Radio History: May 16

➦In 1925...the first live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was originated by WHAS Louisville  and was also carried by WGN in Chicago. The call of the Derby featured an announcer who watched from the windows of one of the famous twin spires of Churchill Downs.

➦In 1925..Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg designed the dynamic loudspeaker, a significant advancement in audio technology. This invention improved the sound quality of radio broadcasts, making them clearer and more accessible to listeners, and laid the groundwork for modern audio systems.

➦In 1929...the anthology crime series True Detective Mysteries began its almost 30 year run, debuting on CBS radio, though its most popular years (1944-58) were on Mutual.

True Detective Mysteries were truly audience participation shows - each show provided descriptions of the true-story criminal and encouraged audiences to provide information leading to their capture. Rewards of $500 and later $1000 were offered in return for helpful clues from listeners.

➦In 1932...the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act was passed in Ottawa, subjecting private stations to the control of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC). Five years later the Commission became the CBC.

➦In 1942...The Whistler, a radio mystery drama, made its debut on the west coast regional CBS Network. It aired on until September 22, 1955.

The show was also broadcast in Chicago and over Armed Forces Radio. On the west coast, it was sponsored by the Signal Oil Company: "That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." There were also two short-lived attempts to form east-coast broadcast spurs: July 3 to September 25, 1946, sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company; and March 26, 1947, to September 29, 1948, sponsored by Household Finance.

➦In 1947...Jack Mullin demonstrated the Magnetophon at Institute of Radio Engineers convention. The Magnetophon tape recorder was one of the first recording machines to use magnetic tape in recording voice and music.

Diddy Trial Focused On More Criminal Allegations

The federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York City continued Wednesday with significant testimony from Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, his former girlfriend and a key prosecution witness. 

R&B singer Ventura pocketed a whopping $20 million settlement in her bombshell 2023 lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs — which opened the floodgates of claims against the hip-hop mogul, it was revealed in court Wednesday.

The trial Wednesday focused on allegations that Combs ran a criminal enterprise involving coercion, drug-fueled sexual performances called "Freak Offs," and violence against women over two decades. 

Key Testimony: 

Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known as Cassie, dated Combs on and off from 2007 to 2018, starting when she was 19 and he was 36. She signed to his Bad Boy Records label in 2006. Her testimony is central to the prosecution’s case, which alleges Combs coerced her and others into sexual acts, used drugs and violence to control them, and blackmailed them with recorded videos.

Rape Allegation: Ventura testified that Combs raped her in 2018, after their relationship ended. She described the incident in her living room, saying, “I just remember crying and saying no but it was very fast,” as she fought back tears. This followed her claim that he beat her during "Freak Offs," leaving her with injuries like a gash on her eyebrow in 2013 from being thrown against a bed frame.

2016 Hotel Assault: Ventura revisited the March 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, captured on surveillance video shown to jurors. She testified that Combs threw a vase at her in the elevator lobby, yelling that she “wasn’t going to leave him there.” She showed jurors photos she took afterward, revealing a swollen lip from the assault.

Freak Offs and Coercion: Ventura detailed participating in “hundreds” of Freak Offs, which she said became “a job” expected of her. She testified that Combs forced her to hire escorts for these marathon sessions, which could last 1.5 to four days, using his money. 

She preferred ketamine during these events for its dissociative effects, as they were “humiliating” and “disgusting.” If she refused, she risked violence, stating, “It would be a problem, we’d end up fighting.” A 2016 text message shown in court revealed Combs insisting on a “proper” Freak Off without ketamine, claiming a “successful” one was when “we remember.”

Power Dynamics and Control: Ventura described Combs’ control over her life, including paying her rent and having keys to her apartments, which he used “whenever he wanted.” She moved to Los Angeles to be near him, saying, “I was in love and I wanted to be near him.” She testified that she felt she had “no choice” in participating in Freak Offs due to the power dynamic, stating, “I didn’t really know what ‘no’ could be or what ‘no’ could turn into.”

