Good Morning! The Pulse Has Your Briefing For Wednesday, Oct 21

Radio Broadcasting

The Winners: The 2026 NAB Marconi Radio Awards were presented on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, the night before NAB Show New York. MORE

Expansion: Xperi says its DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal now covers 550 markets across 49 states, including 173 previously under-measured small and mid-sized markets, ahead of its appearance at NAB Show New York. MORE

Boston Radio:  Margaret Low, chief executive of public radio station WBUR, said Tuesday she will leave the role in June after nearly seven years leading the organization through staff cuts, revenue declines and the loss of federal funding. MORE

Media Industry:

Stalled Engagement: Netflix posted its slowest quarterly revenue growth in three years and said it is working to increase viewing time as it reduces its workforce and replaces senior programming executives. MORE

Pittman Advice: iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman took a pointed swipe at the podcast industry’s latest talent-spending spree Tuesday, warning that rivals are writing checks they may never earn back. MORE

Creator Earnings: Spotify is rolling out Memberships, a new feature that allows podcast creators to sell exclusive content and perks to fans in exchange for recurring payments. MORE

U-S News

Mystery: A deadly crash at Wichita's Stryker Sports Complex, left two people dead and ten injured after a truck drove onto a soccer field, and investigators are still determining whether the driver will face criminal charges.

Clemency: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson, who has been on death row for nearly 30 years for the 1995 murder of Deputy Sheriff William Hardy, citing insufficient direct evidence, while his legal team continues to seek a new trial.

Executed: Florida executed Vietnam veteran William Reaves Jr. for the 1986 murder of Officer Richard Raczkowski, despite calls for clemency from veteran groups citing his wartime trauma.

And This Year' Marconi Award Winners Are...

The 2026 NAB Marconi Radio Awards were presented on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, the night before NAB Show New York.⁠

Hosted by nationally syndicated personality Deja Vu (with pre-recorded elements from Matt Cord), the event celebrated excellence in stations, personalities, managers, and podcasts. Xperi was the title sponsor. 

Longtime Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C. leader Joel Oxley received the separate 2026 NAB National Radio Award for his decades of contributions, including building WTOP and Federal News Network.

⁠➤Full List of Winners

📻Stations by market size

• Legendary Station of the Year: WIVK-FM (107.7), Knoxville, TN
• Major Market Station of the Year: WBMX-FM (104.1), Boston
• Large Market Station of the Year: WYXB-FM (105.7), Indianapolis
• Medium Market Station of the Year: WYCT-FM (98.7), Pensacola, FL
• Small Market Station of the Year: KBHP-FM (101.1), Bemidji, MN

🎤Personalities by market size

• Legendary Radio Manager of the Year: Julie Koehn, WLEN-FM (103.9), Adrian, MI
• Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year: The Bob & Sheri Show (WKQC-FM, Beasley Media Group, Charlotte, NC)
• Major Market Personality of the Year: Karson and Kennedy, WBMX-FM, Boston
• Large Market Personality of the Year: Karen Dalessandro, KSLX-FM (100.7), Phoenix
• Medium Market Personality of the Year: Ron Olson and Karen Perrin, WRVR-FM (104.5), Memphis
• Small Market Personality of the Year: Chris Lawrence, WCHS-AM (580), Charleston, WV

Format categories

• AC: KBIG-FM (104.3), Los Angeles
• CHR: KRBE-FM (104.1), Houston
• Classic Hits: WCBS-FM (101.1), New York
• College Radio: WRRC-FM (107.7), Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Country: KKBQ-FM (92.9/93Q), Houston
• News/Talk: WSB-AM (750), Atlanta
• Religious: WGTS-FM (91.9), Washington, D.C.
• Rock: WIYY-FM (97.9/98 Rock), Baltimore
• Spanish: KOVE-FM (106.5), Houston
• Sports: WEEI-FM (93.7), Boston (its sixth win in the category)
• Urban: WHQT-FM (105.1), Miami

Other: Best Radio Podcast of the Year: “Purple Daily” (KSTP-AM / SKOR North / Hubbard Broadcasting, St. Paul, MN)

Highlights: Boston’s WBMX stood out by sweeping Major Market Station and Personality of the Year. Houston stations claimed three format awards (CHR, Country, and Spanish Language). Minnesota also performed strongly, with Purple Daily (sports talk focused on the Vikings and other teams) and small-market KBHP both winning. WIVK continued its strong country presence by taking Legendary Station honors.⁠

The awards, established in 1989 and named for Guglielmo Marconi, remain radio’s highest industry recognition for overall excellence across stations, talent, and leadership.

