FCC Chair Signals Aggressive Push on Media Regulation

FCC Chair Brendan Carr is openly adopting an aggressive, confrontational approach to regulating the media industry, describing tactics aimed at challenging broadcast licenses — including those of major companies like Disney — as a deliberate way to “shock” the sector and assert authority.

In a recent interview, Carr embraced what he characterized as a Trumpian style of regulation, saying the FCC under his leadership intends to use its full powers without hesitation. “If you didn’t take us seriously, now you should,” Carr stated. “I got my time, I got my shot, I took my shot.”

The comments mark a sharp shift toward using federal regulatory tools as instruments of political pressure and public signaling, targeting legacy media outlets that Carr and allies view as misaligned with current administration priorities.

FOX News Digital Continues to Dominate All News Brands

During April, FOX News Digital led all broadcast networks and news competitors with total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views and multiplatform minutes, according to Comscore.** 

FOX News Digital nabbed 191 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors (up 46% year-over-year), 1.7 billion multiplatform views and 3.6 billion multiplatform minutes throughout April.* Meanwhile, CNN and ABC News saw double-digit year-over-year declines across the board. 

**Additional highlights include:

• On YouTube, FOX News delivered 471.9 million video views, nearly quadrupling ABC News and NBC News and dominating MS NOW by more than 167 million views, according to Emplifi. 
• FOX News also more than septupled CBS News’ 62.6 million views for the month. Year-over-year, FOX News saw a 45% advantage with YouTube video views and led competitors including MS NOW (304.4 million views), CNN (203.3 million views), ABC News (119.3 million views), NBC News (115.2 million views) and CBS News (62.6 million views).
• The FOX News Mobile app drew 6.3 million unique viewers during the month of April leading the CNN mobile app which saw 3.7 million unique viewers.**

Here's Why NYTimes Printed A Non-Factual Story

Nicholas Kristoff (left)

The New York Times this past week published graphic, largely unverified allegations of systematic sexual abuse, including claims that Israeli guards used dogs to rape Palestinian prisoners, in a column that Douglas Murray has condemned as one of the most grotesque and timed libels against Israel in modern media.

In an opinion piece this week, longtime Times columnist Nicholas Kristof cited anonymous Palestinian detainees alleging routine rape, sexual torture, and animal-assisted assaults by Israeli soldiers and prison staff. Murray, writing in The New York Post, described the article as a deliberate fabrication designed to preempt and overshadow an upcoming Israeli commission report documenting Hamas’s widespread and systematic use of sexual violence during the October 7, 2023, massacre.

The timing was not accidental, Murray argues. 

Kristof’s column appeared just one day before the expected release of evidence showing Hamas’s “integral” policy of gang rapes, mutilations, and sexual assaults on both living victims and corpses,  crimes backed by extensive video footage, forensic findings, and eyewitness testimony. By flooding the information environment with even more lurid and implausible accusations against Israel, the Times piece aimed to block any public sympathy or understanding for the Jewish state’s security needs.

Hollywood Elite Donate To Spencer Pratt’s Bid for LA Mayor

Reality television star Spencer Pratt is drawing significant financial backing from Hollywood’s highest ranks for his insurgent campaign for Los Angeles mayor, with major Democratic megadonor Haim Saban and Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge each contributing the maximum allowable amount.

The unexpected support for the former The Hills personality reflects deep frustration among entertainment industry leaders with incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Hall’s handling of the devastating Palisades fires, according to industry insiders. Donors are reportedly treating the donation as an “anti-vote” — a protest against the current administration rather than pure enthusiasm for Pratt himself.

MLB's Rivalry Weekend On ESPN App

MLB.TV on the ESPN App will showcase nearly 40 games during Major League Baseball’s second annual MLB Rivalry Weekend presented by Booking.com, featuring several of the sport’s most historic and compelling matchups from Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17.

The weekend features 15 rivalry series, including 11 Interleague rivalries and four regional rivalries, highlighted by marquee matchups such as the Subway Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees, the Freeway Series featuring the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Crosstown Classic between the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.

Daily Mail U.S. Hit with Lawsuit Alleging Severe Gender Discrimination

Marianne Garvey, a real estate reporter at the Daily Mail’s U.S. operation, has filed a lawsuit against the publication, its Money & Commerce Editor Daniel Jones, and Managing Editor Richard Ellis, accusing them of fostering a hostile work environment, retaliation, severe and pervasive gender discrimination, and sexual harassment.

The complaint, filed in New York, claims that shortly after Garvey joined the company, female colleagues warned her about Jones’s abusive behavior toward women. Her legal team further alleges that the Daily Mail ran a smear campaign against her while protecting abusive male executives in an effort to silence women who speak out.

“This is one of the worst I’ve seen,” said Rosemarie Arnold, Garvey’s attorney. “In my long-standing career of protecting innocent victims of workplace harassment and abuse, this is one of the worst I’ve seen.”

