TMZ Reports 'Ransom Note' for Return of Savannah Guthrie's Mom

An unverified ransom note demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reportedly received by TMZ on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The note, sent via email to the media outlet Tuesday morning, allegedly demands a substantial sum—in the millions—be paid in cryptocurrency to a specific Bitcoin address, which TMZ says it has verified as real and active. It includes a deadline for payment and an implied threat ("or else" element) if the funds are not sent. 

According to reports, the message contains specific details about the crime scene at Nancy Guthrie's home in Arizona, such as what she was reportedly wearing at the time of her disappearance and signs of damage or forced entry, which the sender claims only the perpetrator would know.

TMZ has emphasized that the note remains unverified and its authenticity is unknown—they do not know if it is legitimate or from the actual person(s) responsible. The outlet's executives, including Harvey Levin, described it in videos and statements as appearing like a ransom demand but stressed caution.

Savannah Guthrie & Mom Nancy

This development comes amid the ongoing investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance from her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson. She was last seen Saturday evening (around 9:30 p.m.), reported missing Sunday morning, and authorities (Pima County Sheriff's Department, with FBI assistance) are treating it as a possible abduction or kidnapping, with signs of forced entry and her phone and car left behind. 

The case is being investigated as a crime, and hundreds of leads are being pursued.In response to the ransom reports, the Pima County Sheriff's Department stated they are "aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s)" and are "taking all leads very seriously," but they have not confirmed the note's validity or indicated any direct ransom contact with the family.

No payment has been reported, and authorities have not publicly confirmed any authentic ransom demand in the case. The situation remains active as of February 3, 2026.

Bad Bunny? For The NFL, It's Good Business

The NFL's selection of Bad Bunny as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, is a strategic business move to accelerate the league's global expansion, despite sparking significant political backlash from conservative figures.

Bad Bunny, the world's top-streamed artist and a four-time Spotify Global Top Artist (including beating Taylor Swift in 2025), brings massive international appeal as a proud Puerto Rican who performs primarily in Spanish. 

His historic achievements include the first all-Spanish album nominated for Grammy Album of the Year ("Un Verano Sin Ti") and a recent win for Album of the Year with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” at the Grammys. 

According to USAToday, experts like Loyola Marymount professor Vanessa Díaz describe him as a cultural icon who makes Latinos and Puerto Ricans proud, while his superstar status aligns perfectly with the NFL's aim to reach non-English-speaking markets.

From a pure business perspective, the choice makes sense and is expected to generate substantial revenue and viewership growth. The NFL has long pursued internationalization through its International Series games in countries like England, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil, with Commissioner Roger Goodell pushing for more overseas games per team. Bad Bunny's performance is positioned as a "global entertainment moment" to unite diverse audiences and expand the league's footprint in Latin America and beyond.

However, the decision has become highly politicized.

President Donald Trump called it "absolutely ridiculous," while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that ICE agents would be "all over" the event. Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren falsely claimed Bad Bunny is "not an American artist," despite Puerto Ricans being U.S. citizens. 

Critics have targeted his Spanish-language music, liberal politics, criticism of immigration policies, and endorsements like his support for Kamala Harris in 2024.

Despite the controversy, NFL leaders, including Goodell, have stood firm, emphasizing Bad Bunny's ability to unite people on the world's biggest stage. The halftime show, sponsored by Apple Music and produced in partnership with Roc Nation, remains on track as a landmark moment for Latin representation—the first solo Spanish-language headliner.

Josh D'Amarao Gets The Keys to the Magic Kingdom

Disney has appointed Josh D'Amaro as its next chief executive officer, effective March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger and marking the ninth leader in the company's 102-year history.

D'Amaro, 54, currently chairs Disney Experiences—the division encompassing theme parks, cruise ships, resorts, and consumer products—which has become the company's primary profit driver. In the most recent fiscal year, Experiences generated $36 billion in revenue and accounted for the majority of operating income, outpacing traditional entertainment segments.

