Radio History: April 12

 

➦In 1924...WLS-AM, Chicago signed-on.

After buying time on radio stations in the early days of broadcasting, Sears Roebuck & Co. in Chicago decided to start its own station.  Its first test broadcasts used the call sign WBBX and then WES (“World’s Economy Store”).  On April 12, 1924, the station became WLS (“World’s Largest Store”).

In its first month, WLS started its “National Barn Dance” program, a live country-music showcase that was the direct predecessor of the Grand Ole Opry.

A Chicago radio manufacturer signed on WENR Radio in 1925. The station entered a time-sharing agreement with WBCN Radio.  An investor bought both stations in 1927. He later sold the licenses to NBC.  The network kept WENR on the air.  It shared a frequency with WLS for decades.  One station would sign off and another would sign on.

Sears sold WLS to the “Prairie Farmer” magazine in 1928.  The radio station became an essential part of agriculture in the Midwest.  Farmers relied heavily on agricultural news, commodity prices and weather reports from WLS.

WENR-WLS boosted power to 50,000 watts in 1932, beaming its programming over much of the nation.  Despite its part-time status, the station built a large amount of goodwill and a huge audience.

In addition to farm programming, WLS offered entertainment and educational programs.  It also made history in news broadcasting. WLS reporter Herb Morrison famously said, “Oh the humanity!” as he watched the 1937 Hindenberg crash in Lakehurst, N.J.  The recorded account aired the next day over NBC.

The station also experimented successfully in many forms of news broadcasting, including weather and crop reports. Its most famous news broadcast was the report of the Hindenburg disaster by Herbert Morrison.

VISIT SCOTT CHILDERS' WLS TRIBUTE WEBSITE: Click Here

VISIT JEFF ROTEMAN'S WLS TRIBUTE WEBSITE: Click Here 

For about 15 years WLS shared it's frequency with WENR as part of the NBC Blue Network. In 1941 WLS changed frequency from 870 to 890 kilocycles with 50 kw of power. The transmitter site was in Chicago's south suburb of Crete, Illinois from 1924 to 1938. In 1938, they moved to it's current location in Tinley Park.

WLS was an NBC Blue Network affiliate during radio’s golden age.  NBC was forced to sell the Blue Network, which became ABC.  In 1954, ABC bought a controlling interest in WENR-WLS, combining the two into WLS.  The network bought WLS outright in 1959.

The ABC era brought a major change.  The staid, conservative WLS that brought Midwesterners a steady diet of farm reports, news and weather, general-interest music and entertainment and the “National Barn Dance” became a Top 40 station at 6 a.m. on May 2, 1960.   ABC created one of the nation’s most influential radio stations in the rock era, attracting millions of listeners each week.

Here’s a sample of a 1962 aircheck featuring Dick Biondi:

By the late 1980s, it was an adult contemporary station during the day and offered talk programming at night. WLS switched to its current full-time news/talk format in 1989.  Cumulus Media now owns the station.

Report: Nexstar Directive Threatens Network Relationships

• Nexstar Allegedly Replacing National Network Content with NewsNation Segments in Local Newscasts

A significant shift is reportedly underway at Nexstar Media Group, as the broadcast giant has allegedly begun directing its numero

us local television stations to incorporate segments from its own national news channel, NewsNation, into their local newscasts. According to Bloomberg, this directive would mean a departure from the long-standing practice of using national content provided by traditional network partners, such as NBC News.

The move suggests Nexstar, the largest owner of local television stations in the United States, is seeking to centralize and standardize the national news coverage presented across its vast network of local affiliates. 

Instead of featuring reports sourced directly from their affiliated networks like NBC, ABC, or CBS, stations would increasingly rely on material produced by NewsNation.

This potential strategy could have various implications, including greater control over national messaging by Nexstar and a more uniform national news presence across its local markets. It also raises questions about the future relationships between Nexstar's local stations and their traditional national network partners, as well as the diversity of national reporting available to local viewers. 

While NewsNation aims to offer unbiased national news, this shift could represent a deliberate effort by Nexstar to promote its own brand and content offerings.

Judge Extends Nexstar-Tegna TRO Another Week

A federal judge has extended a temporary restraining order until April 17 to pause the $6.2 billion Nexstar-Tegna merger, a deal that would create the largest broadcast station group in the U.S. reaching 80% of American households.

The seven-day extension gives U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley time to rule on a preliminary injunction that could block the deal outright. The decision follows a Tuesday hearing in Sacramento regarding a consolidated federal antitrust lawsuit filed by DirecTV and a group of eight state attorneys general, led by California and New York.

While extending the pause, Nunley modified the terms of the order after Nexstar and Tegna warned that full compliance would cause "immediate operational harm."

The plaintiffs seeking to block the merger allege that the proposed combination would "irreparably drive up consumer costs, reduce local competition, shutter local newsrooms and increase both frequency and duration of blackouts" for network programming and local sports.

