Local Radio Revenue Projected at $12.3B in 2025

The projected local radio ad revenue for 2025 is estimated to reach $12.3 billion, encompassing both over-the-air and digital radio. This figure indicates a slight adjustment compared to 2024, as reported by BIA Advisory Services' latest U.S. Local Advertising Forecast.

RAB, in partnership with BIA Advisory Services, has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the evolving radio landscape to help broadcasters navigate the economic environment of 2025. Local radio ranks as the fifth-largest advertising medium within the $171 billion local advertising marketplace.

Several key categories are driving investments in radio advertising: investment & retirement, quick service restaurants (QSRs), supermarkets, commercial banking and hospitals. Advertising trends indicate robust engagement in digital radio advertising from both the finance and insurance sectors, as well as QSRs, with expected investments exceeding $95 million for each.

“Notably, hospitals are projected to be one of the top spenders in local radio advertising in 2025, according to our advertising forecast,” said Celine Matthiessen, vice president of insights and analysis at BIA Advisory Services. “As they allocate parts of their media budgets to Radio Over-the-Air (OTA), Radio Digital and other platforms like Connected TV (CTV), it’s evident that local radio continues to be a trusted and culturally relevant medium, especially in rural and remote communities.”

Moreover, significant growth in Radio Digital ad spending is expected in verticals such as real estate development (projected to increase by 15.8%), full-service restaurants and bars (+8.6%) and mattress and sleep centers (up 7.2%).

"Local radio is undergoing a significant transformation," said Matthiessen. "The fusion of digital innovation with traditional broadcasting capabilities enables radio to uphold its crucial role in local market communications while creating new value propositions for advertisers."

“Our continued partnership with BIA allows RAB membership insights into opportunity across local advertising categories,” commented Mike Hulvey, president and chief executive officer, RAB. “Broadcast radio and its digital assets can deliver the services that local businesses want and need to increase their sales revenue. Local businesses across sectors are dependent upon marketing professionals to help guide their growth. Understanding challenges of advertising categories and potential opportunities that exist is the value that this information brings to RAB members and to their prospective advertisers.”

Twin Cities Radio: KQRS Moves Into The '90s

After a brief hiatus without DJs to gear up for a major overhaul, KQRS, the iconic Minneapolis-based rock station, has triumphantly returned to the airwaves, complete with a refreshed lineup of DJs and an exciting new format. 

The relaunch kicked off bright and early at 6 a.m. this morning introducing listeners to an expanded musical scope, fresh on-air talent, and a slate of innovative new shows designed to reinvigorate the station’s legacy.

The revamped KQRS is leaning into a broader musical palette, building on its longstanding foundation of rock legends like Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. According to station owner Cumulus Media, the new format will place a heightened emphasis on '90s rock anthems and spotlight Minnesota’s rich musical heritage, featuring homegrown icons such as Prince, Soul Asylum, The Replacements, and Bob Dylan. The relaunch playlist on Thursday morning offered a taste of this evolution, with tracks like Beck’s “Loser,” The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” and New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” setting the tone for the station’s bold new direction.

Leading the charge is Steve Gorman, a radio personality and founding drummer of the Black Crowes, who continues to anchor KQRS’s morning show. Gorman took over the slot in 2023 following the departure of longtime host Tom Barnard in 2022. Now, he’s joined by two notable additions to the morning team: Paul Fletcher, formerly of Cities 97.1, and co-host Ryder. 

The newly christened Gorman in the Morning with Fletcher and Ryder promises a dynamic blend of rock expertise and local flavor. Fletcher, who was let go from Cities 97.1 during a round of iHeartMedia layoffs last summer, brings his seasoned presence to the mic, while Gorman expressed his enthusiasm for the station’s future in a statement: “After a few years living in the Twin Cities, the enormous legacy of 92KQRS couldn’t be more clear to me. The most respectful way to honor that legacy is to move forward with great energy. Rock music will forever be a cultural force, but only with continued evolution. I’m very excited about where we’re going.”

The shakeup follows the controversial exit of Brian Zepp, a former KQ Morning Show staple whose departure last year sparked a fan petition to reinstate him. While Zepp’s return remains off the table, the station is forging ahead with its new vision.

