Last Thursday’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where Colbert announced the show’s cancellation, was its highest-rated episode of 2025. Nielsen live-plus-three data shows it drew 3,079,000 viewers on CBS, more than doubling the audience of its closest timeslot competitor, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, guest-hosted by Jelly Roll.
It was Colbert’s highest-rated regular episode since October 2024, when Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance attracted nearly 3.9 million viewers. (A January 2025 Super Bowl special episode drew 3.1 million.)
Traditional ratings exclude views on Paramount+ and social media, where Colbert’s cancellation announcement garnered 5 million YouTube views alone.
Monday’s episode, featuring Colbert addressing the cancellation fallout with cameo appearances from five other late-night hosts, is expected to perform even stronger, with initial ratings due soon.
Fox News’ Gutfeld! outdrew Colbert in total viewers on Thursday, though it airs earlier at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, when more viewers are available. However, Fox News reaches 60 million homes compared to CBS’s 200 million.
KARE 11, an NBC-affiliated television station in Golden Valley, Minnesota, Tuesday experienced a transformer fire at its studios around 1:30 p.m.
The incident began with a power outage, followed by employees hearing explosions and detecting smoke, prompting an immediate evacuation. No injuries were reported.
The fire, believed to be caused by a transformer malfunction outside the building, disrupted operations, leading to the cancellation of the station’s 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts. The KARE 11 news team adapted by broadcasting their 6 p.m. newscast from an outdoor setup at their transmitter site in Shoreview, Minnesota.
The station’s ability to stream was also affected, with reports of viewers receiving error messages when attempting to access KARE 11 online.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld a June 6 ruling permitting the Trump administration to exclude The Associated Press from covering the president in specific settings, such as the Oval Office or Air Force One.
The conflict began in February when the White House barred AP journalists from press events for using "Gulf of Mexico" instead of the president's preferred "Gulf of America."
A federal district court initially ruled that this exclusion violated the First Amendment, ordering the administration to reinstate AP to the press pool.
However, a three-judge panel in the D.C. appeals court paused that decision in a 2-1 vote, stating the White House could choose journalists based on viewpoint. Tuesday’s full court order reaffirmed this, dealing a setback to AP, which may now appeal to the Supreme Court.
AP spokesman Patrick Maks expressed disappointment but emphasized the outlet’s commitment to free speech and nonpartisan reporting, citing the supportive district court opinion.
iHeartMedia Pittsburgh has announced an exciting update to the Steelers Audio Network broadcast team; former lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Max Starks, will step into the booth as the new color commentator for game day broadcasts.
Starks, a key member of the Steelers Audio Network broadcast team since 2021, transitions from his previous role as sideline analyst on the Steelers game audio broadcasts to now join play-by-play host Rob King in the broadcast booth, while Missi Matthews will continue to deliver in-depth game day reporting from the sidelines.
Matt Starks
In addition, King and Starks will co-host “In The Locker Room, Presented by Neighborhood Ford Store.” The in-season program airs 10 a.m.-Noon, Monday-Friday, on Steelers Nation Radio and on FOX Sports Pittsburgh (970AM).
“We’re thrilled to elevate Max Starks into the broadcast booth as the new color commentator for the Steelers Audio Network,” said Bobbie Loesch, Market President for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh. “Max brings a championship mindset, deep football knowledge, and an authentic connection with Steelers Nation. His transition from the sideline to the booth is a natural progression, and we’re confident that fans will love the insight and energy he brings to every broadcast. This is another exciting chapter in our longstanding partnership with the Steelers, delivering world-class game day coverage to Pittsburgh and beyond.”
Americans' average confidence in major U.S. institutions is unchanged since last year, with a near-record-low 28% of U.S. adults expressing "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in nine institutions tracked consistently since 1979. This is the fourth consecutive year of sub-30% averages, but this overall stability belies significant shifts in partisans’ confidence after Donald Trump replaced Joe Biden as president.
On average across these nine institutions, Democrats’ confidence, at 26%, has decreased by five percentage points and sits at a new low, while Republicans’ 37% reflects an increase of nine points and is the highest reading since 2020. Partisans’ confidence levels diverge the most on the presidency and the police, with Republicans much more confident than Democrats in each.
More generally, of 18 key U.S. institutions included in this year’s survey, just three earn majority-level confidence from Americans — small business, the military and science.
Democrats’ Average Confidence Down, Republicans’ Up Sharply
Gallup first measured confidence in key U.S. institutions on a limited number of institutions in 1973. Since 1979, the nine institutions that have been tracked regularly include the church or organized religion, the military, the U.S. Supreme Court, banks, public schools, newspapers, U.S. Congress, organized labor and big business.
This year marks only the second time that Democrats’ average confidence has fallen below 30% (2023 was the first), while Republicans’ average bottomed out during Biden’s presidency, ranging from 26% to 30%.
The current 11-point party gap (37% vs. 26%) is the largest in 46 years of consistent measurement; however, partisans’ confidence in U.S. institutions was also sharply divergent in 2007, during George W. Bush’s second term (nine points).
For their part, independents’ current 25% average confidence level is statistically similar to the past three years’ figures, suggesting their confidence is much less contingent on which party controls the White House.
Governor Josh Shapiro has transformed Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial communications with a nearly tripled staff and a 68% budget increase, creating a dynamic social media presence that engages younger voters through trendy, accessible content. While this “social media machine” has boosted his visibility and positioned him as a potential 2028 presidential contender, critics argue it diverts taxpayer funds toward self-promotion amid pressing state budget challenges. Supporters view it as a necessary evolution to reach constituents effectively, highlighting the tension between modern governance and fiscal accountability.