Xperi’s DTS AutoStage Portal Expands to 550 Markets

Xperi says its DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal now covers 550 markets across 49 states, including 173 previously under-measured small and mid-sized markets, ahead of its appearance at NAB Show New York.

The expansion adds roughly 1 million vehicles to the platform’s coverage, bringing the total to 7.7 million U.S. vehicles. The portal also now includes weekday and weekend station rankings and enhanced, ready-to-share reports for Premium tier users.

“Until now, reliable radio data has mostly been a ‘big-market’ advantage,” said Joe D’Angelo, Xperi senior vice president of commercial strategy and partnerships. “The AutoStage Broadcaster Portal changes that by bringing actionable listening insights to broadcasters who have never had them.”

Netflix Reports Slowest Revenue Growth in Three Years

Netflix posted its slowest quarterly revenue growth in three years and said it is working to increase viewing time as it reduces its workforce and replaces senior programming executives.

The company reported third-quarter revenue of $12.9 billion, up 12% from a year earlier. Net income rose about 44% to $3.66 billion. Netflix shares fell about 5% in after-hours trading.

Over the past week, Netflix has cut roughly 1,000 jobs, or about 6% of its workforce, and parted ways with its content chief and the head of its film unit, an acknowledgment that its programming has struggled. The company’s stock is down more than 40% over the past year amid investor concerns about growth following its failed bid for Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and HBO Max.

iHM CEO Warns of Podcast Talent Deal "Exuberance"

Bob Pittman

iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman took a pointed swipe at the podcast industry’s latest talent-spending spree Tuesday, warning that rivals are writing checks they may never earn back.

Speaking at Media Trends Live in New York City, Pittman made clear that iHeartMedia—home to roughly 800 podcasts—has no interest in joining the bidding wars. Asked about SiriusXM’s new four-year deal with “Giggly Squad” and the broader rush to lock up big-name shows, he stressed that his company sticks to a simple rule: only do deals that actually make money.

“We’ve had extraordinary discipline … we only want to do a deal where we can make money, and if the deal is throwing away crazy money, we don’t believe in it,” Pittman said. He brushed off the current wave of lavish contracts as classic industry “exuberance”—the kind of overheated spending that “always happens in every business.” Deals that don’t pencil out for iHeartMedia, he argued, simply become loss leaders for whoever wins them. Thanks to the company’s scale, he said, iHeart is better positioned than most to judge which bets are worth taking.

Spotify Launches Memberships For Podcast Creators

Spotify is rolling out Memberships, a new feature that allows podcast creators to sell exclusive content and perks to fans in exchange for recurring payments.

Fans can subscribe to a show’s Membership from its Spotify page and gain immediate access to exclusive content in a few taps. Creators can offer bonus episodes, exclusive audio and video, fewer ads, and early access across multiple tiers and price points. The platform is also adding discovery and retention tools, including targeted promotions, free trials, and analytics on how listeners convert into paying members, with member badges and welcome clips planned for later.

Creators keep 90% of Membership revenue, Spotify said. That is higher than Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, which pays creators 70% of subscription revenue (rising to 85% after a subscriber’s first year). It is roughly in line with Patreon’s standard 10% platform fee, though Patreon charges additional payment-processing and payout fees.

Boston Radio: WBUR's Margaret Low To Step Down In June

Margaret Low, chief executive of public radio station WBUR, said Tuesday she will leave the role in June after nearly seven years leading the organization through staff cuts, revenue declines and the loss of federal funding.

Low, 67, told employees Tuesday morning that this will be her last “big job.” She plans to join WBUR’s board of directors next fall and will continue serving on several journalism boards. The station has hired a search firm to find her successor.

Under Low, WBUR expanded fundraising and developed its events business, including the launch of the annual WBUR Festival last year. The station ranks as Boston’s top radio outlet, according to Nielsen ratings.