The ongoing legal battle follows a rapid sequence of events last month, when the Nexstar-Tegna merger was approved by the FCC and DOJ, formally closed minutes later, and then immediately paused by Nunley's original March 27 restraining order.

YouTube Increasing Subscription Prices

YouTube is raising its subscription prices in the United States by up to $4 per month, with the changes taking effect starting in the next billing cycle. The standard individual YouTube Premium plan increases from $13.99 to $15.99 a month, while the family plan sees a $4 jump to $26.99 a month.

Other subscription tiers are also affected by the price hike. The standalone YouTube Music Premium will increase by $1 to $11.99 a month, and the lower-cost YouTube Lite tier—which offers ad-free viewing for most videos but excludes Music Premium—will now cost $8.99.

A YouTube spokesperson stated that the increases are necessary to maintain the features members value most, such as ad-free viewing, background play, and access to more than 300 million tracks on YouTube Music.

This marks the Alphabet-owned platform's first U.S. price increase in three years for YouTube Premium, which originally debuted in 2018. The move follows a broader industry trend, as streaming competitors like Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+ have also recently raised rates to offset higher content and operational costs.

Globally, YouTube reported last year that its combined YouTube Music and Premium services had surpassed 125 million subscribers.

Nielsen Claims Cumulus' Financial Distress Not Its Fault

Cumulus Media has attributed its recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, in part, to Nielsen Ratings' policy of linking national and local ratings sales, calling it a "significant contributing cause." However, Nielsen is challenging this claim in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, arguing that both district court findings and Cumulus's own executives contradict the allegation.

Nielsen points to previous statements from Cumulus's bankruptcy filings, which cited "industry decline, macroeconomic pressure, elevated interest expense, and looming maturities" as reasons for its financial distress, with Nielsen's conduct only "exacerbating" the situation. Nielsen suggests this undermines Cumulus's narrative of irreparable harm, reframing the dispute as a "standard commercial disagreement over pricing" or an "ordinary overcharge claim." Nielsen states that if Cumulus ultimately proves antitrust violations, it can recover damages later.

Cumulus is seeking to uphold a preliminary injunction issued in January by U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas. The injunction was granted after Cumulus showed a likelihood of success on its claims and that it would suffer irreparable harm without it, preventing Nielsen from enforcing its tying policy through excessive pricing.

The Cumulus-Nielsen anti-trust case is now paused due to Cumulus’ bankruptcy.

Veteran Play-By-Play Announcer Leaving ESPN

Mark Jones

Mark Jones is leaving ESPN after more than 30 years, sources told The Athletic. His final ESPN assignment is Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, when the Boston Celtics face the Orlando Magic.

ESPN thanked Jones in a statement, noting his enduring impact on the network’s NBA and college football coverage since 1990, but did not formally confirm the departure. Jones, 64, is not expected to retire; his next steps remain unclear.

A longtime play-by-play announcer, Jones was once ESPN’s No. 2 NBA play-by-play voice and filled in for Mike Breen for two Finals games in 2022 when Breen tested positive for COVID. In recent years he moved down the NBA depth chart behind Breen, Dave Pasch and Ryan Ruocco.

Jones has also been a regular on ESPN’s college football broadcasts, including Pac-12 late-night windows, and has contributed to studio coverage for the Finals, Draft Lottery, All-Star Game and other marquee events. A Toronto native, he has called local games for the Sacramento Kings, though most of his career has been with ESPN/ABC.

Green Bay Radio: Morning Show Host's TRO Hearing In May

The departure this week of Otis Day (Richard Dey) from WKSZ 95.9 KISS-FM comes two weeks after competing WIXX morning host Natalie Jansen filed a 109-page petition seeking a temporary restraining order against him alleging online bullying and harassment.

Jansen’s March 23 petition in Brown County identifies Dey as Otis Day and asks the court to bar him from harassing or contacting her (in person, by phone, in writing, electronically or through third parties), to stay away from her home or temporary locations, and to refrain from posting about her or her child. The petition also seeks a four-year injunction with the same restrictions.

The filing also targets Emily Chagnon of Marion, alleging she created a fake social media account (“Sally Gibson”) and a page called “Tiw’s Day Hollaback XXIW” that posted Jansen’s previous addresses, more than 50 photos of Jansen’s minor child, personal information about the child’s father, and repeated defamatory statements. Jansen says a Sept. 7, 2025 post included a surreptitious photo of her at a work event and suggested she had been followed; she reported that incident to law enforcement.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports Jansen' petition says she has never met Day and asks the court to issue a temporary restraining order requiring him to do the following: 

• Cease or avoid harassing Jansen. 
• Avoid Jansen’s residence and/or any premises she temporarily occupies. 
• Avoid contact that harasses or intimidates Jansen, including contact at her home, work school, public places, in person, by phone, in writing, by electronic communication or device, or in any other matter. 
• Avoid contacting Jansen or causing anyone besides an attorney or law enforcement officer to contact Jansen 
• Not post online or on-air content about Jansen or her child. 

