3Q Was 'Challenging' For Beasley Media Group With Mounting Loss

Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. reported a wider loss and lower revenue Friday as the radio company continued to contend with soft traditional advertising while pressing ahead with cost cuts, digital margin gains and balance-sheet moves.⁠

The Naples, Florida-based company posted a net loss of $12.1 million, or $6.51 per diluted share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with a loss of $3.6 million, or $1.97 per share, a year earlier. Revenue fell 16.1% to $42.8 million (down 10.2% on a same-station basis). Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure of operating performance, was about $1.3 million versus $3.9 million in the prior-year period.

Local revenue, including locally sold digital packages, accounted for 76% of net revenue and declined 6% year over year. Digital revenue totaled $9.8 million, down 24% year over year and 12% on a same-station basis; it represented 23% of net revenue (24% excluding political advertising). The digital segment’s operating margin expanded to 32% from 21% a year earlier. Revenue from new business made up 14% of the total.⁠

Operating expenses, excluding corporate costs, depreciation and amortization, fell about $7 million, or 15.1%. Station operating income was roughly $3.6 million (an 8.5% margin). Corporate expenses rose to about $3.9 million from $2.2 million, driven by restructuring, financing and transaction costs; excluding nonrecurring items they were about $2.8 million.⁠

Caroline Beasley

After quarter-end the company completed sales of two radio stations and two parcels of real estate that generated more than $10 million in net proceeds. Combined with a September equity raise of about $4.6 million, the moves reduced first-lien notes outstanding to roughly $3.6 million. The company has posted a presentation covering third-quarter highlights to its website for review on Friday’s conference call.⁠

“While the advertising environment remains challenging, our third-quarter results demonstrate the tangible progress we are making in building a more efficient and financially resilient company,” Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley said. She pointed to structural cost reductions, stronger digital margins and growth in local direct advertising as positives, while emphasizing priorities of stabilizing core revenue, expanding digital profitability, improving free cash flow and reducing leverage.⁠

Beasley owns and operates radio stations in markets including Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Charlotte, Tampa and Las Vegas. Shares traded near $5.50–$5.60 around the release.

Taylor Swift Set for Return to CMA Awards Stage

Taylor Swift is scheduled to make a high-profile return to the CMA Awards stage next Wednesday as a featured performer, marking a major comeback to one of country music’s most prestigious events.

Swift, who is nominated for Single of the Year for “I Knew It, I Knew You,” enters the ceremony with a career total of 26 CMA nominations. This appearance will be her first on the CMA stage in 13 years, following her 2013 performance of “Red” alongside Vince Gill and Alison Krauss.

A decorated history links the superstar to the association. Swift is a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, famously remaining the youngest artist to ever secure the award. Her relationship with the CMAs began in 2006, leading to a Horizon Award in 2007 and the esteemed Pinnacle Award, which she received over a decade ago in a star-studded tribute featuring industry legends she supported early in her career.

The 60th Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The ceremony is scheduled to air from 8:00–11:00 PM ET on ABC and Disney+, with on-demand streaming available the following day on Hulu.

The 60th Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association.

Savannah Guthrie Extends NBC News Contract

Savannah Guthrie has signed a contract extension with NBC News, keeping the longtime “Today” co-anchor at the network after months of uncertainty about her future, TheWrap has confirmed.

The deal, first reported by Breaker, comes as “Today” posts its strongest ratings in years. The program recently reclaimed the top spot in total viewers after more than a decade.

The renewal follows a difficult year for Guthrie, 54. Her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her Arizona home in February after last being seen Jan. 31. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect. Guthrie took time away from “Today” before returning in April. The investigation remains ongoing.

The length and financial terms of Guthrie’s new contract have not been disclosed. Her previous agreement was reportedly due to expire around the end of the year.

Guthrie currently co-anchors “Today” with Craig Melvin, who replaced Hoda Kotb in January 2025. The show finished the 2025–26 broadcast season ahead of ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS Mornings” in both total viewers and adults ages 25–54, its first such lead in 14 years.

