struggling PM Drive

Audacy's Sports WEEI has once again reshuffled its afternoon drive programming in an effort to reverse persistent ratings woes in one of Boston sports radio’s most competitive dayparts.

On Wednesday morning, the station informed co-hosts Andy Hart and Nick “Fitzy” Stevens that they were being let go. Third co-host Ted Johnson, a former New England Patriots linebacker, will remain with WEEI in a role that has not yet been fully defined. 

Johnson could continue on the 2-6 p.m. slot, but the station is expected to announce its new lineup on Monday morning during The Greg Hill Show at 9 a.m.

Hart and Stevens had been with WEEI since 2019 and joined the afternoon drive program in one of its many recent iterations in August 2024. Johnson came aboard in January 2025, completing the trio that branded itself as “WEEI Afternoons.” The show consistently lagged far behind its primary rival, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Mazz. 

Philly Radio: Jeff Hurley Named SVP/Programing for iHM

iHeartMedia Philadelphia has announced Jeff Hurley has been named Senior Vice President of Programming for the market’s 105.3 WDAS FM, Power 99, ALT 104.5, Q102, Rumba 106.1, Fox Sports The Gambler 1040 AM stations.

In his new position, Hurley will oversee programming operations across the market while continuing to maintain his Executive Vice President of Programming responsibilities outside of Philadelphia, including the Upstate New York, Mid-Atlantic and New England Areas. He will report to Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia.

iHM Imports The Fred Show To Baltimore and DC

iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. & Baltimore have announced the addition of the Premiere Networks nationally-syndicated morning program, The Fred Show, on Hot 99.5 and Z104.3 effective Thursday, April 30. The show will be heard live on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and available on demand.

First debuting in 2011, The Fred Show delivers the perfect mix of humor, heart and real connection. Led by Fred and his cast of unforgettable personalities including Kaelin, Keke, Paulina, Showbiz Shelly and Jason Brown, the show’s genuine chemistry and unpredictable moments keep listeners coming back every day. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or you’re a loyal fan, The Fred Show promises to brighten your day and keep you smiling.

TV Primetime Ratings: CBS Tops Broadcast, Fox News Tops Cable TV

Fox News Channel swept primetime cable ratings for the week of April 13-19, 2026, claiming all 10 of the top cable programs, while CBS delivered the strongest primetime performance among the broadcast Big Three (ABC, NBC, and CBS) with multiple original series cracking Nielsen’s national top 10.

Nielsen’s linear TV rankings (Persons 2+, Live + Same Day) showed CBS dramas and reality programs driving broadcast primetime, with ABC benefiting from NBA playoffs and CBS news programs also performing strongly overall. NBC’s primetime entertainment slate did not crack the top 10 broadcast list. Evening news programs across the networks dominated overall combined viewership, but the cable primetime category highlighted Fox News’ ongoing dominance.

DOJ, Local TV Station Reps Huddled During The NAB Show

Justice Department antitrust officials met this week with broadcast-television station operators to discuss the accelerating migration of live sports from traditional over-the-air broadcasting to streaming services, part of a broader investigation into the sports-media marketplace.

The meetings occurred during the NAB Show in Las Vegas, where DOJ representatives sought feedback from local TV station executives on how the shift is affecting their businesses, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The talks specifically addressed the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, the decades-old law that grants professional sports leagues limited antitrust protection to collectively sell national TV rights packages. Regulators are examining whether this exemption still applies — or should apply — as leagues increasingly license games to paid streaming platforms.

The meetings are tied to the DOJ’s ongoing antitrust investigation into the National Football League and other major sports leagues’ media rights strategies. Launched earlier in April 2026, the probe focuses on whether leagues’ deals with streamers and premium outlets have made it more expensive and fragmented for consumers to watch games, potentially harming competition and viewers.

Concerns include:

• The proliferation of streaming services requiring separate subscriptions.
• Reduced availability of games on free or widely available broadcast TV.
• Impact on local stations that rely heavily on sports advertising revenue.

According to The Wall Street Journal, The NFL and other leagues have not been formally notified of wrongdoing, and the full scope of the investigation remains under wraps. However, the DOJ is evaluating whether current practices violate the spirit of the 1961 law, which was designed for an era dominated by free broadcast television.

