Edison, Nielsen: Nearly 70% Spend Daily Time With Radio

The just release of The Record from Nielsen, shows American media day starts early, ends late and involves a lot of choice in what to watch, listen to and read. Audio accounts for nearly 20% of daily time; in Q3 2024 that translated to 3 hours and 57 minutes of daily1 listening across both ad-supported and ad-free platforms like radio, podcasts, streaming music services and satellite radio. The Record is a quarterly report card on how U.S. consumers spend their listening time, fueled by Nielsen and Edison Research.

While advertisers are constantly tracking changes in consumer behavior to improve the impact of their cross-channel marketing, The Record helps cut through with a unique representation of the time spent with ad-supported audio channels.

From July to September 2024, listeners spent 67% of their daily time with ad-supported audio with radio, 18% with podcasts, 11% with streaming audio services and 3% with satellite radio. Among 18-to-34 year-olds, radio now accounts for the majority of daily time spent with ad-supported audio; growing to 51% in the past quarter from 48% in the second quarter. Listening share for podcasts (31%) among the same audience decreased for the second quarter in a row, down from 35% in Q2 and 37% in Q1.

This chart shows how Americans spent their time with ad-supported audio in Q3 2024.

5 NJ, PA Newspapers To End Print Editions

The Star-Ledger, the Times of Trenton, the South Jersey Times, the Easton Express-Times and the Hunterdon County Democrat will all stop their print publications in February as part of a broader shift by their parent company toward a digital-only approach.

According to The Philadelphia Business Journal, the newspapers will continue to provide digital content to subscribers and maintain the NJ.com and LehighValleyLive.com websites, the publications said Wednesday. The decision was attributed to rising production and distribution costs, decreasing circulation and the reader shift from print to digital.

The Star-Ledger, based in Newark, is owned by the Newark Morning Ledger Co. and affiliated with Advance Local, which owns NJ.com and the other affected newspapers through NJ Advance Media.

In a statement posted on each publication’s website, NJ Advance Media President Steve Alessi said the decision “represents the next step into the digital future of journalism in New Jersey. It’s important to emphasize that this is a forward-looking decision that allows us to invest more deeply than ever in our journalism and in serving our communities.”

Alessi said the statewide news organization now has more reporters than it did last year and plans to expand further in 2025.

TV Ratings: Politics And Football Draw Viewers To Watch

During the week of October 21 - 27th, FOX News Channel (FNC) led all of cable television with both primetime and total day viewers. FNC also surpassed the cable news competition combined across the board in primetime and total day. In primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC earned 2.8 million viewers and 366,000 in the 25-54 demo, commanding all of cable news with viewers. In total day (6AM-6AM/ET), FNC posted 1.7 million viewers and 211,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Five was the most-watched show in cable news for the week, while Jesse Watters Primetime led in the 25-54 demo.

With the presidential election two weeks away, the big three cable news networks focused on politics and were rewarded with high viewership. CNN, Fox News and MSNBC were all up in both measured categories across both dayparts.

Harris, Cooper

CNN’s Anderson Cooper-moderated town hall with Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris gave the network a boost as it was the most-watch program on Wednesday evening among all the cable networks with 3.334 million total viewers. The network saw double digit increases across the board compared to the previous week.

TV Newser reports Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of October 21 saw FNC average 2.769 million total viewers and 366,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up by +6% and +11% in those respective categories relative to the week prior.

In total day viewing, Fox News averaged 1.669 million total viewers and 211,000 A25-54 viewers for week-to-week gains of +2% in the former category and +1% in the latter.

Among all basic cable networks, Fox News reclaimed its No. 1 spot in total primetime viewers, and jumped to third place in the primetime demo. It led in total viewers across total day and placed second in the total day demo.

MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1.296 million total viewers and 154,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo for respective week-to-week gains of +1% and +15% compared to the week prior. Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC went from fifth to third place in total primetime viewers, and climbed one spot to seventh in the demo. During total day, it was the No. 2 network in total viewers and slid from fifth to sixth in the demo.

During primetime, CNN averaged 956,000 total viewers and 198,000 A25-54 viewers in the demo. That translates to double digit gains +54% in the former category and +69% in the latter. CNN rose to fourth place with total viewers in primetime and jumped from No. 11 to No. 5 in the primetime demo. In total day, the network finished fourth with both total viewers and the demo.

 Fox News had 13 of the 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the week, with The Five (3.661 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) taking the top spot. MSNBC occupied the remaining two spots, with The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (1.815 million viewers at 10 p.m. ET) landing at No. 10.