Fletcher

Beyond the morning slot, the weekday lineup is packed with fresh faces and familiar voices. Paul Fletcher isn’t just pulling double duty on mornings—he’s also stepping into the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. slot, taking over from Chris Nelson. Meanwhile, Jade, a beloved figure who spent over 15 years as music director at The Current before leaving Minnesota Public Radio in 2023, is making her return to the airwaves. She’ll helm the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. shift, a move she announced with excitement on Wednesday: “Hello music lovers, I’m back on the airwaves starting tomorrow!! I can’t wait to spend time listening to music with you again.”

Jade’s slot replaces Lisa Miller, who transitions to a new role hosting Rock Review, a daily segment airing multiple times throughout the day. Miller will also take on a yet-to-be-detailed weekend show, keeping her voice a fixture in the KQRS lineup. Chris Nelson, meanwhile, slides into the 7 p.m. to midnight slot, previously occupied by Shannon Knight. Cumulus Media has confirmed that Knight will remain with the station, though her new role is still under wraps.

Bring Me the News website reports the weekend crew, a Cumulus spokesperson assures, will stay intact, with more surprises and additions on the horizon. “We’re just getting started,” the spokesperson teased, hinting at further enhancements to come.

Cincy Radio: Bill Cunningham Named New Morning Host WLW

Bill Cunningham, long-time personality at 700 WLW in Cincinnati, has been named the new morning host at the station, replacing Mike McConnell. 

The transition, effective as of Monday, April 7, 2025, marks a significant shift in WLW’s lineup, announced on April 2, 2025. Cunningham, known as “The Great American,” has been a dominant force in Cincinnati radio for over 40 years, hosting the midday slot from noon to 3 p.m. weekdays and a nationally syndicated Sunday night show, "Live on Sunday Night, It’s Bill Cunningham," via Premiere Networks.

Cunningham’s move to mornings follows McConnell’s retirement, which he revealed on March 26, 2025, after a 50-year radio career, including the last decade as WLW’s morning host from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. McConnell’s final show air will air Friday.

A Cincinnati native, Cunningham started at WLW in 1983 as a late-night host, eventually moving to afternoons, where he’s consistently topped local ratings, beating out even Rush Limbaugh in head-to-head matchups. His accolades include two Marconi Awards for Large-Market Personality of the Year (2001 and 2009), reflecting his strong connection with listeners.

This isn’t Cunningham’s first brush with a broader audience—he hosted a syndicated daytime TV talk show, "The Bill Cunningham Show," on The CW from 2011 to 2016, and he’s a frequent Fox News contributor. A former attorney and Ohio Assistant Attorney General, Cunningham blends legal insight with a populist flair, often tackling politics, local issues, and national news with unfiltered commentary. His morning show will likely retain this approach, though it’s unclear how he’ll adapt to the earlier time slot’s pace and audience habits.

At 77, Cunningham had flirted with retirement—initially eyeing August 2023 for his 40th WLW anniversary, then pushing it to 2028 to align with Donald Trump’s potential term end. Instead, he’s doubling down, signing a contract extension through 2030 and taking on mornings while continuing his Sunday night gig.

L-A Radio: After A Half Decade, Kevin Ryder Returns to LA’s KROQ

Kevin Ryder has made a notable return to KROQ 106.7 FM in Los Angeles, taking on the role of afternoon drive host from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. 

His return is a significant homecoming for Ryder, who spent over three decades at the station, most famously as co-host of the legendary "Kevin & Bean Show" alongside Gene "Bean" Baxter. His return comes five years after KROQ fired him in March 2020, a move that shocked fans and the radio industry alike.

Ryder’s career at KROQ began on January 2, 1990, when he teamed up with Baxter to launch "The Kevin & Bean Show." The program quickly rose to prominence, becoming the top morning show in the Los Angeles market and the longest-running morning show in the country. Their irreverent humor and authentic style earned them a spot in the Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. 

However, the partnership ended when Baxter retired and moved to England in 2019. Ryder continued with a retooled morning show, "Kevin in the Morning with Allie & Jensen," but it was abruptly canceled in 2020, along with the entire morning team, just weeks into the pandemic. Ryder used his final broadcast to openly criticize KROQ management for their handling of the situation.

After leaving KROQ, Ryder joined KLOS-FM in Los Angeles in 2021, co-hosting afternoons with Doug "Sluggo" Roberts, another former KROQ personality. That gig lasted until September 2024, when both were let go. 

Now, Ryder’s return to KROQ reunites him with the station where he built his legacy, under the programming leadership of Kevin Weatherly, who also returned to KROQ in 2022 after a stint at Spotify. Weatherly, a key figure in KROQ’s past success, described Ryder’s comeback as a "full circle moment in the best way possible."