“Today” averaged 2.95 million viewers during the season, a 13% increase from the previous year, according to Nielsen. It averaged 612,000 viewers among adults ages 25–54, down 2% year over year but enough to lead that demographic for an 11th consecutive season.

The show’s ratings momentum has continued into the fall. During the week of Nov. 2, it averaged 3 million viewers, ahead of “Good Morning America” at 2.92 million and “CBS Mornings” at 2.053 million.

Guthrie joined NBC News in 2007 as a legal analyst and correspondent. She later served as White House correspondent before joining “Today” in 2011. The following year, she was named co-anchor, succeeding Ann Curry.

Cruz Sets Confirmation Vote for FCC Nominee

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has scheduled a Wednesday, Nov. 18 vote on the confirmation of Danielle Thumann Severs, a Republican nominee to the FCC.

If confirmed, she would become the commission’s fourth member. The FCC typically has five commissioners; her appointment would give Republicans a 3–1 majority, with Democrat Anna Gomez as the sole Democratic member.

Thumann Severs, a senior legal adviser to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appeared Tuesday before the Senate Commerce Committee in a hearing that at times grew contentious. Democrats accused her of evading their questions. Though she was one of four nominees questioned during the nearly two-hour session, she received about three-quarters of the questions.

Committee Democrats have raised concerns that a recent Supreme Court decision concerning presidential authority over executive departments could allow President Donald Trump to fire Gomez. Democrats sought to have Gomez testify at the same hearing, but their request was denied.

The Committee to Protect Journalists voiced similar concerns Wednesday, calling for bipartisan FCC nominees.

“Americans trust the Federal Communications Commission to act as an independent, bipartisan agency that upholds the First Amendment,” said José Zamora, the organization’s regional director for the Americas. “The Senate must ensure the FCC upholds that trust by not allowing a partisan nomination to move forward.”

At Tuesday’s hearing, Democrats pressed Thumann Severs on allegations that Carr had exceeded his authority in addressing broadcasters’ First Amendment rights. She said she was committed to ensuring broadcasters act “in the public interest,” but Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) criticized her for not answering more directly.

Cruz has also criticized Carr’s call for an investigation into ABC’s broadcast licenses after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel joked about Melania Trump on his show earlier this year. “It is not government’s job to censor speech, and I do not believe the FCC should operate as the speech police,” Cruz told Punchbowl News in late April.

Survey: 22% of Americans Cancel Subscriptions After Price Increase

More than one in five Americans canceled a subscription after a price increase in the past year, while many say greater flexibility and better-value bundles could persuade them to stay, according to research by Bango.

The survey of 2,500 U.S. adults found that 22% had canceled a subscription following a price rise. Yet 61% said they would be more likely to keep subscriptions if they were offered at a lower price in a bundle. More than half of respondents, 52%, still considered their subscriptions worth the cost.

Four in 10 respondents said they had wanted to keep a subscription but canceled because they could not pause it or switch to a free option. That figure rose to 50% among Gen Z respondents.

Consumers are already adjusting their plans to manage costs. In the past 12 months, 17% moved to a cheaper plan, 12% switched to a lower-priced, ad-supported plan and 14% combined separate subscriptions into a bundle. Among Gen Z, 21% said they had moved subscriptions into a bundle.

The survey also pointed to concerns about value. Nearly half of respondents, 45%, said their paid subscriptions offered worse value than a year earlier. And 49% said they now pay extra for features that were previously included in streaming subscriptions, such as ad-free viewing, downloads or 4K quality.

Views on advertising varied. While 70% said paid subscriptions should be ad-free and 72% said a service that launches without ads should remain that way, 58% said they would accept advertising in exchange for a discount.

