WaPo Is Making Significant Cuts

The Washington Post announced on Wednesday a major downsizing of its newsroom as part of a "strategic reset" to address ongoing financial losses, resulting in significant staff reductions and major changes to its coverage areas.

Executive Editor Matt Murray informed staff during a morning meeting (via Zoom, after instructing employees to stay home) that the moves would include a "broad strategic reset with a significant staff reduction." While exact layoff numbers were not immediately detailed in the announcement, reports indicate the cuts could affect hundreds of journalists potentially shrinking the newsroom (currently around 800 people) by a substantial portion.

Key changes include:

• 
  Ending the sports section in its current form, effectively closing or severely dismantling the dedicated sports desk. Coverage will likely be reduced or shifted elsewhere, following earlier decisions to scale back events like in-person reporting for the Super Bowl, Nationals spring training, and initially the 2026 Winter Olympics (though a small team was later sent).
• Scaling back international (foreign) coverage, with the foreign desk expected to take heavy hits, including reduced staffing and limitations on high-risk reporting.
• Restructuring the metro desk, which handles local Washington, D.C.-area news, leading to reduced local journalism capacity.
• Eliminating the books section, ending dedicated books coverage and reviews.

These adjustments prioritize core strengths such as politics, national security, and video journalism, while pulling back from areas seen as having lower reader demand or financial return amid years of hundreds of millions in losses under owner Jeff Bezos and CEO Will Lewis.

Staff reactions have included prior pleas to Bezos (via letters from international, metro, and other teams) to preserve key beats, as well as widespread anxiety and social media campaigns like #SaveThePost.

The announcement follows months of rumors, including earlier signals like canceling (then partially reinstating) Olympics coverage.

Nielsen Countersues Cumulus Media

Nielsen has fired back in its legal battle with Cumulus Media, filing counterclaims in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The audio measurement company accuses Cumulus of breaching their 2023-2025 Services Agreement by secretly sharing Nielsen's confidential and proprietary radio ratings data with rival Eastlan Ratings in early 2025.

Nielsen alleges that Cumulus and Westwood One Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard emailed Eastlan CEO Michael Gould, attaching Nielsen's confidential ratings data. This sharing, Nielsen claims, violated contract provisions barring unauthorized disclosure to third parties. 

The company cites testimony from Gould on December 11 confirming the transfer, describing the data as information that could help Eastlan benchmark and improve its measurements for radio ad sales.

The counterclaims seek actual and consequential damages (with no specific amount stated), plus interest; a declaratory judgment that Cumulus breached the contract; and an injunction to stop Cumulus from sharing Nielsen data with unlicensed parties and to cease using data obtained under the 2023 agreement.

This escalates the ongoing dispute. Cumulus originally sued Nielsen in October 2025, alleging antitrust violations through the company's Network Policy and Subscriber First Policy, which Cumulus claims are anticompetitive tying arrangements that force broadcasters to buy unwanted bundled services.

Nielsen previously denied the allegations and raised 26 affirmative defenses, arguing its policies serve legitimate business interests.

An initial pre-trial conference is set for March 17, 2026.

Fox Revenue Jumps to $5B

Fox Corporation announced a 2% year-over-year increase in revenue for its fiscal second quarter of 2026 (ended December 2025), reporting total revenues of $5.18 billion. 

This figure exceeded Wall Street expectations, which had anticipated around $5.05–$5.06 billion. The results were released before the market opened on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, and helped drive a positive pre-market reaction in the company's shares.

The revenue growth was primarily fueled by a 4% rise in distribution revenues, led by 5% growth in the cable network programming segment. Advertising revenues contributed a modest 1% increase, supported by several key positive factors: higher pricing for sports and news content, ongoing expansion at the Tubi streaming service (AVOD platform), and the addition of more MLB postseason games during the quarter.

These gains helped counterbalance headwinds, including reduced political advertising spending (typical in a non-election cycle compared to prior periods) and lower overall ratings across some programming.Other highlights from the quarter included adjusted EBITDA of $692 million, net income of $247 million (down from $388 million in the prior year), and adjusted earnings per share of $0.82, which beat consensus estimates of around $0.49. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share and continued its share repurchase program, buying back $1.55 billion in stock during the period.

Overall, the results reflect resilience in Fox's core distribution and advertising businesses amid a mixed media landscape, with strength in sports rights pricing, news, and digital streaming helping offset cyclical pressures in political ads and audience metrics.

NYTimes Added 1.4M Digital Subscribers in 2025

The New York Times added 1.4 million digital-only subscribers in 2025, including roughly 450,000 in the fourth quarter, pushing its total subscriber count to 12.78 million and keeping it on track to hit its goal of 15 million by the end of 2027.

CEO Meredith Kopit Levien said the fourth-quarter results showed the company's strategy "continues to work as designed." The strong performance was supported by the September launch of family subscriptions, which allow up to four users per account and count as two subscribers each (though these additional counts made up less than 3% of digital-only subscribers by year-end). 

Multi-product subscriptions—covering news plus games, cooking, Wirecutter recommendations, and sports—also grew, with just over half of the total subscriber base paying for more than one product by Q4 (a figure the company will no longer report separately).