Ryder’s first day back coincided with April Fool’s Day, a nod to the playful spirit of his earlier tenure, though he confirmed it was no prank. 

He’s signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year. During his debut, he included familiar elements like comedy bits from former "Kevin & Bean" collaborator Ralph Garman and listener call-ins for Coachella tickets, though he humorously slipped up by mentioning "KLOS" instead of "KROQ." Ryder has expressed excitement about returning to the station he helped make iconic, noting his long history with its audience and his eagerness to reconnect.

This move also shifts KROQ’s lineup, with current afternoon host Megan Holiday transitioning to evenings. Meanwhile, Ryder is reportedly close to finishing a book about his 30 years at KROQ, promising a deep dive into the station’s wild history. His return has been met with enthusiasm from fans and industry observers, signaling a potential revival of KROQ’s classic vibe under familiar leadership.

Westwood One To Air Basketball Championships

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One, the largest radio network in the U.S. and the exclusive national audio broadcast partner of the NCAA, will present comprehensive live audio coverage of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four and national championship game live from San Antonio, Texas in both English and Spanish. The network will also broadcast the NCAA Women’s Final Four and national championship game live from Tampa, Florida. 

Westwood One’s coverage of the Men’s Final Four will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5 with “The Final Four Show” followed by the game broadcast at 4:00 p.m. ET. The first national semifinal, between the Auburn Tigers and the Florida Gators, tips off at 6:09 p.m. ET. The second national semifinal, between the Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars will begin 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.  

On Monday, April 7 audio coverage will commence at 6:00 p.m. ET with the “Championship Monday” pregame show followed by game coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET. The men’s national championship game will tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET.  

Westwood One will also broadcast all three men’s games in Spanish, presented by Werner Ladder. Spanish-language coverage of the Final Four commences at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5 and at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 7 for the national championship game.  

Westwood One will also provide complete play-by-play coverage of the Women’s Final Four® on Friday, April 4 beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET when the defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Texas Longhorns. Immediately following, the network will air the second national semifinal, between the UCLA Bruins and the UConn Huskies. Coverage of the women’s national championship game on Sunday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET. Westwood One’s broadcasts of all three women’s games will be presented by Intuit TurboTax.  

 

R.I.P.: Johnny Tillotston, Sixties Hitmaker

Johnny Tillotston (1938-2025)

Johnny Tillotson, the renowned singer-songwriter best known for his 1960s hit "Poetry in Motion," passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 86.

His death was confirmed by his wife, Nancy Tillotson, who shared the news in an emotional tribute on social media on April 2, 2025. According to Nancy, Johnny died at their home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family, following a battle with Parkinsonism, a condition related to Parkinson’s disease that had impacted his health in recent years.

Nancy described Johnny as "the sweetest, kindest man" she had ever met, calling him her "best beloved" and "Knight of my heart." She highlighted his gratitude toward his fans, noting that he once said they "made every dream I ever had come true." His passing came just days after the release of his final single, "Everything I Touch Turns to Blue," in March 2025, leaving behind one last musical contribution for his audience.

Tillotson, born on April 20, 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida, rose to fame in the early 1960s as a teen idol. 

His signature song, "Poetry in Motion," peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a global hit, reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom. His career also included other notable successes, such as "It Keeps Right on A-Hurtin’," which earned him a Grammy nomination in 1962 for Best Country & Western Recording and was covered by over 100 artists, including Elvis Presley. He received a second Grammy nod in 1965 for "Heartaches by the Number." Over his decades-long career, Tillotson sold tens of millions of records and left a lasting mark on both pop and country music.

Chuck Todd Launches Podcast Initiative

Chuck Todd, once the face of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” has stepped into the role of media entrepreneur, launching a podcast network after leaving NBC News in January 2025. The move caps nearly two decades with the network, shifting him from a stalwart of traditional TV journalism to a pioneer in the digital media frontier.

Todd’s 18-year NBC career included stints as political director, chief White House correspondent, and, most prominently, “Meet the Press” moderator from 2014 to 2023. Leading the nation’s longest-running TV show, he pushed to refresh its format—introducing “MTP Daily” on streaming platforms and even launching a film festival. He handed the “Meet the Press” reins to Kristen Welker in September 2023, exiting NBC entirely in early 2025 to chase entrepreneurial ambitions.