The board's unanimous decision, overseen by Chairman James Gorman, ends a closely watched succession process that lasted over a year. D'Amaro prevailed over Dana Walden, Disney Entertainment co-chair, who was named to the new role of president and chief creative officer.

The selection reflects Disney's strategic shift toward experiences as its growth engine, with the company committing a record $60 billion to expand theme parks and cruises through 2033. D'Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, has led this segment since 2020, overseeing major expansions and innovations, including a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games to boost video gaming integration across the company.

His background is rooted in theme-park operations and finance, with roles at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and international sites. While some critics note his limited direct experience in film and TV creative talent management, unlike Walden, who has decades in entertainment, D'Amaro has increasingly collaborated with creative teams, including through Walt Disney Imagineering, and engaged with stars and industry figures.

WBD Shareholder Vote On Netflix Bid Likely Next Month

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders are likely to vote in March on the $82.7 billion deal to sell the company's streaming and studio assets to Netflix, according to a CNBC report.

No specific date has been set for the vote. Warner Bros. Discovery stated it will be scheduled once the preliminary proxy filing becomes final.

Approval by shareholders would advance the transaction, though the combined entity could face significant regulatory review from U.S. and European antitrust authorities over potential impacts on competition and consumer choice.

If shareholders reject the Netflix deal, Paramount Skydance is poised to intensify its campaign, including efforts to replace Warner Bros. Discovery's board with directors more favorable to its rival hostile $108.4 billion offer. Paramount Skydance recently extended its tender offer deadline to February 20 to build support, arguing its all-cash proposal is superior.

Warner Bros. Discovery's board has unanimously rejected Paramount's bid as "inadequate" and not in shareholders' best interests.

For Netflix, acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's key assets—including franchises like "Friends" and "Batman"—would provide major content for new streaming series, spinoffs, prequels, and sequels. The deal would also position Netflix as the world's largest streaming service, approaching half a billion subscribers.

Pandora Settles Lawsuit From Comedians

SiriusXM's Pandora Media has reached a settlement in a long-running copyright lawsuit brought by prominent comedians, including the estates of Robin Williams and George Carlin, over unpaid royalties for streaming their spoken-word comedy material, according to a court filing in California's federal court.

The settlement was finalized during a conference last week, as detailed in a filing dated Friday. A SiriusXM spokesperson stated on Monday that the agreement's terms are confidential. 

However, the company emphasized that it did not make any payments to the comedians for the literary rights in question nor secure new licenses related to the lawsuit's claims. Richard Busch, the comedians' attorney from King & Ballow, described the resolution as amicable.

Originally filed in 2022, the consolidated case involved comedians such as Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Andrew Dice Clay (along with others like Lewis Black, George Lopez, and additional estates). The plaintiffs argued that Pandora's existing licenses covered only the audio recordings of their performances, not the underlying literary works (the jokes and scripts themselves), and that they had received virtually no compensation ("not a fraction of a penny") from Pandora's streams of their routines.

The suit highlighted that while Pandora typically obtains music licenses through organizations like ASCAP and BMI, those do not extend to "literary works" such as stand-up comedy material.

Pandora countered by alleging that the comedians and a related performing-rights organization (Word Collections) had formed a "cartel" to drive up royalty demands, leading to an antitrust counterclaim. 

In 2023, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi dismissed that antitrust claim. 

SiriusXM Stock Drops

Sirius XM Holdings stock has dropped about 14% over the past year, trading at around $20.37 as of Monday, significantly lagging the S&P 500's roughly 15% gain in the same period.

This decline reflects ongoing investor concerns about sluggish growth in the audio entertainment sector. 

In the third quarter of 2025, revenue fell 1% year-over-year to $2.16 billion, while adjusted EBITDA dipped slightly to $676 million. Subscriber numbers remain steady at about 33 million, but the company faces challenges from automotive sales cycles, higher customer acquisition costs, and competition from streaming services.

A recent move by Capital Management Corp—selling 147,767 shares in Q4 2025 for an estimated $3.18 million—further highlights waning confidence, though the fund still holds a position worth over $10 million.

