Radio History: Jan 25

➦In 1910...Actress/dancer/radio personality Portland Hoffa was born in Portland, Oregon. After beginning a career in vaudeville she became known nationally as Fred Allen‘s wife and performing partner on his network radio series (1932-49). She died of natural causes on Christmas Day 1995 at age 85.

NY Times headline 1915

➦In 1915...Alexander Graham Bell in New York spoke to his assistant Thomas Watson in San Francisco, inaugurating America’s first transcontinental telephone service.

Lead paragraph of Times story

➦In 1916...radio/TV script writer Les Crutchfield was born. He became a prolific writer for Gunsmoke on both radio and television and wrote frequently for the CBS radio shows, Suspense, Escape, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, Romance and Fort Laramie, popular during the 1940s and 50s. He died while still quite young Oct. 6 1966 at age 50.

➦In 1919...Radio, TV newsman Edwin Newman was born. He died August 13, 2010 at 91.

➦In 1920...radio/TV announcer Roy Rowan was born in Paw Paw, Michigan. He is best remembered as the warm-up guy and announcer for all of Lucille Ball’s TV shows over two decades, but is also fondly recalled as the announcer for “People Are Funny” and especially “Gunsmoke” on radio, and “I Married Joan,” “Rawhide,” “Simon and Simon,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Lonesome Dove” miniseries and “Dallas” on television. He died of heart failure May 10 1998 at age 78.

➦In 1937... the first 15-minute broadcast of the daytime serial “The Guiding Light” aired on NBC Radio; it holds the record as the longest-running story line in soap opera history. The show remained on radio until 1956. “The Guiding Light” began its long run on CBS-TV in 1952, and signed off for the last time in 2009.

➦In 1944...a black maid named Beulah (played by a white man, Marlin Hunt) joined the “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio show for the first time. A spinoff show, “Beulah”, became a radio series in 1945. But it didn’t last long .. Hurt died a year later.

➦In 1961... just five days after his inauguration President John F. Kennedy held his first press conference at The White House. It was the first such event to be broadcast live on radio & TV.

➦In 1964...the Beatles reached the #1 spot on North American music charts, as their hit single, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, grabbed the top position in “Cash Box” magazine.

NYC Radio: MediaCo Poaches Maire Mason From SBS

Veteran radio executive Maire Mason is leaving Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) to join MediaCo as Vice President and General Manager, overseeing local radio and television operations in New York City, Chicago, and Denver—with plans to expand into additional markets.

The move, announced Saturday, represents a significant leadership change in the New York radio market, where Mason has been a prominent figure since joining SBS in 2018 as VP/GM for its flagship stations (including WSKQ-FM "Mega 97.9" and WPAT-FM "Amor 93.1"). 

Maire Mason

She later expanded her role to include oversight of Chicago's WLEY-FM in 2022.

At MediaCo, Mason will manage a portfolio that includes major New York stations such as Hot 97 (WQHT), WBLS, and Luna 107.5 (among others), along with television assets in these markets. Her new multimarket role positions her to lead integrated radio-TV operations amid ongoing industry consolidation.

Mason brings over 30 years of experience, including prior leadership positions at Cumulus Media (where she launched NASH-FM), CBS Radio, and Univision. Her departure from SBS, a leader in Spanish-language broadcasting, may prompt shifts in management for its key urban markets.

The transition highlights trends in broadcasting where seasoned executives are recruited to handle combined media platforms in major DMAs. Further details on operational changes or additional markets are expected to emerge soon.

Most recently, she served as Vice President/General Manager at Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) starting in February 2018, initially overseeing the New York market's flagship stations—including WSKQ-FM "Mega 97.9" and WPAT-FM "Amor 93.1"—where she drove unprecedented revenue growth and exceeded targets consistently. 

In 2021, her New York team achieved standout performance, and in October 2022, she expanded her role to also serve as VP/GM for Chicago's WLEY-FM, further strengthening SBS's urban and Hispanic-format operations.

Prior to SBS, Mason was Vice President/General Manager at Cumulus Media in New York, where she launched NASH-FM (WNSH-FM 94.7), the company's country music station, and led advertising sales operations. She built and grew the sales team for this new format in a competitive market.

Earlier highlights include a more than 20-year tenure at CBS Radio (later Infinity Broadcasting), where she served as VP/General Manager for iconic New York stations such as WCBS-FM, WNEW-FM, and WXRK-FM (K-Rock), managing programming, sales, and operations for some of the market's most legendary brands.

She also held leadership roles at Univision Communications, serving as General Manager and VP/GM, and briefly at Merlin Media.

Cumulus Consolidates K-C, Topeka Operations

Cumulus Media has consolidated its Topeka, Kansas, radio operations by relocating staff and closing local studios, shifting them approximately 60 miles east to its Kansas City facility as part of a broader effort to streamline management and infrastructure.

The move, confirmed by the company to WIBW (Topeka's local news outlet), combines the studios and oversight for its six Topeka stations with those in Kansas City. Cumulus emphasized that the change is operational only and will not disrupt service to the Topeka market.

Programming on all Topeka stations remains unchanged, including local content and sports broadcasts. All local sports coverage will continue airing as scheduled on existing outlets, such as KMAJ-AM (The Big Talker 1440/93.5 FM).

Cumulus highlighted that its partnerships within the Topeka community are "vital" and that serving local listeners remains a top priority, despite the physical relocation of teams and facilities. The consolidation aligns with industry trends among radio groups to centralize operations for efficiency amid ongoing cost pressures.

