The strongest Santa Ana winds in over a decade that whipped wildfire and chaos through the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday worsened overnight, with 2,921 acres burned at 0% containment as of Wednesday morning, reports The WRAP.
The 99mph gusts fanning an uncontrolled blaze led to over 30,000 evacuations and cancellations of events from movie premieres to a planned airport departure by President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the nearby Eaton fire has burned 2,227 acres with the Hurst fire at 500 acres.
The Getty Villa museum, Palisades High School and the Bel Air Beach Club were among the locations affected by the raging flames that the fire department struggled to get under control amid howling winds. Grounds at the Getty were burned, although the priceless antiquities in the villa were reported safe. Palisades High School, meanwhile, became engulfed in flames and in videos shared online appeared in a dire state.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a state of emergency proclamation, while Los Angeles officials also braced with a state-of-emergency declaration with the fire marching toward western neighborhoods like Brentwood and Bel Air. Forestry officials released an interactive map for residents to track the fire’s spread. Nineteen local school districts are closed for Wednesday.
By nightfall Tuesday, the fire had spread to nearly 3,000 acres, destroying luxury homes in the celebrity-filled enclave and public buildings alike. Meanwhile in nearby Santa Monica, which shares an approximately 2-mile-long northern border with Pacific Palisades, authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for residents living near the fire.
Fires also broke out elsewhere in the region, most notably in Eaton Canyon, north of Altadena, where early Tuesday evening, hillside flames were visible from nearby Pasadena. Evacuations are under way closer to the fire though the number of affected residents is not currently known. A third fire erupted in Sylmar around 10:15 p.m., burning through at least 50 acres and spreading.
Flames and smoke choked the Southern California sky with eerie red light and smoke that drifted out to sea. Numerous state and local agencies scrambled firefighters, airplanes and helicopters to battle the blaze, but there was no indication that it was even partially contained.
Outstanding local TV coverage
When the fires are at their worst, southern California's TV stations are at their best. The hyperlocal live coverage alerts residents to evacuation warnings; gives real-time info about shelters and other resources; and shows exactly where and how the fires are spreading.
From CNN, here are a few observations from watching hours of local coverage:
Journalists earn trust and respect by being neighbors first. One KTLA reporter grabbed a garden hose and tried to protect a nearby house during a live shot overnight. Another reporter said "a couple of residents took shelter in our news van" after evacuating.
Local connections make a big difference. KABC's Josh Haskell grew up in the neighborhood where one fire started, and he brought that local expertise to his live shots. "It's honestly made me sick to my stomach," he said, seeing beloved local landmarks on fire.
L.A. stations are known for their helicopters, but the intense winds mean that virtually all the live shots are coming from the ground, not the air, making it difficult to see the full scope of the emergency. Live shots have been occasionally interrupted due to the brutal conditions, and some stations have relied on backup generators due to power outages.
During the week of December 30 -January 5, FOX News Channel (FNC) continued to deliver more than 60% of the cable news audience across both primetime (64%) and total day (63%).
During the holiday week, FNC was the only network to see both year-over-year and week-over-week growth even with the majority of hosts off for the week.
In primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC earned 1.7 million viewers and 198,000 in the 25-54 demo, commanding all of cable news across the board. In total day (6AM-6AM/ET), FNC posted 1.3 million viewers and 171,000 in the 25-54 demo. Notably, FNC secured 99 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week.
On December 31st, CNN delivered its lowest-rated New Year’s Eve 11 PM/ET hour since 2019. The network posted year-over-year declines of 20% with viewers and 22% with the 25-54 demo. In the same timeslot, Jimmy Failla’s All-American New Year Bash recorded an increase of 11% with viewers (1.1 million P2+) and 50% with the 25-54 demo (144,000 viewers) year-over-year.
For the week, The Five averaged 2.9 million viewers and 305,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news across the board. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.2 million viewers and 248,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 1.9 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 2.1 million viewers and 225,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 1.9 million viewers and 204,000 with A25-54. Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET), which was guest-hosted throughout the week, posted over 2.2 million viewers and 282,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 1.4 million viewers and 219,000 in the 25-54 demo.
FNC also saw a number of its daytime programs outrank the broadcast competition. Most notably, America Reports with Sandra Smith and John Roberts (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1,938,000 P2+), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1,890,000 P2+), The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1,858,000 P2+), America’s Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1,811,000 P2+) and Harris Faulkner’s The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1,810,000 P2+) all outpaced NBC’s Today with Hoda and Jenna (1,593,000 P2+), ABC’s GMA3 (1,494,000 P2+) and NBC News Daily (1,328,000 P2+).On Saturday, The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 7 PM/ET) was the most-watched show of the day with 1.5 million viewers and 155,000 in the 25-54 demo. Life, Liberty & Levin (weekends, 8 PM/ET) led in primetime commanding 1.3 million viewers. FOX & Friends Weekend (weekends, 6-10 AM/ET) nabbed 1.3 million viewers and 146,000 in the 25-54 demo, second best in cable news.
On Sunday, Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday 10 AM/ET), which featured Rep. Mike Johnson’s first interview after his re-election as House Speaker, was the top show of the weekend with 1.8 million viewers and 169,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 11 AM/ET, MediaBuzz garnered 1.4 million viewers and 156,000 in the 25-54 demo, second in cable news. Life, Liberty & Levin secured 1.3 million viewers making it most-watched in primetime.
Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Week of 12-30-24 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54, P18-49. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.
Attorneys for a U.S Navy veteran said Tuesday that their client’s reputation and earning power were destroyed by a 2021 CNN report on war profiteers following the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan,reports The LA Times.
Zachary Young sued the network over a Nov. 11, 2021 story by chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt about how Afghans were being charged exorbitant fees for assistance in getting out of the country.
The security consultant, whose background includes a stint with the private military contractor Blackwater, says the four-minute video package falsely portrayed him as acting illegally.
Zachary Young
Young, who heads his own Boca Raton, Fla.-based company, was hired by corporations to get their employees out of Afghanistan, advertising his services on LinkedIn. His attorneys said his annual income went from $350,000 a year to zero after the report ran on CNN’s channels and website.
The jury in the trial, heard in a Bay County, Fla., court, will be asked to determine whether CNN journalists acted with actual malice, which is defined as the publication of false information with reckless disregard of the truth. If jurors find CNN liable, they can award Young monetary damages for loss of business income and emotional distress.
Media companies typically settle defamation trials before they get to court, even if it’s expensive to do so. Last year Fox News paid $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems over false statements made about the company while reporting on President-elect Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Fox wanted to avoid the embarrassment of its executives being called to the stand.
But CNN is standing by Marquardt’s report. The defamation case tests how the public perceives mainstream media amid constant right-wing attacks on its credibility.
Mark Zuckerberg built up Facebook’s content-policing efforts in the wake of Donald Trump’s first presidential election. Now the Meta Platforms META -1.95%decrease; red down pointing triangle chief executive is reversing course as he embraces a second Trump presidency.
Meta is ending fact-checking and removing restrictions on speech across Facebook and Instagram, Zuckerberg said in a video Tuesday, a move he described as an attempt to restore free expression on its platforms.
“We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg said in the video. He said Meta is getting rid of fact-checkers and, starting in the U.S., replacing them with a so-called Community Notes system similar to Elon Musk’s on the X platform, in which users flag posts they think need more context.
While Meta will continue to target illegal behavior, Zuckerberg wrote in a separate Threads post, it will stop enforcing content rules about immigration and gender that are “out of touch with mainstream discourse.”
The Washington Post has started laying off roughly 4 percent (100 staffers) of its work force, the company said on Tuesday, as the newspaper struggles to stem millions of dollars in annual losses.
The NY Times reports the cuts will affect fewer than 100 people across The Post’s business divisions, which include its advertising sales, marketing and print products teams. They will not affect The Post’s newsroom, which two years ago reduced its work force as part of a voluntary buyout program that eliminated 240 jobs.
The cuts are part of a plan to adjust to changing business conditions, the company said in a statement.
“The Washington Post is continuing its transformation to meet the needs of the industry, build a more sustainable future and reach audiences where they are,” the statement said. “Changes across our business functions are all in service of our greater goal to best position The Post for the future.”
The bulk of the eliminated positions are coming from The Post’s advertising division. Johanna Mayer-Jones, The Post’s chief advertising officer, said in a memo to employees on Tuesday that 73 positions under her purview were being eliminated, and that The Post would “prioritize connecting advertising clients to our subscriber base.”
There were further reductions elsewhere at The Post. Kathy Baird, The Post’s chief communications officer, said in a memo that the public relations team was repositioning itself to focus on promoting talent and would “stop the dedicated practice of publicity for our journalism.” Those changes resulted in layoffs on her team.
The Washington Post has struggled to turn a profit in recent years, as its digital subscription business has failed to offset declining print revenue and the cost of its newsroom. Will Lewis, the publisher of The Post, said in a meeting last year that in 2023, The Post lost $77 million and had suffered a falloff in its digital audience since 2020.
Sirius XM CEO Jennifer Witz says in some ways she believes the company is "anti-AI" as the programs on the platform are produced by real people. Back in December, the company's outlook missed expectations and Witz says she is focused on growing subscriptions.
Witz spoke with Bloomberg's Ed Ludlow at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Beasley Media Group announces the upcoming retirement of Dan Finn, Senior Vice President and Regional Market Manager of the company’s New Jersey cluster. Finn, a respected leader and industry veteran, has decided to conclude his distinguished career with the Company at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The veteran radio executive joined Beasley Media Group in 2016 following the company’s acquisition of Greater Media, where Finn served as Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager since 2007. He initially was hired by Greater Media in 2002 as Vice President and Regional General Manager and was promoted to Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager five years later.
Early in his career, Finn worked for legendary New York radio stations WYNY-FM and WPAT AM/FM, where he honed his expertise in broadcasting. He later joined New Jersey Broadcasting, Inc. and rose to the position of President & Chief Operating Officer. Following Greater Media’s acquisition of New Jersey Broadcasting in 2001, Finn continued to lead with distinction, overseeing operations for WDHA-FM, WMTR-AM, WWTR-AM, WMGQ-FM, WCTC-AM, WRAT-FM, and WJRZ-FM.
iHeartMedia St. Louis and Indianapolis have announced a leadership transition as seasoned media veteran, John Beck, serving as Market and Area President for nearly four years, embarks on the next chapter of his career.
