R.I.P.: Victor Willis, Frontman For the Village People

Victor Willis ('51-'26)

Victor Willis, the founding lead singer and co-writer of the Village People behind disco anthems “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man,” died Monday at age 74.

The group announced his death in a brief Facebook statement Tuesday, saying Willis “passed on Monday June 30, 2026 of a short but aggressive illness.” 

His wife, Karen Huff-Willis, also confirmed the news. A spokesperson for the group did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. Willis was one day shy of his 75th birthday.

Iconic Career and LegacyWillis, born July 1, 1951, was the unmistakable voice and a key creative force of the Village People, the disco group that exploded into global fame in the late 1970s. As the original “policeman” in the band’s signature lineup of sexualized male stereotypes, he co-wrote and sang lead on mega-hits including “Y.M.C.A.,” “Macho Man,” and “In the Navy.”

The group’s campy, high-energy performances and costumes turned them into cultural phenomena, filling dance floors worldwide. Willis, a trained actor and dancer who had appeared in the original Broadway production of The Wiz, brought charismatic stage presence and songwriting talent that helped define the disco era. He was also the only straight original member of the group.

In later years, Willis successfully reclaimed copyrights and publishing rights to his work through landmark legal battles. He overcame personal struggles with substance abuse, completed treatment, and continued touring and performing into recent years.

It's Wednesday, July 1 And Here's Your Morning Pulse Briefing

Radio Broadcasting

Hoffmann Strategy: Hoffmann Media Group, a subsidiary of the family-owned Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies), has entered U.S. broadcast radio by agreeing to acquire Audacy’s entire six-station cluster in St. Louis — including the iconic News/Talk station KMOX — as the first step in a broader multi-platform media expansion strategy.

Top 40 In Mobile: iHeartMedia has launched a new Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) station in Mobile, Alabama, branded as “99.5 Kiss FM.”

NPR Retraction: NPR has retracted a story that incorrectly reported Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring. The public broadcaster removed the article from its website within minutes of publication on Tuesday — the final day of the Supreme Court’s term — and issued an on-air correction. 

NPR Retracts Bogus SCOTUS Resignation Story

NPR has retracted a story that incorrectly reported Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring.

The public broadcaster removed the article from its website within minutes of publication on Tuesday — the final day of the Supreme Court’s term — and issued an on-air correction. 

Neither Justice Alito nor the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office has announced any retirement.

A spokesman for NPR called the report “inaccurate,” attributing it to a misunderstanding by veteran Supreme Court correspondent Nina Totenberg. NPR Editor-in-Chief Tommy Evans stated that previously prepared copy was erroneously published after Totenberg misheard remarks related to retirements.

SCOTUS Ruling May Increase Flow of Political Ads

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down federal limits on coordinated spending between political parties and candidates, a ruling expected to reshape campaign advertising ahead of the 2026 midterms.

In a 6-3 decision issued Tuesday that split along ideological lines, the Court ruled that restrictions on how much money political parties can spend in coordination with candidates are unconstitutional.

The decision is likely to shift more political ad dollars toward party committees, while giving those committees broader access to broadcasters’ lowest unit rates for radio and television spots. This could increase hybrid ad buys coordinated between parties and candidates.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, said the ruling “treats all political parties equally” and will allow parties and their campaign committees to “participate more freely and compete more fully in the political process.”

CMG Makes Danny Bortnick VP/Local Revenue

Cox Media Group has named radio sales veteran Danny Bortnick as Vice President of Local Revenue and Client Growth, a new position aimed at strengthening client relationships and boosting local revenue across its radio division.

Bortnick joins CMG on July 13 and will collaborate with market leaders and sales managers to develop local revenue strategies, enhance client engagement, improve execution, advance sales enablement initiatives, and support the company’s client-focused sales organization.

