Good Morning: TGIF! Start With The Pulse for July 17

Radio Broadcasting

Hub Tops: 98.5 The Sports Hub swept the spring 2026 Nielsen Audio Ratings, finishing first overall and in every major daypart among men 25-54, the key sports radio demographic. The station posted a commanding 12.4 share for the period from April 2 through June 24. Competitor WEEI finished a distant seventh with a 4.2 share.

HJY Retirement: Paul and Al, the longtime morning team at 94 WHJY, announced their retirement after three-and-a-half decades together on the air. Their final show is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27.

Syndication Additions: Connoisseur Media is broadening its national reach by partnering with Compass Media Networks to distribute two new original weekend shows: the retro countdown “Robby’s Top 20 Countdown” and the women-focused country program “She’s Country.” 

Media Industry

Security Breach: NBC News has fired a security guard after an intruder breached security at the “Today” show studio in New York City and confronted co-host Craig Melvin on Thursday morning.

Slo Go: Netflix forecasts sharply slower growth in Q3, sending shares down more than 8% in after-hours trading.

Ownership Caps: The FCC will vote August 6 on repealing its 39% national television ownership cap, a move that could trigger widespread consolidation in the broadcast industry.

U-S News

Trump Upset: Two major U.S. broadcast networks and CNN declined to air President Donald Trump’s prime-time address on their main channels Thursday, prompting Trump to accuse them of a “plot” and call for the revocation of their broadcast licenses.

Forget The Lettuce For Now: The cyclospora outbreak has consumers across the country holding the lettuce.  And the U.S. lettuce industry fears it will take a hit—whether or not its leafy greens are truly to blame.

Heavy Air: Blackened skies and an apocalyptic orange haze have returned to the U.S. and Canada as toxic smoke from out-of-control wildfires creates hazardous conditions for millions of people.

ABC, NBC, CNN Do Not Air Trump's Election-Security Speech

Two major U.S. broadcast networks and CNN declined to air President Donald Trump’s prime-time address on their main channels Thursday, prompting Trump to accuse them of a “plot” and call for the revocation of their broadcast licenses.

The speech, centered on election security four months ahead of the midterm elections, was not carried live by NBC or ABC on their primary broadcast platforms, nor by CNN on its main cable channel.

During the address, Trump directly attacked the networks that skipped it. “In a rare move NBC and ABC fake news have both said they would not cover this speech,” he said, adding that such actions amounted to “fraud” warranting license revocation.

Networks enjoy broad First Amendment protections to choose what they broadcast, though they have historically aired presidential addresses deemed of public importance.

ABC aired the speech on its ABC News Live streaming platform and ABC News Radio, but not its main broadcast channel.

 
NBC carried it on its free streaming service NBC News NOW, but not its primary broadcast channel.

CNN monitored the speech for news value and provided a live feed on its website and paid subscription service CNN All Access. These alternative platforms typically attract far smaller audiences than traditional broadcast or flagship cable channels. 

CBS interrupted regular programming to air the speech live but prefaced it with an on-air disclaimer from anchor Tony Dokoupil, who stated that much of what the president has said on the topic is false. The network cut away after roughly 15 minutes to fact-check Trump’s election-fraud claims. Fox News carried the address live, as did some local Fox broadcast affiliates.

Intruder Breaches Security At NBC

NBC News has fired a security guard after an intruder breached security at the “Today” show studio in New York City and confronted co-host Craig Melvin on Thursday morning.

Andrew Truelove

The intruder, identified as 41-year-old Andrew Truelove, was arrested on multiple hate crime charges after slipping past security, asking for Al Roker, and using a racial slur against Melvin.

According to sources and security video reviewed by Page Six, two guards were on duty at the time of the breach. One stepped away while the other failed to stop Truelove as he entered the building. It remains unclear which guard was dismissed, though insiders said the fired employee was a well-liked member of the staff.

The intruder did not reach the live filming studio. He got as far as an internal staircase, where he approached Melvin around 9 a.m. and called him the N-word while looking for Roker. Melvin alerted security, and the man was quickly detained and arrested.

New York Police Department officials said Truelove faces hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, hate crime criminal trespass, and harassment charges. Melvin later posted on Instagram that he was unharmed and would not be taking time off. “Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out,” he wrote.