• For the week, The Five averaged 3.7 million viewers and 342,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.7 million viewers and 290,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.9 million viewers and 331,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 3.6 million viewers and 466,000 in the 25-54 demo, making it the top show in cable news across in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.8 million viewers and 384,000 with A25-54. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 1.8 million viewers and 269,000 in the 25-54 demo.
• FOX News Channel’s Gutfeld! continued to lead all late-night television across the board. For the week, Gutfeld! averaged 3 million viewers and 418,000 in the 25-54 demo, topping CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2.2 million P2+; 377,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show (1.2 million P2+; 288,000 A25-54).
• FNC also saw a number of its daytime programs outrank the broadcast competition. Most notably, Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2,055,000 P2+), Harris Faulkner’s The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1,912,000 P2+), America’s Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1,876,000 P2+), America Reports with Sandra Smith and John Roberts (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1,714,000) and The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1,714,000 P2+) all outpaced NBC’s Today with Hoda and Jenna (1,326,000 P2+), ABC’s GMA3 (1,239,000 P2+) and CBS’ The Talk (1,179,000 P2+).

SiriusXM Reports 4% Revenue Drop, Subscribers Pegged At 33M

SiriusXM today announced its third quarter 2024 financial results, reporting total revenue of $2.17 billion, a 4% decline compared to the same period in 2023. 

The company reported a net loss of  $2.96 billion. Prior to the close of the transaction, Liberty completed an assessment of the fair value of the company’s goodwill based on a sustained lower share price, as SiriusXM’s share price converged with those of the Liberty tracking stocks heading into the closing. As a result, a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $3.36 billion was recorded. This non-cash charge does not impact the company’s cash flow, ongoing operations, or liquidity. Earnings per common diluted share were ($8.74) for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $0.82 in the third quarter of 2023

SiriusXM Third Quarter 2024 Segment Highlights

SiriusXM Total Subscribers of 33 Million: SiriusXM added approximately 14,000 self-pay subscribers in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting a year-over-year improvement primarily driven by lower churn. Paid promotional subscribers decreased by 114,000 as certain automakers transitioned to unpaid or shorter-term paid promotional plans. Self-pay subscriber churn finished the 2024 quarter at 1.6%, consistent with the third quarter of 2023. The SiriusXM trial funnel stood at approximately 7.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2024, down slightly from 7.4 million at the end of the second quarter of 2024 and 7.5 million in the third quarter of 2023.

Comcast Revenue Increase 6.5%, Spinoff Explored For Cable Net

As the linear TV business continues to erode, Comcast is considering spinning off its cable network portfolio into a standalone company, which includes Oxygen True Crime, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, E!, Syfy, Universal Kids and Spanish-language channel Universo.

“Like many of our peers in media, we are experiencing the effects of the transition in our video businesses, and have been studying the best path forward for these assets,” Comcast president Mike Cavanagh told analysts on Thursday during the company’s third quarter earnings call. 

“To that end, we are now exploring whether creating a new well capitalized company owned by our shareholders and comprised of our strong portfolio of cable networks would position them to take advantage of opportunities in the changing media landscape and create value for our shareholders. We are not ready to talk about any specifics yet, but we’ll be back to you as and when we reach firm conclusions.”

The Wrap also reports Cavanagh added that it would consider streaming partnerships to help grow Peacock.

Trump Sees Lack of Newspaper Endorsements As Approval

The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and USA Today may have declined to endorse a candidate in this year’s presidential election. But former President Donald Trump doesn’t see it that way.

Speaking at a rally in North Carolina, Trump claimed Wednesday that the papers’ non-endorsements are actually a stamp of approval for his campaign, according to CNN.

“The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, and all these papers. They’re not endorsing anybody. You know what they’re really saying - because they only endorse Democrats - they’re saying this Democrat’s no good. They’re no good. And they think I’m doing a great job. They just don’t want to say it,” he said.

“Washington [Post] and USA Today, congratulations. I just heard USA Today has not endorsed. They said we’re not going to endorse. That means that they think she’s no good,” he added, referencing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Leadership at all three major newspapers have tried to push the notion that their non-endorsements were meant to build back readers’ trust and address perceptions that the news media is biased, stating they would prefer that their journalists inform readers to make their own voting decisions.

More than 250,000 Washington Post readers cancel subscriptions in revolt over non-endorsement

The Washington Post publisher Will Lewis wrote last week in his announcement that the paper would skip an endorsement that “this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable. We don’t see it that way.”

Instead, Lewis said he saw the non-endorsement, breaking with decades of tradition, as “consistent with the values The Post has always stood for and what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of law, and respect for human freedom in all its aspects.”

Journalists Nervous Over Cancellations

Writers for the Washington Post have taken to social media in recent days to discourage irate readers from dropping their subscriptions after the paper announced it wouldn’t be endorsing any candidate for the 2024 presidential election. 

The Wall Street Journal reports the wave of customer defections after the controversial decision, which was made by owner Jeff Bezos, has further eroded an already shrunken base of Post subscribers and heightened feelings among some staff that the paper faces an existential crisis. 

“Please don’t cancel your subscriptions. It won’t impact Bezos – it hurts journalists and makes another round of layoffs more likely,” Amanda Morris, a Washington Post disability reporter, wrote on X. 

High-profile reporters and editors from the New York Times, the Atlantic and elsewhere joined the chorus on Tuesday and Wednesday, using the hashtag #WhyISubscribe on X to explain the journalistic value of the Washington Post’s newsroom. 