Heavy Debt Forces DISH Wireless to File Bankruptcy

DISH DBS Corporation, EchoStar’s satellite pay-TV unit, and several subsidiaries including DISH Wireless have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

The company, which operates the DISH Network and Sling TV services, is pursuing a prepackaged restructuring plan backed by more than 88% of its creditors. It expects to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

The filing, announced Tuesday, aims to facilitate early repayment of DISH DBS debt, resolve litigation with creditors, and complete the wind-down of the DISH Wireless business following delays in a major spectrum sale to AT&T. Operations, customers, brands, and employees of EchoStar’s businesses — including Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile — are expected to continue unaffected. The Chapter 11 cases do not include parent EchoStar Corporation or certain other units.

Report: NBCUniversal To Explore Gaming Opportunities

NBCUniversal is exploring opportunities in digital gaming and new entertainment franchises to drive growth following its planned spinoff from Comcast, according to people familiar with the matter.

Comcast’s cable and connectivity business, meanwhile, is positioned for major technological investments to capitalize on the boom in data centers and artificial intelligence.

New Black Public Radio Network Launches

The Black Public Radio Network (BPRN) has officially launched, giving Black public radio stations a unified national voice for the first time.

Four years in the making, the network debuted with 15 founding stations led by Ernest Walker, General Manager of Texas Southern University’s KTSU in Houston.Plans call for developing national underwriting and sponsorship opportunities, with VuHaus Group handling national sponsorship sales. 

Paragon has signed a six-month agreement to provide research and strategic guidance as BPRN’s consulting partner.

The 15 founding stations, spanning 13 states, are: KTSU (Houston), KUVO “The Drop” (Denver), WBGO (Newark, N.J.), KPVU (Prairie View, Texas), WCLK (Atlanta), WNCU (Durham, N.C.), WEAA (Baltimore), HYFIN (Milwaukee), WNSB (Norfolk, Va.), WJAB (Huntsville, Ala.), KJLU (Jefferson City, Mo.), WRVS (Elizabeth City, N.C.), WSSB (Orangeburg, S.C.), WURC (Holly Springs, Miss.), and WESM (Salisbury, Md.).

Radio History: July 1

➦In 1897…Three years after the first issue of Billboard Advertising was published, the publication was renamed The Billboard.

➦In 1901...The “mother of the soap opera” Irna Phillips was born in Chicago.  She created at least 10 longrunning daytime dramas, including Painted Dreams, Guiding Light, the Road of Life, The Brighter Day, Woman in White, The Road to Happiness & Young Dr Malone on radio, and Another World, As the World Turns, and Days of Our Lives for TV.  Phillips also consulted on TV’s Peyton Place.   The ‘Queen of the Soaps’ died Dec 22 1973 of undisclosed causes at age 72.

Bill Stern

➦In 1907...Early sportscaster Bill Stern born (Died from a heart attack at age 64 – November 19, 1971). In 1984, Stern was part of the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame's inaugural class which included sportscasting legends Red Barber, Don Dunphy, Ted Husing and Graham McNamee. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame (1988) and has a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Born in Rochester, New York, Stern began doing radio play-by-play commentary in 1925, when he was hired by a local station, WHAM, to cover football games.  NBC hired him in 1937 to host The Colgate Sports Newsreel as well as Friday night boxing on radio. Stern was also one of the first televised boxing commentators.

He broadcast the first televised sporting event, the second game of a baseball doubleheader between Princeton and Columbia at Columbia's Baker Field on May 17, 1939. On September 30, he called the first televised football game.

During his most successful years, Stern engaged in a fierce rivalry with Ted Husing of the CBS Radio Network. They competed not only for broadcast position during sports and news events, but also for the rights to cover the events themselves. They both served for many years as their networks' sports directors as well as being on-air stars.

According to the book Sports on New York Radio by sportscaster and Westwood One executive David J. Halberstam, Stern's remarkable career flourished despite a physical handicap. In 1935, on his way home from a football game in Texas, the car Stern was in got into an accident, injuring him severely enough that his left leg had to be amputated just above the knee.

Some observers consider Stern's style a blueprint in the 1940s for the style of Paul Harvey, ABC Entertainment Network social commentator, who adapted both Stern's newscasting (transforming his Reel One to Page One) and his stories about the famous and odd (to Rest Of The Story), although Stern made no effort to authenticate his stories.

