Good Monday Morning! Here's The Pulse for July 13

Radio Broadcasting

Listeners Conformable w/AI Voices: The research by Harker Bos Group’s Crowd React Media, conducted in May and June, tested 1,326 weekly radio listeners ages 18-45. Participants listened to station imaging and promotional spots recorded in both human and AI versions without knowing which they were hearing. 

Insurances Costs Rising: Rising insurance costs for property and liability coverage are placing growing financial pressure on U.S. radio and television broadcasters. Broadcasters face a wide array of risks — including towers, antennas, buildings, broadcast equipment, vehicles, business interruption, special events and workers’ compensation — that have driven up premiums significantly in recent years. 

Media Industry

Deal Expected To Be Blocked: U.S. states are poised to sue this week to block Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing concerns the merger would harm competition by combining two of Hollywood's major studios.California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a multi-state investigation into whether the deal violates U.S. antitrust laws. 

Jimmy Kimmel Leads Broadcast Late-Night: Jimmy Kimmel Live! topped late-night ratings for the week of June 28, leading in both total viewers and the key 18-49 demographic despite airing reruns for the second straight week on ABC. 

Digital News Outlet Lose Ground: U.S. digital news outlets continued to lose ground in June, with traffic falling year-over-year at 90% of the nation’s top 50 news websites, according to new audience data. Similarweb figures analyzed by Press Gazette show that only five of the 50 largest news brands posted any growth compared with June of the previous year — a sharp drop from 20% of sites showing gains in May.

U-S News

Graham Was Booked As MTP Guest: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a foreign-policy hawk who transformed from a fierce critic of President Trump into one of his closest allies on Capitol Hill, has died. He was 71 years old.  A Graham spokeswoman said the District of Columbia medical examiner issued preliminary findings that the senator died following a tear in his aorta due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 

McConnell Breaks Silence: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Sunday that his lengthy Senate absence has been because of his recovery from a fall and a subsequent bout of pneumonia, breaking a weekslong silence about his hospitalization that had spurred speculation about his condition. McConnell said he planned to return to the Senate to finish his term but wouldn’t be back to vote “quite yet.” He didn’t provide a timeline. 

U-S, Iran Trade Strikes: The U.S. conducted multiple waves of strikes on Iranian military targets Sunday, and Iranian forces fired at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as the two countries’ standoff over control over the critical waterway deepens. The U.S. military said late Sunday afternoon East Coast time it had launched new strikes against Iran, the third wave in 24 hours. 

TWH Orders FBI Director to Personally Lead NYT Probe

The White House directed FBI Director Kash Patel to personally oversee a leak investigation tied to The New York Times' reporting on security issues with the new Air Force One, resulting in subpoenas issued to several Times reporters on Friday night. 

Patel canceled a planned trip to Chicago and spent roughly eight hours at the White House on Friday, directing the effort from there instead of FBI headquarters—a significant break from standard practice. 

He also briefed senior administration officials on the probe, according to people familiar with the matter. The investigation focuses on sources who disclosed sensitive details about the Qatari-gifted jet used as Air Force One, including a last-minute aircraft switch during a trip near a region of conflict due to security concerns, such as insufficient advanced anti-missile defenses. Subpoenas compelled reporters—including Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager, and Eric Schmitt—to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan as soon as July 15. 

Senator Graham Was Scheduled As Guest On Meet The Press

On Sunday, NBC’s Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker opened the show with a somber, personal acknowledgment of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death the night before. Graham had been scheduled to appear that morning—what would have been his 64th time on the program. Instead, the broadcast pivoted to tributes and reflections on his life and legacy, with guests including President Donald Trump and others sharing memories. Welker began by addressing the audience and Graham’s family directly:

Trump remembers his last call with Lindsey Graham the night before his death: Full interview https://t.co/Grybj8NQmT via @nbcnews

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) July 12, 2026

She spoke warmly of Graham’s frequent presence on the show, his sharp wit, deep knowledge of foreign policy, and willingness to engage across the aisle. Welker noted that she had spoken with him multiple times in the days leading up to his death, including while he was traveling overseas. The tone was respectful and reflective, emphasizing his long service and personal relationships in Washington.

The episode featured extended interviews and segments remembering Graham:

States Expected To Block PSKY, WBD Deal

U.S. states are poised to sue this week to block Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing concerns the merger would harm competition by combining two of Hollywood's major studios.California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a multi-state investigation into whether the deal violates U.S. antitrust laws. 

The proposed merger, which would unite Warner Bros. (home of "Harry Potter" and "Superman" films) with Paramount Pictures, has drawn sharp opposition from actors, writers, theater owners and others in Hollywood. Critics fear widespread job losses, fewer films released, reduced consumer choice and weakened competition in the industry.

Paramount has defended the combination as necessary to compete for audiences, talent and investment in a rapidly changing media landscape. CEO David Ellison has told theater owners the merged studios plan to release about 30 movies per year.