Ventura testified that she saw Combs assault one of his employees and recounted his dismissive attitude toward her injuries, such as ignoring a photo of her eyebrow gash. She also described a meeting at SoHo House with Combs and Kid Cudi, where Cudi’s car was later set on fire, though she did not directly link Combs to the arson in her testimony.

Ventura broke down in tears when asked what, if anything, she enjoyed about the Freak Offs, saying it was the only time she could spend with Combs, despite feeling “disgusting” and “humiliated.” She underwent rehabilitation and trauma therapy in 2023 due to “horrible flashbacks” and suicidal thoughts, which prompted her lawsuit.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT While testifying in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial, his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura told the Court that the hip-hop mogul had raped her in 2018 after their decade-long relationship had ended https://t.co/XNnpI0A62z pic.twitter.com/8S1UoyiWp4

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 15, 2025

Ventura, eight and a half months pregnant, wore a turtleneck dress and dark jacket. Combs listened intently, often with his chin on his hand. His mother and at least two children were present, though some family members left during graphic testimony, as they had on May 12.

Outlets like Reuters, The Daily Mail US, and ABC News described Ventura’s testimony as “dramatic” and “graphic,” emphasizing her emotional delivery and the severity of her allegations.

The trial is expected to last eight weeks, with Ventura’s cross-examination and testimony from other accusers, like “Jane” and the former employee, likely to dominate upcoming sessions.

Boston Radio: Jaybeau Jones Returns to WROR

Beasley Media Group’s Classic Hits 105.7 WROR proudly welcomes back Jaybeau Jones to host afternoon drive. 

Jaybeau will energize weekday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., delivering his vibrant style, deep music passion, and genuine listener connection.

“Jaybeau’s return to WROR afternoons feels like a homecoming,” said Cadillac Jack, Beasley Media Group Boston’s Director of Programming.

“His unique ability to resonate with listeners makes him a perfect fit,” noted Scott Morello, WROR’s Assistant Program Director. “It’s great to have him back where he belongs.”

Jaybeau Jones

Jaybeau expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “You really can come home—I’m thrilled to be back!”

Jaybeau Jones, a veteran radio personality with over 40 years of experience, worked at Beasley Media’s Classic Hits 105.7 WROR Boston from 2015 until May 2024. He hosted the afternoon drive slot from 2 PM to 7 PM, including the "Commercial-Free Drive Home" at 4:15 PM weekdays. His show was noted as the #1 music show in Boston for that time slot, playing 80s and more.

Departure from WROR: In May 2024, Jones was laid off from WROR as part of Beasley Media Group’s 7% workforce reduction across multiple markets, including Boston.

 
After leaving WROR, he joined Binnie Media’s “Frank FM” stations in New Hampshire (WFNQ 106.3, WLNH 98.3, and WBYY 98.7) in August 2024, hosting mornings from 6 AM to 10 AM via Radio Resources’ “Personality On Demand” service.

He started hosting nights on Cumulus Media’s Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM in Chicago in February 2025, also through “Personality On Demand.”

And just to stay busy, Jones continues to work with SiriusXM’s “70s on 7” channel, where he has been a host for over 12 years, currently anchoring evenings from 6 PM to midnight ET, Monday to Friday.

Jake Tapper Torched Over Release of Biden Cover-Up Book

CNN anchor Jake Tapper is facing significant backlash following the release of his book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, co-authored with Axios correspondent Alex Thompson. 

The book, published on May 20, 2025, by Penguin Press, details what the authors describe as a concerted effort by Biden’s aides and the Democratic Party to conceal the former president’s cognitive and physical decline during his presidency, particularly during the 2024 election cycle. 

The controversy stems from accusations that Tapper, who now claims to expose this cover-up, was complicit in downplaying or dismissing concerns about Biden’s mental acuity during his time as a journalist, only to profit from the narrative after Biden’s exit from the 2024 race.

Key Points of the Controversy: Original Sin argues that Biden’s decision to run for a second term at age 81 was a critical error, described as his “original sin,” which led to a campaign of “denial and gaslighting” that contributed to the Democrats’ 2024 election loss to Donald Trump.

