WSJ Editorial: FCC Can't Control Speech. Period.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is threatening broadcasters over perceived biased coverage of the war in Iran, but such warnings violate the First Amendment and misdirect attention from more serious threats to U.S. information security, according to a Wall Street Journal editorial.

Brendan Carr said broadcasters could lose their licenses if they fail to operate in the “public interest,” echoing criticism from Donald Trump about “fake news” coverage. While public trust in traditional media has declined, the editorial argues the government cannot use licensing authority to control speech, regardless of political concerns.

The criticism is also misplaced, the editorial says, because most Americans no longer rely on broadcast television for news. Instead, social media platforms have become the dominant source of information—and a key channel for misinformation and foreign propaganda.

8 States File Restraining Order To Stop Nexstar, Tegna Merger

A coalition of eight states has filed an emergency motion seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the newly completed $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media and Tegna, warning of immediate harm to competition and the public interest.

The motion, filed Friday, asks the court to block Nexstar from integrating or commingling Tegna’s assets and operations after the deal officially closed Thursday following regulatory approval. The states argue urgent intervention is necessary to preserve their ability to enforce antitrust laws.

The filing comes just days after the same coalition—including California, New York, and Illinois—filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the merger on antitrust grounds before it was finalized. They contend the combination of the two major broadcasters would lead to excessive consolidation in several local television markets.

Nexstar, already the largest operator of local TV stations in the United States, and Tegna, one of the top five, together control hundreds of stations nationwide. The states argue that this scale could reduce competition in broadcast television licensing and limit diversity in local news coverage.

In their motion, the states warned that without immediate court action, “irreparable harm” would begin at once, affecting both market competition and the public. They also raised concerns about the companies’ decision to proceed with closing the deal despite ongoing legal challenges, suggesting it may have been an effort to circumvent meaningful judicial review.

Philly Radio: WXPN's Kathy O'Connell Announces Retirement

Kathy O'Connell

After four decades of soundtracking childhoods across the region and beyond, WXPN host Kathy O’Connell has announced her retirement. Since O’Connell is irreplaceable, this also means that the Peabody Award-winning show Kids Corner will draw to a close, with its final shows airing this June.

The news was announced this morning on-air, and WXPN’s Max Bennett has published an article on the WXPN website featuring interviews with O’Connell, Kids Corner Producer Robert Drake, and General Manager Roger LaMay. Read it HERE.

In the piece, Robert Drake likens their collective impact to that of Fred Rogers. "He talked a number of times about how humbling it was to have generations of people come up to him and say how they grew up with his show," Drake said. "It's kind of like that, but a very small version. You play a role in these people's lives from a developing age through adulthood. You meant a lot to them when they were 12 years old, but then they're 45 years old and you still mean a lot to them."

LaMay sees it in person at XPN events. "We have kids who grew up listening to Kids Corner, who now have kids of their own who listen to Kids Corner," he said. "They come to XPoNential Music Festival together."

Buffalo Radio: WSKE-FM's Janet Snyder Makes Retirement Plans

Longtime radio personality and former television host Janet Snyder is preparing to sign off for the final time, announcing she will retire from WSKE-FM KISS 98.5 in May after more than 40 years in broadcasting.

Snyder, a familiar voice to listeners across Western New York, built a decades-long career spanning both radio and television, becoming a well-known figure in the Buffalo media market. Her retirement marks the end of an era for one of the region’s most recognizable on-air personalities.

According to the Buffalo Broadcasters Association, Snyder’s career included stops in major markets such as New York City before she established deep roots in Buffalo, where she connected with audiences through music, lifestyle programming, and community-focused content.

In addition to her success on radio, Snyder spent a decade on television with WGRZ Channel 2, where she hosted programs including Western New York Living, The Healthy Zone, and Arts 2 Entertainment. Her work on both platforms helped broaden her reach and solidify her presence as a trusted and engaging local media figure.

Colleagues and industry groups have credited Snyder with helping shape the Buffalo broadcasting landscape, noting her longevity, versatility, and ability to adapt across formats as media evolved.

Her departure from KISS 98.5 will close a career defined by consistency and connection with listeners, leaving a lasting impact on the Western New York media community.