TV Ratings: Jimmy Kimmel Leads Broadcast Late-Night

Jimmy Kimmel Live! topped late-night ratings for the week of June 28, leading in both total viewers and the key 18-49 demographic despite airing reruns for the second straight week on ABC. 

According to Nielsen Live+3 data reported by LateNighter, the program averaged 1.45 million total viewers and 167,000 in the 18-49 demo at 11:35 p.m. That marked a 3% increase in total viewers and an 11% gain in the demo compared to the prior week. The strong rerun performance placed Jimmy Kimmel Live! ahead of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which also aired repeats and averaged 1.17 million total viewers (down 21%) and 143,000 demo viewers (down 23%). Kimmel’s show similarly outperformed other competitors in the slot.

Other Late-Night Results

Study: Listeners Comfortable With AI Voices

The research by Harker Bos Group’s Crowd React Media, conducted in May and June, tested 1,326 weekly radio listeners ages 18-45. Participants listened to station imaging and promotional spots recorded in both human and AI versions without knowing which they were hearing. 

Human and AI voices scored nearly identically across key attributes, with listeners showing only slight preference for disclosure of human talent.

In the blind test, just 59% of those who heard the professional human voice (by actor Neil Wilson) correctly identified it as human. Among those who heard the AI version, only 55% correctly identified it as synthetic — meaning nearly half mistook it for a real person.

Ratings for professionalism, authenticity, credibility, energy, and likability were statistically indistinguishable between the two. Overall appeal was essentially tied at 60% for human and 61% for AI on one of the spots. The only notable difference was humor, with 33% calling the human voice funny compared to 26% for AI.

After learning which version they heard, attitudes shifted more on principle than quality:

Netflix Looks to Lower Production Costs

Netflix is rapidly shifting toward lower-cost, YouTube-style content — including podcasts and short vertical videos — as it grapples with slowing user engagement and a sharp stock decline. This week, the streaming giant announced broad partnerships with major legacy media brands to bring bite-sized, low-effort videos (typically 3–20 minutes long) to its platform, covering topics like cooking, fashion, travel, news, lifestyle, and celebrity content. 

Partners include BuzzFeed Studios, Condé Nast, Hearst Magazines, Penske Media (home to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter), and People Inc. The videos begin rolling out in early August in markets such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Netflix faces pressure on multiple fronts. The company has seen a slowdown in platform engagement, with total viewing hours growing just 2% in the second half of 2025 while its user base expanded roughly 10%, implying an approximately 8% drop in daily engagement per subscriber. Its stock price has fallen about 40% since October amid these challenges and broader market concerns.

This pivot mirrors Netflix's earlier quick adaptations, such as its aggressive push into original programming and the introduction of ad-supported tiers. Now, the company's usual flood of film and TV announcements increasingly features creator deals and these lighter formats. Netflix has already struck video podcast agreements with outlets like Spotify/The Ringer, iHeartMedia, and Barstool Sports, and it continues experimenting with vertical video to boost mobile engagement.

Digital News Sites Suffer Traffic Declines in June

U.S. digital news outlets continued to lose ground in June, with traffic falling year-over-year at 90% of the nation’s top 50 news websites, according to new audience data.

Similarweb figures analyzed by Press Gazette show that only five of the 50 largest news brands posted any growth compared with June of the previous year — a sharp drop from 20% of sites showing gains in May. 

Among the hardest-hit were Newsweek and the Daily Mail, which saw some of the steepest declines. The data underscores persistent challenges for digital-first and legacy news organizations trying to maintain audiences in a fragmented media environment. 

Report: Rising Insurance Costs Plague Broadcasters

Rising insurance costs for property and liability coverage are placing growing financial pressure on U.S. radio and television broadcasters.

Broadcasters face a wide array of risks — including towers, antennas, buildings, broadcast equipment, vehicles, business interruption, special events and workers’ compensation — that have driven up premiums significantly in recent years. 

RadioWorld reports remote infrastructure is frequently exposed to severe weather such as ice storms, flooding and wildfires, while unique industry liabilities like defamation, copyright infringement, regulatory fines, vandalism and copper theft add further cost.

A stark example occurred in 2024 when copper thieves brought down the tower of Payne Media Group’s KITX(FM) in Hugo, Okla., taking the station off the air. President Will Payne said insurance covered only about 80% of the loss, after which the station faced policy cancellation and a doubled premium on renewal. Replacement gear purchases also required waiting up to 10 months for reimbursement.

Radio History: July 13

➦In 1898…Guglielmo Marconi applied for a patent for his radio technology.

Marconi

Marconi, just twenty years old, began his first experiments working on his own with the help of his butler. In the summer of 1894, he built a storm alarm made up of a battery, a coherer, and an electric bell, which went off if there was lightning. Soon after he was able to make a bell ring on the other side of the room by pushing a telegraphic button on a bench.

One night in December, Guglielmo woke his mother up and invited her into his secret workshop and showed her the experiment he had created. The next day he also showed his work to his father, who, when he was certain there were no wires, gave his son all of the money he had in his wallet so Guglielmo could buy more materials.

