SiriusXM, now a Fortune 500 company generating $8.7 billion in revenue after its 2024 spin-off from Liberty Media, has transformed from a satellite radio pioneer into a multifaceted audio platform under CEO Jennifer Witz.
Initially launched to deliver ad-free, seamless car radio via satellite, SiriusXM now faces existential challenges: competition from on-demand streaming giants like Spotify, an aging subscriber base (down from a 2019 peak of 34.9 million to 33 million), and the rise of self-driving cars where passengers may prioritize video over audio. Witz, who joined 23 years ago when satellite radio felt futuristic, is tasked with keeping SiriusXM relevant in a streaming-dominated world.
CEO Witz
Talent and Content as Cornerstones: SiriusXM’s strength lies in its high-profile talent, exemplified by Howard Stern, whose $100-million-a-year contract renewal looms large. The company’s New York and L.A. studios buzz with spontaneous collaborations, like Alex Cooper recruiting John Mayer for her Unwell On Air channel or Elton John and Brandi Carlile joining Stern.
Witz has heavily invested in podcasting, with SiriusXM owning eight of the top 20 U.S. podcasts per Edison Research, outpacing competitors like iHeartMedia and Wondery.
Adapting to Streaming Challenges: SiriusXM’s satellite technology, once revolutionary, now limits its ability to collect listener data, unlike Spotify’s algorithm-driven personalization. Witz has countered this with strategic moves:Pandora Acquisition (2019): The $3.5 billion purchase brought adtech leader AdsWizz, boosting advertising to 20% of revenue (subscriptions account for 80%).
360L Platform: Launched in 2019, 360L blends satellite reliability with streaming’s data-driven features like personalized recommendations. By 2025, half of new vehicles with SiriusXM include 360L, though adoption is slow as most subscribers drive older cars without upgrade options.
New Streaming App: A 2023 app overhaul improved search, recommendations, and user experience, with a $9.99/month streaming-only plan undercutting competitors.
Navigating a Competitive Landscape: At $24.98/month for its all-access plan, SiriusXM is pricier than Spotify ($11.99/month), fueling subscriber churn amid economic pressures and subscription fatigue. Morningstar analyst Matthew Dolgin tells Fortune the challenge: competitors offer vast music libraries at lower prices. SiriusXM’s stock has dropped 18% since the Liberty spin-off, reflecting Wall Street skepticism. Witz is targeting terrestrial radio’s 90% in-car listening share with a new ad-supported subscription tier and free access events, like a Chris Stapleton Radio broadcast.
Witz’s vision hinges on blending SiriusXM’s satellite reliability with streaming’s flexibility, leveraging its 125 million installed car receivers (many unsubscribed) and partnerships with automakers like GM and Lucid. With a high-free-cash-flow model admired by 35% shareholder Berkshire Hathaway, SiriusXM remains financially robust.
For the past 11-year, WSM-FM, owned by Cumulus Media, has been branding “95.5 Nash Icon” brand, focusing on a mix of contemporary country hits and traditional country from the 1980s and 1990s. The station format was launched in 2014 as part of a joint venture with Big Machine Records to support the Nash Icon Records label.
Recent programming updates at WSM-FM’s former sister station, WSM-AM (650 AM), include schedule adjustments like new times for countdown shows and the addition of “Late Nights with Lexi” from midnight to 5 a.m. weekdays.
While these changes are specific to WSM-AM, they reflect a broader strategy by parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties (for WSM-AM) and Cumulus Media (for WSM-FM). Street talk has WSM-FM updating lineup or format especially given its shared market with rival station WKDF, also owned by Cumulus.
Impending changes are expected to include new shows, hosts, or a slight tweak to its playlist to balance modern and classic country.
No official word, but Street Talk has Big D & Bubba, along with WKDF afternoon host Tyler Reese, to move to the same dayparts on WSM-FM. The moves displace Marty McFly and Stew James from those respective shifts. No word on how those dayparts will be filled on WKDF.
McFly has been in mornings on WSM-FM since 2014 (CAT 2/12/14), after spending four years in the shift at WKDF, where he served as PD from 2011 to 2014. He also handled mornings for Westwood One's Nash Icon format. McFly's previous stops include KNIX/Phoenix, WSIX/Nashville and WGSQ/Cookeville, TN, where he continues to be heard in afternoons.