By the Numbers
Staffing Increase: Shapiro’s office employs 21 communications, press, web, and social media staffers, nearly triple the seven employed in the third year of his predecessor, Tom Wolf. This includes roles like communications director, press secretary, digital strategists, and a dedicated liaison to social media influencers (salary: $97,467).
Budget Growth: The governor’s office budget has surged by 68% during Shapiro’s first two-and-a-half years, rising from just under $7 million in Wolf’s final year to $11.6 million in 2025. This increase supports the expanded communications team and broader digital initiatives.
Increased Visibility
Social Media Strategy: Shapiro’s administration has built a robust social media operation, leveraging platforms like TikTok to connect with younger Pennsylvanians. His team produces engaging content, such as Uncrustables-themed videos and posts featuring Shapiro dancing with podcasters or depicted as video game characters. These efforts align with his “meet the people where they are” philosophy, emphasizing accessibility over traditional media like press releases.
Engagement with Influencers: Shapiro’s office has created a “Next Generation Engagement” commission to address the needs of younger residents and collaborates with influencers to amplify messages. For example, a “Democracy Summer Camp” in July 2024 trained about 50 influencers to combat misinformation and promote civic engagement.
Content Creation: Unlike Wolf’s more static social media presence, Shapiro’s team produces dynamic, trend-driven content. Videos often feature Shapiro directly addressing issues like raising the minimum wage or reacting to residents’ messages, filmed in settings ranging from his office to informal locations. This approach has boosted his visibility, with posts gaining significant traction (e.g., millions of views on platforms like TikTok).
‘Showtime’ vs. ‘Substance’ Debate Critics’ Concerns: Critics, including Eric Epstein of the watchdog group Rock the Capital, argue that Shapiro’s social media efforts prioritize self-promotion over public service, especially given rumors of presidential ambitions. State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) called the content “frivolous” during a March 2025 Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, questioning its value to taxpayers amid a $4.5 billion state budget deficit. She highlighted videos like Shapiro dancing with podcasters as examples of government overspending.
Defenders’ Perspective: Shapiro’s press secretary, Manuel Bonder, defends the expanded team as essential for transparent communication and improving access to government services. Budget Secretary Uri Monson echoed this, stating that Shapiro’s social media outreach ensures information reaches diverse audiences in innovative ways. Shapiro himself has emphasized that his job is to “find Pennsylvanians where they are,” reflecting a shift from legacy media to platforms where younger voters are active.
Fox News' Greg Gutfeld dominates late-night ratings, surpassing CBS's "Late Show" with Stephen Colbert, despite Colbert's claims of being No. 1. CBS will cancel "The Late Show" in May 2026, citing a $40 million annual loss, though some speculate it’s to appease the Trump administration.
Colbert questioned the financial rationale, claiming his show leads in ratings. However, "Gutfeld!" has outperformed "The Late Show" for 21 consecutive months in total viewers and 13 months in the key 25-54 demographic.
"Gutfeld!" airs at 10 p.m. ET, while Colbert’s show starts at 11:35 p.m. ET, leading only among network late-night comedy programs.
In 2025, through July 20, "Gutfeld!" averaged 3.1 million viewers, compared to 1.9 million for "The Late Show," 1.5 million for ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," 1.1 million for NBC’s "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and 751,000 for NBC’s "Late Night with Seth Meyers," according to Nielsen data.
In the 25-54 demo, "Gutfeld!" drew 398,000 viewers, outpacing Colbert’s 288,000, Kimmel’s 267,000, Fallon’s 262,000, and Meyers’ 181,000. Among 18-49-year-olds, "Gutfeld!" led with 248,000 viewers, followed by Colbert (188,000), Kimmel (175,000), Fallon (160,000), and Meyers (113,000).
Speculation surrounds Paramount’s late-night lineup, including Comedy Central’s "The Daily Show," as a merger with Skydance Media looms, pending FCC approval.
Colbert, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, responded to Trump’s taunts about the cancellation with a profane retort. Paramount and CBS recently settled Trump’s $20 billion election interference lawsuit for at least $16 million, which Colbert criticized as a "big fat bribe."
Last Thursday, viewers had plenty of choices on broadcast and cable TV: ABC aired two hours of Bachelor in Paradise, Discovery’s “Shark Week” featured three consecutive hours with shows like Great White Sex Battle and Jaws vs. Mega Croc, and NBC broadcast a two-hour American Ninja Warrior.
Yet, Forbes reports Fox News Channel’s prime-time lineup of Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham topped the ratings, averaging 2.949 million viewers. ABC followed closely with 2.915 million, then CBS with 2.121 million, and NBC with 1.787 million.
Fox News continued its Nielsen dominance, securing the top spot again on Friday night.
The cable news giant has been outperforming all summer, emerging as the most-watched network across both cable and broadcast.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our years of hard work pay off, beating out other networks,” said Fox News President Jay Wallace. “It’s not just politics or opinion—it’s the whole package.”
For Fox Corporation’s executive chair and CEO Lachlan Murdoch, this success reflects Fox News’ evolution beyond a traditional cable news channel.
Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in March, Murdoch noted, “We no longer see Fox News as just a news service but as one of the top five broadcast networks in the U.S., despite not having the same distribution as broadcast networks.”
Although ABC, CBS, and NBC reach more households, Fox News has overcome this gap. Its show The Five, the top-rated program in cable news, doesn’t even air during prime time (8-11 p.m.), when viewership typically peaks.