Financial highlights for the fourth quarter included:

• Total revenue of $802.3 million, up 10.4% year over year.
• Adjusted operating profit of $192.3 million, up 12.8%.
• Digital subscription revenue of $381.5 million, up 13.9%.
• Total subscription revenue of $510.5 million, up 9.4%.
• Digital advertising revenue of $147.2 million, up 24.9%, driven by strong marketer demand and new ad placements.
• Affiliate and licensing revenue of $100.2 million, up 5.5%.
• Average revenue per digital subscriber was $9.72, up less than 1% from the prior year. 
• Print subscriptions continued to decline, with revenue down 2% to $129 million and print subscribers falling to 570,000 from 610,000 at the end of 2024.

The company ended 2025 with $1.2 billion in cash and marketable securities. Its board approved a quarterly dividend of 23 cents per share, an increase of 5 cents from the previous quarter.

Streaming-Only Super Bowl Ads Give Smaller Brands Access

The Super Bowl offers massive exposure to millions of viewers, but traditional TV ad slots cost a fortune—often $8 million or more for 30 seconds, with some exceeding $10 million. This year, NBC sold out its national inventory for Super Bowl 60 (also known as Super Bowl LX), airing February 8, 2026, from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where the Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots.

According to CNBC, a growing, more affordable alternative is gaining popularity: streaming-only ad spots on Peacock, NBC's streaming service, which simulcasts the game. These spots cost roughly half as much as traditional broadcast ads, around $2 million to $3 million for 30 seconds, though still not inexpensive, and represent about 10% of total ad inventory. They fill slots that would otherwise run regional commercials on linear TV and appear nationally to Peacock viewers.

NBC's Mark Marshall, chairman of global advertising and partnerships, noted that streaming-only spots are limited in number but have surged in demand recently. "So cheaper, but still not cheap," he said. "People caught on to this trick over the past couple years, and it’s done really well in streaming."

Peacock has grown to 44 million subscribers, fueled by live sports like Sunday Night Football, the upcoming Winter Olympics, and this year's Super Bowl part of NBC's "Legendary February" lineup.

These spots attract newer or smaller brands unable to afford full broadcast rates, often serving as an entry point or test. All Peacock-only ads this year feature first-time NBC Super Bowl advertisers, including cowboy boots brand Tecovas and family location safety app Life360.Tecovas CMO Krista Dalton called the streaming debut "a deliberate choice," delivering Super Bowl impact in a highly engaged environment while remaining disciplined on spending. 

Life360 CMO Mike Zeman described it as a way to test integration into a major cultural moment for modern families, with an "out of pocket" investment that doesn't dominate the marketing budget.

Last year, nearly 128 million viewers tuned in across TV and streaming. Streaming audiences continue rising, drawing more brands.

AJC Layoffs Affect 50 Staffers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution announced Tuesday evening that it will lay off approximately 50 employees — about 15% of its total workforce — as part of cost-cutting measures to redirect resources toward growth and its ongoing digital transformation.

Roughly half of the cuts will come from the newsroom, the organization's largest department. Affected employees were notified late Tuesday, with the Midtown offices closed Wednesday for remote work.

President and Publisher Andrew Morse described the layoffs as difficult but necessary to accelerate revenue growth and ensure agility in serving audiences. "We've made these difficult decisions because we believe they will best position us to continue to accelerate the AJC’s growth," Morse said. He emphasized recent heavy investments in editorial, product, and business teams have yielded results, positioning the AJC stronger in the market and community.

The moves follow the AJC's shift to a fully digital operation: it published its final print edition on Dec. 31, 2025, after 157 years, and now delivers news via AJC.com, its mobile app, videos, podcasts, social media, and ePaper. 

The company ended 2025 with more than 100,000 digital subscribers and exceeded retention goals for converting print readers to digital.

Morse stressed Cox Enterprises remains committed, with no slowdown in investment. "We are not taking our foot off the gas," he said. Recent efforts include a robust video team, new bureaus in Athens, Macon, and Savannah, expanded coverage in business, high school sports, and politics, plus the launch of UATL for Atlanta's Black culture.  The AJC continues recruiting for open roles, including a recent hire for food editor.

Editor-in-Chief Leroy Chapman affirmed the newsroom's strength: "This is still a strong and viable newsroom able to meet the moment we’re in." He noted the AJC retains deep talent and will shift some responsibilities to priority areas while staying committed to community and state coverage. Enhanced data and analytics provide better insights into subscriber interests.

Morse expressed confidence in sustaining growth through focused, distinctive journalism. "We think we have the right focus from our teams," he said. "What we are doing is continuing to focus those teams on the most distinctive work possible."

Good Morning! Let's Check the Pulse For Wednesday, Feb 4

Radio Broadcasting

Rob Kendall Exits 93.1 WIBC-FM (Indianapolis): Longtime conservative talk host Rob Kendall has officially departed News/Talk 93.1 WIBC-FM after a prolonged contract dispute with owner Urban One (formerly Radio One). Kendall, co-host of the popular midday "Kendall & Casey" show (with Casey Daniels), had been off the air since mid-January 2026 following the expiration of his contract in October 2025. Negotiations stalled, leading to him being told not to return to the studio around January 19. 