Upward of 250,000 people have canceled their Post subscriptions since the nonendorsement decision went public late last week, according to the Post’s own reporting Wednesday, citing documents and people familiar with the matter. 

A Post spokeswoman declined to comment on subscription numbers. 

Donald Trump Rides Garbage Truck

Republicans were facing pushback for comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally - where he described Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage".

Biden later slammed the comments saying: "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters".

The Republican hopeful then seized on the comment with the stunt as he walked down the steps of the Boeing 757 that bears his name in Green Bay, Wisconsin, walked across a rain-soaked tarmac and, after twice missing the handle, climbed into the passenger seat of the white garbage truck that also carried his name.

TRUMP ARRIVES FOR CAMPAIGN RALLY IN A GARBAGE TRUCK!

“How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden.”

“For Joe Biden to make that statement — it’s really a disgrace” pic.twitter.com/jA9nEQKvCg

— J Stewart (@triffic_stuff_) October 30, 2024

"How do you like my garbage truck?" Mr Trump said, wearing an orange and yellow safety vest. "This is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden."

Joe Rogan Listeners Are Likely To Vote For...

With days to go until election day in the U.S., the battle for undecided voters has taken a twist as both Vice President Harris and former President Trump utilize podcasts to reach potential voters. According to Edison Research, the Joe Rogan Experience stands out as a prime platform, being the number one podcast in the U.S. among weekly listeners age 13+ according to Edison Podcast Metrics™.

Known for its influence and large audience, Rogan’s show offers a unique opportunity for candidates to connect with younger, often independent-minded listeners in an unconventional setting. Rogan’s audience skews overwhelmingly male (80%), with a majority of listeners (51%) falling within the critical 18-34 age range. Politically, 35% of listeners identify as Independent or “something else,” while 32% align with Republicans, and 27% align with Democrats.

Trump recently appeared on Rogan’s podcast in an almost-three-hour episode, which gave him the opportunity to reach potential voters with long-form content. Rogan is apparently still in discussions with the Harris campaign about a possible appearance, but as we publish this, no date has been confirmed. Fifty-four percent of weekly Joe Rogan listeners lean toward Trump and 26% favor Harris. The 16% undecided among Rogan's audience highlights a critical group that both candidates are vying for.

Edison Research is the only source providing comprehensive data on podcast rankings. Contact epm@edisonresearch.com for more information on the top-ranking podcasts.

Radio Is Huge In The Latino Community

The Latino vote could be pivotal in deciding who will be the next U.S. president. A new documentary is going inside the effort to reach Latino voters via some retro technology: the radio. Journalist Soledad O'Brien, producer of "In Real Life: War on La Radio," joins CBS' "America Decides" to discuss.

Disney Buys Grammy Media Rights

Disney has agreed to pay more than $500 million over ten years to become the new home of the Grammy Awards, according to people familiar with the matter, ending the show’s more than 50-year run with CBS.

Under the terms of its new deal with the Recording Academy, which begins in 2027, Disney’s ABC broadcast network and streaming services Disney+ and Hulu will carry the show simultaneously. The Academy will also create specials and other new programming for Disney’s platforms.

The Wall Street Journal reports the value of Disney’s deal represents a premium to what longtime broadcaster CBS currently pays. CBS’s deal escalates in price each year, with the network scheduled to pay $50 million to air the awards in 2026, people familiar with the pact said.

The Grammys adds to an already strong lineup of awards shows for Disney, including the Oscars and the Country Music Awards. Sports and live entertainment have become crucial for networks and streaming companies looking to draw large audiences and premium advertiser rates.

“Live events have never been more important to our culture and industry, and we just acquired one of the crown jewels,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden in a statement.

Facebook’s Parent Meta’s Profit Rises 35%

On Wednesday, Silicon Valley's Meta company reported double-digit revenue and profit growth for the third quarter, driven largely by advancements in its systems for advertisement targeting and suggesting relevant posts and videos to users. The improvements came from its continued investments in artificial intelligence, the company said.

The NY Times reports revenue was $40.6 billion, up 19 percent from a year earlier and above Wall Street estimates of $40.2 billion, according to data compiled by FactSet, a market analysis firm. Profit was $15.7 billion, up 35 percent from $11.6 billion a year earlier.

But Meta also said it would continue a huge spending spree that has spooked Wall Street. The company said it spent $23.2 billion on costs and expenses and $9.2 billion in capital expenditures in the third quarter, including on computing infrastructure for A.I., building the immersive world of the metaverse and other expenses. It also raised its annual spending forecast to $38 billion to $40 billion, up from the $37 billion to $40 billion it had projected in July.

The third quarter figures underscored how Meta’s digital advertising business continues to buttress its extravagant spending. Executives have said its huge investments in A.I. and the metaverse will improve all of its services. The company has raised its spending forecast several times this year.

Some of the investments have yielded unexpected hits. Sales of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which allow people to take photos, video and listen to music through the frames, have exceeded expectations and have been in demand at Ray-Ban retail stores across Europe, the company has said.

