New Round of Layoffs At Cumulus Media Stations

Cumulus Media has begun a new round of layoffs at radio stations across the country following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month.

The cuts, the second this year, have affected on-air talent and staff in markets including Houston, Minneapolis, Nashville and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, according to industry reports. In Houston, Kevin Quinn left his role as assistant program director and afternoon host at KRBE after 14 years. Shannon Knight exited nights and weekends at KXXR (93X) in Minneapolis. In Nashville, Brian Wilson ended his association with SuperTalk 99.7 WWTN, and Adam “Lazy E” Sieminski departed afternoons at WBSX (97.9X) in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre.

Cumulus, which operates about 377 radio stations in 84 markets along with the Westwood One network and a podcast division, completed its financial restructuring on Oct. 16. The prepackaged bankruptcy, filed in March in Houston, eliminated roughly $550 million to $600 million in debt. Former lenders received equity in the reorganized company, and existing public shareholders were wiped out. President and CEO Mary Berner remains in charge, and a new board has been appointed.

FCC filings show Heath Freeman, president of Alden Global Capital, holds a 31.86% voting interest in the reorganized Cumulus through an entity called Next Gen Radio Enterprises LLC. Alden, a New York-based hedge fund, has drawn criticism for deep staff reductions at newspapers it controls, including the Chicago Tribune and New York Daily News after acquiring them through prior bankruptcies.

An earlier round of cuts in August, while Cumulus was still in bankruptcy, affected sales, programming and podcast staff in markets such as San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit and Kansas City. That round included the departure of KNBR midday hosts Greg Papa and Greg Silver in San Francisco and most of the on-air staff at Atlanta’s WNNX (99X).

In a letter to the FCC ahead of approval of the ownership transfer, Berner pledged that the company would maintain existing newsroom staffing levels for at least two years. The total number of employees affected in the latest cuts has not been disclosed.

R.I.P.: Dan Hicks, Longtime Sportscaster For NBC Sports

Dan Hicks, the legendary NBC broadcaster who called everything from Notre Dame football and golf to the Olympics, has died at 64, according to NBC Sports and his wife, fellow broadcaster Hannah Storm.

“Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around,” Storm wrote on social media. “When he walked into a room, he brought energy and laughter, and brought people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel like they mattered.”

https://t.co/nEscSk889a

— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) November 12, 2026

NBC Sports also issued a statement Thursday, saying in part: “Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person. In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history.”

A statement from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro on the passing of longtime NBC Sports broadcaster Dan Hicks, husband of ESPN's Hannah Storm https://t.co/e2x6mCBYQ9

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) November 12, 2026

Reports: iHM Explores Sale of Podcast Business To Raise Cash

iHeartMedia Inc. is exploring the sale of part or all of its podcast business in an effort to raise cash and support its struggling stock price, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

The company has held preliminary discussions with investment bank Moelis & Co. and potential suitors about a possible transaction, according to the report. The talks remain early-stage, and no deal is imminent.

The exploration follows iHeartMedia’s third-quarter earnings, which showed total revenue rising 3.3% to about $1 billion. Podcast revenue was a relative bright spot, climbing roughly 24% year over year to about $174 million and representing approximately 17% of overall sales. The company has said it plans to begin reporting podcasting as a standalone segment in 2027.

A spox for iHM issued this denial: “While we don’t generally comment on rumors or speculation, I can tell you that we have no plan to sell our podcasting business. iHeart has built the number one podcast publisher in America, with unmatched scale, premium talent and strong financial performance. Podcasting is a core strategic growth engine for our company, and we continue to invest in expanding its reach and potential, including through video podcasting.”

iHeartMedia shares, which have traded below $1 and declined sharply this year, rose after the Bloomberg report. The company carries roughly $4.9 billion in long-term debt. It filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and emerged largely owned by creditors.

Earlier this year, iHeartMedia held discussions about a possible sale or merger with SiriusXM Holdings Inc., but those talks did not result in an agreement, Bloomberg previously reported.

iHeartMedia operates more than 860 radio stations and describes itself as the top podcast publisher in the United States and globally, with tens of millions of monthly listeners. A potential sale would mark a significant step as the company evaluates its portfolio amid ongoing financial pressures, even as its podcast unit continues to post double-digit revenue growth.

Broadcast News: ABC and NBC Score Impressive Weekly Ratings

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (9.143 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during election week of Nov. 2, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Graphic Courtesy of RoadMN

• “World News Tonight with David Muir” ranked as the No. 1 newscast in all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (9.143 million), Adults 25-54 (1.325 million) and Adults 18-49 (992,000).