Margaret Low

“We have faced down so many gigantic challenges. WBUR is soaring,” Low said in an interview. “I would not walk out the door unless I felt the confidence that I do in this place and the people that work here, the purpose in what we do, and my belief that Boston is an extraordinary town, and that they value what we do and what we make.”

Low joined WBUR in January 2020 after running the events business at The Atlantic and previously overseeing NPR’s news operations in Washington. Her arrival coincided with the start of the pandemic, which accelerated declines in terrestrial radio listening as commuting patterns changed and audiences shifted to podcasts and on-demand audio. Underwriting revenue also fell as large technology companies reduced spending on traditional media.

Roanoke Radio: WSLQ's Dave Paige Ready to Sign-Off

Veteran radio personality David Page will retire from WSLQ-Q99 on Friday, December 11, 2026, ending nearly 30 years on the Roanoke station and a 35-year broadcasting career.

Page, co-host of the long-running “Dick & Dave” morning show with Dick Daniels, has been a fixture for listeners across the Roanoke and Lynchburg regions. Beyond the airwaves, the pair led major community efforts, most notably “Dick and Dave’s Miracle Day,” which has raised more than $3 million for the Children’s Miracle Network. Their work has earned repeated top honors in reader-voted contests from The Roanoker Magazine, Lynchburg’s City Magazine, and Lynchburg Living. Page also anchored coverage of major events, including the September 11, 2001, attacks and the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting.

“Everybody loves Dave. Dave has been an anchor for Q99, our company, and our listeners for nearly 30 years,” said Brett Sharp, Vice President and General Manager of Wheeler Media Solutions. “He is always so full of positivity and has absolutely helped to make our company a better place to work. His dedication to our community, his quick wit, and his partnership with Dick Daniels have helped shape Q99 into what it is today. We will miss him in the hallways and especially on the airwaves, but we are hopeful to have Dave do some Q99 cameos and fill-ins from time to time. We wish Dave nothing but a happy retirement and lots of sleeping in.”

TV Ratings: NLCS Games Averaged 7.5M Viewers

The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games to win their first National League pennant, as the series averaged 7.5 million viewers — the highest for any League Championship Series since 2015.

The four-game NLCS averaged 7,533,000 viewers across Fox and FS1, up 77% from the 2025 American League Championship Series through Game 4, according to Nielsen Media Research. The clincher on FS1 alone averaged 6,135,000 viewers — the most-watched LCS Game 4 since 2018 and a 107% increase from last year’s ALCS Game 4.

Audience interest peaked at 7,322,000 viewers between 11 and 11:08 p.m. ET during the decisive game.

The ratings mark a significant jump from recent postseason series and underscore strong national interest in Milwaukee’s historic run to the World Series.

The Game Ends. The Conversation Doesn't.

Sports fans keep talking long after the final whistle — debating calls, tracking injuries, and arguing about their teams the next day. A lot of that conversation now happens on radio, podcasts, and with hosts they trust.

That was the main point at an Audacy panel during Advertising Week New York, where Michael Biemolt joined J.P. Flaim and Cakes Auville of The Sports Junkies. Live games are limited and expensive for advertisers, Biemolt said. Fans actually spend more time with the surrounding content: daily shows, podcasts, fantasy and betting talk, and debates that stretch one game into a full week of conversation.

“Sports fans want more than just the in-game analysis,” Flaim said. “The conversation goes way beyond the final whistle.”

The Sports Junkies have built that kind of relationship for 30 years. Listeners who moved away years ago still tune in regularly. At the conference, the hosts even met a New York listener who’s followed the show daily for years — and had dinner with him the night before.

Auville recalled early advice from their program director: “You guys are basically a content company.” Fans can listen live or catch up later as a podcast, so the content travels with them.

The panel also pointed to authentic brand partnerships that lean on that trust. When Surfside was still growing in the D.C. area, the hosts talked about it naturally, including at parties. Listeners started trying it and sharing photos and stories on social media from across the country. “A listener in San Diego: ‘I had to check it out because you guys are talking about it,’” Flaim said.