Audacy Appoints Ray Borelli as SVP/Research & Insights

Audacy has named Ray Borelli Senior Vice President of Research and Insights, effective immediately. As the Company continues its re-imagination, Borelli will lead Audacy’s audio research and insights practice, closely supporting its forward growth agenda and client enablement strategies. 

He will report to Paul Suchman, Chief Marketing Officer, and work closely with Audacy’s leadership team across revenue, digital and programming.

Ray Borelli

“Ray’s research experience across channels and media, coupled with his unique ability to turn data into powerful narratives, will make him an excellent addition to the team as we execute our forward strategy,” said Suchman. “With tenure spanning some of the most influential media companies, his expertise in driving meaningful outcomes for clients will be a strong asset as Audacy continues to elevate our value to the advertising community.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Audacy at such an exciting time for the audio industry,” said Borelli. “Audacy’s portfolio of brands and research platform is best in class, and I look forward to working closely with our team and advertising partners to help fuel exponential growth for the business.”

Borelli previously served as Vice President of Ad Sales Research at Warner Bros. Discovery, directing the go-to-market sales narrative for WBD’s portfolio. He also previously served as Senior Vice President for CNBC, leading the company’s Research and Scheduling teams and helping build the brand’s market-leading digital business. His research and leadership experience was also built on tenures at the National Basketball Association and FOX Sports.

Dodgers Win Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series last night, beating the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5. The victory marks the Dodgers' eighth championship title and the team's first full season championship win since 1988; the Dodgers secured the title during a shortened season in 2020.

The team's win came after a turnaround fifth inning, in which the Dodgers ended the Yankees' 5-0 lead following three defensive miscues, tying up the game 5-5 (rewatch the inning here). Despite the Yankees regaining the lead in the sixth inning, the Dodgers pulled ahead in the eighth. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was named the 2024 World Series MVP after becoming the first player to hit homers in the first four games of a World Series.

The Dodgers parade will take place tomorrow morning in downtown Los Angeles.

R.I.P.: Lee Alan, Legendary Detroit Radio Personality

Sad news for the broadcasting community. Lee Alan, affectionately known as “Lee Alan On The Horn,” passed away on October 29, just before his 90th birthday.

He was a beloved figure in Detroit radio, known for his charismatic style and significant contributions to the industry. Alan’s career spanned several decades, during which he worked at stations like WJLB, WJBK, WKHM, and WXYZ12. He was also one of the first American radio personalities to interview The Beatles.

His legacy includes not only his radio work but also his efforts in promoting live music events and his contributions to advertising in Detroit. He will be remembered fondly by many fans and colleagues.

Radio History: 10/31

➦In 1912...actress & singing cowgirl Dale Evans was born as Lucille Wood Smith in Uvalde, TX (Died of congestive heart failure at age 88 – February 7, 2001) She was the third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers.

She had a tumultuous early life. Her name was changed to Frances Octavia Smith while she was still an infant. She spent a lot of time living with her uncle, Dr. L.D. Massey, a general practice physician, in Osceola, Arkansas. At age 14, she eloped with and married Thomas F. Fox, with whom she had one son, Thomas F. Fox Jr., when she was 15. A year later, abandoned by her husband, she found herself in Memphis, Tennessee, a single parent, pursuing a career in music. She landed a job with local radio stations (WMC and WREC), singing and playing piano. Divorced in 1929, she took the name Dale Evans in the early 1930s to promote her singing career.

➦In 1942..."White Christmas" by Bing Crosby hit No. 1 on the pop singles chart for the first time.

➦In 1942...CBS radio debuted 'Thanks To The Yanks', a wartime themed game show starring Bob Hawk, the quizmaster who had introduced Take it Or Leave It to radio, the original $64 Question show.

➦In 1963...The Beatles returned to London from Sweden to be greeted by hundreds of screaming fans and a mob of photographers. Ed Sullivan happened to be at Heathrow, and was struck by the sight of Beatlemania in full swing. This was the day he determined to have the Fab Four appear on his Sunday night CBS TV variety show, thus introducing The Beatles to North America.

➦In 1968..'The War of the Worlds' was a radio drama, was aired by Buffalo, New York radio station Top40 WKBW 1520 AM.

It was a modernized version of the original radio drama aired by CBS in 1938.

WKBW program director Jefferson Kaye (d. 2012), a big fan of the original Orson Welles version from three decades earlier, wondered what The War of the Worlds would sound like if it was made using up-to-date (for 1968) radio news equipment, covering the "story" of a Martian invasion. Up until this point, most radio renditions of the 1938 broadcast were simply script re-readings with different actors or had minor variations to account for significantly different geographical locations. Kaye decided to disregard the original script entirely, move the action to Grand Island, New York, and use actual WKBW disc jockeys and news reporters as actors.

Fox & Friends To Breakfast In 9 Battleground States

FOX News Channel’s (FNC) FOX & Friends (weekdays, 6-9 AM/ET) will be live from swing state diners in the week leading up to the election for its signature Breakfast with Friends series. 