At the heart of his new chapter is “The Chuck ToddCast,” a podcast he brought with him from NBC. Relaunched on April 2, 2025, its debut episode featured a 45-minute, unscripted chat with Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), tackling the Democratic Party’s future, Trump’s lingering impact, and Fetterman’s possible 2028 White House run. Todd’s focus on long-form dialogue over TV’s clipped soundbites reflects his view that today’s officials need room to explain themselves—a space he believes legacy media can’t provide.

But Todd isn’t stopping at hosting. He’s crafting a wider podcast and video network, planning to bring on new voices to build a platform for sharp, no-frills political talk. The network will dive deep with top journalists, insiders, and newsmakers, bridging D.C.’s corridors to small-town America. This aligns with his goal to restore media trust “from the ground up,” prioritizing local angles over the national lens he critiqued in his NBC goodbye note.

Todd’s leap comes amid media industry turbulence, with NBC navigating its own leadership shakeups and a broader pivot to streaming and digital dominance.

The Digital Era Amplifies Consequences For Talk Radio

An article in The Athlete highlights consequences and accountability for all forms of talk radio

The article titled "From Don Imus to Pat McAfee, talk show hosts face consequences of the digital world" by Andrew Marchand, published Wednesday in The Athletic explores the evolving landscape of accountability for talk show hosts in the digital age. It draws a parallel between the careers of the late Don Imus, a veteran radio shock jock, and Pat McAfee, a modern sports media personality, to illustrate how the permanence and reach of digital media have heightened the stakes for controversial on-air statements.

The piece revisits Don Imus’s infamous 2007 incident, where he referred to the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos” on his WFAN and MSNBC show. At the time, Imus’s long career had thrived on provocative commentary, often shielded by the ephemeral nature of pre-digital broadcasting—where remarks could fade without a lasting record unless actively preserved. However, the rise of platforms like YouTube changed that dynamic, creating a permanent “receipt” of his words. This led to widespread backlash, advertiser pullouts, and his eventual firing, marking a turning point for talk radio accountability.

Fast forward to 2025, the article shifts focus to Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter turned ESPN talk show host, who faced scrutiny for amplifying a false rumor about Mary Kate Cornett, an Ole Miss freshman, on his February 26, 2025, broadcast. The rumor, originating on anonymous social media platforms like YikYak and spreading via X, falsely alleged an affair involving Cornett and her boyfriend’s father. McAfee’s discussion of this unverified claim on The Pat McAfee Show—viewed by millions—escalated its impact, leading to severe harassment and emotional distress for Cornett, who has since engaged legal representation to pursue action against McAfee, ESPN, and potentially others.

Marchand argues that both cases highlight a consistent thread in talk radio: the pursuit of attention through edgy or unfiltered content. 

However, the digital era amplifies the consequences. According to The Athlete story, where Imus’s words once relied on manual recordings to persist, McAfee’s are instantly archived and disseminated online, leaving little room for deniability. The article notes that sports radio has historically operated as a “Wild West,” where hosts prioritize being entertaining over being factual, a trait McAfee embodies with his brash style and $85 million ESPN deal that even permits on-air swearing. Yet, this freedom comes with new risks, as evidenced by Cornett’s intent to hold him accountable for the real-world harm caused by his platform.

Report: Amazon Makes Bid For TikTok

Amazon has submitted a last-minute proposal to purchase TikTok in its entirety, the widely used video-sharing platform, as it nears an April deadline to divest from its Chinese parent company or face a U.S. ban, according to three sources familiar with the offer.

According to The NY Times, several parties engaged in the negotiations reportedly view Amazon’s bid with skepticism, the sources noted. The proposal was delivered through a letter directed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as per an individual informed about the correspondence.

Amazon’s move underscores the frantic, late-stage efforts in Washington surrounding TikTok’s ownership. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have voiced significant national security worries tied to the app’s Chinese ties, leading to legislation last year mandating TikTok’s sale, originally slated to take effect in January.

President Trump, despite repeatedly vowing to protect the app amid these security concerns, pushed the law’s enforcement deadline to Saturday, even following its unanimous affirmation by the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Trump convened with senior White House officials to weigh TikTok’s future. Insiders familiar with the discussions have floated a possible arrangement that might involve onboarding new American investors, such as tech titan Oracle and private equity powerhouse Blackstone, while avoiding an outright sale. However, it remains uncertain whether this approach would meet the federal law’s requirements.