“Fox News has become a go-to destination,” Wallace said. “Our audience knows where to find us.”
President Trump announced that he expects Skydance Media, currently merging with Paramount Global (CBS’s parent company), to commit $20 million in advertising and public service announcements.
The Wall Street Journal reports this is in addition to the $16 million settlement CBS agreed to earlier this month to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against 60 Minutes for alleged election interference.
In a Tuesday social media post, Trump stated, “We anticipate an additional $20 million from the new owners in advertising, PSAs, or similar programming, totaling over $36 million. This marks another victory over the fake news media, held accountable for their fraud and deceit.”
CBS, however, clarified that the 60 Minutes settlement includes no additional compensation like PSAs. A Skydance spokesperson declined to comment.
Trump’s October 2024 lawsuit accused CBS and 60 Minutes of deceptively editing an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to favor her. CBS denied any misconduct.
The issue arose when CBS aired different versions of Harris’s response to an Israel-related question on Face the Nation and 60 Minutes, with the latter described as more concise.
Negotiations over the lawsuit coincided with Paramount’s efforts to secure Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for Skydance’s acquisition. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) recently questioned Skydance CEO David Ellison about any potential side deals with Trump involving compensation or promotional activities, asking, “Is there any arrangement to provide compensation, advertising, or promotional activities to assist President Trump, his family, his presidential library, or Administration officials?”
Skydance awaits FCC approval for the Paramount merger, expected by summer’s end.
Alpha Media’s Country “98.7 The Bull” KUPL in Portland, Oregon, has revamped its on-air lineup with the addition of Bryan “B-Dub” Washington and Jamie Tanchyk, following the departures last week of Danny Dwyer and Jake Byron.
Bryan “B-Dub” Washington: Role: Washington is bringing a localized version of his syndicated “B-Dub Radio” to KUPL’s afternoon slot, airing weekdays from 2-7 PM, starting in July 2025. This replaces the national version of the show, which KUPL has carried since October 2022.
B-Dub
A native of Creswell, Oregon, Washington previously served as Assistant Program Director (APD), Music Director (MD), and night host at KUPL in the early 2010s. He is also the APD/afternoon host at Hubbard’s “98.9 The Bull” KNUC in Seattle.
His career includes roles as Program Director at KBEB in Sacramento, Music Director at KMLE in Phoenix, and APD/MD at KWBL in Denver. Washington hosts the nationally syndicated “Buckwild Saturday Night” and is an Academy of Country Music Award winner for National Weekly On-Air Personality.
Washington expressed excitement about returning to KUPL, where he began his country radio career in 2010, stating, “Stepping back into the studio at 98.7 The Bull — live, local, and loud every afternoon — truly feels like coming home.”
Jamie Tanchyk: He joined KUPL as the midday host, starting Monday, July 28, 2025, Tanchyk is a familiar voice in Portland, having served as Brand Manager for Audacy’s Hot AC “Bella 105” KRSK and afternoon host at Country “99.5 The Wolf” KWJJ until March 2025 layoffs.
Jamie
He joined KRSK in February 2020 and added KWJJ duties in March 2024. Previously, he was APD/midday host at Rhythmic Hot AC “Hot 103.7” KHTP in Seattle from 2014 to 2021 and held various programming and on-air roles in Albany, NY, including Program Director at “Jamz 96.3” WAJZ and other stations.
Comments: KUPL Content Director Ross MacLeod called Tanchyk’s addition a “strategic win,” citing his “deep experience across multiple formats, strong local equity in Portland, and a track record of programming and performance success.”
The station retains “The Bobby Bones Show” in mornings.
The loss of federal funding for public radio and television, primarily through the elimination of $1.1 billion in support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) over the next two fiscal years (2026-2027), has created significant challenges for NPR, PBS, and their local member stations across the United States.
This funding cut, passed by Congress last, and driven by the Trump administration, affects over 1,500 local public radio and TV stations, with rural and tribal stations facing the most immediate and severe impacts.
Local Stations: Federal funding accounts for varying portions of station budgets, averaging 8-10% for public radio and 15% for public television, but some rural and tribal stations rely on it for 30-80% or more of their revenue. For example, stations like Allegheny Mountain Radio in West Virginia (up to 65% CPB-funded) and KFSK in Petersburg, Alaska, face existential threats, with closures possible by summer 2026 if alternative funding isn’t secured.
KPCW in Utah anticipates a $264,000 annual loss, KVCR in San Bernardino faces a $540,000 cut (6% of its budget), and PBS SoCal expects to lose $4.3 million. Smaller stations like KEET in Eureka, California (46% federally funded), and KIXE in Chico (42%) are at high risk of shutting down.
National Organizations: NPR receives about 1% of its budget directly from federal grants and 30% indirectly through member station fees, while PBS relies on federal funds for about 15% of its budget. The loss of CPB funding will reduce their ability to support local stations and produce national programming like PBS NewsHour or Morning Edition.
An analysis by Public Media Company identified 78 public radio and 37 public TV organizations at risk of going dark, particularly those relying on CPB for 30% or more of their budgets. Rural stations in states like Alaska, New Mexico, and West Virginia are especially vulnerable due to limited local donor bases.
Stations are already implementing layoffs and reducing programming. For instance, WKAR Public Media in Michigan laid off nine staffers, and KQED in San Francisco announced a 15% workforce reduction. Programming cuts may reduce local journalism, educational content, and emergency alert services, which are critical in rural areas with limited internet or cell service.