FOX & Friends franchise co-hosts Lawrence Jones, Will Cain, Pete Hegseth, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Todd Piro and Carley Shimkus will each be on the ground in diners throughout Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to speak with diner patrons regarding the state of the race and the critical issues shaping this year’s election. 

FNC is the most watched network in every single swing state according to Nielsen Media Research.

Details on each diner stop are as follows:

• FOX & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones at The Brass Eagle Restaurant in Gap, PA (10/30)
• FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth at Four Corners Diner in Romeo, MI (10/31)
• FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Will Cain at Joe and Sam’s Cafe in Watkinsville, GA (11/1)
• FOX & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones at Eggs Up Grill in Rome, GA (11/4)
• FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth at The Coop in Waukesha, WI (11/5)
• FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Will Cain at The Sweet Spot in Concord, NC (11/5)
• FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy at Superior in Emmaus, PA (11/5)
• FOX & Friends First co-host Carley Shimkus at Joey’s Pancake House in Maggie Valley, NC (11/6)
• FOX & Friends First co-host Todd Piro at Family Chill & Grill in Tyrone, PA (11/6)

FOX & Friends is FNC’s flagship morning franchise featuring co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones. Every weekday morning from 6-9 AM/ET, the show highlights the latest in news, weather, sports and entertainment with a casual and spontaneous discourse and has been the most watched morning program in cable news for 22 years.

October Was Second Highest-Rated Ever Month For Fox News

FOX News Channel (FNC) marked its second highest-rated October of an election year in network history. 

According to Nielsen Media Research, FNC remained the top network in all of cable news among upscale, Hispanic and Asian viewers during total day in viewership and 25-54 demo. Additionally, more Independents and Democrats continued to tune in to FNC over any other network, according to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion. 

Major highlights of the month included:

• Special Report with Bret Baier’s interview with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris with 9.2 million viewers and 1.4 million in the 25-54 demo across its airings at 6 PM and 12 AM/ET, making it the most-watched non-primetime interview in cable news history.
• FOX News Media’s simulcast of the CBS vice presidential debate averaged nearly 11 million viewers, which surpassed the broadcast and cable news competition. 
• FNC occupied more than half of the total day (53%) and primetime (55%) audience share, besting CNN and MSNBC combined across total day and primetime in all categories. Notably, the network nabbed 94 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the month and saw double digit year-over-year growth across primetime and total day.

Leading across every category, FNC marked 44 consecutive months as number one in primetime and total day viewers and 25-54 demo. In primetime (8 – 11 PM/ET), FNC delivered 2.8 million viewers and 359,000 in the 25-54 demographic, growing its audience 30% year-over-year in total viewership and 40% in the 25-54 demo. In total day, FNC drew 1.6 million viewers and 212,000 in the 25-54 demo. FNC beat CNN and MSNBC by double to triple-digits across all categories, including the younger 25-54 and 18-49 demos for the month, and more than tripled CNN with total day and primetime viewership.

At 5 PM/ET, FNC’s The Five returned to the number one spot, securing 3.6 million viewers and 364,000 in 25-54 demo, leading all of cable news among total viewership while Jesse Watters Primetime (8 PM/ET) posted 3.5 million viewers and 454,000 in the 25-54 demo, topping cable news in the younger demo. Notably, The Five and Jesse Watters Primetime beat out multiple broadcast programs, including NBC’s Law and Order, The Today Show & Meet the Press, ABC’s Golden Bachelorette, This Week, Good Morning America, and The View and CBS’s Face the Nation.

Fox New Prime

FNC’s primetime lineup once again swept the competition every hour, beginning at 7 PM/ET with FNC’s The Ingraham Angle averaging 2.8 million viewers and 334,000 in the 25-54 demo. Winning the 9 PM/ET hour across the board, FNC’s Hannity remained dominant with 3 million viewers and 393,000 in the 25-54 demo. 

Cumulus Names Leslie Whittle as Radio Content Director

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed Leslie Whittle as Regional Content Director for Atlanta CHR station Q99.7 (WWWQ-FM) and Houston CHR station 104.1 KRBE. 

In the newly created position, Whittle will head programming efforts for the two stations. Concurrently, Cumulus Media has expanded Whittle’s programming purview to include oversight of Cumulus Media’s CHR stations under the new title, VP of CHR/Ho AC Formats. Whittle has served as VP of Hot AC Formats since 2019.

Leslie Whittle

Whittle’s radio career started at KHFI-FM in Austin, TX, where she ultimately became Program Director for the CHR station. She joined 104.1 KRBE Houston in 2000 as Assistant Program Director and in 2006, was named 104.1 KRBE Program Director. Under her programming leadership, 104.1 KRBE won a Marconi Award for CHR Station of the Year in 2017 and again in 2019.

