GA Radio: Personality Is Out At Classsic Hits Fox FM

Veteran Atlanta radio personality “Southside” Steve Rickman has been fired from his morning host position at Fox FM, a network of classic hits stations across Georgia owned by Chris Murray.

Rickman, known for his long run on the edgy Regular Guys show, had hosted the “Southside Ride” morning program on Fox FM for two and a half years. Murray informed him last week that the network needed a lower-cost, music-focused host rather than one emphasizing talk and personality. 

Co-host and producer Geoff Cole was also let go.

Murray, operating under Georgia Radio Alliance LLC, is building a statewide classic rock network branded as Fox FM (“Georgia’s Greatest Hits”), featuring heavy rotation of 1970s and 1980s hits from artists like David Bowie, Styx, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi. The network currently includes stations in Atlanta, Macon, and Warner Robins, with plans to expand to Augusta and Savannah. 

In metro Atlanta, it combines signals on 102.1, 100.1, 99.3, and 100.9 FM for broader coverage.

Steve Rickman

Murray said he wants a “more music-oriented station that would appeal to the entire state” and plans to announce Rickman and Cole’s replacement soon. He will retain midday host Jeremy “Hawk” Hawkins and afternoon host Tom Sullivan, emphasizing localized content for each market in contrast to syndicated programming from giants like iHeartMedia. 

Fox FM has no connection to the former Atlanta oldies station Fox 97.1 (1989–2003).Rickman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the news “hit me hard for five minutes, but I’m OK” and that he holds no grudge against Murray. Still, he admitted surprise: “It was like having the rug pulled out from under you.” 

Cole echoed the sentiment, saying, “We thought we were humming along doing the best we can.”

Rickman rose to prominence in Atlanta radio from the mid-1990s to early 2010s as part of the testosterone-driven Regular Guys morning show with Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler, first on 96 Rock and later Rock 100.5. Known for his ponytail, love of Journey, catchphrase “Yeah C’mon!,” and on-air boasts about his playboy lifestyle, he was also a tireless live pitchman for advertisers.

After the Regular Guys ended in 2014, Rickman remained at Rock 100.5 for seven years alongside Jason Bailey, followed by a brief stint with Axel Lowe. When Cumulus replaced Rock 100.5 with a revived 99X format, he joined Fox FM.

Milwaukee Radio: Civic Media to Acquire WNOV AM/FM

Civic Media, a Wisconsin-based radio network, has agreed to acquire heritage Urban News/Talk station WNOV (860 AM/106.5 FM) in Milwaukee and the weekly Milwaukee Courier newspaper, both longstanding institutions serving the city's Black community. 

The company will assume responsibility for station programming and newspaper publication starting January 1.

Dr. Robert "Biko" Baker, a civic engagement leader, political commentator, and former editor of The Source, has been named Operations Manager for both properties. He will oversee investments in journalism and programming focused on Milwaukee's Black community.The deal ends more than five decades of family ownership by Courier Communications Corporation, following the recent passing of founder Dr. Jerrel Jones. Current owner Mary Ellen Jones will serve as a consultant during the transition, while her brother Jerrel Jones will assist with the newspaper's digital transformation."My parents built The Milwaukee Courier and WNOV to give Milwaukee's Black community a voice when few existed," Mary Ellen Jones said. 

"Passing that responsibility forward was not taken lightly. Civic Media is committed to honoring that legacy while investing in the future of trusted media."

Civic Media CEO Sage Weil described the acquisition as "both an opportunity and a responsibility." He emphasized stewarding the institutions' deep roots by modernizing operations, expanding digital reach, and maintaining service with integrity. Founded in 2022 as a public benefit corporation, Civic Media aims to support democracy through local journalism.

Civic Media Regional President Chris Moreau pledged resources to support WNOV and the Courier across broadcast, digital, and print platforms.

WNOV became Wisconsin's first Black-owned radio station in 1972 under Dr. Jerrel Jones and was among a handful nationwide at the time. The Milwaukee Courier, published continuously since 1964, has long been a trusted voice in the Black community.

Country Star Jelly Roll Pardoned for Past Convictions

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pardoned country music star Jelly Roll (real name Jason DeFord) Thursday for past felony convictions stemming from robbery and drug charges, recognizing the Nashville native's remarkable transformation through music, faith, and advocacy for second chances.

The Grammy-nominated artist, one of 33 individuals granted clemency by the Republican governor that day, met Lee in person for the first time at the Tennessee Governor's Mansion, where the two shared a hug in front of a decorated Christmas tree as the pardon was delivered.

Lee described Jelly Roll's journey as "remarkable, redemptive, and powerful," emphasizing that the decision followed a thorough review process identical to other applicants, including a unanimous nonbinding recommendation from the Tennessee Board of Parole earlier in the year.