Representatives for the “Today” show declined to comment on the security guard’s dismissal or the incident.

Netflix Expects Slower Growth

Netflix forecasts sharply slower growth in Q3, sending shares down more than 8% in after-hours trading.

The streaming giant said Thursday it expects revenue and profit gains to moderate in the third quarter, intensifying investor worries that its rapid expansion is peaking. Netflix projected revenue growth of just 11.7% for the period — the smallest year-on-year increase since late 2023.In the second quarter, Netflix reported revenue of $12.56 billion, up more than 13% from a year earlier, with net income rising nearly 9% to $3.4 billion. The results met analysts’ expectations, helped by recent price hikes and advertising growth.

On an earnings call, executives pushed back against concerns, stressing significant untapped potential. “We believe that we have lots and lots of runway ahead of us,” said Chief Financial Officer Spencer Neumann, noting that Netflix holds only about 5% of global TV market share.Viewers watched more than 97 billion hours of Netflix content in the first half of 2026, up 1.5% from the second half of 2025 and 1.9% from the first half of 2025. 

Ownership Cap Waivers To Be On a Case-By-Case Basis

The FCC will vote August 6 on repealing its 39% national television ownership cap, a move that could trigger widespread consolidation in the broadcast industry.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the proposal in an op-ed Thursday, saying the agency will replace the long-standing national limit with a case-by-case review. Under the new approach, the FCC would evaluate proposed mergers individually, approving those that serve the public interest and blocking those that do not.

Broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters immediately praised the plan, which they have sought for decades. The change is expected to make it easier for station groups to expand beyond the current 39% national audience reach limit.

Boston Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub Finishes #1 Overall

98.5 The Sports Hub swept the spring 2026 Nielsen Audio Ratings, finishing first overall and in every major daypart among men 25-54, the key sports radio demographic. The station posted a commanding 12.4 share for the period from April 2 through June 24. Competitor WEEI finished a distant seventh with a 4.2 share.

Toucher and Hardy led the way in morning drive, delivering a 16.1 share — the highest of any show in the entire market — to finish first. WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show placed sixth with a 6.0.

In middays, Zolak and Bertrand took first place with a 12.3 share, while WEEI’s Jones and Keefe finished fourth at 5.4.

Felger and Mazz continued its longtime dominance in afternoon drive, scoring a 13.9 share for first place. 

WEEI landed eighth with a 3.5.In the 6-7 p.m. slot, Tony Massarotti’s The Baseball Hour led with an 8.9 share. WEEI programming ranked 14th at 2.2.

Evenings from 7 p.m. to midnight saw The Sports Hub — featuring The Joe Murray Show and Celtics/Bruins broadcasts — tie WBMX for first with an 8.8 share. WEEI placed ninth with a 3.3.

In late April, WEEI shook up its afternoon lineup by dismissing Andy Hart and Nick Stevens, ending the “WEEI Afternoon Show,” and launching The Rich Shertenlieb Show featuring former Sports Hub host Rich Shertenlieb, Ken Laird, and Ted Johnson.

The Sports Hub also improved on its performance from the previous spring, when it led the market with an 11.6 share compared to WEEI’s 4.9.

Providence Radio: 94 HJY’s Paul and Al To Retire

Paul and Al, the longtime morning team at 94 WHJY, announced their retirement after three-and-a-half decades together on the air. Their final show is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27.

The duo’s partnership began in Alabama before they moved to Rhode Island in 1990 to replace legendary host Carolyn Fox. Since then, they have become radio staples in the state, known for popular segments such as “Stump the DJ,” high-profile celebrity interviews, and occasional appearances on NBC 10.

“We’ve had so many crazy moments,” said Al Milukas. “A lot of people have been in the studio here—a lot of celebrities, rock people. Remember when we had Bon Jovi playing in the studio live?”

While the decision was not easy, both hosts said the timing now feels right. “I’ve got my family in Virginia and Georgia,” Paul explained. “I love coming into work, but it’s time to go out and adventure, get away from the screens, and hang out with the kids and the grandkids.” 

“And I go wherever he goes,” Al added with a laugh.