In the summer of 1895 Marconi moved his experimentation outdoors.  After increasing the length of the transmitter and receiver antennas, arranging them vertically, and positioning the antenna so that it touched the ground, the range increased significantly.  Soon he was able to transmit signals over a hill, a distance of approximately 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi).  By this point he concluded that with additional funding and research, a device could become capable of spanning greater distances and would prove valuable both commercially and militarily.

Marconi wrote to the Ministry of Post and Telegraphs, then under the direction of the honorable Pietro Lacava, explaining his wireless telegraph machine and asking for funding. He never received a response to his letter which was eventually dismissed by the Minister who wrote "to the Longara" on the document, referring to the insane asylum on Via della Lungara in Rome.

Radio History: July 12

Milton Berle 1943

➦In 1908...Comedian Milton Berle was born in New York City (Died from colon cancer – March 27, 2002). Berle's career as an entertainer spanned over 80 years, first in silent films and on stage as a child actor, then in radio, movies and television. As the host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater (1948–55), he was the first major American television star and was known to millions of viewers as "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television" during the first Golden Age of Television.

From 1934–36, Berle appeared regularly on The Rudy Vallee Hour, and he attracted publicity as a regular on The Gillette Original Community Sing, a Sunday night comedy-variety program broadcast on CBS from September 6, 1936 to August 29, 1937. In 1939, he was the host of Stop Me If You've Heard This One with panelists spontaneously finishing jokes sent in by listeners.

In the late 1940s, he canceled well-paying nightclub appearances to expand his radio career. Three Ring Time, a comedy-variety show sponsored by Ballantine Ale, was followed by a 1943 program sponsored by Campbell's Soups. The audience participation show Let Yourself Go (1944–1945) could best be described as "slapstick radio" with studio audience members acting out long suppressed urges—often directed at host Berle. Kiss and Make Up, on CBS in 1946, featured the problems of contestants decided by a jury from the studio audience with Berle as the judge. Berle also made guest appearances on many comedy-variety radio programs during the 1930s and 1940s.

Howard Duff

 ➦In 1946…"The Adventures of Sam Spade," debuted on ABC Radio.

The show ran for 13 episodes on ABC in 1946, for 157 episodes on CBS in 1946-1949, and finally for 51 episodes on NBC in 1949-1951. The series starred Howard Duff (and later, Steve Dunne) as Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie, and took a considerably more tongue-in-cheek approach to the character than the novel or movie. The announcer was Dick Joy.

The series was largely overseen by producer/director William Spier. In 1947, scriptwriters Jason James and Bob Tallman received an Edgar Award for Best Radio Drama from the Mystery Writers of America.

➦In 1957…DJ Alan Freed - the man who coined the term "Rock and Roll" - started a Rock and Roll program on ABC-TV.

"The Big Beat" with guest performers Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers, the Everly Brothers and Connie Francis. The series was cancelled after the fourth show in which Frankie Lymon was seen dancing with a white girl, something that reportedly offended the management of the network's affiliate stations in southern states. Freed hosted a local version of "The Big Beat" on WNEW-TV New York until late 1959 when he was fired due to payola allegations.

➦In 1976…Ted Mack died (Born William Edward Maguiness February 12, 1904). He was the host of Ted Mack and The Original Amateur Hour on radio and television.

Trump Rails Against 'Maggot' And 'Flunky' NYT Journalists

Haberman, Swain

President Donald Trump on Saturday attacked New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, calling Haberman “Maggot” and Swan a “flunky” in a Truth Social post.

The outburst came one day after Trump’s Justice Department subpoenaed reporters at the newspaper.

Trump targeted Haberman and Swan over their book “Regime Change,” which examines the inner workings of his second administration. He has repeatedly criticized the book since its release.

In the post, Trump wrote:“Maggot Hagerman has covered me incorrectly for ten years. Her book is a joke! 90% of it is Fake News. She has made a living off her bad reporting, and will pay the price when our Multi Billion Dollar Lawsuit against The Failing New York Times gets to Court…”

He continued: “I don’t mind bad press, if they are right. I do mind Fake Reporting… Maggot is a loser! If she ever wrote the true story about me, it would actually be quite boring, but loaded with lots of SUCCESS.”

Haberman, a longtime White House correspondent, and Swan, a White House reporter, have covered Trump extensively throughout his political career.

Trump Administration Subpoenas NYTimes Journalists

The Trump administration issued subpoenas Friday to several New York Times journalists who reported this week on security concerns with President Trump’s new Qatari-donated Air Force One.

The subpoenas compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. 

In some cases, federal agents delivered the subpoenas directly to the journalists’ homes. The move marks a sharp escalation in the administration’s efforts to pressure independent news organizations.

The Times strongly condemned the action. “The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,” said David McCraw, the Times’s top newsroom lawyer, in a statement Friday evening.

McCraw called the subpoenas “a brazen act” intended to intimidate journalists and prevent the public from learning how the government is operating and how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

The subpoenas, issued by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in Manhattan, contain few details. They require testimony only “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.” Clayton was recently nominated by Trump to serve as director of national intelligence.

