Tampa Radio: OM Rick Thomas To Exit Beasley

Beasley Media Group announced today that Rick Thomas, Brand Manager of its Tampa cluster, will depart the company effective June 1 to step away from the radio industry and focus on family.

Thomas joined Beasley Media Group’s Tampa operations in January 2023 and quickly took responsibility for leading the market’s full station cluster. 

Rick Thomas

His oversight included rhythmic CHR “Wild 94.1” WLLD, country WQYK (99.5), classic hits “Q105” WRBQ, Spanish tropical “92.5 Maxima” WYUU, the former classic rock “98.7 The Shark” WPBB, and the former sports station WHFS-AM. 

In addition to cluster-wide leadership, he served as Program Director for both WRBQ and WQYK.Beasley Media Group Tampa Vice President and Market Manager Ron deCastro praised Thomas for his contributions during his tenure. 

“We appreciate Rick’s leadership in the market,” deCastro said. Prior to Beasley, Thomas held the role of National Format Leader at Summit Media. His extensive programming career also included key leadership positions with Cox Media Group’s Tampa cluster and with CBS Radio, where he worked on stations in both New York and Los Angeles.

Thomas’s exit marks the end of a more than two-year run in which he guided Beasley’s diverse Tampa portfolio through evolving market conditions in one of Florida’s most competitive radio markets.

NPR Launches Newsroom Restructuring and Job Cuts

NPR is restructuring its newsroom and cutting reporting and editing positions as it works to adapt to shifting audience habits and operate without federal subsidies.

The moves aim to close an $8 million gap in the organization’s roughly $300 million annual budget. 

NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said the network expects to receive $15 million less in fees from member stations this year, along with declining corporate sponsorship revenue, after Congress eliminated federal support for public media.

In a memo to staff, NPR is offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 300 employees, primarily those in newsgathering desks. Staffers on NPR’s news programs, including hosts, are not eligible. Officials expect up to 30 buyouts to be accepted, with targeted layoffs possible if voluntary participation falls short by the May 26 deadline.

The network currently employs 425 people in its newsroom. Seven existing vacancies will remain unfilled as part of the reductions.

45M Planning Memorial Day Travel

AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year’s domestic travel forecast is slightly higher than last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record with 39.1 million people traveling by car and 3.66 million expected to fly to their destinations. While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day weekend, average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year for those who booked early. 

“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.” 

🛫Memorial Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation 

CBS News Radio Ending Service This Friday

CBS will shut down its storied radio service on Friday, closing a chapter on one of the most influential institutions in American broadcasting history.

The decision marks the end of a legacy that began nearly 100 years ago. CBS Radio helped pioneer the format and standards of modern broadcast journalism, setting the template that generations of reporters and anchors have followed. Its airwaves featured some of the medium’s greatest voices, including Edward R. Murrow, whose wartime reporting from Europe defined radio news during World War II; Robert Trout, known for his steady coverage of major events; and Charles Osgood, whose distinctive style and “Newsbreak” segments became listener favorites.

At its peak, CBS Radio was a powerhouse of information and storytelling, delivering everything from breaking national and international news to cultural programming that reached millions of Americans. It shaped public understanding of major historical moments and established the principles of ethical, in-depth electronic journalism that influenced both radio and television.

The upcoming closure ends a long-running service that, while evolving with the industry, remained a symbol of traditional broadcast excellence in an era increasingly dominated by digital and on-demand media.

Watchdog Group Requests Formal Review of FCC Chair Brendan Carr

A bipartisan legal watchdog group has asked attorney disciplinary authorities in Washington, D.C., and Maryland to investigate FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for potential violations of professional conduct rules.

According to the industry newsletter Status, the Legal Accountability Center sent letters on Monday to the relevant bar disciplinary bodies, arguing that Carr has “violated his ethical obligations” as a licensed attorney by allegedly leveraging his regulatory authority in ways that appear retaliatory toward protected speech. 

The group specifically cited actions that it claims selectively target broadcasters critical of or disliked by President Donald Trump.

In the letters, obtained by Status News, the organization wrote: “Chair Carr has engaged in ethically improper conduct by leveraging regulatory authority in a manner that appears retaliatory toward protected speech and selectively targets broadcasters who President Trump dislikes. This conduct is inconsistent with the Washington D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct governing attorneys and threatens confidence in the impartial administration of justice.”

Poll: FOX News Ranks as Top Single Branded News Source

A new New York Times/Siena College poll of registered voters shows Fox News as the leading single destination for news in the United States, surpassing every individual national television network, cable channel, and print or online news organization.