Jelly Roll's convictions date back to his youth: an aggravated robbery at age 17 in 2002 (unarmed, but involving armed accomplices), resulting in a one-year prison sentence plus probation, and a 2008 drug possession charge (marijuana and crack cocaine) while on probation, leading to eight years of supervision. He completed his sentences years ago and has been open about his struggles with addiction and incarceration.

Jelly Roll received a pardon from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for various crimes he committed as a teenager and a young adult over 20 years ago. https://t.co/NyN49xxAB7 pic.twitter.com/F7mGDJdIjh

— E! News (@enews) December 19, 2025

Since rising to fame with hits like "Save Me" and albums such as Whitsitt Chapel, Jelly Roll has channeled his experiences into advocacy, testifying before Congress on the fentanyl crisis, visiting prisons to speak with inmates, donating music studios to juvenile facilities, and supporting recovery programs.

The pardon, a formal act of forgiveness in Tennessee, restores certain civil rights and eases international travel restrictions—benefits Jelly Roll has cited for his touring career and potential missionary work. Supporters, including Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, praised his rehabilitation during the process.

This milestone caps a widely celebrated redemption story for the artist, who has frequently emphasized second chances in his music and public life.

Podcast Viewing Surges On YouTube

YouTube viewers streamed more than 700 million hours of podcasts on living room devices like smart TVs in October 2025—nearly doubling the 400 million hours from October 2024, according to the platform.

Steve McLendon, YouTube's head of podcast products, shared the figure in a recent Bloomberg interview, calling the living room a "bright spot" for podcast consumption and noting that video podcasts are increasingly filling the role of traditional late-night TV.

The spike highlights YouTube's ongoing efforts to optimize podcasts for big-screen viewing, including enhanced discovery features and official charts. It contributes to the platform's broader milestone of 1 billion monthly podcast viewers worldwide in 2025, with TV viewing emerging as a major growth driver in the competitive podcast and streaming landscape.

A major surge came from TV viewing, where podcasts became a "breakthrough" format for big-screen consumption. In October 2025, viewers streamed over 700 million hours of podcasts on living room devices (smart TVs and connected screens), nearly doubling the 400 million hours from October 2024.

 

This shift positioned video podcasts as an evolution of traditional late-night TV or talk shows.

YouTube's push for video-first features accelerated adoption: Video podcast channels grew 33% year-over-year, retention rates were 2.7x higher than audio-only, and shows with visuals saw stronger engagement. Key enhancements included better TV interfaces, official U.S. podcast charts (based on watch time), and tools for easier discovery and binge-watching.

Top podcasts highlighted the trend toward long-form, personality-driven video content. 

YouTube's 2025 U.S. rankings (by total watch time, excluding clips/Shorts) included:

#1: The Joe Rogan Experience (long-form interviews with high-profile guests)
#2: Kill Tony (live comedy podcast with guests and band)
#3: Good Mythical Morning (video-only entertainment/talk show by Rhett & Link)
Other notables: Rotten Mango (true crime), Club Shay Shay (interviews), and New Heights (sports talk).

Genres like comedy, true crime, political commentary, and interviews thrived, with video enabling viral clips and broader repurposing for social media

Chinese Sign Deal To Sell TikTok To U-S Investors

ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, signed binding agreements Thursday to spin off its U.S. operations into a new joint venture controlled by American and global investors, averting a potential ban.

The deal creates TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, where ByteDance retains a 19.9% minority stake and appoints one of seven board members (with Americans holding the majority). The new entity, valued at around $14 billion, will independently manage U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance.A consortium of new investors holds 50%—including Oracle (led by Trump ally Larry Ellison), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX—each reportedly taking about 15%. 

Affiliates of existing ByteDance investors (many U.S.-based) hold the remaining 30.1%.Oracle will act as the trusted security partner, storing U.S. user data in a secure domestic cloud and overseeing compliance. The U.S. algorithm will be retrained using only American data, though ByteDance retains ownership of the core algorithm in China. 

Global ByteDance entities will continue handling e-commerce, advertising, and marketing for the U.S. platform.

The agreement aligns with a September 2025 framework backed by President Trump, who delayed enforcement of a 2024 U.S. law requiring ByteDance to divest at least 80% of U.S. assets or face app store and hosting bans. Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline via executive orders, citing progress toward a deal.

The transaction is expected to close by January 22, 2026, pending U.S. and Chinese regulatory approvals. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew described it as ensuring continued access for 170 million U.S. users while protecting national security.

Critics argue the structure doesn't fully sever ties with ByteDance, as the core technology remains in China, potentially allowing ongoing influence. Supporters, including Trump, view it as a practical resolution to years of tensions.

Potential Suitor for CNN Emerges

Soo Kim, the New York hedge fund manager who founded Standard General, has been approached by at least one major Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholder about potentially acquiring or investing in CNN and other cable networks, according to a Financial Times report.