In 2003, Cumulus Media acquired WSM-FM (along with WWTN) from Gaylord Broadcasting, ending its formal connection with WSM-AM after a five-year joint sales agreement expired in 2008. The station moved to Cumulus’ Music Row studios on Music Circle East in mid-2004. Under program director Jon Sebastian, WSM-FM rebranded as “95.5 The Wolf” in September 2004, adopting a format blending country with some Southern rock. Despite initial ratings gains, it settled into third place behind WKDF and WSIX-FM, leading to a return to a more traditional country approach.
On December 16, 2010, WSM-FM dropped “The Wolf” and reverted to its heritage call letters, emphasizing mainstream country hits from the 1990s onward. In 2012, Cumulus acquired Citadel Broadcasting, making WSM-FM and WKDF sister stations. Both competed for the mainstream country audience, but operations were streamlined in January 2014 with a shared program director. WKDF adopted Cumulus’ “Nash FM” brand in February 2014, setting the stage for WSM-FM’s next transformation
GBH, a major producer of PBS programming, is laying off 45 employees, or 6 percent of its workforce, across various departments due to financial pressures, CEO Susan Goldberg announced Monday.
This follows the recent layoff of nine staff members at GBH’s WORLD Channel, a global news and documentary outlet, after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting cut its funding due to sustainability concerns. In total, these cuts affect 7 percent of GBH’s staff, according to an email from Goldberg obtained by the Globe. GBH has also reduced expenses across departments and will leave some vacant positions unfilled.
Goldberg cited multiple challenges, including federal funding cuts, rising operational costs, and the need to adapt to changing audience preferences.
“We’re sad to say goodbye to colleagues and grateful for their contributions,” she said, emphasizing the need to reshape operations for long-term sustainability during a volatile time. This marks GBH’s second round of organization-wide layoffs in two years, following a 2024 reduction of 31 employees (4 percent of staff), which included 11 newsroom staffers and the suspension of programs like “Basic Black,” “Greater Boston,” and “Talking Politics.” “Basic Black” was relaunched as “GBH News Rooted,” with plans to revive “Greater Boston.”
GBH, known for producing PBS staples like Frontline, Masterpiece, and NOVA, also operates an NPR news station, creates educational content, and produces podcasts.
The organization faces further uncertainty as the Trump administration’s recent executive order threatens to halt funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. NPR and PBS have filed lawsuits arguing the order is unconstitutional. While federal funding constitutes only 8 percent of GBH’s revenue and 3 percent of WBUR’s, the loss would have a broader impact, as smaller stations that license GBH’s programming rely heavily on such support. This could particularly harm smaller, rural stations, exacerbating financial strain across public media.
Lionel, known for his quick wit and biting humor, has been announced as the host of The Other Side of Midnight, the overnight radio show currently syndicated on 23 radio stations by Red Apple Audio Networks.
The program originates from flagship station 77WABC, New York, where it airs live Monday through Friday from 1-5am ET. Other affiliated stations include WGN, Chicago, WCCO, Minneapolis, and more.
A skilled stand-up and spoken word performer, Lionel blends satire, performance art and critical thought into compelling live shows that defy genre.
“Lionel brings intellectual depth and razor-sharp humor to every subject,” said Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and 77WABC. “Lionel’s already put his inimitable stamp on the show, and we’ve had a great response from listeners and affiliates.”
“I’m honored beyond words to be back at WABC—where it all began, my alma mater, the greatest talk radio station in the world,” exclaimed Lionel. “Legendary, historic, storied, unmatched in its legacy. This isn’t just radio, it’s home. It’s the gold standard, the birthplace of giants. And now, I’m back where I belong.”
The Other Side of Midnight with Lionel dives headfirst into the stories shaping our world —politics, law, media, and the shifting dynamics of American culture. The show challenges conventional narratives and explores the undercurrents of power and influence with fearless commentary.
Lionel is a former prosecutor and licensed trial lawyer. As an Emmy Award-winning television commentator, he has provided sharp, insightful analysis on legal and political issues across major networks. A pioneer in podcasting and streaming, Lionel was among the first to recognize the future of independent media, launching his unique brand of commentary long before it became mainstream. With decades of broadcasting experience and a loyal online following, Lionel brings his signature style — equal parts intellect, satire, and showmanship — to The Other Side of Midnight.
Cumulus Media announces that it has named Derek Hunter as Afternoon Talk Host at Cumulus Media’s News Talk 105.9 WMAL-FM in Washington, D.C.
Hunter has been a regular fill-in host on the station since 2011. A 20-year veteran of talk radio, Derek is also a senior columnist for Townhall.com, a podcaster, and a former managing editor at The Daily Caller. He previously served as a fill-in host for The Rush Limbaugh Show, and his experience spans media, policy analysis, and political communications. Hunter debuts today and can be heard on WMAL Monday through Friday from 3:00pm-6:00pm.
