R.I.P.: Dash Crofts, Seals & Crofts Musician, dies at 87

Dash Crofts (1940-2026)

Dash Crofts, one half of the soft rock duo Seals & Crofts, has died at 87, his family confirmed. He died of heart failure on Wednesday.

In a statement, his family remembered Crofts for his “loving-kindness, remarkable compassion, [and] beautiful and tender voice,” thanking fans worldwide for their support and celebrating his legacy.

Crofts rose to fame in the 1970s as part of Seals & Crofts, which debuted in 1969 and achieved major success with hits including “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl,” and “Get Closer.” Their breakthrough came with the 1972 album Summer Breeze, which sold more than 2 million copies and produced a Top 10 title track on the Billboard Hot 100.

The duo followed with successful albums like Diamond Girl (1973) and Unborn Child (1974), the latter drawing controversy for its anti-abortion themes following the Roe v. Wade ruling. Their music often reflected their adherence to the Baháʼí Faith, which influenced both their songwriting and public messaging.

Beyond their own recordings, the pair contributed to the 1977 film One on One and maintained a presence in the music industry through multiple reunions after initially disbanding in 1981. Their final album, Traces, was released in 2004. Crofts’ longtime collaborator, Jim Seals, died in 2022.

Before forming the duo, Crofts began his career as a drummer and performed with several groups, including The Champs and The Dawnbreakers, where he first met Seals—laying the foundation for one of the era’s most recognizable soft rock acts.

Atlanta Radio: Q99.7 Launches New Morning Show Monday

WWWQ Q99.7 in Atlanta will debut a new morning show Monday at 6 a.m., introducing “The Morning Crew” as its first major replacement for The Bert Show following its 25-year run.

According to ajc.com, the new program features Joe Breezy, Daena “DK” Kramer, and Cort Freeman, a trio of out-of-market personalities tasked with building a fresh audience in a highly competitive and fragmented media environment. The show has been in testing for several weeks ahead of its official launch.

Patrick Davis, Program Director, Q99.7, said: ““The Q Morning Crew” brings humor through three distinct personalities: Joe is the ambitious, charismatic host chasing a big opportunity in Atlanta; DK is a sharp, funny, independent woman who balances sweetness with sass. Cort is a quick-thinking comedian whose creativity and masculine edge keep the show unpredictably funny.”

Unlike its predecessor, which was anchored by longtime host Bert Weiss, the new format is built around three equal co-hosts. Breezy will handle board operations and transitions, Kramer will focus on commentary and humor, and Freeman—also the show’s writer—will contribute comedy and digital content, including street interviews and social media features.

Cumulus Media’s chief content officer Brian Philips, who originally launched “The Bert Show” in 2000, is aiming to recreate a similar success with a new dynamic, likening the group’s chemistry to a “workplace comedy.”

Breezy, originally from San Jose and most recently on-air in Nashville, said the team plans to cover trending topics and everyday life in a conversational style. Kramer, a Los Angeles native with prior stops in Houston, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, recently stepped away from radio to care for family while running an online business. Freeman, from Detroit, brings experience from multiple Midwest markets and a stint with Comedy Central.

The launch comes at a time when traditional radio faces growing competition from streaming and podcasts, requiring the show to build a listener base from scratch. Episodes are expected to be available on demand as the show expands its digital presence.

Despite the challenge, the hosts acknowledge the legacy they follow. “Nobody replaces ‘The Bert Show,’” Breezy said, calling Weiss “a living legend,” while expressing confidence the new team can establish its own identity in Atlanta’s evolving audio landscape.

Justin Schaflander, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Atlanta, commented: “We’re eager to launch these three exceptional talents as we build our all live‑and‑local approach at Q99.7. This new morning show represents the next step in the reimagination of the station. They’re ready to awaken Atlanta audiences with energy, creativity, and quirkiness. The future of Q99.7 is bright.”

TV Ratings: FOX News Channel Outpaces NBC In Primetime

FOX News Channel finished the week of March 16th with 2,845,000 weekday primetime viewers, outpacing broadcast network NBC (2,804,000), according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

FNC also outperformed NBC in Monday - Sunday primetime viewers, nabbing 2,475,000 viewers, while NBC saw 2,421,000 viewers. In Monday - Sunday total day, FNC drew 1.7 million viewers and outpaced the cable news competition combined among total viewers during Monday-Sunday total day and primetime.