White House and Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The subpoenaed journalists are Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt. Their reporting revealed that Trump flew on the older Air Force One during a recent trip from Turkey at the Secret Service’s urging due to security concerns, and that the new Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar lacks certain advanced protections, such as antimissile capabilities. Sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information.

Before the initial story published on Wednesday, an FBI official contacted The Times requesting the article be held for national security reasons but declined to specify the threat when asked, according to a person familiar with the conversation. The Times proceeded with publication.

This is the latest development in tensions between the Trump administration and news organizations over coverage of presidential security and foreign government involvement in U.S. assets.

Sports Has Exploded In Every Corner of Media Ecosystem

Sports Coverage Has Exploded Across Media Landscape, Including Unlikely Outlets.  Sports is experiencing a surge in attention from media organizations of all stripes, with even traditionally non-sports publications such as Politico and Vanity Fair (VF) ramping up their coverage. 

The reason is simple: sports delivers content that engaged readers deliberately seek out, rather than passively encounter while browsing.

This shift marks a significant expansion of sports journalism. Once confined largely to dedicated sports sections and specialty outlets, in-depth reporting, analysis, and storytelling on athletics have now ballooned into nearly every corner of the media ecosystem. 

Study: Sports Plays Major Role In Choosing Streaming Platforms

43% of Americans would switch their mobile, broadband, or TV provider for a better sports streaming bundle, according to new research commissioned by Bango, a U.K.-based subscription bundling platform provider. 

The finding highlights that more than four in ten customers are potentially up for grabs in the competitive telecom market. Sports has emerged as a frontline battleground for telcos fighting to win and retain customers amid fragmented sports rights across streaming platforms. 

Providers are increasingly seen as a trusted solution for consolidating live sports content into a single bundle, with more than half (52%) of respondents saying they would trust their own telco above anyone else to handle this.

Reports: ESPN Closing In On Adam Schefter Deal

ESPN is closing in on a long-term contract extension with top NFL insider Adam Schefter, according to reports, securing one of the league’s most prominent voices at the network well into the 2030s. The deal would lock in Schefter — widely regarded as the preeminent NFL insider in media — at ESPN (known as the Worldwide Leader in Sports) for several years beyond the current decade. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but his previous contract, signed in 2022, was reportedly worth approximately $9 million annually.

The move follows ESPN’s successful retention of other key NFL insiders, including Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, who joined the network as part of its broader push to dominate NFL coverage. ESPN’s roster of insiders now includes Schefter, Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, Garafolo, Jeremy Fowler, Kimberley Martin, Dan Graziano, Jeff Darlington, and Judy Battista, creating a formidable team for breaking news and analysis.

NBC's TODAY Extends Total Viewers Winning Streak

NBC News’ TODAY won in total viewers and the key demo A25-54 for the week of June 29-July 5 while remaining the #1 morning news program across the board season-to-date.

TODAY averaged 2.827 million total viewers, leading GMA by +59,000 viewers (+2%) and CBS by +1.089 million viewers (+63%). The show ranked #1 in total viewers for the 24th consecutive week, marking its longest winning streak since April 2012.

• TODAY also delivered 568,000 A25-54 viewers, leading GMA by +113,000 (+25%) and CBS by +280,000 (+97%).
• TODAY Highlights#1 morning show across the board for the week and season-to-date.
• #1 in total viewers for the 24th consecutive week, the program’s longest winning streak since April 2012.
• Posted its 35th weekly win of the 2025-26 season.
• Delivered 23 consecutive weeks of year-over-year total viewer growth, the show’s longest streak since August 2011.
• Recorded the largest year-over-year total viewer increase among the broadcast morning shows (+160,000 / +6%).
• Beat CBS by more than one million viewers for the 29th consecutive week, the longest such streak since May 2015.

Season-to-Date

TODAY ranks as the #1 morning show across the board season-to-date, leading in total viewers and the key demo A25-54, and is posting the biggest total viewer growth versus last season up +174,000 (+6%).

In total viewers, TODAY leads GMA by +134,000, its widest season-to-date advantage in 14 years.Leads CBS by +1.172 million viewers, its largest season-to-date advantage in 11 years and 62% larger than at the same point last season.

In the key demo A25-54, TODAY leads GMA by +138,000.Leads CBS by +334,000, its largest season-to-date demo advantage in five years.