Hunter began his talk radio career in 2005, hosting The Insiders, a live call-in show for The Heritage Foundation where he was also a health care policy analyst. In 2007, Hunter co-founded the First Friday Happy Hour podcast, which quickly became essential listening for Capitol Hill staffers. In 2009, he was recruited by Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel to help launch The Daily Caller, as Managing Editor.
Derek Hunter
Hunter's on-air career grew when he began regularly hosting the Saturday 4:00pm–7:00pm slot on WMAL’s The Big Show in 2011. That same year, he was hired by WBAL in Baltimore for the noon–3:00pm time slot. He later worked at WCBM in Baltimore and WFMD in Frederick, MD, where he also served as Program Director.
“We’re thrilled to have Derek’s fresh voice and perspective on our fulltime line-up”, said Bill Hess, Program Director, WMAL-FM. “His width of interests will make for a fun and informative afternoon program as we wrestle this news cycle each day.”
Hunter commented: “I couldn’t be more excited—this is a homecoming for me. Returning to where I first hosted is a great feeling. I’ve been fortunate to fill in across the lineup—from O’Connor and Company to Chris Plante, and even for Rush Limbaugh. To now have a permanent home here is incredibly special. I want to thank Bill Hess, Jeff Boden, and all of Cumulus for this amazing opportunity.”
Hunter now lives with his wife and two children just outside the nation’s capital.
For more information or to stream WMAL-FM, visit: https://www.wmal.com/.
Allen Media Group announced Monday it has hired Moelis & Co. to facilitate the sale of its 28 owned-and-operated broadcast TV stations, affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox across 21 U.S. markets.
Over the past six years, the company invested over $1 billion to acquire these stations and, after receiving multiple inquiries and written offers, is now considering a sale, according to founder Byron Allen.
The move follows a broader trend in the industry, with Sinclair exploring the sale of over 30% of its stations and Apollo Global Management reportedly looking to sell its Cox Media Group TV and radio portfolio, as noted by CNBC last year. A sale could significantly alleviate Allen Media Group’s debt burden, following a recent refinancing of a $100 million debt facility. Despite S&P Global Ratings projecting adequate liquidity for the next 12 months, the company retains a junk credit rating and faces ongoing debt risks.
Last year, CNBC reported that Allen Media Group was consistently late on payments to network owners, with delays of up to 90 days and debts totaling tens of millions. The reasons for these delays remain unclear, as the company declined to comment on the specifics.
The Q1 2025 report reveals a yawning gap in agency/marketer perceptions of audio audiences. Pierre Bouvard. Chief Insights Officer of the Westwood One Audio Active Group®, has shared some Advertiser Perceptions from a study of 303 media agencies and marketers conducted in August 2024 found the perceived combined audience share of Pandora/Spotify is 43%, much greater than the perceived share of AM/FM radio (27%).
AM/FM radio’s actual share (68%) is 2.5 times larger than what advertisers perceive (27%)
Agencies and advertisers vastly overestimate Pandora and Spotify shares. According to the Q1 2025 “Share of Ear,” AM/FM radio’s persons 18+ share of ad-supported audio (68%) is 14 times larger than ad-supported Pandora (5%) and ad-supported Spotify (5%).
Ad community perceptions of media audiences are often completely opposite to reality. Duncan Stewart, Director of Research, Technology, Media & Telecommunications at Deloitte, puts it best: “Why do people think that nobody listens to radio anymore? Because there is a narrative that new media kills old media, so nobody bothers to look at evidence that doesn’t fit the narrative.”
AM/FM radio dominates ad-supported audio share of time spent; Podcasts are a strong number two
AM/FM radio is the leader of ad-supported audio with a 68% share of ad-supported audio time spent among persons 18+. Podcasts take the second-place spot with a 20% share. Ad-supported Pandora (5%), ad-supported Spotify (5%), and ad-supported SiriusXM (3%) lag distantly.
2025 versus 2017: AM/FM radio is dominant, AM/FM radio streaming grows to beat ad-supported Pandora and Spotify, and podcasts grow by 5X
Looking back over the last eight years, among persons 25-54, AM/FM radio streaming (10%) has grown to beat both ad-supported Pandora (6%) and ad-supported Spotify (5%). Podcasts have grown 5X from 5% to 26%. Pandora is down significantly (11% to 6%). Spotify is small and up slightly (2% to 5%).