Q99.7 FM (WWWQ Atlanta) Morning Show Ratings Challenges: Cumulus Media's CHR station Q99.7 in Atlanta has faced ongoing ratings pressures in recent surveys, including drops or stagnation in key demographics following major programming changes. The station underwent a significant revamp after parting ways with the long-running "Bert Show" in late 2024/early 2025, including new afternoon programming like "The Kristin Show" (launched January 26, 2026) and updates to its daily lineup and branding. 

Positive Reception to Craig Carton's Return:  Sports talk powerhouse WFAN (Audacy) is seeing strong early feedback and metrics following the high-profile return of Craig Carton to afternoon drive (2-7 p.m. weekdays) on "The Carton Show" with co-host Chris McMonigle. The change took effect in early January 2026 as part of a larger lineup revamp (including new midday "Evan & Tiki" with Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber). Audacy New York market president Chris Oliviero expressed being "thrilled" with the show's performance one month in, citing engaging content and audience metrics. 

Media News

Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's Mother:  The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, continues into its fourth day as a major crime investigation. Authorities from the Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona believe she was taken against her will (possible kidnapping or abduction) from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson late Saturday night or early Sunday morning (January 31/February 1). Key developments include: Signs of forced entry at the home, which is now a crime scene and reports of blood found inside the residence.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Testifies on Capitol Hill: Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos appeared before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights on February 3, 2026, to defend the company's proposed blockbuster acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (including HBO, HBO Max, DC Studios, and the Warner Bros. studio) in a deal valued around $72–83 billion (reports vary slightly). Lawmakers from both parties grilled him on potential impacts: market dominance in streaming, effects on consumer prices, jobs/production, independent creative teams, and the future of theatrical cinema vs. streaming.

ABC News Exclusive Interview with Disney's Leadership Transition: "World News Tonight" with David Muir talked with outgoing Disney CEO Bob Iger and incoming CEO Josh D'Amaro. This came hours after Disney announced D'Amaro (current chair of Disney Experiences, overseeing parks/resorts) as the new CEO effective March 18, 2026, with Iger stepping to an advisory role after nearly two decades. Dana Walden was named President and Chief Creative Officer. The wide-ranging interview covered Disney's future, including streaming strategy, embracing AI, balancing legacy with innovation, parks experiences, and the smooth handoff. D'Amaro expressed readiness for the challenge, praising Iger's leadership.

News Stories

Government Shutdown Ends:  President Trump signed legislation late Tuesday to end a brief partial government shutdown (lasting a few days), funding most federal operations (including DHS) through next week while kicking off tough negotiations on ICE/immigration funding. The House passed it narrowly (217-214), with Trump and Speaker Johnson pressuring conservatives. This averts immediate chaos but sets up potential future brinkmanship, covered heavily by NYT, CNN, and others.

Escalating U.S.-China Trade Tensions and Broader International Developments: China retaliated against new U.S. tariffs with its own penalties on American goods (set to take effect soon), heightening risks of a full trade war. This follows Trump's aggressive "America First" moves. Separately, the New START nuclear arms treaty with Russia expired without extension, opening doors to an arms race amid global instability. Other notes include U.S. naval adjustments in the Middle East (partial pullback of USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group) as Iran nuclear talks loom, plus Trump's calls to "nationalize" elections and push for state voter data ahead of midterms.

Abducted Mother Still Missing

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, remains missing as of February 4, 2026, with authorities treating her disappearance as a possible abduction or kidnapping from her home near Tucson, Arizona.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has confirmed the case escalated to a criminal investigation after her home was declared a crime scene. Investigators believe she was taken against her will, likely in the middle of the night between January 31 and February 1, 2026. 

Evidence includes DNA samples (belonging to Nancy) collected from the home, droplets of blood found inside and outside the residence, signs of forced entry, and a disrupted or ripped-off Ring camera. No suspects have been identified, and DNA results processed so far have not pointed to any individuals. 

The motive remains unclear, with officials not ruling out but also not confirming a ransom-related plot.

Alleged ransom notes — including one reportedly demanding a substantial amount in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) and sent to media outlets like TMZ and local stations — are under active investigation by the sheriff's office and authorities. Multiple news organizations have referenced these communications, though details on authenticity or demands vary.

Nancy was last seen around 9:30–9:45 p.m. on January 31 after family dropped her off at home. She failed to appear at church the next morning, prompting a welfare check and her being reported missing around noon Sunday. 

Her cellphone, wallet, car, and essential medications were left behind, and due to her physical health conditions (limiting mobility), officials say she could not have left voluntarily and urgently needs her medication.

Savannah Guthrie has publicly asked for prayers for her mother's safe return, sharing a statement on social media, and has withdrawn from NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics to focus on the situation. 

The FBI is involved, hundreds of leads are being pursued, and search efforts continue, though ground search-and-rescue was paused to prioritize the criminal probe.