John Beck
“I want to sincerely thank all of my colleagues, St. Louis and Indy leaders, and iHeart corporate leadership for giving me a chance to make a difference in St. Louis and Indianapolis,” said Beck. “It has been an amazing four years full of accomplishments. I will truly miss working with my iHeart family. I will now have more time to devote to my own family, consulting business, legislative advocacy and the various charities civic organizations that mean so much to me.”
“We are deeply grateful for John’s remarkable contributions to iHeartMedia. His leadership has boosted ratings, enhanced our culture and improved revenue in both St. Louis and Indianapolis. He has also been a fierce advocate for the entire radio industry, championing our cause in state capitols and Washington, D.C. We appreciate all he has done for us and his communities,” John Karpinski, Division President, iHeartMedia.
Following a distinguished broadcasting career with more than 40 years of radio industry experience, Beck will continue operating his media consulting service, John Beck Media Strategies. He will also remain a trustee of the National Association of Broadcasters Political Action Committee (NABPAC), Legislative Chair of the Missouri Broadcasters Association, along with other charitable and civic involvements.
Bonneville Phoenix has announced LaDona Harvey as the new cohost for Arizona’s Morning News.
LaDona Harvey
“We are excited to welcome LaDona to the talented Arizona’s Morning News team,” said Ryan Hatch, Bonneville International, Phoenix Senior Vice President and Market Manager. “She is a natural storyteller with an infectious personality and a passion for connecting with the community.”
Harvey, who moved to the Valley after a successful run at Newsradio 600 KOGO in San Diego where she hosted San Diego’s Morning News for over a decade, will replace longtime KTAR anchor Jayme West, who recently retired. She will join award-winning host Jim Sharpe beginning Monday, Jan. 13.
“I am thrilled to be back home in Arizona, joining the finest news team in the Valley at KTAR,” stated Harvey. “I have the privilege of continuing to care for my ailing father and doing a job I am passionate about: telling Phoenix listeners the stories that affect their lives, and livelihoods.”
In a media landscape where attention is harder to capture than ever, producing great content is no longer enough for radio morning shows. To stand out amidst an endless sea of podcasts, social media feeds, and streaming platforms, morning shows need to become more than just a source of entertainment—they need to create a space where their listeners connect with each other. That’s the focus of the free, live webinar: "Transform Your Radio Morning Show Audience Into a Thriving Community."
Hosted by Seth Resler of Community Marketing Revolution and presented in conjunction with Jockline, this webinar will teach radio professionals how to go beyond broadcasting and start building real connections among their audiences.
Why Community Building Matters
“We’re in a battle for people’s time and attention,” says Seth Resler, a 30-year veteran of radio broadcasting. “Listeners are no longer satisfied with being passive consumers of content. They want to feel like they’re part of something bigger—a place where they can interact with others who share their interests. Radio morning shows have a unique opportunity to provide that space and build lasting loyalty.”
What You’ll Learn
Attendees will gain actionable insights, including:
Creating Connection, Not Just Content: Why fostering community engagement is critical in today’s crowded media environment.
Digital Tools That Drive Interaction: Learn which platforms can help turn your audience into an active, engaged community.
Practical Tips to Get Started: Step-by-step guidance on how to transition from broadcasting to community-building.
Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday, January 15th
Time: 1:30pm ET / 10:03am PT
Location: Online (Link provided upon registration)
Hope Media Group is proud to announce the South Florida expansion of its Spanish-language network, Vida Unida, into the West Palm Beach metro area.
Effective immediately, Vida Unida will be broadcast on 90.3 FM in West Palm Beach and 96.7 FM in Martin County. This exciting expansion will allow new listeners to enjoy the same powerful programming that can be heard on the Vida Unida station in Miami (90.9 FM), including uplifting music and faith-based content that resonates with the Latino community.
“What a great way to kick off 2025 with the expansion of the Vida Unida network into the West Palm Beach, FL market,” said Joe Paulo, CEO of Hope Media Group. “This means over 200,000 more Spanish-speaking people can benefit from contemporary Christian music and encouragement in their own heart language. Most importantly, this expansion translates into more people loving Jesus, serving others, and spreading Hope.”
Since its launch on November 10, 2021, Vida Unida has become a source of encouragement and community by providing faith-based platforms for the music, voices, and stories that matter most to Spanish-speakers throughout the US and abroad through its terrestrial signals, VidaUnida.com and the Vida Unida app. The Florida expansion builds upon Hope Media Group’s ongoing commitment to serve and support Spanish-speaking audiences through its multiple platforms.
➦In 1924...After several late-night test broadcasts, using the experimental call letter 6XG, radio station KGO signed on the air from General Electric's Oakland, electrical facility (the original two-story brick building, constructed specifically for the station on East 14th Street, still exists on the site), as part of a planned three-station network comprising WGY in Schenectady, New York, and KOA in Denver, Colorado.
The General Electric Company had been one of the giants of the electrical industry since its founding by Thomas A. Edison in the nineteenth century. After conquering the worlds of power generation and electric lighting, the company became one of the pioneers in the radio field as a partner with Westinghouse in the new RCA manufacturing conglomerate. As a major early manufacturer of radio receivers, they, like Westinghouse, saw the value in operating broadcast stations to promote the sale of radio receivers. General Electric constructed and operated WGY at its manufacturing facility in Schenectady, New York in 1922.