They also argued for going beyond scripted host-reads. Auville, a poker player, approached MGM National Harbor about working together. Nearly 10 years later, he still hosts the monthly Cakes Classic poker tournament there, which helps drive business on slower nights. It’s built around something he genuinely enjoys.

Sports fans are more than a stereotype, the panel noted. They’re people with careers, families, and other interests. Sports audio can also reach more affluent listeners and decision-makers, opening doors for categories like financial services, insurance, and automotive.

In the end, the hosts said fandom isn’t just a few hours on the schedule. It’s an ongoing relationship built through trusted voices and conversations that continue long after the game ends.

U2 To Perform At Thanksgiving Eve Halftime Show

Netflix has announced that legendary rock band U2 will headline the halftime show during the NFL's first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game. The event will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, featuring a matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on Netflix, as reported by NFL.com.

U2's performance comes as the band celebrates 50 years since forming in Dublin in 1976. The band is no stranger to iconic halftime shows, having delivered a memorable performance during Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. Bleacher Report notes that this performance is expected to be a highlight of the NFL season, with U2 bringing their renowned stage presence to the NFL audience.

Louisville Radio: WHAS' Terry Meiner Named Louisvillian of the Year

Terry Meiners

Longtime Louisville radio host Terry Meiners has been named Louisvillian of the Year by the American Advertising Federation – Louisville as he marks five decades on the air.

Meiners, who began his career in Louisville in 1976 and joined WHAS Radio in 1986, has hosted the station’s afternoon drive-time show Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. for 40 years. He is one of the few remaining hosts of a live afternoon radio program in the country and has said iHeartMedia, owner of 840 WHAS, has given him the freedom to continue as long as he chooses.

The award, in its 76th year and the longest-running recognition of its kind in Kentucky, honors leaders whose contributions extend beyond professional success to strengthen civic life and celebrate Louisville’s creative legacy. AAF-Louisville Board Chair Monica Bischoff called Meiners “a giant in the Louisville media scene for decades” whose voice and impact have shaped the community in many ways.

Audio Improves Canadian Commutes, SiriusXM Study Finds

A majority of Canadian car commuters (73%) report that their time on the road would be worse without audio, according to SiriusXM’s second annual Canadian Commute study.

The survey of more than 1,200 English- and French-speaking drivers, conducted by the Angus Reid Group in early September, underscores the significant role of audio in the commuting experience, particularly among younger listeners and in Montreal.

Among audio listeners aged 18–34, 50% indicated that audio improves their mood, while 32% reported looking forward to their drive because of content they intended to listen to. In Montreal, 85% of respondents said their time in the vehicle would be worse without audio, and 31% identified it as the most valued aspect of their commute.

Many drivers also reported deteriorating conditions on the road: 37% of Canadians stated that their commuting experience has worsened over the past year. Toronto drivers face particularly challenging conditions, with 27% reporting commutes of more than one hour and 48% describing their journeys as stressful. In Vancouver, 46% of drivers characterized their commute as stressful, although only 11% drive for an hour or more.

“Canadians cannot always control the traffic, distance, or delays associated with being on the road, but they can influence how they spend that time,” said Susan Simpson, Senior Director, Brand, Marketing and Communications, SiriusXM Canada. “This year’s study demonstrates the important role audio can play in the commuting experience and how it can help make time behind the wheel feel more enjoyable, meaningful, and personal.”

Audacy Launches New Season of “Unsolved Mysteries” Podcast

Audacy announced the return of “Unsolved Mysteries,” the weekly podcast from the creators and producers of the Emmy-nominated, long-running hit television series and popular Netflix streaming series. The podcast is now expanding to video, presenting all-new unsolved cases from the vast Unsolved Mysteries database and extending the franchise’s legacy of gripping, character-driven storytelling to the YouTube audience. 

The “Unsolved Mysteries” podcast is produced by Unsolved Media, Inc. in partnership with Audacy. It's hosted by Jordan Murphy, who has over two decades of experience across network television and film. Audacy will handle sales and distribution for the series. 

The new season of “Unsolved Mysteries” will launch on Thursday, October 29, in video on YouTube and everywhere podcasts are available. New episodes will be released weekly on Thursdays. In addition, updates to cases previously profiled on the “Unsolved Mysteries” podcasts and vintage television series will be released on select Tuesdays throughout the season. Follow the show here. 