Authorities emphasize the need for her quick recovery given her age and medical needs, and have urged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Nielsen Reports 14.41M Viewers for The Grammys

The 2026 Grammy Awards drew 14.41 million viewers on CBS and Paramount+, marking a slight 6.4% decline from last year's 15.4 million but still ranking as the most-watched awards show since the 2025 Oscars.

The live telecast from Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena (5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET) represented the final Grammys on CBS before shifting to a 10-year Disney deal starting in 2027. 

Viewership also trailed the 16.9 million peak in 2024, the highest since 2020.Despite the dip, the show dominated Sunday night as the week's top primetime broadcast and outperformed other recent awards: the Golden Globes (8.66 million), Emmys (7.42 million), and VMAs (5.5 million).Socially, it led as the No. 1 most-engaged TV program (including sports) over the past six months, with 74.8 million interactions and 302.5 million video views per Social Content Ratings.

The ceremony featured historic wins: Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-language artist to take Album of the Year (for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS), while Kendrick Lamar's victories for Record of the Year and Best Rap Album for “GNX” made him the most-awarded hip-hop artist ever. Other winners included Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean, and Lola Young.

The night carried a strong political edge amid protests against ICE, with many artists wearing “ICE OUT” pins on the red carpet and addressing immigration enforcement in speeches—Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean, Billie Eilish, SZA, and others called for humanity and change.

Lawmakers Grill Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended his recent meeting with President Donald Trump during a Senate antitrust hearing on Tuesday, while expressing strong confidence that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will evaluate Netflix's proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's key assets— including Warner Bros. studio, HBO, and HBO Max—strictly "on the merits" without political interference.

The hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, saw bipartisan scrutiny of the massive deal announced late last year. Lawmakers from both parties raised alarms about Netflix's growing dominance in streaming, potential impacts on subscription prices, competition, Hollywood jobs, theatrical releases, and content diversity.]

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), the subcommittee's ranking Democrat, directly pressed Sarandos on his November 24 meeting with Trump at the White House, occurring just weeks before the deal's public reveal. Trump had previously stated he would be "involved" in the regulatory review, citing Netflix's substantial market share post-acquisition.

Sarandos described the meeting as focused primarily on broader entertainment industry issues, such as protecting American jobs, production incentives, tariffs, runaway production abroad, and economic factors affecting Hollywood. 

When asked if Trump's involvement in the DOJ process was appropriate, Sarandos maintained his belief in an impartial review. "I have confidence in this case on the merits, and that it will be run by the Department of Justice," he replied.

Sen. Josh @HawleyMO: Why is it that so much of Netflix's content for children promotes a transgender ideology?

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos: Netflix has no political agenda of any kind…We feature a wide variety of stories and programs to meet a wide variety of people's tastes. pic.twitter.com/2JEOqy5De7

— CSPAN (@cspan) February 3, 2026

Some conservative lawmakers shifted focus to cultural critiques, accusing Netflix of promoting "woke" content or ideological bias—claims Sarandos rejected, stating Netflix has "no political agenda of any kind."

Indy Radio: Rob Kendall Officially Exits WIBC-FM

Popular Indianapolis radio host Rob Kendall has departed WIBC-FM 93.1 after a prolonged contract dispute with the station.

The conservative on-air personality, known for co-hosting the "Kendall & Casey" show, announced his departure on February 3, 2026, ending weeks of absence from the airwaves. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kendall expressed gratitude to listeners, calling it an honor to "fight for you" and noting that their bond remains strong despite the change, with "cool things coming soon."

The split stems from a stalemate in negotiations following the expiration of Kendall's contract in mid-October 2025. Kendall has been off the air since January 15, 2026, after station management (under owner Urban One, formerly Radio One) instructed him not to return to the studio until a new deal was finalized.

He continued receiving pay during this period but was not suspended. His attorney, Jay Kanzler, stated that the issue was not salary-related, and Kendall hoped to stay but was open to other opportunities if talks stalled.

The absence drew significant attention and listener support, with some fans speculating about external influences like Kendall's critical coverage of local issues, including the Mid-States Corridor project. Kendall's departure marks the end of his tenure on the midday news/talk program, which featured his sharp commentary on Indiana politics and government accountability.

WIBC has not issued a public comment on the matter.

Atlanta Radio: Without Bert, Q99.7 Morning Ratings Are Dropping

“The Bert Show” ratings declined significantly in its final year on Atlanta's Q99.7, ending a long run as a top performer in the market, according to media writer Rodney Ho at ajc.com.

The long-running morning program, hosted by Bert Weiss, concluded its 25-year tenure with its last broadcast on October 24, 2025. 

In its prime, “The Bert Show” commanded a loyal following, often ranking No. 1 among its core demographic of women 25 to 54.

The decline became evident well before Weiss's retirement announcement in September 2025. 

Key milestones in the slide include:

• In June 2022, following the firing of co-host Davi Crimmins, the show held strong at No. 2 overall among all listeners in Atlanta and a dominant No. 1 with women 25-54, per Nielsen data.
• By March 2025—around the time Weiss quietly informed his staff of his plan to retire by year's end—the program had dropped to ninth place overall and fourth among women 25-54.
• Cast changes, such as Moe Mitchell's unexplained departure last summer (2025), produced little immediate ratings movement.
• Weiss's public retirement reveal and the show's emotional wind-down had no notable positive or negative effect on listenership.
• In its final monthly ratings period (October 2025), “The Bert Show” placed eighth overall in the market and third among women 25-54.