With the success of WGY, General Electric began making plans to build two other high-powered radio stations. One station was to cover the mountain and plains states, while the third was to be heard on the Pacific Coast. They immediately began investigating the San Francisco area as a base for the Pacific station, because of its location midway along the coast, and because of the ample supply of musical talent in the area. Originally, General Electric announced plans to build the station on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, and had drawn up plans for several ornamental antenna structures to be built there. However, they finally settled on a site in Oakland, at a G. E. power transformer manufacturing facility there, located at East 14th Street and 55th Avenue. At the time, what is now known as East Oakland was only sparsely populated, and G. E. had just completed their sprawling plant on a 24-acre site earlier that year.
Construction was begun on the studio and transmitter buildings in June of 1923, about a year before the company's third station, KOA in Denver, was begun. The license was applied for and the call letters KGO assigned. Those call letters had previously been held by a radio store in Altadena, near Los Angeles. That station had gone off the air after less than a year of operation.
Meanwhile, newspapers in the area were heralding the coming of a great new super-station to the Bay Area. The "Examiner" headlined, "Plans Ready for Biggest Radio in the West". It announced that the new thousand-watt station would be strong enough to "throw the human voice one third around the world ... more powerful than any station west of Schenectady, New York," referring to G. E.'s eastern operation.
KGO was first known as the "Sunset Station"; at that time it operated with a then-impressive 1000 watts. As was the custom with early radio stations, the programming consisted of performances by local talent, including the KGO Orchestra which provided some of the music; and a dramatic group known as the KGO Players, which performed weekly plays and short skits, often under the direction of Bay-area drama instructor Wilda Wilson Church. The station's music, which was also performed by other local orchestras and vocalists, would include classical selections as well as popular dance music the next night. Due to GE's involvement in RCA and RCA's launch of the NBC radio network, KGO was soon operated by NBC management as part of the NBC network.
By the 1928 Band Plan, 790 kHz was allocated to Oakland, California, and to KGO, which was then owned by General Electric, on an internationally cleared basis. In order to obtain a clear channel in Schenectady, New York, for what would become the present-day WGY, GE effected a breakdown of 790 kHz, whereby WGY would assume the maximum permissible power, and KGO would be lowered in power to 7.5 kW, which was then lower than the minimum permissible power for a clear channel station (10 kW), but higher than the then maximum permissible power for a regional channel station (5 kW). Both stations retained omnidirectional antennas. Therefore, GE effectively removed from the West one of its eight clear channels and added an additional clear channel to the East thereby giving the East nine clear channels and the West only seven. The other "regions" in the Band Plan all retained their allotted eight clear channels. In 1941, stations on 790 kHz were moved to 810 kHz. On December 1, 1947, KGO was directionalized, and power was increased to 50 kW, the new minimum (and maximum) power for a U.S. clear channel. An article in Broadcasting magazine noted that the increase "retired the nation's oldest regularly operating transmitter -- a 7,500-watter ... in use since Jan. 8, 1924."
KGO's tower falls after the Loma Prieta earthquake (1989)
From 1962 until 2022, KGO carried news and talk programming. In October 2022, the station switched to a sports talk format, with an emphasis on sports betting. It carried the BetQL Network most of the day, with some shows from the Infinity Sports Network at night.
On November 15, 2024, Cumulus announced that KSFO would move to 810 kHz on November 18. Most KSFO programming was simulcast on both 810 AM and 560 AM beginning that date under the "810 KSFO" brand, except for Golden Bears sports events airing only on 810.
The KGO call sign was retired on January 1, 2025; the KSFO call sign moved to 810 AM at that time, with 560 AM becoming KZAC.
➦In 1926...Milton Supman born (Died - October 22, 2009). He was known professionally as Soupy Sales and was a comedian, actor, radio/television personality, and jazz aficionado.
He was best known for his local and network children's television show Lunch with Soupy Sales (1953–1966), a series of comedy sketches frequently ending with Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his trademark. From 1968 to 1975 he was a regular panelist on the syndicated revival of What's My Line? and appeared on several other TV game shows. During the 1980s, Sales hosted his own show on WNBC-AM in New York City.
Sales hosted a midday radio show on WNBC 660 AM in New York from March 1985 to March 1987. His program was between the drive time shifts of Don Imus (morning) and Howard Stern (afternoon), with whom Sales had an acrimonious relationship.
Soupy Sales
An example of this was an incident involving Stern telling listeners that he was cutting the strings in Sales' in-studio piano at 4:05 p.m. on May 1, 1985. On December 21, 2007, Stern revealed this was a stunt staged for "theater of the mind" and to torture Sales; in truth, the piano was never harmed. Sales' on-air crew included his producer, Ray D'Ariano, newscaster Judy DeAngelis, and pianist Paul Dver, who was also Soupy's manager.
When Soupy's show was not renewed, his time slot would be taken over by D'ariano. Near the end of his contract, Sales lost his temper on the air, and began to speak very frankly about how he felt he had been treated poorly by the station, and how he felt betrayed that D'ariano would be taking over the show. The show went to break after a commercial - Sales was off the air, replaced without comment or explanation by program director Randall Baumgarten. Soupy would not return to the air. He died October 22, 2009 at age 83.