Despite the pressure, SiriusXM shows resilience with strong profitability, including $993 million in trailing twelve-month net income, a 5.3% dividend yield, and surging free cash flow ($257 million in Q3 2025, up sharply from the prior year). The company raised its full-year 2025 free cash flow guidance to $1.23 billion.

Bongino Is Back And Trump Is A Guest

The first episode of The Dan Bongino Show (often referred to as his video podcast, primarily hosted on Rumble with video format) in its most recent iteration—following Dan Bongino's resignation from his role as Deputy Director of the FBI—is titled "I'm Back (Ep. 2443)".

This episode aired on February 2, 2026 (a Monday), marking Bongino's return to podcasting after a roughly nine-month stint at the FBI, from which he resigned in December 2025.Key details about the episode:It was a roughly 1 hour 52-53 minute show (around two hours long).

Bongino recapped his experiences and observations from his time as FBI Deputy Director, including what he saw "on the other side," insights into the agency (including a defense of its handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files and reviews), and his future plans in the conservative movement.

The episode featured technical glitches (including reports of a DDoS attack impacting the stream) and some score-settling against critics, the mainstream media, and others he viewed as opponents or "grifters" trying to divide the MAGA/conservative audience.

A major highlight was a surprise/brief phone-in appearance by President Donald Trump, who offered well-wishes to Bongino.

NEW 🚨 Dan Bongino show is back, With President Trump as the first guest!

Dan explains the "Donroe Doctrine" and importance of controlling the western hemisphere as threat level is high.

Trump rips Biden 😭 then explains America is respected again 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HE51ncXvPR

— J (@JayTC53) February 2, 2026

It opened with significant viewership on Rumble (starting around 140,000 viewers and peaking near 220,000), promoted with hype like a Times Square billboard, and broke records for audience draw upon his return.

The tone was largely a monologue reconnecting with his audience, addressing his FBI tenure fondly in parts, and pushing back against detractors.

You can find it on platforms like: Rumble (primary video home: search for "I'm Back Ep. 2443" on rumble.com/c/bongino) Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or his official site (bongino.com) for audio/video versions.

Savannah Guthrie's Missing Mom Labeled Crime Victim

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, is now being investigated as a crime, with her home in the Tucson, Arizona, area declared a crime scene, authorities announced Monday.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that evidence at the home indicates Nancy Guthrie did not leave voluntarily. 

"We do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime," he said during a news conference. He emphasized that she "did not leave on her own," noting her limited mobility—she could not walk 50 yards unassisted—and her need for medication every 24 hours, without which consequences could be fatal. 

🚨 BREAKING: The Pima County, AZ Sheriff says he does NOT believe NBC’s Savannah Guthrie’s mother left her house on her own

“We believe we have a crime…”

This is horrifying. I can’t even imagine. Pray for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return 🙏🏻
pic.twitter.com/t8h3IH37CN

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 2, 2026

Authorities ruled out dementia or wandering, describing her as "of great sound mind" and "sharp as a tack."

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area (near Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue) around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026. She was reported missing around noon Sunday after failing to appear at church.

Search efforts have been extensive, involving ground volunteers, drones, search dogs, and a helicopter. Sheriff Nanos said authorities have "thrown everything" at the case, with no immediate danger to the public identified.

On the "Today" show Monday, co-anchors Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones read a family statement from Savannah Guthrie: "On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear Mom." Savannah Guthrie was absent from the broadcast.

When asked about potential threats to Savannah Guthrie, Sheriff Nanos said investigators are not dismissing any angles and are coordinating with security teams.

Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall (some sources note 5 feet 4 inches), with brown hair, blue eyes, and classified as vulnerable due to her age and physical condition.

The case shifted from a missing person search to a criminal investigation after concerning findings at the home prompted involvement of homicide detectives and a criminal team, in addition to search and rescue resources. No further details on the evidence have been released publicly.

Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie is set to drop out of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for NBC as her mom, Nancy Guthrie, remains missing, Page Six can exclusively reveal.