Springfield IL Radio: Woodward Closes On Mid-West Family Stations

Woodward Communications Inc. (WCI), based in Dubuque, Iowa, is expanding its presence in the Springfield, Illinois, radio market. 

On November 13, 2024, WCI announced an agreement to acquire four radio stations—WNNS-FM (98.7), WQLZ-FM (97.7), WMAY-FM (92.7), and WMAY-AM (970)—from Mid-West Family Broadcasting, a deal that closed on April 2, 2025. This acquisition follows WCI’s purchase of four other Springfield stations from Neuhoff Media, finalized on October 1, 2024, marking a significant growth spurt in the region.

The newly acquired stations bring a mix of formats to WCI’s portfolio: WNNS-FM offers adult contemporary music, WQLZ-FM delivers mainstream rock, WMAY-FM focuses on news/talk, and WMAY-AM, branded as “102.5 The Lake,” plays classic hits with FM translators at 94.7 and 102.5 MHz. This complements WCI’s existing Springfield cluster, which includes hot AC WXAJ-FM (99.7 The Mix), country WFMB-FM (104.5), and sports-talk WFMB-AM (1450). To comply with FCC ownership limits, WCI divested WCVS-FM (96.7 Bob FM) from the Neuhoff deal, ensuring the new additions fit within regulatory bounds.

Tom Woodward

WCI’s leadership, led by President and CEO Tom Woodward, sees this as a strategic move to strengthen their foothold in Springfield. The plan is to eventually co-locate all eight stations in Mid-West Family’s current facilities, aiming to boost operational efficiency and enhance listener and advertiser experiences. Kevin O’Dea, a veteran broadcaster who started at WMAY-AM in 1978 and now serves as WCI’s Springfield Market Manager, will oversee the integrated cluster, reporting to Kelly Radandt, the overall marketing manager for WCI’s radio groups in Wisconsin and Illinois.

The Springfield expansion, paired with divestitures of two Bloomington, Illinois, stations (WIHN-FM and WWHX-FM) and a local marketing agreement for WBBE-FM with Great Plains Media, reflects WCI’s focus on concentrating resources where they see the most potential—Springfield being a key piece of that puzzle as of April 2, 2025.

Report: Market For Music Is Thriving

MusicWatch, a market research firm focused on music consumption trends, 50 million more Americans are buying music in 2024 compared to a decade ago, in 2014. This significant increase highlights a robust growth in the U.S. music industry, driven largely by the rise of streaming services, alongside continued interest in physical formats like CDs and vinyl, as well as digital downloads.

The report indicates that in 2024, approximately 132 million Americans aged 13 to 70—roughly half of that age demographic—paid for a music subscription, such as on-demand streaming services or satellite radio. 

This surge in music buyers far exceeds the U.S. population growth of about 19 million over the same period, suggesting that the increase isn’t just a result of more people but a genuine rise in interest and willingness to spend on music. In total, when factoring in various forms of music purchases (subscriptions, physical formats, and downloads), the number of music buyers in 2024 significantly outpaces the figures from 2014.

Spending on recorded music has also risen. In 2024, Americans spent an average of $112 per capita on recorded music, up from $80 in 2014 (about $91 when adjusted for inflation), marking a roughly 32% increase over the decade. This growth reflects not only more buyers but also higher spending per person, even as the industry has shifted away from digital downloads—which dropped from $2.3 billion in 2015 to $329 million in 2024—toward streaming. Meanwhile, live music spending saw an even steeper rise, increasing 17% from 2023 to $281 per capita in 2024, driven by strong demand for concerts despite some inflationary pressures on ticket prices.

Interestingly, older formats haven’t disappeared. Despite a 61% decline in CD sales over the decade, 56 million Americans still listen to CDs in their cars, and 48 million use digital downloads while driving, showing that these formats retain a substantial audience. Vinyl has also seen a resurgence, contributing to the overall growth in physical music purchases. However, piracy persists as a challenge, with 14 million Americans admitting to stream-ripping music files in 2024, though it’s less pervasive than it was 20 years ago.

The MusicWatch findings align with broader industry data, such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reporting an average of 100 million music subscriptions in 2024, with satellite radio provider SiriusXM ending the year with 31.6 million self-pay subscribers.