R.I.P.: Panama Hoston, Longtime Northern Nevada Personality

(1960-2026)

Longtime Northern Nevada radio personality Panama Hoston, known to listeners simply as “Panama,” died Sunday evening, Oct. 18, at Renown Medical Center from complications of liver failure. He was 66.

Hoston had been a fixture of Reno Media Group stations for more than two decades, hosting shows on 103.7 The River (KODS) and 1270 AM The Buzz. He joined the company in 2002 and began on-air work in 2003. In 2014, he teamed with Mike Leach to create the “Panama and Mike” morning show, which became the top-rated morning program in the market.

A Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductee, Hoston was remembered for his high-energy style and deep community involvement. He partnered for years with the late philanthropist Evelyn Mount on the station’s annual food drives, helping provide meals for families across Northern Nevada. He also served on the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s board of directors and regularly supported local charities, fundraisers, and community events.⁠

“Panama went about everything at 100 miles per hour and always gave it his all, until he had nothing left,” said longtime co-host Mike Leach. “He was the kind of person they talk about when they say ‘they broke the mold after they made him.’ He will be dearly missed.”

Radio History: Oct 21

➥In 1908...The first two-sided vinyl record was offered for sale.

The first sound recordings at the end of the 19th century were made on cylinder records, which had a single round surface capable of holding approximately two minutes of sound. Early shellac disc records records only had recordings on one side of the disc, with a similar capacity (both media could hold between three and four minutes by 1910). Double-sided recordings, with one selection on each side, were introduced in Europe by Columbia Records, and by 1910 most record labels had adopted the format in both Europe and the United States; the ability to effectively double the amount of sound on the disc was one major factor in its rising to dominance over the cylinder record which was obsolete by 1912.

There were no record charts until the 1930s, and radio stations (by and large) did not play recorded music until the 1950s (when top 40 radio overtook full-service network radio). In this time, A-sides and B-sides existed, but neither side was considered more important; the "side" did not convey anything about the content of the record.

➦In 1915...First transmission of speech across the Atlantic Ocean was made by radiotelephone, Arlington, Va., to Paris.

➦In 1969...Radio personality Roby Yonge aired the infamous “Paul is Dead” show at 77 WABC, NYC.

Radio Proved Essential As Hurricane Isaias Moved Ashore

AM/FM radio proved essential during Hurricane Isaias, with audience data showing elevated and resilient listening across Gulf Coast and Atlanta markets as the storm made landfall and moved inland.

The latest blog from the Cumulus/Westwood One Active Audio Group tracks how DTS AutoStage next-day audience measurement captured how drivers and listeners turned to local radio for critical updates during the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. Isaias came ashore on the northern Gulf Coast late Friday, October 9, placing the Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola and Panama City, Florida, radio markets directly in its path before continuing inland and reaching Atlanta on Saturday, October 10.

In Mobile on landfall day, hour-by-hour in-car AM/FM listening occasions showed residents largely heeded shelter warnings. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., however, car traffic ran higher than normal as people completed last-minute shopping and moved to safety. By Sunday, October 11, Mobile morning in-car occasions had recovered to 86% of historical levels; from noon to midnight, recovery reached 98%.

Station-level results underscored radio’s role. In Atlanta, News and Talk WSB recorded its highest shares and cumes as Isaias arrived. In Panama City, Christian stations posted strong audience growth for the storm week. The Cumulus Pensacola cluster saw shares double versus a typical day. In Mobile on Friday, the Cumulus cluster share rose 30% compared with a typical day.

The data illustrate how local AM/FM radio maintained and, in several cases, expanded its audience during a major weather event, serving as a primary source of information as conditions deteriorated and then began to stabilize.

NAB Show NYC: Marconi Presentations Tonight

The 2026 Marconi Radio Awards will be presented Tuesday night at New York’s Edison Ballroom, serving as the unofficial kickoff for NAB Show New York, a two-day conference that begins Oct. 21 at the Javits Center.