Jax Radio: iHeartMedia Names New Leadership at WQIK

iHeartMedia Jacksonville has appointed Casey Carter as Program Director of WQIK 99.1, effective immediately, while also naming Heath West as the station’s new afternoon host.

Carter will oversee all programming for the country station, including talent development, brand strategy, and coordination with record labels, reporting to Senior Vice President of Programming Rick Everett. Company leadership said her experience and approach are expected to bring fresh ideas and drive growth for the station.

Casey Carter

A longtime iHeartMedia executive, Carter has been with the company since 2012 and will continue her current role as Program Director for WNOE 101.1 alongside her new responsibilities in Jacksonville. She previously programmed in the Jacksonville market and described her return to lead WQIK as a “dream come true.”

West joins the station’s afternoon lineup from iHeartMedia’s West Palm Beach–Treasure Coast operations, where he has served as Program Director of WAVE 92.7 in Fort Pierce since 1999. A Florida native, he called the WQIK brand “legendary” and said he is honored to join one of the company’s leading country stations.

The moves mark a leadership shift at WQIK as iHeartMedia looks to strengthen programming and build on the station’s long-standing presence in the Jacksonville market.

WI Radio: Midwest Com To Acquire NRG Radio Group

Midwest Communications, through its affiliate WRIG, Inc., has reached an agreement to acquire a group of Wisconsin radio stations from NRG Media, with an application for license transfer to be filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The transaction includes multiple stations across Central and Northern Wisconsin markets, expanding Midwest Communications’ footprint in the region. The stations involved serve communities in Minocqua, Rhinelander, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids, Whiting, Marshfield, and Antigo.

NRG Media, led by CEO Mary Quass, operates more than 30 stations across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Quass said the company is proud of its Wisconsin broadcasters and expressed confidence the stations will continue to serve their local communities under new ownership.

Midwest Communications, a Wisconsin-based company headed by President Peter Tanz, operates approximately 80 stations throughout the Midwest. Tanz praised the quality of NRG’s Wisconsin operations, describing them as an “outstanding community service organization,” and highlighted the company’s longstanding ties to Central Wisconsin.

The deal underscores continued consolidation in the regional radio industry, as established broadcasters expand their reach through strategic acquisitions while maintaining a focus on local service.

RAB Webinar Spotlight Nielsen’s New Mobile Diary System

The Radio Advertising Bureau will host a live presentation on April 1 highlighting Nielsen Audio’s new mobile-enabled diary methodology, mSurvey, as the industry prepares for its rollout in Spring 2026.

The one-hour virtual session, scheduled for noon CT, will provide an overview of the platform and share test results that informed its development, offering broadcasters, advertisers, and agencies an early look at how the updated system will function in practice.

The launch of mSurvey represents a major shift in radio audience measurement, designed to better reflect how listeners engage with media in a mobile-first environment. The platform aims to improve ease of use, boost participation rates, and deliver more representative data—particularly among younger audiences who have historically been harder to capture through traditional diary methods.

Shannon Bream Delivers Fourth Straight NYTimes #1 Bestseller

 FOX News Books, the publishing imprint of FOX News Media, delivers another bestseller with Shannon Bream’s “Nothing is Impossible with God” placing first on the New York Times bestseller under the Advice, How-To & Misc. category during its debut week. Notably, the sales cemented it as 2026’s top faith title, surpassing all other books in the genre. The milestone further solidifies FOX News Books as an industry powerhouse, with 17 titles reaching the top of the New York Times bestseller list and more than 3.6 million copies sold since its 2020 inception.

A trusted voice in faith-based storytelling, Bream’s fourth imprint title builds on her proven ability to make scripture both accessible and deeply personal for today’s readers. “Nothing is Impossible with God” explores the biblical stories of unlikely heroes who faced profound adversity, uncertainty and fear, drawing powerful parallels to the spiritual and personal challenges people encounter today.

Four-for-four, Bream has been a mainstay on the national bestseller lists since her 2021 FOX News Books debut, “The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today,” which sold close to 1 million copies and spent 15 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, including five weeks at number one. In 2022 and 2023, respectively, Bream’s “The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak” and “The Love Stories of the Bible Speak” fortified her among the top faith-based authors in the country with their own number one debuts. Combined, the series has sold nearly 1.5 million copies nationwide.