Kim has held preliminary talks regarding WBD’s cable assets—including CNN, TNT, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet—people familiar with the matter told the newspaper.

Soo Kim

The interest comes as WBD prepares to spin off its cable networks into a separate public company, following Netflix’s agreement to acquire the studio and streaming business in a deal valued at approximately $72 billion.

However, Paramount has launched a hostile bid to acquire all of WBD, accusing the company of failing to properly negotiate. WBD’s board has rejected the offer as “illusory” and inadequately financed.

Standard General, known for distressed and special situations investing, has a history of media deals, including profitable acquisitions in broadcasting. No transaction has been finalized, and discussions remain early-stage.

CBS News Launches Town Hall Series

CBS News has announced a new primetime series titled Things That Matter, featuring town halls and debates in partnership with The Free Press, the digital media outlet co-founded by CBS editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

The series launches in early 2026 with Vice President JD Vance as the first participant, discussing the state of the country and the future of the Republican Party. 

Other confirmed town halls include OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on artificial intelligence and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on the future of the Democratic Party. 

Weiss, Vance

Planned debates will tackle provocative topics such as "Does America Need God?", "Has Feminism Failed Women?", and "Should Gen Z Believe in the American Dream?"Bank of America is sponsoring the series, tying it to America's 250th anniversary and emphasizing civil dialogue. CBS stated: “We live in a divided country... THINGS THAT MATTER aims to change that” by promoting conversation across political divides.

The announcement follows a December 13 town hall moderated by Weiss with Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of its late founder Charlie Kirk. That event drew about 1.9 million viewers—down 11% year-over-year in its time slot and 41% in the key 25-54 demographic—prompting some outlets to call it a ratings flop, though CBS highlighted nearly 200 million social media views.

Weiss, appointed CBS News editor-in-chief in October 2025 after Paramount (now under Skydance Media) acquired The Free Press in a reported $150 million deal, has faced internal criticism but is pushing forward with this format. The series will feature rotating CBS hosts and live audiences affected by the issues, held across the U.S.

Trump Address: Fox News Channel Was Must-Watch

According to early data from Nielsen Media Research, FOX News Channel’s coverage of PresidentDonald Trump’s address to the nation Wednesday from 9-9:30 PM/ET delivered over 4.3 million viewers leading CBS (3.9 million viewers), ABC (3.4 million viewers) and NBC 2.3 million viewers. FOX Network’s coverage of the address anchored by Bret Baier delivered 2 million viewers.

Hannity averaged 3.8 million viewers and 420,000 in the 25-54 demo for the full 9 PM/ET hour demolishing the competition and increasing his December 2025 average by 76% with viewers and 164% in the 25-54 demo.

Throughout primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC nabbed 3.2 million viewers and 332,000 in the 25-54 demo commanding nearly 60% of the cable news share.

ACCORDING TO EARLY DATA FROM NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH

9-9:30 PM/ET

1. FNC: 4.3 million viewers; 497,000 A25-54
2. CBS: 3.9 million viewers; 834,000 A25-54
3. ABC: 3.4 million viewers; 686,000 A25-54
4. NBC: 2.3 million viewers; 476,000 A25-54
5. FOX: 2 million viewers; 522,000 A25-54
6. MS NOW: 1.5 million viewers; 114,000 A25-54
7. CNN: 1.1 million viewers; 203,000 A25-54

Fox News Channel Maintains YtoY Dominance

Fox News Channel maintained its position as the dominant cable news network throughout this period, consistently outperforming MSNBC and CNN combined in most months. However, ratings followed a clear trend tied to the 2024 presidential election cycle:

• Peak in late 2024: Viewership surged during the election buildup and November 2024, driven by intense political coverage.
• Post-election decline in 2025: A typical "cooldown" occurred after the election, with month-to-month and year-over-year drops across the industry. Fox News experienced declines but retained the largest audience share (often 60-65%), benefiting from audience shifts away from competitors.
• Stabilization and strength in non-election year: By mid-to-late 2025, ratings leveled off at high levels for a non-election period, with Fox posting its best-ever non-election year averages in many metrics.

Key focus: Primetime (8-11 PM ET) total viewers (in millions, Nielsen data via Adweek and other sources). Adults 25-54 demo followed similar patterns but with steeper percentage drops industry-wide.

Rating Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN

Overall 2025 Trend: Full-year primetime average: 

• ~2.72 million (up ~14% from 2024 in some reports, reflecting strong retention despite post-election dips).
• Fox often beat broadcast networks (e.g., topping NBC/CBS in weekday primetime) and commanded 63-65% cable news share in many months.
• Top shows like The Five (frequently 3.5-4+ million), Jesse Watters Primetime, and Gutfeld! drove gains.

This pattern reflects broader cable news dynamics: election years boost viewership, followed by normalization. Fox News mitigated losses better than rivals, solidifying its lead. Data sourced from Nielsen via Adweek, Fox press releases, and trade reports.