Phoenix Radio: KMLE 107.9 Hero Walk Raises $57K+

KMLE 107.9 FM, an Audacy station in Phoenix, raised over $57,000 for Soldier’s Best Friend (SBF). All proceeds go toward SBF’s mission of providing U.S. veterans living with service-related PTSD or TBI with rescued service and therapeutic companion dogs. The cost to rescue, train and equip each shelter dog is approximately $7,500.

The initiative was led by morning show hosts Niko Petrou and Gabe Mercer in honor of Veterans Day. The duo walked 15 miles across the valley from Scottsdale Quarter to Four Peaks Brewing Company on November 9 and 10th, broadcasting live and accepting donations for SBF on the air from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. MST. 

Industry Mourns Loss Of L-A Radio Pioneer, Bob Moore

Bob Moore

Bob Moore, the longtime Los Angeles radio executive who helped transform KLSX from classic rock into one of the country’s highest-billing FM talk stations, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.⁠

A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Moore spent decades shaping the Los Angeles radio market through senior roles at Greater Media, Westwood One and later CBS Radio. He first rose to prominence as general manager of KLSX (then operating as KHTZ with an adult contemporary format) under Greater Media starting in 1980. He oversaw KHTZ, KLSX and KRLA and helped establish KLSX’s classic rock identity in 1986.⁠

In early 1991, Moore joined Westwood One as executive vice president of its Stations Group, taking responsibility for Los Angeles station KQLZ, known as “Pirate Radio,” which had struggled after the departure of morning host and programmer Scott Shannon. The role reunited him with Westwood One chairman Norm Pattiz; the two had previously worked together in the sales department at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles. After Westwood One moved to sell its stations in 1993, Moore shifted to executive vice president for Westwood One Radio Networks before a brief stint at Metro Traffic. In September 1994 he briefly left Los Angeles to serve as vice president and general manager of country stations KILT and KIKK in Houston (then owned by Group W), but returned to KLSX and KRLA by year’s end.⁠

Moore’s most significant achievement came in August 1995, when he helped shift KLSX from classic rock to an entertainment-oriented FM talk format built around humor, personalities and everyday life rather than traditional political commentary. He played a central role in bringing Howard Stern to the Los Angeles market. The initial lineup also featured Kato Kaelin, Susan Olsen, Ken Ober and “The Regular Guys,” with Tom Leykis and Adam Carolla later becoming key parts of the station’s programming. The unconventional format succeeded commercially; by 2000, Radio & Records recognized Moore as one of the industry’s standout general managers, noting that KLSX ranked among the nation’s top 10 billing stations.⁠

He later held senior management positions with CBS Radio, which acquired KLSX and KRLA in a 1997 station swap with Greater Media. Over his career he worked with figures including Mel Karmazin, Farid Suleman, Steve Lehman, Dan Mason, Norm Pattiz and Art Laboe.⁠

Moore is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter Daron; son-in-law Dan; grandchildren Bode and Jovi; and his dog, Lupin. No information on funeral or memorial arrangements was immediately available.

NBC Celebrates 100 Years

From its earliest days in radio to the rise of television and today’s media landscape, NBC has been at the forefront of how Americans experience the world. Through a century of defining moments, NBC has been there as history unfolded, bringing it into homes across the country and helping generations of Americans experience it together. 

As NBC celebrates its 100th anniversary, take a look back at some of the historic firsts and defining moments that have shaped both NBC and American life. 

Radio History: Nov 14

➦In 1901...singer Morton Downey was born in Wallingford Connecticut. His national radio appearances began in 1930, in 1932 he was voted Radio Singer of the Year. In 1949 he debuted on TV, hosting the show Star of the Family in the 1950′s.

He died of a stroke at age 83, Oct. 25 1985.

➦In 1920...singer Johnny Desmond was born in Detroit.   He was featured on Don McNeill’s Breakfast Club (radio& TV), and was a regular on TV’s Your Hit Parade, Face the Music & Songs for Sale.   He died from cancer Sept. 6 1985 at age 64.

➦In 1921...Chicago radio station KYW broadcast the first opera by a professional company. Listeners heard ‘Samson Et Dalila’ as it was being performed at the Chicago Auditorium.