YouTube is Gen Z's Preferred Podcast Platform

What platform do Gen Z listeners turn to most for podcasts? A recent report has sparked debate by suggesting Spotify reigns supreme among 13- to 29-year-olds. To dig deeper, Edison Podcast Metrics rook a look at how a representative sample consumes podcasts across various platforms.

According to Transistor, a podcast hosting service, Gen Z is twice as likely to tune into podcasts on Spotify compared to YouTube. Yet, Edison Podcast Metrics paints a different picture, showing YouTube slightly edging out Spotify as the top choice for Gen Z podcast listeners.

So, why the conflicting findings? The answer lies in methodology. Transistor’s insights stem from over 100 interviews gathered via ads on Reddit, Tumblr, newsletters, and social media. In contrast, Edison Podcast Metrics analyzes more than 5,000 quarterly surveys from a broad, representative pool of U.S. weekly podcast listeners. Narrowing it down to Gen Z, their Q4 2024 data includes 1,568 respondents aged 13-29, weighted against The Infinite Dial®—a trusted benchmark survey—to mirror the broader Gen Z population.

Podcast listening habits will keep shifting across time and demographics. Still, two truths hold firm: platforms must adapt to changing listener preferences, and Edison Research will continue delivering reliable, methodologically robust insights to track these trends.

Webinar To Explore Results of Techsurvey 2025

Jacob Media Strategies' annual Techsurvey is the radio broadcasting industry's largest survey, with this year’s study seeing participation from 500 radio stations, yielding nearly 25,000 surveys from core radio listeners is set for Tuesday, Aprile 15 at 2 pm Eastern.  Register here

Techsurvey 2025 explores new questions on the impact of time-shifting, the popularity of online newsletters, how consumers are using YouTube, and the appeal of short-form videos and how radio stations can best utilize them.

The 21st annual study is packed with rich data covering a variety of new topics, and we are excited to share these findings – along with all the familiar trending data on radio listener technology usage and behaviors – with you and your staff, including:

• How much time-shifting of radio programming is happening, and by whom? With the proliferation of on-demand media content, are radio listeners looking for convenience in consuming radio content?
• How can radio take advantage of the surge in usage of online newsletters? What opportunities exist for radio to serve content to listeners seeking local content and beyond?
• Social media’s short videos proliferate – how can radio stations best utilize them? TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X are reeling many consumers in daily with quick-hit videos. Is radio in position to capture its audiences in the same fashion?
• What can we learn about how and why listeners tune to their favorite radio stations? We’ll also take a continued look at radio’s core strengths and examine the trends to see if there are any new vulnerabilities to address. Are personalities still overshadowing music on the hierarchy of why respondents listen to broadcast radio?

ESPN To Air Live Coverage of Masters First and Second Rounds

In ESPN’s 18th year of live coverage of the Masters Tournament, viewers will have extensive and multiple viewing options as the world’s top players converge on Augusta National Golf Club for the 89th edition of the classic and iconic event. Viewers will be able to watch on both television and digital platforms, with a robust slate of surrounding offerings the week of April 7-13.

As it has since 2008, ESPN will again televise live play in the first and second rounds of the Tournament on Thursday and Friday, April 10-11. The telecasts from 3-7:30 p.m. ET will air in Spanish on ESPN Deportes, with ESPN Deportes also televising live third and final round coverage.

Providing more options for golf fans, and serving viewers in a reimagined way for 2025, the coverage schedule for Wednesday’s Masters activities has been revised and expanded. On television, the telecast of the popular Masters Par 3 Contest will start at 2 p.m., one hour earlier than in past years, providing live television coverage when the majority of players are on the Par 3 course. Wednesday’s TV schedule also includes a new edition of SportsCenter at the Masters at noon, a new Welcome to the Masters show at 1 p.m. and SportsCenter at the Masters at 4 p.m. following the Par 3 Contest telecast.

Pensacola FL Radio: Cumulus Stations Rally To Find Forever Homes

Cumulus Media  announces that its 10 stations in Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL, joined forces with the Mobile County Animal Shelter and sponsors Rich’s Car Wash, Netherland Air Conditioning, Makeda Nichols State Farm, Tameron Subaru, and Corsentino Chiropractic to find forever homes for the area’s homeless pets through the first-ever Gulf Coast Pet Adoption Festival. 

The successful community initiative was held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Mobile County Animal Shelter in Mobile, and connected 28 dogs with new families who adopted them that day. In addition, more than 50 applications were received by day’s end from people wanting to adopt animals coming into the shelter in the coming days and weeks. 