The “Today” anchor, 54, was due to be in Italy for the start of the 2026 Games on Friday — where she was set to co-host the ceremony alongside Terry Gannon — but likely won’t be there, sources said.

Savannah was going to stay in Italy for a week to record “Today” alongside former co-host Hoda Kotb, who will be there for the duration of the Olympics.

CNN Staffers Have Trouble Tolerating Scott Jennings

CNN CEO Mark Thompson last week faced staff pushback during a recent internal all-hands meeting over the on-air behavior and rhetoric of conservative contributor Scott Jennings.

According to Newsbusters, staff questioned why the network has not restricted Jennings—a frequent Trump supporter known for heated exchanges with guests—particularly his use of the term "illegal aliens," which violates CNN's editorial guidelines for journalists (though contributors face different standards, per Thompson's response).

Concerns centered on Jennings' tone, described as rude, dismissive, and antagonistic in spats, including a clash with guest Cameron Kasky on NewsNight where Kasky challenged his language.  The episode highlights tensions at CNN amid broader uncertainties about its future under potential ownership changes.

#DealWithIt -- According to Oliver Darcy, someone whined and whined to CNN's Mark Thompson at the company town hall, demanding to know why @ScottJenningsKY is allowed to exist there...

“Later in the town hall, Thompson fielded a range of other questions, including why in-house…

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 30, 2026

The incident exemplifies broader intolerance for opposing viewpoints, as leftist staffers expressed offense at Jennings' mere presence and unfiltered conservative commentary.

Staff echoed sentiments like those from Kasky, who claimed Jennings could not use a term embedded in U.S. immigration law.

Critics like Democratic operative Julie Roginsky have argued Jennings adds little beyond conflict-driven clips, calling his approach bad-faith theatrics rather than substantive debate—ironically mirroring the dismissive traits some attribute to his liberal opponents who struggle to engage him rationally.

Kelly Clarkson To End TV Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show is officially ending after its current seventh season.

Kelly Clarkson announced on Monday, that this will be the final season. She shared a statement on Instagram explaining her decision: She described it as "not an easy decision" after seven incredible years.

The main reason is to step away from the demanding daily hosting schedule to prioritize her kids (River and Remington), which she said "feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives."

This comes in the context of personal circumstances, including the death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock in 2025.

She emphasized gratitude to the crew, band, guests, fans, and NBC, noting it's not a full goodbye—she'll continue making music, occasional performances, and possibly appearances on The Voice.

Production on Season 7 (which began in September 2025) will continue as planned, with new episodes airing through fall 2026. The show won't abruptly stop; it'll wrap up naturally toward the end of that run.

The series, which debuted in 2019, has been a major success: it's won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards (including for Outstanding Talk Show and Host), featured celebrity interviews, performances, games, and feel-good segments, and built a loyal audience.

Good Morning! Let's Check The Pulse For Tuesday, Feb 3

Radio Broadcasting:

Dan Bongino's High-Profile Return: Conservative talk host Dan Bongino relaunched The Dan Bongino Show on Monday, after stepping away in March 2025 to serve as Deputy Director of the FBI (a role he left in late 2025). The show is now a two-hour daily podcast (Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. ET) distributed via Cumulus Media's podcast network, with Westwood One as the exclusive sales partner. Video livestreams are exclusive to Rumble, while audio is available on major podcast platforms. His first episode included a call-in from President Trump, score-settling commentary, and some technical glitches. This marks a shift from traditional syndicated radio to a podcast-first model, reflecting broader trends in conservative media moving toward on-demand and video platforms.

SiriusXM Stock Declines Amid Ongoing Pressures: SiriusXM Holdings (SIRI) shares have faced notable weakness, including reports of a roughly 14% drop over the past year (as highlighted in early February analyses). The stock underperformed the broader market significantly in 2025 (down ~12.3% for the year), driven by gradual subscriber and revenue declines despite meeting some financial targets. Investors remain cautious ahead of the company's Q4 earnings report (expected around February 5, 2026), with concerns over competition from streaming services and the need for strategies like ad-supported tiers to stabilize growth. This reflects broader satellite/digital audio sector headwinds in a fragmented market.