The first words ever broadcast in Chicago were, "My God, but it's dark in here!"

Mary Gardner

According to radio historian Rich Samuels, they were spoken by Mary Garden, world-class soprano and director of the Chicago Grand Opera Association. They were uttered 98 years ago tonight on radio station KYW, licensed to the Westinghouse Manufacturing and Electric Company.

Ms. Garden said what she said because she couldn't see: the area where she was standing was lit by a single bare light bulb.

In 1934, the assignment of clear channels took a frequency away from Illinois and gave it to Pennsylvania, resulting in Westinghouse moving KYW to Philadelphia.  KYW used the frequency of 1020 AM at the time.

In March 1941, KYW changed frequencies to 1060 AM as part of a nationwide shift of radio frequencies mandated by the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement. KYW and the other Westinghouse radio stations remained with NBC after RCA was ordered by the FCC to break up its radio networks, aligning with the former Red Network (the predecessor of modern-day NBC) in 1942. KYW acquired a television counterpart when Westinghouse bought WPTZ (channel 3) – the nation's third commercial television station and NBC's second television affiliate – in 1953.

In June 1955, Westinghouse agreed to trade KYW and WPTZ to NBC in exchange for the network's properties in Cleveland, WNBK TV and WTAM-AM-FM. Westinghouse also received $3 million in cash compensation.  The main impetus for the trade was NBC's desire to acquire an owned-and-operated television station in the fourth-largest American television market. NBC had to seek a waiver for the swap since KYW and NBC Radio's New York City flagship, WRCA (now WFAN) were both clear channel stations; at the time, the FCC normally did not allow common ownership of clear-channel stations with overlapping nighttime coverage.

After clearing final regulatory hurdles, the swap went into effect on February 13, 1956. NBC took over the Philadelphia stations, rechristening 1060 AM as WRCV (for the RCA-Victor record label), and Westinghouse moved the KYW call letters to Cleveland.

However, almost immediately after the trade was finalized, Westinghouse complained to the FCC and the Department of Justice about NBC's coercion and an lengthy investigation was launched.  In August 1964, NBC's license for WRCV radio and television was renewed by the FCC – but only on the condition that the 1956 station swap be reversed.  Following nearly a year of appeals by NBC, Westinghouse regained control of WRCV-AM-TV on June 19, 1965 and subsequently restored the KYW call letters to the radio station (the television station became KYW-TV at this point).  To this day, the KYW stations insist that they "moved" to Cleveland in 1956 and "returned" to Philadelphia in 1965.

➦In 1922...The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) began its domestic radio service.

➦In 1994...FCC adopted EAS rules.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national warning system in the United States put into place on January 1, 1997, when it superseded the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), which in turn superseded the CONELRAD System.

It is jointly coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The EAS regulations and standards are governed by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the FCC.

More Names Added During Latest Round of Layoffs

Cumulus Media began a new round of company-wide layoffs around November 11–12, 2026 (Thursday), affecting on-air talent, programmers, producers, promotions, and management at stations across multiple markets.⁠

This is the second major round in 2026 (following cuts in August during the bankruptcy process). It comes weeks after Cumulus emerged from Chapter 11 on October 16, 2026, eliminating roughly $550–600 million in debt. 

The company is now privately held, with Alden Global Capital (via Next Gen Radio Enterprises LLC) as the controlling shareholder (about 31.86% voting interest). Alden has a track record of significant staff reductions at newspapers it controls (e.g., Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News).⁠

The total number of people affected has not been publicly disclosed by the company. 

iHM Doubles Down On Reported Podcast Spin-Off

iHeartMedia denied reports that it is considering a sale of its podcast division after the company’s shares plunged following a third-quarter earnings report that missed analyst expectations.

The podcast unit was recently ranked No. 2 among U.S. publishers and posted a 24% revenue increase in the last quarter, according to the company.