NAB Keeps After FCC To Relax Local Ownership Limits

The NAB has urged the FCC to eliminate or significantly relax longstanding local broadcast ownership limits, with a strong focus on deregulating radio rules, in comments filed this week as part of the agency's delayed 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review.

NAB argues that decades-old local radio ownership caps are outdated in a media landscape dominated by unregulated digital audio giants like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and SiriusXM, which face no similar restrictions and can serve national audiences without limits.

The group proposes shifting from rigid pre-transaction ownership caps to case-by-case FCC reviews of individual deals, insisting this would preserve Commission oversight while allowing evaluations tailored to local market conditions and public interest.

NAB contends that current rules force broadcasters into inefficient structures, ultimately harming listeners by curbing investment, innovation, and diverse local programming. It cites a BIA Advisory Services report showing that loosening caps could boost programming diversity, mirroring gains seen after Congress relaxed rules in the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

The filing also calls for modernizing the remaining local television ownership restriction—which generally caps station groups at two full-power TV stations per market—arguing that TV broadcasters face comparable competitive pressures from digital platforms.

Westwood One Unveils Sports Talk Line-Up

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One today unveiled its new Sports Talk lineup, debuting Monday, December 29, 2025. This bold expansion delivers nonstop sports conversation, expert analysis, and fan engagement across all major platforms.

The new programming lineup features a mix of established voices and rising stars, giving listeners access to compelling content around the clock. The Jim Rome Show will remain in its prime 3 pm – 6 pm ET weekday slot, anchoring afternoons with his legendary style.

Previously announced, Drake C. Toll will lead Morning Drive from 6 am – 9 am ET, bringing energy and perspective to kick off the day. 

Joining the weekday roster are longtime Chicago sports radio hosts Chris Bleck & Adam Abdalla from Noon – 3 pm ET. Bleck & Abdalla’s 20-year friendship provides a natural chemistry that produces fearless takes with fun fan interaction. Westwood One Sports Night from 11 pm – 3 am ET will be hosted by Lynnell Willingham and Josh Graham. Lynnell brings undeniable energy and a tell-it-to-your-face mentality, creating spirited, opinion-packed conversations. Josh provides an intellectual point of view fueled by an insatiable curiosity that creates sports takes you won’t hear anywhere else.

As previously announced; Nick Kostos You Better You Bet will air from 9am - Noon ET and BetMGM Tonight will air live from 6 pm – 11pm ET.

“With our partners at Audacy, we’ve assembled a group of diverse and passionate sports voices committed to covering the biggest sports stories with opinions, expert analysis, and fan interaction,” said Bruce Gilbert, SVP Sports | Content & Audience. 

“This lineup will highlight the biggest stories and provide timely information that is fresh, fun, and fan focused.”

Westwood One Sports Programming Lineup:

• 6am - 9am:  Drake C. Toll
• 9am – Noon:     “You Better You Bet” with Nick Kostos
• Noon - 3pm:  Bleck & Abdalla
• 3pm - 6pm:  The Jim Rome Show
• 6pm - 11pm:  “BetMGM Tonight” with Brad Evans and Pat Boyle
• 11pm - 3am:  WWO Sports Tonight: Lynnell Willingham ; Mon-Wed; Josh Graham: Wed-Fri

The weekend lineup will be announced soon, promising even more ways for listeners to stay connected to the sports world.

NYC Radio: For WNYM, The Answer Is Joe Piscopo

Salem Media, Inc. announces a new two-year extension of Joe Piscopo’s talent agreement, securing the legendary talk host as morning-drive anchor on New York City’s AM 970 The Answer (WNYM) through the end of 2028.

Salem Media is proud to reaffirm its commitment to iconic broadcaster and Saturday Night Live superstar Joe Piscopo, extending his weekday morning show, The Joe Piscopo Show, for an additional two years. The new agreement ensures Piscopo will continue waking up the New York metro area weekdays from 6–10AM for the next three years.

Joe Piscopo’s career may have begun with his breakout years on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (1980–84), but he has since become one of New York’s most recognizable voices in news-talk radio. Since joining AM 970 The Answer in 2014, Piscopo has built a devoted audience through his unique blend of news, interviews, entertainment, and cultural commentary.

“Joe Piscopo remains one of the most dynamic talents in New York radio,” said Laura Sheaffer, General Manager, AM 970 The Answer & Salem Media of New York. “His authenticity and connection with our listeners are extraordinary, and extending his presence on AM 970 The Answer was an easy decision. Joe continues to raise the bar every single morning.”

Joe Piscopo shared, “Our audience relies on us for honesty, respect, and straight talk about the issues that matter, and that trust means the world to me. And let’s be honest — only in New York do you wake up at 3AM and call it show business! I’m honored, grateful, and excited to keep sharing these mornings with such an amazing audience.”