FOX News Digital Leads Key Metrics During 2Q

During the second quarter of 2026, FOX News Digital led all news brands and broadcast networks with total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views and multiplatform minutes, according to Comscore.** 

FOX News Digital drove an average of 178 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, 4.6 billion multiplatform views and 9.7 billion multiplatform minutes throughout the quarter. 

This marks the 21st consecutive quarter it has led news brands with views and 16th consecutive quarter it has been the top news brand with minutes.* Year-over-year, FOX News Digital was up 29% with total digital multiplatform unique visitors for the quarter. Meanwhile, CNN marked its worst quarter since 2015 with average total desktop unique visitors (62 million), multiplatform views (1.5 billion) and multiplatform minutes (2.4 billion).

During June, FOX News Digital led all news brands and broadcast networks with total digital multiplatform visitors (178 million), multiplatform views (1.4 billion) and multiplatform minutes (2.9 billion).** Notably, FOX News marked its fourth consecutive month as the top news brand with total digital multiplatform unique visitors throughout the month. 

ESPN Delivers Strongest First Half

ESPN generated its most-watched first half of the year in more than a decade as fans consumed a combined 288B minutes of sports content across ESPN and ESPN on ABC during Nielsen’s first half 2026 calendar period.

The total represents a 13% increase versus the same period last year and marks the strongest first-half performance since 2012. The momentum extended across multiple categories, including double-digit audience growth, in addition to the increased consumption figures.ESPN on ABC: 

• Best first half since 2006, the last year ABC aired the Super Bowl, with 78B minutes, up 16% YOY.
• ESPN Average Minute Audience: 800K, up 12% YOY and ESPN’s best first half since 2016.
• ESPN in primetime: 2.1M average viewers, the best since 2012, and up from 1.9M average for the first half of 2025.
• Sports Minutes Watched: ESPN ranked first of any individual network with 19% of sports minutes watched in the first half of 2026, just ahead of NBC’s 18%. ESPN’s networks accounted for an industry-leading 32% of all sports viewing during the period.

During the first half of the year, ESPN networks also had their best June since 2016 for ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC and for ESPN and ESPN on ABC, as well as the best June since 2010 for ESPN on ABC.

Please Note: All metrics are based on Nielsen Big Data + Panel. Nielsen’s Q1 + Q2 date range is December 29, 2025, to June 28, 2026. All comparisons are inclusive of Nielsen’s defined Q1 and Q2 in past years.

NBA Plans Local TV Streaming Hub

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league’s new direct-to-consumer in-market streaming platform will launch in time for the 2027-28 season, giving local fans an easier way to watch their team’s non-national games without navigating fragmented media rights and regional sports networks.

The timeline is later than some had hoped. Earlier expectations pointed to a possible 2026-27 debut, but Silver indicated there isn’t enough time to bring the service to market by this fall, according to Sports Business Journal.

A core group of 13 teams that lost their FanDuel regional sports network partnerships after the collapse of Main Street Sports Group will form the initial foundation. Those clubs are securing one-year broadcast deals for the upcoming season and are expected to move to the league’s streamer the following year.

Connoisseur Media Expands Syndicated Programming Portfolio

Connoisseur Media is broadening its national reach by partnering with Compass Media Networks to distribute two new original weekend shows: the retro countdown “Robby’s Top 20 Countdown” and the women-focused country program “She’s Country.” 

The deal builds on the companies’ existing collaboration, which already syndicates the popular morning show Anna & Raven in 85 markets across the country.“Robby’s Top 20 Countdown” Relaunches with National Push.

Savannah Guthrie to Tape ‘Wordle’ Game Show

Savannah Guthrie announced on the Thursday, July 16 episode of Today that she will temporarily leave her co-anchor duties to film a new game show adaptation of Wordle. The 54-year-old host said she will be off for the next “few weeks” while the entire season is shot.

“We’re about to do it. Guys, I’m headed over to shoot Wordle over the next few weeks,” Guthrie confirmed during the broadcast. 

“We’re going to shoot the whole season and we’re super excited.” 

Baltimore Radio: Mix 106.5 Helps 129 Animals Looking for Homes

Mix 106.5 (WWMX-FM), an Audacy station in Baltimore, partnered with Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) to host Kramer and Jess’ second annual “All Paws Home,” a 10-hour animal adoption marathon with an ambitious goal of finding homes for 106 animals.

