Radio History: June 7

Martin & Lewis

➦In 1917...singer/comedian/actor Dean Martin was born in Steubenville Ohio.

He was one of the most famous music artists in the 1950s and 1960s. Playboy magazine later called Martin “the coolest man who ever lived.” He & Jerry Lewis began as a team in movies & on NBC radio in the late ’40’s, and did TV together in the early 50’s, but split in 1956.  He became a big TV star with NBC’s Dean Martin Show (1965-74) and his Celebrity Roasts (’73-’84.)

He succumbed to lung cancer Christmas Day 1995 at age 78.

➦In 1932..WLW 700 AM Cincinnati was authorized to experiment with a power of 500,000 watts at 700 khz.  In January 1934, WLW began broadcasting with 500,000 watts after midnight under the experimental call sign W8XO. In April 1934 the station was authorized to operate at 500,000 watts during regular hours using the WLW call letters. On May 2, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ceremonially pressed the same golden telegraph key that Wilson had used to open the Panama Canal, officially launching WLW's 500-kilowatt signal.

As the first station in the world to broadcast at this strength, WLW received numerous complaints from around the United States and Canada that it was interfering with other stations, most notably from CFRB, then on 690 kHz, in Toronto, Ontario. In December 1934, WLW was instructed to cut back to 50 kilowatts at night until it had eliminated the interference. The station began construction of two shorter towers 1850 feet southwest from the main tower in order to create a directional antenna, which successfully reduced the signal broadcast towards Canada. With these antenna towers in place, full-time broadcasting at 500 kilowatts resumed in early 1935. However, WLW was continuing to operate under special temporary authority that had to be renewed every six months; each renewal brought complaints about interference, and undue domination of the market, by such a high-power station.

After complaints of signal interference and years of controversy the extra power was rescinded in 1939.

➦In 1945...an NBC radio summer replacement show The Adventures of Topper aired for the first time. Roland Young reprised his title role from the 1937 movie of the same name. Eight years later the program would move to TV with a different cast and become a big hit.

➦In 1955...NBC radio presented The Lux Radio Theatre for the final time. The program had aired for 21 years, most of them on CBS.

➦In 1959…KLX-AM, Oakland, California changed its call letters to KEWB-AM (now KNEW 960 AM).

➦In 1965... KNX 1070 AM personality Bob Crane told his L-A audience he was leaving the show to star in a new TV series “Hogan’s Heroes.” Crane said he had been considering offers for years.

Nashville Radio: Bill Cody Update..."We Need a Miracle"

Country music broadcaster Bill Cody remains in critical condition and facing a life-threatening health crisis requiring a double heart and kidney transplant.

The longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and Country Radio Hall of Famer was admitted to the ICU about three weeks ago in heart and kidney failure, his daughter Hannah Davis announced in a Facebook post on May 31.

Bill Cody

After weeks of tests, dialysis, and fluctuating health, doctors determined a double transplant is his only option for survival. Davis said prayers were answered earlier this week when Cody was approved for the transplant list. However, his condition has since worsened, with his heart strength declining sharply, leading to plans to intubate him.

Cody has been a prominent voice in country music for nearly 50 years. He hosts WSM Radio’s flagship morning show “Coffee, Country & Cody” and is described by the station as one of the “most familiar and beloved voices in country music broadcasting.” His career also includes nationally syndicated radio, television, and film work.

Over the years, he has received multiple nominations from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and Billboard for broadcasting excellence. He was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 2008 and received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2024.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Toy Story 5’ Song Breaks Records in First Day

Taylor Swift’s new single “I Knew It, I Knew You” shattered streaming records Friday across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

The country track became Spotify’s most-streamed country song in a single day by a female artist in the platform’s history. On Apple Music, it set the all-time record for the biggest soundtrack single by first-day streams and the platform’s largest country single of 2026. Amazon Music reported it as the platform’s largest 24-hour global streaming debut for any song this year.

On June 5th, 2026, Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” became the most-streamed country song in a single day by a female artist in Spotify history. pic.twitter.com/qOstHfAnQX

— Spotify (@Spotify) June 5, 2026

The song is featured in Disney and Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 5, set for theatrical release on June 19. Swift also dropped the music video Friday, which centers on the cowgirl doll Jessie and teases her relationships with Woody and Buzz Lightyear. 

Kids Are Listening To More Songs From The Good Old Days

Nostalgia dominates music consumption in 2026, with young listeners increasingly turning to decades-old tracks over new releases.