The Joe Piscopo Show airs live on AM 970 The Answer weekdays 6–10AM. The program is produced by Joe Sibilia, with Al Gattullo on news, Debbie DuHaime on traffic, and Stephen Parr with weather.

In addition to his work anchoring morning drive, Piscopo remains active across film, comedy, live performance, and charitable initiatives—all while being a devoted father and family man.

Indy Radio: Cumulus Stations Raise $1,055,850+ for Charities

Cumulus Media's radio stations in Indianapolis raised a combined $1,055,853 in December 2025 through charitable radiothons benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish.

The bulk of the funds came from sister station 99.5 WZPL, which collected $824,983 during its 36-hour Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon on December 5-6.

Meanwhile, 95.5 WFMS raised $151,814 and 104.5 WJJK raised $79,056 (plus an additional $681 from a silent auction) through their respective St. Jude Radiothons held December 11-12.

The 95.5 WFMS St. Jude Country Cares Radiothon and 104.5 WJJK St. Jude Rocks Radiothon featured 25 hours of live programming per station dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.

Thanks to these efforts, St. Jude ensures no family ever receives a bill for treatment, allowing them to focus solely on their child's recovery.

WJJK's silent auction included items such as a Fender guitar autographed by the band Styx and co-hosting opportunities with morning host Greg Browning and midday personality Steve “Stu” Stuart.

Additionally, WFMS hosted its annual Stuff the Studio Toy Drive on December 6-7, collecting toys at Walmart locations in Greenwood and Fishers, IN, to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis.

The events were broadcast from Cumulus Media Indianapolis at 6810 North Shadeland Ave.

Listeners can still donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.wfms.com/stjude or www.1045wjjk.com/stjude.

Las Vegas Radio: 98.5 KLUC Raises $792K+ During Toy Drive

98.5 KLUC-FM, an Audacy station in Las Vegas, collected $792,430 in cash and gift cards, 40 Coca-Cola trucks full of toys and 6,792 bikes during its 27th annual KLUC Chet Buchanan Show Toy Drive presented by Venetian Resort Las Vegas. All donations will benefit HELP of Southern Nevada.

“The overwhelming success of the 27th annual KLUC Chet Buchanan Show Toy Drive is a powerful testament to the incredible generosity and heart of the Las Vegas community,” said Gina Massenzi, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Las Vegas. “Chet’s dedication is nothing short of inspirational, setting a gold standard for commitment every single year. We are immensely proud to be the rallying point for our neighbors as they transform the holidays for thousands of families.”

The toy drive ran from December 4 to 15 at NV Energy, where host Chet Buchanan lived and did live broadcasts on the “Big Twenty-Foot Scaffold.” Buchanan had guests come on air and encouraged listeners to donate, including members from the Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and Aces, as well as Nick Carter from The Backstreet Boys and MLB Hall of Famer Greg Maddux.

Since the toy drive’s inception, Buchanan has lived on the scaffold for 300 days, almost 10 months of his life through some of the worst wind, rain and snow. His commitment to staying up there is to encourage locals in the community to donate their time and money at the toy drive distribution.

“For our families, the Toy Drive is pure magic. Parents share that it lifts a weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on the innocence and excitement of their children during the holidays,” said Fuilala Riley, President and CEO, HELP of Southern Nevada. “Instead of worrying about what they cannot provide, they get to experience the joy of watching their kids feel celebrated and cared for. And for anyone who has ever been a parent, you know these moments are truly irreplaceable.”

In addition to serving thousands of clients, HELP of Southern Nevada coordinates the distribution of toys and bikes to numerous charities throughout Southern Nevada. Their mission is to help people help themselves.

📻Listeners can tune in to 98.5 KLUC-FM in Las Vegas 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.

Radio History: Dec 19

➦In 1932... the British Broadcasting Corp began transmitting overseas via shortwave radio; it soon became the highly regarded BBC World Service.

➦In 1944...ABC took over ownership of WJZ 770 AM.  The WJZ call sign was used in NYC from 1921 to 1953.

➦In 1956...Elvis Presley scored six different songs on Billboard's listing of the most popular songs of the day  They were: Don't Be Cruel, Hound Dog, Blue Moon, Love Me Tender, Anyway You Want Me and Love Me.   That was the most singles ever charted at same time.  That record lasted until The Beatles came along with seven singles 1964.

➦In 1958...the first radio broadcast from space occurred when President Dwight D. Eisenhower said "To all mankind, America's wish for Peace on Earth & Good Will to Men Everywhere".

The following words were President Eisenhower’s full remarks to the country:

"This is the President of the United States speaking. Through the marvels of scientific advance, my voice is coming to you from a satellite circling in outer space. My message is a simple one. Though this unique means, I convey to you and all mankind, America’s wish for peace on earth and good will to men everywhere."