A combined total of 38 pets found homes as a result of this initiative.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, Cumulus Mobile stations brought animals available for adoption into the studios and featured them on-air and on Facebook Live. The result: Every pet that was showcased on-air was adopted within days. Moving forward, Cumulus Mobile stations will continue to feature homeless animals on-air every week, with the goal of finding every pet a loving home.

The Mobile/Pensacola region of the country is particularly vulnerable to storms and hurricanes, which increases the problem of abandoned or stranded pets. There is an even greater need in Pensacola, where there are more than 275 homeless animals that currently need a home. The stage is set to solve this problem on May 3, 2025, when Cumulus Media joins its sponsors and Escambia County Animal Welfare for the second Gulf Coast Pet Adoption Festival in Pensacola. 

Don Boyd, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Mobile/Pensacola, said: “This all started when I began seeing post after post on social media about pets in Gulf Coast shelters needing homes. The number of homeless dogs in our area is staggering, and I knew we had to do something. I shared the vision with our team, and Regional Promotions Director, Cami Marlowe immediately got to work reaching out to local shelters. We quickly learned that the Mobile County Animal Shelter was in urgent need of support. After touring the facility and meeting these amazing dogs, our entire staff was all-in.”

For more information about adopting a homeless pet in Mobile, visit: https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/government/departments/animal-control/pet-adoptions/.

R.I.P.: Pat Crocker, Industry Veteran, EVP For Local Radio Networks

It is with great sadness that Steve Swick, Chief Executive Officer of Local Radio Networks (LRN), announces the passing of 40-year radio veteran Patrick (Pat) Crocker, who died last night from a sudden heart attack while engaged in his second favorite passion, ice hockey. Pat joined LRN as Executive Vice President in 2019 after leaving Cumulus / Westwood One. He spearheaded the growth of LRN’s 24/7 music formats.

Pat Crocker

“Pat’s first passion was radio,” said Chad Seng CFO at LRN. “Pat helped countless radio stations find the right 24/7 music format solution to yield success in their market. To me, Pat was a personal friend and a colleague. Everyone at LRN and its affiliates will miss him. Our sincere heartfelt loss and prayers go out to his wife Teri and the entire Crocker family.”

Crocker’s radio career spanned almost 40 years, with experience in radio sales and management across local, national, network, and syndication. He spurred the growth of 24/7 music format affiliations at Local Radio Networks, as well as Jones Radio Networks, Dial Global, and Westwood One. During his career, he oversaw the consolidation of affiliate sales departments during several network mergers. Crocker began his career in media in St. Louis as a national ad sales representative and moved into local and national sales management at St. Louis iconic stations WIL-FM and KSHE-FM, as well as KALC-FM and KIMN-FM in Denver.

Radio History: April 3

➦In 1930...The Second Academy Awards: "The Broadway Melody", Warner Baxter & Mary Pickford win. First time Academy Awards are broadcast on the radio.

➦In 1939...The radio crime drama 'Mr. District Attorney' debuted on NBC Radio. Later it carried by ABC Radio  until it ended June 13, 1952. The series focused on a crusading D.A., initially known only as "Mister District Attorney," or "Chief", and was later translated to television. On television the D.A. had a name, Paul Garrett, and the radio version picked up this name in the final years when David Brian played the role.

➦In 1942...'People Are Funny' was first heard on NBC Radio.  The game show was created by John Guedel and aired from 1942 to 1960.  Contestants were asked to carry out stunts in order to prove that "People Are Funny." Many of these stunts lasted weeks, months, or even years. But contestants who were successful received prizes. "People Are Funny" rarely had celebrities, focusing instead on everyday people. As a result, few recordings of the show were saved.

On October 1, 1943, host Art Baker was replaced by Art Linkletter, who continued for the rest of the series. For a memorable stunt of 1945, Linkletter announced that $1,000 would go to the first person to find one of 12 plastic balls floating off California. Two years later, an Ennylageban Island native claimed the prize.

As the popularity of the program escalated, a movie musical titled People Are Funny was released in 1946, offering a fictional version of the show's origin in a tale of rival radio producers. Phillip Reed appeared as Guedel, with Linkletter and Frances Langford portraying themselves. Also in the cast were Jack Haley, Helen Walker, Ozzie Nelson and Rudy Vallée.

The radio series moved to CBS from 1951 to 1954, returning to NBC from 1954 to 1960.