Beasley Media Group Appoints Kevin LeGrett as Chief Business Officer:  Beasley Media Group (a major radio broadcaster with stations across formats and markets) named industry veteran Kevin LeGrett to the newly created Chief Business Officer role, effective immediately. LeGrett, who spent over 15 years at iHeartMedia (most recently as President of iHeartSports), will work closely with COO Brian Beasley to unify revenue strategies, cross-platform partnerships, digital growth, and multiplatform operations. The move aims to strengthen Beasley's competitive edge in broadcast, streaming, podcasting, and experiential media, signaling a push for integrated revenue amid industry consolidation and digital shifts.

John Fix's Insights on Radio as a "Fresh" Channel:  Industry expert John Fix (former P&G media analyst) has emphasized in recent articles and discussions (including 2025 Westwood One/SiriusXM contributions and updates into 2026) that radio should now be viewed as a revitalized media channel for MMM due to improved "as-run" delivery data. Previously, MMM often used planned GRPs (estimates), creating a "smoothing effect" that undervalued radio's impact on sales. Advances like Media Monitors' expansion to top 250 markets (covering ~86% of U.S. radio reach) and granular weekly as-run GRPs/DMA-level data enable more accurate modeling, better attribution, and stronger ROI proof for AM/FM radio. This could reset radio's role in advertiser budgets, especially as "always-on" MMM becomes standard, countering perceptions that MMM disadvantages traditional audio.

Media Industry:

Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery Deal Faces Vote in March:  Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders are likely to vote in March on Netflix's $82.7 billion all-cash acquisition of WBD's streaming and studio assets (including HBO/Max content library and production capabilities, but excluding CNN and linear networks like Discovery, which would spin off into a new entity called Discovery Global). The timeline accelerated from an earlier April target after Netflix amended its offer in January 2026 for an all-cash structure at $27.75 per WBD share, providing certainty amid antitrust reviews (HSR filings submitted). This blockbuster consolidation could reshape streaming dominance, boost Netflix's content scale, and address WBD's debt/asset pressures, but faces scrutiny from investors and regulators. Proxy details are pending finalization.

Abduction of Savannah Guthrie's mother Shocks Media:  Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated authorities believe she was "abducted" or taken against her will, treating her residence as a crime scene — she did not leave voluntarily, her phone was left behind, and she requires medication that could endanger her life if not accessed soon. Search efforts continue, with appeals for public tips; Savannah Guthrie publicly asked for prayers to "bring her home" safely. This high-profile personal tragedy has drawn widespread coverage across networks, highlighting vulnerabilities for media figures and their families.

CNN Staffer Confront Leadership Over Conservative Contributor Scott Jennings:  During a recent staff meeting, CNN employees pressed CEO Mark Thompson on why the network tolerates Scott Jennings — a frequent MAGA-aligned pundit and Trump supporter — despite repeated violations of editorial standards and disruptive conduct. Concerns include Jennings' use of prohibited terms like "illegal aliens" for undocumented immigrants, rude/dismissive interactions (especially toward female guests), heated spats, and antagonistic rhetoric that some view as personal rather than substantive. Staff questioned his continued booking amid these issues, reflecting internal tensions at CNN over balance, guidelines enforcement, and handling conservative voices in a polarized environment. Jennings remains a regular on panels, but the pushback underscores broader challenges for cable news in managing ideological contributors.

U.S. News

Partial Government Shutdown Edges Toward Resolution: A bipartisan funding package (cleared procedurally late Monday) aims to fund most federal agencies through September 30 and provide short-term DHS funding (two weeks) to allow negotiations on ICE reforms. President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson are urging Republicans to pass it without changes to end the partial shutdown that began Saturday midnight. Hard-line conservatives have resisted over immigration demands from Democrats, but Trump posted urging a quick "YES" vote and immediate signing. If approved Tuesday, essential functions resume, though DHS/immigration debates continue.