LA Radio: Kevin & Ally Drive The Success of KROQ

As KROQ prepares for its 35th “Almost Acoustic Christmas,” the Los Angeles station has another reason to celebrate: It had its strongest ratings since summer 2004 and has re-emerged as a contender in morning radio.

Variety reports the station’s comeback has followed the return of longtime program director Kevin Weatherly in 2022 and Kevin Ryder’s move to afternoons in 2025. A major part of the resurgence is the “Klein.Ally.Show,” hosted by Kevin Klein and Ally Johnson. After placing between 10th and 18th in the key 25–54 demographic through 2024 and the first half of 2025, the show ranked first in Los Angeles this September among listeners 18–34, 18–49 and 25–54. It fell to second in the 25–54 demo in October, behind KYSR’s “The Woody Show,” but the gap between the rivals has narrowed.

Bruce Springsteen Fan Club To Close After Political Disputes

A Bruce Springsteen fan club with nearly 20,000 members is closing after years of political disputes, its founders said.

Howie and Julie Chaz announced Sunday that they would shut down the “Spring-Nuts” Facebook page after 11 years. They said arguments among members had increasingly turned into personal attacks, bullying and hateful rhetoric.

Edison Insights: Where Each Audio Platform Performs Best

One commonly overlooked strength of audio is that it can be accessed in practically all of the locations people typically inhabit throughout their day: at home, in a car, at work, and in any other place. Share of Ear® from Edison Research at SSRS measures daily audio listening across these locations. Advertisers and content creators can use Share of Ear data to understand where certain platforms overperform relative to total listening and then tailor their messaging for those locations.

Two platforms most outperform for total listening In-Car: AM/FM Radio, with an index of 160, and SiriusXM Radio, with an index of 232. Both are radio, both are linear, and both are in an environment where devices are present and easily accessible for listeners to consume this platform.

Cable News: FNC Leads of Cable In Total Day

• ‘FOX News Democracy 26’ Surpasses CBS News, CNN, MS NOW in Primetime
• FNC Sees Week-To-Week Growth In Total Day and Primetime

FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of November 2nd with 2.3 million weekday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. FNC led all of cable with total day viewers during the election week, topping CNN and MS NOW across both total day and primetime viewers, and marking its 43rd consecutive week at number one. Monday – Sunday, FNC averaged 1.9 million viewers in primetime and 1.1 million viewers in total day, seeing week-to-week growth among both total viewers and the 25-54 demo across both dayparts.

Get The Update: The Pulse Has Your Briefing for Thursday, Nov 12

Radio Broadcasting

iHM Denial: iHeartMedia Inc. is exploring the sale of part or all of its podcast business in an effort to raise cash and support its struggling stock price, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. MORE

Audacy Turnaround: As KROQ is celebrating. It had its strongest ratings since summer 2004 and has re-emerged as a contender in morning radio. MORE

Where Audio Does Best: Two platforms most outperform for total listening In-Car: AM/FM Radio, with an index of 160, and SiriusXM Radio, with an index of 232, according to Edison Reseasrch. MORE

Media Industry

FNC Leads Cable News: FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of November 2nd with 2.3 million weekday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. FNC led all of cable with total day viewers during the election week, topping CNN and MS NOW across both total day. MORE

Top Producers Exit: CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss considered replacing “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan earlier this year, and the program’s leadership may change as two senior producers prepare to leave. MORE

Pressure From FCC: Without Borders targets Brendan Carr for removal, accusing him of using the agency’s regulatory powers to pressure news outlets critical of President Trump and advance the interests of Trump and his allies. MORE

NBC's MTP No.1 w/Total Viewers Following Midterms

Meet the Press with Kristen Welker is the #1 Sunday public affairs show among total viewers this past Sunday, November 8, according to Nielsen.

Meet the Press averaged 2.744 million total viewers, leading ABC by +100,000 (+4%) and CBS by +175,000 (+7%). The post-election broadcast garnered Meet the Press’ largest audience since Welker’s June interview with President Trump. Meet the Press is the only Sunday public affairs show to increase viewership compared to the prior week and the prior year. Meet the Press has never lost a month in the Washington, D.C. market among total viewers.

Two Top Producers Exiting CBS' Face The Nation

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss had privately considered replacing “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan earlier this year, and the program’s leadership may change as two senior producers prepare to leave, the media newsletter Status reported.