➦In 1948…The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH 1130 AM in Shreveport, LA.  The country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the greatest names in American country and western music. Elvis Presley performed on the radio version of the program in 1954 and made his first television appearance on the television version of Louisiana Hayride on March 3, 1955.

Elvis

Within a year of its debut, the program was so popular that a regional 25-station network was set up to broadcast portions of the show, and was even heard overseas on Armed Forces Radio. The popularity of Louisiana Hayride spawned various incarnations in other parts of the United States, most notably in Cincinnati on WLW radio and later television; its version was dubbed Midwestern Hayride.

The Hayride was where talented, but virtual unknowns, were also given exposure to a large audience. Over the years, country music greats such as Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, Jimmie Davis, Will Strahan, Slim Whitman, Floyd Cramer, Sonny James, Hank Snow, Faron Young, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Claude King, Jimmy Martin, George Jones, John and The Three Wise Men, Johnny Cash, Frankie Miller, Tex Ritter, Cowboy Jack Hunt & Little Joe Hunt of the Rhythm Ranch Hands, Nat Stuckey, and Lefty Frizzell, among many others, performed on Louisiana Hayride.

On October 16, 1954, Elvis Presley appeared on the radio program. Presley's performance of his debut release on the Sun Records label, "That's All Right".  Presley was signed to a one-year contract for future appearances. Presley became so popular that after his final appearance on Hayride in 1956, emcee Horace Logan announced to the crowd a phrase that would become famous: "Elvis has left the building."

Within a few years, rock and roll had come to dominate the music scene, and on August 27, 1960, Louisiana Hayride ended its primary run.

➦In 1949...The Martin and Lewis radio show debuted on the NBC Radio Network and continued until July 14, 1953.

Weekly TV Ratings: FNC Tops NBC, ABC Again In Primetime

For the week, The Five averaged nearly 4.1 million viewers and 429,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news across the board, notching the 19th consecutive week the program surpassed 4 million total viewers. 

At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 3.2 million viewers and 324,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 3.1 million viewers and 320,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 3.7 million viewers and 417,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 3 million viewers and 359,000 with A25-54. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 1.6 million viewers and 254,000 in the 25-54 demo.

On Thursday, March 27th, Special Report with Bret Baier’s exclusive interview with Elon Musk and seven members of the DOGE team was the highest rated show on cable news and outpaced CBS Evening News with viewers, drawing in 3.8 million viewers and 394,000 A25-54 compared to CBS’ 3.1 million viewers. For the week, the show averaged 3.2 million viewers and 324,000 A25-54.

FNC’s The Will Cain Show continued to drive up the ratings at 4 PM/ET commanding 2.2 million viewers and 252,000 in the 25-54 demo, a 39% increase with viewers compared to the same week last year.

At 10 PM/ET, FNC’s late-night offering Gutfeld! secured 3.2 million viewers and 407,000 with A25-54. Gutfeld! once again topped the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (1,639,000 viewers; 286,000 A25-54), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1,470,000 viewers; 222,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1,052,000 viewers; 230,000 A25-54).

FNC continued to see a number of its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 2,203,000 viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2,124,000 viewers), America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 2,090,000 viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 2,056,000 viewers), The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 2,034,000 viewers) and Harris Faulkner’s The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 2,030,000 viewers) all led CBS Mornings (2,002,000 viewers), NBC’s Today Third Hour (1,749,000 viewers), ABC’s GMA3 (1,337,000 viewers), NBC’s Today with Jenna & Friends (1,263,00 viewers) and NBC News Daily (1,098,000 viewers) with viewers. 

On Saturday: My View with Lara Trump (Saturday, 9 PM/ET) was the most watched show of the day with viewers with the exclusive interview with Trump Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, notching 1.8 million viewers and 183,000 in the 25-54 demo. Life, Liberty & Levin (weekends, 8 PM/ET) was the second most watched show of the day with 1.7 million viewers and 171,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Big Weekend Show was most-watched among the 25-54 demo (212,000 A25-54).

On Sunday: Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures was the top show of the day with 2.1 million viewers and 268,000 in the 25-54 demo. One Nation with Brian Kilmeade (Sunday, 10 PM/ET) followed in the 25-54 demo with 204,000 A25-54 viewers while Sunday Night in America (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) was second most-watched in primetime with 1.7 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Week of 2-24-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54, P18-49. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.