Trump Pushes Back on Trevor Noah's Grammy Joke Linking Him to Epstein:  Trump threatened legal action against comedian Trevor Noah over a Grammys hosting remark tying him to Jeffrey Epstein files (experts say slim chance of success). Separately, Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify in a House Epstein probe (details pending finalization), and the DOJ removed thousands of documents with potential victim info.

Beasley Media Adds Kevin LeGrett As CBO

Beasley Media Group has announced industry veteran Kevin LeGrett has been named Chief Business Officer.

In this role, LeGrett will work closely with Chief Operating Officer Brian Beasley to help unify the company’s business operations, aligning revenue strategy, cross-platform partnerships, and digital growth to strengthen the company’s competitive position to ensure long-term success.

“Kevin’s deep experience across broadcast, digital, experiential, podcasting, and sports makes him uniquely qualified to lead our revenue strategy,” said Caroline Beasley, CEO of Beasley Media Group. “His proven ability to scale platforms, grow teams, and deliver results on both a national and local level will be instrumental as we continue to evolve and innovate for our clients and communities.”

Kevin LeGrett

“I’m excited to join Beasley Media Group at such an exciting time,” said Kevin LeGrett. “Beasley’s commitment to local communities, strong culture, and forward-thinking approach to media – especially its transformation across digital, streaming, and multiplatform platforms – aligns perfectly with my passion for building innovative, integrated solutions that drive real impact for advertisers and listeners alike. I’m excited to help lead the next chapter of growth.”

The highly acclaimed media executive brings more than 15 years of distinguished leadership experience from iHeartMedia, where he drove strategic growth, built high-performance teams, and delivered transformative results across some of the industry’s largest portfolios.

Most recently, LeGrett served as President of iHeartSports, overseeing the largest sports audio platform demonstrating his ability to manage complex, high-value media ecosystems at scale.

Previously, LeGrett served as Division President, West Coast and Market President, Los Angeles, leading the top-billing radio cluster in the country from 2015–2023. Earlier in his career, LeGrett held senior leadership roles including Senior Vice President of Operations for iHeart’s regional markets, President of Political Strategy, President of Citadel Broadcasting, and Sr. VP/Market Manager at Infinity Broadcasting. He is widely respected for his visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to inspire high-performing teams.

Four Acts Named For The TPUSA Alternative Half-Time Show

Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is hosting an alternative halftime show during Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, titled the "All-American Halftime Show." 

It's positioned as a patriotic, family-friendly counter-programming option to the official NFL halftime performance headlined by Bad Bunny, amid conservative backlash to that choice.
The talent lineup, announced Monday , features:

• Kid Rock as the headliner (known for his rock-rap fusion hits like "Bawitdaba" and patriotic anthems, often aligning with conservative causes).
• Brantley Gilbert (country rock artist with hits like "Bottoms Up" and "Country Must Be Country Wide").
• Lee Brice (country singer-songwriter famous for tracks such as "I Don't Dance," "Rumor," and "One of Them Girls").
• Gabby Barrett (rising country star and former American Idol contestant, best known for singles like "I Hope" and "The Good Ones").

The event emphasizes themes of faith, family, freedom, and American culture. It will stream live around 8 p.m. ET on TPUSA's YouTube and X channels, plus platforms like OAN News, Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, and NTD.com.

This comes after TPUSA announced plans in late 2025 to create the alternative show, following public outcry over the NFL's selection of Bad Bunny. No other performers have been added based on recent reports.

Radio: The Fresh Media Channel

This week's edition of the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog features a guest post by John Fix. He explains why media mix modelers (MMM practitioners) should now treat radio as a fresh media channel, thanks to the availability of precise "as-run" delivery data. He also warns against limiting radio's current ROI estimates based solely on outdated historical results.

The new "as-run, actual" radio delivery data represents a clear "trend break" in modeling inputs.

Modelers are encouraged to reduce reliance on prior assumptions, giving the model greater flexibility to uncover stronger performance signals from this enhanced, more accurate radio dataset.