Conducted among 1,507 registered voters nationwide, the survey found that Fox News was the most frequently cited specific source when respondents were asked for their primary news outlet. Broader, non-branded categories — “social media” and “the internet” in general — ranked higher overall, but among named news brands, Fox News stood alone at the top.

No other major television network, cable news channel, newspaper, or digital news site came close as a single destination. The result underscores Fox News’ dominant position in an increasingly fragmented media landscape where audiences often piece together information from many platforms rather than relying on one outlet.

Key Details from the Poll

• Sample: 1,507 registered voters, surveyed nationally.
• Ranking: Fox News #1 among all branded sources.
• Comparisons: It outranked legacy networks (such as ABC, CBS, NBC), other cable channels, and major newspapers and websites.

Context: Only diffuse platforms like social media and the broader internet performed better when respondents named their main news sources.

The finding arrives amid ongoing debates about media trust, polarization, and shifting consumption habits. While many Americans now consume news across multiple apps and feeds, the poll highlights that when voters point to one primary branded source, Fox News leads the field.

Charlotte Radio: Land Location for Two AM Stations For Sale

Land owned by Beasley Media is up for sale and the existandce of  two Urban One AM stations could be in jeopardy.  A land sale a move that could silence both signals and lead to the surrender of their licenses.

The properties include the 50,000-watt clear-channel WBT-AM 1110 site on Nations Ford Road and WPZS-AM 610 (formerly WFNZ and Big WAYS) on Radio Road at 400 Radio Road. 

Both prime locations are being marketed for residential development, reflecting the reality that housing now generates more revenue than traditional AM radio.

WBT-AM Towers

WBT-AM, North Carolina’s only Class A clear-channel station, celebrated its 104th anniversary this year. Its iconic diamond-shaped Blaw-Knox towers southeast of Charlotte Douglas International Airport have long been local landmarks. 

Since January 8, 2026, the station has been airing a loop of instrumental jazz with hourly IDs, directing listeners to WBT-FM 107.9 for news, talk, traffic, weather, and sports. At night, its powerful signal still reaches from Maine to Cuba.

WPZS-AM 610 (formerly WFNZ and WAYS) carries Urban Gospel programming.  If the AM shuts down, the format would shrink to a 200-watt FM translator at 102.5 (W273DA), previously home to “The Block” hip-hop. That low-power signal would significantly reduce coverage compared to the full AM facility.

Both stations remain available on FM, but the land sales mark a major shift for Charlotte radio. Urban One has confirmed the listings but has released no further details on the stations’ futures. The transmitter sites, typical of older AM facilities, sit in high-value housing areas where real estate economics now outweigh broadcasting revenue.

Radio PPM Recap: April Brings Showers and A Few Changes

Nielsen has started the rollout of the PPM results for the month of April. It covers the period from April 2nd through the 29th. It featured the Easter. Let's start at the largest market...

NEW YORK: Status Quo

Another quiet book with very little movement among the major players. In the 6+ rankings, iHeartMedia AC WLTW (106.7 Lite FM) remained #1 for another month, posting its strongest non-holiday share since September — climbing from 7.4 to 8.1. 

Audacy News WINS (1010) held steady at #2 (7.2-7.1), while Audacy Classic Hits WCBS-FM inched up to #3 (5.4-5.4).iHeartMedia Pop CHR WHTZ (Z100) slipped one spot to #4 (5.6-5.2), New York Public Radio N/T WNYC stayed at #5 (4.9-4.7), and Mediabase Urban AC WBLS rounded out the top six at #6 (4.8-4.6).

WLTW further extended its cume lead, growing +3.7% (3,758,200 → 3,898,300). Overall market listening was up a modest 0.8%. Easter is not a major ratings driver but acts as a mild seasonal modifier. It favors stations with broad, positive appeal (AC) or event-driven content (Sports, News, Christian) while potentially softening total market numbers due to disrupted routines.

25-54 Demo:  WLTW held onto the #1 position for the third consecutive book despite a small dip. WHTZ repeated at #2, ending its two-book run of gains and finishing roughly half a share behind the leader.iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary WWPR (Power 105.1) rebounded nicely, jumping from #5 to #3. Audacy Hot AC WNEW (New 102.7) eased to #4 and WCBS-FM slipped to #5, both with minor declines.Overall, a very stable April book in New York with familiar stations occupying their usual spots.

