Quick Update From The Pulse For Wednesday, Nov 5

Radio Broadcasting

Fred Steps Away: Jacobs Media founder and President Fred Jacobs will step down as President at the end of 2026. His brother, Paul Jacobs, will succeed him. Fred will become Chairman and remain involved in select areas of the business. MORE

Wake-Up In Buffalo: Kiss 98.5 (WKSE-FM), an Audacy station in Buffalo, has added Nikki Preston as a co-host of its morning show. Preston joins Nicholas Picholas and Wease weekday mornings from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. ET. MORE

PM Drive In Twin Cities: Hubbard Radio has named Gabe Glidden and Angie Morales as the new afternoon hosts on KSTP-FM (KS95) in Minneapolis–St. Paul, starting December 28. The pair most recently hosted mornings at BIG 98.7 in Fargo–Moorhead. MORE

Media Industry

FNC At Fault: Donald Trump blamed Fox News for Republicans’ sweeping midterm losses, saying the network “bears responsibility” for the “Blue Tsunami” after projections showed Democrats taking control of both chambers of Congress. MORE

No Viewer Fatigue Here: MS NOW’s audience appears to be growing as Fox News’ ratings decline, according to Versant Media CEO Mark Lazarus, who told investors Tuesday that his network is seeing no signs of “viewer fatigue.” MORE

FNC Leads YouTube: FOX News closed out October continuing to lead all broadcast networks on YouTube in 2026, according to Emplifi. MORE

U-S News

Has Moon Turned Blue? Democrats won control of the U.S. Senate and appeared poised to take the House of Representatives in a sweeping midterm-election victory, according to projections. The results marked a sharp rebuke of President Trump, whose policies and endorsement of Republican candidates shaped many of the races. MORE

Lear Jet Lost Parts: Federal investigators are examining a Learjet 60 crash that occurred on Nov. 1, 2026, in Palm Beach County, Florida, which killed all nine people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found significant evidence, including aircraft parts located miles from the impact site, suggesting the plane may have broken up before hitting the ground.

Israeli Aid Cut: President Donald Trump announced on Nov. 3, 2026, that the United States will end approximately $4 billion in annual aid to Israel by the end of 2026. Trump stated he reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that Israel is a thriving country that no longer requires the assistance.

Big Night for the Democrats

Democrats won control of the U.S. Senate and appeared poised to take the House of Representatives in a sweeping midterm-election victory, according to projections. The results marked a sharp rebuke of President Trump, whose policies and endorsement of Republican candidates shaped many of the races.

Democrats flipped Senate seats in Republican strongholds including Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa and Kansas, where the party won for the first time in more than 90 years. In Texas, state legislator James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, despite Paxton’s endorsement from Trump. Democrats also captured the Texas governor’s race for the first time in more than 30 years.

The party made gains in the House as well, including in Kentucky, and had more than a 95 percent chance of winning a healthy majority, according to projections.

Trump: Fox News at Fault

Donald Trump blamed Fox News for Republicans’ sweeping midterm losses, saying the network “bears responsibility” for the “Blue Tsunami” after projections showed Democrats taking control of both chambers of Congress.

In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Fox News of “constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse.” His comments came hours after he criticized the network’s election-night coverage and a Fox News poll, calling its questions “a hit job.”

Fred Jacobs to Become Chairman of Jacobs Media

Jacobs Media founder and President Fred Jacobs will step down as President at the end of 2026. His brother, Paul Jacobs, will succeed him. Fred will become Chairman and remain involved in select areas of the business.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of years now, and I’m ready for a change,” said Fred Jacobs. “I appreciate all the opportunities I’ve had over the years, and the people, organizations, and companies we’ve worked for and collaborated with. From the early days of the company and the birth of the Classic Rock format to our focus on technology in the 2000s, it’s been quite a journey.”

Fred Jacobs

Jacobs Media to Focus on Strategy and Digital Revenue

“The core of the company will remain intact, but true to the Jacobs Media tradition, we’ll be making some changes to ensure we’re aligned with client and industry needs,” said Paul Jacobs. “Director of Digital Revenue Chris Brunt and Bill Jacobs will remain in their roles, and we’re still working through some additional changes. Our primary focus will be helping clients with their overall strategies, including digital transformation and building profitable digital revenue programs. That’s what broadcasters need in 2026 and beyond, and that’s where we’ll focus.”

Jacobs Media will continue its Techsurveys for commercial, public, and Christian music radio, with Fred participating in the design and implementation of those studies. Registration for Techsurvey 2027, conducted in collaboration with Inside Radio, opens this week. The study will field in January and February 2027 and will be the company’s 22nd survey of commercial radio listeners.