Mary Hager, the show’s senior executive producer, announced Wednesday that she is leaving CBS News after 35 years. Hager has also served as the network’s executive editor of politics since 2022 and played a prominent role in its Washington bureau and presidential election coverage.

Anne Hsu, “Face the Nation’s” executive producer, is leaving the show for a new assignment at CBS News’ Hong Kong bureau, Status reported.

Report: WaPo Expected To Break Even

The Washington Post is within striking distance of breaking even financially after years of steep losses, staff cuts and leadership changes, Executive Editor Matt Murray said this week at the Web Summit conference.⁠

Murray told Adweek that the privately held newspaper, owned by Jeff Bezos’ Nash Holdings, had incurred “hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars” in losses in recent years. He said the paper is now close to break-even and expects 2027 to be its strongest year in seven years after completing what he described as necessary “right-sizing.”

Reporters Group Accuses Brendan Carr of Pressuring News Outlets

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging the incoming Congress to impeach Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, accusing him of using the agency’s regulatory powers to pressure news outlets critical of President Trump and advance the interests of Trump and his allies.

The Hill is reporting RSF also called on Congress to restore the FCC’s independence from the White House, saying the agency has increasingly acted in line with Trump’s political interests rather than as an independent regulator. The group said this is the first time it has called for the removal of a U.S. official, and said Carr’s alleged abuse of power warrants the step.

Borrell: Local Advertisers Seek Budget Guidance From Media Partners

Local advertisers are looking to media companies for advice on how much to spend on marketing, according to Gordon Borrell, CEO of research firm Borrell Associates.

“They need budget advisement and a trusted advisor,” Borrell said Wednesday during a webinar reviewing five-year local advertising trends.

The comments come as digital platforms continue to capture a growing share of local ad dollars. Borrell Associates projects local advertising spending will grow about 4% annually through 2030, with digital expected to claim roughly 80% of those budgets by the end of the decade. That would leave about $35 billion for traditional media such as broadcast television, radio and newspapers.

R.I.P.: Jobe Cerny, The Voice of The Pillsbury Doughboy

JoBe Cerny, the man behind the voice-actor of the iconic Pillsbury Doughboy, has died at 78 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Cerny's son, Tim Cerny, shared that his father died on Oct. 30 in Illinois. Tim also shared that Cerny was diagnosed with Alzheimer around 2020 when his health declined.

Cerny was born in 1947 in Cicero and attended Morton East High School. He later got his bachelor's in speech and drama from Valparaiso University and a master's in theater at Northwestern University.

He joined the Second City in the 1970s, and he owned and operated Cerny/American Creative Recording Studio in the River North for more than 30 years.

Cerny is also being remembered for a series of commercials for Cheer laundry detergent, and for his appearances in movies like "My Best Friend's Wedding" and "Legally Blonde 2."

His career spanned five decades with roles in television, movies, and theater. Cerny is survived by his wife, two sons, and two grandchildren.

Radio History: Nov 12

➦In 1917...Singer Jo Stafford was born in Coalinga Calif.

Jo Stafford  1948

With her mother's encouragement, Stafford originally planned to become an opera singer and studied voice as a child, taking private lessons from Foster Rucker, an announcer on California radio station KNX.  Because of the Great Depression, she abandoned that idea and joined her older sisters Christine and Pauline in a popular vocal group the Stafford Sisters. The two older Staffords were already part of a trio with an unrelated third member when the act got a big booking at Long Beach's West Coast Theater. Pauline was too ill to perform, and Jo was drafted in to take her place so they could keep the engagement. She asked her glee club teacher for a week's absence from school, saying her mother needed her at home, and this was granted. The performance was a success, and Jo became a permanent member of the group.

The Staffords' first radio appearance was on Los Angeles station KHJ as part of The Happy Go Lucky Hour when Jo was 16, a role they secured after hopefuls at the audition were asked if they had their own musical accompanist. Christine Stafford said that Jo played piano, and the sisters were hired, though she had not previously given a public piano performance.  The Staffords were subsequently heard on KNX's The Singing Crockett Family of Kentucky, and California Melodies, a network radio show aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System. While Stafford worked on The Jack Oakie Show, she met John Huddleston—a backing singer on the program, and they were married in October 1937.  The couple divorced in 1943.

The sisters found work in the film industry as backup vocalists, and immediately after graduating from high school, Jo worked on film soundtracks. She died July 16 2008 at age 90.

➦In 1931…In London, the Abbey Road recording studios opened.