Of the 59 tribal radio stations supported by Native Public Media, about 36 rely heavily on CPB funding and face immediate closure risks. These stations deliver news, cultural programming, and Indigenous language content, often as the only local media source. The loss is seen as a threat to cultural preservation, with comparisons to historical efforts to erase Native American cultures.
NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said NPR’s board made the decision to cut the organization’s own operating budget by $8 million and redirect that money to assist stations, particularly those in rural areas, facing major shortfalls.
Stations are appealing to listeners and viewers for increased donations, emphasizing their role as trusted sources of news and emergency alerts. For example, KPCW in Utah is urging listeners to become monthly sustaining donors to offset its $264,000 annual loss.
Larger urban stations like PBS SoCal and KCRW in Santa Monica, with access to wealthier donor bases, are better positioned to raise funds, but rural stations struggle due to smaller, less affluent populations.
Stations are exploring alternative revenue sources, such as state funding, local government grants, and corporate sponsorships. However, state funding is inconsistent, with some states like Florida cutting support for public media.
Some stations, like New York Public Radio, are restructuring leadership to focus on fundraising and partnerships. NYPR appointed an executive chair to secure foundation grants and support smaller stations.
The music world was deeply shaken by the passing of Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, just weeks after his final "Back to the Beginning" concert in Birmingham, England. Fellow musicians and artists across genres expressed profound grief, admiration, and gratitude for his pioneering role in heavy metal and his larger-than-life persona.
Here’s a summary of notable reactions:
Elton John shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, calling Osbourne “a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods — a true legend.” He also highlighted Ozzy’s humor, noting he was “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met,” and sent condolences to Sharon and the Osbourne family.
Metallica posted a throwback photo with Osbourne on Instagram, accompanied by a simple broken heart emoji, reflecting their deep respect for the heavy metal icon who influenced their career.
Flavor Flav expressed personal devastation on X, writing, “Man,,, real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,,, we go way back and it was a real honor to watch him get inducted into the @rockhall last year. Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family. RIP .”
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day kept it concise on Instagram: “No words, we love you Ozzy,” capturing the emotional weight of the loss.
Jack White posted a black-and-white photo of Osbourne on Instagram with the caption “He made it,” a succinct nod to Ozzy’s enduring legacy.
Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones shared on X, “I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready reflected on Instagram about discovering Black Sabbath in high school, noting, “Sad to hear Ozzy died today. ‘War Pigs’ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe.” He also mentioned his collaboration on Osbourne’s 2022 album Patient Number 9.
➦In 1912...Jackson Beck born (Died at age 92 – July 28, 2004). He was an announcer and actor best known as the announcer on radio's The Adventures of Superman and the voice of Bluto in the Famous era Popeye theatrical shorts.
Jackson Beck
Beck's early radio experience included work at WINS and WHN, both in New York City. Beginning in 1931, he worked with Myrt and Marge, among other roles. In 1934, he was the announcer for The Adventures of Babe Ruth on the radio. In 1943, he took over as narrator of radio's The Adventures of Superman; it was Beck who intoned the familiar prologue "strange visitor from another planet..." He also had recurring roles, voicing an occasional tough guy and also portraying Beany Martin, the Daily Planet's teenage copy boy. On Superman episodes featuring Batman, he played Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred Pennyworth.
He also impersonated Joseph Stalin and other world leaders for The March of Time radio series, starred as The Cisco Kid on radio from 1942 to 1945 and sleuth Philo Vance in a syndicated series from 1948 to 1950, starred in the dramatic anthology Brownstone Theater on Mutual, and served as narrator for the radio adventures of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet.
Beck also co-starred in several episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.
➦In 1937...Robert Wilbur Morgan born (Died – May 22, 1998). He was a Top40 radio personality best known for his work at several stations in Los Angeles, California, in particular KHJ-AM.
Morgan also did morning drive at KMPC-AM, KIQQ-FM and KMGG-FM, and finished his career at KRTH-FM, where he retired for health reasons in 1997. He died from lung cancer on May 22, 1998.
As a youth growing up in Galion, Ohio, Morgan's interest was piqued while listening to his favorite DJs on Cleveland's top forty giant KYW which would eventually lead to his first on-air job was at Wooster College in 1955 on WWST & WWST-FM, for an initial salary of $1 per hour.
In 1959 Morgan moved from college radio to KACY Port Hueneme, California where he hosted the over night show called Kegler's Spare Time with Bob Morgan live from the Wagon Wheel Bowl before moving on to a succession of brief stints beginning in 1961 at KTEE Carmel as the second half of a two-man classical music announcer on KTEE with Bob Elliott, a Marine Corps Heavyweight Champion who later went on to radio fame as "K.O. Bailey," then a short time later as the morning drive DJ and mid-day board op for the Arthur Godfrey Show at KMBY, Monterey, then a jump to KOMY Watsonville, then back to KMBY Monterey followed in 1962 at "K-MAKE", KMAK, Fresno where he first worked with program director Ron Jacobs. This was followed in 1963 by an eight-month stay at KROY Sacramento before finally landing his first major-market job in 1964 at KEWB, San Francisco. It was here that he met and worked with his lifelong friend "The Real" Don Steele.
On April 27, 1965 the careers of Morgan, Steele and programmer Ron Jacobs would gain superstar status almost overnight when they joined the staff of 93KHJ-AM, Los Angeles. Programming genius Bill Drake along with a staff of talented DJs called "Boss Jocks" had transformed a sleepy giant into the city's most dominant radio station.
It was here that Morgan enjoyed his greatest on-air success as one of the original "Boss Jocks" on 93/KHJ which dominated the Top 40 radio market in Southern California from 1965 to 1973.