 ➦In 1980...Mutual Broadcasting cancels Sears Radio Theater

➦In 1985...ABC Sports announced that it was severing ties with   Howard Cosell and dismissed “The Mouth” from all TV assignments. But “Humble” Howard continued with his daily broadcasts on ABC Radio for another five years.

➦In 1997...the founder of Sony Corp., Masaru Ibuka died at the age of 89 from heart failure. Ibuka, one of the leading engineer-entrepreneurs of post-World War II Japan, helped transform modern culture with the world’s first pocket transistor radio.

Les Tremayne

➦In 2003...Les Tremayne died at age 90. Tremayne was a leading man during Radio's Golden Era.   It is estimated that Les worked on more than 30,000 broadcasts, with as many as 45 radio shows a week in the 30s and 40s.  Replacing Don Ameche, he starred in The First Nighter Program from 1936 to 1942.

He starred in The Adventures of the Thin Man and The Romance of Helen Trent during the 1940s. He also starred in the title role in The Falcon, and played detective Pat Abbott in The Abbott Mysteries in 1946–47.

➤AUDIO: Click Here

Tremayne was married four times. He did a morning talk show: The Tremaynes with his second wife, Alice Reinhardt. When Tremayne died, he was married to his fourth wife, Joan.  Tremayne was once named one of the three most distinctive voices on American radio. The other two were Bing Crosby and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

➦In 2004...A single-engine Cessna 182 crashed into the KFI 640 AM radio tower in Los Angeles knocking the station off-the-air for an hour and killing the two people in the plane.

On December 19, 2004 at 9:45 am Pacific Standard Time, Jim and Mary Ghosoph were killed when their rented Cessna 182P single engine airplane, travelling from the El Monte Airport to Fullerton Municipal Airport, struck KFI's transmission tower, located in the City of La Mirada.

Senators Confront FCC Chair Carr Over Investigations

The most contentious moments at the December 17, 2025, Senate oversight hearing on the Federal Communications Commission centered on Chairman Brendan Carr, who faced sharp Democratic criticism for allegedly politicizing the agency through threats to review broadcaster licenses over content critical of President Trump.

Carr defended his actions as enforcement of existing public interest obligations, the broadcast hoax rule, and news distortion policies, insisting he was holding broadcasters accountable rather than engaging in censorship or retaliation. He notably declared the FCC is "not independent" in a formal sense—due to the lack of for-cause removal protections in the Communications Act—and refused to rule out actions against stations airing critical content. 

During the hearing, the FCC website was quietly updated to remove prior language describing the agency as "independent" after senators highlighted the discrepancy.

Democratic senators, including Ed Markey—who dubbed the FCC the "Federal Censorship Commission" and called for Carr's resignation—and Amy Klobuchar, accused him of violating the First Amendment and eroding free speech. 

Republicans, led by Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, largely supported Carr's approach.

During the hearing Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the FCC is "not an independent agency, formally speaking," asserting that the president can remove commissioners "for any reason or no reason at all."

Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) highlighted the FCC's website, which at the time described it as "an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress." Shortly after Carr's testimony—while the hearing was ongoing—the website was updated to remove the word "independent," now describing the FCC simply as "a U.S. government agency overseen by Congress."

Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty echoed Carr, noting the lack of statutory protections against removal and stating, "We aren’t independent."  Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez countered that the FCC is independent and "we should be."

An FCC spokesperson later explained the website change as part of ongoing updates following the change in administration earlier in the year, to align materials with the positions of new leadership.

Salem Adds Second Hour of Scott Jennings

Salem Media, Inc. has announced a significant expansion of its Salem Radio Network (SRN) weekday lineup, with two prominent voices in conservative media stepping into the historic 12–3 p.m. ET time slot beginning Monday, January 5.

Scott Jennings

Alex Marlow, Editor-in-Chief of Breitbart News, will anchor the 12–1 p.m. ET hour, followed by Scott Jennings, CNN political commentator and longtime conservative strategist, who will expand his current SRN program to two hours, airing from 1–3 p.m. ET.

The midday block is among the most storied in talk radio history, having previously been home to Rush Limbaugh and, most recently, Charlie Kirk, whose influence on a generation of Americans continues to resonate across the conservative movement.

“This is an important moment for Salem,” said Phil Boyce, Senior Vice President of Content for Salem Media. “Salem has earned the trust of conservative audiences for decades, and we don’t take that lightly. Scott Jennings and Alex Marlow each bring a distinct voice, a rare ability to engage audiences, and real seriousness to the conversation. Together, they will carry the Salem legacy forward.”

Both Marlow and Jennings are already familiar voices to Salem audiences through the Salem Podcast Network (SPN) and Salem Radio Network.

TV Ratings: Football Dominates Weekly Ratings

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of December 8 as the most-watched cable network across total day for the 49th consecutive week, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. In Monday - Sunday primetime FNC nabbed over 2 million viewers and throughout total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1.3 million viewers. 