The Five continued its reign with 3.8 million viewers and 367,000 in the 25-54 demo. On Friday March 20th, CBS Evening News posted its lowest program since Tony Dokoupil took over as anchor delivering a miniscule 2,767,000 viewers as the program is pacing towards its lowest rated first quarter of the 21st century. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 2.9 million viewers and 266,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle at 7PM/ET drew 2.7 million viewers and 243,000 in the 25-54 demo. Jesse Watters Primetime with guest hosts averaged nearly 2.9 million viewers and 244,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity averaged 2.7 million viewers and 253,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher at 11PM/ET posted 1.6 million viewers.

CNN’s ‘War With Iran’ Town Hall at 9PM/ET on March 20th delivered 596,000 viewers and 105,000 in the 25-54 demo, posting a 41% decline in total viewers from the previous CNN town hall and the lowest-rated CNN town hall since January 2024. Comparatively, Hannity at 9PM/ET averaged 2.4 million viewers and doubled CNN’s 25-54 demo with 212,000 viewers. Despite the special programming, CNN posted the lowest share of total viewers in cable news for the Friday 9 PM hour at only 14%.

FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 3 million viewers and delivered 330,000 in the 25-54 demo, continuing to lead all late-night competition in total viewers and the 25-54 demo. It also continued to overtake the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (1,921,000 viewers; 237,000 A25-54), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2,056,000; 303,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.3 million viewers; 277,000 A25-54)

FNC continued to see its daytime programs outperform the broadcast competition. Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2.2 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4-5PM/ET; 2.3 million viewers) both surpassed NBC’s Today Third Hour (2,130,000 viewers). America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9AM-11AM/ET; 2.1 million viewers), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11AM-12PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1PM-3PM/ET; 1.9 million viewers), and The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3-4PM/ET; 2 million viewers) all led CBS Mornings (1.7 million viewers) and ABC’s GMA 3 (1.6 million viewers).

ABC's WNT Tops Broadcast Evening Newscasts

ABC’s World News Tonight remained the top-rated broadcast evening newscast for the week of March 16, 2026, continuing its long-standing lead over competitors, while NBC’s Nightly News held second place and CBS’s Evening News trailed in third with a significantly smaller audience.

During the week, ABC drew roughly 8.5 to 9 million total viewers, maintaining a comfortable margin of more than 2 million viewers over NBC, which averaged about 6.5 to 6.8 million. CBS lagged behind with approximately 3.8 to 4.2 million viewers, marking one of the wider gaps among the three networks in recent months.

In the key Adults 25–54 demographic, ABC also led with around 1.0 to 1.1 million viewers, followed closely by NBC at just under 1 million. CBS delivered roughly half that audience, typically landing between 450,000 and 550,000 viewers in the demo.

The rankings reflect a continuation of stable viewing patterns seen in prior weeks, with ABC maintaining a dominant position it has held for more than a decade. NBC has remained a consistent second-place contender, showing modest stability, while CBS continues to face ratings challenges, with recent performances dipping near or below the 4 million viewer mark.

Overall, the week reinforced the established hierarchy in broadcast evening news: ABC firmly in first, NBC in second, and CBS a distant third.

CBS News’ flagship programs are on pace for historic ratings lows in the first quarter, as internal challenges mount six months into editor-in-chief Bari Weiss’s tenure.

“CBS Evening News” is projected to post its smallest January–March audience this century, averaging 4.3 million viewers—down 7% from a year ago—with viewership among adults 25–54 falling 18% to 541,000, according to data cited by the Status newsletter.

“CBS Mornings” is also struggling, averaging 1.8 million viewers, a 13% year-over-year decline. Its audience in the key 25–54 demographic has dropped 28% to 268,000, putting the program on track for its worst quarter on record.

The ratings slide comes amid reported layoffs, declining morale, and newsroom turmoil under Weiss’s leadership.

WBD Sets Date for Shareholders Vote

Warner Bros. Discovery has scheduled an April 23 shareholder meeting to vote on its proposed sale to Paramount Global, with investors set to receive $31 per share—a 147% premium over the company’s unaffected stock price.

The company said it has begun mailing definitive proxy statements to shareholders ahead of the vote, outlining the terms of the transaction and urging investor participation. Approval from shareholders is a critical step in completing the deal, which would reshape the media landscape by combining two major entertainment companies.