Versant Reports Revenue Slippage

Versant Media reported third-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $353 million, above Wall Street’s $305 million estimate, and earnings of 34 cents per share, compared with analysts’ expectation of 5 cents. Revenue was $1.59 billion, beating the $1.57 billion estimate. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 revenue and adjusted EBITDA outlook and said free cash flow is now expected to exceed its previous forecast range.

Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 slipped to $1.59 billion from $1.66 billion a year earlier. Net income fell to $47 million, or 34 cents per share, from $80 million, or 56 cents per share.

Digital platform revenue, including Fandango, rose nearly 10% year over year to $245 million. Fandango’s ticketing revenue reached its highest level since the pandemic, the company said. 

Advertising revenue declined 5.3% to $373 million, primarily because the prior-year period benefited from the Ryder Cup.

No Sign Of Viewer Fatigue At MS NOW

MS NOW’s audience appears to be growing as Fox News’ ratings decline, according to Versant Media CEO Mark Lazarus, who told investors Tuesday that his network is seeing no signs of “viewer fatigue.”

“Some of the viewership is leaving other places and trying us,” Lazarus said, adding that audiences are spending more time with MS NOW because they see value in its coverage. He also described the network’s upcoming Election Day coverage as “the Super Bowl for the news organization” and said he expects its audience to keep growing.

Mark Lazarus

Variety reports the comments followed Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch’s remarks Monday that Fox News viewers were experiencing fatigue, contributing to lower ratings in the third quarter and October. 

Murdoch said he did not believe those viewers were switching to other news channels; instead, they were watching slightly less television. 

He cited unusually strong audience interest in major stories over the past year, which made year-over-year comparisons harder, and said Fox News executives had a “playbook” for navigating the trend.

FOX News Leads Broadcast Networks on YouTube

FOX News closed out October continuing to lead all broadcast networks on YouTube in 2026, according to Emplifi. 

Courtesy of RoadMN

Delivering 402 million video views (+7% year-over-year), FOX News easily surpassed ABC News (207 million video views), NBC News (166 million video views) and CBS News (71 million video views).  FNC also led MS NOW (396 million views) throughout the month. 

Additionally, FOX Business drove 64 million video views to lead all business competitors, a 9% increase year-over-year and FOX News Clips produced 44 million views, up 15% vs. 2025. 

Year-to-date FOX News has delivered 3.9 billion video views crushing all competitors by nearly one billion views including MS NOW (3 billion views), CNN (2.4 billion views) and also beat the broadcast networks combined including ABC News (1.4 billion views), NBC News (1.2 billion views) and CBS News (550 million views) this year.

In October, FOX News ranked number one in social engagement, nabbing 86.4 million social media interactions across Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, according to Emplifi. FOX News garnered 24.6 million Facebook interactions, 21.8 million Instagram interactions, 3.8 million X interactions and, according to Comscore Social, 36.1 million TikTok interactions (up 46% year-over-year).

Buffalo Radio: Nikki Preston Joins Mornings On 98.5 KISS-FM

Kiss 98.5 (WKSE-FM), an Audacy station in Buffalo, has added Nikki Preston as a co-host of its morning show. Preston joins Nicholas Picholas and Wease weekday mornings from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. ET.

“We are excited to welcome Nikki Preston to Audacy Buffalo,” said Sue O’Neil, Regional Vice President, Audacy. “Her on-air, podcast experience makes her a strong addition to mornings. We look forward to teaming her up with Nicholas and Wease to wake up listeners every day.”

“I’m beyond excited to be returning to Western New York after more than a decade on-air in Southern California,” said Preston. “I can’t thank Sue O’Neil and the entire team enough for welcoming me back and allowing me to get behind the mic and do what I love, in a place that has always felt like home.”

Twin Cities Radio: Glidden, Morales Joining KS95 For PM Drive

Hubbard Radio has named Gabe Glidden and Angie Morales as the new afternoon hosts on KSTP-FM (KS95) in Minneapolis–St. Paul, starting December 28. The pair most recently hosted mornings at BIG 98.7 in Fargo–Moorhead.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Gabe & Angie to KS95,” said Chris Eagan, Hubbard’s vice president of brand and content. He said their “energy, humor and heart” would elevate the station’s afternoon show.

The daypart had been hosted for years by Staci Matthews and Greg "Hutch" Hutchinson, who exited in June. Since then, market veteran Angi Taylor will remain on the shift through the end of the year.

Atlanta Radio: J-Nicks Added At Streetz 94.5 FM

Core Radio Group’s Streetz 94.5 (W233BF) welcomes veteran radio personality Joshua “J-Nicks” Nicks with Nicks at Nite, a brand-new night show launching Monday, November 9, 2026, from 6–10 p.m.

J-Nicks brings more than two decades of experience, deep Atlanta roots and a connection to the music, people and culture that move the city. His arrival adds a proven personality to the Streetz lineup and brings fresh energy to Atlanta nights.