➦In 1929...the CBS Radio Network purchased WABC in New York City. The WABC calls were once used previously on CBS Radio's New York City outlet, before adopting their current WCBS-AM identity in 1946. Network founder William S. Paley appeared for the first time on the Columbia Broadcasting System to announce that it had become the largest chain of stations in radio’s short history.
Elvis with parents
➦In 1935...Elvis Aaron Presley born (Died – August 16, 1977). Known as Elvis, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".
Peter Yarrow, whose caring and righteous vocals for the trio Peter, Paul and Mary helped establish them as one of the most popular folk acts of the 1960s, died on Tuesday at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was 86, according to The NYTimes.
His death was confirmed by Ken Sunshine, his publicist. Mr. Sunshine said the cause was bladder cancer, which Mr. Yarrow had been battling for the past four years.
On many of the trio’s recordings they split the vocal parts equally, braiding Yarrow’s precise tenor around Noel Paul Stookey’s gentle baritone and Mary Travers’s warm contralto. But Yarrow also had some prominent lead vocals as well, fronting such well-known group recordings as “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Day Is Done” and “The Great Mandala,” all of which he either wrote or co-wrote. “Puff” became a No. 2 Billboard hit, while “Day Is Done” grazed the Top 20.
Yarrow wrote many other songs recorded by the group, often in collaboration with Mr. Stookey, the last surviving member of the group (Ms. Travers died in 2009 at 72).
In their peak years, Peter, Paul and Mary reached the Billboard Top 40 12 times; six of those songs made it onto the Top 10, including one, their cover of John Denver’s “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane,” that reached No. 1. They racked up five Billboard Top 10 albums and twice topped the magazine’s album chart.
Peter Yarrow was born on May 31, 1938, in Manhattan to Bernard and Vera (Burtakoff) Yarrow, Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. His father, a lawyer, was an assistant district attorney in New York under Thomas E. Dewey. He later became a vice president of the C.I.A.-funded organization Radio Free Europe.
Yarrow’s parents divorced when he was 5. His father later converted to Protestantism, but Mr. Yarrow considered Jewish teachings a major inspiration in his life.
In September, Sony Pictures Television handed the keys to its game show “Wheel of Fortune” to Ryan Seacrest, broadcasting’s iron man. Nielsen data show “Wheel of Fortune” averaging 7.9 million viewers through Dec. 1, up 3% from a year ago during longtime host Pat Sajak’s final season.
The LA Times reports “Wheel” has more viewers than every network nonsports prime-time series, with the exception of CBS’ “60 Minutes” and “Tracker.” More than 58 million people have tuned into some portion of the program this season. More people watch “Wheel” and Sony’s companion show “Jeopardy!” in the 7 p.m. hour than any single streaming service, including Netflix.
The bump in ratings for “Wheel” comes as traditional TV viewing continues to decline. The show gained viewers as the number of people watching TV overall fell 9% during the same period.
Durability has been a hallmark of “Wheel,” which on Jan. 6 marked 50 years since it premiered on NBC’s daytime lineup. The game, where contestants guess the letters of a mystery word or phrase, has been part of the TV landscape ever since, surviving huge changes that have splintered the mass audience.
But a major test for the popularity of any TV show is when the star is replaced. Sajak had hosted the syndicated version of “Wheel” since it launched in 1983 and became an evening ritual for millions of viewers. He decided to hang it up at the end of the 2023-24 season.
“It was a pivotal moment for us,” said Suzanne Prete, president of game shows for Sony. “It’s personal to the viewers. Pat is like a family member to them.”
Seacrest is a well-known quantity. He holds down mornings on KIIS 102.7 FM in Los Angeles, hosts “American Idol” and counts down the ball drop in Times Square for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” In 2023, he finished a successful six-year run as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on the daily talk show “Live.”
When Sony considered successors for “Wheel,” Seacrest was at the top of Prete’s wish list. “If I had the choice of anybody in the world, it would have been Ryan,” she said.
Legal teams representing CNN and the U.S. Navy veteran suing the network for defamation wrapped up jury selection on Monday in Bay County, Florida.
Fox News Digital reports six women and two men were selected. There will be six jurors and two alternates when opening arguments kick off on Tuesday in the high-stakes trial. U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young alleges that CNN smeared him by implying he illegally profited when helping people flee Afghanistan on the "black market" during the Biden administration's military withdrawal from the country in 2021.
Young believes CNN "destroyed his reputation and business" by branding him an "illegal profiteer" who exploited "desperate Afghans" during a November 11, 2021, segment that first aired on CNN’s "The Lead with Jake Tapper." 14th Judicial Circuit Court Judge William S. Henry, who is presiding over the trial, has ruled that Young "did not act illegally or criminally" despite what the network reported on air. Judge Henry has also suggested that CNN’s eventual on-air apology was inadequate.
Potential jurors were peppered on their thoughts about the media, veterans, punitive damages, whether they own stock in CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, what they do for a living and an assortment of other issues. The lengthy process began with the first prospective juror declaring, "I dislike the media, especially CNN," when asked if he could be fair. Another promptly said, "not a fan of CNN," when asked the same question.
One prospective juror said CNN is too "liberal" for her tastes, one suggested that media organizations believe they can say anything about anyone and "pretend to be the victim" when called out, and another said he could be impartial, but added, "Nothing negative against CNN… I just don’t see things the way they do."