Natalie Jansen

The petition also asks the court to issue an injunction with the same stipulations for four years. 

On the same day, Jansen also filed a restraining order petition against Emily Chagnon of Marion. In that petition, Jansen alleges Chagnon, whom Jansen says she also never met or spoke to, created and operated a fake social media account targeting Jansen.

Jansen alleges the harassment forced her to change daily routines, avoid public events and decline professional opportunities for safety reasons. She says investigators uncovered communications between Chagnon and Day in which Day allegedly was informed of and supported posts targeting Jansen.

WKSZ gave no specific reason for Day’s departure. Injunction hearings in both restraining order cases are scheduled for May 22.

Fox News Sending Morning Show On The Road In TV

Fox News' "Fox & Friends" is embarking on a cross-country RV tour to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The morning show will make six stops from Texas to New Jersey, broadcasting live from local restaurants and bars, and will culminate in a giveaway of the custom-outfitted RV.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the tour kicks off on April 24 in Houston, Texas, at Armadillo Place. Additional stops include The Bid Biscuit in Lenexa, Kansas (May 6); Fudpuckers in Destin, Florida (May 15); Tortuga Jacks in Jekyll Island, Georgia (May 28); Lulus in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (June 5); and Duffer’s Restaurant and Homemade Ice Cream Parlor in Wildwood, New Jersey (June 12).

Co-host Ainsley Earhardt highlighted the American tradition of a road trip, while Steve Doocy mentioned his "inner Clark Griswold" was triggered by the RV. The channel, along with sponsors America 250 and Camping World, will give away the "Freedom Traveler" RV live on the show on July 3, with Fox News covering the winner's tax bill.

R.I.P.: Walter Reeves, Longtime WSB Radio Personality

Walter Reeves (1952-2026)

Walter Reeves, the beloved Atlanta radio personality and longtime host of WSB’s “The Lawn and Garden Show with Walter Reeves,” died Friday morning at the age of 74 following a decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

A staple of weekend mornings in metro Atlanta, Reeves hosted the highly popular Saturday gardening program for 26 years before his retirement in 2020. During his lengthy broadcasting career, his show consistently ranked as one of the most listened-to weekend radio programs in the region. He was revered by local listeners for his practical, localized advice—such as guiding gardeners through the impacts of late freezes on Georgia's famous peach trees.

Reflecting on his expansive career prior to his retirement, Reeves expressed deep gratitude for his time on the airwaves. “I’ve had a wonderful time being on radio,” Reeves said. “It’s been a great opportunity. I appreciate WSB of course for letting me do this opportunity. It’s been a lot of fun.”

He began his media career at WGST-AM radio from 1986 to 1993 before moving to the larger footprint of WSB, where he remained until 2020. 

Reeves was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016 and by 2020 felt it was time to step away from the airwaves.

Reeves's significant contributions to local broadcasting and agricultural journalism were formally recognized in 2018 when he was inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. The organization honored his legacy and decades of service to the community with a dedicated video presentation celebrating his career.

Radio History: April 11

➦In 1904...Actor Paul McGrath born in Chicago (Died  at age 74 – 13 April 1978). He was a film, TV, Broadway, and radio actor best known for his radio appearances in the 1940s and 1950s. McGrath was a regular on the soap operas Big Sister and Young Doctor Malone. He also played the host on Inner Sanctum Mystery.  On TV he had recurring roles on The Edge of Night & Guiding Light.

➦In 1907...Paul Douglas Fleischer born (Died from a heart attack at age 52 − September 11, 1959).  He worked originally as an announcer for CBS radio station WCAU in Philadelphia, relocating to network headquarters in New York in 1934.

Douglas co-hosted CBS's popular swing music program, The Saturday Night Swing Club, from 1936 to 1939.

He also appeared on the CBS network broadcast of the 1937 World Series between the New York Giants and New York Yankees alongside France Laux and Bill Dyer.

Paul Douglas

He made his Broadway debut in 1936 as the Radio Announcer in Doty Hobart and Tom McKnight's Double Dummy at the John Golden Theatre.  Douglas began appearing in films in 1949. He may be best remembered for two baseball comedy movies, It Happens Every Spring (1949) and Angels in the Outfield (1951).

Douglas was host of the 22nd annual Academy Awards in March 1950. Continuing in radio, he was the announcer for The Ed Wynn Show, and the first host of NBC Radio's The Horn & Hardart Children's Hour. In April 1959 Douglas appeared on The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show as Lucy Ricardo's television morning show co-host in the episode "Lucy Wants a Career".

In 1955 he appeared in the play "The Caine Mutiny" but his union placed him on probation for allegedly saying, "The South stinks. It's a land of sowbelly and segregation," which offended southern audiences. Douglas claimed that he was misquoted.