A Wall Street Journal report highlights a clear “Retro Revival,” backed by data from Luminate. In a survey of U.S. consumers aged 13–24, the share who said they listened most to 2020s music fell from 55% in 2021 to 44% last year. 

At the same time, a full quarter of this group now primarily listens to music from the 1990s or earlier.

The 1990s emerged as the fastest-growing decade by streams, rising 8% from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025. Among the general U.S. population, 64% reported listening to ’90s music — higher than the ’80s (58%) or even the 2020s (53%).

60 Minutes Vets Remaining At CBS News...For Now

Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim announced Friday they will remain at “60 Minutes,” ending speculation that the CBS News program’s crisis would strip it of its biggest on-air stars.

In a joint email to staff, the three veteran correspondents said they plan to “stay and fight” to “repair and preserve” the reputation of the country’s top-rated news magazine. 

 

Stahl, Whitaker, Wertheim

“Here’s why we are staying: We don’t want to see ‘60 Minutes’ die,” they wrote.The correspondents expressed deep frustration with recent moves by Bari Weiss, CBS News editor in chief, including the firing of longtime executive producer Tanya Simon and several veteran producers and correspondents, which they called “heartbreaking.” 

They warned that they would leave if the program loses its editorial independence. Weiss’s changes, which included appointing tech journalist and filmmaker Nick Bilton — who has no broadcast news experience — as the new leader of “60 Minutes,” have roiled the newsroom. 

Charlotte Radio: Charlie & Debbie To Wake-Up Duty At Country 103.7

Longtime WSOC-FM personalities Charlie & Debbie will take over the morning show at Country 103.7 beginning Monday, June 22, following the retirement of longtime host Tanner.

The duo, who have been on the Beasley Media Group station for more than 20 years and most recently hosted afternoons, were announced as the new morning team on Friday.

Beasley Media Group Charlotte Vice President and Market Manager Mac Edwards said the pair’s deep connection with listeners and strong community ties made them the ideal choice. He highlighted their chemistry, warmth, and passion for country music as key strengths for the morning slot.

Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase added that Charlie & Debbie excel at authentic audience connections and align with the company’s focus on local entertainment and community engagement during mornings.

Pittsburgh Radio: Josh Wolff New Brand Manager for Audacy

Josh Wolff has been named Brand Manager for Audacy Pittsburgh’s country station “Y108” WDSY, hot AC “100.7 Star” WBZZ, and urban contemporary WAMO (660 AM and W297BU 107.3 FM).

The appointment follows three years as Program Director of Cumulus Media’s adult contemporary “Warm 98.5” WRRM in Cincinnati. Wolff succeeds Mark Anderson, who exited the company earlier this week.

The move represents a homecoming for Wolff, who previously interned at the Pittsburgh cluster when the stations were owned by CBS Radio. A Pittsburgh native and Fox Chapel High School graduate, Wolff brings deep familiarity with the market and a strong track record in programming and brand management.

State AG's Are Ready To Challenge PSKY, WBD Merger

California, New York and other states are preparing to file a lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

The lawsuit is expected to be filed in the coming weeks and would represent the most aggressive state-level intervention yet in U.S. antitrust enforcement against the Hollywood mega-merger. It was not immediately clear which additional states would join California and New York.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat leading the opposition, criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday for what he called an “abdication” of federal antitrust responsibility, noting that state governments have fewer resources than federal agencies. Bonta’s office said Friday that California’s investigation remains active.

TV Ratings: How Kimmel, Fallon, Allen Fared Post-Late Show Era

Kimmel, Allen, Fallon

Jimmy Kimmel Live! led in total viewers while The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon won the key adults 18–49 demographic during the first full week of late night television’s post-Late Show era.

The week of May 24, 2026, was unusually fragmented due to Memorial Day closures, extended holiday breaks for several programs, and strong NBA lead-ins on NBC that boosted Fallon’s show.

The LateNighter website is reporting the Nielsen Live+3 ratings: 

• ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! topped total viewers with an average of 2.43 million (+35% from the prior week) and 252,000 adults 18–49 (+31%) across three original episodes and two repeats.
• The Tonight Show averaged 1.41 million total viewers (+6%) and 271,000 adults 18–49 (+3%), narrowly beating Kimmel in the younger demographic despite airing repeats all week. Fallon’s demo victory was fueled by NBC’s Western Conference Finals coverage: after Game 5 on May 26, the show drew 1.66 million viewers and 392,000 adults 18–49; after Game 6, it posted 1.70 million viewers and a strong 504,000 in the demo.
• On CBS, the new Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen block struggled in Stephen Colbert’s former 11:35 p.m. slot. The program averaged 885,000 total viewers and 94,000 adults 18–49 across five originals at 11:35 p.m., with the 12:05 a.m. repeat at 590,000 viewers and 62,000 adults 18–49. The combined one-hour block averaged just 737,000 total viewers and 78,000 adults 18–49 — a sharp decline from Colbert’s Q1 2026 averages of 2.70 million viewers and 233,000 in the demo.