Brian Philips, Chief Content Officer, Cumulus Media, said: “Leslie Whittle has masterfully programmed 104.1 KRBE for almost two decades, and has led as VP of Hot AC Formats for six years. Everyone acknowledges that this natural expansion of her role will serve Houston and Atlanta well; two monster CHRs with dominant morning shows. Leslie’s warm and unaffected management style commands the respect of her Cumulus peers and the entire industry.”

Leslie Whittle commented: "The Q997 team is incredibly talented, and the Q997 brand iconic. I'm honored to be part of building its future along with being very thankful for the support of the KRBE crew in Houston. This truly is the best of both worlds. Many thanks to Brian Philips, Melissa Forrest and Alex Cadelago for their faith in me!"

To stream Q99.7, visit: https://www.q997atlanta.com/. To stream 104.1 KRBE, visit: https://www.krbe.com/.

Milwaukee Radio: Mark Belling Exiting WISN For Podcast

Longtime Milwaukee conservative radio show host Mark Belling will pivot his radio program on WISN-AM (1130) into a podcast-only show at the end of the year, he announced in a Tuesday news release.

"My show, in its new incarnation, will be bigger and better than ever," Belling said in the announcement, emphasizing that he's not retiring.

Mark Belling

The content of his program will continue to be a combination of local and national topics, like on his radio show, the release said. But Belling intends for it to be "even more freewheeling than my current anything-goes approach."

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Belling joined WISN as the news-talk station's drive-time host in March 1989 and has been a fixture in local talk radio ever since. He's currently the weekday afternoon drive-time host on News/Talk 1130 WISN-AM, per his website.

When he began his Milwaukee show, Belling set out to be "the best local radio talk show in America," he said in the news release.

"I feel I have achieved that goal by every possible measurement," he said in the release. "The most recent Nielsen ratings give my program the highest listenership share of any local talk show in the United States (top 48 markets, also known as “metered” markets). In addition ... WISN-AM is the most listened-to radio station in the state."

Edison: Sports Audio Scores

Millennial and Gen Z sports fans spend more time with sports audio weekly than Gen X and Boomers, according to the Sports Audio Report: Demographics at Play from Edison Research and SiriusXM Media. 

Millennial sports fans spent an average of 6 hours and 16 minutes with sports audio in the last week and Gen Z sports fans spent an average of 6 hours and 10 minutes — significantly more time than 5 hours and 17 minutes spent by Gen X sports fans and 5 hours and 38 minutes by Boomer sports fans in the last week.

Findings from this third and final installment from the Sports Audio Report, from Edison Research, SiriusXM Media, and GroupM were presented in a webinar by Salma Aly, Manager of Research at Edison Research, and MaryKate Breslin, Senior Manager, Sales Research at SiriusXM Media.

Sports have a wide reach in the U.S. with 66% of the U.S. population age 13+ considering themselves sports fans; an estimated 186 million Americans. The report finds that 16% of sports fans are Gen Z, 30% are Millennials, 24% are Gen X, and 30% are Boomers. The majority of sports fans are White at 64%, followed by Latino sports fans at 18% and Black sports fans at 12%.

 
Top findings among U.S. sports fans age 13+ include: 

• Black sports fans consume more sports audio: Black sports fans spent an average of 7 hours and 56 minutes listening to sports audio content in the last week compared to 5 hours and 45 minutes spent by Latino sports fans and 5 hours and 32 minutes spent by White sports fans in last week. 
• Multicultural sports fans show a higher emotional investment in their sports team or athlete: 50% of all sports fans agree that when the sports team or athlete they follow loses, it greatly affects their mood; Black sports fans (53%) and Latino sports fans (55%) agree. 
• Younger generations of sports fans turn to audio to seek new perspectives on sports topics: 57% of Gen Z and 60% of Millennial sports fans agree they consume sports audio content to hear unique perspectives on sports topics not covered in other media. 
• Athletes have a strong influence on purchasing decisions: 46% of all sports fans are more likely to buy a product if it is advertised by an athlete, with younger generations being most likely to do so; Gen Z sports fans (62%) and Millennial sports fans (62%). Sports fans spend a significant amount of money on sports merchandise: Millennial sports fans spend an average of $282 on sports/team/athlete memorabilia or merchandise each year; Gen X sports fans spend an average of $177.

Top findings among U.S. sports audio and sports podcast listeners 13+ include: 

• Younger generations are more likely to engage with advertising heard on sports audio: 60% of Millennial and 56% of Gen Z sports audio listeners gathered more information about a company or product after hearing an advertisement on a sports podcast or sports audio program (vs 49% of Gen X and 28% of Boomers). 
• Black and Latino communities are more likely to engage with advertising: 50% of Latino sports audio listeners and 48% of Black sports audio listeners recommended a product to a friend or family member after hearing an advertisement on a sports podcast or sports audio program (vs 34% of White sports audio listeners). 
• Many newcomers to sports podcast listening are Gen Z: 28% of Gen Z sports podcast listeners started listening to sports podcasts within the last six months. 
• Social media for discovery is especially high among younger generations: 85% of Gen Z sports podcast listeners use social media to find out about sports podcasts while 83% of Millennials do the same.