The book, based on over 200 interviews, includes bombshell claims, such as: 

• Biden’s aides considered using a wheelchair for him in a potential second term due to severe physical deterioration.
• A senior aide admitted to shielding Biden from his own staff to hide the extent of his decline starting in 2023.
• At a June 2024 fundraiser, Biden reportedly failed to recognize George Clooney, a longtime supporter, in a moment that left Clooney “shaken.”
• David Plouffe, a top Kamala Harris campaign aide, criticized Biden’s late withdrawal, stating, “He totally f...ked us,” as it left Harris with a challenging campaign timeline.

Thompson and Tapper

The authors assert that Biden’s debate performance in June 2024, which Tapper co-moderated, was not an anomaly but a reflection of years-long cognitive decline.

Accusations of Hypocrisy: Critics, particularly conservative commentators and social media users on X, accuse Tapper of “rewriting history” by presenting himself as a journalist who consistently raised concerns about Biden’s health, when his past coverage allegedly minimized or dismissed such issues.
Specific examples cited include:In 2020, Tapper rebuked Lara Trump for suggesting Biden showed signs of cognitive decline, emphasizing Biden’s stutter and questioning the impact of such claims on children with similar conditions. He stated, “I think you have absolutely no standing to diagnose somebody’s cognitive decline.”

Jake Tapper trying to cash in on the cover-up he viciously participated in is peak journalistic hubris.

Truly stunning. pic.twitter.com/Lt2v4qbpAT

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) May 13, 2025

Tapper has maintained that he covered Biden’s age and health concerns for years, citing instances such as:

• A 2022 interview where he asked Biden about his age and the presidency’s demands.
• 2023 segments discussing public polls on Biden’s mental sharpness and questioning White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about perceptions of Biden’s age.
• A 2024 interview with Biden’s former communications director, Kate Bedingfield, about reported memory lapses.

On Wednesday, during a CNN interview with John Berman, Tapper conceded that some conservative criticism was “fair,” admitting, “I look back at my coverage during the Biden years – and I did cover some of these issues, but not enough.” He acknowledged that while he addressed Biden’s age, he could have been more thorough.

After 63 Years, Singer Connie Francis Has A TikTok Hit

"Pretty Little Baby" by Connie Francis has exploded on TikTok, driven by a viral trend where users lip-sync to the song’s romantic verses while showcasing retro-inspired outfits or singing to babies. The song, which began gaining traction around early April, has led to over a million TikTok videos.

The TikTok song has translated into massive streaming gains:

• As of the tracking week ending April 10, 2025, the song earned just 17,000 weekly on-demand U.S. streams. By May 8, this surged to 2.4 million, a 7,000% increase.
• On Spotify, "Pretty Little Baby - Stereo Mix" debuted at #195 on the Global Spotify chart on May 11, 2025, with 1.295 million streams, rising to #113 by May 13 with 1.46 million streams. It also hit #150 on the U.S. Spotify chart with 364,000 streams.
• The song entered TikTok’s Viral 50 chart, peaking at #10 after debuting at #14, and debuted on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA and Global charts, hinting at a potential Billboard Hot 100 entry—63 years after its release.

The song’s resurgence highlights TikTok’s power to revive classic tracks, connecting younger audiences with 1960s pop. At 87, Connie Francis, now retired in Florida, is seeing renewed appreciation.

Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosemarie Franconero in 1937, was a chart-topping star in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with 15 Billboard Hot 100 top-10 hits, including three #1s. Known for hits like “Who’s Sorry Now” and “Where the Boys Are,” she was the first woman to top the Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” in 1960. 

Her ability to record in multiple languages and her emotional delivery made her a global icon. The viral success of “Pretty Little Baby” underscores her enduring relevance, introducing her music to Gen Z.

CBS' Norah O'Donnell Praised For Papal Coverage

Norah O’Donnell’s career at CBS may see a revival after her standout coverage of Pope Francis’ death and Pope Leo XIV’s election, according to The NY Post. 

The former “CBS Evening News” anchor, replaced in a controversial January shakeup by John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, demonstrated her expertise during Rome coverage, leveraging her Vatican connections and prior exclusive interview with Pope Francis.

