Taco Tuesday: But First The Pulse For May 12

Radio Broadcasting:

Digital Surge: iHeartMedia, Inc. released its first-quarter 2026 financial results Monday, posting growth across several key digital sectors despite ongoing pressures in traditional broadcast advertising. Podcast revenue delivered the strongest performance, jumping 27% year-over-year to $147 million, making it the primary growth driver for the company’s Digital Audio Group.

RTN To Acquire 3 Stations: Cumulus Media has sold Atlanta’s 97.9 FM to a Christian radio network, marking the third time in seven years a Christian broadcaster has taken over a local FM signal. The buyer is Lakeland, Florida-based Radio Training Network, which will flip the station to Joy FM, a contemporary Christian pop format, once the FCC approves the deal. Besides 97.9 FM, RTN will also acquire Classic Country “93.3 Nash Icon” WWFF-FM New Market/Huntsville AL, and Sports “100.5 The Game” WWFN-FM Marion/Florence SC. for a reported total of $2.45 million.

Red Apple Expands: Red Apple Media has reached a deal to acquire News Talk Radio 830 WCRN in Worcester, Massachusetts, from Carter Broadcasting for $1.45 million — its first station in the state and a major expansion into New England.

Media Industry:

Gomez Criticizes:  Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the FCC for trying to curtail press freedom in a letter sent today to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro and viewed by WSJ. The lone Democratic commissioner, Gomez has been an outspoken critic of FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Republican. The letter comes after several FCC investigations into Disney and its network ABC, including whether the talk show “The View” should continue to be granted certain exemptions as a news program. Disney declined to comment.

Television: Wordle is set to become a prime-time NBC game show, with Savannah Guthrie, the “Today” show anchor, as host.

Allen Increases Stake In BuzzFeed: Byron Allen is acquiring a majority stake in BuzzFeed for $120 million and taking over as CEO. BuzzFeed said Monday it has entered into a transaction agreement with Allen Family Digital, an affiliate of Allen’s family office, under which the company will receive a majority investment.  BuzzFeed founder and CEO Jonah Peretti will be succeeded by Allen, who will become chairman and chief executive officer.

U-S News:

Relief At The Pump: Trump supports suspending the federal gasoline tax to address a fuel-prices surge driven by the Iran war. The tax should be paused “until it’s appropriate,” the president said. The average nationwide cost of one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is roughly $4.50, according to AAA. One year ago, it was $3.14. Any effort to suspend the gas tax would require congressional approval. Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) said he’d introduce a bill to suspend the 18 cent-per-gallon tax. Democrats have endorsed similar legislation.

Huntavirus Outbreak: U.S. authorities said they had quarantined 18 American passengers from the cruise ship struck by a rare hantavirus outbreak, after one of them tested positive and another showed symptoms. A French woman also tested positive for the virus after showing symptoms during her flight home, the country’s health minister said. None of the people on board the MV Hondius had symptoms when the cruise ship was anchored off Tenerife near northwest Africa. Since the outbreak began, three people have died and five individuals who disembarked earlier were confirmed to have been infected.

SCOTUS Gets VA Appeal: Democratic leaders in Virginia asked the Supreme Court Monday to allow the state to use a congressional map drawn by Democrats and approved by voters in a referendum in April. The state’s attorney general urged the justices to overturn a decision by the Virginia Supreme Court, which ruled last week that the redistricting process had violated the state’s Constitution, a major setback for Democrats in a fierce battle over which party will control the U.S. House.