WVA Radio Seeks Waiver to LMA Five Struggling Stations

West Virginia Radio Corp. is asking the FCC for a waiver of local ownership limits so it can provide programming to five financially struggling stations owned by AJG Broadcasting in the Morgantown-Clarksburg-Fairmont market. The proposed time brokerage agreement would give West Virginia Radio attributable interests in nine commercial stations—three more than current rules allow—and seven FMs, exceeding the four-FM limit.⁠

Company President and CEO George Pelletier argued in the filing that the AJG stations are not viable on a stand-alone basis and could be forced to go silent without the operating efficiencies and cost savings of the arrangement. “The most immediate public interest benefit of the proposed arrangement is the one most easily stated: the AJG stations are not financially viable on a stand-alone basis, and the TBA is what would permit them to continue serving their communities,” he wrote.

Audacy's Stars & Strings Returns Nov 12th

Audacy’s 11th annual Stars & Strings returns November 12, 2026, at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in South Florida, bringing country music’s biggest stars together for an intimate, acoustic guitar-pull experience. 

Featuring performances from artists including Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Ashley Cooke, Brandon Lake, and Kane Brown, this sold-out event reaches fans through nationwide promotion across 20+ stations, on-air, digital, and social activations. 

Benefiting Folds of Honor, which provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military members and first responders, Stars & Strings offers brands a meaningful opportunity to connect with passionate country music fans while supporting a powerful cause.

Radio History: Nov 4

➦In 1916...David Sarnoff proposed the concept of a "radio music box" for radio reception.

The curator of Sarnoff's papers found a previously mis-filed 1916 memo that mentioned Sarnoff and a "radio music box scheme" (the word "scheme" in 1916 usually meant a plan).  Here is the memo:

David Sarnoff

"I have in mind a plan of development which would make radio a 'household utility' in the same sense as the piano or phonograph. The idea is to bring music into the house by wireless.  

"While this has been tried in the past by wires, it has been a failure because wires do not lend themselves to this scheme. With radio, however, it would seem to be entirely feasible. For example--a radio telephone transmitter having a range of say 25 to 50 miles can be installed at a fixed point where instrumental or vocal music or both are produced. The problem of transmitting music has already been solved in principle and therefore all the receivers attuned to the transmitting wave length should be capable of receiving such music. The receiver can be designed in the form of a simple 'Radio Music Box' and arranged for several different wave lengths, which should be changeable with the throwing of a single switch or pressing of a single button.  

"The 'Radio Music Box' can be supplied with amplifying tubes and a loudspeaking telephone, all of which can be neatly mounted in one box. The box can be placed on a table in the parlor or living room, the switch set accordingly and the transmitted music received. There should be no difficulty in receiving music perfectly when transmitted within a radius of 25 to 50 miles. Within such a radius there reside hundreds of thousands of families; and as all can simultaneously receive from a single transmitter, there would be no question of obtaining sufficiently loud signals to make the performance enjoyable. The power of the transmitter can be made 5 k.w., if necessary, to cover even a short radius of 25 to 50 miles; thereby giving extra loud signals in the home if desired. The use of head telephones would be obviated by this method. The development of a small loop antenna to go with each 'Radio Music Box' would likewise solve the antennae problem.

Atlanta Radio: One Year Later, Bert Weiss Has No Regrets

A year after ending his 25-year run on Atlanta’s “The Bert Show,” radio host Bert Weiss says he has no regrets and has not missed the work.

Weiss, now 59, told Rodney Ho at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the decision was shaped in part by the 2013 death of fellow radio host Kidd Kraddick, who died at 53 while hosting a charity golf tournament. Weiss said he did not want to remain in radio into his 60s trying to connect with younger listeners.

As his audience aged out of his target demographic, Weiss said he lost interest in the celebrity gossip that drove the show. He also wanted more time to travel and focus on his wife, Amanda Coker.

“I haven’t missed it,” Weiss said. “The only thing I miss is being in studio and having fun and laughing.”

ESPN's Michael Wilbon Taking Indefinite Leave Citing Health

Michael Wilbon

Michael Wilbon, the longtime co-host of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption and an NBA analyst for ESPN and ABC, announced Monday that he is taking an indefinite leave of absence to address “multiple health issues.”⁠

In a statement posted to social media, the 67-year-old broadcaster stressed that the move is not a retirement. “This isn’t retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one,” he wrote. “Struggles with multiple health issues in recent months lead me to take an indefinite leave of absence from my PTI and NBA duties at ESPN and ABC.”⁠

Wilbon acknowledged he had ignored earlier warnings. “Probably, I should have listened to medical professionals and people closest to me, yep Kornheiser included, who saw worrisome signs in recent years that suggested I take time away earlier. But I didn’t,” he said. He added that “as one close friend has said as my issues have become bigger, ‘the bill has come due.’”