Just hours before a firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, major U.S. media outlets published unverified claims that Israeli tanks fired on starving Palestinians at a Rafah aid site. Citing “local health officials” and “witnesses”—often Hamas proxies—according to The Sectator, these reports lacked video or forensic evidence. Headlines spread rapidly, painting Israel as brutal. Yet, drone footage later showed calm crowds, no gunfire, and no chaos, casting doubt on whether a mass casualty event even occurred. No credible evidence has emerged to support the initial claims, but the narrative of Israeli cruelty had already gone global, inflaming antisemitic sentiment. Hours later, a firebomb was lit in Boulder.
U-S Ambassador Mike Huckabee criticized the media’s role, stating, “Reckless reporting by major U.S. outlets contributes to an antisemitic climate fueling murder and terror.” When outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and the Associated Press amplify unverified Hamas claims, they ignite rage and violence.
Meanwhile, a significant but underreported development unfolded in Gaza.
A new U.S.-designed, Israel-coordinated aid model, bypassing Hamas, is succeeding. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distributed nearly six million meals through 87,360 aid boxes in one week. On Sunday, one site delivered 1,159,200 meals without incident, reducing local food prices by over 35 percent. GHF is now expanding to four more sites, including northern Gaza, offering transparent, effective aid.
In contrast, Hamas is faltering—unable to pay fighters, losing street control, and facing civilian backlash, with some shot while storming its warehouses. Yet, media focus remains on disinformation, like baseless claims of Israeli naval ships firing on civilians at a GHF site. Such reports, rooted in bias rather than evidence, perpetuate a cycle of hate while ignoring real humanitarian progress.
As Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex-crimes trial progresses, his legal team challenged broad abuse allegations and intensely questioned his former assistant, referred to as "Mia."
Last week, Mia testified in Manhattan court about alleged physical and sexual abuse by Combs, spanning her employment from 2009 to 2017. Combs' attorneys highlighted friendly text messages and social media posts Mia shared about him in recent years, to which she responded, "I was still brainwashed," explaining her ongoing need for his approval.
Mia described a controlling workplace where Combs allegedly used threats to dominate employees. She also claimed multiple sexual assaults by Combs, starting at the Plaza Hotel during his 40th birthday celebration in 2009, with further incidents at his Los Angeles home and on a private plane. Her testimony grew emotional, as she called discussing the alleged assaults "the worst thing I've ever had to talk about."
Combs, 55, was arrested in September 2024, facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Mia revealed she spoke with Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura Fine, around the time of Ventura Fine’s 2023 lawsuit accusing Combs of similar crimes. However, Mia did not disclose her own alleged assaults to Ventura Fine, citing deep shame and suicidal thoughts. When defense attorney Brian Steel questioned why she waited months to report the assaults to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mia explained her delay was due to trauma, a common response among survivors.
Steel pressed Mia on her silence to family and friends, alleging she was part of a "MeToo money grab" and referencing Ventura Fine’s settlement. Mia acknowledged awareness of the settlement but denied seeking financial gain through a lawsuit. She stated her motivation to speak out was to support loved ones, like her niece and goddaughters, if they ever faced similar trauma.
Sylvia Oken’s Testimony: Oken, the area director of sales and marketing at the Beverly Hills Hotel, testified about hotel reservations made under the alias "Frank Black," linked to Combs and referencing Notorious B.I.G.’s nickname "Frank White." She presented two bills from Combs’ stays, one from May 2015 with a $500 charge for "oil damage" and another including a $300 charge for cleaning drapes and a fee for purchasing five candles. These details corroborated earlier testimony about the aftermath of Combs’ alleged "freak-offs," which involved excessive use of baby oil and other materials. Oken’s testimony was brief, with minimal cross-examination, and the jury was dismissed after her appearance.
Disney is set to lay off several hundred employees worldwide, targeting a small number of roles in marketing for film and TV, publicity, casting, development, and corporate financial operations. According to an insider, these cuts, part of Disney’s ongoing cost-saving efforts, will not eliminate entire teams, as reported by TheWrap.
This marks Disney’s fourth and largest round of layoffs affecting its TV operations, following 140 jobs cut at Disney Entertainment Television in July 2024, 75 at ABC News and its owned stations in October 2024, and nearly 200, or about 6% of ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks staff, in March 2025.
In October 2024, Disney restructured by merging ABC Entertainment and Hulu’s scripted drama and comedy teams under Simran Sethi and integrating ABC Signature into 20th Television under president Karey Burke.