LOS ANGELES: KOSTing

For the sixth consecutive book, iHeartMedia AC KOST remained #1 6+, delivering its strongest Frosty-free share in over a year (6.5-7.1).iHeartMedia Hot AC KBIG (104.3 MYfm) climbed back to #2 with its highest share in over a year (5.9-6.2). Audacy Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH 101.1) held steady at #3 (5.0-5.0), while Audacy Adult Hits KCBS (93.1 JACK FM) stayed at #4 (4.9-4.6). Audacy News KNX moved up one spot to #5 (4.1-4.1).

On the downside, SBS Mexican Regional KLAX (LA RAZA 97.9) took a big tumble — falling from #5 to #13 with its lowest share since December (4.4-3.2). Its partner, TelevisaUnivision Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5), edged up slightly (3.1-3.2), while iHeartMedia Pop CHR KIIS (102.7 KISS FM) dropped to a 3.2 share, its lowest in over a year.

KOST significantly grew its market-leading cume, jumping +12.5% (2,280,500 → 2,566,700). Overall market listening increased by 0.5%. Target: Primary: Women 35–54 (and extending into 55+), skewing female overall. AC formats classically target this group with relatable, low-conflict content.  Secondary/Extended: Broader 25-54 adults (key ad demo) and total 6+ audience. KOST consistently leads or places high in 6+ (e.g., #1 in April 2025 with a 7.1 share, its strongest non-holiday in over a year) and shows strength in 25-54, where it moved up to #2 in the recent book. 

25-54 Demo:  Last month’s co-leaders KBIG and Audacy Alternative KROQ went their separate ways. KBIG held onto the #1 spot with a small gain, while KROQ fell sharply to #5 with its lowest 25-54 share since September.

KOST moved up to #2 with a slight increase. A flat KCBS rose to #3, KRTH held #4 with a minor dip, and iHeartMedia Alternative KYSR (ALT 98.7) remained at #6, finishing just a tenth behind its rival KROQ.A strong month for KOST and a relatively stable top tier in Los Angeles.

The Gauge: Cable Captures Only Monthly Increase

Cable viewing rose in March 2026 as TV audiences shifted from Olympics highs to more typical seasonal patterns, with NCAA basketball tournaments, the Oscars, and a heavy news cycle driving gains for key distributors.

Cable was the only major category to increase its monthly viewing share, climbing to 21.4% of total TV — its highest level since October 2025 — up 1.4 percentage points from February. The largest audience growth came from 18- to 24-year-olds, whose viewing jumped 8%, fueled largely by March Madness.

Paramount posted the biggest monthly gain among media distributors, adding 1.1 share points to reach 8.1% of TV viewing. Growth was driven almost entirely by CBS, which aired NCAA tournament games, top scripted series Tracker and The Marshals, and 60 Minutes. CBS accounted for seven of the top 10 broadcast telecasts in March.

Warner Bros. Discovery followed with the largest overall viewing increase (+10% vs. February), gaining 0.9 share points to finish at 6.1%. Gains came from CNN (+12%), HBO Max (+5%), and NCAA coverage on TBS, TNT, and TruTV.

Cable news surged 8% amid a busy news cycle, representing 29% of all cable viewing. FOX News Channel rose 9%, led by State of the Union coverage that topped cable telecasts. This contributed to a 2% overall increase for FOX, which ended March with a 0.6-point gain and 7.2% share of TV.
Disney climbed to second place among distributors with 10.5% of total TV (+0.6 points), boosted by ABC’s Oscar broadcast (over 17 million viewers) and record streaming performance. 

Disney’s streaming services reached 5.3% of TV, with hits including Grey’s Anatomy, Bluey, Zootopia 2, and Family Guy filling four of the top 10 streaming titles and generating more than 16 billion viewing minutes. Hulu’s Paradise added another 3.6 billion minutes.

Good Morning! The Pulse Has Your Briefing For Tuesday, May 19

Radio Broadcasting

NPR Restructures: NPR is restructuring its newsroom and cutting reporting and editing positions as it works to adapt to shifting audience habits and operate without federal subsidies. The moves aim to close an $8 million gap in the organization’s roughly $300 million annual budget. 

Radio PPM Recap: Nielsen has started the rollout of the PPM results for the month of April. It covers the period from April 2nd through the 29th. It featured the Easter.

WCSX Makes Move: Screamin’ Scott Randall has moved from afternoons to mornings at WCSX Detroit (94.7), taking over the station’s morning drive slot. He succeeds “Big Jim” O’Brien, who departed the timeslot last week after more than a decade with Beasley Media Group’s classic rock station

The End Is Near: CBS will shut down its storied radio service on Friday, closing a chapter on one of the most influential institutions in American broadcasting history.