Morgan's signature, "Good Morgan Boss Angeles!" to his devoted morning drive time audience would stay with him until the end of his career. It was also Morgan that voiced much of the "Boss Radio/93 KHJ station promos and imagery. It was also during this time that Morgan co-produced and narrated the 48-hour History of Rock and Roll in 1969, a definitive on-air encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. It was the first-ever "rock-umentary" aired worldwide as a definitive history of the Rock & Roll genre—a "rockumentary," as producers Drake and Gene Chenault would call it—that would stretch from the early 1950s to 1989.
In 1970 Morgan made a surprise move from Los Angeles to WIND Radio Chicago where he remained in the morning slot until finally being enticed back to his KHJ morning show in 1972.
Until his departure from KHJ in October 1970, Morgan had commanded unparalleled radio ratings in Los Angeles. Morgan's return to his former time slot in L.A., which saw a significant spike upward for KHJ until he departed just a year later.
Robert W Morgan
In 1973, Morgan and Steele walked out of KHJ and joined Bill Drake six months later at KIQQ-FM, Los Angeles. The ratings were sub-par, though, causing Morgan to leave the morning slot a year and a half later for weekends and fill-in slots at the prestigious KMPC Los Angeles. He stayed at KMPC until 1984. After a short stint at KMGG, Morgan returned to KMPC.
Morgan was heard in 1973 on Saturday night segments of the long-running NBC Radio program Monitor, an attempt to freshen that program's image. While with KMGG, he was at one time heard as a substitute host of American Top 40. During the mid to late 70s, Morgan also did his own one-hour radio weekly special highlighting one artist or group per show. "Robert W. Morgan's Special of the Week" was often played on radio stations that also carried Casey Kasem's American Top 40 as the same company, Watermark, distributed both.
The year 1992 would signal the twilight years of Morgan's distinguished radio broadcast career when he signed on as morning show host of "oldies" K-EARTH 101, where he again enjoyed solid ratings in the Los Angeles market before announcing in May 1997 that he was suffering from lung cancer. According to L.A. radio personality Bob Shannon, Morgan told his listeners, "It could have something to do with the two-packs-a-day cigarette habit I had for the last 35 years."
In an emotional on-air statement, Morgan stated that he was taking some time off to fight the disease full-time. His friend and colleague Don Steele died, also of lung cancer, in August 1997. Morgan continued to do broadcasts from his home studio until 1998.
He died from cancer May 22, 1998 at age 60. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame the following year.
➦In 1940..John Donald Imus Jr. born. Imus was radio personality, television show host, recording artist, and author. He is known for his radio show Imus in the Morning which aired on various stations and digital platforms nationwide until 2018. A former railroad brakeman and miner, Imus attended broadcasting school in the 1960s and secured his first radio job in 1968 at KUTY in Palmdale, California. Three years later, he landed the morning spot at WNBC in New York City before his firing in 1977.
Don Imus 1970
Imus was born in Riverside, California, the son of Frances E. and John Donald Imus, Sr., and the older brother of former talk show host Fred Imus.
He served in the Marine Corps as a bugler from 1957 to 1960.
Imus was a brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Upon winning a talent contest at Johnny Otis's nightclub, he began working as a singer/songwriter, managed by Otis. In 1966, Imus enrolled at the Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences in Hollywood after seeing a newspaper advert; he was thrown out for being "uncooperative", but studied enough to obtain a broadcasting license as required by the FCC.
After hearing a morning disc-jockey, he went to the nearby radio station and persuaded the owner to hire him. Thus he began his career as a radio disc jockey on June 28, 1968 at radio station KUTY in Palmdale, California. He stayed at the station until 1969 when he left for a job at KJOY, a small radio station in Stockton, California. He was later fired for saying "hell" on air.
After being fired in Stockton, he went to KXOA in Sacramento, California. His on-air pranks, such as calling up a restaurant and ordering 1200 hamburgers to go, made his show immensely popular and boosted ratings. He was inspired to pursue a career in radio by listening to California radio personality Don MacKinnon.
After a stint at WGAR 1220 AM in Cleveland, Ohio, Imus moved to New York City and WNBC radio in December 1971. During this first stint at WNBC 660 AM, Imus recorded three record albums, two for the RCA Victor label (1200 Hamburgers to Go, including some of his more popular humor from KXOA, WGAR and WNBC broadcasts, and One Sacred Chicken to Go with Anthrax, a primarily studio-created album centering on his satirical character, The Right Rev. Dr. Billy Sol Hargis) and one for the Bang label (This Honky's Nuts, an album of his stand up comedy act at the Manhattan nightclub "Jimmy's". There was also a 1973 RCA Victor single, "Son of Checkers," issued by Imus. The single reached #123 in the Record World survey.
"Imus...In The Morning...In The Evening" aired nationally in the fall of 1973, part of NBC Radio's attempt to revive "Monitor", it's long-running weekend magazine. The Saturday night segment rotated popular hosts Imus, Wolfman Jack, and Robert W. Morgan
Imus was fired from WNBC in August 1977 along with several of the station's other personalities, in an effort to revamp the station's sound and boost ratings. In 1978 he returned to Cleveland radio as afternoon drive host on WHK.
In a surprise change of fortune Imus was rehired by WNBC in September 1979, and revived his morning drive show. From 1982 to 1985, the station also employed talk-radio host Howard Stern, and WNBC heavily promoted the pair in print and television ads, which often featured the slogan "If We Weren't So Bad, We Wouldn't Be So Good." Although Stern's show aired later in the day, Imus and Stern often made brief appearances on each other's shows, giving the audience an occasional glimpse of an on-and-off-air rivalry that continued for many years.