Cumulus has repeatedly stated that programming remains unchanged across its six Topeka stations:

• KWIC (Eagle 99.3 FM) – Classic Hits
• KDVV (V100) – Classic Rock
• KTOP-FM (Cat Country 102.9) – Country
• KMAJ-FM (Majic 107.7) – Adult Contemporary
• KMAJ-AM (The Big Talker 1440/93.5 FM) – Conservative Talk
• KTOP-AM (Sports) – Sports programming

All local content, including sports broadcasts on stations like The Big Talker, continues to air as before. Transmitter facilities remain near Topeka, so signal strength and reception for listeners in the area should be unaffected.

WWO to Air NFL Championship Games Sunday

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the official audio partner of the NFL, will deliver live radio play-by-play coverage of NFL Championship Sunday, presented by Intuit TurboTax, on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Westwood One’s broadcasts begin with the AFC Championship at 2:00 PM ET (note: game kickoff is 3:00 PM ET), as the New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. The winner earns the Lamar Hunt Trophy and advances to Super Bowl LX.Coverage continues with the NFC Championship at 6:30 PM ET, featuring the Los Angeles Rams at the Seattle Seahawks in Lumen Field. 

The victor claims the George Halas Trophy and a spot in the Super Bowl.Broadcast teams:

• AFC: Play-by-play by Ryan Radtke, analyst Mike Golic, sideline reporter Laura Okmin.
• NFC: Play-by-play by Kevin Harlan, analyst Kurt Warner, sideline reporter Ross Tucker.

For the 17th straight year, Scott Graham hosts pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows for both matchups.

This marks Westwood One’s 39th consecutive season as the NFL’s official audio partner. All postseason games, including these conference championships through Super Bowl LX, air on about 500 radio stations nationwide, plus westwoodonesports.com, the Westwood One Sports App, SiriusXM, NFL+, and the NFL App.

The Denver Broncos face the New England Patriots tomorrow at 3 pm ET without their quarterback, Bo Nix, who's out with an ankle injury. The winner will be crowned the AFC champion and earn a spot in the Super Bowl (Feb. 8). Then, at 6:30 pm ET, the Los Angeles Rams travel to the Seattle Seahawks to contend for the NFC title and a chance at the Super Bowl.

AFC Championship: Fox Forecaster Gives Patriots Advantage

Ian Oliver

A FOX Weather meteorologist and avid New England Patriots fan says Sunday's AFC Championship game at Denver's Mile High Stadium gives his team a weather edge, despite the challenges of high altitude and cold conditions.

Ian Oliver told Sports Illustrated that the thinner air at Denver's elevation (over 5,280 feet) reduces oxygen per breath, potentially fatiguing players, but it also cuts drag on the ball—enabling longer field goals, with Mile High often the site of NFL records in the 60- to 65-yard range.

Forecasts call for kickoff temperatures in the teens (°F), winds of 10-15 mph, and wind chills between 0 and 5°F. 

Oliver noted these elements will impact the game but represent better conditions than the Patriots faced last week and far milder than recent harsh weather expected in Foxborough.

As a self-described big Patriots supporter, Oliver highlighted New England's familiarity with cold, windy Northeast environments as a potential advantage when traveling west to face the Broncos in the thin air and chill.

News Corp's California Post Launches Monday

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp launched the California Post on Monday, January 26, 2026, debuting both print and digital editions as a bold, tabloid-style daily newspaper modeled after the New York Post.

The new outlet, based in a newsroom on the Fox studio lot in Century City, Los Angeles, promises irreverent coverage, sharp headlines, celebrity gossip (including a "Page Six"-style section), entertainment scoops, and a conservative-leaning voice emphasizing "common sense and accountability." 

Editor-in-chief Nick Papps described the launch as a "game-changer" and a chance to "disrupt the status quo" in California's media landscape, which the company views as dominated by legacy outlets.

Pre-launch buildup included staff memos hyping January 26 as "our moment," aggressive talent poaching from publications like Variety, the Los Angeles Times, and The Hollywood Reporter, and announcements framing it as a West Coast extension of the New York Post's sassy, agenda-setting approach.

The debut arrives amid mixed reactions in the L.A. media scene—some see it as a fresh, entertaining challenge to established players, while others question the viability of a print-heavy, right-leaning tabloid in a predominantly liberal state. Early coverage highlighted the risk of reviving print in 2026 but noted backing from Murdoch family leadership, including Lachlan Murdoch.

As the first editions hit stands and screens, the California Post aims to set the agenda with its signature blend of bold reporting, opinion, and entertainment focus. Reception and the inaugural front page will unfold in the days following the Monday launch.

R.I.P.: Terry Boers, Pioneering Chicago Sports Talker

Terry Boers (1951-2026)

Terry Boers, a founding host of Chicago's pioneering sports talk station 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) and a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, died Friday at age 75 from liver failure at his home in Florida, surrounded by family.

Mitch Rosen, vice president of The Score, confirmed the death. 

Boers had publicly battled health issues for years, including cancer treatments in the months leading up to his retirement from the station on Jan. 5, 2017—just three days after its 25th anniversary.

According to The Chicago Tribune, Boers helped shape The Score's early identity as a raw, unfiltered "clubhouse" for sports talk. He co-hosted first with Dan McNeil for 7½ years, then with Dan Bernstein on the long-running Boers & Bernstein show. Their style—edgy, opinionated, often laced with humor and innuendo—drew loyal fans who valued his authenticity, even as it sometimes pushed boundaries and drew criticism amid evolving standards.