Detroit Radio: WCSX Moves Scott Randall To Mornings

Screamin’ Scott Randall has moved from afternoons to mornings at WCSX Detroit (94.7), taking over the station’s morning drive slot.

He succeeds “Big Jim” O’Brien, who departed the timeslot last week after more than a decade with Beasley Media Group’s classic rock station.Randall, a Detroit rock radio veteran of more than 30 years, is best known for 25 years at sister station WRIF (101.1), primarily in evenings. 

He joined WCSX in afternoons in January 2023, succeeding Dave Dahmer.Station Program Director Jade Springart praised the move: “Screamin’ Scott has long been one of the most recognizable and entertaining voices on WCSX. His passion for the Motor City, knowledge of classic rock, and genuine connection with listeners make him a perfect fit for mornings. Scott brings energy, authenticity, and a whole lot of fun to everything he does.”

Recently appointed VP/Market Manager Matt Scarano added: “Screamin’ Scott understands the DNA of Detroit rock radio better than almost anyone. He’s authentic, highly entertaining, and has built a tremendous bond with listeners over the years.”

This marks Randall’s second stint in morning drive in Detroit. He previously hosted mornings at Allur Broadcasting’s WDZR “Z-Rock” from 1993 to 1996. Earlier in his career, he worked at stations in Fort Wayne/Decatur, Indiana.

“I’ve loved every minute of being part of the WCSX family, and I’m incredibly excited to take on this new opportunity,” Randall said. “Detroit listeners are the best in the world! Getting the chance to start their mornings with great music, laughs, and conversation is truly an honor.”

Marketers Tracking Commuting Patterns

Marketers and media agencies are commuting at near-record rates, closely mirroring the patterns of average American workers, according to new industry data.

A combined 92% of marketers and agency professionals are now commuting to work at least some days, with 64% doing so most or all days—the highest level recorded since tracking began in 2022. Another 28% commute on some days.  Among average Americans, 85% are commuting to work, reflecting a strong return to in-person routines across both groups.

The findings come from this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog by Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard. The post draws on recent studies from Advertiser Perceptions and Quantilope to examine how commuting behaviors align between advertising professionals and the broader U.S. workforce.

In-office frequency: Advertising industry professionals average 4.4 days working in the office per week, while average Americans clock slightly more at 4.7 days.

Weekly rhythm: Both groups show the strongest in-office presence Monday through Thursday. Friday registers the lowest percentage of in-office work for marketers, agencies, and average Americans alike.These commuting trends position AM/FM radio as a particularly powerful medium for reaching both audiences. As the “soundtrack of the American worker,” radio travels with commuters in their cars during peak drive times, delivering consistent exposure when attention is focused on the road.

Analysis: Streaming NFL Games Less Expensive Than Pay-TV Bundles

Streaming has made watching the full NFL season significantly more affordable than traditional pay-TV bundles, according to new analysis from LightShed Partners.

Fans can now access all 272 NFL games this season for as little as ~$600 — roughly under $3 per game — by using a combination of a la carte streaming services. Even lower-cost options exist: $217 using an antenna for local games plus national broadcasts, or under $400 entirely through streaming. 

A full a la carte streaming bundle costs about $618, while skinnier bundles from virtual pay-TV services like YouTube TV or DirecTV run around $806. All of these options are substantially cheaper than the average traditional pay-TV bundle, which costs about $1,005 on Charter’s Spectrum.

🏈2026 Costs (per LightShed Partners analysis) All 272 games: 

• As low as ~$600 total (~$3 per game) via a la carte streaming services.
• Without Sunday Ticket (local + national games): $217 with antenna or under $400 via streaming.
• A la carte streaming bundle: ~$618.
• Skinny virtual pay-TV bundles (e.g., YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream): ~$806.
• Traditional pay-TV benchmark (e.g., Charter Spectrum): ~$1,005.These figures reflect greater fragmentation but also more consumer choice through unbundled options.

“Yes, NFL games are now spread across more services than ever,” analysts Richard Greenfield, Brandon Ross, and Mark Kelley at LightShed Partners wrote. “But streaming competition has splintered the old cable bundle, giving consumers the ability to pay only for what they want. The $1,000-to-watch-the-NFL figure being thrown around by President Trump, regulators, and members of Congress is not grounded in reality.”