ABC's GMA Delivers Week-To-Week Growth

“Good Morning America” averaged 2.768 million Total Viewers, 455,000 Adults 25-54 and 330,000 Adults 18-49 for the week of June 29, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “GMA” improved on the previous week in Adults 25-54 (+1% – 455,000 vs. 451,000) and Adults 18-49 (+1% – 330,000 vs. 327,000).
• For the fifth week running, “GMA” grew year to year in Total Viewers (+3% – 2.768 million vs. 2.683 million) and Adults 18-49 (+27% – 330,000 vs. 260,000).
• “GMA” cut its week-to-week margins with “Today” by double digits in both Adults 25-54 (-36% – 113,000 vs. 177,000) and Adults 18-49 (-29% – 52,000 vs. 73,000). “GMA” posted its closest performance in Adults 25-54 in 6 weeks and its narrowest in Adults 18-49 in 8 weeks — since weeks of 5/18/26 and 5/4/26, respectively.
• “GMA” decreased its gaps with “Today” on the same week last year by double digits in both Adults 25-54 (-12% – 113,000 vs. 128,000) and Adults 18-49 (-45% – 52,000 vs. 94,000).
• “GMA” (2.768 million, 455,000 and 330,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Mornings” (1.738 million, 288,000 and 207,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+1.030 million), Adults 25-54 (+167,000) and Adults 18-49 (+123,000). In addition, “GMA” led “CBS Mornings” in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the last 1,432 weeks overall — since w/o 1/18/99.
• Season to date, “GMA” is up in Total Viewers (+1% – 2.852 million vs. 2.829 million) and Adults 18-49 (+9% – 334,000 vs. 307,000) compared to the same point last year.

SBS Wins Court Approval For Reorganization Plans

Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has won court approval for its Chapter 11 reorganization plan, positioning the Hispanic media company to exit bankruptcy once federal regulators approve the transfer of its broadcast licenses.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon signed the confirmation order on July 1 in Delaware. The prepackaged plan, filed in May, will slash SBS’s debt by more than 75% — eliminating roughly $240 million of its $310 million total — by transferring ownership to its creditors.

The company must now obtain FCC approval for the change in control of its radio and TV licenses, a process that could take several weeks or months.

SBS filed the Chapter 11 case after reaching an agreement with creditors. At the time, CEO Raúl Alarcón said the restructuring would strengthen the company’s balance sheet and better position it for the future. All publicly traded shares will be consolidated and transferred to debtholders.

R.I.P.: Actor Randolph Mantooth, Portrayed Firefighter-Paramedic

Randolph Mantooth, the actor who starred as firefighter-paramedic John Gage in the groundbreaking 1970s TV series “Emergency!,” has died at age 80 after a long illness, his family said Friday.

Mantooth’s portrayal and the NBC series, which aired for five seasons from January 1972 to May 1977, dramatically raised public awareness of paramedics and emergency medical services, inspiring generations to enter firefighting and EMS careers, his family said.

“The series helped introduce the public to paramedics and emergency medicine, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in EMS and firefighting,” the family said in a statement. “Its influence extended far beyond entertainment, contributing to greater recognition of emergency medical services throughout the country.”

The show followed the crew of Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51 and included follow-up made-for-TV movies that aired until 1979.Los Angeles County Fire Department officials praised Mantooth as a lasting symbol of the department’s legacy. 

“Randolph Mantooth was the face of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for an entire generation,” said Capt. Aaron Katon. “Talk to any fire buff of a certain age, and Johnny Gage riding Squad 51 is the stuff of legend.”

Mantooth was born Sept. 19, 1945, in Sacramento, California. He earned a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and later appeared in the 2003 off-Broadway production of Lanford Wilson’s “Rain Dance,” which also starred James Van Der Beek.

Radio History: July 11

➦In 1906...Harry Von Zell born in Indianapolis (Died of cancer at age 75 – November 21, 1981), He was an announcer of radio programs and an actor in films and television shows. He is best remembered for his work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and for once mispronouncing President Herbert Hoover's name on the air, a slip that was exaggerated on a later comedy record album.

Von Zell broke into show business as a singer and announcer at radio station KMIC in Inglewood, California in the mid-1920s. Later, auditioning for Paul Whiteman's radio show in 1929, he was chosen from a field of 250 announcers. When that series came to an end in 1930, he headed for New York and became a CBS staff announcer, working with Fred Allen, Phil Baker, Eddy Duchin and Ed Wynn. He also announced for The Aldrich Family, The Amazing Mr. Smith, and The March of Time. During the 1920s and 1930s von Zell served as announcer on some 20 shows a week.

His longest-running radio partnership was his nine seasons with veteran comedian Eddie Cantor. From October 1940 to June 1949 von Zell served as Cantor's commercial spokesperson and straight man. As Cantor cast member Dinah Shore's solo career began to blossom, she brought von Zell in as announcer on her Birds Eye Open House program.

As a young announcer, von Zell made a memorable verbal slip in 1931 when he referred to U.S. President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever" during a live tribute on Hoover's birthday. Hoover was not present at this tribute. Zell's blooper came at the end of a lengthy coverage of Hoover's career, in which Zell had pronounced the President's name correctly several times.

➦In 1934...the first appointments to the newly created Federal Communications Commission were made. The governing body was first served by seven men named as commissioners.

D.C. Circuit Dismisses Challenge to Nexstar-TEGNA Merger

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has granted the FCC's  request to dismiss appeals in the consolidated Free Press v. FCC case, clearing a key legal obstacle to Nexstar Media Group’s approved acquisition of TEGNA.