Following the show's end, Q99.7 shifted to an all-music format without on-air personalities (jocks) during the morning slot. Station management indicated a yet-unnamed replacement program would launch sometime in the first quarter of 2026.

In the interim, the station's performance weakened further. 

During the most recent ratings period (covering December 2025), Q99.7 fell to 14th place overall and ninth among women 25-54.The ratings erosion reflects broader challenges in morning radio amid shifting listener habits, staff turnover, and the natural end of a long-running show's cycle, despite its history of strong community connection and syndication success in multiple markets.

Trump To Sit Down With NBC's Tom Llamas

NBC News’ Tom Llamas will sit down with President Donald Trump for a one-on-one exclusive interview at the White House tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4. 

A portion of the wide-ranging interview will air on NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT, and an extended version will stream on Top Story with Tom Llamas on NBC News NOW at 7 p.m. ET.

A separate segment of the interview – a Super Bowl-week tradition – will air exclusively during NBC’s Super Bowl LX Pregame Show on Sunday, February 8.

A transcript of the extended interview will be available Wednesday on NBCNews.com. The complete transcript, including the Super Bowl portion, will be posted following the Pregame Show airing.

This marks Llamas’ first sit-down interview with President Trump since he became anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News in June 2025, and his first during President Trump’s second presidency.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas is regularly a top five program in all of TV each week and reaches about 25 million people every week through its broadcast and millions more through NBCNews.com, NBC News NOW, its podcast and social media platforms. 

NYC Radio: Christy Tanner Named Public Radio CEO

New York Public Radio has appointed Christy Tanner, a veteran media executive from CBS News and The Associated Press, as its new president and CEO, starting Wednesday.

Tanner, 57, succeeds LaFontaine Oliver, who transitioned to an executive chair role in July after three years leading the nonprofit organization. NYPR oversees WNYC, classical station WQXR, WNYC Studios, the Gothamist news site, popular programs like “The Brian Lehrer Show” and “Radiolab,” live events, and New Jersey Public Radio.

In an interview with the NYTimes, Tanner described NYPR as an often-underestimated powerhouse in journalism and cultural programming with significant national reach and audience impact. She expressed intent to expand its audience domestically and internationally while strengthening fundraising to build on recent financial gains.

Christy Tanner

The organization has largely avoided severe disruption from last year's congressional cuts to federal public broadcasting funding (via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting), which eliminated over $500 million annually nationwide and more in rescissions. NYPR derives only about 4% of its budget from CPB sources. Listener support surged amid the funding debates, enabling NYPR to exceed its $57.7 million fiscal-year fundraising goal by roughly $4 million.

Tanner's primary challenge will be sustaining and growing this financial momentum after recent cost-cutting measures to address budget shortfalls. She noted the organization has "turned a corner" financially.

Tanner brings extensive experience in digital transformation and media leadership. She spent eight years at CBS expanding its streaming platform and digital operations. Previously, she served as CEO of TV Guide Digital, guiding its 2013 sale to CBS. A former AP reporter who covered police and education beats in Memphis in the 1990s, Tanner said she welcomes employee skepticism and public accountability in a journalistic environment.

Past internal controversies during the Covid-19 era—including plagiarism issues, bullying allegations, and diversity debates—have subsided, though NYPR staff remain vocal and engaged in holding leadership accountable. Tanner said her background as a reporter makes her value such scrutiny of those in power.

ABC News Interviews New Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro

The Walt Disney Company has named Josh D'Amaro, chairman of its Experiences division (including theme parks and consumer products), as its next CEO, succeeding Bob Iger effective March 18, 2026. In an exclusive interview with ABC News' David Muir on World News Tonight, aired shortly after the announcement, the current and incoming CEOs discussed the smooth leadership transition, Disney's strategic future, the ongoing evolution of streaming, and the company's proactive embrace of artificial intelligence.

Key highlights from the wide-ranging conversation emphasize continuity, innovation, and optimism for Disney's direction under D'Amaro.

D'Amaro, a long-time Disney veteran who has led the highly profitable parks and experiences business, described himself as a "big risk taker" ready to balance the company's storied legacy with bold forward-thinking moves. He expressed deep respect for Iger's mentorship, noting that he has closely observed how Iger masterfully navigated tradition and change over the years. 

Iger praised D'Amaro's selection, highlighting his view of technology as "an opportunity and not a threat." This mindset was a key factor in the board's decision, especially amid Disney's recent moves into AI, including a $1 billion investment in OpenAI and licensing deals to integrate Disney characters into AI tools like Sora.

On AI, both leaders struck an enthusiastic yet measured tone. D'Amaro emphasized that AI "is here and it's something that we're embracing," describing how it already "supercharges" creatives by harnessing decades of Disney's history. He stressed that human creativity remains irreplaceable at the company's core: 

"This is when The Walt Disney Company thrives, when technology intersects with brilliant people and creativity – and we're in that moment right now."