R.I.P.: Gary Todd, Longtime Former Morning Host at WIBC

Gary Todd (1937-2026)

Gary Todd, the longtime Indianapolis morning radio host known for "Gary's Place" on WIBC, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, in Forest, Virginia. He was 89 years old. 

Born on May 8, 1937, in Walla Walla, Washington, Todd developed an early passion for broadcasting through high school radio shows. He served four years in the U.S. Navy as a journalist and photographer, meeting his wife Linda May at a Naval Air Station near Phoenix, Arizona. They married and shared 67 years together. 

Todd built a radio career across stations in Washington, California, Arizona, Canada, Colorado, and Oregon before arriving in Indianapolis in 1968. He quickly became a dominant voice on 1070 AM WIBC (later 93.1 FM), hosting the top-rated morning show "Gary's Place" for two decades until 1988. His engaging style and community focus helped WIBC compete fiercely with other local stations, including battles for morning drivetime supremacy. 

Career Highlights moments included:

• Live reporting from Cape Kennedy for the Apollo 11 launch.
• Broadcasting from Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Indy 500 practice and qualifying.
• Pre-game shows for Indiana Pacers home games.
• The ambitious "Great Race" promotion, a trip around the world. 

Beyond entertainment, Todd was deeply involved in community service. He earned awards such as the Distinguished Service Award from the Speedway Jaycees, the Indiana Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Hoosier Award, the CASPER Award, and the Service to Mankind Award. He chaired radio campaigns for organizations like the Hemophilia Foundation and Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, co-captained an Indiana University Foundation campaign, and led efforts for the American Cancer Society. He also facilitated on-air call-in segments with Mayor Bill Hudnut. 

Later Life and LegacyAfter leaving WIBC, Todd continued in radio, including ownership and morning duties at a station in Florida. He remained a man of faith who cherished family, the outdoors, fishing, golf, and travel. 

A memorial Mass was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist in Fishers, Indiana, with visitation beforehand. A private family graveside service followed at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations were suggested to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

R.I.P.: Ned Jarrett, Two-Time NASCAR Champion and Broadcaster

Ned Jarrett (1932-2026)

Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and longtime broadcaster, died Thursday of natural causes at his home, his family announced. He was 93.

Jarrett earned induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of its second five-member class, recognized for a legendary driving career that produced 50 wins on NASCAR’s premier circuit, including championships in 1961 and 1965.

One of the most respected figures in NASCAR history, Jarrett transitioned seamlessly from the driver’s seat to the broadcast booth after retiring from full-time competition. His calm, insightful commentary became a staple for generations of fans on television and radio, helping grow the sport’s popularity during its expansion years.

Radio History: June 6

➦In 1938...NBC radio introduced two melodramatic soaps to the daytime airwaves, Stella Dallas and Young Widder Brown, both produced by Frank & Anne Hummert.  Stella Dallas, “the true to life story of mother love and sacrifice,” continued in 15 minute radio bursts until 1955.  ‘Brown’ outlasted it by a year.

Radio soap opera titan Frank Hummert became a partner in a Chicago advertising agency, where in 1930 Anne Ashenshurst was hired as a copywriter and assistant to Hummert.  Together, both before and after their 1935 wedding, Anne & Frank developed and supervised the production of early daytime radio dramas Just Plain Bill, Ma Perkins, Skippy, Backstage Wife and Young Widder Brown.  They later produced Amanda of Honeymoon Hill, Front Page Farrell, John’s Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie, Judy and Jane, Mr. Chameleon, and Our Gal Sunday.   The Hummerts also had longrunning prime time success with Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, Waltz Time and The American Album of Familiar Music.

Larry Lujack

➦In 1940...Superjock Larry Lee Blankenburg a.k.a Larry Lujack was born in Quasqueton, Iowa, and reared in Caldwell, Idaho. At 18 he joined KCID-AM in Caldwell, adopting the surname of his idol, the Chicago Bears quarterback Johnny Lujack.