Radio History: May 19

➦In 1921..Station 9ZAF in Denver broadcast the opera Martha in its entirety from the Denver Auditorium. This event is recognized as one of the earliest instances of an opera being presented complete over the radio in the United States, marking an important step in the use of radio for cultural and entertainment programming. While another source claims Mozart’s The Impresario on WJZ in March 1922 as the first opera broadcast, the Martha broadcast is widely cited as a pioneering achievement in early radio.

➦In 1922..WGN Radio signed-on as WDAP. It was granted the sequentially issued call letters WDAP to Mid West Radio Central, Inc. in Chicago. The corporation was headed by Thorne Donnelley and Elliott Jenkins.

WDAP was originally located at the Wrigley Building. The studios were moved to the Drake Hotel the following July. In mid-1923 ownership was transferred to the Board of Trade, and the next year the Whitestone Company, managers of the Drake Hotel, took control.

The Chicago Tribune purchased WDAP, and on June 1, 1924, renamed it WGN. The call letters came from "World's Greatest Newspaper", a slogan used since 1911.

Elliott Jenkins, left, and Thorne Donnelly, right, are the original owners of WDAP, the predecessor to WGN radio. Jenkins and Donnelly are at their transmitter in the Wrigley Building in 1922. This 50 watt transmitter was built up from component parts by station engineers and was moved over to the Drake Hotel at the latter part of 1922.

The pioneering WDAP shifted its studios to two handball courts atop the Drake Hotel in July 1922 after a sudden violent storm destroyed its inaugural antenna, with pieces “picked up in all directions for weeks,” Jenkins wrote in a 1923 edition of Radio Broadcast. The station gained some early listeners, including Chicago Tribune publisher Col. Robert McCormick, who wrote to his mother, “you cannot help being thrilled at the little box that picks sounds from the air,” according to a WGN history published by the station in 1961.

Early programming was noted for its creativity and innovation. It included live music, political debates, comedy routines, and some of radio's first sporting event broadcasts, including the 1924 Indianapolis 500, and a live broadcast of the 1925 Scopes Trial from Dayton, Tennessee. In 1926, WGN broadcast Sam & Henry, a daily serial with comic elements created and performed by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. After a dispute with the station in 1927, Gosden and Correll took the program's concept and announcer Bill Hay across town to WMAQ and created the first syndicated radio show, Amos 'n' Andy.

A perennial ratings powerhouse, WGN Radio had double-digit audience shares and millions of regular listeners from the 1960s through the 1980s, when Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Roy Leonard and other legendary broadcasters ruled the airwaves. In the spring of 1986, as Phillips was ceding the morning show to Collins after nearly 20 years, he still had a 15.7 audience share, nearly double the nearest competitor.

Today, the station is the only radio station in the Nexstar portfolio.

➦In 1926...inventor Thomas Edison spoke at a dinner for the National Electric Light Association in Atlantic City, NJ. Reportedly, when asked to speak into the microphone, he said, “I don’t know what to say. This is the first time I ever spoke into one of these things … Good night.”

Chicago Radio: Exit of WLS-AM Program Director Was a Budget Cut

Stephanie Tichenor, Program Director of heritage news/talk station WLS-AM 890 in Chicago, apparently was a Cumulus Media budget cut after seven years in the role.

A Cumulus Media spokesperson confirmed Tichenor’s departure Friday evening. The company has not announced a successor or timetable for a replacement.

Stephanie Tichnor

Tichenor announced the news via Linkedin Saturday stating: "Radio is changing here in Chicago and across the country. I was laid off yesterday. I worked with the Cumulus Media as Program Director and Director of Social Media for over 7 years. I worked with a wonderful team of professionals and I will cherish the friendships I have made. I'm grateful for my family and friends who support me, love me, and make me laugh every day. What's next? she asked. I'm not sure. I am anxious. I am sad. Mostly I am hopeful."

Tichenor joined WLS-AM in March 2019 after serving as Director of News and Operations at crosstown rival WGN Radio. During her tenure, she guided the station through significant programming shifts, including a move toward more conservative syndicated content. 

Chicago ranks as the third-largest radio market in the United States, making WLS-AM — a historic brand known as “The Big 89” — a key property for Cumulus. The implications of Tichenor’s departure for the station’s future direction remain unclear as leadership evaluates next steps.

Buffalo Radio: Street Talk Has Cumulus Launching Sports Station

Cumulus Media appears poised to flip one of its Buffalo radio stations to a sports format, coinciding with the Buffalo Bills naming its 96.9 WGRF “97 Rock” as the new flagship for game broadcasts starting in the 2026 season.