Disney's next CEO Josh D'Amaro tells @DavidMuir about the company's approach to AI. https://t.co/TqcaS3npQA pic.twitter.com/BOjIlZUgYg

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) February 4, 2026

Regarding streaming, the interview touched on Disney+'s role in the competitive landscape, with both executives expressing confidence in its growth trajectory amid broader industry shifts. Disney's streaming business has strengthened significantly in recent quarters, contributing to overall optimism as the company navigates post-pandemic recovery and evolving consumer habits.

NE Radio: Usher Media to Acquire NRG Cluster

NRG Media is selling its Omaha-area radio cluster to Usher Media. The transaction marks NRG Media's exit from the Omaha market (the 74th largest radio market in the US) and continues the company's recent downsizing strategy, which has involved multiple sales over the past year and a half.

Key Details of the Sale

Stations Involved: Usher Media is acquiring five stations from NRG Media's Omaha-Council Bluffs cluster:

• KQKQ-FM "Sweet 98.5" (Hot AC format, licensed to Council Bluffs, IA)
• KOZN-AM "1620 The Zone" (Sports talk, licensed to Bellevue, NE)
• KZOT-AM "Yacht Rock 1180" (Soft AC/retro format, licensed to Bellevue, NE)
• KOPW-FM "Power 106.9" (Rhythmic CHR, licensed to Plattsmouth, NE)
• KOIL-AM "NewsTalk 1290" (News/talk, licensed to Omaha, NE)

Separate Transaction: NRG's sixth Omaha-area station, KOOO-FM "101.9 The Keg" (Classic Alternative format, licensed to La Vista/Omaha, NE), is being sold to Nebraska Public Media, which plans to convert it to noncommercial public radio to expand its network into Nebraska's largest city.

Background on the Buyers and Seller:

• Usher Media Group is a Nebraska-based, locally owned radio company led by longtime broadcaster Alan Usher. This is their second recent acquisition from NRG: In November 2025 (or late 2024 in some references), they agreed to buy NRG's six-station cluster in Central Nebraska (Grand Island/Kearney/Tri-Cities area) for $3.75 million (that deal was pending FCC approval at the time of the Omaha announcement).
• NRG Media (led by Mary Quass) has owned these Omaha properties for about 16.5 years but has been actively divesting assets recently.

The Omaha deal expands Usher Media's footprint significantly in the market, with a focus on local ownership, community involvement, and supporting Nebraska businesses.

The sale was announced Monday with Kalil & Co. serving as the exclusive broker for the Usher transaction. Both deals (Omaha to Usher and the one station to Nebraska Public Media) are subject to FCC approval and other standard closing conditions.

MLB To Pick-Up Media Productions of Six Teams

Six Major League Baseball teams—the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays—have announced that Major League Baseball will produce and distribute their local television broadcasts for the 2026 season.

This move follows the teams (along with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels) terminating agreements with Main Street Sports Group, operator of the FanDuel Sports Network regional stations, after missed rights payments. The Braves, Tigers, and Angels have not yet finalized their 2026 coverage plans, though the Braves indicated preparations for a new broadcasting era independent of Main Street.

MLB's expanding role: MLB will now handle broadcasts for at least 13 teams in 2026, including recent offseason additions like the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. The league has previously taken over for teams such as the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks (2023), Colorado Rockies (2024), and Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins (last season). MLB promotes this approach for broader reach via local cable, satellite, and direct-to-consumer streaming on the MLB app.

Background on the RSN instability: The shift stems from ongoing financial troubles in regional sports networks. Diamond Sports Group, former owner of Bally Sports networks carrying 42 pro teams (including 14 MLB), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2023. 

Main Street Sports Group emerged from that process in March 2025, rebranding to FanDuel Sports Network, but now faces near-insolvency without new investors or a majority owner. Main Street holds rights to 20 teams (13 NBA, 7 NHL) and has committed to carrying those games through the regular season, though contingency plans are in place across leagues if it collapses.

A Main Street spokesperson stated the company continues NBA and NHL broadcasts, appreciates discussions with the leagues, and wishes MLB partners well after long relationships.

League perspective:  MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized last month maximizing club revenue amid evolving local media economics, noting teams' flexibility to shift to MLB Media given payroll commitments and the need for quality fan access. Local media still accounts for over 20% of industry revenue, but traditional cable bundles face challenges.

Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger echoed this adaptation: “The local media landscape is evolving very quickly... We’re adapting to it. There’s going to be a local game element to baseball... I feel good about the future, even though I can’t predict where it’s actually going to land and when it’s going to land.”

Commissioner Goodell Claims NFL Media Rights Are 'Undervalued'

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is prioritizing partners that maximize audience reach across all platforms, even as the NFL comes off a banner 2025 season with record-breaking viewership.

"What we focus on is 'How do we reach the broadest number of people, on every broadcast? How do we make an event out of that?'" Goodell stated during his Super Bowl press conference. "At the end of the day, we want partners who are going to broaden our audience."

The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per regular-season game in 2025, the second-highest mark since tracking began in 1988, marking a 10% increase from 2024. Milestones extended through the playoffs, wild-card round, divisional games, conference championships, and streaming platforms. 