For the week, FNC commanded 57% of the cable news share in primetime and 56% throughout total day.

The Five averaged 3.3 million viewers and 241,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.4 million viewers and 200,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.2 million viewers and 190,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded 2.6 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.1 million viewers, while at 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.2 million viewers.

FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2.4 million viewers and 260,000 in the 25-54 demo continuing to outpace the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2.1 million viewers), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1.9 million viewers).FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. 

The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers) The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.5 million viewers), America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1.5 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.5 million viewers) and America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers) all led ABC’s GMA3 (1.3 million viewers), NBC News Daily (1.3 million viewers) and NBC’s Today with Jenna and Friends (1.2 million viewers).

Ratings Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN

On Saturday: Kayleigh McEnany’s Saturday in America (Saturday, 10 AM - 12 PM/ET) was the most-watched cable news show of the day with over 1.3 million viewers. The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 5-8 PM/ET) followed with just under 1.3 million viewers. In primetime, FOX News Saturday Night (Saturday, 10 PM/ET) was the top cable news show with 1.2 million viewers.

On Sunday: Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday, 10 AM/ET) was the number one cable news show of the weekend with 1.8 million viewers. In primetime, Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) led the way with 1 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing (Sunday, 11 AM/ET) hosted by Peter Doocy drew over 1.4 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 12-8-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.

📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir:

• Averaged 7.867 million total viewers and 1 million viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
• It was the most-watched evening newscast in both categories, though down 5% in total viewers and 6% in the demo from the previous week.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas:

• Averaged 6.432 million total viewers and 854,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
• Ranked second in both categories.

CBS Evening News:

• Averaged 4.152 million total viewers and 528,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
• Down 5% in both metrics from the previous week.

All three broadcasts saw week-to-week declines in total viewers and the key demo. ABC maintained its long-term lead, marking its 10th year as the top-rated evening newscast in total viewers.

Broadcast and Streaming Serve Up a Historic Month

November 2025 delivered one of the most historic months to date in Nielsen’s report of The Gauge™, the media industry’s leading snapshot of total TV and streaming consumption. The five-week reporting interval produced a 5.5% monthly increase in television usage, with live sports driving broadcast to its best share of TV since last November, while simultaneously fueling double-digit growth for hybrid streamers like Peacock and Paramount+.

Thanksgiving Day is the centerpiece of November television viewing, and this year was no exception, as audiences watched 103.4 billion minutes of TV across the day and highlighted the various viewing behavior trends. Linear streaming* on Thanksgiving represented 10.1% of total TV usage to achieve the second-highest level of daily linear streaming ever, surpassed only by Super Bowl Sunday in February 2025. By comparison, linear streaming totaled 7.8% of TV usage across the month. Additionally, Thanksgiving was the broadcast category’s 10th-most-watched day since the inception of The Gauge in May 2021.

Broadcast extended its momentum in November, with viewership increasing 7% versus October to capture 23.2% of TV and outpace cable for a third consecutive month. Broadcast gains were driven overwhelmingly by a 30% monthly increase in sports viewing, specifically from the back-half of the MLB World Series on FOX, plus NFL and college football on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. And despite accounting for just 3% of broadcast content by duration, sports commanded 37% of all broadcast viewership in November and 6.4% of total TV usage—the highest share for the genre ever recorded in The Gauge. NFL coverage drew more younger audiences into the broadcast ecosystem as well, with viewing for the under-30 group up 21% this month, and viewing for kids 2-11 up 27%.

YouTube Pulling Out of Billboard Charts Relationship

YouTube announced Wednesday, that it will stop providing its music streaming data to Billboard for use in U.S. charts, effective after January 16, 2026. This ends a partnership that began in 2013 for the Hot 100 and extended to album charts like the Billboard 200 in 2019-2020.

The decision, outlined in a blog post by YouTube's Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen, stems from a dispute over Billboard's weighting of streams: paid/subscription streams (e.g., Spotify Premium) are valued more than ad-supported (free) streams, primarily from YouTube's free tier. 

Cohen called the formula "outdated," arguing that all streams should count equally since "every fan matters and every play should count."

The announcement came one day after Billboard revealed updates narrowing the ratio from roughly 1:3 to 1:2.5 (2.5 ad-supported streams = 1 paid stream), aimed at reflecting rising streaming revenue and consumer behavior. YouTube deemed this insufficient.

Billboard defended its methodology, stating it balances revenue generation, consumer intent, and industry standards, with paid streams yielding more per-play income for artists and labels. A spokesperson expressed hope YouTube would reconsider.

Starting with charts dated January 17, 2026, YouTube streams will no longer contribute to Billboard rankings, potentially affecting artists reliant on video-driven or viral hits. YouTube will continue submitting data to Luminate (Billboard's data provider) but not for Billboard's use, and it plans to promote its own charts as an alternative.