The move would give Cumulus a dedicated sports talk presence in the market as it regains Bills radio rights after a 14-year absence. The team’s games previously aired on Audacy’s WGR 550 AM.

Cumulus owns several signals in Buffalo, including:

• 96.9 WGRF (97 Rock) — Classic rock, now the primary flagship for Bills preseason, regular season, and postseason games.
• 103.3 WEDG (The Edge) — Current rock format, a leading candidate for the potential sports flip.
• Other stations such as classic hits WHTT and CHR WBBF.

Industry observers point to domain registrations and other signals as indicators of the planned format change, which would allow Cumulus to air expanded Bills coverage, local sports talk, and national programming around the team’s in-house radio network.

The Bills announced the partnership with Cumulus on Fridat. The team will produce and manage all broadcasts, including pregame and postgame shows, with play-by-play voice Chris Brown, analyst Eric Wood, and sideline reporter Steve Tasker. Syracuse’s 1260 The Score (WSKO) will serve as an initial affiliate, with additional stations in Rochester and Southern Ontario expected soon.

This marks a return to Cumulus for the Bills, whose games aired on 97 Rock from 1998 to 2011 before shifting to WGR. 

TNo official confirmation or exact launch date for the sports flip has been released, but the strategic alignment with high-profile Bills coverage positions Cumulus to challenge the market’s established sports radio options more directly.

Disney Shifts to Aggressive Stance Against FCC Probe

Disney filed a 52-page legal brief with the Federal Communications Commission last week, mounting a forceful defense against the agency’s investigation into the ABC talk show “The View.” 

The filing represents a sharp departure from the company’s previously conciliatory posture toward the Trump administration under former CEO Bob Iger.

The more combative approach comes under new CEO Josh D’Amaro and has already drawn support from Anna Gomez, the FCC’s lone Democratic commissioner. Gomez praised Disney’s decision to push back, telling TheWrap that “capitulation does not buy protection.”

NPR Podcast Co-Host Departs Amid Misconduct Investigation

Ramtin Arablouei, co-host of the popular NPR podcast “Throughline,” has left the public radio network after it opened an internal investigation in March into his workplace conduct, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

Arablouei has not appeared on new episodes of “Throughline” for several weeks, though neither he nor NPR has publicly addressed his absence. His departure followed complaints from a female employee on the show who alleged he behaved inappropriately toward her, including discussing details of his personal life during frequent one-on-one meetings, making offensive remarks in team meetings, and flirting with guests and a contract worker.

Ella Langley Dominates 2026 ACM Awards

Cody Johnson: Entertainer of the Year

Ella Langley stole the spotlight at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night in Las Vegas, racking up five major wins including Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Single of the Year for her crossover hit “Choosin’ Texas.”

The ceremony, hosted by Shania Twain at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, celebrated the past year’s top country achievements with standout performances and career milestones. 

Langley opened the honors by winning Song of the Year early in the show, presented by Michael Bublé, and continued her sweep with Artist-Songwriter of the Year plus the Music Event of the Year for her duet with Riley Green.

She is the moment! 🤩 Congrats @ellalangleymsic, taking home the #ACMawards for Female Artist of the Year! pic.twitter.com/28O6hgSRtu

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) May 18, 2026

Cody Johnson capped the night by winning Entertainer of the Year — his first in the category — shortly after taking Male Artist of the Year. He dedicated the top honor to fellow nominee Luke Combs.

Additional highlights included:

• New Female Artist of the Year: Avery Anna, who delivered a high-energy, rock-infused performance.
• New Male Artist of the Year: Tucker Wetmore.
• Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn, extending their record wins.

🤠WINNER'S LIST:  HERE

Strong showings from artists like Kacey Musgraves (in a rare performance), Parker McCollum, and others who brought fresh energy to the stage.Langley’s breakout night underscored her rapid rise, while Johnson’s victories reinforced his status as a premier entertainer and live draw. The event mixed emotional acceptance speeches, high-octane performances, and tributes to country music’s enduring stars.

Happy Monday: The Pulse Has Your Briefing For May 18

Radio Broadcasting

Street Talk: Cumulus Media appears poised to flip one of its Buffalo radio stations to a sports format, coinciding with the Buffalo Bills naming its 96.9 WGRF “97 Rock” as the new flagship for game broadcasts starting in the 2026 season. The move would give Cumulus a dedicated sports talk presence in the market as it regains Bills radio rights after a 14-year absence. The team’s games previously aired on Audacy’s WGR 550 AM.