After working at stations in Idaho and Washington State, Mr. Lujack joined WCFL in 1967 and moved to WLS four months later. Except for a four-year stint back at WCFL, he remained with WLS for the next two decades.

In 1984 WLS gave Lujack a 12-year, $6 million contract, making him one of the country’s highest-paid radio personalities. (“I am not the least bit excited,” he was reported to have said.) But in 1987, amid declining ratings, the station’s corporate parent, Capital Cities-ABC, bought out his contract.

His honors include membership in the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame (“It’s not Mount Rushmore,” he said on learning of his induction) and the National Radio Hall of Fame.

He passed away December 18, 2013.

➦In  1944….Radio covered first news of the Allies’ D-Day Invasion…

Garth Brooks Wants $2B For Music Catalog

Country music icon Garth Brooks is actively considering the sale of his entire music catalog — including both songwriting rights and recordings — with an asking price of roughly $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the potential deal would rank among the largest ever for a single artist’s catalog. Brooks, one of the best-selling recording artists in history, has been exploring a transaction for several years and recently signaled to investors that he is among the few superstars of his stature who has not yet sold, one person familiar with the discussions said. He has floated a valuation ranging from the high $1 billion range to more than $2 billion.

Radio Mourns The Loss of Personality Rocky Allen

Rocky Allen, the irreverent and high-energy host best known for “The Rocky Allen Showgram” on WPLJ-FM (95.5) in New York City, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the age of 71 following a more than year-long battle with colon cancer.

Allen built a colorful, multi-decade career that spanned major and mid-sized markets, but he became a New York radio legend for his afternoon drive show that blended Top 40 music, celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, pranks, and audience interaction. Longtime co-host and producer Blain Ensley was a key partner in the “Showgram,” helping create a morning-show energy in the afternoon slot.

NPR Finalizes New Station Dues Model

NPR is rolling out a new formula for calculating public radio station membership dues that takes effect Oct. 1. The updated model shifts from donor revenue to broadcast reach for news stations and includes tiered collaboration options that let stations reduce their payments by as much as 20%.

NPR projects the change will cut its dues revenue by 15% to 18% compared with the current fiscal year, COO Ryan Merkley told Current. The expected shortfall was cited as one factor behind NPR’s workforce reduction announced May 27.

Nearly 60% of stations will pay lower dues even if they choose not to participate in any collaboration tiers, Merkley said. Stations that opt into collaboration agreements can receive 15% or 20% discounts depending on the level of partnership with NPR.

TODAY Is No.1 Across The Board In May

NBC News’ TODAY was the #1 morning show across the board in May 2026, ranking #1 in total viewers for the sixth consecutive month and in eight of the last nine months, marking its best total viewer winning streak since June 2012.

TODAY averaged 2.998 million total viewers in May, outperforming ABC’s Good Morning America by +188,000 viewers (+7%) and leading CBS Mornings by +1.192 million viewers (+66%). The program posted its highest May viewership in five years, recorded its first May total viewer victory over GMA in 14 years, and delivered its largest May advantage over CBS in 12 years.

Compared to May 2025, TODAY posted the largest year-over-year total viewer growth among the broadcast morning shows, adding +254,000 viewers (+9%), while widening its lead over CBS by 61%. The program has now posted four consecutive months of year-over-year growth in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49.

Trump To Give Sit-Down Interview On Meet the Press

President Donald Trump will sit down with NBC News’ Kristen Welker for a Sunday show exclusive interview airing on Meet the Press with Kristen Welker this Sunday, June 7.

Highlights from the interview, which will take place on Friday, June 5, will be released prior to Sunday’s Meet the Press on NBC News, NBC News NOW and NBCNews.com, all available on the NBC News app. The full video interview and transcript will publish on NBCNews.com this Sunday, June 7.

SCOTUS Uphold FCC's Civil Forfeiture Process

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday significantly reinforced the FCC’s ability to issue civil forfeitures without a jury trial, ruling 8-1 that the agency’s process does not violate the Seventh Amendment.

In doing so, however, the Court emphasized that FCC forfeiture orders do not create definitive legal obligations to pay and that the agency’s factual findings are not conclusive in court — a point that undercuts the binding weight regulators have historically placed on such penalties.

The decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts in the consolidated cases FCC v. AT&T and a related Verizon matter, reverses a Fifth Circuit ruling and sides with the FCC. It allows the agency to continue issuing multimillion-dollar forfeitures — including nearly $200 million combined against AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile for alleged customer data privacy violations — through its administrative proceedings.