The layoffs follow Disney’s strong Q2 2025 performance, reporting a $3.28 billion profit and 7% revenue growth to $23.6 billion, exceeding Wall Street expectations. The entertainment segment, including Disney+, Hulu, and linear networks, saw a 9% revenue increase to $10.68 billion and a 61% operating profit rise to $1.26 billion, driven by gains in direct-to-consumer and content sales. Disney+ and Hulu together achieved a $336 million operating profit, up from $47 million the previous year, with the three streaming services (including ESPN+) boasting 204.8 million subscribers. Disney did not specify ESPN+’s profit status.
Conversely, linear networks revenue dropped 13% to $2.42 billion, though operating income rose 2% to $769 million. Domestic linear revenues fell 3% to $2.2 billion, with operating income up 20% to $625 million due to reduced technology, marketing, programming, and product costs, despite lower ad revenue from decreased rates and viewership. International linear networks revenue plummeted 55% to $223 million, with operating income down 84% to $15 million, impacted by the Star India transaction with Reliance Industries.
CNN chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, whose 2021 report was found defamatory for portraying U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young as exploiting Afghans, exited the network.
In a Monday post on X, Marquardt wrote, “It’s tough to say goodbye, but it’s been an honor to work with the best in the business. Deep gratitude to my National Security team colleagues and incredible teammates in the U.S. and abroad.”
Alex Marquardt
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marquardt played a key role in CNN’s Russia-Ukraine war coverage but faced a defamation lawsuit from Young over a report claiming he charged Afghans excessive fees for evacuation during the U.S.
withdrawal from Afghanistan. In January 2025, a Florida jury awarded Young $5 million, and a settlement was reached before punitive damages were determined, avoiding potentially millions more in penalties. The settlement amount was not disclosed.
The case may have fueled perceptions of CNN bias, especially amid criticism from President Donald Trump. CNN stood by its journalists post-verdict, stating, “We’re proud of our team and fully committed to bold, fair reporting, while learning from this case.”
The contested report, introduced by Jake Tapper, described a “black market” for Afghan evacuations with “exorbitant fees” and no safety guarantees. Marquardt highlighted a man in the U.S. whose family was stuck in Afghanistan, noting that people on Facebook charged $10,000 per person. He cited Afghans and activists, claiming desperate Afghans faced exploitation through “impossible” fees, referencing Young’s LinkedIn post and chat logs about his evacuation services.
Fox News Radio celebrated its 20th anniversary on Monday, marking two decades since its launch on June 1, 2005.
The network debuted with 60 affiliates, offering a five-minute top-of-the-hour newscast and a one-minute report at the bottom of the hour.
Over the years, it has grown significantly, now providing hourly newscasts, one-minute updates, Fox News Alerts, and coverage of business, sports, entertainment, weather, and expert interviews from teams in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, London, Miami, and Chicago.
Fox News Audio SVP John Sylvester highlighted the milestone in a memo, crediting the network’s success to the dedication and hard work of its team in delivering comprehensive news coverage.
"Saturday Night Live" (SNL) Season 50, which aired from September 28, 2024, to May 17, 2025, averaged 8.1 million viewers per episode across NBC and Peacock, marking a 12% increase from Season 49 and making it the most-watched season since Season 47.
This viewership figure reflects seven days of on-demand viewing, highlighting the show’s strong performance in both live and delayed streaming metrics. The season was the highest-rated entertainment program among ad-supported broadcast and cable TV in the 18-49 demographic, with an average demo rating of 1.28 through its first seven episodes.
The season’s success was boosted by its historic 50th anniversary celebrations, which included special programming that reached a combined 50 million viewers across platforms. Notably, the three-hour "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" aired on February 16, 2025, drew 14.8 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, with a 2.53 rating in the 18-49 demo, making it NBC’s most-watched primetime entertainment telecast in five years. The special garnered 7.7 billion social media views and, with delayed viewing, reached 22.8 million viewers in its first 35 days.
Other anniversary events, like "SNL50: The Homecoming Concert," became Peacock’s highest-reaching original special, nearly doubling the average reach of a typical SNL episode, while "Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music" reached over 9 million viewers.
The season premiered with 5.3 million viewers, the strongest opener since 2020, hosted by Jean Smart with musical guest Jelly Roll. It featured returning hosts like Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, Ariana Grande, and Maya Rudolph, who reprised her Kamala Harris impression, alongside new hosts and musical guests.
iHeartMedia has launched "True Crime Tonight," a new on-air format in partnership with KT Studios, debuting on over 20 radio stations nationwide.
The show airs live Sunday through Thursday at 10 p.m. local time, starting June 1, 2025, and is available on-demand Monday through Friday via iHeartPodcasts on the iHeartRadio app and major podcast platforms. Hosted by Stephanie Lydecker, KT Studios’ founder and CEO, producer Courtney McKenna Armstrong, and Baudi Moovan, a renowned crime analyst featured in Netflix’s "Don’t F*** with Cats," the two-hour program features live caller interactions and real-time case updates.