The event draws leaders from broadcasting, sports, streaming, technology and the creator economy for discussions centered on the business of media and the technologies shaping its future. The National Association of Broadcasters positions the gathering as a radio-focused meeting place following the end of its annual co-produced Radio Show with the Radio Advertising Bureau. This year’s edition again emphasizes technology and a broader, non-traditional approach to radio.

SCOTUS Refuses to Overturn Landmark Termination Rights Ruling

The Supreme Court on Monday basically said it won’t step in to overturn a big ruling that lets musicians take back not just their U.S. copyrights, but the foreign rights too—years after they sold them away. That decision, from a lower court, stands for now.

The justices used an unusual move to turn down an appeal from Universal, Sony, Warner, and BMG. Four of them sat it out, and the rest said they couldn’t get to the case this term. So the earlier win for songwriter Cyril Vetter over his 1963 song “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” stays in place.

Boston Radio: Carter Alan to Retire from WZLX After 47 Years

WZLX's Carter Alan (Boston Globe photo)

Carter Alan, the longtime midday host on Boston’s 100.7 WZLX, will retire after a 47-year career on the city’s airwaves, iHeartMedia Boston announced Monday.

Alan will continue hosting his weekday show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until his final broadcast on Friday, Dec. 18. WZLX program director Chris Tyler will take over the midday slot following his departure.

France Is Burning, Fox News Knows Who's Behind It

A Fox News Digital investigation has identified 54 organizations and movements that organized, supported, or amplified France’s October student protests and the wider wave of riots and unrest that followed, according to a report published Monday.⁠

Of those 54 groups, only 16—roughly one-third—are student or youth organizations. These include communist youth groups and a Muslim student association. The remaining 38 consist of adult-led communist organizations, labor unions, political parties, revolutionary-left groups, advocacy organizations, and international propaganda outlets.

Local MLB Broadcast Rights Are Worth $1.6B Each Year

• Chunk of change: MLB’s local rights are worth $1.6 billion per season by themselves.
• Slice of the pie: The Dodgers and Yankees account for 23% of that revenue, presenting a challenge to a combined regional streaming platform.

MLB’s local TV rights are still worth a lot—about $1.6 billion in 2026, which is 43% of all the money the league makes from broadcasting. National deals add another $2.1 billion on top of that.

The problem is that the value is really uneven. Just the Dodgers and Yankees account for 23% of all that local money. So if MLB tries to roll out one big streaming service for in-market games, those big clubs don’t have much reason to jump in if it means taking less than they’re getting now.

After 43 Years, Christiane Amanpour To Exit CNN

Christiane Amanpour will leave CNN in June 2027 after 43 years with the network, the cable news outlet announced Oct. 19.

The 68-year-old chief international anchor said she reached the decision after “many months of thought and a few sleepless nights.” Her daily CNN and PBS programs will end in December. She will continue hosting a weekly CNN show through May 2027 and assist with the transition through June.

Viewer Engagement Has Stalled For Netflix

Netflix ousted two of its top creative executives in recent days, signaling that co-CEO Ted Sarandos and other leaders believe the company must overhaul its television and movie slate to reverse a slide in U.S. viewer engagement.

Content chief Bela Bajaria was replaced last week, hours after a 1,000-person layoff she helped plan. Film chief Dan Lin was removed yesterday. The moves come as Netflix prepares to report third-quarter earnings today and face Wall Street questions about its content strategy.

Good Morning! The Pulse Has Your Briefing For Tuesday, Oct 20

Radio Broadcasting

Radio's Biggest Night: The 2026 Marconi Radio Awards will be presented Tuesday night at New York’s Edison Ballroom, serving as the unofficial kickoff for NAB Show New York, a two-day conference that begins Oct. 21 at the Javits Center. MORE

Signing Off: Carter Alan, the longtime midday host on Boston’s 100.7 WZLX, will retire after a 47-year career on the city’s airwaves, iHeartMedia Boston announced Monday. MORE

Gone Country: Audacy Has flipped Fromats for WTDY 96.5 In Philadelphia. MORE

KROQ’s Iconic Almost Acoustic Christmas Returns

KROQ-FM, Audacy’s influential alternative rock station in Los Angeles, is bringing one of Southern California’s most enduring music traditions back for its 35th year. KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas returns to the Kia Forum on December 12, featuring performances by Foo Fighters, Weezer, Sublime, Interpol, Joyce Manor, Julia Wolf, Almost Monday and The Linda Lindas.