TGIF: The Pulse Has Your Briefing For Friday, June 5

Radio Broadcasting

RIP:  Rocky Allen, the irreverent and high-energy host best known for “The Rocky Allen Showgram” on WPLJ-FM (95.5) in New York City, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the age of 71 following a more than year-long battle with colon cancer.

NPR Shifting Dues Formula: NPR is rolling out a new formula for calculating public radio station membership dues that takes effect Oct. 1. The updated model shifts from donor revenue to broadcast reach for news stations and includes tiered collaboration options that let stations reduce their payments by as much as 20%.

SCOTUS Validates FCC: The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday significantly reinforced the FCC’s ability to issue civil forfeitures without a jury trial, ruling 8-1 that the agency’s process does not violate the Seventh Amendment.

CBS News Denies Joe Rogan Is Joining 60-Minutes

CBS News on Thursday firmly denied a circulating rumor that Bari Weiss is facilitating Joe Rogan’s entry into the iconic “60 Minutes” program, calling the report “False.”

A network spokesperson delivered the unequivocal denial to TheWrap as the story gained momentum online. The rumor originated from a March article on the gossip site RadarOnline and resurfaced Thursday after the Austin American-Statesman published a speculative piece titled “Could Joe Rogan replace Anderson Cooper on ‘60 Minutes’? 

Observers described the newspaper’s coverage as possible wish-casting for the Austin-based podcast host. The story quickly spread on X (formerly Twitter), sparking reactions across the political spectrum.

Goodell Rebuffs Invite To Testify On Cpitol Hill

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined an invitation to testify at a June 10 House Judiciary Committee hearing examining the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and its impact on today’s media market for major leagues. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) had requested Goodell’s appearance earlier this week. 

In a letter sent Wednesday, June 3, NFL General Counsel Ted Ullyot informed Jordan that Goodell will not attend “due to ongoing litigation related to the topic of the hearing.”

The NFL defended its current media strategy in the letter, stating that 87% of all games in the upcoming 2026 season will air on free-to-air broadcast television. Even for games with national streaming rights on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, or Netflix, local broadcast stations in each team’s home Designated Market Area (DMA) will carry the matchup. The league noted this arrangement also applied throughout the 2025 season.

Podcasts Consumers Are Watching and Listening

Edison Research at SSRS released The Podcast Consumer 2026, its annual in-depth study of the U.S. podcast audience. The findings point to a medium at an inflection point: for the first time, as many weekly podcast consumers are watching as are listening to podcasts. 

The report also covers how much time the audience spends with audio, what content they are choosing, and how podcasts influence their behavior. 

Entravision To Air First AI Co-Hosted Spanish Radio Show

Entravision Communications Corporation has announced the success of Al Aire y Sin Permiso on José 97.5 FM in Los Angeles. The innovative program, co-hosted by LA native GeeGee and Coyotec—the industry’s first Latino AI-powered radio personality—has helped redefine Spanish-language radio by blending cutting-edge technology with authentic human connection.

The show reflects Entravision's commitment to innovation, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance creativity, expand storytelling, and create new ways to inform, entertain, and connect with the communities it serves. Al Aire y Sin Permiso is where innovation meets cultura.

This Was SportsCenter: Stories from the Set Vodcast Debuts

This Was SportsCenter: Stories from the Set vodcast debuts Friday, June 5 across Disney+, ESPN App and major podcast platforms

Hosted and produced by Rich Eisen, the six-episode series brings together legendary SportsCenter anchors and personalities from across the show’s history

ESPN Thursday announced This Was SportsCenter: Stories from the Set, a new ESPN video podcast hosted and produced by Rich Eisen, premieres Friday, June 5. The highly anticipated six-episode first season takes fans behind the scenes of the iconic SportsCenter set and newsroom during the late 1990s and early 2000s, featuring firsthand stories and memories from many of the personalities who helped define the show’s cultural impact.

Radio History: June 5

➦In 1910...Radio, TV character actor Herb Vigran was born in Cincinnati.

He moved to Los Angeles in 1939, and with his unique voice was frequently cast in scores of network radio dramas and variety shows, performing with the likes of Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Jimmy Durante.

He appeared in more than 350 TV shows and big screen films, most notably in Dragnet, Gunsmoke and I Love Lucy.

He died of complications from cancer Nov. 29 1986 at age 76.