The $31-per-share offer represents a significant premium designed to win investor support, particularly after a period of volatility in Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock. If approved, the transaction would mark one of the largest consolidation moves in the industry, bringing together major film studios, television networks, and streaming platforms under one umbrella.

Executives have positioned the deal as a strategic response to increasing competition from global streaming giants, arguing that greater scale is necessary to compete in a rapidly evolving media environment. The combined company is expected to leverage cost synergies, expanded content libraries, and broader distribution capabilities.

The outcome of the April 23 vote will determine whether the deal moves forward, with regulatory approvals and additional closing conditions still required before the transaction can be finalized.

Big Tech Has A 'Big Tobacco Moment'

A pair of courtroom losses this week has dealt a significant blow to Meta and YouTube, raising new questions about legal accountability for social media platforms and their impact on users.

In a landmark decision in Los Angeles, a jury found that Meta and YouTube harmed a young user’s mental health, while a separate ruling in New Mexico also went against Meta. Together, the cases mark a turning point after years in which tech giants largely fended off regulatory and legal challenges.

Legal experts say the decisions could signal a broader shift. Some are comparing the moment to the reckoning faced by the tobacco industry, when courts forced sweeping and costly changes after finding products to be addictive and harmful. NYU law professor Catherine Sharkey said the rulings reflect a “new era” requiring updated definitions of responsibility in digital products, with potentially far-reaching implications. Attorney Jessica Nall added that the decisions could open the door to similar cases across the tech sector, including artificial intelligence.

Both Meta and Google, which owns YouTube, said they plan to appeal and are expected to resist any mandates to significantly redesign their platforms or algorithms.

Despite the legal setbacks, investor reaction has been muted. Shares of Meta, Google, and other social media companies dipped only slightly in premarket trading, suggesting markets are not yet anticipating major financial fallout.

The penalties so far remain relatively small compared to the companies’ scale, including about $6 million in damages in the California case and a $375 million ruling against Meta in New Mexico—figures that represent a fraction of their overall profits.

Newspaper Apologizes For Calling Alleged Killer An ‘Illegal Immigrant’

The Loyola Phoenix is facing backlash after issuing an apology and revising its coverage of the killing of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman, following criticism over its use of the term “illegal immigrant” to describe the suspect.

Jose Medina

The student newspaper initially reported that Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national charged in the fatal shooting, was in the U.S. illegally, citing information from the Department of Homeland Security. Its original headline referred to him as an “immigrant man” and included his immigration status in the story.

The publication later updated the article, removing that language and instead identifying the suspect as a “Rogers Park resident,” referencing the Chicago neighborhood near campus where the shooting occurred. In an editor’s note, the paper said the original headline “didn’t reflect the most important elements in the story” and was changed quickly “to prevent any further harm to affected community members.”

Editors also said the term “illegal immigrant,” though sourced from federal authorities, does not align with Associated Press style or the paper’s values. “No human’s existence is illegal,” the note stated, explaining the decision to revise the wording.

The change has drawn sharp criticism from some readers, who argue the original reporting was accurate and that the revision downplayed relevant details about the suspect.

Good Morning! Start With A Check On the Pulse for Thursday, March 26

Radio Broadcasting

Cumulus Media promotes Darlene Park to regional leadership role:  Cumulus Media elevated Darlene Park to Regional Vice President for Central Indiana, expanding her oversight beyond Indianapolis to include additional stations in Kokomo and Muncie. The move reflects the company’s continued emphasis on strengthening market-level leadership and driving performance across clusters through experienced management.

Connoisseur Media exits South Dakota with station sale: Connoisseur Media agreed to sell five radio stations in the Brookings, Clear Lake, and Volga areas to a locally owned group, marking its exit from South Dakota. The deal—led by longtime market manager Cami Powers—highlights a broader industry trend toward portfolio refinement and renewed focus on local ownership in smaller markets.

Industry shifts continue toward local ownership and operational focus: Recent station transactions and leadership changes underscore a wider strategic shift across U.S. radio, as companies streamline holdings and prioritize core markets. The Connoisseur sale and Cumulus leadership move both point to an industry balancing scale with localism, aiming to maintain community relevance while adapting to evolving revenue pressures and competition from digital audio platforms.