Broadcasters have collaborated with key partners—including firms like Media Monitors, Act1, and Nielsen—to establish a standardized approach for delivering comprehensive as-run data across total radio purchases. Media mix modeling thrives on weekly as-run GRPs (Gross Rating Points), and the radio industry can now supply detailed, granular weekly figures.

A major milestone came in August 2025, when Media Monitors expanded its radio advertising tracking coverage from 106 U.S. markets to 250 markets, dramatically improving data availability and depth for national and local campaigns.These advancements in input quality—shifting from planned estimates to true as-run deliveries—mark a significant upgrade for modelers. 

Key recommendations include:

• Use as-run, delivered data for the full radio dataset in any MMM analysis.
• Inform your MMM provider that the current radio inputs differ meaningfully from historical patterns.
• Recognize that the new methodology for generating accurate as-run terrestrial radio data effectively positions radio as a "new" media channel in models.
• Ultimately, the MMM process works best as an ongoing dialogue between advertisers, media providers, and modeling partners.

To read John Fix's full blog post, visit the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog at WestwoodOne.com/blog.

Orlando TV: WAPA New Full Power TV Station Launches

Hemisphere Media Group and Entravision announced a strategic partnership to launch WAPA Orlando, a new full power broadcast television station with programming to serve the Orlando–Daytona Beach–Melbourne DMA. WAPA Orlando started broadcasting Monday on Entravision’s WOTF (Channel 26).

Powered by Entravision’s local broadcasting expertise, WAPA Orlando will be carried by multichannel video programming distributors throughout the Orlando–Daytona Beach–Melbourne region and broadcast programming from WAPA-TV, Puerto Rico’s #1 TV network for 16 consecutive years. The station will be programmed for Central Florida’s Latino population, with a particular focus on the region’s large and rapidly growing Puerto Rican community. The Orlando area is now home to the second largest Puerto Rican population in the continental United States, driven by sustained population growth over the past decade.

WAPA Orlando will take advantage of WAPA-TV's unrivaled news and entertainment production infrastructure, which now produces 80 hours per week of original content, and will be the first station specifically serving Orlando’s Puerto Rican community. Its programming will feature news and entertainment produced in WAPA’s Puerto Rico studios, complemented by locally produced newscasts branded NotiCentro Orlando from Entravision’s award-winning news organization. The station will initially launch with two daily locally-produced newscasts—morning and midday—with plans to expand to evening and late-night editions over time.

The partnership also establishes a collaborative news framework led by Entravision, leveraging its robust nationwide news resources from stations across 24 U.S. markets to drive expanded local news and editorial coverage for WAPA Orlando. This access to Entravision's extensive content and resources will complement WAPA Media’s original programming and journalism, enhancing coverage of issues relevant to Latino communities locally and nationally.

Ernest A. Liebre To be Honored with Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award

The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) is proud to announce that Ernest A. Liebre, Senior Vice President and Institutional Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award, named in honor of the BFOA’s former long-time Chairman. 

Liebre is a longtime supporter of the BFOA and for over 20 years has advised the charitable organization on its investments.

Liebre has spent the past 14 years at CAPTRUST, where he serves as a trusted advisor to institutions and nonprofit organizations. His clients included National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Beasley Media Group, New York State Broadcasters Association, Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB), International Radio & Television Society Foundation (IRTS), and more. For over 20 years, he has advised Broadcasters Foundation with their investments.

R.I.P.: Chuck Negron, Co-Founding Member of Three Dog Night

Chuck Negron, a co-founder and lead vocalist of the rock band Three Dog Night, has died at age 83.

He passed away peacefully on Monday at his home in Studio City, California, surrounded by family, his representative confirmed to outlets including Variety and Billboard.

Negron had been battling heart failure in his final months and lived with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for about three decades, contributing to complications that led to his death.

Known for his powerful voice, Negron delivered lead vocals on many of Three Dog Night's biggest hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including "Joy to the World" (with the famous line "Jeremiah was a bullfrog"), "One (Is the Loneliest Number)," "An Old Fashioned Love Song," "Easy to Be Hard," and "The Show Must Go On." 