Ad-Supported Streaming Has Slowed Sharply

Ad-supported streaming in the U.S. reached 110 million subscribers in Q1 2026, up 10% from the prior year, but growth has slowed sharply.

The pace marks a significant deceleration. In Q1 2025, ad-supported subscriptions nearly doubled year-over-year, rising from 53 million to 100 million.

Hulu maintains the largest share of U.S. ad-supported streaming subscribers at 23% (25.3 million), according to Antenna estimates. However, its overall share of total U.S. streaming subscribers slipped from 26% a year earlier as competitors intensified their ad-tier offerings.

Annoying Kars4Kids Jingle Banned In California

The catchy “1-877-Kars-4-Kids” jingle is now barred from broadcast in California unless the ads include prominent disclosures, after a judge ruled the charity’s advertising campaign violated state false advertising and unfair competition laws.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Gassia Apkarian issued the order last week in a lawsuit brought by California resident Bruce Puterbaugh. He donated a 2001 Volvo after repeated exposure to the ads but later felt misled about where the money went.

The court found that Kars4Kids commercials created the misleading impression that car donations primarily helped needy or disadvantaged children in California. In reality, 60% of the proceeds support Oorah, an organization that funds Orthodox Jewish programs in New York, New Jersey, and the Middle East.

Radio History: May 16

➦In 1925...the first live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was originated by WHAS Louisville  and was also carried by WGN in Chicago. The call of the Derby featured an announcer who watched from the windows of one of the famous twin spires of Churchill Downs.

➦In 1925..Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg designed the dynamic loudspeaker, a significant advancement in audio technology. This invention improved the sound quality of radio broadcasts, making them clearer and more accessible to listeners, and laid the groundwork for modern audio systems.

➦In 1929...the anthology crime series True Detective Mysteries began its almost 30 year run, debuting on CBS radio, though its most popular years (1944-58) were on Mutual.

True Detective Mysteries were truly audience participation shows - each show provided descriptions of the true-story criminal and encouraged audiences to provide information leading to their capture. Rewards of $500 and later $1000 were offered in return for helpful clues from listeners.

➦In 1932...the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act was passed in Ottawa, subjecting private stations to the control of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC). Five years later the Commission became the CBC.

➦In 1942...The Whistler, a radio mystery drama, made its debut on the west coast regional CBS Network. It aired on until September 22, 1955. The show was also broadcast in Chicago and over Armed Forces Radio. On the west coast, it was sponsored by the Signal Oil Company: "That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." There were also two short-lived attempts to form east-coast broadcast spurs: July 3 to September 25, 1946, sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company; and March 26, 1947, to September 29, 1948, sponsored by Household Finance.

➦In 1947...Jack Mullin demonstrated the Magnetophon at Institute of Radio Engineers convention. The Magnetophon tape recorder was one of the first recording machines to use magnetic tape in recording voice and music.

Chicago Radio: Program Director Stephanie Tichenor Exits WLS AM

Stephanie Tichenor, Program Director of heritage news/talk station WLS-AM 890 in Chicago, has left Cumulus Media after seven years in the role.

A Cumulus Media spokesperson confirmed Tichenor’s departure to Media Confidential Friday evening. No reason for her exit was disclosed, and the company has not announced a successor or timetable for a replacement.

Detroit Radio: Jim O'Brien Exits Beasley's WCSX FM

Longtime morning radio host Jim O'Brien, known as "Big Jim," has ended his run at classic rock station 94.7 WCSX-FM, closing the popular "Big Jim's House" show after more than two decades on air.

O'Brien announced his departure Thursday, May 14, 2026, via social media, stating: "After an incredible run at WCSX, my time with the station has come to an end. I'm grateful to the listeners, teammates, clients, veterans, and Detroit community who allowed me to be part of their mornings for so many years. Detroit has been my home for 24 years, and I'm proud of everything we built together. More to come soon."

L-A TV: MLB Angels Fire Team Announcer

Patrick O’Neal, who has served as a television announcer for the Los Angeles Angels for the past 13 seasons, will not return to the club, the team has announced.

Patrick O'Neal

O’Neal, 58, rotated play-by-play duties with lead voice Wayne Randazzo and also handled pre- and postgame hosting responsibilities on Angels telecasts. He has simultaneously contributed to Los Angeles Kings hockey broadcasts.

“The Angels organization would like to thank Patrick O’Neal for his 13 years of dedication to the Angels broadcast team,” the club said in a statement. “He brought a sense of pride to each telecast, something that was felt by Angels fans watching at home.”

In a statement posted to X, O’Neal wrote: “Thank you to the Angels for the amazing broadcast opportunities. I cherish every moment and every friend I made. It’s the great people I will miss the most. Chopping it up talking baseball with some of the best to ever do it. It will be hard to replace that. Go Halos!”