Media Industry

Jury finds Meta and YouTube negligent in landmark platform liability case: A Los Angeles jury ruled that Meta and YouTube were negligent for failing to warn users about the risks associated with their platforms. The case, brought by a plaintiff who said she developed a childhood addiction to social media, resulted in $6 million in damages. The verdict could have far-reaching implications for the media and tech industries, potentially reshaping how platforms address user safety, content design, and liability.

CBS News faces turmoil amid ratings declines and internal restructuring: CBS is grappling with declining ratings, newsroom layoffs, and internal unrest as its flagship programs trend toward historic lows. The challenges come during a period of broader restructuring and reflect the ongoing pressure on legacy media organizations to adapt to shifting audience habits, digital competition, and changing leadership strategies.

U-S News

Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire plan, issues its own demands: Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the escalating Middle East conflict, instead outlining its own conditions for peace. Tehran signaled it is not ready to negotiate under current terms, with officials warning they are closely monitoring U.S. military movements and will defend their territory. The rejection underscores rising tensions as fighting continues to disrupt global energy supplies and shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. deploys 82nd Airborne amid rising Iran tensions: The Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as the conflict intensifies. The elite unit—known for rapid deployment—could be tasked with securing infrastructure, reinforcing U.S. positions, or deterring further Iranian action. The move signals a potential escalation, with U.S. forces already building up in the region and additional naval assets on the way.

Playball! The New York Yankees opened the 2026 season with a strong Opening Day 7-0 win over the San Francisco Giants, setting an early tone behind a combination of timely hitting and solid pitching. The Yankees capitalized on key scoring opportunities, building a lead they never relinquished, while their pitching staff kept the opposition in check throughout the game. The victory gives New York an early boost as it looks to contend in a competitive American League race.

Jury Finds Instagram and YouTube liable

 A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found Meta and Google’s YouTube negligent for failing to warn users about the risks of their platforms, awarding $6 million in damages to a plaintiff who said she developed a childhood addiction that harmed her mental health.

Jurors ruled that the companies’ negligence was a “substantial factor” in causing those harms. The award includes $3 million in compensatory damages—70% assigned to Meta and 30% to YouTube—and $3 million in punitive damages, with Meta responsible for $2.1 million and YouTube $900,000.

The case, heard in LA Superior Court, was brought by a young woman identified as K.G.M., or Kaley, who alleged she became addicted to apps like Instagram and YouTube as a child. The trial began in late January, with jury deliberations starting March 13.

Plaintiff attorneys called the decision “a historic moment,” praising Kaley’s testimony and saying the verdict holds the companies accountable for what they knew about platform risks.

Both companies said they plan to challenge the outcome. A Meta spokesperson said the company “respectfully disagree[s] with the verdict” and is reviewing legal options, while a Google spokesperson said YouTube intends to appeal, arguing the case mischaracterizes the platform as social media rather than a streaming service.

TV Ratings: CBS Primetime Remains On Top

📺 Primetime Ratings Snapshot

Week of March 16, 2026 (CBS vs NBC vs ABC)

 
🥇 Overall Network Performance (Trend-Level)

• CBS: Still the most-watched broadcast network overall (total viewers), driven by its deep lineup of procedurals and comedies.
• NBC: Competitive, especially in younger demos (Adults 18–49 / 25–54) thanks to reality and franchise dramas.
• ABC: More inconsistent, with strength tied to select shows and live programming.

📊 What Shaped This Specific Week

1. Seasonal Disruption (March Effect)

• March Madness (NCAA basketball) and sports coverage often:
• Inflate certain nights
• Depress regular scripted ratings
• Nielsen notes March viewing is heavily influenced by sports consumption.

 
2. Live + Event Viewing Advantage

• Reality shows and sports helped NBC and ABC stay competitive
• CBS relied more on consistent scripted audiences

 
📉 Key Takeaways

1. CBS: Still the total-viewer king thanks to procedural depth
2. NBC: Strongest challenger, especially in key advertising demos
3. ABC: Competitive but less consistent week-to-week
4. March sports + seasonal: shifts impacted all three networks

On cable, primetime was led by a mix of news and live sports. Fox News Channel stood as the most-watched cable network in total viewers, averaging roughly 2–3 million in primetime, followed by MSNBC and CNN, which drew smaller but competitive audiences, particularly during major news cycles.

Among entertainment cable networks, ESPN performed strongly during the week due to live sports programming, often topping the key demo on nights with major events. Other consistently high-performing channels included TBS and USA Network, depending on sports, syndicated programming, and original series offerings.