Douglas was originally cast in the 1960 episode of The Twilight Zone called "The Mighty Casey", a role written for him by Rod Serling based on his character in Angels in the Outfield. Douglas died the day after production of the episode had been completed. He had been in his last stages of illness during filming, and his severe physical state was apparent on film. (The crew incorrectly assumed that his condition was the result of heavy drinking.) The episode – which was a comedy – was deemed un-airable. It was, however, resurrected some months later, and Douglas's scenes were re-shot with Jack Warden.

➦In 1912...John Larkin born (Died from a heart attack at age 52 — January 29, 1965). He was an actor whose nearly 30-year career was capped by his 1950s portrayal of two fictional criminal attorneys — Perry Mason on radio and Mike Karr on television daytime drama The Edge of Night.

John Larkin

After having acted in an estimated 7,500 dramatic shows on radio, he devoted his final decade to television and, from April 1962 to January 1965, was a key member of the supporting cast in two prime-time series and made at least twenty major guest-starring appearances in many of the top drama series of the period.

Larkin developed a distinctively resonant voice perfectly suited to radio, the prime entertainment venue in American homes during the Depression 1930s. By the latter part of the decade, when he was in his mid-twenties, Larkin had worked for a number of stations, including KCKN and WHB in the Kansas City, later, in Chicago, where he became known for versatility in performing announcing and hosting duties in addition to acting in front of the microphone for numerous scripted shows, including Vic and Sade, one of network radio's most popular programs of the 1930s, and the one for which he received his first major credit as a radio actor.

Following military service in World War II, he became one of the radio's top dramatic voices. He was offered, in 1947, the title role in CBS Radio Network's three-and-a-half-year-old afternoon crime serial, Perry Mason which, as was the case with all radio daytime dramas, consisted of an 11-minute script, broadcast Monday through Friday in a 15-minute time slot, including commercials, promos and credits.

Larkin's familiar authoritative voice had soon come to symbolize the Perry Mason radio persona and he remained with the role for eight-and-a-half years until the program's conclusion in December 1955.

➦In 1921...KDKA in Pittsburgh made history by broadcasting the first live sporting event on radio. The event was a boxing match between lightweights Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee, called by Pittsburgh Daily Post sports editor Florent Gibson. The broadcast marked a significant milestone as it demonstrated radio's potential to deliver real-time entertainment and news to a wide audience. Johnny Ray won the 10-round fight, and the event paved the way for future sports broadcasts, showcasing radio’s ability to bring live action into homes with vivid detail, including the sounds of the crowd and the clang of the gong.

➦In 1924...the retailer Sears ended three days of  test transmissions using the call sign WES (for "World's Economy Store"). Sears originally operated its station at the company's corporate headquarters on Chicago's West Side, which is also where the company's mail order business was located. On April 12, 1924, the station commenced officially, using the call letters WLS (for "World's Largest Store"). On April 19, the station aired its first National Barn Dance. The station shared time on the frequency with WCBD until November 11, 1928, at which point it began sharing time with WENR.

Cumulus Media Reports Significant Revenue Declines

Cumulus Media Inc. today reported significant declines in net revenue and a substantial net loss for both the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2025, amidst a recently announced financial restructuring. The radio broadcasting company posted a net loss of $135.1 million on net revenue of $188.1 million for the three months ending December 31, 2025, representing a 14.0% decrease from the prior year's quarter.

For the full year 2025, Cumulus Media recorded a net loss of $200.7 million, with net revenue dropping 10.3% to $741.7 million compared to 2024.

President and Chief Executive Officer Mary G. Berner emphasized the importance of the financial restructuring: "The Company’s recently announced financial restructuring marks an important step toward meaningfully reducing the debt burden that has constrained the business. Looking ahead, we remain focused on building on the core strengths of the Company to maximize value."

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter stood at $9.5 million, and for the full year, it was $52.0 million.

Judge Rules DOD Must Restore Press Credentials

A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Pentagon is unlawfully restricting journalists' access to the U.S. military headquarters, blatantly defying a prior court order to fully restore press credentials.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman stated that the Defense Department cannot bypass his earlier ruling by simply issuing a slightly revised "interim" policy. Siding with The New York Times and other media organizations, Friedman wrote that the Pentagon's latest actions were a "blatant attempt to circumvent a lawful order of the Court" and demanded compliance with his previous injunction.

Pete Hegseth

The conflict began last October under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, when the Pentagon introduced a policy threatening to revoke press badges if reporters solicited unauthorized military personnel for classified or certain unclassified information. Reuters reports fifty-five of the 56 news outlets in the Pentagon Press Association refused to sign the agreement, forcing their reporters to surrender their passes.

On March 20, Friedman ruled the original policy violated constitutional protections for newsgathering and due process, ordering the immediate restoration of the credentials.

However, The New York Times, acting as the lead plaintiff, argued that the Pentagon's subsequent replacement rules still violated the court order. The new interim policy required reporters to have escorts while in the building and dictated conditions under which journalists could offer anonymity to sources.