The ruling represents a significant win for both the FCC and Nexstar, the nation’s largest local television station owner. It removes a major regulatory hurdle that opponents had hoped would derail or delay the multi-billion-dollar merger, which regulators had already approved.

With the D.C. Circuit appeals now dismissed, Nexstar will shift its legal focus to the Ninth Circuit, where it is appealing a preliminary injunction. That injunction currently requires the company to maintain TEGNA as a separate “hold separate” entity, limiting integration and operational synergies while the broader litigation continues.

Nexstar officials said the company remains committed to completing the transaction and will pursue all available avenues to lift the hold-separate order. The Ninth Circuit appeal is expected to address whether the injunction should remain in place during ongoing proceedings.

The Free Press v. FCC challenges centered on arguments that the FCC improperly approved the merger, claiming it would reduce competition, harm local journalism, and concentrate too much control in the broadcast television industry. By granting the FCC’s motion to dismiss, the D.C. Circuit effectively upheld the agency’s regulatory decision and rejected those challenges at the appellate level in that venue.

The development marks the latest chapter in a high-stakes battle over media consolidation. If ultimately completed, the Nexstar-TEGNA deal would create an even larger broadcast powerhouse, owning hundreds of television stations across the country. Proponents argue the combination delivers economies of scale and strengthens local broadcasting; critics contend it threatens viewpoint diversity and local news independence.

Charlotte Radio: Future of WBT AM Towers Remain Uncertain

More than six months after Radio One moved WBT’s news-talk programming from its legacy 1110 AM frequency to 107.9 FM, the future of the Carolinas’ first commercial radio station is still unclear.

At the end of 2025, the station’s owners shifted the format to FM, promising an announcement on the AM signal “soon.” Since then, 1110 AM has aired only an instrumental music loop and a recorded message directing listeners to the new FM home. The powerful 50,000-watt “clear channel” signal continues to legally identify as WBT.

Radio listener Johnny Caudle has launched a Change.org petition to preserve part of the historic broadcast site. He cites reports that the 19-acre transmitter property on Nations Ford Road in south Charlotte is for sale and fears the three towers could be removed for redevelopment.

“I think they are probably doing the best they can locally with the cards they’ve been dealt, but their silence leaves everyone out here to draw conclusions on our own,” Caudle said. “I heard the land was for sale… I started thinking we need to save something.”

Caudle emphasized he is not trying to block any sale, only to protect a piece of local radio history. Several prominent Charlotte radio personalities, including John Hancock, Sheri Lynch, and Arroe Collins, have signed the petition.

First licensed in 1922, WBT was the Carolinas’ original commercial radio station. Its strong AM signal was once heard from Miami to Maine. The station’s transmitter site is now marketed as a “garden multifamily development opportunity” in south Charlotte. (Hat Tip To WCNC-TV)

iHM Reaches FCC Settlement Over Event Disclosures

iHeartMedia has agreed to overhaul its sponsorship disclosure practices following a U.S. senator’s complaint about alleged payola-style arrangements in which radio airplay was allegedly traded for free artist performances at company events.

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau adopted a consent decree Wednesday closing the investigation with no fine. Under the agreement, iHeart admits the factual findings but does not admit any legal violation. 

The company must appoint compliance officers, create a formal compliance plan, train relevant staff, implement new public disclosures for major events, and file regular reports with the FCC over the next three years.

Senator Blackburn

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sparked the probe with a January 2025 letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. She alleged that iHeart stations were offering artists increased airplay in exchange for performing free shows at company events, with the implicit threat of reduced airplay for those who declined.

Days after the complaint, the FCC issued an industry-wide enforcement advisory on the practice. 

Chairman Carr followed up directly with iHeart in February 2025, seeking information related to the iHeart Country Festival in Austin. iHeart responded that artists appeared for promotional value—likening short festival sets to movie trailers—and said airplay was never part of any arrangement. 

The Enforcement Bureau opened a formal inquiry in May 2025 and a supplemental inquiry in February 2026.The resulting consent decree requires iHeart to name a corporate compliance officer and market-level contacts within 30 days, develop a formal compliance plan within 60 days, and train employees who interact with artists, managers, and labels on sponsorship identification rules.

Radio Remains the Nation's Reach Leader

AM/FM radio reaches 87% of U.S. adults every week, giving advertisers the broadest, most consistent audience of any major media platform, according to Nielsen Audience Insights.

The medium performs even stronger with younger listeners, reaching 81% of Adults 18-34 weekly — higher than any other measured platform.

Despite Americans spreading their time across more media options than ever, radio continues to deliver massive scale and reliability that complements today’s fragmented media habits.

Weekly Reach Across Platforms 18+

As consumers spread their attention across an ever-growing array of platforms, radio remains one of the few media channels that delivers broad, consistent reach across virtually every audience. According to Nielsen Audience Insights, radio continues to deliver exceptional reach among Black Adults 18+ and Hispanic Adults 18+, outperforming or strongly competing with other measured media in these important segments. For advertisers seeking to connect with America’s increasingly diverse consumers, radio offers unmatched scale and efficiency.