"We push it. We blur it," Boers told the Tribune in 2007. "All of us go overboard. I plead absolutely guilty on many fronts."

To admirers, that unapologetic honesty was his hallmark. Former colleague Steve Rosenbloom praised him after retirement: "Live microphone or not, he didn’t change. ... He was honest in his writing. He was honest on the air. He never lost his witty, embracing sense of humor. He never lost his capacity for raging against injustice."

Boers joined The Score at its 1991 launch after being recruited by Seth Mason of parent company Diamond Broadcasting, who sought the funniest Chicago sportswriter in the press box. Boers left his Sun-Times features job eight months later on advice from friend Mike Downey.

A key early boost came in 1992 when Mike Ditka moved his call-in show to The Score. Boers often served as co-host or interlocutor, leading to memorable, unpredictable moments—including Ditka's infamous outbursts like "I'll whip your ass!" and "Who ya crappin'?"—that became Chicago sports radio lore. 

Boers later credited Ditka's star power as vital: "I cannot be sure the station would have succeeded without him," he wrote in his 2017 autobiography, The Score of a Lifetime. While the show's provocative edge helped build an audience, station leaders occasionally urged focus on sports and discretion. Boers acknowledged the risks, once calling some interactions "kind of like a suicide mission only less fun."

His legacy endures as one of Chicago sports media's most distinctive, enduring voices—outrageous, outraged, and always opinionated.

FCC's Chair Expresses 'Concerns' Over Netflix, WBD Deal

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has voiced significant concerns about potential competition issues if Netflix (NFLX) acquires assets from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), citing the massive scale and further consolidation it would bring to the streaming industry.

In a Bloomberg interview, Carr stated: “There are legitimate competition concerns that I’ve seen raised about [a Netflix] acquisition and just the sheer amount of scale and consolidation you can see in the streaming market.”

Carr praised Netflix's organic growth as "fantastic" but highlighted worries that combining it with Warner Bros.' film and TV studio assets—along with its streaming service—could exacerbate market dominance in an already consolidating sector.

Brendan Carr

By contrast, he expressed far fewer reservations about a potential acquisition of the same Warner Bros. Discovery assets by Paramount Skydance (PSKY). He noted that Paramount+'s smaller streaming footprint makes such a deal less problematic from a competition standpoint.

The FCC lacks direct jurisdiction over a Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery transaction, as it primarily regulates broadcast television licenses and neither company holds significant FCC-licensed assets in this context.

However, a Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. merger could fall under FCC review. This stems from Paramount's plans to raise funds from foreign sources to finance the deal, which may trigger FCC oversight related to foreign investment in broadcast-related entities (given Paramount's ownership of the CBS network).

Two 60 Minutes Correspondents 'On Thin Ice'

Veteran “60 Minutes” correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley are at risk of being fired after vocally resisting changes pushed by CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The pair could face termination as Weiss, who took over in October following Paramount Skydance's acquisition of her outlet The Free Press, pursues a major revamp of the long-running newsmagazine.

The NY Post quotes sources who describe the internal conflict as “Game of Thrones”-style drama, with one network insider warning, “It’s going to be a war,” and criticizing “60 Minutes” staff for arrogance.

Alfonsi is reportedly on particularly thin ice after clashing with Weiss over efforts to strengthen her recent report on El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, which Weiss pulled last month for lacking balance and Trump administration comment. Pelley has drawn scrutiny for repeated public and internal criticism of the new leadership.

CBS News is open to buying out contracts for talent and executives to facilitate changes. Alfonsi’s contract expires in a few months; Pelley’s timeline is unclear. Neither correspondent responded to comment requests, and CBS News has not commented.

Weiss has increased her oversight of key political and cultural stories at “60 Minutes,” including joining new Monday meetings with executive producer Tanya Simon—a break from the show’s decades-long tradition of near-autonomous operation under its executive producer.

Staff resistance stems partly from skepticism about Weiss’s qualifications: the 41-year-old former opinion writer and vocal Israel supporter lacks traditional TV news experience, with critics calling for more impartiality in the editor-in-chief role. Some “60 Minutes” veterans, including Lesley Stahl and Bill Whitaker, reportedly share doubts about her leadership.

Insiders suggest Alfonsi and Pelley may be trying to “wait out” Weiss, betting on CBS’s history of frequent leadership turnover. However, others warn this could backfire, as Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison appears to back Weiss’s mandate for change. 

“Everybody has a boss,” one source said, “and they need to realize that Bari Weiss is theirs.”The turmoil highlights broader tensions at CBS News under Weiss, amid staff complaints about her background in opinion rather than reporting and her political views.

ICE Accuses Father of 5-year-old of 'Abandoning His Child'

U.S. news media outlets are heavily covering the January 20, 2026, detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos (also reported as Liam Ramos or Liam Conejo) and his father by ICE agents in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, sparking widespread criticism, protests, and conflicting accounts of the incident.

Mainstream sources—including CNN, The Guardian, ABC News, CBS News, The Washington Post, PBS NewsHour, BBC, and local outlets like MPR News and Sahan Journal—frame the story as deeply troubling and traumatic. They report that agents took the boy and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias (from Ecuador), into custody in their driveway as the child returned from preschool. The pair was transferred to a family detention facility in Texas (often specified as the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley). 

School officials from Columbia Heights Public Schools, led by Superintendent Zena Stenvik, accuse ICE of using the boy as "bait" to lure family members out—such as having him knock on the door—while noting this is one of four students from the district detained recently. 