Insiders praised O’Donnell’s commanding presence, noting she outshone DuBois, who appeared sidelined, and Dickerson, whose political focus seemed limited. CBS News’ coverage of the conclave and Pope Leo XIV’s announcement drew 3 million viewers, surpassing NBC’s 1.9 million and trailing ABC’s 3.5 million, per Nielsen ratings.

The success may complicate matters for CBS News chief Wendy McMahon, who orchestrated the anchor switch. Since the shakeup, “CBS Evening News” viewership has dropped to 3.5 million total viewers and 657,000 in the 25-54 demographic, compared to 5 million and 722,000 under O’Donnell last year.

With Skydance Media’s $8 billion merger with CBS-parent Paramount Global nearing, sources say Skydance leaders David Ellison and Jeff Shell are dissatisfied with the news division’s performance. They may consider reinstating O’Donnell to revamp “The Evening News,” with one source predicting a bright future for her at the network.

“Something good is going to happen to Norah O’Donnell,” the source added.

The Record: Q1 U.S. Audio Listening Trends Released

Daily audio consumption in the first quarter of 2025 amounted to 3 hours and 45 minutes of daily listening across both ad supported and ad free platforms like radio, podcasts, streaming music services and satellite radio.

The Record is the quarterly report card on how U.S. consumers spend their listening day, fueled by data from Nielsen and Edison Research. While advertisers are constantly tracking changes in consumer behavior to improve the impact of their cross-channel marketing, The Record helps cut through with a unique representation of the time spent with ad supported audio.

Delineating between total listening (or viewing) and the ad supported universe is vital in today’s burgeoning media landscape where consumer choice grows by the day and marketers are looking at every available opportunity to cut through. In the first quarter of 2025 (Jan-Mar), ad supported audio represented 64% of total listening. This is similar to TV, where 72% of total viewing was spent on ad supported platforms, in Q1 according to Nielsen’s recently launched Ad Supported Gauge report.

Within the ad supported audio universe in the first quarter of 2025, consumers spent 66% of their daily listening time with radio, 19% with podcasts, 12% with streaming audio services and 3% with satellite radio. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, radio’s share of ad supported audio time was 1% lower this quarter, while podcasting’s share was 1% higher. This consistent demand for daily audio—and ad supported audio—varies proportionally based on age.

Radio accounts for anywhere from 47% of daily ad supported audio time among people 18-34 to 73% among 35+. Meanwhile, podcasts are the inverse, representing 15% of daily audio time for people 35 and older compared with 32% among those 18-34.

The following table details how the share of radio audience varies by format, age, demographic and platform for the top 15 largest-reaching AM/FM radio formats. These differentiate between the share of all radio listening and the share of streaming listening specifically, which refer to the digital streaming of AM/FM radio stations.

With broad reach and ample ad space, it’s not surprising that audio remains a critical part of the media mix for companies with varying budget sizes. As Nielsen continue to measure quarter over quarter, audio formats can have powerful reach with audiences of different demographics. Radio, in particular, has a strong hold with Black listeners. 

St. Louis Radio: KDHX-EMF Deal Off, Auction Set Instead

A federal bankruptcy judge has greenlit a public auction of the broadcast license for St. Louis community radio station KDHX, intensifying the legal and financial struggle over the station’s future, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

The auction, set for May 30, 2025, via Zoom, follows KDHX’s March 2025 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and ongoing tensions between its leadership and volunteer base.

KDHX’s licensee, Double Helix Corporation, filed for bankruptcy with approximately $2 million in debt.

Initially, Educational Media Foundation (EMF), a Christian broadcaster, offered $4.35 million to acquire the station for its K-LOVE network, with tiered pricing of $4.85 million if closed within six months or $4.6 million within a year, alongside funding to sustain operations during bankruptcy. In April, Gateway Creative Broadcasting Inc., a St. Louis-based Christian radio group, countered with a $5.5 million bid, leading US Bankruptcy Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States to pause the sale temporarily.

KDHX 88.1 FM (42 Kw)

The auction plan faces fierce resistance from KDHX supporters, including the advocacy group LOVE of KDHX, comprising musicians, business leaders, and former volunteers. The group vowed to raise funds to preserve KDHX’s community-driven, nonprofit model but, as of Tuesday, had not submitted a formal proposal, according to Double Helix attorney Robert Eggmann.