During this period, Imus was best known for character Billy Sol Hargis, a radio evangelist whose name was a cross between infamous real-life radio and television preacher Billy James Hargis and real-life Texas fertilizer swindler Billie Sol Estes. As Hargis, Imus touted on-air the merits of the "First Church of the Gooey Death and Discount House of Worship".
Imus was also the utility announcer for Geraldo Rivera's monthly TV series Good Night, America, which aired as a recurring segment of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment program, and he was one of the inaugural video jockeys for the launch of the VH-1 cable network in 1985.
In 1988, WNBC radio was sold to Emmis Broadcasting; on October 7, 1988, WNBC permanently signed off the air and Emmis' WFAN was moved from 1050 AM to WNBC's former spot, 660 AM. Imus in the Morning remained at 660 AM among WFAN's sports programs with his music and comedy bits as the staples of the program and the beginnings of a political forum.
The radio show became nationally syndicated in 1993, and began simulcasting on MSNBC in 1996. He wore his signature cowboy hat during his broadcasts.
Imus won four Marconi Awards, three for Major Market Personality of the Year 1990, 1992 and 1997 and one for Network Syndicated Personality (1994).
Imus retired in March 2018 and died December 27, 2019.
Dick Biondi
➦In 1963...Former Chicago personality Dick Biondi ended his self-imposed exile from radio and joined KRLA 1110 AM in Pasadena, Calif. Both KRLA and KFWB were neck and neck in the overall radio ratings in Los Angeles.
The KRLA line-up is Reb Foster, Casey Kasem, Bob Eubanks, Dick Biondi, Ted Quillin and Bob Hudson. We lost Biondi in June 2023 at age 90.
➦In 1963...New York City is the nation’s largest radio market and competition is fierce. Most of the larger stations were owned by corporations - WOR - RKO, WABC-ABC, WNBC-NBC, WCBS-CBS, WINS-Group W (Westinghouse), WHN-Storer, WNEW-Metropolitan. Each is 50,000 watts and all have rather good signals. There’s another competitor - this one’s only 5,000 watts and is family owned and operated - WMCA 570 AM - which was owned by the Straus family.
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a pivotal figure in heavy metal, passed away at the age of 76 today, just weeks after performing at Black Sabbath’s final concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.
The concert, titled "Back to the Beginning," marked the first time since 2005 that the original Black Sabbath lineup—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—performed together, closing with a four-song set including "War Pigs," "N.I.B.," "Iron Man," and "Paranoid." Osbourne, who had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2019 and was unable to walk due to its progression, performed seated on a bat-themed throne.
The event, which raised $190 million for charities like Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice, was a star-studded farewell featuring acts like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer, and was livestreamed globally to millions.
Osbourne’s family announced his death in a statement: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.” No specific cause of death was disclosed, though sources note his long-term health struggles, including Parkinson’s, a 2019 fall causing spinal damage, and earlier incidents like a 2003 quad bike accident that fractured his neck, collarbone, and ribs. Some reports suggest complications from Parkinson’s contributed to his passing.
The "Back to the Beginning" concert was Osbourne’s self-proclaimed final performance, organized by his wife Sharon and curated by Tom Morello. Despite his physical limitations, Osbourne delivered a solo set of hits like "Crazy Train" and "Mama, I’m Coming Home," followed by the Black Sabbath reunion, which was described as an emotional and historic moment for metal fans. Fans and musicians, including James Hetfield of Metallica, paid tribute to Osbourne’s influence, crediting Black Sabbath with shaping the genre. Social media posts on X reflected the emotional weight of his final show, with fans noting his resilience despite visible frailty.
Osbourne’s career spanned over five decades, from Black Sabbath’s formation in 1968, which defined heavy metal, to a successful solo career and reality TV fame with The Osbournes.
Edith Chapin, NPR’s editor in chief and acting chief content officer, announced her decision to step down on Tuesday in a message to colleagues. The veteran news leader’s departure comes shortly after a Republican-led Congress, citing claims of liberal bias from President Trump, voted to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting.
Chapin emphasized that her decision was personal and not influenced by Congress’s actions.
In a brief interview, she revealed she informed NPR CEO Katherine Maher of her choice two weeks prior, catching Maher by surprise. “I’ve held two major executive roles for two years, and I need a break to ensure I’m always performing at my best for NPR,”
Chapin said. She plans to remain with NPR until September or October 2025.
Edith Chapin
Congress’s vote, driven by Republican accusations of left-leaning bias and wasteful spending at NPR and PBS, threatens federal funding promised under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This marks a significant challenge for public media’s financial stability.
In a staff memo, Maher praised Chapin’s contributions, calling her “an indispensable partner” and a “steady leader” during her first year as CEO. Maher noted she would share details on transition plans and interim leadership later.
Chapin joined NPR in 2012 from CNN as chief international editor, rising to senior vice president of news and editor in chief. In 2023, then-CEO John Lansing unified NPR’s reporting, shows, and podcasts, appointing Chapin as acting chief content officer for the new division. She declined the permanent role, citing the need for someone with a different skill set to shape NPR’s content strategy and mission. She has served in the acting role for nearly two years.
Reflecting on her departure, Chapin acknowledged the timing is challenging but said, “There’s never a good time. I needed to set a date and share my decision.”
The Daily Mail+ US Edition’s inaugural Power List, published today, ranks America’s most popular morning TV show hosts based on exclusive polling by J.L. Partners.