Coverage highlights outrage over detaining a young child, allegations of agents "circling schools," the mother's distress, and broader concerns about aggressive immigration enforcement near educational settings under the current administration. Many stories emphasize the boy's active immigration/asylum case, which prevents immediate deportation, and include calls for his release amid protests in Minneapolis.

Federal officials and ICE/DHS push back strongly, as reflected in reports from outlets like ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Post. They assert the father fled on foot during the encounter, "abandoning" the child in a running car amid freezing weather, forcing agents to stay with the boy for his safety (including reportedly buying him food via drive-through before reuniting them). 

DHS denies using the child as bait, calling such claims misleading or activist-driven smears that endanger officers. Some coverage notes the father is described as having a criminal immigration history.

Chilling images of a 5-year-old boy taken into custody by ICE along with his father in Minneapolis are sparking outrage. School officials say the child was used as bait, while DHS says the boy's father fled and abandoned the child. Matt Rivers has more. https://t.co/d8Hap9de7f pic.twitter.com/HBtg7F5hWC

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) January 23, 2026

The incident has fueled national debate on family separations, enforcement tactics, school safety, and immigration policy, with ongoing developments including superintendent interviews, lawyer statements, and political commentary (e.g., from Vice President Vance defending the actions as protective). As of January 24, 2026, the boy remains detained with his father in Texas, with no reported resolution. 

Media tone varies: left-leaning and mainstream sources lean toward condemnation and humanitarian concern, while official statements and some conservative-leaning reports emphasize law enforcement priorities and refute "hoax" narratives.

RTDNA Foundation Announces 2026 1A Award Honorees

The RTDNA Foundation will honor 12 outstanding individuals and organizations with its 2026 First Amendment Awards for their dedication to responsible journalism and defending press freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

The awards ceremony takes place March 12, 2026, at The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. This black-tie event also serves as the Foundation's primary annual fundraiser, supporting scholarships and fellowships for journalism students and helping sustain broadcast and digital news as a cornerstone of democracy.

“At a time when First Amendment rights face challenges on every front, these honorees exemplify courage, integrity, and commitment to the free flow of information,” said RTDNA Foundation President Tara Puckey. “Their work strengthens communities and safeguards the free press essential to democracy.”

The Foundation also highlighted the increasing professional and personal retribution faced by journalists who expose corruption, noting that the awards recognize those who bear high costs to uphold press freedom and inform the public.

Past recipients have included local reporters, network anchors, U.S. House members, and Senators who have defended First Amendment values—sometimes in pivotal moments or across long careers.

This year's 12 scholarship and fellowship recipients will also be recognized during the event.

The announcement emphasizes the ongoing need to celebrate champions of press freedom amid growing threats to journalism.

Kimmel Says FCC Is Trying To Silence Him

FCC's Brendan Carr

Jimmy Kimmel is once again clashing with the FCC over equal time rules for political candidates.

On Thursday night's Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host accused FCC Chair Brendan Carr of trying to silence shows like his and The View by reinterpreting long-standing exemptions. Kimmel called it "another example of this administration trying to squash anyone who doesn't support them by following 'the rules.'"

The FCC issued new guidance this week stating that late-night and daytime talk shows — including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert — may no longer qualify as "bona fide" news programs. This would strip them of the exemption from the equal time rule, requiring broadcasters to offer comparable airtime to all candidates for the same office if one appears.

Kimmel broke down the history in his monologue: The equal time rule originated in the 1927 Radio Act to prevent broadcasters from favoring one candidate. Congress added exemptions for bona fide news in 1959, and the FCC has historically applied them to talk shows — such as Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 appearance on The Tonight Show, which was ruled exempt despite a complaint.

The comedian argued the change is a "sneaky" attack on free speech, especially in today's media landscape with cable, streaming, podcasts, and social media providing thousands of outlets.

Conservative networks like Fox News, Newsmax, and OAN face no such requirements since they don't use public airwaves in the same way, he noted.

Kimmel said the impact on future interviews remains unclear: "I have no idea what the outcome of this is going to be. We'll find out."

This marks the latest tension — in September, Carr urged ABC affiliates to preempt the show, leading to a six-day nationwide suspension and ongoing refusals by some stations, which Carr praised as empowering local broadcasters.

Trump Cries Foul Over Latest NYTimes Polling

President Donald Trump has escalated his long-running feud with The New York Times, threatening to incorporate the outlet's latest unfavorable poll into his existing defamation lawsuit against the newspaper.

In a series of three posts on Truth Social, Trump reacted angrily to a New York Times/Siena College poll released Thursday, which showed his job approval rating at 40% among registered voters—one year into his second term. The survey, conducted January 12-17 among 1,625 registered voters, found broad dissatisfaction: less than a third of respondents believed the country was better off than before Trump's return to office, with many saying he had focused on the wrong issues. Independent voters were particularly critical, with only 34% approving of his performance and 52% saying the country was worse off.

Trump directly targeted the poll in his first post, writing: "The Times Siena Poll, which is always tremendously negative to me, especially just before the Election of 2024, where I won in a Landslide, will be added to my lawsuit against The Failing New York Times." 

He claimed the results were "fake," accused the poll of being "heavily skewed toward Democrats," and said his lawyers had demanded the outlet preserve all records and computing methods. "They will be held fully responsible for all of their Radical Left lies and wrongdoing!"