Tom Poleman, iHeartMedia’s Chief Programming Officer, stated, “We’re excited to explore new radio formats with ‘True Crime Tonight.’ Stephanie Lydecker and KT Studios are true crime podcasting pioneers, and she was eager to create this radio show. Its live, interactive elements will keep it engaging and current.” Lydecker added, “Connecting live with true crime fans is thrilling. Tom Poleman’s vision and our partnership with iHeart’s exceptional team make this show a reality.”
Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group, noted, “True crime remains a top podcast genre, but podcasts lack interactivity. Broadcast radio, the original social media, brings real-time engagement, elevating storytelling by connecting larger audiences with live conversations.”
830 WCCO, an Audacy station in Minneapolis, raised over $92,000 during its third annual “Cure Blood Cancer Radio Auction,” benefitting NMDP℠. All proceeds go toward saving more lives through bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants by supporting groundbreaking research, patient assistance grants and adding more potential donors to the NMDP Registry℠.
“We are overwhelmed by our fans’ incredible generosity, the considerate financial support from our corporate partners and the innovative contribution of ideas and time from our personalities,” said Brad Lane, Brand Manager, 830 WCCO. “We had a blast auctioning off priceless, unique experiences and packages for a cause so close and personal to us and in honor of our friend, teammate and stem-cell transplant recipient Jordana Green!”
On May 29, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT, the 830 WCCO team broadcast live from NMDP℠ for its “Cure Blood Cancer Radio Auction.” The day featured stories and new items to bid on sourced by a combination of corporate sponsorships and personality contributions. 830 WCCO auctioned off 24 unique experiences, including a Minnesota Vikings VIP experience with 830 WCCO hosts Vineeta Sawkar and Steve Simpson, a five-day cabin rental, The Fray concert suite experience at The Fillmore and the opportunity to name the radio studio after you or your small business for a month.
“On behalf of NMDP℠ and the patients we serve, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to 830 WCCO and their listeners for the incredible support and generosity we saw at the recent fundraiser,” said Amy Ronneberg, CEO, NMDP℠. “The awareness and funds raised by 830 WCCO and its community will directly impact our ability to connect more patients with life-saving blood stem cell donors. Every dollar raised brings us closer to ensuring that every patient has a second chance at life.”
NMDP℠ bridges the gap between supporters and researchers while working to provide a cure for people diagnosed with blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. With the help of donors from a diverse bone marrow registry, the nonprofit leverages its global network to assist patients throughout the transplant process, including the life of WCCO fan favorite, Jordana Green.
830 WCCO’s “Cure Blood Cancer Radio Auction” is a part of Audacy’s commitment to making a meaningful difference at scale. Audacy uses its reach and personal connection with listeners to advance causes that promote strong mental health and build sound communities.
For more information and the full catalog of auction items, please click here.
➦In 1904...Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby born (some sources list May 2 – Died from heart attack October 14, 1977).
Bind Crosby
He was the first multimedia star, Crosby was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses from 1931 to 1954. His early career coincided with recording innovations that allowed him to develop an intimate singing style that influenced many male singers who followed him, including Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Dick Haymes, and Dean Martin. Yank magazine said that he was "the person who had done the most for the morale of overseas servicemen" during World War II. In 1948, American polls declared him the "most admired man alive", ahead of Jackie Robinson and Pope Pius XII. Also in 1948, Music Digest estimated that his recordings filled more than half of the 80,000 weekly hours allocated to recorded radio music.
Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Father Chuck O'Malley in the 1944 motion picture Going My Way and was nominated for his reprise of the role in The Bells of St. Mary's opposite Ingrid Bergman the next year, becoming the first of six actors to be nominated twice for playing the same character. In 1963, Crosby received the first Grammy Global Achievement Award. He is one of 33 people to have three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the categories of motion pictures, radio, and audio recording. He was also known for his collaborations with longtime friend Bob Hope, starring in the Road to... films from 1940 to 1962.
Crosby influenced the development of the postwar recording industry. After seeing a demonstration of a German broadcast quality reel-to-reel tape recorder brought to America by John T. Mullin, he invested $50,000 in a California electronics company called Ampex to build copies. He then convinced ABC to allow him to tape his shows. He became the first performer to pre-record his radio shows and master his commercial recordings onto magnetic tape. Through the medium of recording, he constructed his radio programs with the same directorial tools and craftsmanship (editing, retaking, rehearsal, time shifting) used in motion picture production, a practice that became an industry standard. In addition to his work with early audio tape recording, he helped to finance the development of videotape, bought television stations, bred racehorses, and co-owned the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.
