Good Morning: Just For Early Risers, The Pulse For Wednesday, May 6

Radio Broadcasting

Hubbard Radio Promotes:  Chris Eagan named Vice President of Brand & Content for Hot AC KS95 (KSTP-FM), giving him permanent oversight of the iconic Minneapolis/St. Paul station. Eagan, who already leads Hubbard Chicago’s Millennial Hits Throwback 100.3 (WTBC-FM) and Hot AC 101.9 The Mix (WTMX), has been guiding KS95 on an interim basis since longtime Brand & Content Manager Mat Mitchell exited in January.

Beasley Media Group:  Longtime Philly radio personality and programming leader Mark “Razz” has decided to retire, with his final day at the station set for May 22. Razz began his career with the company on March 6, 2006, and over the past 20 years has become a beloved voice in the Philadelphia market

Entravision Communications Earnings: The compoany reported a 114% surge in consolidated net revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, driven by explosive growth in its Advertising Technology & Services segment.

Media Industry

CNN Not For Sale: Media mogul Barry Diller declared he would buy CNN immediately if it were available, warning that a pending Warner Bros. Discovery-Paramount merger would trigger aggressive cost-cutting, while revealing he had seriously explored acquiring Vox Media. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival in New York, the IAC chairman and longtime media executive expressed strong interest in the cable news network. 

FCC Commissioner Calls:  Democrat wants National Security Review of Foreign Investments in Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger. Anna Gomez Tuesday urged a rigorous review of foreign ownership in the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, citing serious national security concerns. Anna Gomez warned that sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are set to invest in the combined company, which would control CBS broadcast stations and major cable news outlets including CNN.

Stones New Album: The three surviving members of the Rolling Stones attended a red-carpet event in Brooklyn ​on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of the band's 25th studio album, "Foreign Tongues," a follow-up to their Grammy-winning 2023 release. The 14-track ‌collection will make its debut on July 10 as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood mark the 64th anniversary of the blues and R&B-rooted English rock band that became one of the world's most successful, influential and enduring pop music acts.

U-S News

Trump Pauses: President Trump announced on Tuesday evening that he was pausing the day-old U.S. operation to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz “for a short period of time,” citing what he said was “great progress” toward an agreement with Iran. His announcement came only hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the United States had concluded combat operations against Iran and was fully focused on the new mission. Only three commercial ships have managed to make it through the strait since the United States began the operation, dubbed Project Freedom, on Monday.

Trump Candidates Dominate: Candidates backed by President Donald Trump had a good showing on Tuesday in primary elections in Indiana and Ohio, signaling that despite waning popularity across the country, the Trump card still plays in the two states. In Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy won the Republican nomination for Ohio governor on May 5, setting up a November race against Democrat Amy Acton, the state’s former COVID-19 czar, who ran unopposed. Ramaswamy, 40, defeated primary rival Casey Putsch in a race that was first called by NBC News and Decision Desk HQ not long after polls closed.

Miami No Longer Super: The Miami metro area — tied with New Orleans for host of the most Super Bowls — currently can't hold another. According to Stephen Ross, who owns both the Miami Dolphins and the Hard Rock Stadium, the venue, located in Miami Gardens, no longer meets the NFL requirements to host a Super Bowl. The Miami metro area has previously hosted 11 of the events.

Media Mogul Barry Diller Wants to Buy CNN

Media mogul Barry Diller declared he would buy CNN immediately if it were available, warning that a pending Warner Bros. Discovery-Paramount merger would trigger aggressive cost-cutting, while revealing he had seriously explored acquiring Vox Media.

Speaking Tuesday at the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival in New York, the IAC chairman and longtime media executive expressed strong interest in the cable news network. 

“Absolutely, I would do it tonight and tomorrow night,” Diller told WSJ reporter Cara Lombardo. “Before they ruin it any further. Hopefully before it’s extinct, which, I mean, it’s not gonna be.”

Barry Diller

Diller, who previously approached Warner Bros. Discovery about buying CNN, argued the network is “so ripe” for innovation that it hasn’t seen in nearly a decade. He believes a Paramount acquisition of WBD would force a “savage process” of deep cost reductions worth billions as the combined company integrates operations and seeks efficiencies. 

“So how they do that and navigate also running the surviving businesses … I don’t know,” he said.

The comments come amid ongoing consolidation in traditional media. Paramount’s roughly $111 billion deal for WBD would pair CNN with CBS and other assets, potentially reshaping the news and entertainment landscape. Diller suggested CNN could ultimately align with CBS in such a merger.