In a follow-up post, Trump broadened his attack, declaring that "Fake and Fraudulent Polling should be, virtually, a criminal offense." He also criticized other recent polls from Fox News and The Wall Street Journal as "terrible," continuing his pattern of dismissing surveys that show declining support.

The outburst fits into Trump's ongoing legal battles with media organizations. He has already filed defamation claims against The New York Times related to its 2024 election coverage and other reporting, and has pursued similar actions against outlets like CNN, ABC, CBS, and individual pollsters in the past.

A New York Times spokesperson responded that "President Trump likes polls that appear favorable to him and dislikes polls that do not." Free speech advocates, including groups like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), have previously condemned similar efforts as attempts to weaponize lawsuits against protected expression.

Denver Radio: Morning Host Dom Testa Exits KOOL 105

KSE Radio has announced the departure of longtime Denver broadcaster Dominic "Dom" Testa from classic hits station KXKL-FM (KOOL 105), where he co-hosted the morning show.

Testa, a veteran with more than 33 years in Denver morning radio, ends a roughly year-and-a-half stint at KOOL 105 that followed his high-profile move to the station in late 2024. His exit leaves co-host Melissa Moore to continue solo on the weekday 6-10 a.m. MT slot.

Joel Clary, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Radio for KSE, expressed appreciation for Testa's tenure. "We are deeply grateful for Dom Testa's contributions and the energy he brought to our airwaves," Clary said. He highlighted Testa's professionalism and strong audience connections, while wishing him success in future endeavors.

The departure aligns with KSE Radio's renewed emphasis on locally driven programming and talent with strong community roots in the Denver area. In recent years, Testa had been broadcasting remotely from Georgia, a factor cited in the station's strategic shift toward enhancing local engagement to better serve listeners and advertisers.

Testa joined KOOL 105 in October 2024 after nearly 32 years hosting mornings at KIMN (Mix 100), where he built a loyal following as a Denver radio staple. Paired with Moore (who moved over from KOSI 101), the duo launched "Dom in the Morning with Melissa Moore" as part of KSE's efforts to refresh its classic hits lineup with established local personalities.

No immediate details have been released about Testa's next steps or plans for replacing him on the KOOL 105 morning show. The change reflects broader trends in radio toward prioritizing in-market, community-connected on-air talent amid evolving listener and advertising demands.

Return To TODAY Date Set For Savannah Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today show on Friday, January 23, 2026, after a three-week hiatus for vocal cord surgery, with her full-time return to the anchor desk scheduled for Monday, January 26.

The 54-year-old co-anchor is in good health and her voice has been restored following the procedure to repair a ruptured blood vessel on one vocal cord and a callus from overuse on the other. She documented her journey, including an emotional moment during a follow-up exam where she heard her smooth, post-surgery voice for the first time and tearfully said, "Good morning. Today is Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. I am using my voice for the first time and it sounds good. I could cry."

Entertainment reports the surgery lasted about an hour, after which Guthrie strictly followed doctor's orders with eight days of total silence. She later began voice therapy to strengthen her healed cords.

In a segment on her return, Guthrie shared a montage showing the gradual decline in her on-air voice quality leading up to the procedure. She described her cords as "beleaguered" and said she could no longer ignore the issue, prompting her to see a specialist.

Guthrie expressed deep gratitude to her Today colleagues and NBC bosses for their support during her absence, noting that taking three weeks off was "a big, big deal." 

She added, "I'm so grateful to be back, and I'm ready to go."Earlier in the week, she briefly rejoined her co-anchors via video while still on limited vocal rest, allowed to speak only 5–10 minutes per hour. 

Guthrie first announced her need for surgery on December 19, 2025, her last day on air before the break.

CRS, Whitney Allen Launch 'Hot Mic' Scholarship

Country Radio Seminar (CRS), in partnership with retired Country Radio Hall of Famer Whitney Allen, has launched the Whitney Allen “Hot Mic” Scholarship to support emerging female on-air talent in country radio.

One selected recipient will receive a complimentary full registration to CRS 2026 (March 18–20 in Nashville), round-trip airfare to Nashville, and accommodations at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Whitney Allen

The scholarship targets female on-air personalities early in their careers (1–5 years of radio industry experience) who hold a primary on-air role, are making an impact at their station, in their community, and within the country format, and have never attended CRS before.

Applications are open now and must be submitted by February 2 via the official form at countryradioseminar.com/whitney-allen-hot-mic-scholarship (or linked through www.countryradioseminar.com).

Whitney Allen began her radio career in 1979, moved into country in 1982, achieved early success at KCBQ/San Diego, worked in Los Angeles at Pirate Radio and KIIS, joined the syndicated “After Midnite” in 1995, hosted afternoons at KZLA/Los Angeles, and created/hosted shows including “America’s Hot List,” “The Big Time,” and “Big Time Saturday Night.”

CRS 2026 general registration is $698 per person, with limited single-day passes available for $349 (max two per person), covering panels, speakers, luncheons, and networking (excluding Friday’s New Faces of Country Music Showcase). For details, visit www.countryradioseminar.com or call 615-327-4487. Follow CRS on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

R.I.P.: Don Chevillet, Legenday WOWO Personality

Don Chevillet, a legendary Fort Wayne broadcaster whose powerful voice on WOWO radio once captivated listeners across much of the eastern United States, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the age of 98.

His family and former station remember him as a broadcasting icon who made an immediate impact. In 1959, Chevillet debuted on the 50,000-watt AM station WOWO, a signal so strong that a popular personality could literally stop traffic. According to WOWO.com, he did just that on his very first show—broadcasting live from an outdoor scaffolding on Washington Blvd., drawing crowds of pedestrians and drivers who paused to watch and listen.