The band, famous for turning cover songs into chart-topping anthems, scored 21 Top 40 hits overall.Born Charles Negron II on June 8, 1942, in New York City, he overcame a challenging early life, including time in an orphanage, and later battled severe heroin addiction that led to his departure from Three Dog Night in 1985. He achieved sobriety in 1991 and shared his story in the autobiography Three Dog Nightmare.

Negron is survived by his wife, Ami Albea Negron, and five children.

Radio History: Feb 3

➦In 1927...a forerunner of the FCC, the Federal Radio Commission, was created by a law signed into effect by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.The FRC was a government body that regulated radio use in the United States from its creation in 1926 until its replacement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1934. The Commission was created to regulate radio use "as the public interest, convenience, or necessity" requires. The Radio Act of 1927 superseded the Radio Act of 1912, which had given regulatory powers over radio communication to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. The Radio Act of 1912 did not mention broadcasting and limited all private radio communications to what is now the AM band.

WEAV 960 AM (5Kw DA-2)

➦In 1935...WEAV-AM, Plattsburgh NY signed-on as WMFF (1935-1948), owned by Plattsburgh Broadcasting Corporation (in turn controlled by the Bissell family), and operating on 1310 kHz. The North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement in 1941 moved the station to 1340 kHz.

On October 23, 1948,  the station changed its call letters to WEAV and relocated again, this time to the current 960 kHz. At one time an affiliate of ABC Radio  and its predecessor, the Blue Network, WEAV switched to CBS Radio in the late 1950s.

The station inaugurated FM service on February 3, 1960, with the launch of WEAV 99.9. FM (now WBTZ-FM) as a simulcast of the AM station.

WEAV-AM currently airs Sports Talk as 960 AM The Zone.

➦In 1935...Martin Block started at WNEW-AM (now WBBR 1130 AM) in NYC at a salary of $20 per week. In 1935, while listeners to New York's WNEW in New York were awaiting developments in the Lindbergh kidnapping, Block built his audience by playing records between the Lindbergh news bulletins.

This led to his Make Believe Ballroom, which began February 3, 1935 with Block borrowing both the concept and the title from West Coast disc jockey Al Jarvis, creating the illusion that he was broadcasting from a ballroom with the nation’s top dance bands performing live. He bought some records from a local music shop for the program as the radio station had none. Block purchased five Clyde McCoy records, selecting his "Sugar Blues" for the radio show's initial theme song.

Because Block was told by the station's sales staff that nobody would sponsor a radio show playing music, he had to find himself a sponsor. Block lined up a producer of reducing pills called "Retardo"; within a week, the sponsor had over 3,000 responses to the ads on Block's radio show. Martin Block's style of announcing was considerably different than the usual manner of delivery at the time. Instead of speaking in a voice loud enough to be heard in a theater, Block spoke in a normal voice, as if he was having a one-on-one conversation with a listener.

Abbott & Costello

When one of Block's sponsors offered a sale on refrigerators during a New York snowstorm, 109 people braved the elements for the bargain Block advertised; by 1941 potential sponsors for his show had to be put on a waiting list for availabilities.

➦In 1938... the kids radio adventure drama Challenge of the Yukon (about Sgt. Preston & his ‘wonder dog’ Yukon King) debuted in a 15 minute format on WXYZ Detroit.  It completed George W. Trendle’s trilogy of juvenile adventures preceded by The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet.  

The show went to the networks (ABC, then Mutual) in 30 minute form 1947 to ’55, and was retitled as Sgt. Preston of the Yukon beginning in 1951.

➦In 1938...the comedy team of Abbott & Costello made their debut as cast members on CBS Radio’s “The Kate Smith Hour.” Their routine "Who's on First?" is one of the best-known comedy routines of all time in the world, and set the framework for many of their best-known comedy bits.

➦In 1959… it was “the day the music died,”  as Don McLean named it in his 1972 hit, “American Pie.”  22-year-old Buddy Holly, 28-year-old J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) and 17-year-old Ritchie Valens died in a chartered plane crash near Mason City, Iowa.