Shares fell as much as 66% during midday trading Tuesday, a day after the earnings call. They recovered 13% by the close of trading Wednesday after Bloomberg reported that iHeart had held preliminary discussions with investment bank Moelis & Co. and potential investors about selling part or all of the podcast business.

NFL Viewership Nears Historic High At Midseason

Through the first nine weeks of the 2026 season, NFL games are averaging 18.3 million viewers, the second-highest audience for this point in the season and a 2% increase from 2025, according to league data. The league also holds the top 49 most-watched shows since the start of the current television season, according to ⁠Front Office Sports.

Weeknight packages have been a major factor. ESPN’s Monday Night Football is averaging 19 million viewers, up 24% from the same point last year. The network’s Week 9 broadcast of the Buffalo Bills’ win over the Minnesota Vikings drew 21.7 million viewers across ESPN, ABC and other platforms, the largest Week 9 audience in the ESPN Monday Night Football era, which began in 2006.

Miami Radio: Zach Gelb New Brand Manager of 104.3 WQAM

WQAM 104.3 FM, an Audacy sports station in Miami, has named Zach Gelb its new Brand Manager. In this role, he will lead the station’s content strategy, talent, operations, and branding, including its flagship coverage of the Florida Panthers, Miami HEAT, Miami Marlins and the University of Miami Hurricanes football and men’s basketball.

“Zach brings a blend of programming instincts and nationwide sports talk experience that positions him perfectly to continue the growth and success of 104.3 WQAM,” said Claudia Menegus, Regional President, Audacy. “His vision and leadership will be vital as we continue to elevate our flagship partnerships, inspire our talented team and deliver the best sports coverage for South Florida’s passionate fan base.”

Broadcast Mornings: TODAY Remains No.1 Across The Board

• TODAY Delivers Highest Total Viewer Average in 20 Weeks
• TODAY Off to Strongest Season-to-Date Start in Total Viewers in 15 Years

NBC News’ TODAY won across the board for the week, marking its 12th consecutive total viewer win and 153rd consecutive key demo win. TODAY also delivered its highest total viewer average in 20 weeks.

For the week, TODAY averaged 2.999 million total viewers, beating GMA by +76,000 (+3%) and CBS by +946,000 (+46%). It grew its total viewer audience by 306,000 (+11%) week over week.

Viewers Want Easier Way To Navigate Streaming Content

Streaming viewers increasingly want a simpler way to navigate the growing number of services—and say poor discovery could put subscriptions at risk.

In a new Nielsen Gracenote survey, 51.6% of respondents said they were very or somewhat likely to cancel a service if they couldn’t find content that interested them, up from 48.5% a year earlier.

Discovery problems can also mean viewers miss out on programming. More than a quarter of respondents, 27.3%, said they had missed a show because they couldn’t find it, compared with 24.7% the previous year.

Cutbacks Impact NBC News Streaming Service

NBC News is ending “Stay Tuned,” its one-hour prime-time program on the NBC News Now streaming service, as part of a review of its resources, a person familiar with the matter said.

The program, anchored by NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz, streamed from the West Coast at 8 p.m. Eastern. Schwartz will remain with the news division, the person said.

Producers on the show may apply for nearly 50 open jobs at NBC News, many of them in the “Dateline” or news specials departments. The person said the company hopes some affected employees will take those positions.

A handful of jobs across NBCUniversal’s news unit are being eliminated. The affected employees represent less than 1% of the unit’s staff, the person said.

NBC News confirmed Wednesday’s stream was the show’s last. The company declined to make executives available for comment.

NBC News Now is expected to fill the prime-time hour with reruns of earlier streaming programs. The service already airs repeats of Tom Llamas’ “Top Story” in the evening.

Other television news divisions are also reviewing staffing as media companies face financial pressure. Skydance, which owns CNN and CBS News, has offered buyouts to employees across the company as it seeks $6 billion in cost cuts following its debt-heavy combination of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount. CBS News and CNN have also had layoffs in recent months.