ABC WNT Continues Rein As No.1 Program In Total Viewers

For the 12th straight week, “World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (8.128 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of June 29, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight with David Muir” ranked as the No. 1 newscast in all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (8.128 million), Adults 25-54 (964,000) and Adults 18-49 (741,000).
• “World News Tonight” outdelivered “NBC Nightly News” (6.160 million, 856,000 and 612,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+32%/+1.968 million), Adults 25-54 (+13%/+108,000) and Adults 18-49 (+21%/+129,000).
• “World News Tonight” widened its margins over “NBC Nightly News” week to week in Total Viewers (+30% – 1.968 million vs. 1.517 million), Adults 25-54 (+66% – 108,000 vs. 65,000) and Adults 18-49 (+231% – 129,000 vs. 39,000). “World News Tonight” delivered its largest Total Viewer lead in 6 weeks and its biggest margin in Adults 25-54 in 5 weeks — since the week of 5/18/26 and 5/25/26, respectively.
• “World News Tonight” widened its Total Viewers margin over “NBC Nightly News” year to year by 14% (1.968 million vs. 1.726 million).

Fox News Channel Dominates The 3 Networks In Weekday Primetime

FOX News Channel (FNC) ended the week of June 29th with 2.5 million weekday primetime viewers and 224,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, dominating ABC (2.2 million viewers), NBC (2.2 million viewers) and CBS (1.9 million viewers) according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC claimed 2.5 million viewers, and in Monday – Sunday total day, FNC averaged 1.6 million viewers. Notably, FNC also posted the most growth week-to-week in total day, notching a 16% increase in total viewers and a 24% increase in the 25-54 demo.

On Saturday:  FNC delivered its highest-rated July 4th in network history, averaging 3.5 million viewers and 357,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 2.3 million viewers and 262,000 in the 25-54 demo across total day – leading CBS in primetime (2 million viewers). 

Special coverage in Washington D.C. hosted by Bret Baier, Sean Hannity, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner and Brian Kilmeade from 7 PM-1 AM/ET secured 3.9 million viewers and 459,000 in the 25-54 demo – capturing 73% of the cable news share. FNC’s Independence Day coverage peaked at 5.7 million viewers and 701,000 in the 25-54 demo during President Trump’s speech from 11:15-11:45 PM/ET. 

The network’s special program, America 250: Celebrating Freedom led the day with over 3.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched program of the weekend and the week. It was followed by America 250: America’s Newsroom with 2.9 million viewers and America 250: Outnumbered with 2.5 million viewers.

On Friday: FNC clinched 2.8 million viewers and 240,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 1.8 million viewers and 155,000 in the 25-54 demo throughout total day. Markedly, FNC outperformed CBS (1.7 million viewers) and NBC (1.5 million viewers) through primetime. FNC’s coverage of the America250 Times Square ball drop also garnered 2.1 million viewers and 197,000 in the 25-54 demo from 11:30 PM-12:30 AM/ET, leading ABC (2 million viewers).

Canadian Broadcasters Says Regulators Share Shutdown Blame

Rogers Communications in Canads this week said declining audiences and ad revenue are behind its decision to shut down two Vancouver radio stations.

But Kevin Desjardins from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, a trade association for private broadcasters, says the government and regulators also share some of the blame.

The closures, which took effect Tuesday, July 7, 2026, include:

• Vancouver: Sportsnet 650 (CISL-AM), the city's last remaining all-sports station, and 1130 NewsRadio (CKWX-AM).
• Calgary: Sportsnet 960 (CFAC-AM) and 660 NewsRadio (CFFR-AM).
• Halifax: NewsRadio 95.7 (CJNI-FM).
• Kitchener: 570 NewsRadio (CKGL-AM).

Philly Radio: Jen Scordo Lands Midddays At Country 92.5 XTU

Beasley Media Group is pleased to announce that Jen Scordo has been named the new Midday Host at Country station 92.5 WXTU-FM in Philadelphia. The announcement was officially unveiled at 9am Friday, July 10th during the Andie Summers Show. Jen will begin her new role immediately.  

A familiar voice to WXTU listeners and a longtime Philadelphia broadcaster, Scordo officially joins the station’s weekday lineup after serving as the station’s fill-in midday host. Over the years, she has worked in the promotions and engineering departments at Greater Media, served as an audio technician and stagehand at NBC10, hosted middays at Cat Country 107.3, worked as a producer and on-air personality at 97.5 The Fanatic, filled in as an anchor for This Morning with Gordon Deal, and held on-air roles at WMMR, WMGK, and WXTU.

Jen Scordo

“Jen has earned this opportunity through her talent, professionalism, and ability to build authentic connections with listeners,” said Paul Blake, Vice President and Market Manager of Beasley Media Group Philadelphia. “She understands the WXTU brand, embraces the Philadelphia community, and has done an exceptional job on the air. We’re excited to officially welcome her to the midday lineup and look forward to what’s ahead.”