On September 2, 1931, Crosby made his nationwide solo radio debut. Before the end of the year, he signed with both Brunswick and CBS Radio. Doing a weekly 15-minute radio broadcast, Crosby became a hit.
His first commercial sponsor on radio was Cremo Cigars and his fame spread nationwide. After a long run in New York, he went back to Hollywood to film The Big Broadcast. His appearances, records, and radio work substantially increased his impact. The success of his first film brought him a contract with Paramount, and he began a pattern of making three films a year. He led his radio show for Woodbury Soap for two seasons while his live appearances dwindled. His records produced hits during the Depression when sales were down. Audio engineer Steve Hoffman stated, "By the way, Bing actually saved the record business in 1934 when he agreed to support Decca founder Jack Kapp's crazy idea of lowering the price of singles from a dollar to 35 cents and getting a royalty for records sold instead of a flat fee. Bing's name and his artistry saved the recording industry. All the other artists signed to Decca after Bing did. Without him, Jack Kapp wouldn't have had a chance in hell of making Decca work and the Great Depression would have wiped out phonograph records for good."
His social life was hectic. His first son Gary was born in 1933 with twin boys following in 1934. By 1936, he replaced his former boss, Paul Whiteman, as host of the weekly NBC radio program Kraft Music Hall, where he remained for the next ten years. Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day), with his trademark whistling, became his theme song and signature tune.
Crosby's vocal style helped take popular singing beyond the "belting" associated with Al Jolson and Billy Murray, who had been obligated to reach the back seats in New York theaters without the aid of the microphone. As music critic Henry Pleasants noted in The Great American Popular Singers, something new had entered American music, a style that might be called "singing in American" with conversational ease. This new sound led to the popular epithet "crooner".
During the Second World War, Crosby made live appearances before American troops who had been fighting in the European Theater. He learned how to pronounce German from written scripts and read propaganda broadcasts intended for German forces. The nickname "Der Bingle" was common among Crosby's German listeners and came to be used by his English-speaking fans. In a poll of U.S. troops at the close of World War II, Crosby topped the list as the person who had done the most for G.I. morale, ahead of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, General Dwight Eisenhower, and Bob Hope.
The biggest hit song of Crosby's career was his recording of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", which he introduced on a Christmas Day radio broadcast in 1941. The song then appeared in his movie Holiday Inn (1942). His record hit the charts on October 3, 1942, and rose to No. 1 on October 31, where it stayed for 11 weeks. A holiday perennial, the song was repeatedly re-released by Decca, charting another sixteen times. It topped the charts again in 1945 and a third time in January 1947.
The song remains the bestselling single of all time. According to Guinness World Records, his recording of "White Christmas" has sold over 100 million copies around the world, with at least 50 million sales as singles. His recording was so popular that he was obliged to re-record it in 1947 using the same musicians and backup singers; the original 1942 master had become damaged due to its frequent use in pressing additional singles. Although the two versions are similar, the 1947 recording is more familiar today.
➦In 1910...Norman Lewis Corwin born (Died at age 101 – October 18, 2011) . He was a writer, screenwriter, producer, essayist and teacher of journalism and writing. His earliest and biggest successes were in the writing and directing of radio drama during the 1930s and 1940s.
Norman Corwin
Corwin was among the first producers to regularly use entertainment—even light entertainment—to tackle serious social issues. In this area, he was a peer of Orson Welles and William N. Robson, and an inspiration to other later radio/TV writers such as Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, Norman Lear, J. Michael Straczynski and Yuri Rasovsky.
Corwin was a major figure during the Golden Age of Radio. During the 1930s and 1940s he was a writer and producer of many radio programs in many genres: history, biography, fantasy, fiction, poetry and drama.
In the early 1930s, he became involved with radio broadcasting. He first worked as the radio editor of the Springfield MA Republican and subsequently began broadcasting his own radio program. The date of his first broadcast has been reported as early as 1931. As radio editor of the Republican, he became known for his column "Radiosyncracies," which he published under the pseudonym 'Vladimir Shrdlu.' He also worked as a news commentator over WBZ and WBZA. In June 1935, Corwin accepted an executive position in Cincinnati at station WLW. By 1937, Corwin was hired to host a poetry program called "Poetic License" on New York station WQXR, which led to his being hired by the CBS Radio Network to produce and direct cultural programs. He remained with CBS until 1949.