Partners like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube drew younger demographics, while a recent ESPN deal integrating NFL Network into its direct-to-consumer service created new opportunities.

With current domestic media rights deals worth over $10 billion annually and opt-outs possible after the 2029 season, Goodell indicated negotiations could begin as early as this year. 

He has called the rights "undervalued" and sees the upcoming talks as a chance to significantly boost revenue while preserving broad, event-style distribution across broadcast, cable, and streaming.

Goodell emphasized media's critical role in fan engagement: "We spend a large amount of our time on media because that is one of the most significant ways we interact with our fans, and engage with our fans."

NYC Radio: Suits Pleased With Craig Carton's Return To WFAN

Audacy executives are "thrilled" with the early performance of Craig Carton's return to WFAN, according to a Newsday report published in early February 2026.

Chris Oliviero, chief business officer and New York market president for Audacy (WFAN's parent company), told Newsday he is pleased with the on-air content and key metrics after the first four weeks of "The Carton Show" (co-hosted by Carton and Chris McMonigle in the 2-7 p.m. afternoon drive slot).

Oliviero highlighted strong listener engagement, social media buzz, and alignment with the station's goals in bringing Carton back for his third stint at WFAN.

Full quarterly ratings for the new lineup are not expected until spring 2026, but early indicators show the show generating the desired audience interaction.

Carton, who debuted in the new role on January 5, 2026, previously hosted successful (though often controversial) shows at WFAN: mornings with Boomer Esiason from 2007-2017 and afternoons with Evan Roberts from 2020-2023, before departing in 2023.

The positive assessment follows Carton's January return, which shifted other hosts and ended the midday show of Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata.

Buffalo Radio: NFL Bills to Control of Radio Broadcasts

The Buffalo Bills will take full control of producing and distributing radio broadcasts for all preseason, regular season, and playoff games starting in 2026, ending their 14-year partnership with WGR 550 AM and shifting to an in-house model that includes expanded affiliate networks across New York State, Southern Ontario, and beyond.

The change also affects the daily weekday show One Bills Live, which begins in-house distribution on Monday, Feb. 9. The program, hosted by Chris Brown and Steve Tasker (who remain in their roles), will stream exclusively from 1-3 p.m. on BuffaloBills.com and the Bills App, while continuing its simulcast on MSG Western New York. 

Daily podcast versions of each episode will be available on the Bills App, BuffaloBills.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms."The delivery of media content has changed dramatically over the years," said Bills President of Business Operations Pete Guelli. 

"We believe the model of in-house production, distribution, and sales will better position the organization to provide access to our fans as well as allow us to further engage with the local business community."

The team will partner with Good Karma Brands, a media and marketing company specializing in sports content, to develop the new distribution strategy. 

Traditional terrestrial radio game broadcasts, currently on WGR-AM 550 in Buffalo and 950-AM The Fan in Rochester, will transition under the Bills' direct management, enabling broader reach and enhanced fan and business engagement.

Why Is Pop Artist Billie Eilish Seemingly Always Miserable?

Pop star Billie Eilish is still facing accusations of hypocrisy after declaring "no one is illegal on stolen land" and saying "f--- ICE" during her Song of the Year acceptance speech at the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday.

The 24-year-old singer, who won for "Wildflower" alongside her brother Finneas O'Connell, wore an "ICE OUT" pin and urged the audience to "keep fighting and speaking up and protesting," emphasizing that "our voices really do matter, and the people matter."

Billie Eilish calls America "stolen land"

Ok, Billie. Your $14,000,000 mansion in LA is built where the Tongva tribes once lived. Any plans on returning it?

pic.twitter.com/3qu0ubWX8G

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 2, 2026

Critics, including politicians and commentators, quickly highlighted the contrast between her comments and her ownership of a multimillion-dollar Hollywood estate—reportedly valued at around $14 million—on what some describe as "stolen land."

• Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) posted that anyone making a public "stolen land" acknowledgment should "immediately give his or her land to Native Americans" or admit they don't mean it.
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis remarked sarcastically that Eilish should "forfeit her southern California mansion" if it's on "stolen land."
• Minnesota state Rep. Walter Hudson questioned the logic: If property deeds are illegitimate, why not "donate everything and leave"?
• Conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller summarized it as emblematic of broader issues: a "Hollywood celebrity millionaire" accepting an award and continuing to live on "stolen land."

A Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, responded to such celebrity criticisms by noting that while stars protested ICE at the Grammys, DHS agents were arresting serious criminals like sex offenders and child abusers.

Eilish's remarks aligned with a broader wave of anti-ICE statements from artists at the event amid ongoing immigration enforcement debates.

Pittsburgh Radio: After 30-Years, Chris Moore Retires At KDKA

After more than 30 years as a weekend staple on KDKA Radio, legendary Pittsburgh broadcaster Chris Moore announced his retirement on Sunday, with his final show scheduled for February 15, 2026.

Moore shared the news during his program, citing health and mobility challenges—exacerbated by recent winter weather—as key factors in his decision. “Having our meaningful discussions about world and local issues, as well as more mundane issues with you has been one of the highlights of my career,” he said. “That’s going to be it for the kid.”