Radio History: Oct 20

Lee DeForest

➦In 1906...Radio pioneer Dr. Lee DeForest demonstrated the electrical vacuum radio tube. DeForest disliked the term "wireless" and chose a new moniker, "radio."

In 1902 he and his financial backers founded the DeForest Wireless Telegraph Company. In order to dramatize the potential of this new medium of communication, he gave public demonstrations of wireless telegraphy for businessmen, the press, and the military.

A poor businessman and a poorer judge of men, de Forest was defrauded twice by his own business partners. By 1906 his first company was insolvent, and he had been squeezed out of its operation. But in 1907 he patented a much more promising detector (developed in 1906), which he called the Audion; it was capable of more sensitive reception of wireless signals than were the electrolytic and Carborundum types then in use. It was a thermionic grid-triode vacuum tube—a three-element electronic “valve” similar to a two-element device patented by the Englishman Sir John Ambrose Fleming in 1905. In 1907 de Forest was able to broadcast experimentally both speech and music to the general public in the New York City area.

De Forest is credited with the birth of radio broadcasting when on January 12, 1910, he conducted experimental broadcast of part of the live performance of Tosca and, the next day, a performance with the participation of Italian tenor Enrico Caruso from the stage of Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Arlene Francis

➦In 1908...Arlene Francis was born in Boston, Massachusetts.  Francis became a well-known New York City radio personality, hosting several programs. In 1938 she became the female host of the radio game show "What's My Name?" although several men appeared as co-hosts over the years, Francis was the sole female host throughout the program's long run (on ABC, NBC and Mutual networks) until it ended in 1949.

In 1940, Francis played Betty in Betty and Bob, an early radio soap opera broadcast.

Philly Radio: Audacy Has Gone Country On WTDY 96.5 FM

There’s a new home for country in Philadelphia starting today with the launch of US 96.5, delivering a mix of the biggest country hits and newest releases, including music from top artists such as Morgan Wallen, Ella Langley, Luke Combs and Jelly Roll. 

The new US 96.5 is commercial-free until October 24 and begins its weekday programming on October 26.

Atlanta Radio: Star 94 Lauches New Morning Show

Star 94 (WSTR-FM), an Audacy station in Atlanta, has added The Bret Mega Show co-hosted by Bret Mega and Anna Bohlmann to its weekday lineup. The show can be heard weekday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET.

Start your mornings out with “The Bret Mega Show.” Bret and AB – a fun, unfiltered on-air family who aren’t afraid to share it all. From personal stories to listener confessions, they bring real talk, big laughs and unforgettable memories.

“Bret and AB bring an authentic, high-energy connection to the airwaves every morning that listeners will instantly resonate with,” said JR Ammons, Brand Manager, Star 94. “I couldn’t be prouder of how ‘The Bret Mega Show’ continues to evolve by bringing their big laughs and real talk to Atlanta mornings. This marks an exciting new chapter for Star 94.”

“The Bret Mega Show” can also be heard on:

• 99.7 The Point (KZPT-FM) in Kansas City: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CT X, Facebook and Instagram
• Y98 (KYKY-FM) in St. Louis: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CT X, Facebook and Instagram
• 105.3 The Buzz (KFBZ-FM) in Wichita: 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. CT X, Facebook and Instagram

📻Listeners can tune in to Star 94.1 (WSTR-FM) in Atlanta on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.

Indy Radio: WNTR Mix 107.9 Shuffles Line-Up w/WZPL

Cumulus Media announces that Adult Contemporary station 107.9 The Mix/WNTR-FM in Indianapolis debuts a new local morning show today featuring well-known on-air personalities, Toni DeKeyser and Ryan Swiger as Co-Hosts. "The Morning Mix with Toni & Ryan” can be heard on 107.9 The Mix Monday through Friday from 6:00am-10:00am.