Jimmy Failla To Host Fox News Saturday Night Special

FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Jimmy Failla will host a special White House Correspondents’ Dinner edition of FOX News Saturday Night program this Saturday, April 25th at 9 PM/ET. Taking place at the Washington Hilton, the two-hour special will feature Failla as he speaks with celebrities, politicians, athletes and his FNC colleagues as they make their way in and react to the dinner.

Throughout the evening, Failla will not only get live reactions from dinner attendees, but will also engage with viewers via a live, interactive text messaging feature, where they will weigh in on everything from the red carpet outfits to mentalist Oz Pearlman’s performance and President Donald Trump’s speech as the night unfolds.

Featuring comedic commentary on cultural, political and lifestyle issues, FOX News Saturday Night (Saturdays, 10 PM/ET) has been the timeslot’s top-rated program since it launched in January of 2024. 

Each week, Failla welcomes a wide range of guests alongside a rotating group of FNC personalities to discuss some of the more comical news of the week. He also hosts the nationally syndicated radio program FOX Across America, which airs weekdays from 12-3PM/ET on FOX News Radio. 

This will be Failla’s second year hosting FOX News Saturday Night live from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner red carpet.

Music Publishers Drop Verizon Copyright Lawsuit

Major music publishers, including UMG, Warner Music, and Sony Music Entertainment, have dropped their copyright infringement lawsuit against Verizon Communications, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that sharply limits internet service providers’ liability for users’ online piracy.

The plaintiffs filed a voluntary dismissal notice on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, ending the case with prejudice. The joint stipulation means both sides will bear their own costs, and the claims will not be refiled.

The suit, filed in 2024, accused Verizon of contributory copyright infringement by allegedly profiting from tens of thousands of subscribers who used its internet service for illegal downloading and distribution of music via peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent. The music companies, which represent the bulk of the industry, had sought more than $2.6 billion in damages.

Radio History: April 24

➦In 1947...One of Jack Webb's short-lived pre-Dragnet detective-adventure radio show Johnny Madero: Pier 23 debuted on the Mutual Broadcasting System.

➦In 1949…Dick Powell began a four-year run as "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" on NBC Radio. The radio series centered on a wisecracking, former police officer turned private detective. Episodes typically opened with a client visiting or calling cash-strapped Diamond's office and agreeing to his fee of $100 a day plus expenses, or Diamond taking on a case at the behest of his friend and former partner, Lt. Walter Levinson

In the late 1950s, Powell's company, Four Star Television, produced a TV version of the series starring David Janssen. His secretary, Sam, was shown only from the waist down to display her beautiful legs. Initially, those were the legs of budding actress Mary Tyler Moore, but later, the legs of other actresses were shown.

➦In 1953...Eric Bogosian was born in Woburn, Massachusetts. Bogosian is best known for his starring role in the movie, "Talk Radio", a 1988 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Bogosian, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Greene, and Leslie Hope.

Portions of the film and play were based on the assassination of radio host Alan Berg in 1984 and the book Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg.  Berg was murdered while working for Denver's KOA 850 AM.

In the movie Barry Champlain, a Jewish radio personality in Dallas, Texas, is a host with a caustic sense of humor and a knack for condescending to his audience with his controversial political views.bio.

➦In 1954...Billboard magazine, the music industry trade publication, headlined a tsunami to come in the music biz. The headline read, “Teenagers Demand Music with a Beat — Spur Rhythm and Blues” … a sign of the entertainment revolution that was underway.

NYC Radio: WABC Is America’s Top Talk Radio Station

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John Catsimatidis, the 77-year-old billionaire owner of New York grocery chains and oil assets, has transformed the once-fading AM station WABC into the most listened-to talk radio station in the United States, according to Nielsen data. Since acquiring the station in 2019, he has grown its weekly audience to more than 400,000 listeners.

According to a Los Angeles Times profile, Catsimatidis co-hosts the station’s award-winning evening show “Cats & Cosby” alongside veteran journalist Rita Cosby, interviewing political figures and like-minded guests daily. 

