In 2026 (through early September), U.S. radio broadcasting saw another wave of job cuts driven by debt, weak advertising, centralization, automation, and for public stations, the lingering effects of lost federal funding. Exact nationwide totals were not published; companies rarely released headcount figures. The pattern was consistent: fewer local on-air voices, more national or automated programming, and repeated reductions at the largest groups.
CBS News Radio
In March, CBS News announced it would shut down its nearly century-old radio service (founded 1927), which supplied hourly newscasts to about 700 affiliates. The service ended May 22. The move was part of a broader CBS News reduction of more than 60 jobs (about 6% of the newsroom). Every radio-division position was eliminated.
Audacy
In late March and early April the company cut on-air talent and staff while eliminating the local market-manager role in favor of a regional sales-and-oversight structure. Affected markets included Houston (the Frito & Katy morning show), Cleveland, Hartford, Philadelphia, Seattle, and others. The company described the reductions as limited but did not give a number. Audacy had already cut as many as 300 jobs in 2025 after emerging from bankruptcy.
Public radio and NPR
Cuts continued after Congress rescinded federal public-media funding in 2025. NPR laid off 10 journalists and accepted at least 18 buyouts in May while leaving other positions unfilled, aiming to close an $8 million gap tied to lower station fees. Local public stations also reduced staff (examples included a 10% cut at KUER/PBS Utah). One industry tally put public-media layoffs above 500 since mid-2025, with reductions continuing into 2026.
iHeartMedia
The largest commercial radio cuts of the year came in two phases. Management and sales jobs were reduced in April. A wider programming and on-air round began June 23 and continued through the week. iHeart did not disclose a total; reports ranged from “dozens” to roughly 100, and at least one affected employee said he was told he was “one of the hundreds.” Veteran hosts and programmers with 20–41 years of tenure lost jobs in markets large and small (Denver, St. Louis, Louisville, Fort Myers, Anchorage, Riverside’s KGGI, Des Moines sports station KXnO, and many others).
In March, CBS News announced it would shut down its nearly century-old radio service (founded 1927), which supplied hourly newscasts to about 700 affiliates. The service ended May 22. The move was part of a broader CBS News reduction of more than 60 jobs (about 6% of the newsroom). Every radio-division position was eliminated.
Audacy
In late March and early April the company cut on-air talent and staff while eliminating the local market-manager role in favor of a regional sales-and-oversight structure. Affected markets included Houston (the Frito & Katy morning show), Cleveland, Hartford, Philadelphia, Seattle, and others. The company described the reductions as limited but did not give a number. Audacy had already cut as many as 300 jobs in 2025 after emerging from bankruptcy.
Public radio and NPR
Cuts continued after Congress rescinded federal public-media funding in 2025. NPR laid off 10 journalists and accepted at least 18 buyouts in May while leaving other positions unfilled, aiming to close an $8 million gap tied to lower station fees. Local public stations also reduced staff (examples included a 10% cut at KUER/PBS Utah). One industry tally put public-media layoffs above 500 since mid-2025, with reductions continuing into 2026.
iHeartMedia
The largest commercial radio cuts of the year came in two phases. Management and sales jobs were reduced in April. A wider programming and on-air round began June 23 and continued through the week. iHeart did not disclose a total; reports ranged from “dozens” to roughly 100, and at least one affected employee said he was told he was “one of the hundreds.” Veteran hosts and programmers with 20–41 years of tenure lost jobs in markets large and small (Denver, St. Louis, Louisville, Fort Myers, Anchorage, Riverside’s KGGI, Des Moines sports station KXnO, and many others).
Some smaller-market stations lost most or all remaining local talent. The company framed the changes as a programming restructure to “move faster,” leverage technology, and support sales, part of an additional $50 million in annualized savings on top of about $100 million already planned ($150 million combined). Industry observers compared the scale to the harsh 2009 and 2020 rounds.
Cumulus Media
In early August, while still awaiting final steps out of Chapter 11, Cumulus cut sales, programming, and some podcast-network leadership roles. Departures were reported in Washington, D.C., Columbia (S.C.), Mobile, Shreveport, Albuquerque, and San Francisco (including KNBR’s Greg Papa). The company said claims that the entire podcast network had been eliminated were inaccurate.
Smaller and independent stations
In late July, Anaheim Broadcasting’s KCAL-FM (96.7, Inland Empire classic rock) laid off its entire on-air staff—full-time hosts with decades of service plus part-timers—and switched to a fully automated “all music, all the time” format.
Broader picture
The 2026 cuts continued a multi-year contraction. Major groups cited technology, efficiency, and balance-sheet pressure. Public radio cited the loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting support. The practical result in many markets was less locally produced talk and fewer familiar on-air personalities, with programming increasingly centralized or automated.
Cumulus Media
In early August, while still awaiting final steps out of Chapter 11, Cumulus cut sales, programming, and some podcast-network leadership roles. Departures were reported in Washington, D.C., Columbia (S.C.), Mobile, Shreveport, Albuquerque, and San Francisco (including KNBR’s Greg Papa). The company said claims that the entire podcast network had been eliminated were inaccurate.
Smaller and independent stations
In late July, Anaheim Broadcasting’s KCAL-FM (96.7, Inland Empire classic rock) laid off its entire on-air staff—full-time hosts with decades of service plus part-timers—and switched to a fully automated “all music, all the time” format.
Broader picture
The 2026 cuts continued a multi-year contraction. Major groups cited technology, efficiency, and balance-sheet pressure. Public radio cited the loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting support. The practical result in many markets was less locally produced talk and fewer familiar on-air personalities, with programming increasingly centralized or automated.