Complicating matters, the court’s bidding procedures require any buyer other than EMF to pay up to $300,000 to cover EMF’s expenses as the “stalking horse” bidder, plus a $152,000 break-up fee. Both Gateway Creative Broadcasting and LOVE of KDHX objected to these additional costs.

LOVE of KDHX clarified that the judge’s ruling approved only the auction procedures, not a sale, and reiterated their commitment to presenting a fully funded plan to clear KDHX’s debt while maintaining its volunteer-run identity. On June 9, 2025, the court will consider arguments on an expedited sale of KDHX.

S-F Radio: 95.7 The Game Valkyries’ Flagship Radio Station

The Golden State Valkyries announced today a multi-year partnership with 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM), an Audacy station. All Valkyries games will stream live on the Audacy App, and all home contests will air on 95.7 The Game. Additionally, the Valkyries have announced that Kevin Danna will serve as the radio play-by-play announcer, with Sophia Jones as the color analyst.

"Radio brings a dynamic energy to basketball – Audacy’s 95.7 The Game and our talent will create memorable calls that fans remember for years to come,” said President of the Golden State Valkyries Jess Smith. “This partnership enhances the reach of Valkyries basketball, making each moment accessible as we continue to tell the story of our inaugural season.”

“The Valkyries are making history, and we’re all in,” said Kieran Geffert, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy San Francisco. “As the audio home for Golden State basketball, we’re fired up to bring every play and every moment of this historic journey to Bay Area sports fans”.

In addition to live-game coverage, broadcasts will also include a 30-minute postgame show that delivers in-depth coverage of every Valkyries game.

🚨 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

We are happy to announce that we have partnered with the @valkyries on a multiyear deal to broadcast their games! pic.twitter.com/EUWxfirz67

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) May 14, 2025

Serving as play-by-play for Valkyries games on radio, Danna just completed his 13th season as voice of the Santa Cruz Warriors and has done play-by-play for the Golden State Warriors Summer League since 2015. Danna’s voice is well known around the Bay Area, having called games for Stanford Women’s Basketball, University of California-Berkeley Football, and spent over 10 seasons on the air at Pac-12 Networks.

Jones joins the Valkyries broadcast team after spending last season as the voice of Dons women’s basketball at the University of San Francisco. Jones has served as a sideline reporter for the Dons’ men’s basketball program, and for the 2024 NBA California Classic on ESPN2 and NBATV. An alumna of San Jose State University, Jones played basketball for the Spartans and called women’s basketball games for the Mountain West Network as a player while rehabbing from injury.

Edison: Over Half of Americans Pay for Music Subscriptions

The latest from Edison Research shows that 51% of Americans aged 13 and older paid for at least one audio subscription service in Q1 2025, according to the Share of Ear study. 

However, the number of people subscribing to multiple services is dropping. The data indicates 35% subscribe to one service, 10% to two, and only 6% to more than two, signaling a trend toward consolidating audio spending on a single platform.

This marks a shift from Q4 2022, when 28% paid for one service and 13% for more than two. While the overall percentage of audio subscribers has held steady around 50%, the proportion opting for a single service has risen from 28% to 35%. Edison attributes this to economic pressures, noting, “Talks of an ‘imminent recession’ have been circulating for years now and many might regard audio subscriptions as a less-than-necessary expense.” The decline in multi-service subscriptions suggests consumers are “tightening their belts” amid financial concerns.

The report also highlights the evolution of audio consumption, from an era of owning music via physical formats like CDs to “renting” audio through subscriptions, a shift that began with the phonograph and continues to shape how Americans engage with audio today.

Chicago Radio: WGN's Bob Sirott Adds Contributor Richard Roeper

WGN Radio has announced Richard Roeper will bring his commentary to the Bob Sirott show on weekly segments that will air Thursdays at 7:20 am with a 9:50 am replay starting Thursday, May 15. Roeper will offer edge and insight into the daily headlines affecting Chicagoans from pop culture to current events.