Known as “The Moore of Pittsburgh,” his show has entertained listeners since 1994, sparking smiles, thoughtful reflection, and active participation through engaging talk radio. Beyond radio, Moore built an acclaimed career in television and journalism. He earned multiple Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards as a producer and host at WQED Multimedia. 

His broadcasting journey began in 1972 as a camera person at KETS-TV in Little Rock, Arkansas, followed by roles at KETC-TV (St. Louis), KWMU-Radio, WQED Pittsburgh (since 1980), and WPXI-TV.

R.I.P.: Pete McKay, Longtime Central NY Radio Broadcaster

Peter W. McElvein, a longtime Syracuse broadcaster known on air as Pete McKay, died on January 30, 2026, at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. He was 76.

According to CNYRadio.com, McElvein built a nearly 50-year career in radio and television after arriving in Syracuse for college. He first gained popularity in the "golden days of local AM radio" as Pete McKay on WHEN and WOLF. 

He later served as program director for Classic FM (WCNY-FM) for 15 years while also contributing to PBS affiliate WCNY-TV, retiring in 2013.

In retirement, he continued producing and hosting the religious program "Tradition Today" on public access cable until its 30-year run ended in 2019.

Born in Buffalo, McElvein earned a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in 1971 and a master's in 1984. He was also a contributor to CNYRadio.com, providing updates on WCNY-FM.

Funeral services were handled by Macko-Vassallo Funeral Home, with calling hours held at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Syracuse.

Radio History: Feb 4

➦In 1927...KGA-AM, Spokane, Washington signed-on.

For many years, KGA was a successful country music outlet. In 1994 it switched to a news/talk format. KGA (1510 AM) is a commercial radio station owned by Stephens Media Group, it broadcasts a sports radio format. KGA's studios and offices are on East 57th Avenue. Most of the programming comes from Fox Sports Radio.  It simulcasts on a translator at 103.5 FM. KGA was a 50,000 watt clear-channel Class A station for most of its life, and could be heard after sunset around the Pacific Northwest, plus part of Western Canada.

On July 15, 2008, KGA reduced its nighttime power from 50,000 watts to 15,000 watts, surrendered its status as a Class A to Class B, and changed its directional antenna system. Class A stations have the widest coverage areas and best protection from interference from other stations. All of this was done so that its sister station, KSFN in Piedmont, California, could increase its nighttime power from 230 watts to 2,400 watts. The justification for this change was gaining several hundred thousand potential listeners in the San Francisco Bay Area while sacrificing KGA's smaller potential audience in the Pacific Northwest.

KGA 1510 AM (50Kw-D, 15Kw-N) Red=Local Coverage

➦In 1935...the CBS Radio Network first aired “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch”, one of the many soap operas written by Frank & Anne Hummert. It moved to NBC that September but was cancelled 27 months later.  The plot:  Mrs. Wiggs, facing eviction, scrabbles for survival with her number of children and hopes for the return of her husband, who left many years before, looking for gold in the Klondike.

➦In 1940...'Amanda of Honeymoon Hill' was a 15-minute daily radio soap opera produced by Frank and Anne Hummert. Broadway actress Joy Hathaway had the title role, sometimes described as "the beauty of flaming red hair." The series was broadcast from February 5, 1940, until April 26, 1946, initially on the Blue Network at 3:15 p.m. until August 1942. It then moved to CBS, airing at 10:30 a.m. until 1943 when it was heard at 11 a.m.

➦In 1977...Fleetwood Mac‘s 11th album “Rumours” was released. The LP became their second to top Billboard’s album chart, staying #1 for 31 weeks. More than 17 million copies have been sold in the U.S.

➦In 1983...singer Karen Carpenter died at her parent’s home in Los Angeles of heart failure caused by chronic anorexia nervosa. Her death, at the age of 32, brought about more public awareness of the disease, characterized by a loss of appetite brought on by mental illness.

➦In 1983…radio announcer & actor Jim Ameche succumbed to lung cancer at age 68.  He was radio’s first “Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy,” and announcer for many network programs out of Chicago. The younger brother of Don Ameche later was director for the filmed TV series Julia.

Jim Ameche

When Ameche's older brother, Don Ameche, left his position as the host and announcer for The Chase and Sanborn Hour in the early 1940s, Jim took over for the remainder of the show's run. He also was heard as mountie Jim West on ABC's Silver Eagle (1951–55). Other shows Ameche was heard on included Grand Hotel, Hollywood Playhouse, and Big Sister.

In the 1940s, he had several programs on WGN radio in Chicago.   He was also heard on stations in Los Angeles and Palm Springs in the late 1950s and early 60s. For many years he was a popular local radio personality in the New York City area. By the late 1960s, he was working as an announcer on New York's WHN and the TV pitchman for a Longines Symphonette Society mail-order record album featuring clips of old-time radio broadcasts.  For many years, he was the afternoon announcer on WQXR, the classical radio station of The New York Times, and was a familiar and beloved voice. He also recorded numerous radio ads in Phoenix, Arizona in his later years.