Radio Broadcasting
Infotainment Doubles: Adoption of in-car infotainment systems has more than doubled since 2019 and is driving a sharp rise in digital audio listening, according to Edison Research’s latest Share of Ear study.
Cumulus Makes Measurement Decision: Cumulus Media is positioning itself as the first major broadcaster to adopt Xperi’s AutoStage Radio Audience Measurement Service, a move that delivers near–real-time, in‑car listening data to advertisers and stations. The deployment follows Cumulus’ recent agreement with Eastlan to supply ratings currency in markets such as Atlanta, where its use of Nielsen Audio data halted after a legal dispute.
Bills Radio Expands: The Buffalo Bills have officially unveiled a significantly expanded radio network for the 2026 NFL season, adding stations across New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida as the team prepares to play its first games in the new Highmark Stadium.
Media Industry
FOX Leads Primetime: FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of July 6th with over 2.4 million weekday primetime viewers and 2.1 million Monday - Sunday primetime viewers, outranking ABC (2.1 million weekday viewers; 1.9 million Monday - Sunday viewers) and CBS (2 million weekday viewers; 1.952 million Monday - Sunday viewers).
World News Dominates: For the 13th week in a row, “World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (8.291 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of July 6.
MLB ON TV: NBC is dominating early-season baseball viewership after taking over Opening Day and Sunday Night Baseball rights from ESPN, averaging 2.25 million viewers per game through 11 broadcasts according to Nielsen
U-S News
DOJ Weaponization: Todd Blanche tried to ease concerns over a settlement between President Trump and the Internal Revenue Service that has become a sticking point for key Republican senators whose support he needs to be confirmed as attorney general. Blanche said that a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund”—which critics saw as a money pot for Trump allies—is dead and that the Justice Department would accept legislation to prevent its resurrection.
Trump Increases: President Trump is leaning toward expanding U.S. military operations in Iran after days of briefings from top aides, U.S. officials said. Options include stepping up airstrikes, sending ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz and bombing a fortified site that could be used for covert nuclear work.
ICE Vehicle Stops When Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin decided to halt most vehicle stops by federal immigration officials, he didn’t have a chance to brief President Trump before news of the decision started to leak. Mullin had made the decision Monday evening with acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Dave Venturella, following the fatal shootings of two immigrants in the span of a week that prompted public outrage, including from a prominent Republican senator.