Alphabet Revenue Jumps 15% to $88.3 Billion

Google’s parent company reported a 15% jump in year-over-year revenue, driven by strong results in its cloud-computing division and boosting the company’s fortunes during a costly push into artificial intelligence.

The Wall Street Journal reports the parent company, Alphabet recorded total revenue of $88.3 billion in the third quarter, which grew at a faster rate than the second quarter’s 14%.

Alphabet plans to build on existing cost-cutting efforts around using AI to streamline workflow and manage headcount and the company’s physical footprint, Ashkenazi said.

“I plan to build on these efforts but also evaluate where we might be able to accelerate work and where we might need to pivot to free up capital for more attractive opportunities,” said Ashkenazi, who joined the company in June after 23 years at drugmaker Eli Lilly.

CNBC reports Google advertising revenue of $65.85 billion. That was up from $59.65 billion a year ago, showing that Google’s advertising business continues to grow, though at a slower pace than in the second quarter.

YouTube ad revenue just beat analysts’ expectations, showing better growth than last quarter. The Google-owned company faces increased pressure from other advertiser options such as Netflix, TikTok and Amazon.

AI is improving YouTube recommendations, Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler said on the call with investors. The company’s AI language model Gemini has given YouTube the ability to “recommend more relevant, fresher and personalized content to the viewer.”

CNBC also reports Google Workspace, the company’s collection of cloud computing and productivity suite, saw strong growth during the third quarter, Ashkenazi said. Google Cloud Platform, the company’s data management and AI suite, saw growth that outpaced the cloud unit’s growth during the quarter, Ashkenazi added.

The results kicked off a busy week of tech earnings, with Microsoft, Apple, Amazon.com and Meta Platforms all reporting results. Investors will be looking closely for signs of whether AI spending is starting to benefit companies’ bottom lines. Google hasn’t broken out exactly how much revenue it has made from AI services.

Google and other tech giants have significantly stepped up AI spending over the past few years as part of the broader AI boom. Most of that money has gone to build new data centers to develop and run AI models.

TV Ratings: Monday's WS Game Beats NFL's MNF

Yankees rebound Tuesday 

The World Series beat “Monday Night Football” in the battle for television viewers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the Fall Classic averaged 13.64 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming according to early numbers by Nielsen. That beat the 13.4 million that tuned in for the Pittsburgh Steelers' 26-18 win over the New York Giants on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2 and streaming.

The audience for Yankees-Dodgers peaked at 14.25 million from 9-9:15 p.m. EDT. It was the most-watched Game 3 since 2018, when the Dodgers’ 18-inning victory over the Red Sox average 13.3 million.

It is Fox’s most-viewed prime time telecast on a Monday since Game 5 of the 2013 Series between Boston and St. Louis (14.45 million).

It was the ninth time since 1986 that a World Series game was played on a Monday night, but only the fourth that it went head-to-head against “Monday Night Football” on network television.

Fox Business Extends Lead Over CNBC

FOX Business Network (FBN) has expanded its lead over CNBC, outranking the legacy business network with business day viewers while notching its seventh consecutive monthly win in total day viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. 

As markets reacted to the upcoming presidential election, viewers turned to FBN, which saw a 3% advantage over CNBC with business day viewers (9:30 AM-5 PM/ET) and an 8% advantage with total day viewers (6 AM-6 AM/ET). Additionally, all the network’s market hours programming (9 AM-4 PM/ET) placed in the top 15 business programs.

For the month of October, Larry Kudlow’s eponymous program, Kudlow (weekdays, 4 PM/ET) saw its highest-rated month since 2022, delivering 314,000 viewers and nearly doubling CNBC’s Closing Bell (161,000). Marking 18 months as the number one program in business television, Kudlow also continued to dominate the 4 PM/ET hour, besting its CNBC competition for the 37th month in a row. Additionally, Stuart Varney’s three-hour market-open program Varney & Co (weekdays, 9 AM-12 PM/ET) continued to crush the competition, beating CNBC’s Squawk on the Street/TechCheck for the 32nd consecutive month (FBN 221,000 P2+ vs. CNBC 189,000 P2+) and placing second on the business news ranker.

During the critical pre-market hours, Maria Bartiromo’s Mornings with Maria (weekdays, 6-9 AM/ET) drew roughly 100,000 viewers across its three hours and marked its ninth consecutive monthly win over CNBC’s marquee program SquawkBox. 

FBN’s additional core business day programs including CAVUTO: Coast to Coast (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 133,000 viewers) anchored by Neil Cavuto, The Big Money Show (weekdays, 1 PM/ET; 132,000 viewers), Making Money with Charles Payne (weekdays, 2 PM/ET; 143,000 viewers) and The Claman Countdown (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 151,000 viewers) anchored by Liz Claman all scored placements in the top 15 business programs on television. 