Traffic Stopper

Born in Detroit on January 15, 1928, Chevillet remained in Northeast Indiana long after leaving the airwaves. 

He is survived by a daughter, a son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Chevillet is often mentioned in the same breath as his WOWO contemporaries, including Bob Sievers, Jack Underwood, and Bob Chase. The station's wide reach drew attention from national celebrities, who sent congratulatory telegrams upon his debut. Among them were Frank Sinatra ("I hope you have the swinging’est show on the airwaves"), Doris Day, Tony Bennett, Jackie Gleason, and Sammy Davis Jr.

Beyond radio, Chevillet hosted a popular local TV show and briefly worked at WMRI in Marion.

Radio History: Jan 24

➦In 1916...longtime Chicago baseball announcer Jack Brickhouse was born in Peoria Illinois.

Jack Brickhouse

He started his first job when he was only eleven, delivering the Peoria Journal and Peoria Star, and he began his long broadcasting career when only eighteen, at Peoria radio station WMBD in 1934. Chicago radio station WGN hired him in 1940 to broadcast Cubs and White Sox games, largely on the recommendation of their top announcer, Bob Elson. His was the very first face shown when WGN-TV, Chicago's Channel 9, began broadcasting in 1948.

Brickhrouse served as a U.S. Marine Corps in World War II. and he missed the 1945 Cubs season. He broadcast both Cubs and White Sox games until 1967, which he was able to do because they almost never played at home on the same day. He retired in 1981.

He died at age 82 on Aug 6, 1998 after suffering a heart attack while undergoing surgery.

➦In 1942... “Abie’s Irish Rose” was first heard on NBC radio, replacing “Knickerbocker Playhouse”. The program was a takeoff on the smash Broadway play that ran for nearly 2,000 performances. Among the cast members were a young Clayton ‘Bud’ Collyer and Mercedes McCambridge. The show aired for 2½-years.

➦In 1962...Brian Epstein signed with the Beatles as their manager and began to direct their image away from leather jackets. He led them toward a smarter stage presentation, with matching suits and bows to the audience. Epstein was to receive 25 per cent of the Beatles’ gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10 per cent.

TV Ratings: FOX News Channel Leads CBS in Primetime

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of January 12 averaging 2.7 million weekday primetime viewers leading CBS’ 2.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. 

 Throughout total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted nearly 1.5 million viewers and 140,000 in the 25-54 demo and in primetime saw 2.2 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo. For the week, FNC had a 60% share of cable news viewers in primetime and drew 88 of the top 100 cable news telecasts in all of cable.

The Five averaged 3.7 million viewers and 309,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with total viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.8 million viewers and 253,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.5 million viewers and 236,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded nearly 3 million viewers and 280,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET, marking its best week in the 25-54 demo since November. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.5 million viewers and 242,000 in the 25-54 demo, while at 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.4 million viewers.

FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2.8 million viewers marking its highest rated week since October and delivering 311,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news. It also continued to outpace the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2 million viewers; 306,000 A25-54), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2 million viewers; 336,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.1 million viewers; 234,000 A25-54).

FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers) led NBC’s Today Third Hour (2 million). The program additionally marked its one-year anniversary and has delivered the highest total viewership in FNC’s history for the 4PM/ET hour in 2025. Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.85 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers) and The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.78 million viewers) all led CBS Mornings (1,726,000), ABC’s Good Morning America 3 (1,535,000) and NBC’s Today with Jenna and Sheinelle (1.5 million viewers).

Ratings Graphics courtesy of RoadMN

On Saturday:  Kayleigh McEnany’s Saturday in America (Saturday, 10 AM - 12 PM/ET) was the most-watched show of the day with 1.6 million viewers, and 193,000 viewers with the 25-54 demo. FOX News Live anchored by Aishah Hasnie (Saturday, 12 - 2 PM/ET) averaged 1.5 million viewers and 151,000 viewers A25-54, notching 13% increases with total viewers and a 6% increase with the 25-54 demo compared to the 2025 average in the time slot. My View with Lara Trump (Saturdays, 9 PM/ET) was the top cable news show with over 1 million viewers.

On Sunday: Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday, 10 AM/ET) was the number one cable news show of the weekend with nearly 1.7 million viewers and delivered 113,000 in the 25-54 demo. In primetime, One Nation with Brian Kilmeade (Sundays, 10 PM/ET) led the way with 1.1 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing (Sunday, 11 AM/ET) hosted by Jacqui Heinrich drew over 1.5 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 1-12-26 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.

📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS

“World News Tonight with David Muir” ranked as the No. 1 newscast in all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (8.163 million), Adults 25-54 (1.039 million) and Adults 18-49 (762,000) during the week of Jan. 12, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.679 million, 964,000 and 666,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+22%/+1.484 million), Adults 25-54 (+8%/+75,000) and Adults 18-49 (+14%/+96,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its lead over “NBC Nightly News” versus the previous week in Total Viewers (+10% – 1.484 million vs. 1.353 million) and Adults 18-49 (+134% – 96,000 vs. 41,000), turning in its largest margins in both measures in 4 weeks — since w/o 12/15/25.
• “World News Tonight” widened its Total Viewer margin over “NBC Nightly News” year to year by 11% (1.484 million vs. 1.337 million).

