Report: Spotify Co-CEOs Have a Lot To Deal With

Spotify's new co-CEOs face mounting pressures, including widespread frustration from artists over payouts and platform practices, "algorithm fatigue" among users, fierce competition from tech giants like TikTok and YouTube, and the challenge of managing AI-generated content while protecting the music ecosystem.

A recent Bloomberg feature details how Spotify Technology SA's leadership transition—Daniel Ek stepping to executive chairman while Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström take over as co-CEOs—comes amid these high-stakes issues. The story highlights artists' long-standing grievances, including perceptions that the company prioritizes profits and ad revenue (such as from podcasts) over fair compensation for musicians who built the platform.

Key challenges for the new executives include:

• Battling "algo fatigue," where users feel overwhelmed or disengaged by recommendation algorithms.
• Addressing anger from the music industry, which accuses Spotify of siphoning earnings to executives and favoring "creator economy" content over traditional music payouts.
• Competing for user attention against Meta, Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Navigating AI slop (low-quality generated content) while some music labels strike deals with new AI services, potentially bypassing traditional streaming models.

The article notes historical tensions, such as past artist protests (e.g., Neil Young temporarily pulling music in 2022 over unrelated platform controversies) and ongoing debates about how streaming economics favor scale over individual artist earnings. Spotify maintains that payouts to artists have grown overall and that the platform expands the total artist economy.

Broader context shows the company pushing into video, podcasts, and potential new areas like guided workouts, while recently raising U.S. Premium subscription prices to $12.99/month. The new CEOs are reportedly eyeing AI solutions to tackle some of these problems, including discovery and user engagement.

Radio's Wake-Up Pulse For Jan 16

 Radio Broadcasting

• FCC Ownership Rules and Deregulation Push: The FCC, under Chair Brendan Carr, is signaling momentum toward loosening media ownership limits to help local broadcasters compete better. This came up in a recent congressional oversight hearing where Carr described deregulation as his "North Star," though Democrats raised concerns about investigations potentially pressuring broadcasters and First Amendment issues. Reply comments on the 2022 Quadrennial Review of rules (including local radio ownership caps) were due recently, with potential rollbacks in discussion for rules limiting stations per market or dual network affiliations.
• Political Ad Spending Surge: Early 2026 political advertising across media (including radio) has topped $1 billion, per AdImpact tracking—a quick rise from late 2025 figures—driven heavily by issue groups ahead of elections.
• Economic Outlook for Radio: Forecasts suggest relative stability. Borrell Associates predicts radio ad revenue declining just 0.9% in 2026 (vs. overall local ad market growth of 3%), with streaming audio growing faster at 9.2%. A new NAB-commissioned study highlights local radio/TV's economic impact, supporting millions of jobs and significant GDP contributions (radio portion around $437 billion historically noted). Projections show slight OTA radio revenue dips through 2028 but digital growth.

Key developments include:

• An ICE officer shot and wounded a man (reportedly a Venezuelan migrant named Renee Good in some accounts) in the leg during an arrest attempt in Minneapolis on January 15. Officials say the officer was attacked with shovels; protests erupted immediately, with reports of tear gas deployment and ongoing unrest over multiple nights.
• President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops or the military if state and local officials (including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey) fail to control the protests. This has sparked intense debate about federal overreach, potential escalation, and comparisons to past uses of the Act.
• Federal agents have been described as "flooding" Minneapolis streets for detentions amid a broader immigration crackdown, leading to local descriptions of it feeling like an "invasion." There's also a reported medical examiner view that a separate death in ICE custody may have been a homicide.