While the Pentagon maintained in court filings that its revised policy corrected the legal defects of the original, the Pentagon Press Association—which represents outlets including Reuters, Fox News, ABC News, and the Times—condemned the ongoing restrictions as "a clear violation of the letter and spirit" of the judge's ruling.

Trump Torches MAGA Pundits

President Trump launched a scathing 482-word attack on conservative podcasters Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones via Truth Social on Thursday, assailing their opposition to the war in Iran and questioning their intelligence. Trump dismissed the quartet, who have been critical of his recent rhetoric regarding Iran, as having "Low IQs" and being "stupid people."

The president's sharpest barbs were reserved for Owens and Jones, two conspiracy-minded figures who have recently called for his removal from office. This broadside follows weeks of criticism from all four media personalities, which Trump had largely ignored until now.

The current round of tension began with Trump's profane Easter Sunday post, where he declared Iran would be "living in Hell" if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz. Carlson responded by calling Trump’s threats "evil" and urged administration officials to resist him. Kelly, meanwhile, questioned if Trump "can’t he just behave like a normal human?" after he threatened to wipe out Iranian civilization. Jones described Trump as sounding "like an unhinged super villain from a Marvel comic movie."

In his detailed Truth Social post, Trump personally insulted each figure:

• He called Carlson a "broken man" who has "never been the same" since leaving Fox News.
• He rekindled an old feud with Kelly, accusing her of treating him "nastily" during a 2015 debate.
• He commented on Owens's appearance, unfavorably comparing her to Brigitte Macron, referencing Owens's past claims about the French First Lady.
• He criticized Jones for saying "some of the dumbest things," specifically citing his "horrendous" false claims about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Both Owens and Jones directly responded to Trump's statement, where he said that they, Carlson and Kelly were 'NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS' and 'stupid people' for their skepticism toward the Iran War.

'It may be time to put Grandpa up in a home,' Owens wrote on social media, highlighting several of the insults Trump made. 

Jones spoke at length about his relationship to Trump after the Truth Social post and in a bit of reverse psychology, was grateful to the President for showing the space between them. 

'I have made it very clear that I no longer support Trump and I’m very thankful to him for making it clear that I have nothing to do with him. The new Trump is a rotting husk of the old Trump,' he wrote. 

Carlson and Kelly have yet to speak publicly about Trump's comments but will likely address it on their respective shows Friday. 

The NY Times reports Trump concluded his post by declaring, "These so-called ‘pundits’ are LOSERS, and they always will be!" All four podcasters command significant audiences, with some episodes exceeding one million listeners.

FLOTUS Fights Social Media 'Lies'

First Lady Melania Trump publicly denied any ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, calling for Congress to hold a public hearing for his victims. In a surprise statement from the White House, Mrs. Trump vehemently denounced what she called "lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein," asserting that individuals spreading such falsehoods lack ethical standards.

"I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island," the First Lady stated, directly addressing various rumors and social media claims that have circulated. She described the circulating images and stories connecting her to Epstein as "completely false."

While President Trump socialized with Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s, and both he and Melania Trump were photographed with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Mrs. Trump maintained she was never friends with Epstein. She clarified that their social circles occasionally overlapped in New York and Palm Beach, but she was never one of Epstein's victims nor was he responsible for introducing her to her husband.

The statement also comes amidst Mrs. Trump's ongoing legal dispute with author Michael Wolff, who she claims made defamatory allegations linking her to Epstein's social circle in a podcast.

Green Bay Radio: Morning Host Otis Day OUT At 95.9 KISS-FM

Otis Day, a well-known voice in northeastern Wisconsin radio for decades, is no longer with WKSZ 95.9 KISS-FM, with his departure following the filing of a temporary restraining order against him by competing morning host Natalie Jansen. The station announced Day's exit Thursday without providing a specific reason, but it comes two weeks after Jansen, a host at 101.1 WIXX, filed a 109-page petition alleging online bullying and harassment.

Jansen's petition states she has never met Day (whose legal name is Richard Dey) but alleges he communicated with and supported Emily Chagnon, who she claims created and operated a fake social media account called "Tiw's Day Hollaback XXIW." This account allegedly posted Jansen's previous addresses, over 50 photos of her minor child, and made repeated defamatory statements, causing Jansen to fear for her safety and alter her daily activities.

Otis Day

A Brown County Sheriff's investigation into the social media account linked Day to Chagnon, and the Sheriff's Office referred a charge of stalking as a party to a crime against Day to the District Attorney. While charges were not formally filed, Day received a letter from the DA's office stating his behavior was "clearly inappropriate" and "could potentially be interpreted as stalking." Temporary restraining orders against both Day and Chagnon were granted on March 23.

Day had joined KISS-FM in December 2023, returning to local radio after 24 years at WIXX-FM. His former co-hosts, Katie Schurk and Nick Vitrano, remain on the KISS-FM morning show, with Eddie stepping in as an interim host. Injunction hearings in both restraining order cases are scheduled for May 22.