• For the second week in a row, “World News Tonight” posted week-to-week gains in Total Viewers (+1%/+85,000 – 8.163 million vs. 8.078 million), Adults 25-54 (+5%/+50,000 – 1.039 million vs. 989,000) and Adults 18-49 (+2%/+14,000 – 762,000 vs. 748,000). In addition, “World News Tonight” hit 6-week highs across the board — since w/o 12/1/25.
• “World News Tonight” (8.163 million, 1.039 million and 762,000, respectively) beat “CBS Evening News” (4.189 million, 584,000 and 465,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+95%/+3.974 million), Adults 25-54 (+78%/+455,000) and Adults 18-49 (+64%/+297,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its Total Viewer lead over “CBS Evening News” both week to week (+2% – 3.974 million vs. 3.912 million) and year to year (+21% – 3.974 million vs. 3.283 million).
• CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil's second week on the job averaged 4.2 million total viewers, marking a roughly 20% decline compared to the same period a year earlier.

TV Ratings: 30.1M Watched CFP

The College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami drew massive viewership, averaging 30.1 million viewers on ESPN's MegaCast—up 36% from last year's Ohio State-Notre Dame title game (22.1 million) and marking the most-watched college football game of any kind since the inaugural CFP final in the 2014-15 season.

The Indiana Hoosiers' 27-21 victory over the Hurricanes peaked at 33.2 million viewers in the first half, ranking as the second-most-watched CFP championship on record (behind only Ohio State-Oregon at 33.9 million in 2015) and the most-viewed U.S. sports telecast outside the NFL since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. 

It also stood as the second-best cable telecast ever. The strong finish capped a rollercoaster tournament for audiences: first-round games fell 7% year-over-year amid NFL competition, quarterfinals rose 14%, and semifinals dropped by double digits. 

Overall, the expanded 12-team CFP averaged 16.3 million viewers per game, a 4% increase from the prior year.Nielsen's recent methodology updates—including expanded out-of-home measurement and Big Data + Panel integration—contributed to some gains, but the numbers still reinforce college football's status as the top U.S. sport behind the NFL.

The result extended ESPN's hot streak, coming after its record NFL divisional playoff audience (38 million for Texans-Patriots). Indiana's win also completed a perfect 16-0 season, cementing one of the most dominant and historic runs in college football history.

LA Radio: Stolen Car Becomes KROQ Morning Show Bit

KROQ morning host Kevin Klein turned his live radio show into a real-time command center Wednesday, rallying listeners to help recover his wife's Range Rover after it was stolen from in front of their San Fernando Valley home that morning. 

Thanks to quick tips from the show's audience, the unmanned vehicle was located near Koreatown, and his wife retrieved it before the broadcast ended—marking the second theft of her car in about a year.

Klein shared the news on air during the Klein/Ally Show (weekdays 5-10 a.m. PT on 106.7 FM), explaining that his wife discovered the car missing while preparing to take the kids to school. He broadcast details, including possible location pings, and encouraged fans to report sightings (while later joking about not turning them into "vigilantes"). 

Listeners responded rapidly, providing confirmations that guided recovery efforts alongside law enforcement. This isn't the first time: The same vehicle (or a prior one) was stolen in early 2025, around the time of local wildfires, and wasn't recovered then. 

Klein quipped on air that in LA, "You haven’t lived here long enough if you haven’t had your car stolen at least twice."

Clips of the chaotic, triumphant segment are available on the show's YouTube channel (search "His Stolen Car Is Found LIVE On The Air") and podcast episodes

His Stolen Car Is Found LIVE On The Air | Klein. Ally. Show. https://t.co/yv7oOChRUP via @YouTube

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) January 23, 2026

The story highlights the tight-knit power of KROQ's listener community and has drawn national attention.

Viral Photos Of William Shatner & Cereal Is A Set-Up Tease

William Shatner’s recent paparazzi photos eating Raisin Bran in his car and carrying a box of it were deliberately staged as part of a teaser campaign for the cereal brand’s first-ever Super Bowl ad.

The 94-year-old actor appears in the WK Kellogg Co spot (its first Super Bowl appearance in about 15 years), created by VaynerMedia. The commercial, focused on humor around fiber and gut health amid growing consumer interest in nutrition, will air just before halftime on streaming platforms, with some regional TV placements during the broadcast. 

It ties into the emerging “Wellness Bowl” trend for the Big Game.

The faux-candid shots—first showing Shatner mid-bowl in LA traffic, then exiting a car with Raisin Bran tucked under his arm—sparked curiosity and gossip-site coverage, exactly as planned. 

Shatner confirmed to outlets like TMZ that the images were publicity stills from a two-day shoot, though the final ad features him in a spaceship (nodding to his real Blue Origin trip) rather than driving and eating.

This “pap-walk” tactic follows a rising trend in Super Bowl marketing: Brands like CeraVe (with Michael Cera toting moisturizer) and Velveeta (Julia Fox with a branded look) have staged similar celebrity-product sightings to build buzz weeks ahead, turning tabloid culture into free amplification before the official reveal.

By leveraging Shatner’s larger-than-life persona, Raisin Bran cleverly turns an everyday fiber cereal into pre-kickoff conversation fodder—mission accomplished for getting a health-focused product noticed early.

MediaCo Posts Breakout End-of-Year Audio Growth

MediaCo Holding Inc. has announced strong year-end audience growth across its radio portfolio, delivering significant gains in key markets and reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing audio companies in the country.