ACM Awards: Cody Johnson won the top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, but it was Ella Langley’s show from the start.

OBIT: Dennis Locorriere, known for his distinctive voice that helped make Dr. Hook one of the biggest soft rock and country-pop acts of the 1970s, passed away peacefully on Saturday surrounded by loved ones after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. He was 76.

And the 2026 ACM Radio Winners Are..

The  Academy of Country Music honored ACM Radio Award winners for On-Air Personality of the Year and Radio Station of the Year categories as a part of the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, Sunday.

The honorees were unveiled in March.

(top row): Jesse Tack, Brent Lane, Damon Whiteside, Parker McCollum, RJ Curtis, Mike Preston, Al Farb and Chris Michaels. (bottom row): Anna Marie, Heather Froglear, Chris Carr and StyckMan.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS:

• MAJOR MARKET: Chris Carr & Company | Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, Dubs — KEEY-FM —  Minneapolis, MN
• LARGE MARKET: Heather Froglear | KFRG-FM — Riverside, CA
• MEDIUM MARKET: Mo & StyckMan | WUSY-FM — Chattanooga, TN
• SMALL MARKET: The Eddie Foxx Show | Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx | WKSF-FM — Asheville, NC

📻RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS:

• MAJOR MARKET: KSCS-FM | Dallas, TX
• LARGE MARKET: WUBE-FM | Cincinnati, OH
• MEDIUM MARKET: WLFP-FM | Memphis, TN
• SMALL MARKET: WYCT-FM | Pensacola, FL

NFL: Fans Are Already On Other Platforms

The fragmentation of NFL game broadcasts across more than a dozen services is frustrating fans and hitting their wallets hard, prompting a DOJ investigation into the league’s media deals.

According to estimates cited by the FCC, fans wanting to watch every game in the 2025 season may have needed to spend upward of $1,500. That’s because games aired on 10 different services, with 20 regular-season matchups and one playoff game available only as streaming exclusives. Local market availability did not reduce the overall burden. The NFL and other major leagues enjoy antitrust exemptions for negotiating television rights. 

However, lawmakers argue that the surge in streaming has created an undue burden on consumers. 

NFL Media Partners Boast of Schedule Appeal

The NFL released its 2025 regular-season schedule Wednesday, showcasing expanded reach across both streaming and traditional television following major offseason media rights deals.

The league has finalized a complex equity transaction with ESPN and Disney that returned four games to the NFL, along with one previously held by YouTube. It then resold three of those games to Netflix and one each to Fox and NBC. As a result, Netflix now carries five games this season, up from two in 2024.

The moves reflect the NFL’s strategy to maximize audience exposure in a fragmented media landscape, boosting its presence on both over-the-air broadcasts and streaming platforms.

News Outlets Provided Partisan Coverage of D-C Prayer Event

Thousands of believers gathered in the nation’s capital on Sunday for an all-day prayer and worship service honoring America’s Christian heritage ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary.

The event — Rededicate 250, part of the Trump administration’s Freedom 250 initiative — featured a host of political, Catholic, and evangelical leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary Pete Hegseth, Bishop Robert Barron, and Franklin Graham, who did not hold back in condemning what he described as America’s moral decline.

Broadcast Networks (ABC, CBS, NBC): Limited, mostly neutral local coverage of the large gathering on the National Mall, noting thousands attending for prayer, worship, and speeches by leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson, Pete Hegseth, Bishop Robert Barron, and Franklin Graham. National newscasts were brief, with some mentions of church-state concerns.

Cable News: Fox News and conservative outlets (CBN, RSBN, TBN): Extensive positive live coverage and streaming, highlighting faith, patriotism, America's Christian heritage, worship (e.g., Chris Tomlin), Trump’s Bible message, and calls for moral renewal.

CNN, MSNOW, NPR, and similar outlets: Focused on controversy, framing the Trump-backed event as promoting Christian nationalism, lacking religious diversity (mostly evangelical/Catholic with one rabbi), and blurring church-state lines. They noted critics, small protests, and Graham’s condemnation of moral decline.

Overall: Conservative media celebrated it as a unifying revival; mainstream/left-leaning emphasized political and constitutional concerns. C-SPAN offered unfiltered footage.

AP Lays Off 20 U.S. Journalists in Restructuring

The Associated Press laid off 20 U.S.-based journalists on Friday, the News Media Guild said, as part of a broader restructuring that moves the organization away from traditional print journalism toward visual storytelling and new revenue streams.