The move underscores broader industry tensions over measuring success in a streaming era dominated by ad-supported platforms like YouTube versus subscription services.

FOX Business Network Closes 2025 Leading CNBC

FOX Business Network (FBN) is set to close out 2025 as the top business network leading CNBC with double digit wins in business day, market hours and total day viewers for the first time in network history, according to Nielsen Media Research. 

FBN’s Kudlow and Varney & Co. were the top two business programs for the year, marking the network’s fourth consecutive year with the top two spots. Meanwhile, CNBC notched its lowest rated year since 1992 with primetime viewers.

In commenting on the ratings, FOX News Media President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace said, “FOX Business Network has become the destination for top CEOs, financial experts, and key officials throughout Washington. Our best-in-class team is the reason why we are the only business network to see year-over-year growth and an historic win over CNBC.”

Delivering double digit wins across the board for the first time ever, FBN closed out the year notching 227,000 business day viewers with a 20% lead, 221,000 market hour viewers with a 14% lead and 140,000 total day viewers with a 17% lead over its competition. CNBC struggled to maintain its primetime audience seeing its lowest rated year since 1992 with 113,000 viewers and 27,000 Adults 25-54 viewers.

Continuing their reign as the top two business programs, Kudlow and Varney & Co. saw double-digit wins over their hourly competitors for the fourth consecutive year. The top show in business news, Larry Kudlow’s eponymous Kudlow (4PM/ET) nabbed 290,000 viewers beating Closing Bell by an astounding 72%. Following in second, the market opener Varney & Co. (9AM-12PM/ET) saw 276,000 viewers, besting Squawk on the Street/Money Movers by 32%. Additionally, the network held five of the top 10 business programs with total viewers including Kudlow, Varney & Co., The Evening Edit, The Big Money Show and The Claman Countdown.

The pre-market: Mornings with Maria (6-9 AM/ET) anchored by Maria Bartiromo, topped its competition Squawk Box by 16% with 125,000 viewers, its third straight yearly win. During market-open hours, The Big Money Show (12-2 PM/ET) saw 194,000 viewers, Making Money with Charles Payne (2 PM/ET) delivered 180,000 viewers and Liz Claman’s The Claman Countdown (3 PM/ET) captured 181,000 viewers to close out the year. 

Post-market programming saw double-digit advantages including The Evening Edit (5PM/ET; 202,000 viewers) with a 36% lead compared to CNBC’s Fast Money and The Bottom Line (6 PM/ET; 162,000 viewers) which saw a 32% win over CNBC’s Mad Money. On Fridays, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays, 7-7:30 PM/ET) delivered a staggering 42% advantage over CNBC’s programming, marking the program's second win over CNBC in all time. Meanwhile, Barron’s Roundtable secured 72,000 viewers, the program's highest rated year ever with total viewers.

Additionally, FBN saw five of the top 15 most affluent cable news programs with younger viewers. Programs included Varney & Co., Kudlow, The Big Money Show, The Claman Countdown and The Evening Edit with an average income of $141,360 or greater.

Gutfeld Criticizes Maddow Honor

Rachel Maddow was honored last week with a 2025 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism, presented biennially by the USC Annenberg School's Norman Lear Center. The award recognized her MSNBC show episode "Everyone, Everywhere, All at Once," which covered nationwide "Hands Off" anti-Trump protests in early 2025, praised for vivid storytelling and highlighting grassroots resistance amid concerns over democratic institutions.

Other honorees included Jon Stewart (in a new comedic commentary category), Scott Pelley, Peter Alexander, and Julio Vaqueiro. Organizers framed the awards as celebrating journalism's role as a "firewall" against disinformation and abuse of power.In her acceptance speech at the National Press Club, Maddow called the protest movement the "most important story in the world" and "the story of our age," emphasizing public response over Washington-focused reporting. She urged focusing on people's reactions to power, not just those in authority.

This week on an episode of his Fox News show Gutfeld!, host Greg Gutfeld sharply criticized Maddow and the award. 

🔥 Fox’s @GregGutfeld CALLS OUT Rachel Maddow after she wins Walter Cronkite Award for ‘excellence in political journalism’

“Maddow is not paid to be right. She is paid to keep a dwindling audience from giving up altogether. She sells a drug to a shrinking mass. But along the… pic.twitter.com/vlJU3n3KW7

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) December 17, 2025

He mocked her speech for framing opposition to Trump as the era's defining narrative, arguing she prioritizes keeping her audience engaged over accuracy.

Gutfeld described her as selling a "drug" to a shrinking viewership, getting "hooked on the fumes" herself, and breaking no real stories—only "her brain and those of others." 

He contrasted left-leaning media accountability (rewarded for loyalty) with supposed rigor elsewhere, saying she insulated rather than questioned power. Clips of his monologue circulated widely on social media, amplifying conservative mockery of the award as out of touch with Walter Cronkite's legacy of straight reporting.