 

➦In 1923...The AT&T webs set-up the first permanent radio network between WEAF New York and WMAF near Boston.

As The Dust Settles: Industry Thoughts About iHM Layoffs Abound

iHeartMedia executed significant layoffs (~dozens to ~100 positions) last week, primarily targeting on-air talent, program directors, and programming staff across 30+ markets. Some stations lost most or all local voices. This is part of a $50 million annualized cost-saving restructuring (part of $150 million total) focused on tech-driven programming efficiencies, following earlier cuts.

Company Rationale: Leverage new technology capabilities for centralized, data-driven content; address soft ad markets; return broadcast operations to growth.

Key Reactions:

🔎Lance Venta (founder/publisher of RadioInsight, long-time industry analyst):  Venta has been among the most vocal and detailed commentators. He described the ongoing cuts as likely to “go down as the worst layoff round in radio history when all is done,” noting the sheer volume of names (especially veteran talent) and the impact on stations being “completely gutted.” 

Comcast Splits: What Wall Street Thinks

Financial analysts have largely welcomed Comcast’s June 29, 2026, announcement to spin off NBCUniversal (including Universal Pictures, NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, theme parks, and Bravo) and Sky into a separate publicly traded company via a tax-free spinoff expected to close in about a year. 

Shareholders will own stakes in both the new “pure-play” media/entertainment company and the remaining Comcast focused on broadband, wireless, and connectivity.

The move follows the earlier separation of cable networks into Versant and is widely viewed as ending years of “conglomerate discount” stemming from limited synergies between the high-margin, cash-generative connectivity business and the more challenged media operations facing streaming competition and industry consolidation. Comcast shares surged sharply (reports of 20%+ premarket gains) on the news, reflecting strong investor approval.

EchoStar Plans To File Chapter 11 Bankruptcvy

Dish DBS, the EchoStar subsidiary that owns Dish Network, Boost Mobile, and Sling TV, is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week.

The filing is imminent after the company hired law firms to advise on and prepare the case, according to a report Monday. Chapter 11 would allow Dish DBS to reorganize its debts while continuing day-to-day operations, a common path for large telecommunications and media companies facing heavy debt loads.

TV Ratings: FIFA Setting Records

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States (June 11–July 19), has delivered record-breaking television viewership across major markets, especially in North America. The expanded 48-team format, home-soil advantage for host nations, and strong performances have driven massive audiences on linear TV, cable, and streaming platforms like Fox, FS1, Telemundo, Peacock, and Tubi.

Key U.S. Highlights

• USMNT opener vs. Paraguay (June 12): ~18 million viewers on Fox/FS1/Tubi (English-language record for any World Cup match). Peaked at ~18.9–21.5 million. Combined English + Spanish (Telemundo): ~24.9–27.5 million total, one of the most-watched U.S. soccer broadcasts ever.
• Group stage averages: Fox/FS1 matches averaged ~5.9–6 million viewers (up 128% from 2022). Telemundo averaged ~5.5–7.5 million (up over 200% in early matches).
• Other strong U.S. matches: USMNT vs. Australia (~14.8–16.2 million on Fox). Non-USMNT games like Mexico opener also drew big numbers.

St. Louis Radio: Audacy Sells Cluster to Hoffmann Media Group

Audacy Media announced Monday it has agreed to sell its entire St. Louis cluster of radio stations to Hoffmann Media Group, a move that transfers ownership of the market’s iconic outlets — including the legendary KMOX — to a local media powerhouse already controlling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The deal, subject to FCC approval with terms undisclosed, includes:

• News/Talk KMOX (1120 AM/104.1 FM), known as “The Voice of St. Louis” since 1925
• Hot AC Y98 (KYKY)
• Adult Contemporary 102.5 KEZK
• Adult R&B 96.3 WFUN-FM
• Conservative Talk 97.1 KFTK-FM
• Hip Hop Hot 98.7

These stations have long formed the backbone of local broadcasting, airing Cardinals games, election coverage, pop hits, and community news.