DOJ Opens Probe Of NFL Media Rights

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether the National Football League (NFL) has engaged in anticompetitive practices that harm consumers, according to sources familiar with the inquiry. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, the investigation will examine how the NFL’s media rights deals contribute to the increasing difficulty and cost for fans to watch their favorite games, particularly as content fragments across multiple cable and streaming platforms requiring various subscriptions.

This probe comes amid growing concerns from media companies, regulators, and members of Congress about consumer access to NFL games. Despite the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 granting the league limited antitrust protection for collective TV rights negotiation, a fragmented viewing landscape has emerged where consumers often need multiple subscriptions to watch all games.

Senator Mike Lee, chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, recently sent a letter to the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission urging a review of the NFL's antitrust exemption. Lee highlighted the financial burden on fans, noting that "to watch every NFL game during the past season, football fans spent almost $1,000 on cable and streaming subscriptions." Earlier this year, the FCC also sought public comment on how these dynamics affect consumers.

The NFL, in response to such criticisms, has asserted its position as the "most fan-friendly league," stating that 87% of its games are available on local television. The league also notes that games shown on streaming services are simultaneously available in the local TV markets of the two playing teams.

Historically, the ability to watch NFL games has shifted dramatically; when the Sports Broadcasting Act was passed, most games were available over broadcast TV. Today, games are spread across a host of different channels and platforms, many requiring subscriptions.

The investigation emerges as the NFL is also seeking to potentially reopen its media deals with networks to secure higher rates, with an opt-out window after the 2029-30 season in its current agreements. Separately, the sale of CBS parent Paramount to Skydance Media has triggered a change-of-ownership clause, allowing the NFL to renegotiate its $2.1 billion annual agreement with Paramount. Sports rights, especially for NFL games, represent the largest content expense for media companies, which are simultaneously contending with shrinking traditional TV audiences.

Listeners Spend Most TSL With AM/FM Radio

AM/FM radio maintains its position as the dominant force in the expanding audio landscape, capturing 61% of all ad-supported listening time and reaching 93% of U.S. adults monthly, according to a new analysis by Katz Radio Group.

Despite the proliferation of streaming services and podcasts, traditional radio significantly outperforms its digital competitors in ad-supported share, with podcasts capturing 21% of listening time in Q4 2025 and streaming audio taking just 15%, based on Nielsen and Edison Research data. Furthermore, radio remains the undisputed leader in the vehicle, with 73% of Americans tuning in during their commutes and travels.

Share of Daily Time Spent w/Ad Supported Audio Persons 18+

 While broadcast radio leads, the broader digital audio ecosystem is expanding rapidly across platforms and demographics. Online audio now reaches 233 million Americans—or 76% of the population—on a monthly basis, with 70% listening weekly. This growth is particularly notable among adults 55 and older, whose monthly online audio consumption surged from 52% to 70% over the past two years.

Radio is successfully adapting to this digital shift, expanding its presence beyond traditional receivers. With smartphone ownership at 91% and smart speaker penetration at 39%, consumers are increasingly streaming AM/FM broadcasts through apps and voice-enabled devices at home.

Ultimately, Katz concludes that as media consumption habits continue to fragment across various services and devices, radio serves as the stable foundation of the audio ecosystem, offering advertisers unmatched scale, accessibility, and consistent reach throughout the day.

It's Friday Morning: Start With the Pulse For April 10

Radio Broadcasting

Radio Tops Ad-Supported Audio:  AM/FM radio maintains its position as the dominant force in the expanding audio landscape, capturing 61% of all ad-supported listening time and reaching 93% of U.S. adults monthly, according to a new analysis by Katz Radio Group.

Promotion In Vegas: iHeartMedia Las Vegas’s Neon 93.1, Playing Anything, Everything for Vegas, has named Sammi Tempesta Afternoon Host and APD for Neon 93.1. As Afternoon Host and APD, Tempesta will be responsible for on-air PM Drive duties.

iHM Shifts:  iHeartMedia overhaul this  week of its sales divisions, resulting in targeted layoffs across its local market portfolios signals a fundamental shift in how the audio giant approaches advertising sales, moving away from traditional, market-specific account executive teams toward a more centralized, regionalized, and digitally-focused model.

CNN CEO Promotes Alex MacCallum To COO

CNN Chief Mark Thompson has quietly elevated Alex MacCallum to Chief Operating Officer (COO), a move widely interpreted within the industry as a significant indicator of his preferred successor for the network's top leadership role. The promotion positions MacCallum as a leading internal candidate should Thompson eventually step down, signaling a clear direction for CNN's future under a leader with a strong digital background.

Alex MacCallum

MacCallum, who previously served as Executive VicePresident and General Manager of CNN+, brings extensive experience in digital strategy and product development. Her elevation to COO underscores Thompson's strategic emphasis on strengthening CNN's digital footprint and evolving its business model beyond traditional linear television. This appointment suggests Thompson is actively shaping a future leadership team focused on innovation and adapting to the rapidly changing media landscape.