Driven by increased listening and expanded reach, MediaCo posted robust year-over-year performance across Adults 25–54, with particularly strong results during weekday Prime listening hours, underscoring the continued strength of the company’s culturally relevant brands and local-first programming strategy.

Top Market Highlights

• New York City: +18.3% AQH and +9.9% Share, led by HOT 97’s weekday resurgence and steady WBLS performance
• Los Angeles: +25.0% AQH and +38.2% Cume, driven by the continued rise of Que Buena LA
• Dallas: +31.1% AQH and +15.0% Cume, powered by growth at KNOR and KBOC

Younger Audience Momentum

MediaCo also delivered strong gains among Adults 18–49, led by HOT 97, Que Buena LA, KRQB, and KTJM, reinforcing the company’s connection to culturally engaged, high-value listeners and its ability to drive meaningful engagement across younger demos.

Standout Station Performance

• HOT 97 (New York): +40.6% AQH and +30.6% Share among Adults 18–49, Share among P25–54; +54.3%
• Que Buena LA: +25.0% AQH and +17.3% Share among P25–54, with strong weekday growth
• KNOR (Dallas): +45.0% AQH and +21.9% Share among P25–54 driven by increased weekday listening

“These results validate what advertisers are seeing firsthand: our brands are growing, our audiences are deeply engaged, and our connection to culture is translating directly into scale and impact,” said Danny Lowry, SVP, Audio Sales at MediaCo. “Across markets, we’re delivering both reach and relevance at a time when that combination matters more than ever.”

This ratings momentum also sets the stage for the launch of Sigma Audio Networks, MediaCo’s new national multicultural audio platform, designed to bring the company’s local market strength to advertisers at national scale.

“This is a pivotal moment for MediaCo,” said Brian Fisher, Chief Revenue Officer of MediaCo. “Our audience momentum, combined with our national footprint and growing share, created the perfect foundation to launch Sigma—bringing advertisers a modern, scalable audio solution rooted in culture, authenticity, and measurable impact.”

These results reflect sustained momentum across MediaCo’s audio portfolio and provide a strong foundation for continued growth in 2026, as the company expands its reach, deepens engagement, and scales its leadership in multicultural audio.

Source: Nielsen Audio PPM Analysis Tool — Jan–Dec 2024 vs Jan–Dec 2025. Supporting: Nielsen Audio Control Panel Reports, Dec 2025

Long Legal Saga Ends: TikTok To Keep Operating In U.S.

TikTok has finalized a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture, allowing the popular video-sharing app to continue operating in the U.S. and averting a long-threatened ban over national-security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

The Wall Street Journal reports the new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, is majority owned by American and allied investors (80.1% total), with ByteDance retaining a 19.9% stake. Oracle, private-equity firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will each hold 15% as managing investors. 

Other investors include the Dell Family Office, Revolution (linked to Vice President JD Vance's former firm), and additional groups.

Oracle will oversee U.S. user data storage and management, while the joint venture handles algorithm security, content moderation, and other safeguards for American users. Adam Presser, previously TikTok's deputy, will lead the new entity as CEO. 

The board includes TikTok CEO Shou Chew, Oracle executive Ken Glueck, and representatives from key investors.

The agreement complies with a 2024 U.S. law requiring separation from ByteDance to address security risks, following years of tensions. President Trump delayed enforcement after starting his second term, signing executive orders to extend deadlines until the deal closed Thursday. Trump celebrated the outcome on social media, saying he was "so happy to have helped in saving TikTok!" and thanking Chinese leader Xi Jinping for approving it.

Despite the structure, some lawmakers and security experts remain concerned about potential Chinese influence through ByteDance's minority stake. Investors are paying the U.S. government a multibillion-dollar fee as part of the arrangement, which values the entity at around $14 billion.

TikTok users in the U.S.—over 200 million—can continue using the app unchanged.

60-Minutes Correspondent: "You Don't Get to Produce Me!"

60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reportedly erupted in frustration during a tense meeting last week, sarcastically greeting her new boss, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, with "It's so nice to finally meet you" before yelling at Weiss's deputy, Adam Rubenstein, "You don't get to produce me!"

The outburst stemmed from a month-long standoff over Alfonsi's investigative segment titled "Inside CECOT," which examined allegations of torture and abuse inside El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison involving Venezuelan migrants deported under the Trump administration. The piece, originally scheduled to air in late December 2025, was abruptly shelved by Weiss, who cited the need for additional reporting, including more balance such as the administration's perspective and context around elements like a prisoner's tattoo. Alfonsi publicly accused the decision of amounting to "corporate censorship" and a "political" move in an internal memo to colleagues, warning it turned the program into a "stenographer for the state" and handed the administration a "kill switch" on coverage.

The segment eventually aired this past Sunday.  However, 60-Minutes was up against NFL playoffs, drawing 4.9 million viewers after Alfonsi recorded revised bookends to incorporate some requested changes. Reports describe the situation as a "hostage standoff" between the veteran correspondent and Weiss, who assumed her role following Paramount's acquisition of The Free Press.

In the confrontation, as Rubenstein relayed Weiss's editorial notes, Alfonsi reportedly rejected his involvement, accused him of acting as a "mouthpiece" for the Trump administration, and questioned whether he had ever produced television news before. The exchange highlighted deeper tensions at CBS News, where some veteran journalists have pushed back against Weiss's changes and leadership style since her appointment.

This incident comes amid broader reports that Alfonsi and other longtime figures like Scott Pelley could face job risks for resisting the network's editorial shakeups under Weiss.