➦In 1956...Elvis Presley appeared on The Milton Berle Show, causing a national uproar with his hip-swiveling performance of "Hound Dog. When Presley appeared next on Ed Sullivan’s show on CBS TV, he was pictured only from the waist up.

➦In 1973…following news that the American Red Cross had run out of money as a result of aid efforts for recent natural disasters, Gordon Sinclair of CFRB in Toronto recorded what would become his most famous radio editorial, "The Americans." While paying tribute to American success, ingenuity, and generosity to people in need abroad, Sinclair decried that when America faced crisis itself, it often seemed to face that crisis alone.

At the time, Sinclair considered the piece to be nothing more than one of his usual items. But when U.S. News & World Report published a full transcript, the magazine was flooded with requests for copies. Radio station WWDC-AM in Washington, D.C., started playing a recording of Sinclair's commentary with "Bridge Over Troubled Water" playing in the background. Sinclair told the Star in November 1973 that he had received 8,000 letters about his commentary.

With the strong response generated by the editorial, a recording of Sinclair's commentary was sold as a single with all profits going to the American Red Cross. "The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)" went to No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the 73-year-old Sinclair the second-oldest living person ever to have a Billboard U.S. Top 40 hit.

A transcript of the commentary was also recorded by Byron MacGregor, news director of Windsor, Ontario, radio station CKLW-AM Windsor-Detroit, and it became an even bigger hit in the U.S., climbing to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sinclair was said to be annoyed by MacGregor's recording, which was released as a single before Sinclair's authorized version. 

➦In 1977…DJ Charlie Van Dyke did his last show on 93KHJ, Los Angeles.

➦In 1982…DJ Cousin Brucie returned to New York City Radio on WCBS 101.1 FM.

CBS News Fired Scott Pelley Over Trust Breakdown

CBS News has fired longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley after he publicly assailed network leadership, breaking a “foundation” of trust, Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss told the newsroom Wednesday morning.

Weiss said the decision followed an explosive staff meeting on Monday in which Pelley accused her of “murdering ‘60 Minutes’” and declared that Nick Bilton, the tech journalist hired to run the program, would “never be welcome.”

“I’m only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect,” Weiss said on a 9 a.m. editorial call, according to a recording obtained by The NYTimes. “That foundation was broken on Monday.”

Weiss, Pelley

“Despite our attempts to engage with Scott Pelley and to find a way back, unfortunately we weren’t able to do so, and so we had to part ways,” she added. “We did not want that to happen, but that’s the path that he chose.”

Pelley was informed of his termination Tuesday evening. CBS News has not issued an official statement on the firing.

In a statement Wednesday, Pelley pushed back against Weiss’s version of events, saying there was “no effort of any kind to ‘find a way back.’”He met Tuesday with Weiss, Bilton, and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. Pelley described the meeting as hostile and said the network showed little interest in addressing his concerns about the future of “60 Minutes.”

Back To Her Roots: Taylor Swift Flips To Country Music

Taylor Swift made a surprise return to her country roots on Wednesday night, appearing unannounced at the Bluebird Café and debuting raw, acoustic material that signals a full artistic homecoming after more than a decade dominating pop.

The 36-year-old superstar, dressed in a hoodie and baseball cap, performed new songs including an early version of what appears to be the lead single “Nashville Again,” drawing tears from the intimate crowd of songwriters and fans. The performance marks her most significant return to country music since her 2014 album 1989 launched her into global pop stardom.Swift followed the café set by booking time at the same studio where she recorded Fearless as a teenager. Insiders say she is completing a new country album titled Back to December (Again), reuniting with longtime collaborators including producer Nathan Chapman. 

The project blends fresh tracks with resurrected 2008-era demos and a sequel to her early hit “Tim McGraw” called “Red Boots (Revisited).”A source close to the project said Swift told the team, “I don’t want it polished. I want it honest. Like I used to be.”The move comes after years of record-breaking pop tours and re-recordings. Industry observers note the timing aligns with Swift’s pattern of artistic reinvention, but this time she is deliberately dialing back the spectacle—no massive production, no heavy promotion, just songs and a guitar.Swift is expected to make her official return to the format with a performance on the Grand Ole Opry in the coming weeks. 

NFL Ad Revenue Climbs 7% to Record $5.9B

NFL broadcast and streaming partners generated $5.9 billion in advertising revenue during the 2025-26 season, marking a 7% increase over the previous year, according to media intelligence firm Guideline.