Radio History: March 20

➦In 1902... Nathan Stubblefield demonstrated ship-to-shore broadcast to multiple receivers in Washington, D.C., where voice and music transmissions were made over a third of a mile (535 meters) from the steamer Bartholdi, anchored in the Potomac River, to shore.

Stubblefield w/wireless phone

He later demonstrated wireless telephony in Philadelphia on May 30, 1902 to a distance of a half mile.

He joined wireless inventor Archie Frederick Collins and stock promoters in the Collins Wireless Telephone Company. In December, 1909 the company became came a part of the Continental Wireless Tel. & Tel. Company, with A. Frederick Collins as Technical Director. Stubblefield resigned as a director in December 1911, because of what he described in a letter as their sometimes-fraudulent stock promotion practices. The other principals of the company were later convicted of fraud.

However, he continued to experiment with wireless telephony, using large circular conduction coils to transmit voice frequencies to receiving stations. In 1903, he could transmit 375 feet without earth connections, using induction. In 1904, he could transmit 423 yards.

The total wire required for the transmitting and receiving coils was of a greater length than what would be required to simply interconnect the transmitter and receiver, but the invention would allow mobility.

On May 12, 1908, he received U.S. patent 887,357 for his Wireless Telephone, using the voice frequency induction system. He said in the patent that it would be useful for "securing telephonic communications between moving vehicles and way stations". The diagram shows wireless telephony from trains, boats, and wagons. In foreign patents he showed wireless telephony with cars. However, there is no indication that he was using voice-modulated continuous high frequency waves, as used for radio today.

➦In 1906...Oswald George Nelson was born (Died of cancer at age 69 – June 3, 1975).  He was a band leader, actor, director, and producer. He originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, a radio and television series with his wife Harriet and two sons David and Ricky Nelson.

Earlier, he & wife Harriet Nelson were regulars on the Red Skelton radio show, before he developed The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet for ABC radio from 1944 to ’54. It developed quite a following & moved to TV from 1952 to ’66.  As son Rick Nelson became a recording star in real life, the program focused more on him, ending each show with a performance.

➦In 1908...Frank Nicholas Stanton born in Muskegon, Mich. (Died at age 98 – December 24, 2006).  He was a broadcasting executive who served as the president of CBS between 1946 and 1971 and then as vice chairman until 1973. He also served as the chairman of the Rand Corporation from 1961 until 1967.

Frank Stanton

Stanton helped lead the fight for color television. By 1950 CBS had been working on its field-sequential system of color TV for a decade. On October 11, 1950 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved CBS's system as the first official color standard for commercial broadcasting in the U.S., although subsequent court challenges delayed actual commercial broadcasting until June 25, 1951.

On that day, Stanton appeared on an hour-long special, Premiere, with Robert Alda, Faye Emerson, Ed Sullivan, Arthur Godfrey, William S. Paley and others to introduce the CBS color system.

CBS color broadcasting only lasted for four months. CBS suspended it when the manufacture of color television receivers was halted by the US government as part of the Korean War effort.  When the ban on color sets was rescinded in 1953, CBS announced that it had no plans to resume broadcasting using its field-sequential color system.  A major problem with the CBS system was that the video was not "compatible" with existing black-and-white TV sets. A competing dot-sequential color system being developed by RCA was compatible, and in late 1953, the FCC switched its approval to an RCA-based system of broadcasting color TV.

➦In 1920...station XWA (later CFCF) in Montreal, Canada, aired what is considered the first scheduled radio broadcast in North America. The program featured a concert by vocalist Dorothy Lutton. This event marked an early milestone in organized radio broadcasting, with the station pre-announcing the event to attract listeners. Some historians argue that CFCF has a strong claim to being the world’s oldest "real" radio station due to this verified, scheduled transmission.

➦In 1922...WIP-AM, Philadelphia, signed-on.

Founded by Gimbels department store, the station first went on the air on as Philadelphia's first commercial radio station with the call sign WIP, which people mistakenly think stands for "Wireless In Philadelphia," "We're In Philadelphia" or "Watch Its Progress." In fact, WIP was a call sign randomly issued by the federal government.

NYC Radio: Mets Broadcaster Howie Rose Sets Retirement

Longtime New York Mets broadcaster Howie Rose announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, bringing to a close nearly four decades with the organization.