This internal signal comes as Thompson, known for his turnaround successes at the BBC and The New York Times, continues his efforts to revitalize CNN amidst viewership challenges and a shifting news consumption environment. By placing a trusted executive with a proven track record in digital transformation into such a critical operational role, Thompson appears to be laying the groundwork for a stable and forward-thinking leadership transition, prioritizing a candidate aligned with his vision for a digitally-driven news organization.

Las Vegas Radio: Sammi Tempesta Named APD, Host at Neon 93.1

iHeartMedia Las Vegas’s Neon 93.1, Playing Anything, Everything for Vegas, has named Sammi Tempesta Afternoon Host and APD for Neon 93.1, effective immediately.

As Afternoon Host and APD, Tempesta will be responsible for on-air duties weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. She will report to MoJoe Roberts, Senior Vice President for iHeartMedia Las Vegas.

Sammi Tempesta

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sammi Tempesta to the Las Vegas team and to Neon 93.1. Sammi brings energy, creativity, and a genuine connection to the audience that perfectly matches the spirit of Neon 93.1 and the excitement of this market. Neon is sure to glow even brighter with Sammi on the squad!” says Roberts.

Tempesta joins iHeartMedia after serving as Afternoon Host and Music Director at KVGS in Las Vegas. She began her career in late 2020 as a part-time Board Operator at KVGS, and is a graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join Neon 93.1 and be part of something so fresh, fun and uniquely Vegas. This station has an incredible energy, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to connect with listeners every afternoon. I can’t wait to bring the vibes, the music and a little extra brightness to the city,” says Tempesta.

Philly Radio: Mike Missanelli's Radio Career Seems To Have Ended

Mike Missanelli

In an opinion article, Philadelphia columnist Marcus Hayes makes the case that veteran sports talk host Mike Missanelli's radio career is effectively over. Hayes draws a parallel between Missanelli's current situation and the recent end of fellow Philadelphia radio personality Howard Eskin's career.

Hayes describes both Eskin and Missanelli as passionate, intense individuals whose on-air personas were genuine. Eskin's career concluded in 2024 following incidents involving alleged abuse toward women, including an "unwanted kiss" at a Phillies game and a heated altercation with a WIP employee, leading to his termination.

Now, Missanelli faces a similar fate. He was recently arrested and arraigned on charges of simple assault and harassment stemming from a domestic dispute with his fiancée. Police reports indicate that an argument escalated, leading to Missanelli allegedly "open hand slap[ping]" her, with an officer observing blood on her forehead.

Despite acknowledging Missanelli's talent, charisma, and intelligence, Hayes points to a history of similar issues, including being fired from WIP in 2006 for punching a producer. Given the severity of the recent allegations, Hayes concludes that Missanelli's lengthy and often controversial career in Philadelphia radio has reached its end.

What's Going On At X, the Social Media Platform?

There are increasing concerns regarding X (formerly Twitter) suspending accounts without specific explanations.

The reports of instances are widespread and consistent with numerous reports from users across the platform. Many users are reporting receiving vague notifications citing rule violations without detailing which rules were broken or what specific content triggered the action, making effective appeals nearly impossible.

This pattern aligns with broader discussions and observations of an increase in account suspensions and inconsistent enforcement since the platform's change in ownership and rebranding. While X's terms of service prohibit certain types of content and behavior, the lack of transparency in moderation decisions has become a significant point of frustration for its user base.

Underlying these issues are several contributing factors, including significant reductions in X's content moderation staff. This has potentially led to an increased reliance on automated systems, which can sometimes result in false positives or generic responses. Additionally, shifts in the platform's content moderation policies and perceived inconsistencies – such as reinstating some previously banned accounts while suspending others – have further fueled user uncertainty and distrust.

The impact extends to various users, including journalists, researchers, and everyday individuals, who have voiced concerns about due process, the platform's reliability as a communication tool, and the general fairness of its enforcement practices. This situation continues to be a contentious topic among X users and those monitoring social media governance.

Media Strategist: X Becoming Ineffective For Journalists

Journalists are increasingly finding X (formerly Twitter) to be an ineffective platform for driving traffic and engagement, with new research suggesting that tweets containing links are being algorithmically throttled. Citing analysis from Nieman Lab, media strategist Simon Owens argues that journalists are deluding themselves about X's current value, as data indicates a significant suppression of reach for content that aims to direct users off the platform.

The core issue, according to Owens, is that X's algorithm appears to actively deprioritize posts containing external links. This throttling dramatically reduces the visibility and engagement of news articles and other journalistic content. As an example, Owens points out that The New York Times, despite having 53 times the followers of a link-free breaking news account, receives only a fraction of the engagement when posting links.

Owens's personal policy reflects this diminished utility: he cross-posts his content to X but avoids scrolling or interacting, effectively using it as a one-way broadcast channel. He also explicitly states his ethical reluctance to contribute to the platform's revenue, citing his view of the owner as a "genocidal maniac."