“I’m thrilled to be joining my friend Bob Sirott every week so we can exchange views about whatever Chicagoans are talking about, whether it’s the new pope, the prospects for his Cubs and my White Sox, to what’s happening with pop culture or news,” said Richard Roeper. “Bob was instrumental in launching my TV career back in the day, and I look forward to this new collaboration.”

Richard Roeper

The pairing reunites Roeper and Sirott who last collaborated on-air when Bob Sirott co-anchored “Fox Thing in the Morning” on Fox32 in the 1990s. Roeper won a Chicago/Midwest Emmy for commentary and the duo teamed up for a second Emmy on a half-hour special that aired in 1998.

“Rich will add a much-needed voice to my North Side perspective,” said WGN Radio morning show host Bob Sirott.

Richard Roeper spent 37 years with the Chicago Sun-Times, first as a columnist and then as the nationally syndicated film and television critic. Roeper is also a well-recognized media personality who has won three local Emmy Awards along with numerous accolades for his print work. He is the former co-host of “Ebert & Roeper,” which was the most popular review show in television. In addition to his contributions on ABC-7, Richard Roeper also hosts a podcast and is the author of nine books on movies and pop culture.

Streaming Platform AccuRadio Files For Bankruptcy

Chicago-based internet radio pioneer AccuRadio, which launched its free music streaming service in 2000, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday due to a legal battle over unpaid artist royalties.

The Chicago Tribune reports the independent streaming platform, known for offering nearly 1,400 ad-supported music channels across over 60 genres, owes more than $10 million to SoundExchange, the congressionally authorized organization that collects digital royalties for recording artists, according to the bankruptcy filing.

Curt Hanson

AccuRadio founder and CEO Kurt Hanson stated, “AccuRadio has spent almost 25 years building an innovative and well-loved music streaming service while facing royalty obligations that climbed to levels that seem to suggest the system علیه small and midsize streamers.” 

The company also owes approximately $200,000 each to ASCAP and BMI, which manage royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers.

The filing follows a 2024 lawsuit by SoundExchange in Chicago federal court, seeking unpaid digital royalties from AccuRadio. 

The company, which has paid over $13.5 million in royalties to SoundExchange since 2003, ceased payments in 2018, according to the lawsuit. A 2020 payment plan was agreed upon, but SoundExchange claims AccuRadio failed to comply, leading to the ongoing litigation. Hanson noted that months of “good faith” negotiations with SoundExchange failed to resolve the dispute, prompting the bankruptcy filing. SoundExchange did not respond to requests for comment.

AccuRadio, one of the earliest internet radio services, has grown from three channels to a diverse, expert-curated lineup, attracting over one million monthly listeners and maintaining nearly 10,000 average active sessions daily, per Triton Digital’s latest rankings. Despite its popularity, the financial strain of royalty obligations has challenged the service’s viability.

TV Ratings: Jen Psaki Lost Viewers During Week One

"The Briefing with Jen Psaki" premiered on MSNBC last week, airing Tuesday through Friday at 9 p.m. ET, taking over the slot previously held by Rachel Maddow, who returned to a Monday-only schedule after covering the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term. 

TV ratings for the first week of "The Briefing," are out from Nielsen:

• Tuesday, May 6 (Debut): The premiere episode drew 1.19 million total viewers and 139,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 demographic. It was MSNBC’s third most-watched program of the evening, behind "Deadline: White House" (4 p.m.) and "The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell," and led MSNBC in the 25-54 demo for the night.
• Wednesday, May 7: Viewership dropped significantly to 1.015 million total viewers and 65,000 in the 25-54 demo, a 53% decline in the key demo from the debut. The 18-49 demographic fell 67%, from 113,000 to 37,000 viewers. The episode was outdrawn by 38 other cable news programs in the 25-54 demo, including all Fox News shows, 13 CNN programs, and seven MSNBC shows, as well as various non-news cable offerings like "Friends" reruns and "Paw Patrol." This marked MSNBC’s lowest-rated Wednesday in the 8-11 p.m. block for both total viewers and the demo since January 8, 2025.
• 
  Thursday, May 8: The show saw a slight uptick, with 1.105 million total viewers, up 9% from Wednesday, though specific 25-54 demo numbers for this day were not detailed in the sources. It remained the fourth most popular show on MSNBC that day.
• Friday, May 9: Exact ratings for Friday were not fully reported in the provided sources, but posts on X and industry commentary indicated continued softening viewership, with the show failing to maintain the debut’s momentum.