Rigorous Review of Foreign Investment Urged In PSKY-WBD Deal

FCC Commissioner Calls for National Security Review of Foreign Investments in Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

The sole Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday urged a rigorous review of foreign ownership in the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, citing serious national security concerns.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned that sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are set to invest in the combined company, which would control CBS broadcast stations and major cable news outlets including CNN.

Anna Gomez

"There are serious, unresolved questions about how this foreign investment may jeopardize national security, and this commission has a legal obligation to answer them," Gomez said. "The American public deserves to know who owns the airwaves that carry their news."

She expressed alarm over what she described as an effort to "rubber stamp a financial structure that places nearly half of one of America’s largest broadcast and media companies into the hands of foreign governments with documented records of press suppression and a troubling willingness to silence journalists."

The call comes after Paramount Skydance asked the FCC last month to approve foreign investments backing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount has said the family of CEO David Ellison would retain control of voting shares.The investors include Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Abu Dhabi-based L'imad Holding Company, and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Paramount has argued the deal and new equity would strengthen its television operations and help it navigate industry challenges.

Entravision Reports Surge In Net Revenue

Entravision Communications reported a 114% surge in consolidated net revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, driven by explosive growth in its Advertising Technology & Services (ATS) segment.

Net revenue in the ATS segment skyrocketed 204% year-over-year, fueled by higher monthly active advertisers and increased revenue per advertiser, thanks to AI platform enhancements and expanded sales efforts. 

The Media segment grew a more modest 4%, supported by gains in digital advertising and retransmission fees that offset declines in broadcast advertising and spectrum rights revenue.

“Our ATS results reflect strong execution on our AI investments and sales expansion,” said Michael Christenson, Chief Executive Officer. “We also continued to strengthen our balance sheet by repaying $5 million on our bank term loan.”

Twin Cities Radio: Chris Eagan's Plate Just Got Fuller

Hubbard Radio has promoted Chris Eagan to Vice President of Brand & Content for Hot AC KS95 (KSTP-FM), giving him permanent oversight of the iconic Minneapolis/St. Paul station.

Eagan, who already leads Hubbard Chicago’s Millennial Hits Throwback 100.3 (WTBC-FM) and Hot AC 101.9 The Mix (WTMX), has been guiding KS95 on an interim basis since longtime Brand & Content Manager Mat Mitchell exited in January.

Eagan joined Hubbard Chicago in December 2024 after serving as Cox Media Group SVP of Audience & Programming. 

Philly Radio: Longtime PD/Host Mark Razz Retiring from Country WXTU

Beasley Media Group announces that longtime radio personality and programming leader Mark “Razz” has decided to retire, with his final day at the station set for Friday, May 22, 2026.

Razz began his career with the company on March 6, 2006, and over the past 20 years has become a beloved voice in the Philadelphia market. He has entertained listeners on WXTU-FM for more than 16 years, most recently hosting middays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Razz on the Radio. Since 2019, he has also served as Program Director, helping guide the station’s continued success while previously contributing as Assistant Program Director and Music Director.

Prior to joining WXTU, Razz spent six years as Afternoon Drive host at WMMR-FM from 2000 to 2006—capping an impressive 26-year career in Philadelphia radio, including 20 years at WXTU.

Religious Broasdcasters Urge FCC Caution

National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is urging the FCC to investigate controversial remarks made on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last month, but the group is firmly opposing the FCC’s move to fast-track early license renewal reviews for eight Disney-owned television stations.

NRB emphasized that it does not support the agency’s accelerated review of Disney’s licenses. 

The organization stressed the need for a “stable” and “predictable” regulatory environment, especially for faith-based broadcasters operating in a fast-changing media landscape.

NextKast OnAir, Optimized Media Partner For Automation Installation

NextKast OnAir, the all-in-one radio automation and music scheduling platform, today announced a strategic alliance with Optimized Media Group (OMG), a leading broadcast consulting and engineering firm, to provide end-to-end installation, configuration, and deployment services for radio stations worldwide.

NextKast OnAir is built as a unified platform, combining automation, music scheduling, voice tracking, streaming, AI, remote management and broadcasting, and traffic integration without the need for multiple third-party systems. In addition, its -StudioLink Web Interface allows remote access to the automation system from any Web browser device.

Optimized Media Group brings extensive experience in broadcast system design, integration, and operational workflows. The collaboration creates a seamless, turnkey solution for broadcasters transitioning to modern automation.

Radio History: May 6

➦In 1911...Frank Brandon Nelson born (Died from cancer at age 75 – September 12, 1986). He was a comedic actor best known for playing put-upon foils on radio and television, and especially for his "EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?" catchphrase.

He made numerous guest appearances on television shows, including The Addams Family, The Jack Benny Program, I Love Lucy, The Real McCoys, and Sanford and Son. He also provided voices for animated series such as The Flintstones, Mister Magoo, The Jetsons, Dinky Dog, and The Snorks.