Good Morning Radio: Check The Pulse For Tuesday, June30

Radio Broadcasting

St. Louis Sell-Off: Audacy Media announced Monday it has agreed to sell its entire St. Louis cluster of radio stations to Hoffmann Media Group, a move that transfers ownership of the market’s iconic outlets — including the legendary KMOX — to a local media powerhouse already controlling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

iHM Feedback: iHeartMedia executed significant layoffs (~dozens to ~100 positions) last week, primarily targeting on-air talent, program directors, and programming staff across 30+ markets. Some stations lost most or all local voices. This is part of a $50 million annualized cost-saving restructuring (part of $150 million total) focused on tech-driven programming efficiencies, following earlier cuts.

Valued Time: Afternoons are emerging as radio’s most valuable daypart, according to Crowd React Media’s State of the Media 2026 report.

PM Drive Is Radio's Most Valuable Time Period

Afternoons are emerging as radio’s most valuable daypart, according to Crowd React Media’s State of the Media 2026 report.

The research shows the share of Americans naming afternoons as their primary radio listening time has risen steadily since 2024, while morning drive has declined. One in three U.S. adults now say most of their radio listening occurs in the afternoon — a 21% increase over the past three years. By contrast, the portion identifying morning as their main listening period has dropped 12 percentage points, with four in ten Americans still listening then.

“Afternoon is radio’s rising daypart,” the report states. Although the overall afternoon audience is slightly smaller, those who remain are significantly more committed. “The afternoon drive audience is getting smaller in raw numbers but more committed — cume is down slightly while primary daypart designation is up,” it notes. “The people who are there in the afternoon are really there.”

Listening while working rose from 21% to 30% this year, and listening during exercise increased from 25% to 31%. “The commute and the gym are back as radio contexts,” the report says.

Radio’s stability stands out

Unlike social media, streaming, and podcasts — which have experienced “habit softening” — radio has maintained strong engagement. Weekly reach edged up to 76% of U.S. adults from 75% last year, with listening session lengths holding steady: roughly 40% of listeners spend 30 to 60 minutes per session for the third straight year.

NYC Radio: Kayla Thomas Added At iHM's Z100

iHeartMedia Top 40 WHTZ (Z100)/New York has announced the addition of Kayla Thomas to nights. Starting July 27, the 2026 Gracie Award winner and Ink Magazine “30 Under 30 Radio Superstar” will host nights from 6-10 p.m., bringing her authenticity, warmth and dedication to empowering the next generation to the Z100 audience.

Kayla Thomas

Thomas has built a standout career in radio and entertainment, rising from an internship in Roanoke, Virginia, to becoming one of the industry’s most recognizable voices. In Trenton, she hosted PopCrush Nights, helping grow it into the nation’s top syndicated CHR nighttime program with more than 50 affiliates. Since 2022, Kayla has been the late-night host on iHeartRadio’s KIIS-FM in Los Angeles.

“I’m thrilled to join Z100 as the new night personality. Being on Z100 has been a dream of mine since I started on the radio,” said Thomas. “I’m incredibly grateful to Thea Mitchem and Mark Adams for believing in me and this opportunity. As someone who grew up on the East Coast, coming home makes this moment even more special, and I can’t wait to connect with listeners every night and be part of what makes Z100 so iconic.”

NYC Radio: WWNN Adds News Anchor Stacy Lyn

Red Apple Audio Networks’ Worldwide News Network (WWNN) continues its rapid expansion with the addition of respected broadcast news veteran and former CBS Radio News anchor Stacy Lyn. Just five weeks after its launch, the 24/7 live network radio news service is assembling one of the most experienced and recognizable teams in network radio, delivering breaking news, hard facts, and credible reporting to affiliates nationwide, with plans for worldwide distribution.

An award-winning national news anchor and correspondent, Lyn brings more than three decades of broadcast journalism experience, including coverage of the White House, Congress, national elections, and major breaking news events. Her distinguished career includes reporting and anchoring roles in major markets and on national platforms, earning her numerous industry honors, including an Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, a Gracie Award, an Associated Press Award for Outstanding Newscast, and more.