Comparison to Rachel Maddow: Maddow’s final full week (ending April 29, 2025) averaged 2.066 million total viewers and 173,000 in the 25-54 demo. Psaki’s debut retained about 58% of Maddow’s total viewers and 80% of her demo, but by Wednesday, these figures dropped to 46% and 54%, respectively. Maddow’s established audience set a high bar, and Psaki’s ratings reflect the challenge of filling her slot.

MSNBC expected a transition period, and industry observers noted that cable news ratings often fluctuate early in a show’s run. Psaki’s prior success with "Inside with Jen Psaki," which was MSNBC’s top weekend show, suggests the network may give "The Briefing" time to stabilize.

George Cheeks Is Paramount's Point Man

George Cheeks, a seasoned entertainment executive with over 30 years navigating the industry’s toughest personalities and tasks, is now confronting his most formidable challenge. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Cheeks, who co-leads Paramount Global and oversees CBS, is central to negotiating a settlement in President Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News. 

The lawsuit’s resolution is seen by Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, as critical to finalizing an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which awaits Federal Communications Commission approval. However, CBS News staff and executives strongly oppose any settlement, putting the network’s reputation at stake.

Cheeks is performing a delicate balancing act. 

Beyond the lawsuit, he faces Redstone’s dissatisfaction with CBS News’s coverage of Israel’s war against Hamas and unrest at CBS News following the resignation of a veteran 60 Minutes executive producer over corporate oversight concerns. Meanwhile, Paramount’s business is under strain, with advertisers cutting spending amid economic uncertainty. After significant layoffs last year, the company is planning another round of job cuts next month to save hundreds of millions, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Supporters highlight Cheeks’s ability to navigate such crises, citing his background as an entertainment lawyer and his success steering networks through a shifting media landscape while managing big egos. 

“I do not know how he manages all he oversees and always has a smile on his face despite whatever noise is going on,” said CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach. At a recent event promoting CBS’s prime-time lineup, Cheeks sidestepped questions about the settlement, joking, “I appreciate the try, but I have had no tequila today.” He acknowledged the challenges but emphasized his focus on supporting his team, writes WSJ's Joe Flint and Jessica Toonkel.

Salem Reports Growing Net Loss

Salem Media Group reported a deepened net loss of $7.1 million for Q1 2025, up from $5.2 million in Q1 2024, driven by declining revenues and restructuring costs.

Total revenue dropped 11.8% to $51.7 million from $58.6 million, with net broadcast revenue falling 13.6% to $39.8 million. Digital media revenue slightly declined to $10.2 million from $10.7 million, and publishing revenue decreased to $1.6 million from $1.8 million.

The company incurred $3.7 million in restructuring charges, largely from employee terminations and contract settlements tied to the $80 million sale of its seven Contemporary Christian Music radio stations, finalized April 4, 2025. A $72 million promissory note from Q4 2024 was repaid at closing.

Salem noted that these cost-cutting measures should enhance future operational efficiency.

A $2.2 million income tax benefit partially offset the $9.3 million operating loss. Asset sales, including a $0.8 million gain from a Nashville tower easement and a $0.6 million gain from a Greenville, SC office building, contributed $1.9 million in net gains.

Operating cash flow was negative $2.8 million, worsening from a $1 million outflow in Q1 2024. Capital spending and a $1 million film company investment led to minor net cash usage in investing activities.

As of March 31, 2025, Salem had no cash on hand, with total debt at $104.7 million, including a $24.3 million unsecured note converted to Series A Preferred Stock post-sale. Total assets were $422.7 million, with stockholders’ equity at $181.8 million, down from $189 million. Outstanding shares included 24.01 million Class A and 5.55 million Class B common stock.