Rose, 72, has been a fixture in the Mets’ radio booth since 2004 and previously served as the team’s television play-by-play voice. His association with Mets broadcasts dates back to 1987, making him one of the most recognizable voices in franchise history.

In a video released by the team, Rose said the decision followed years of consideration but ultimately came down to personal priorities. He cited his age and a desire to spend more time with his wife, Barbara, who he said has made long sacrifices throughout his career.

A message from @HowieRose: pic.twitter.com/PwC89TDduy

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 19, 2026

The veteran broadcaster has already begun scaling back his workload. This season, he plans to call only the Mets’ 81 home games along with their three-game series at Yankee Stadium, while remaining available for postseason travel if the team qualifies.

Rose’s reduced schedule in recent years has also been influenced by health challenges. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2021 and underwent major surgery that included the removal of his bladder and prostate, followed by the construction of a neobladder.

His retirement will mark the end of a long and influential career behind the microphone, closing a significant chapter in Mets broadcasting history.

Seven Named To Country Radio Hall of Fame

The Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was announced Wednesday during CRS Honors at Country Radio Seminar 2026 in Nashville, recognizing seven industry leaders and on-air personalities for their long-standing contributions to country radio.

This year’s inductees include on-air personalities Chris Carr, Michael J and Rick Jackson, along with radio executives Marci Braun, Phil Hunt, Bruce Logan and John Marks.

The induction ceremony and dinner are scheduled for August 3 at the Virgin Hotel Nashville.

Disney's New CEO Josh D'Amaro Now In Charge

Josh D'Amaro officially took over as chief executive of The Walt Disney Company at Wednesday’s annual shareholder meeting, stepping into leadership as the company faces major industry disruption and internal challenges.

Investors are looking for D’Amaro to outline a strategy for navigating the rise of artificial intelligence, increased competition from platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and potential impacts on tourism from geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices. He also inherits a declining television business and weakening box office performance from major franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars.

In a letter to employees, D’Amaro said storytelling and creative excellence will guide decision-making, while emphasizing technology adoption to enhance content creation and deliver more personalized experiences. He also stressed operating as “One Disney” during a time of rapid global change.

Survey: Voters Trust TV News Over AI, Social Media

TV news remains the most trusted and effective platform for political messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, according to a new study from the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB), as broadcasters compete for a surge in political ad spending.

The report, based on a December 2025 survey of 2,319 U.S. adults conducted with Dynata, found that potential voters are nearly nine times more likely to trust TV news than social media, while half of respondents ranked AI as the least trustworthy source. The study, titled “The Lead Story: How Multiscreen TV Drives Cross-Partisan Engagement for Political Ad Campaigns,” analyzed behaviors across voters, non-voters, and political affiliations.

Audiences also rely more heavily on TV news to stay informed. Voters are 60% more likely to turn to TV news than social media for political information and are twice as likely as non-voters to subscribe to pay-TV services. TV news serves as the primary entry point for understanding current events, with social media playing a more supplemental role.

Streaming Boosts Music Revenues

Global recorded music revenues rose 6.4% to $31.7 billion in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth, driven primarily by paid streaming, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Streaming generated more than $22 billion—about 70% of total industry revenue—with paid subscription services alone increasing 8.8% and accounting for 52.4% of overall income. The report also noted that paid streaming subscriptions reached 837 million users worldwide.

Beyond digital growth, physical formats rebounded, with revenues up 8%. Vinyl sales continued their long-running resurgence, rising 13.7% for a 19th straight year.

ESPN Revamps MLB Broadcast Schedule for 2026 Season

ESPN is overhauling its Major League Baseball coverage under a new broadcast agreement, shifting away from its traditional Sunday night format to a more flexible schedule that concentrates most national games during the summer months.

Under the new 2026 schedule, 23 of ESPN’s 30 exclusive broadcasts will air across June, July, and August, reflecting a strategic focus on peak baseball season. The agreement also expands digital access, with more than 2,000 games available via MLB.TV through the ESPN app, while maintaining studio programming like Baseball Tonight throughout the year.
The revised approach allows ESPN to adjust its schedule closer to game time, with 19 matchups currently listed as “to be determined.” According to Ashley O’Connor, ESPN’s Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions, the flexibility is designed to highlight the most compelling teams and storylines as the season unfolds, rather than locking in matchups months in advance.