Regular-season TV advertising rose 6% to $4.1 billion. Playoff games jumped 13% to $1.1 billion, while the Super Bowl on NBC brought in $500 million in ad revenue, up 2% from the year before.

Broadcast and cable networks accounted for $5.19 billion of the total (up 7%), while streaming platforms contributed $676 million (up 5%).

TV Ratings: Fox News Dominates During May

FOX News Channel (FNC) continued to exert its dominance in all of television for the month of May, beating ABC in weekday primetime, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. FNC averaged 2.8 million viewers in weekday primetime making it the third highest-rated network in all of television, leading ABC (2.7 million viewers) and marking the network's highest rated May during a midterm election year in the network's history. 

FNC also surpassed ESPN (2.8 million viewers) in weekday primetime during coverage of the 2026 NBA and NHL Playoffs. In May primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC delivered 2.4 million viewers and 210,000 in the 25-54 demographic. In total day, FNC drew over 1.5 million viewers and 143,000 in the 25-54 demo. FNC commanded nearly 60% of the cable news share with viewers across total day and primetime and delivered the top 85 cable news telecasts. FNC was also number one in cable news with Asians, Hispanics and upscale viewers throughout total day during the month. Notably, the latest New York Times/Siena poll of registered voters found that FNC was the leading single source of news in the country, reflecting its strong audience ratings performance.

In May, CBS continued its downward trend with CBS Evening News delivering its second consecutive month under 4 million viewers and its 14th straight month under 600,000 viewers aged 25-54. The program saw 3.8 million viewers and 525,000 in the 25-54 demo. CBS Mornings saw its lowest-rated May in program history across the board, with 1.8 million viewers and 296,000 25-54. ABC primetime notched its lowest-rated May of the 21st century across both demos, averaging 2.8 million viewers and 577,000 25-54 demo.

FNC's number one program The Five secured 3.6 million viewers and 317,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading all of cable news across the board. The Five also surpassed broadcast programs including CBS' CIA (3.6 million viewers), ABC's Celebrity Jeopardy (3.3 million viewers) and ESPN's NBA Playoffs First round (3.3 million viewers). At 8 PM/ET Jesse Watters Primetime led primetime, commanding 3.1 million viewers and 261,000 in the 25-54 demo.

TV Ratings: Fox Dominates The Week

FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of May 25th with more than 2.6 million weekday primetime viewers and 217,000 in the 25-54 demo, outpacing CBS (2.5 million viewers) and ABC (1.9 million viewers), according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC delivered 2.3 million viewers, notably leading ABC (1.7 million viewers). In Monday – Sunday total day, FNC garnered over 1.4 million viewers. CBS Evening News maintained its downward spiral (3.8 million viewers; 493,000 in the 25-54 demo), with the program posting its eighth consecutive week under 4 million viewers (including all weekday airings).

The Five led the week, claiming over 3.3 million viewers and 285,000 in the 25-54 demo. In the 6 PM/ET hour, Special Report with Bret Baier notched nearly 2.5 million viewers and 181,000 in the 25-54 demo. During the 7 PM/ET hour, The Ingraham Angle nabbed almost 2.4 million viewers and 198,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime saw 3.1 million viewers and 264,000 in the 25-54 demo. In the 9 PM/ET hour, Hannity garnered more than 2.6 million viewers and 184,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 11PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher drew 1.5 million viewers and 171,000 in the 25-54 demo.

FNC’s signature late-night show Gutfeld! (weeknights, 10 PM/ET) dominated the competition in primetime viewers, averaging 2.8 million viewers and 246,000 in the 25-54 demo. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! posted only 2.5 million viewers and 403,000 in the 25-54 demo while CBS’s Comics Unleashed posted a measly 849,000 viewers and 134,00 in the 25-54 demo. Notably, since Comics Unleashed debuted on Friday, May 22nd, the program is down 60 percent in primetime viewers and 54 percent among the 25-54 demo compared to CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s year-to-date average.

Happy Thursday: The Pulse For June 4 Is The Place to Start

Radio Broadcasting

Back to Her Roots: Taylor Swift made a surprise return to her country roots on Wednesday night, appearing unannounced at the Bluebird Café and debuting raw, acoustic material that signals a full artistic homecoming after more than a decade dominating pop.

Hamand Sets Retirement: Doug Hamand, Vice President of Programming Operations at Cumulus Media, will retire from the company at the end of June, concluding a 48-year career in radio.

Giving Day Set: The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) will hold its annual Giving Day on June 25, bringing together broadcasters nationwide for a one-day fundraising campaign to support radio and television professionals facing severe financial hardship.