During post-market coverage, FBN’s The Evening Edit (weekdays, 5 PM/ET; 175,000 viewers) with Elizabeth MacDonald and The Bottom Line (weekdays, 6 PM/ET; 153,000 viewers) with Dagen McDowell and Sean Duffy each led CNBC for the 8th consecutive month. On Fridays, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays, 7-7:30 PM/ET; 95,000 viewers) posted a 64% advantage over CNBC’s programming and Barron’s Roundtable (Fridays, 7:30-8 PM/ET) saw a 9% advantage with viewers over CNBC.

***Below is the data according to Nielsen Media Research

TODAY Tops GMA for 15 Months Straight in Key Demo

NBC News’ TODAY was the number-one morning show in October, topping ABC’s “Good Morning America” in the key demo A25-54 for 14 consecutive months. TODAY posted its largest October demo win over GMA in eight years and grew its key demo advantage year over year.

Last week, TODAY marked its 63rd straight weekly demo win, its longest streak since December 2020. TODAY also more than doubled its advantage over GMA versus the prior year and closed the total viewer gap with GMA by 83%. Additionally, TODAY topped GMA in total viewers last Monday and Friday.

Season to date, TODAY is the top-rated morning show in the key demo with an advantage more than double GMA compared to the prior year. This is TODAY’s best key demo start to a season versus GMA in 8 seasons.

#1 in A25-54 for 14 consecutive months (longest streak since April 2022)TODAY posted a 9-month high in A25-54 viewership (since January 2024)

• TODAY had its best October demo win over GMA in 8 years (2016) and its best October vs. CBS in three years (2021)
• TODAY topped GMA by over 150,000 A25-54 viewers in three consecutive months for the first time in over five years (since April 2019)
• Versus prior year, TODAY more than doubled its A25-54 lead over GMA (+198,000 vs. +93,000 prior year) and increased its advantage over CBS by 15% (+301,000 vs. +262,000 prior year)

TODAY has remained unbeaten in A18-49 for 26 consecutive months and in 113 of the last 115 months (since April 2015)

• In total viewers, TODAY has beaten CBS every month since the start of Nielsen People Meters in September 1987 (442 consecutive months)TODAY posted its best October competitive performances vs. GMA and CBS since 2021
• Versus prior year, TODAY reduced the total viewer gap with GMA by 53% (-116,000 vs. -246,000 prior year) and increased its lead over CBS by 16% (+629,000 vs. +544,000 prior year)
• TODAY Digital averaged 48 million monthly unique visitors in Q3 2024, growing +6% versus the prior quarter.

Urban One: David Kantor Radio Division CEO Retiring

Urban One has announced the retirement of media executive David Kantor, CEO of its audio division, Radio One and Reach Media, effective January 5, 2025. 

David Kantor

Kantor, who has been an integral part of Urban One since 2005, will be succeeded by Eddie Harrell, Jr., currently Regional Vice President and General Manager of Radio One-Ohio Markets, and Deon Levingston, currently Regional Vice President and General Manager for Radio One Indianapolis. Harrell and Levingston have been named co-presidents of Urban One’s Audio Division.

“The radio industry is losing one of its giants, and Urban One is bidding farewell to a venerable leader whose passion and vision have helped to shape our industry, guide our company, and serve our growing and diverse audience,” said Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins. Kantor became CEO of Urban One’s Audio Division in 2015. He oversaw the division’s syndication growth, expansion into podcasting, and other new lines of business. He was instrumental in executing the company strategy of acquiring stations in key markets by adding additional formats.

Eddie Harrell Jr.

Kantor’s retirement marks the end of a distinguished career that spans decades of success. He held executive roles at Cox Cable, Satellite Music Network, ABC Radio Networks, and AMFM Inc., where he was instrumental in launching several influential radio networks, including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Radio Disney, and ESPN Radio. However, one of his most noteworthy accomplishments is co-founding Reach Media with Tom Joyner in 2003. Urban One acquired a majority interest in the company one year later, and Kantor remained its President and CEO, growing it to over 312 affiliate stations in 94 markets and reaching 94% of the U.S. African American population.

Kantor’s departure opens the door for two Urban One leaders to rise in rank and move the company forward. Eddie Harrell, Jr., and Deon Levingston will co-lead the Audio Division at the top of the new year. Harrell, a seasoned executive, is the Regional Vice President and General Manager of Radio One Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus. 

Deon Levingston

He is a proven leader with a track record of growth and success. Deon Levingston is the Regional Vice President and General Manager of Radio One Indianapolis, the company’s most diverse collection of formats, including urban, talk-news, top-forty, and Hispanic. Levingston is a seasoned executive in the advertising, broadcast radio, and television industry and brings over two decades to the role. This dynamic duo is poised to lead the company into the future.

“Eddie Harrell, Jr. and Deon Levingston are ready to take the helm and build on the legacy David leaves behind,” said Alfred Liggins. “They understand our brand, our audience, and our position in this industry. Their talent and experience are just what we need moving forward.”

As Urban One looks to the future, the company remains committed to its mission of delivering culturally relevant content across its platforms, ensuring that the voices of the communities it serves continue to be amplified.