Here’s a recap of the key findings:
Al Roker topped the rankings, sweeping all categories including likability, fun, truthfulness, knowledge, and least biased. The 70-year-old NBC veteran, with the network since 1978, was praised for his genial demeanor and lack of diva behavior, with an NBC insider noting his kindness and professionalism.
Michael Strahan and Robin Roberts, both of ABC’s Good Morning America, secured second and third places, respectively. Strahan, a former NFL star who joined GMA in 2016, ranked as the second-most likable and third-most truthful host. Roberts, a 20-year veteran with a $20 million salary, was second in truthfulness but noted for a “ruthless streak” to maintain her image.
Gayle King of CBS Mornings ranked near the bottom, second-to-last in fun and likability and second-most biased. Her Blue Origin space flight stunt earlier in 2025 drew mockery, and a CBS insider suggested this could be her final year on the show.
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe were ranked the least popular, placing last in every category by a wide margin, with viewers perceiving them as the most biased.
George Stephanopoulos, another ABC host, was fourth-least fun despite being seen as the second-most knowledgeable, likely due to his past as a Democratic Party advisor.
The rankings, based on viewer perceptions, highlighted bias as a key factor, with less-biased hosts like Roker faring better, according to J.L. Partners’ co-founder James Johnson.
Beginning September 2, The Rich Eisen Show will be available nationally on ESPN Radio, in addition to Disney+ and ESPN+. The Emmy-nominated program will air weekdays in its traditional noon to 3 p.m. ET radio timeslot and will be simulcast live on Disney+ every day and on ESPN+ during select weeks in the year.
The Rich Eisen Show will continue to originate out of Los Angeles and features an engaging mix of sports, humor and pop culture, including an array of signature guests, driving the show to become a leader and conversation starter in the sports media landscape for more than a decade. Since launching in 2014, The Rich Eisen Show has been nominated for multiple Emmys and, in 2023, Eisen was honored with the prestigious Marconi Radio Award for “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year,” recognizing his excellence in radio broadcasting.
In addition to his weekday show, Eisen will bring his full podcast lineup from The Rich Eisen Podcast Network to ESPN platforms, further expanding his presence across ESPN. This includes all future projects from The Rich Eisen Podcast Network including an untitled SportsCenter legacy podcast where Eisen will be interviewing colleagues from his seven years at ESPN from 1996-2003, as well as other select ESPN on-air folks from past and present.
The Rich Eisen Show will also continue to hit the road for marquee events, broadcasting live from the Super Bowl, NFL Draft and NFL Combine, delivering on-the-ground coverage and high-profile interviews from the biggest stages in football.
“Rich Eisen is one of the most respected and recognizable voices in sports media. His ability to seamlessly blend insight, humor, and star power has built a loyal following across platforms,” said David Roberts, ESPN Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to welcome Rich back to ESPN Radio and to expand his show’s reach across our audio lineup and streaming services, including Disney+.”
“Once we struck a deal with Disney for the video version of The Rich Eisen Show, it made complete sense to migrate the audio version to ESPN Radio, where I got started in the terrestrial radio world almost 30 years ago,” said Eisen, who served as the first studio host of Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio. “It’s just another way to return to my roots with my old and now new friends at ESPN and GKB. I couldn’t be more excited about our future together on multiple platforms.”
Netflix is on the rise, as the streamer’s share of television viewing in June ranked in the top three among media companies for the first time in Nielsen’s Media Distributor Gauge report. Netflix posted the largest monthly share-increase across all media companies this month, adding 0.8 points from May to represent 8.3% of June’s TV usage total and its largest share of television since January 2025. As reported in Nielsen’s The Gauge™, while time spent watching streaming content in June was up over 5% compared to May, Netflix viewership surged 13.5% over the same period. Netflix viewing was powered by a packed slate of fresh content, as well as the annual summer increase in streaming-heavy viewers aged 6-17.
YouTube also received a boost from school-aged audiences in June and remained atop the Media Distributor Gauge rankings for a fifth consecutive month. The streamer notched a 6% monthly viewing increase over May and represented 12.8% of TV usage, its largest share of television to date. With a 2.8-point lead over second-place Disney, this marks YouTube’s largest lead among media distributors to date.
Though not unexpected, the seasonal summer viewing trends, coupled with a lack of sports and new content, resulted in similar impacts across the multiplatform companies this month. Disney represented 10.0% of total TV viewing in June and held onto its No. 2 ranking among media distributors. ABC affiliates notably accounted for the top 33 broadcast telecasts in June, driven largely by the NBA Finals and ABC World News Tonight.
NBCU posted the fourth-largest total among media companies with 7.8% of TV. Led by a 4.4-billion-minute month for its reality-dating series Love Island USA, Peacock notched a 13.4% monthly viewing increase in June and was the second-largest contributor across NBCU’s stable this month behind its NBC affiliates. NBCU’s viewership total was up slightly overall compared to May, although it gave up some share this month (-0.2 pt.). The June 2025 interval included dates 05/26/2025 through 06/29/2025. Nielsen reporting follows the broadcast calendar with measurement weeks that run Monday through Sunday.
FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty has responded cautiously to the U.S. Senate’s vote last week, to eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), describing it as “an opportunity for innovation” rather than the demise of public media.
Trusty recognized CPB’s long-standing role in delivering educational and cultural programming, especially in rural and underserved areas.
However, she aligned the Senate’s decision with growing public distrust in media, stating, “With trust in media at historic lows, taxpayers’ demand for transparency, accountability, and balance from federally funded outlets is understandable.”