Overall, the week reflected a stable television landscape: broadcast networks clustered closely together with NBC slightly ahead, while cable viewing continued to be anchored by news outlets and live sports, which remain the primary drivers of primetime audience concentration.

TV Ratings: March Madness Scores

The men’s NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament is delivering record-breaking television audiences through the first two rounds, with games across CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV averaging 10.1 million viewers—up 7% from last year and the first time the tournament has surpassed the 10 million mark at this stage.

The strong performance follows a record-setting opening round, with Thursday and Friday games averaging 9.5 million viewers, the highest first-round audience on record and a 9% increase over 2025. Second-round games on Saturday and Sunday averaged 11 million viewers, ranking as the second-most-watched since 1993 and up 7% year-over-year.

Sunday’s early primetime window set another milestone, drawing 19.7 million viewers—making it the most-watched window of the tournament’s opening weekend. The slate featured several close, high-profile matchups, including a 67–65 win for St. John’s over Kansas, Iowa’s 73–72 upset of top-seeded Florida, and Tennessee’s 79–72 victory over Virginia.

The tournament now moves into the Sweet 16, with coverage airing Thursday and Friday on CBS, TBS, and truTV. Three No. 1 seeds remain in contention, while No. 11 Texas stands as the lowest seed still in the field, reflecting a bracket with fewer traditional Cinderella runs beyond the Round of 32.

Elite Eight games will follow over the weekend on CBS and TBS as March Madness continues its strong ratings momentum.

Radio Ratings Recap: Day 3 February PPMs

Miami: Hot Is On Fire

In the Miami–Ft. Lauderdale–Hollywood market, the 6+ ratings race—typically a two-station battle—shifted this month as Cox Media’s Urban AC WHQT (Hot 105) surged to first place with its strongest performance since September, rising from 6.7 to 7.2.

That gain snapped the three-book winning streak of Cox Media AC WFEZ (Easy 93.1), which slipped to second place despite a modest dip from 7.5 to 7.0. Audacy AC WLYF (101.5 Lite FM) climbed to third with its best showing since October, jumping from 4.9 to 6.3.

Audacy Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 The Beach) fell to fourth (5.4–5.1), tying with SBS Spanish Contemporary WCMQ (Z92.3), which edged up from fifth (5.0–5.1). Despite losing the top spot, WFEZ remained the most-listened-to station, growing its audience 5.9% to 790,600, even as the overall market declined 0.7%.

Among adults 25–54, WFEZ continued to dominate, holding more than a full share lead despite a softer book. WHQT moved into second with its best performance in over a year, while WLYF slipped to third despite a slight increase. Cox Media Rhythmic AC WFLC (Hits 97.3) rose to fourth, ending a two-book decline, as WMXJ dipped to fifth and Audacy Classic Hip Hop WPOW (Power 96) slid to seventh despite flat results.

Indiana Radio: Cumulus Promotes Darlene Park To RVP

Cumulus Media has promoted Darlene Park to Regional Vice President for Central Indiana, expanding her leadership responsibilities to include oversight of the company’s Country stations in Kokomo and Muncie alongside her current role in Indianapolis.

In her new position, Park will continue to lead Cumulus Indianapolis and its six-station cluster while taking on additional oversight of WWKI-FM in Kokomo and WMDH-FM in Muncie. The move broadens her scope across Central Indiana, placing her in charge of key markets that contribute to the company’s regional growth strategy. Park has served as Vice President and Market Manager for the Indianapolis cluster since 2023, where she has led both operational and revenue initiatives.

Darlene Park

She brings a deep background in radio sales and market leadership, with prior roles in major markets including Denver and Chicago. Her experience includes serving as Director of Sales for Bonneville International’s Denver stations, as well as General Sales Manager positions with Entercom (now Audacy) and Clear Channel Communications. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Park contributes to the broader industry as a member of the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Sales Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining Cumulus Media, Park was Director of Sales for Bonneville’s four-station group in Denver, CO. She was also previously General Sales Manager for Entercom Denver (Audacy) and General Sales Manager for Clear Channel Chicago (iHeartMedia). Park serves the radio industry as a member of the RAB Sales Advisory Committee. 

Dave Milner, President of Operations for Cumulus Media, said Park has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, strategic vision, and the ability to deliver results since joining the company—qualities that made her a natural choice to oversee the expanded Central Indiana region.