Related coverage includes dueling narratives on the shooting, calls for calm, and political fallout (e.g., some Democratic figures facing criticism, while others highlight risks of military involvement).This situation is covered heavily by outlets like NBC News, CNN, The Washington Post, CBS News, Reuters, ABC News, AP, Axios, and Fox News, with live updates and analysis focusing on immigration policy, civil rights, and executive power.  Other notable media-related stories:

• The Pentagon is moving to "refocus" the independent military newspaper Stars and Stripes, raising alarms about editorial independence and potential political influence (e.g., shifting away from certain content and adapting to new priorities).
• Broader industry trends for 2026 include ongoing pressures on journalism (e.g., AI's growing impact, platform changes reducing referral traffic, and political attacks on media trust), with reports from Reuters Institute predicting challenges like squeezed business models and rising use of "agentic" AI tools.
• Entertainment deals such as a new global Pay-1 streaming agreement between Netflix and Sony Pictures for feature films post-theatrical runs.

The Minneapolis/ICE story is by far the most immediate and prominent right now, blending immigration enforcement, public safety, and potential constitutional flashpoints.

Sports

• Dodgers land Kyle Tucker in blockbuster free-agent deal — The two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have signed star outfielder Kyle Tucker to a massive 4-year, $240 million contract. This move bolsters an already stacked roster, with Tucker joining as the top available free agent and solidifying the Dodgers as MLB's powerhouse (some are even calling them the new "Evil Empire"). The deal has huge fantasy baseball implications and shifts the offseason landscape dramatically.(If visuals are available from searches, I'd render recent shots of Tucker or Dodgers celebrations here for context.)
• John Harbaugh to become head coach of the New York Giants — After a long search, the Giants have landed former Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a Super Bowl winner. This is seen as a major organizational win for a team looking to rebound, with reports of him consulting staff and potentially bringing ex-Ravens personnel. It's one of the biggest coaching hires in recent NFL cycles.
• NFL Playoffs Divisional Round heating up — With the wild-card weekend in the books, the divisional round features intriguing matchups. The Seattle Seahawks sit atop many power rankings among the remaining teams, while games like Bills vs. Broncos, Bears facing the Rams (after Chicago's comeback wins), and others are drawing focus. Stories include injury updates (e.g., Sam Darnold on the report) and predictions for who advances toward Super Bowl LX.

Chicago Radio: Dan Proft Extends Thru 2027 At WIND-AM

Salem Media Group has signed a new two-year contract extension with Chicago morning talk radio host Dan Proft, securing his role on News/Talk WIND (AM 560 The Answer) through the end of 2027.

The deal extends Proft's tenure on Chicago's Morning Answer, the station's flagship morning program, which he has hosted since 2015. This makes him the longest-running morning talk show host currently active in the Chicago market.

John Gallagher, regional vice president and general manager of AM 560 The Answer, praised the extension, highlighting Proft's strong interviewing skills and deep understanding of issues impacting Illinois listeners. Those qualities, Gallagher said, have solidified the show as a key cornerstone of the station's programming lineup.

In his own statement, Proft expressed enthusiasm about continuing: He is "excited to extend my run on Chicago's Morning Answer" and thanked the station's management, loyal listeners, and frequent guests for their support.

Proft joined AM 560 after previously appearing on WLS-AM. A native of Wheaton, Illinois, he holds degrees from Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. His career before radio included managing political campaigns and holding various state and municipal government positions starting in the mid-1990s. After an unsuccessful 2010 bid for Illinois governor as a Republican, Proft shifted his focus full-time to talk radio hosting.

New Stugotz Live Debuts Jan 19 on FOX Sports Radio

FOX Sports Radio is launching a new live weekday afternoon show starring Jon “Stugotz” Weiner, debuting Monday, January 19, 2026.

Titled Stugotz and Company LIVE!, the program will air from 3 to 5 p.m. ET and feature Stugotz's signature style of sharp humor, bold hot takes, and unfiltered opinions on sports—plus whatever else catches his interest. 

The debut coincides with the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship game, taking place just miles from the show's South Florida studio for added local energy and relevance.

The show will broadcast live on more than 270 FOX Sports Radio affiliate stations across the country. Listeners can also tune in via FOX Sports Radio’s channel on iHeartRadio and stream it directly at FOXSportsRadio.com. 