At one point, the potential jurors were asked if they’d feel comfortable awarding someone more than $100 million in punitive damages. Nobody objected to that, as long as "evidence supports it."
At least six potential jurors raised their hands when asked by Young’s attorney, Vel Freedman, if they believed CNN creates "fake news." This question came after one potential juror specifically called CNN by the "fake news" moniker.
S&P Global Market Intelligence is out with their 2025 Trends report. Besides radio, the report discusses the broader media landscape and trends that may impact the radio industry.
Key Media Trends for 2025
Convergence of Streaming, Cable and Wireless: The report highlights the increasing interconnectedness of streaming, cable and wireless services. This trend may influence radio's evolution, especially with the rise of digital broadcasting and podcasting.
Shifting Sports Rights and Cable Write-Downs: Changes in sports rights and cable network dynamics could impact radio's role in broadcasting live events.
Broadcast TV and Radio Outlook: The report notes challenges for radio, including struggles to recover from pandemic impacts and competition from streaming giants.
The report paints a complex picture for the US broadcast station industry in 2025. Here's the key points:
Total Advertising Revenue: Projected to decline by 9.3%, dropping to $32.83 billion from $36.19 billion in 2024. This decline is attributed to the absence of election and Olympic advertising.
Core Ad Verticals: Automotive, retail, and travel are still struggling due to inflation and high interest rates. However, pharmaceuticals, telecom, and professional services are expected to outperform other categories.
Radio Ad Revenue: Expected to decline by 3.3% in 2025, reaching $10.86 billion, with minimal recovery projected, stabilizing at $10.80 billion by 2029.Local Advertising: Continues to outperform national ad markets, benefiting from deep community ties. However, digital-native platforms are rapidly siphoning ad budgets as content migrates from linear to streaming formats.
Streaming Audio and Podcasting: Podcasting has emerged as a standout segment, projected to become the largest ad revenue growth driver in the US market. Monthly podcast listeners grew by 13% year-over-year in 2024, reaching an estimated 135 million. Edison Research reported that 47% of the US population aged 12 and older listened to a podcast in the past month, a five-point increase from 2023. Familiarity with podcasting also climbed to 84%.
Economic Insights for 2025 While not radio-specific, the report's economic insights provide context for the media industry's outlook:
Renewed Inflationary Pressures: Expected to pause the Fed's easing cycle, leading to less accommodative global financial conditions.
Divergent National Inflation Dynamics: Inflation trends will differ across regions, with renewed pressures in the US and disinflationary forces in Western Europe and mainland China.
Persistent US Dollar Strength: The US dollar's strength may impact international trade and investment in the media sector.
Audacy welcomes Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey as morning show co-hosts on 100.3 The Bull (KILT-FM) in Houston. The new morning show “Frito & Katy” will broadcast weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. C.T. beginning January 10.
“The duo’s passion for relentlessly serving the local community as well as their focus on local content on-air is perfect for Houston,” said Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Houston. “We can’t wait for our audience to start their days with this award-winning show.”
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd wind up back in my hometown to do radio with the station I grew up listening to. We are beyond excited to work with Sarah Frazier, Melissa Chase and all the pros at Audacy,” said Dempsey. “We can't wait to start serving the great listeners of 100.3 The Bull and the city of Houston!"
Born and raised in Texas, Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey are co-hosts with dynamic personalities and recipients of many accolades, including the 2024 CMA Award for Major Market Personality, a 2021 Marconi Award, several Crystal awards and the Bonner McLane Award for Community Service from the Texas Association of Broadcasters.
📻Listeners can tune in to 100.3 The Bull (KILT-FM) in Houston on-air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.
Allstate was criticized for a video message delivered during the Sugar Bowl.
“Allstate CEO Tom Wilson has ‘ignited a firestorm of backlash’ on social media with a video statement addressing last week's terror attack in New Orleans, in which he suggested Americans have an ‘addiction to divisiveness’ and must ‘accept people's imperfections and differences,’” according to Sports Business Journal.
Wilson went on to invite viewers to “join Allstate working in local communities all across America to amplify the positive, increase trust and accept people's imperfections and differences. Together we win."
Allstate “appeared to wipe its social media of a video message,” according to Fox News. “The video was received poorly online, with many Allstate customers threatening to boycott the company over its ‘tone-deaf’ messaging.”
A jihadist killed dozens of innocent Americans in a hate-fueled rampage, and the CEO of Allstate thinks Americans watching the Sugar Bowl need a talk from him on overcoming “an addiction to divisiveness and negativity?” pic.twitter.com/NSYoTSSWmA
Meanwhile, McDonald’s is the latest corporation to alter its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, reports Media Post.
“Citing the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision banning affirmative action in college admissions and the ‘evolving landscape around DEI,’ the fast-food giant said Monday it would no longer set goals to increase diversity in senior leadership,” per USA Today. “It also said it would end a program that encouraged suppliers to increase diversity in their ranks, rebranded its diversity team as the ‘Global Inclusion Team’ and paused external surveys.”
The name change is “more fitting for McDonald’s in light of our inclusion value and better aligns with this team’s work,” McDonald’s said in the statement.
“The burger giant didn’t elaborate, but several other companies, including Lowe’s and Ford Motor Co., suspended their participation in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees,” noted The Associated Press.
Despite how the changes are being characterized in the media, McDonald's said it has not abandoned its mission to maintain a diverse workforce.