He maintains close ties with President Trump, a relationship spanning 45 years that has helped place WABC in the national political spotlight. In December, Trump first revealed the U.S. military’s initial land strike on Venezuela during a call into the station.

The billionaire’s profile is rising further with a cameo role as businessman Christopher Galanis in the Oscar-nominated film “Marty Supreme,” which begins streaming on HBO Max on April 24 and reaches about 60 million U.S. subscribers. Director Josh Safdie cast him after noticing his “larger-than-life regional businessman” persona during his 2013 New York City mayoral run.  Catsimatidis previously rented a basement apartment to real-life table tennis champion Marty Reisman, who inspired the film.

While many billionaires fund space exploration or longevity research, Catsimatidis chose to invest his fortune in reviving a traditional AM talk radio station past its prime. In a midtown Manhattan studio overlooking Third Avenue, he appears distracted on air—scrolling his phone—but snaps to attention with concise opinions when prompted.

“He can look like he’s taking a little bit of a nap, but he’s always ahead of you in the conversation,” said radio consultant Jerry Crowley, who first gave Catsimatidis his own show years earlier.

Catsimatidis built his empire from humble beginnings. 

Born in Greece, he immigrated to the U.S. as a toddler after his father served 16 years as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island. Raised in West Harlem, he studied electrical engineering at New York University but dropped out to pursue business. 

As a teenager, he sold aftershave from his car trunk. In the late 1960s, he bought a 50% stake in the Manhattan supermarket where he worked as a clerk and grew it into the Red Apple Group, which now includes Gristedes supermarkets, hundreds of gas stations, an oil refinery, and extensive real estate holdings.

The station remains a passion project for the self-made magnate, who continues blending business success, on-air commentary, and unexpected Hollywood cameos into a larger-than-life career.

WBD Shareholders Approve $110B Sale to P-SKY

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders overwhelmingly approved the company’s $110 billion sale to Skydance-owned Paramount on Thursday, clearing a major hurdle and moving the blockbuster media merger closer to completion.

In a shareholder vote held Thursday, the vast majority backed the deal, according to preliminary results. 

The transaction values Warner Bros. Discovery at $31 per share in cash and includes prized assets such as HBO Max (now Max), the “Harry Potter” franchise, CNN, Warner Bros. studios, and extensive content libraries.

The merger, which creates a massive new media powerhouse, still requires regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Europe and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

The combination would reshape Hollywood and the broader media industry by uniting Paramount’s assets with Warner’s premium content, streaming platform, and global distribution reach. It follows intense bidding competition that included Netflix and marks a significant consolidation wave as traditional media companies seek scale to compete with tech giants.

The deal was unanimously approved by the boards of both companies earlier this year. Gulf sovereign wealth funds have committed nearly $24 billion in equity backing to help finance the transaction.

This approval represents a key milestone for Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, in its aggressive push to build a next-generation global entertainment company capable of rivaling larger streaming and media players. Final closing remains subject to customary regulatory reviews and other conditions.

Atlanta Radio: Kristen Gates Exits 94.9 The Bull After 18-Year Run

After 18 years as the heartbeat of 94.9 The Bull, Kristen Gates — the longest-serving on-air personality in the station’s history — has exited the country powerhouse.

The 52-year-old Atlanta radio veteran made the announcement on social media, leaving fans and industry insiders stunned and searching for answers. Gates offered no explanation for her sudden departure.

Kristen Gates

Gates built her career in the fiercely competitive Atlanta market. She first burst onto the scene at Kicks 101.5, sharing mornings with the legendary — and now late — Cadillac Jack. In 2008, she made the bold move to rival station 94.9 The Bull, where she quickly became a morning show staple. She co-hosted first alongside Jason Pullman, then later teamed with Spencer Graves, helping shape the station’s sound for more than a decade.

Her run took a turn in 2022 when iHeartMedia shifted her to afternoons to make room for a new locally produced morning show featuring Brian Moote, Jeremy “Otis” Maher, and Kimmie Caruba. That experiment proved short-lived: the show was unceremoniously dumped in 2024 and replaced with the Nashville-based syndicated “The Bobby Bones Show.”

After nearly two decades of loyalty and on-air chemistry that helped define Atlanta country radio, Gates’ departure marks the end of an era at 94.9 The Bull.