"The Morning Mix with Toni & Ryan" will wake up Indianapolis with positive energy and fun, blending local conversation, real-life experiences, and great music. Together, Toni and Ryan create a show that feels less like radio and more like a conversation around the kitchen table. From local happenings and community events to parenting moments, lifestyle topics, entertainment news, and plenty of laughs, they invite listeners to be part of the conversation every morning. The new show keeps Central Indiana Hoosiers up-to-the-minute with the information they need to know, engaging entertainment, and real community connection - plus a plethora of listener giveaways!

Toni DeKeyser was previously a Producer and Co-Host on Cumulus Media sister Top 40 station 99.5 ZPL/WZPL-FM’s "Smiley Morning Show," as well as Midday Personality on 107.9 The Mix. She will continue to be heard on 99.5 ZPL Monday through Friday as On-Air Host, Middays. "Producer Will" from the “Smiley Morning Show” and Midday Personality on 99.5 ZPL swaps Midday shows with DeKeyser and will host the 10:00am-3:00pm slot on 107.9 The Mix. In addition to his new role on the 107.9 Mix morning show, Ryan Swiger will continue to be heard on 99.5 ZPL weekdays from 3:00-7:00pm as Afternoon Drive Personality “Crash.”

Local Public Media Eligible for New Funding

Public Media Bridge Fund launches Pathways to Sustainability program Tuesday to help local stations build lasting models after federal cuts.

The program, announced as the fund shifts from short-term emergency grants to long-term organizational strength, provides coaching, customized action plans, and implementation funding of up to $150,000 for radio-only stations and up to $250,000 for television or joint licensees. Applications open tomorrow, with the effort aimed at reducing reliance on federal support and improving operations, revenue diversity, and regional partnerships.

The move follows the Knight Foundation’s recent additional $10 million commitment over three years to the fund’s next phase. That investment is part of a broader $38 million fundraising goal to move stations beyond stabilization. To date, the Bridge Fund has raised approximately $87 million from more than 1,500 donors and has already distributed emergency aid that helped stabilize 186 public radio and television stations serving roughly 30 million people.

R.I.P.: Noah Adams, Longtime All Things Considered Host

Noah Adams (1941-2026)

Noah Adams, the longtime host of NPR’s All Things Considered, died Friday at his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He was 84.

Adams hosted the program for 18 years, guiding listeners through major events including Ronald Reagan’s landslide electoral victories, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Colleagues remembered him most for the softer, observational features he produced after riding trains across the country or spending days in small towns talking to people he met.

“He was always observing,” said Melissa Block, who produced pieces with him for years before hosting All Things Considered herself. “He would have a little reporter’s notebook and he would be taking notes in shorthand. ... Somehow, when we came back, he would capture the character of a place or a person or a town in the most vivid, rich, simple language.”

NAB Show New York Set To Kickoff

NAB Show New York 2026 returns Wednesday and Thursday at the Javits Center, bringing together roughly 250 companies—including at least 37 first-time exhibitors and about 23% international firms—focused on production, AI, streaming, cloud, infrastructure and related tools.

Production remains the largest exhibitor category at about 42%, followed by infrastructure, IT and security solutions at 33%. Asset management, automation and media supply chain technologies each account for roughly 25% of exhibitors. Streaming appears among 66 companies, cloud among 51 and remote production among 42, reflecting growing integration across those areas. At least 33 firms are highlighting AI and machine learning applications.

MRC Pulls Accreditation for PPM Service in Multiple Markets

Nielsen’s Personal Portable Meter (PPM) radio audience measurement service has lost Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation in four major markets—Baltimore, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh—and has been denied accreditation in 18 additional markets that were under review.

Those markets are:

Vance Grilled During CBS News Town Hall In Michigan

Vice President JD Vance faced pointed, unscripted questioning from both Michigan voters and CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil during a combative hour-long town hall Saturday night, as he was pressed on elevated gas prices, the ongoing war with Iran, immigration enforcement, and corruption allegations involving the Trump White House.⁠

The “Things That Matter” event, held in the Flat Rock area of Michigan and aired on CBS and Paramount+, came less than three weeks before the midterm elections in a key battleground state that helped deliver the 2024 victory for Donald Trump and Vance. Dokoupil, 45, repeatedly challenged the 42-year-old vice president rather than allowing him to pivot or deflect.⁠