Audacy has named Ryan Cooley Senior Vice President and Market Manager of its Portland market.
In this role, Cooley will oversee the market’s portfolio of brands including 1080 The Fan (KFXX-AM), 92.3 KGON (KGON-FM), ESPN 910 (KMTT-AM), 94/7 Alternative Portland (KNRK-FM), Bella 105 (KRSK-FM), 99.5 The Wolf (KWJJ-FM), 97.1 Charlie (KYCH-FM), CHANNEL Q (KRSK-HD2) and 94/7 Too (KNRK-HD2).
Ryan Cooley
“Ryan’s leadership, extensive broadcast experience and love for the Portland community make him a valuable asset to the market,” said Doug Abernethy, Regional President, Audacy. “We look forward to seeing him take on this new role and guide the Portland team to achieve even greater success.”
“I’m honored to be named Audacy Portland’s next Senior Vice President and Market Manager. I started with this incredible group of stations 20 years ago and being entrusted with the opportunity to help this team reach its full potential is something I don’t take lightly,” said Cooley. “This team is truly special, these radio stations are iconic and the people here are the heart of everything we do. Together, we’re excited to build on this legacy and continue shaping the future of radio in Portland.”
Cooley began his career at Audacy in 2005 as a Sales Associate and climbed the ranks leading teams in Portland, Boston and San Francisco. He helped launch 95.7 The Game in San Francisco (KGMZ-FM) and directed new business development and account growth for WEEI (WEEI-FM) in Boston. Additional roles include Account Executive, Local Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and, most recently, Director of Sales.
Cumulus Media announces that Columbia, SC, Adult Contemporary station B106.7 (WTCB-FM) will launch a new live and local morning show on Tuesday, January 7th.
“The Midlands Morning Show” will feature on-air hosts Kaylin Mozdzen and Leo “LB” Baldwin and can be heard Monday through Friday from 6:00am-11:00am. The new program, which is the first live and local morning show to be heard on the station in seven years, will deliver a fresh local flavor, hometown perspective and high energy to morning drive in Columbia.
Kaylin Mozdzen is the 2024 South Carolina Broadcasters Association Radio Personality of the Year. In addition to her new role as Morning Co-Host, Kaylin will continue as Midday host for B106.7 weekdays from 11:00am-4:00pm, where she has entertained Columbia’s at-work crowd since January 2023. She has previously co-hosted a popular morning show in Utica-Rome, NY.
Morning Co-Host Leo “LB” Baldwin is also Program Director and Operations Manager for Cumulus Columbia. He moves to mornings on B106.7 from afternoons (4:00pm-7:00pm), which he has hosted since June 2023. LB previously anchored mornings in Honolulu, HI.
Tammy O’Dell, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Columbia/Florence, said: "We're excited to launch this vibrant morning show for the Midlands audience. Kaylin and LB will bring energy, fun, and great music LIVE and LOCAL for our B106.7 audience every morning. It's a great way to wake up in the Midlands and an excellent opportunity for our local business community to connect with this audience."
BIN: Black Information Network has announced Terry Foxx will join as Vice President of News and Content effective immediately.
In his new role, Foxx will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of BIN: Black Information Network’s newsroom and its team of journalists, with a focus on development of news content and original programming.
Terry Fox
“I am excited to have Terry join BIN: Black Information Network,” said Tony Coles, President, BIN: Black Information Network. “In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, the role of news in shaping public discourse has never been more important. We’re confident his contributions will strengthen our position as a leader in delivering inclusive and impactful news and content to our audiences.”
Prior to his new role with BIN, Foxx served as Regional Director of Talk Programming for iHeartMedia Austin/San Antonio. His career includes roles at KUT-FM, University of Texas and major stations such as WPLJ-FM New York, B96 Chicago, KKDA-FM Dallas, and WZGC-FM Atlanta. Foxx has earned numerous accolades for his programming expertise and on-air talent, including recognition as one of Radio Ink’s Top African American Leaders in 2024.
“I am thrilled to contribute to the growth and success of BIN: Black Information Network,” said Foxx. “BIN is a vital platform for amplifying diverse voices and delivering trusted, relevant news to our communities. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and further strengthen the connection between BIN and the audiences we serve.”
Mid-West Family Madison has announced the promotion of Randy Hawke to General Manager and Lyndsey Bishop to Vice President of Business Development. These key leadership changes represent the company’s continued commitment to growth, innovation, and excellence within the broadcasting and media landscape.
Randy Hawke has been a cornerstone of Mid-West Family Madison for over 22 years. Having served as VP of Programming, Randy has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, a deep understanding of the market, and a passion for community-focused media. As General Manager, Randy will oversee the day-to-day operations of the stations/company, working closely with the leadership team.
“I am thrilled to step into this new role and look forward to the exciting journey ahead,” said Hawke. “Mid-West Family Madison has always been a company rooted in its community, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to innovate and grow while staying true to our core values. I’m honored to lead such a dedicated team as we navigate the evolving media landscape.”
Lyndsey Bishop has been promoted to Vice President of Business Development. She first made a lasting impact at Mid-West Family Madison from 2014 to 2017 and made a triumphant return in May 2023. In her return, Lyndsey played a key role in driving Mid-West Family Madison’s digital success with her innovative strategies and exceptional leadership. Bishop is the perfect person to lead the company to new heights! She is known for her ability to build strong, lasting relationships, both within the company and across the industry.