This situation leads Owens to conclude that the argument for X's continued relevance for traffic generation "doesn't hold up" if links are systematically suppressed. The implication is that journalists who continue to use X primarily to "drive traffic" are performing the "digital equivalent of shouting into a soundproofed room," with recent data now confirming this ineffectiveness.

WBD CEO's $887M Golden Parachute 'Problematic'

Proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) is urging shareholders to approve the $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, while simultaneously recommending they reject an "extraordinary" and "problematic" $887 million golden parachute for WBD CEO David Zaslav.

ISS strongly criticized the massive executive payout, which ranks among the highest ever observed. The firm specifically condemned the package's "single trigger vesting acceleration," meaning Zaslav's unvested equity awards pay out immediately upon a change in control. The compensation includes over $517 million in equity, $34 million in cash, and a highly controversial $335.4 million tax reimbursement. ISS noted that accelerating recently granted, multi-year equity awards constitutes a "windfall" and called excise tax gross-ups inconsistent with good corporate governance.

David Zaslav

Despite the fierce opposition to Zaslav's compensation, ISS supports the underlying merger transaction. The advisory firm noted that the deal provides a "meaningful premium" to shareholders and resulted from a competitive public bidding war involving Netflix and Paramount/Skydance, giving investors comfort that it is the best available option and warning of downside risks if not approved.

The ultimate size of Zaslav's payout will depend heavily on the merger's timeline. The $335.4 million tax reimbursement estimate was based on a hypothetical March closing. Under IRS rules, that figure will decline significantly as time passes; WBD’s outside tax advisers estimate that if the closing occurs in 2027, Zaslav will not receive any tax reimbursement payment.

PSKY's Jeff Shell Due $5M For Resigning

Jeff Shell will receive a severance package worth at least $5 million following his resignation as president and board member of Paramount Skydance.

According to a recent SEC filing, Shell's exit compensation includes his $3.5 million base salary and a $1.5 million target bonus, which will be paid out over the next 12 months. Additionally, Shell is eligible for a year of company-subsidized health and dental benefits, as well as the accelerated vesting of restricted stock units from a $75 million grant awarded in August 2025. The payout is contingent upon his compliance with a separation agreement and applicable restrictive covenants.

Shell announced his departure on Wednesday, stating he is stepping down to focus on an ongoing legal dispute with whistleblower and Las Vegas gambler R.J. Cipriani.

The legal battle stems from Cipriani's accusations that Shell failed to pay him for crisis communications services and shared material, non-public information regarding Paramount's business deals. Shell has firmly denied the allegations, filing a countersuit for defamation and extortion. Following the initial claims, Paramount conducted an internal investigation with independent counsel and determined that Shell did not commit any securities law violations.

Layoffs Loom At Disney

Disney is preparing for a new phase of cost-cutting that is expected to include approximately 1,000 layoffs, primarily impacting its marketing department. The move comes shortly after Josh D’Amaro officially took over as CEO in mid-March, signaling early strategic shifts under his leadership.

The majority of the job cuts are anticipated within the marketing division, which recently underwent a significant consolidation under Asad Ayaz. Ayaz was appointed chief marketing and brand officer in January, a newly created role that brings all of Disney’s entertainment, experiences, and sports marketing units under a single leader for the first time.

This restructuring of the marketing department occurred while Bob Iger was still CEO, preceding D'Amaro's much-anticipated transition into the top role. D'Amaro, previously chairman of Disney Experiences, succeeded Iger after a period of organizational changes and a focus on business turnaround for the media and theme park giant.

Disney's stock experienced a slight dip in afternoon trading Thursday, and the layoffs were initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.

D’Amaro, who previously was chairman of Disney Experiences, succeeded Iger after a period of uncertainty for the media and theme park giant — which had included a succession race and recent reorganization and turnaround of the business.

The 2026 Storm Forecast Is Out

Top hurricane scientists have issued their outlook for 2026, warning that while activity could run below average, there is a significant chance of impact on the US.

Researchers from Colorado State University (CSU) released the annual prediction on Thursday, forecasting a 32 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall along the coastline during the 2026 season, roughly a one-in-three chance.

Even with slightly reduced odds, experts warn that a single hurricane is capable of triggering catastrophic destruction. 

Michael M Bell, a professor of atmospheric science at CSU, said in a statement: 'It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you.'

The forecast calls for 13 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major systems powerful enough to reach Category 3 strength, packing winds of at least 111 mph. 

Even with totals slightly below average, experts warned the season still has the potential to produce dangerous, high-impact landfalls. 

The latest prediction follows a report from meteorologists at AccuWeather, who advised Americans, particularly in Virginia, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, to start preparing for potentially devastating weather now.

AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said: 'There is no reason to let your guard down this year. It only takes one storm to cause major damage, disruption and heartache. 

'Review your insurance coverage, safety plans, and local evacuation routes now. Make sure your emergency supplies are stocked up.'