The cuts were completed by the end of the business day, the union reported. AP had notified the guild earlier Friday morning that layoffs would take effect immediately.

“This is part of the restructuring we announced last month to align our operations with what our top customers need from us today,” AP spokesman Patrick Maks said in an email. “It’s never easy to part ways with valued colleagues — we are appreciative of their contributions to the AP and wish them all the best.”

Spotify Making Big Investment In Podcast Studios In L-A

Spotify is making a major push into video podcasts with the opening of its new 11,000-square-foot Sycamore Studios in Hollywood, aiming to boost subscriber engagement and compete in the crowded streaming landscape.

The LA Times reports the state-of-the-art facility, which opened earlier this year on Sycamore Avenue in West Hollywood, serves as a central production hub for The Ringer — the sports and culture podcast network Spotify acquired for $250 million in 2020 — while supporting select creators in its Partner Program.

The invite-only space features advanced video production capabilities, including multiple livestream-ready studios designed to elevate content quality, foster in-person collaboration, and attract high-profile talent. 

Lists: Spotify, Apple Top Podcasts

Spotify’s US top podcasts chart is dominated by long-running talk shows, true crime, and a mix of news/politics. The rankings reflect listener streaming and engagement on the platform (charts update frequently, often daily or weekly).

NYTimes' Fantasy A "Journalistic Malpractice"

Nicholas Kristof's New York Times column last week alleging widespread, systematic sexual assaults by Israeli prison guards on Palestinian detainees relies on Hamas-linked groups, anti-Israel activists, anonymous sources and contradictory accounts, drawing sharp criticism as a case of journalistic malpractice.

The opinion piece presents lurid claims of routine abuse, including the widely debunked allegation that Israel trains dogs to rape prisoners, without independent verification, medical evidence, photos, videos or forensic support.

According to Real Clear Politics, Kristof's primary source is the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, a Geneva-based group he describes as "often critical of Israel." The organization is explicitly dedicated to opposing Israel, with multiple leaders, including its founder, linked to Hamas. It has a documented history of promoting unverified or false anti-Israel allegations, including the dog-rape claim that Kristof repeated.

Most of the first-person accounts in the column come from anonymous sources—detainees who have clear incentives to portray Israel negatively. 

R.I.P.: Dr. Hook Frontman Dennis Locorriere

Dennis Locorriere (1949-2026)

Dennis Locorriere, known for his distinctive voice that helped make Dr. Hook one of the biggest soft rock and country-pop acts of the 1970s, passed away peacefully on Saturday surrounded by loved ones after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. He was 76.

His management confirmed the news in a statement, describing how Locorriere faced his illness with "remarkable strength, dignity, and resilience." They asked for privacy for his family as they grieve.

Radio History: May 18

Meredith Wilson (far left) and band at KPO Studios, San Francisco

Meredith Wilson

➦In 1902...Composer/bandleader/radio personality Meredith Willson was born in Mason City, Iowa.

Besides his celebrity as the creator of the Broadway smash, ‘Music Man.’ Willson was a giant in radio.

In San Francisco, Willson was concert director for radio station KFRC, and then as a musical director for the NBC radio network in Hollywood. His on-air radio debut came on KFRC in 1928 on Blue Monday Jamboree.

His work in films included composing the score for Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator (1940) (Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score), and arranging music for the score of William Wyler's The Little Foxes (1941) (Academy Award nomination for Best Music Score of a Dramatic Picture).

During World War II, he worked for the United States' Armed Forces Radio Service. His work with the AFRS teamed him with George Burns, Gracie Allen and Bill Goodwin. He would work with all three as the bandleader, and a regular character, on the Burns and Allen radio program. He played a shy man, always trying to get advice on women. His character was ditsy as well, basically a male version of Gracie Allen's character.

He suffered heart failure and died June 15, 1984 at age 82.

➦In 1934...‘The Hour of Charm’ debuted, beginning an intermittent 14-year run on the CBS and NBC radio networks.  The musical half-hour featured Phil Spitalny and his All-Girl Orchestra.

➦In 1942...radio’s espionage adventure drama 'Counterspy' premiered on the Blue Network/ABC. The 30-minute show with the distinctive theme (Love of Three Oranges) would last on radio for 15 years, including runs in the 1950s on NBC and Mutual.

➦In 1966...there was a Top 40 battle in Denver between KIMN 950 AM and KBTR 710.