Rather than opposing the vote, Trusty framed it as a chance to rethink funding models, saying, “This does not mean the end of public media. It’s a moment for innovation, partnerships, and more localized approaches.”
In stark contrast, Commissioner Anna M. Gomez condemned the vote as a politically driven effort to undermine independent journalism, warning of dire impacts on rural communities reliant on public media for local news and emergency alerts.
“The FCC’s baseless attacks on public broadcasters are dangerous,” Gomez said. “Its role should be to ensure access to accurate, interference-free news.”
If implemented, the Senate’s decision would end CPB funding, in place since 1967, potentially shuttering stations critical for local news and civic programming in underserved regions. Trusty, however, maintained that government-funded media must face scrutiny, stating, “As a regulator, I will support policies fostering media access and competition, without assuming any funding or content model is beyond reform.”
Audacy has announced that 1080 The Fan (KFXX-AM) will be heard on 105.1 FM beginning July 22, further expanding its reach as Portland’s sports leader and the flagship home of the University of Oregon Ducks football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. The Fan will continue to broadcast on 1080 AM, with longtime station host Dusty Harrah as the new Brand Manager.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring The FAN to the FM dial. This move is long overdue and all about delivering a better listening experience for our audience with clearer sound and great content our fans know and love,” said Ryan Cooley, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Portland. “For the first time in our history, our entire primetime on-air lineup will be 100% local and led by our new Brand Manager, Dusty Harrah, a native Oregonian.”
105.1 The Fan subsequently announces a revamped weekday programming lineup beginning July 22. The station will debut “The Firm of Harris and Marang,” a new weekday show hosted by Danny Marang and Patrick Harris from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT.
“Dirt and Sprague” extends their show an extra hour and will be heard from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT.
“The Happy Hour with Luke Andersen” will now air weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT
The new lineup for 105.1 The Fan is as follows.
Monday - Friday
6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. PT: “Dirt and Sprague”
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PT: “The Firm of Harris and Marang”
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. PT: “The Fan Happy Hour with Luke Andersen”
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. PT: “Primetime with Isaac and Suke”
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. PT: “The Recruiting Show with Andrew Nemec” **Only on Thursdays
10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. PT: ESPN Radio
Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. PT: “Golf in the Northwest with Jason Swygard”
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PT: “Sports Saturday with Joe Fischer and Rashad Taylor”
Harrah is stepping into the Brand Manager role following Jeff Austin’s retirement. He began his career with Audacy in 2009 as a part-time board operator and was Austin’s first hire at The Fan. Harrah has served as an update anchor, sideline reporter for high school football and basketball broadcasts, a weekend host, daily afternoon drive producer, morning drive host and midday host. In addition to The Fan, Harrah serves as the sideline reporter for University of Oregon football broadcasts.
📻Listeners can tune in to 105.1 The Fan / 1080 The Fan (KRSK-FM / KFXX-AM) in Portland on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via X, Facebook and Instagram.
At the halfway mark of Nielsen’s 2025 calendar year, ESPN is delivering significant viewership successes. In addition to leading amongst all Nielsen-rated networks, ESPN is experiencing its highest levels of viewership since at least 2016 in multiple areas, including ‘ESPN + Sports on ABC’.
Measuring against its own audience, Nielsen reported ESPN has increased its viewership throughout the first half of 2025 from the same point in 2024. ESPN on its own is up 4% year-over-year across the entire day (24 hours of programming) and up 9% when isolating the primetime hours (8-11 p.m. ET). When adding ‘Sports on ABC’ with ESPN’s all-day programming, ESPN has increased its viewership by 1% compared to the first half of 2024.
All three categories are among the highest audiences for ESPN in recent years, including more than a decade in Prime Time:
ESPN & Sports on ABC: Most-watched first half of the year since 2016, with more than 254 billion minutes consumed.
ESPN: Second best average-minute-audience since 2017 at the year’s halfway point, with the primary network averaging 712,000 viewers for every minute across 183 days.
ESPN Prime Time: Best since 2014, with the primary network averaging 1.9 million viewers during the 183 nights.
ESPN’s Nielsen-Rated Platforms Approaching 300 Billion Minutes Watched: Adding in all of ESPN’s Nielsen-rated platforms, fans have combined for nearly 300 billion minutes watched, the most of all Nielsen’s nationally measured sports viewership channels in 2025. ESPN alone accounts for 187 billion minutes, the most sports content consumed by any single network across all Nielsen nationally measured platforms.
ESPN’s Digital and Social Remains No. 1 Per Comscore Data: ESPN’s strong television viewership is in addition to its continued digital successes. According to the latest available Comscore data, ESPN Digital & Social was again No. 1 in the U.S. Sports Category with 175.1 million unique users, up 5% year-over-year and reaching 63% of the U.S. adult population across digital, YouTube and social media platforms, according to recently released Comscore data. Additional successes in the same month:The ESPN App remained No. 1 in May, reaching 27.0 million unique users, up 16% year-over-year, more than the next nine non-ESPN apps combined and eight times its nearest competitor in the Mobile Sports App category.
ESPN.com was No. 1 across the web in May with 55.8 million unique visitors and 1.7 billion minutes, up 27% year-over-year.
For the 47th month in a row ESPN Social was No. 1 among sports properties, reaching 768 million engagements in May, nearly 25 million per day.
Please Note: All metrics are based on Nielsen Data. Nielsen’s Q1 + Q2 date range is December 30, 2024 to June 29, 2025. All comparisons are inclusive of Nielsen’s defined Q1 and Q2 in past years. ESPN’s Nielsen-rated platforms include: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPNU, and ESPN Deportes.