“I’m excited to take on this new challenge and continue to contribute to Mid-West Family Madison’s success,” said Bishop. “The future holds incredible opportunities for us, and I’m eager to help drive the company toward new milestones. My focus will be on driving sales growth, improving client retention, holding our team accountable for outstanding results, and recruiting talented individuals to help us achieve our goals. Together with the dedicated team here, I am confident we will continue to achieve great things.”
“We are incredibly excited about the future of Mid-West Family Madison with these leadership changes,” said Tom Walker, President of Mid-West Family Madison. “Randy and Lyndsey are both passionate and accomplished professionals who have long been integral to our team. Their new roles will help propel the company forward as we work toward achieving new heights in our commitment to community engagement, creative content, and business growth.”
iHeartMedia has announced Nicky Sparrow has been elevated to Executive Vice President of Multicultural Sales and Dee Dee Faison has been elevated to Vice President of Multicultural Partnerships and Alliances effective immediately. Sparrow and Faison will report to Tony Coles, President of Multicultural Business and Development.
In her new role, Sparrow will continue to focus on driving results for advertising partners by leveraging iHeartMedia’s unparalleled assets including broadcast radio, podcast, digital, data and events platforms as well as The Black Effect Podcast Network and My Cultura Podcast Network serving multicultural audiences across the country.
In her new position as Vice President of Multicultural Partnerships and Alliances, Faison will play a pivotal role in building and driving best-in-class comprehensive partner programs, including the development and execution strategy to further expand and scale iHeartMedia’s strategic multicultural initiatives.
Nicky Sparrow, Dee Dee Faison
“We’re excited to officially elevate Nicky and Dee Dee to our executive team,” said Coles. “These talented leaders bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will be instrumental in driving our mission forward of connecting our clients and partners with iHeartMedia’s multicultural audiences.”
Sparrow, a seasoned media industry leader, has built an impressive 25-year career at iHeartMedia, excelling in high-level management and sales roles across major markets. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Multicultural Sales. Committed to giving back, Sparrow serves on the board of directors for the Radio Advertising Bureau, Florida Association of Broadcasting, The First Tee of North Florida and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In recognition of her philanthropic efforts, she was named St. Jude’s 2024 Partner of the Year.
Dee Dee Faison, a 24-year veteran of the media and entertainment industry, joined iHeartMedia in 2020 as the Director of Client Success after leading event strategy and marketing for WBLS in New York. Her career includes roles at Sony Music and Initiative Media, as well as work with high-profile clients such as the Food and Drug Administration, Toyota, McDonald’s and Wells Fargo. Faison is a graduate of Howard University.
Disney will combine its Hulu+ Live TV service with Fubo, merging together two internet TV bundles, the companies announced Monday. Fubo stock, which closed Friday at just $1.44 per share, surged 250% Monday.
CNBC reports Disney will become majority owner of the resulting company — the publicly traded Fubo company — with a 70% ownership stake. Fubo shareholders will own the remaining 30% of the company. The deal is expected to close in 12 to 18 months.
Both Hulu+ Live TV and Fubo are streaming services that mimic the traditional cable TV bundle, offering linear TV networks. Together the streaming services have 6.2 million subscribers.
Both services will still be available separately to consumers after the deal closes. Hulu+ Live TV can be streamed through the Hulu app, as well as part of Disney’s bundle that also includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.The deal doesn’t include the streamer Hulu, known for creating original content like “Only Murders in the Building” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which competes with platforms like Netflix
“We are now stewards of an iconic brand with respect to Hulu,” said Fubo co-founder and CEO David Gandler during a Monday call with investors. He added that Hulu+ Live TV’s place embedded inside the Hulu ecosystem adds value by way of user retention.
“Having two separate platforms today, obviously, it’s not ideal,” Gandler said during the call. “We believe there are synergies on the backend. ... But at the moment we really want to provide consumers with choice.”
Gandler noted that while Fubo has long been focused on offering sports and news, Hulu+ Live TV is known for its entertainment offerings, too.
Diamond Sports Group, the largest regional sports network operator in the US, has successfully emerged from bankruptcy. RSN operator is now called Main Street Sports Group. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2023, the company received court approval for its reorganization plan, paving the way for a financial restructuring .
Key Highlights of the Reorganization Plan:
Debt Reduction: Diamond Sports' debt will decrease from approximately $9 billion to $200 million.
New Capital Structure: The company will operate with a substantially strengthened balance sheet and greater financial flexibility.
Partnerships: Diamond Sports has secured prominent partnerships, including a naming rights deal with FanDuel and a commercial agreement with Amazon.
Team Rights: The company retains rights to 27 MLB, NBA and NHL teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead: Diamond Sports faces ongoing challenges in the regional sports network industry, including cord-cutting and diminishing advertising revenue. However, the company's partnerships with FanDuel and Amazon signal a shift towards innovative streaming and sports betting solutions.
Future Outlook: As Diamond Sports emerges from bankruptcy, it is poised to operate sustainably through market-aligned rights agreements, linear and direct-to-consumer distribution frameworks and prominent third-party partnerships. The company's rebranding as the FanDuel Sports Network reflects its evolving focus on integrated media and gambling.