Park said she is enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with teams across Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Muncie. She emphasized her commitment to strengthening local connections with listeners and advertisers while continuing to execute Cumulus Media’s broader strategic priorities across the region.

So Dakota Radio: Connoisseur Spins 5 Stations Locally

Connoisseur Media has agreed to sell its Brookings, South Dakota radio stations to locally owned Brookings Radio LLC, in a deal expected to close in early summer pending FCC approval.

The transaction includes KBRK-AM, KBRK-FM, KDBX-FM, KJJQ-AM, and KKQQ-FM, transferring ownership of the cluster to a local group led by longtime market manager Cami Powers, along with Derrick Powers and Chad Hogie.

The sale aligns with Connoisseur Media’s broader strategy to streamline its portfolio following its acquisition of Alpha Media last September. CEO Jeff Warshaw said the Brookings market no longer fit the company’s long-term priorities, adding that transitioning the stations to local ownership was the preferred outcome.

Powers, who has been with the Brookings stations for more than 30 years after starting in sales in 1994, said the move ensures continuity in serving the community through locally focused programming and advertising. Hogie, business manager since 2015, highlighted local radio’s importance as a free and accessible source for news, sports, and community information.

How Do Americans Feel About a Social Media Ban?

Edison Research has released the 2026 Infinite Dial in partnership with SiriusXM Media. As the longest-running survey of digital media consumption in the United States, the study has tracked trends annually since 1998. It has included social media usage since 2008, and today, 85% of Americans aged 12 and older report using social platforms.

Despite its widespread use, social media continues to face significant criticism—particularly regarding its impact on younger users. According to the 2026 report, a majority of American adults support restricting access: 57% of those aged 18 and older believe social media should be banned for individuals under 16.

Support for such a ban also varies by political affiliation. Among Republicans, 64% are in favor, compared to 54% of Democrats.

Pittsburgh Radio: Audacy Provides 331K+ Meals To Food Bank

Audacy stations in Pittsburgh hosted their seventh annual “Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon” benefitting Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. KDKA News Radio 100.1 FM and 1020 AM (KDKA-AM), 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM), 100.7 Star (WBZZ-FM), Y108 (WDSY-FM) and WAMO 107.3 (WAMO-FM) came together on March 24 for the annual event, gathering listeners, partners and the community together to raise funds and help fight hunger throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We’ve seen firsthand how the power of local radio rallies the community around causes that matter,” said Michael Spacciapolli, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Pittsburgh. “Every year, the ‘Feed the Need Radiothon’ reminds us what makes this city special. Pittsburghers continue to show up for one another in extraordinary ways, and we’re incredibly grateful to our listeners, partners and sponsors who help make a real difference for families across our region.”

Radio History: March 26

➦In 1923...Comedian "Bob" Elliott born (Died at age 92 of throat cancer – February 2, 2016).  He was one-half of the comedy duo of Bob and Ray. He was the father of comedian/actor Chris Elliott and grandfather of actress and comedians Abby Elliott and Bridey Elliott. He is most remembered by the character of Wally Ballou, a mild-mannered, but indefatigable radio reporter.

Beginning a career as a radio announcer in the 1940’s, his rise to national recognition began when he was teamed with Ray Goulding on WHDH Boston. Moving to New York the pair appeared on various networks and radio/TV outlets with their unique brand of humor spoofing broadcasting until Goulding’s death in 1990.

➦In 1929...WQXR signed-on as W2XR in NYC.

John Hogan

Now using the call signs WFME began its life as W2XR, owned by inventor John V. L. Hogan, operating at 2100 kHz, which went on the air on March 26, 1929.

Hogan was a radio engineer who owned many patents, and wanted a permit for an experimental station. To avoid interference, the frequency granted in 1934 by the Federal Radio Commission was considerably above the normal broadcasting range, which at that time ended at 1500 kHz. Hogan's permit was one of four construction permits W2XR was licensed as an "experimental broadcast station" on June 29, 1934.

W2XR began to broadcast classical music recordings on 1550 kHz.  His television broadcasts came to naught, but Hogan began to hear from unknown individuals who encouraged him to continue broadcasting music.

In 1936, Hogan and Elliott Sanger formed the Interstate Broadcasting Company, with the intention of turning W2XR into a commercial station at at time when there were already about twenty-five radio stations in New York.