“She is a true talent and has a natural ability to connect with listeners in a real and authentic way,” said Chuck Damico, Program Director of 92.5 WXTU.  “Jen has a tremendous work ethic, a great sense of humor, and the ability to make listeners feel like they’re spending time with a friend. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the WXTU family full-time.

“I honestly couldn’t be happier,” said Scordo. “Philadelphia has been my home for the past 25 years, and WXTU has always represented everything I love about country radio. To have the opportunity to spend middays with the incredible listeners of XTU Nation is truly a dream come true. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”

Happy TGIF: Here's The Pulse Briefing For July 10

Radio Broadcasting

FCC Ends Payola Probe: iHeartMedia has agreed to overhaul its sponsorship disclosure practices following a U.S. senator’s complaint about alleged payola-style arrangements in which radio airplay was allegedly traded for free artist performances at company events.

Reach Is Radio's Thing: AM/FM radio reaches 87% of U.S. adults every week, giving advertisers the broadest, most consistent audience of any major media platform, according to Nielsen Audience Insights.

Towers Dilemma: More than six months after Radio One moved WBT’s news-talk programming from its legacy 1110 AM frequency to 107.9 FM, the future of the Carolinas’ first commercial radio station is still unclear.

Netflix Discussing Adding Live Channels

Netflix is discussing the addition of live channels that continuously stream specific programs or genres, as well as bundling other subscription services like NBCUniversal’s Peacock into its app, according to people familiar with the matter. 

The moves would appear as tiles on the streamer’s homepage and mark a significant shift from its on-demand roots.

The initiatives aim to boost engagement as the company faces mounting pressure. Shares have fallen more than 40% over the past 12 months. In April, Netflix issued disappointing second-quarter guidance, including lower year-over-year operating margins. 

Its share of TV viewership dropped to 7.8% that month, the lowest since May 2025, per Nielsen data.

Executives have also explored selling subscriptions to rival services through Netflix’s main platform, similar to how Amazon and Apple already operate.

The discussions signal Netflix’s willingness to pivot. For years, co-founder Reed Hastings emphasized focus and simplicity as keys to success. However, the company now contends with intensifying competition from Disney, HBO Max, and YouTube, while fast-growing free ad-supported services like Tubi and the Roku Channel—featuring linear channels and more casual viewing—are rapidly gaining audience share.

50M Viewed Disney's 24-Hour 250th Anniversary Special

Disney Entertainment Television marked the nation’s historic 250th anniversary, reaching 49.6 million Total Viewers with the ambitious 24-hour programming block “Disney Celebrates America,” which kicked off Friday, July 3, and continued through Saturday, July 4. 

“World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir led the coverage alongside a powerhouse team of national and local news talent, featuring 70 live remotes and reporting from all 50 states. Coverage included stories about local celebrations and hometown heroes, along with a unique exploration of the seven natural wonders of America.

The sweeping programming event, which was available across ABC, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, National Geographic, Freeform, FX and ABC News Live, culminated in a one-of-a-kind celebration from the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, as Emmy® Award-winner Ryan Seacrest hosted the three-hour live special “Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash.”

“Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest” (12:30-1 p.m. EDT) delivered 5.017 million Total Viewers and a 0.68 rating among Adults 18-49, vaulting to an all-time high in Total Viewers.  The half-hour special more than tripled last year’s performance, up +209% in Total Viewers (vs. 1.624 million) and +48% in Adults 18-49 (vs. 0.46 rating) over last year.

Radio History: July 10

➦In 1856…Nikola Tesla was born. (Died – 7 January 1943). He was an inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist who is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.

Nikola Tesla

Tesla, one of history’s most under-appreciated and under-acknowledged engineers. Credit for his work is often gray and debated, sometimes due to unscrupulous competitors and sometimes due to timing.

Indeed, Tesla is known to have worked on a radio before Marconi, an X-Ray machine before Roentgen, an induction motor around the same time Ferrari claimed his, and experimented to find “small charged particles” years before Thomson was credited with proving the existence of electrons.

Tesla is perhaps best known within engineering circles for his work on AC (alternating current) and his “War of Currents” feud with Thomas Edison (side note: Edison, an employer of Tesla’s for some time, is known in some engineering circles as the man who copied and used Tesla's ideas).

Even with such challenges and a lifetime of illnesses, Tesla accrued about 300 patents. He died penniless and in debt in his New York apartment on January 7, 1943, at the age of 86. After his death, much of Tesla’s papers and works were impounded by the United States' Alien Property Custodian office. This was despite the fact that Tesla had become a US citizen at 35 years old.

Eventually many of his personal notebooks and works were declared “top secret” by the FBI and shuttered away from public view. Reasons given for doing so were that Tesla had done significant work with various US government agencies. 

Tesla's theories on the possibility of the transmission by radio waves go back as far as lectures and demonstrations in 1893 in St. Louis, Missouri, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the National Electric Light Association.  Tesla's demonstrations and principles were written about widely through various media outlets.  Many devices such as the Tesla Coil were used in the further development of radio.