Frank Nelson

Nelson began his entertainment career in radio, and later moved into television and movies. In 1926, at age 15, Nelson played the role of a 30-year-old man in a radio series broadcast from the then-5,000-watt KOA-AM Dener.  In 1929, Nelson moved to Hollywood, California and worked in local radio dramatic shows, usually playing the leading man. The first sponsored radio show he appeared in to reach a national market was Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, a situation comedy radio show that aired from November 28, 1932, to May 22, 1933, starring two of the Marx Brothers, Groucho and Chico, and written primarily by Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman.

Nelson first found fame as the put-upon foil to Jack Benny on Benny's radio show during the 1940s and 1950s. Nelson typically portrayed a sales clerk or customer service worker.

Nelson performed on a number of Hollywood-based radio shows during this time, including Fibber McGee and Molly, and did radio work well into the late 1950s, on the few shows that remained on the air, including dramatic roles on such programs as Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

Nelson continued to appear on Benny's television show in 1950, doing the same "rude clerk" shtick. His other catchphrase, that would be worked into every routine, would have Benny asking something mundane, such as, "Do these shirts come in a medium?", and Frank would bellow, "Oo-oo-oo-ooh, DO they!" He also appeared on several other radio programs. Nelson's sudden appearances usually led to spontaneous laughter or applause on the part of the audience.

Orson Welles

➦In 1915...George Orson Welles born  (Died – October 10, 1985). He was an actor, director, writer and producer who worked in theatre, radio and film.

Second Judge Blocks DOJ From Examining WaPo Reporter's Devices

A federal judge in Virginia ruled Monday that the Justice Department cannot examine electronic devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, marking the second time courts in the Eastern District of Virginia have rejected the government’s efforts.

U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga rejected the Justice Department’s request to search Natanson’s phone, computers and other devices, which the FBI seized in January during an investigation into a government contractor accused of leaking classified material.

Trenga’s ruling upholds a previous decision by a magistrate judge, which the Trump administration had appealed. The magistrate had determined that the court — not the Justice Department — should review the devices for relevant information and provide it to investigators.

In his decision, Trenga dismissed the government’s arguments, stating that the prolonged seizure is preventing a journalist from doing her job. He also ruled that having the court conduct the search does not interfere with investigators’ work.

The government had argued that Justice Department employees are best equipped to handle data that may contain classified information and that barring law enforcement from performing the search undermines a core executive branch function. Trenga, appointed by President George W. Bush, rejected each of those claims.

Elon Musk Settles SEC Lawsuit For $1.5M

Elon Musk has agreed to settle a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit accusing him of violating securities laws by failing to timely disclose his growing stake in Twitter in 2022, with a trust in his name paying a $1.5 million civil penalty.

The settlement, filed Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., resolves the SEC’s January 2025 lawsuit without Musk admitting or denying wrongdoing. It does not require him to repay any alleged savings from the delay.

The SEC alleged that Musk waited 11 days beyond the legal deadline to disclose that his stake in Twitter (now X) had exceeded 5% in late March and early April 2022. Federal rules require investors to publicly disclose ownership above that threshold within 10 calendar days.

According to the SEC, the delay allowed Musk to continue buying additional shares at artificially low prices before the announcement on April 4, 2022, when the stock jumped more than 27%. 

Regulators claimed this move disadvantaged other shareholders and enabled Musk to save approximately $150 million. The proposed settlement still requires approval by a federal judge.

Musk began accumulating Twitter shares in early 2022 as part of his path to acquiring the company for $44 billion later that year. The disclosure issue became a focal point in the SEC’s scrutiny of the high-profile takeover.

This marks the latest chapter in Musk’s long-running tensions with the SEC, including a prior 2018 settlement over his “funding secured” tweet about taking Tesla private. Musk’s legal team has described the $1.5 million penalty as minor for a late filing.

Remembering John Sterling, The Iconic Radio Voice of The Yankees

Michael Kaye and John Sterling

Michael Kay broke down on air Monday while paying tribute to his former radio partner John Sterling, the longtime voice of the Yankees, who died at age 87.

I didn’t think I had any tears left to cry today, but man, was I wrong. My heart breaks for the Sterling family. Love and prayers. Thank you @RealMichaelKay for doing an amazing job portraying the kind of man Mr. Sterling was. I don’t know how you held it together but we are… pic.twitter.com/HfxYbnP4vz

— Madyson (@Majorleaguemadd) May 4, 2026

Sterling passed away after suffering heart failure roughly one week following open-heart surgery. He had endured multiple heart attacks and was left bed-ridden for so long after the procedure that he lost the ability to walk, Kay said on his ESPN NY Radio show.