Radio Broadcasting
In-Car Radio Visuals: Quu Inc. has released its 2026 In-Vehicle Visuals Report. Now in its third year, the report offers an updated view of radio’s place in the top 100 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. The dashboard scoreboard is a snapshot of how common each feature is in the dashboard of the top 100 best-selling new models in the U.S. The scoreboard is updated annually to track radio’s standing and progress.
AI Producing Streaming Cowboys: AI-generated singers are routinely among the most streamed country artists in the U.S., driven by computer‑created acts that replicate contemporary country’s polished sound and appeal to mass audiences. According to a report, fully AI‑generated acts such as Breaking Rust, Cain Walker, Aventhis and Outlaw Gospel are charting high on streaming platforms, with synthetic voices, faces and melodies producing hit songs that mirror modern country tropes.
Long Live Rock: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its latest class of inductees, featuring a mix of iconic performers and first-time nominees. Artists joining this year include Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade, and Joy Division / New Order. First-time nominees Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross will also be inducted.
Media Industry
Hollywood Opposition: More than 1,000 filmmakers, actors and industry professionals have signed an open letter opposing Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, warning the deal would reduce competition, deepen industry consolidation and harm creators and audiences.
Odd News Couple: CBS News’ recent ratings woes are being blamed in part on conflicting editorial visions at the top, according to a New York Post report that highlights tensions between editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss and network president Tom Cibrowski. Insiders told the Post the duo’s divergent strategies — Weiss pushing an aggressive digital, hard‑news agenda while Cibrowski favors a softer, more traditional broadcast approach — have produced friction and limited strategic cohesion.
R.I.P.: Sid Krofft, a puppeteer turned producer of beloved children's programs such as "H.R. Pufnstuf" and "Land of the Lost," has died. He was 96. Krofft underwent surgery in November, and "although the surgery was a success, recouping was difficult and frustrating for Sid," his representative's statement said.
U-S News
Iran Plan Buys Time: Details of Vice President Vance’s 21-hour visit to Pakistan emerged Monday, with sources involved in the negotiations saying the U.S. proposal was not a permanent ban on Iranian enrichment but a 20-year “suspension” of all nuclear activity. That approach would let Iran argue it had not permanently relinquished its NPT right to produce nuclear fuel. In response, two senior Iranian officials and a U.S. official said Iran renewed an offer to suspend nuclear activities for up to five years.Texas Congressman To Resign: Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales said he will resign from Congress after acknowledging an affair with a former staffer who later died by self-immolation. In an April 13 post on X, Gonzales wrote, “There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office.” The El Paso Times reported Gonzales initially denied the allegations and said they were a blackmail attempt; he later told the Joe Pags podcast on March 4 that he “made a mistake.”
Swalwell Going Too: Rep. Eric Swalwell announced Monday he will resign amid calls for his expulsion following sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell continues to deny the allegations as false but said his resignation reflects taking “responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” The House Ethics Committee said Monday it is investigating Swalwell over allegations of sexual misconduct, including toward an employee under his supervision.