TV Ratings: ABC's WNT Remains Most-Watched With Total Viewers

For the seventh consecutive week, “World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (7.824 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of May 25, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight” ranked as the No. 1 newscast across broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (7.824 million), Adults 25-54 (961,000) and Adults 18-49 (722,000).

FBN Scores 13th Straight Monthly Lead Over CNBC

FOX Business Network (FBN) recorded its 13th consecutive monthly lead over CNBC with business day viewers in May 2026, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. FBN’s flagship market open and close programs, Varney & Co. and Kudlow continue to lead as the top two programs in all of business news.

From 9:30 AM-5 PM/ET, the network drew 243,000 business day viewers, its 13th straight victory over CNBC. Meanwhile, FBN scored 240,000 viewers during market hours marking 14% growth compared to May 2025. In total day viewers, FBN delivered 146,000 viewers, notching a 7% year-over-year increase.

Cumulus Media VP Doug Hamand Announces Retirement

Doug Hamand, Vice President of Programming Operations at Cumulus Media, will retire from the company at the end of June, concluding a 48-year career in radio.

Hamand joined Cumulus in January 2016 after 21 years at Clear Channel/iHeartMedia, where he held operations manager and programming leadership roles in several markets, including Lexington, Kentucky, Birmingham, Alabama, and a decade in Tampa/St. Petersburg.

He shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing: “I’ve had a ball. It’s hard to believe that when I started 48 years ago, this day would ever come but here we are. I’m excited to share that I will be retiring at the end of June.”

MLB, TelevisaUnivision Expand Radio Deal

Major League Baseball and TelevisaUnivision are significantly expanding their collaboration on Spanish-language broadcasts, adding more than 30 live audio games to TUDN Radio’s national schedule from June 14 through July 19.

The deal includes on-site coverage from MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia and marks the first time TUDN Radio will broadcast the Futures Game. It also incorporates the network’s daily MLB program “Desde el Diamante,” which features live game narrations, statistical analysis, player projections, and expert commentary.

TelevisaUnivision Sports Radio Vice President Carlos Azcarate led negotiations for the expanded agreement, which builds on the growing reach of TUDN Radio among Spanish-speaking baseball fans across the United States and Latin America.

Radio History: June 4

➦In 1917...CBS News correspondent Charles Collingwood born (Died – October 3, 1985).  He was  an early member of Edward R. Murrow's group of foreign correspondents that was known as the "Murrow Boys". During World War II he covered Europe and North Africa for CBS News. Collingwood was also among the early ranks of television journalists that included Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevareid, and Murrow himself.  Retiring from CBS in 1982, he died from cancer Oct 3, 1985 at age 68.

➦In 1942…Songwriter Johnny Mercer founded Capitol Records with financial help from songwriter and film producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, owner of Wallichs Music City. Mercer raised the idea of starting a record company while golfing with Harold Arlen and Bobby Sherwood and with Wallichs at Wallichs's record store.

It was Wallichs, Capitol's manager, who invented the art of record promotion by sending free copies of new releases to disc jockeys.

Clem McCarthy

➦In 1962...Pioneering sportscaster Clem McCarthy died at age 79 (Born - September 9, 1882.  He also lent his voice to Pathe News's RKO newsreels. He was known for his gravelly voice and dramatic style, a "whiskey tenor" as sports announcer and executive David J. Halberstam has called it.

As Halberstam's book Sports on New York Radio notes, McCarthy is considered one of horse racing's great callers, setting the stage for well-known voices. He was the first to announce the running of the Kentucky Derby back in 1928 and called every Derby through 1950.

In addition to being a race caller for racetracks and NBC Radio, he was a top boxing announcer, too. His most often replayed boxing sportscast is probably his NBC radio call of the 1938 Joe Louis-Max Schmeling rematch at Yankee Stadium:

McCarthy's career also included work at local radio stations, beginning at KYW in Chicago in 1928. From there, he went to WMCA in New York City.

➦In 1962...The Beatles signed their first record contract with EMI, though it's merely to produce a series of demos.

➦In 1963…"Pop Go the Beatles" was first broadcast on BBC radio.  Each edition of Pop Go The Beatles began and ended with a rock ‘n’ roll version of the nursery rhyme Pop Goes The Weasel recorded by The Beatles.

➦In 1973…WNBC 97.1 FM (now Urban WQHT-NYC) switched format to “The Rock Pile”