➦In 1925...Rosemary Rice born (Died from a stroke at age 87 – August 14, 2012). Rice was best known for her role as Katrin Hansen, the oldest daughter in the television series, Mama, which aired on CBS from 1949 to 1957. She provided the opening voice narration for Mama through her character.
Rosemary Rice
Rice's acting career began during junior high student in Montclair, when she was cast in her first Broadway production, later attending New York's Professional Children's School. She appeared in twelve plays and musicals on Broadway. Her Broadway credits included the 1943 production of The Naked Genius, a play written by Gypsy Rose Lee, as well as Dear Ruth and Junior Miss.
Rice's first radio appearance was on Grand Central Station. She enjoyed an active career in radio, appearing in mysteries, comedies and soap operas. Her best known role was as Betty Cooper in the Archie Andrews radio series.Other radio credits included Ma Perkins (as Laura), The Right to Happiness (as Susan Wakefield), CBS Radio Mystery Theater, NBC Playhouse, Calvacade of America, Playhouse 90, When a Girl Marries (as Kathy), My True Story, Westinghouse Studio One, Young Doctor Malone (as Jill), and Let's Pretend.
In 1949, CBS debuted Mama, an early, live television series adapted from "Mama's Bank Account", a book written by Kathryn Forbes. The series, which was set in San Francisco, California, in the early 20th Century, centered on the life of a Norwegian American family.
➦In 1958...NYC personality Alan Freed faced controversy in Boston when he told the audience, "It looks like the Boston police don't want you to have a good time." As a result, Freed was arrested and charged with inciting to riot, and was fired from his job at 1010WINS.
➦In 1965...Personality The Real Don Steele started at 93KHJ-AM, Los Angeles in what would be a career that lasted decades at the station. Here's some audio...
Steele became nationally-known as a DJ on radio station KHJ in Los Angeles, where he helped to promote the "ultrahip" Top40 Boss Radio format which began at 3pm on April 27, 1965.
He also appeared on TV as host Boss City and The Real Don Steele TV Show, a show which ran from 1965 to 1975 on KHJ-TV channel 9 in Los Angeles.
When the popularity of AM radio gave way to FM stereo in the 1970s, Steele continued to remain a popular personality at the station. Following the years at 93/KHJ, The Real Don Steele continued to be heard on Los Angeles radio stations, including KIQQ (K-100), KRLA, KCBS-FM and KRTH-FM (K-Earth 101), until his death in August 1997.
➦In 1971...National Public Radio began in the US with 112 affiliates, mostly at colleges and universities, and the afternoon drive show that continues to this day, “All Things Considered.”
YouGov's latest 2025 poll surveyed Americans on their use and trust in 52 news sources, revisiting questions from similar surveys in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The results highlight American perspectives on news media and specific outlets, including views from those who haven't recently consumed news from them. Outlets with higher usage or stronger opinions tend to rank at the extremes of trust charts.
Most and Least Trusted News Sources
YouGov asked respondents to rate each outlet as very trustworthy, trustworthy, neither, untrustworthy, or very untrustworthy, calculating a net trust score (the difference between trustworthy and untrustworthy ratings). The Weather Channel remains the most trusted outlet, as in 2022–2024, with a net trust score of +49 (up from +43 in 2024), followed by public broadcasters BBC (+26) and PBS (+25).
The least trusted outlet is the National Enquirer (-37, improved from -44 in 2024), followed by Infowars (-15) and Breitbart News (-7), consistent with last year’s rankings.
Trends and Partisan Differences
Average net trust in news outlets rose slightly to +8 in 2025 from +4 in 2024, reversing a decline from 2023. Trust levels and outlet rankings have remained relatively stable over four years. Democrats are far more likely to trust news in general and most outlets, with 44 of 52 outlets (85%) trusted more than distrusted by Democrats, compared to only 21 (40%) for Republicans.
While both groups trust TV news more than print or online sources, their preferences differ: Democrats favor PBS, BBC, and NBC, while Republicans trust Fox News, Fox Business Channel, and Newsmax most.
YouGov’s recent media surveys show that 29% of U.S. adults used radio for news in the past month, a slight increase from 27% last year, but it lags behind social media (61%), television (60%), and conversations with friends and family (45%).
Demographic trends highlight radio’s challenges. Among adults 45 and older, 34% rely on radio for news, compared to just 23% of those aged 18–44. Radio performs stronger among Republicans (37%) and Independents (32%), but only 23% of Democrats use it for news. This political split shows radio retains a loyal base but struggles to attract younger or left-leaning audiences.
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