Radio Broadcasting
Audacy Launches First All-Sports FM Station in Los Angeles: Audacy is flipping its 97.1 FM frequency in Los Angeles to an all-sports format called The Fan, launching May 11 and becoming the market’s first all-sports FM station. The New York-based company announced Tuesday it is ending the simulcast of its all-news station KNX on 97.1 FM. KNX will continue its news format exclusively on its longstanding AM signal at 1070 and on 97.1 HD2.
Scoot Paisant Returns to WWL New Orleans: Scott “Scoot” Paisant, longtime host of Audacy’s news/talk station WWL-AM/FM (870/105.3) and its popular afternoon show “Scoot in the Afternoon,” returned to the airwaves Monday after a seven-week absence recovering from open-heart surgery to repair a congenital valve defect.
SiriusXM and iHeartMedia Explore Major Merger: Early-stage talks are underway for a merger between SiriusXM Holdings and iHeartMedia that would create the largest advertising and podcasting company in the U.S. The deal would combine their extensive radio footprints and popular podcast libraries as both companies seek to slow audience and revenue declines amid the shift to streaming platforms. Analysts view the potential combination primarily as a defensive move, noting it would likely do little to fully counter competition from Spotify, Apple Music, and video platforms like YouTube.
Media Industry
FCC Orders Sweeping Review of ABC Station Licenses: Federal regulators on Tuesday ordered a sweeping review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary step widely seen as an effort by the Trump administration to pressure the network over its programming. The FCC announced the review in a filing tied to an investigation of ABC’s diversity and inclusion policies. The action comes amid a public feud this week between President Trump and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, after Trump demanded the network fire Kimmel.
Disney Keeps ESPN as Core Asset: Disney has decided against spinning off ESPN and will retain the sports media powerhouse as a central part of the company. The decision comes as Josh D’Amaro prepares to succeed Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO. Sources say keeping ESPN will strengthen Disney’s shift toward streaming, enabling distribution across traditional cable and platforms including bundles with Hulu+ and Disney+.
Bertelsmann Creates World’s Fourth-Largest Music Company: BMG announced Tuesday it will combine its music division BMG with rival Concord, forming the world’s fourth-biggest music company behind Universal, Sony, and Warner. The combined company is projected to generate pro forma revenue of $2.2 billion and core profit of $730 million in 2026, ranking the transaction among the largest in music industry history.
U.S. News
Trump Approval Rating Hits New Low: President Donald Trump’s approval rating sank to the lowest level of his current term, with Americans increasingly critical of his handling of the cost of living and an unpopular war with Iran. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday showed just 34% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance, down from 36% in the previous survey conducted April 15–20.
Iran War Peace Efforts at Impasse: Efforts to end the two-month-old Iran conflict remained stalled Tuesday as President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal.Trump said Iran informed the U.S. it was in a “state of collapse” and sorting out its leadership. Iran’s offer would delay discussion of its nuclear program until after the conflict and shipping disputes are resolved.
King Charles Addresses U.S. Congress Amid Alliance Strains: Britain’s King Charles told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that despite uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the UK and U.S. will always remain staunch allies united in defending democracy. The address came at a time of deep divisions between the longtime allies over the war with Iran.