“All Paws Home” took place on Saturday, July 11, where Kramer and Jess broadcast live from BARCS. The event included waived adoption fees and brought in hundreds of community members ready to open their hearts and homes to a new family member. By the end of the 10-hour event, 129 animals had been adopted or placed into foster care, surpassing last year’s number of 125. BARCS staff and volunteers worked to match families with dogs, cats and other adoptable pets in need of a second chance.

Radio History: July 17

➦In 1912...Art Linkletter born Arthur Gordon Kelly (Died at age 97 – May 26, 2010). He was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada and was an American radio and television personality, best known as host of  House Party which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny on NBC radio and television for 19 years. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.

Art Linkletter

One popular feature of his House Party program was the Kids Say the Darndest Things segments. A series of books followed which contained the humorous comments made on-air bychildren.

When he was five, his family moved to San Diego, California, where he graduated from San Diego High School at age 16. During the early years of the Great Depression, he rode trains around the country doing odd jobs and meeting a wide variety of people.

In 1935 he met Lois Foerster. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in San Diego, November 28, 1935. Their marriage lasted until Linkletter's death, ​74 1⁄2 years later.

After receiving his teaching degree, Linkletter decided to go to work as a radio announcer at KGB in San Diego, because radio paid better than teaching. He directed radio programs for fairs and expositions in the mid-1930s. Afterwards, he moved to San Francisco and continued his radio career.

In the 1940s, Linkletter worked in Hollywood with John Guedel on their pioneering radio show, People Are Funny, which employed audience participation, contests and gags. The series served as a prototype for future radio and television game shows. People Are Funny became a television show in 1954 and ran until 1961.

➦In 1934…FCC adopts Order No. 1

➦In 1981…Bruce Bradley did his final show on WBZ 1030 AM, Boston.

Bradley joined WBZ in 1960, when the station is still playing middle of the road pop music. Gradually, as the music becomes more top-40, “Juicie Brucie” Bradley’s night-time show became extremely popular.

The station moved from Top40 to Full-Service AC in 1974.

Bradley passed away in June 2013. Click Here for more.

➦In 2009…Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. died at age 92 (Born - November 4, 1916). He was a broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–1981). During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll.

OutKick Finishes Q4 2026 with Strong Growth

National multimedia sports platform OutKick finished Q4 2026 with strong growth across all categories with 8.8 million average monthly total desktop and mobile unique visitors, up 83% versus the prior quarter and up 42% versus Q4 2025, 122 million total multiplatform views, up 54% versus the prior quarter and up 43% versus Q4 2025, and 156 million total multiplatform minutes, up 31% versus the prior quarter and up 101% versus Q4 2025, according to Comscore.*

In June 2026, OutKick saw 10.6 million total desktop and mobile unique visitors, 45 million total multiplatform views, and 47 million total multiplatform minutes. Additionally, OutKick delivered 16.4 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, which ranked 21 out of over 350 sports entities in June 2026. The platform finished ahead of Draft Kings, AP News-Sports, Complex Sports, The Ringer, and many more.**

In commenting on the digital performance, OutKick’s senior vice president and managing editor Gary Schreier said, “OutKick continues to drive the conversation across sports and culture while delivering tremendous audience growth. Throughout the fourth quarter, the platform generated significant coverage through high-profile interviews with Cheryl Hines, Noah Syndergaard, and Michael Wilbon, while leading the discussion around some of the biggest stories such as the landmark Supreme Court decision on transgender athletes in female sports, the NFL draft, the NBA Finals, and more."

On Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram in Q4 2026, OutKick saw over 2 million social actions and over 24.2 million total video views on Facebook, X and YouTube. according to ComscoreSocial.***

In Q4, OutKick also announced its integration with Fox News Digital and signed Dan Dakich, the host of Don’t @ Me to a multi-year extension.

*Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, June 2026, Desktop and Mobile, US.

**Source: Comscore Media Metrix® Multi-Platform, June 2026, Total Digital Population, US

***Source: Comscore Social, Metrics & Trends, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, June 2026, Report Date: 07/15/2026. Custom-Defined List including Outkick.