Full episodes will drop immediately afterward as podcasts for on-demand listening.

Originating from iHeartMedia’s studios in South Florida, Stugotz and Company LIVE! serves as a live radio extension of Weiner’s popular Stugotz and Company podcast. It brings together his regular crew, rotating guest co-hosts, old friends, and fresh voices to deliver the same irreverent, freewheeling vibe that has built his loyal following.

The addition comes as part of a broader multiplatform partnership between Weiner and iHeartMedia, announced late last year, which also includes his existing podcast network featuring shows like God Bless Football. This marks Stugotz’s first solo national daily radio hosting role following his long run as co-host on The Dan Le Batard Show.

Gannett Launches California Focused Newsletter

USA TODAY Network has launched TODAY Californian, a new daily newsletter delivering focused coverage of California news, politics, sports, culture, and economic developments to readers in the state and nationwide.

The launch is supported by an expanded California section on USA TODAY's digital platform.

California—home to nearly 40 million people and a major driver of national discussions on technology, entertainment, climate policy, and economic innovation—receives dedicated attention through this initiative.

“TODAY Californian provides a fresh take on California news, sports and culture — told by journalists who live it, not just cover it, helping readers everywhere understand how the Golden State influences American life,” said Greg Burton, regional editor West for USA TODAY Network.

No identical state-branded daily newsletters (e.g., "TODAY [State]") have been announced or launched for other states by USA TODAY Network as of mid-January 2026. The initiative is described as an expansion specifically for California, leveraging its size, influence, and the network's eight local dailies there. Executives have noted it could potentially serve as a model for similar efforts elsewhere, but nothing comparable has rolled out yet.

USA TODAY Network (part of Gannett) operates over 200 local publications across the U.S. and offers various topic-focused newsletters (e.g., national news briefing, sports, politics), but state-specific daily newsletters remain limited to this California example so far.

Other organizations provide similar statewide or regional newsletter coverage in different states, such as:

• States Newsroom network (nonprofit outlets offering free state politics and policy newsletters in many states, including Alabama Reflector, Mississippi Today, and others).
• Texas Tribune (daily/weekly newsletters on Texas government, politics, and issues).
• CalMatters (California-focused, with multiple newsletters on state policy and news—separate from USA TODAY).
• New York Times' California Today (weekday newsletter on California news).
• L.A. Times' Essential California (daily roundup of state and local stories).

For the most up-to-date list of USA TODAY Network newsletters, check their sign-up page at

usatoday.com

NAB Releases Study On Economic Impact Of Broadcasting

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has released a new economic study highlighting the substantial role of local radio and television broadcasting in driving the U.S. economy.

Conducted by Woods & Poole Economics, Inc., with support from BIA Advisory Services, the report—"Local TV and Radio: Helping Drive the United States Economy"—estimates that local commercial broadcast stations generated $1.19 trillion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 2.46 million jobs nationwide in 2024 (with figures reflecting the latest available analysis for the 2025 publication).

The bulk of this impact stems from the stimulative effects of local broadcasting, particularly through advertising that provides free information on products, prices, and services to consumers—boosting business efficiency, competition, and overall economic activity. Direct contributions from station operations, programming, and related jobs are more modest (around $53-55 billion in GDP and hundreds of thousands of direct jobs), but the ripple effects amplify the total significantly.Breaking it down by sector:

• Local television accounted for approximately $748 billion in GDP and over 1.5 million jobs.
• Local radio contributed about $437 billion in GDP and supported more than 909,000 jobs.

The study analyzed 1,240 commercial television stations and 10,607 commercial radio stations across the U.S., excluding noncommercial outlets, cable, satellite, and national network operations (except local owned-and-operated stations). Projections indicate stable revenues and continued economic contributions through at least 2028, tied to broader U.S. growth.

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt emphasized the free, over-the-air service provided by broadcasters: “No other industry gives more to Americans for free,” underscoring local stations' essential role in communities, emergency information, and economic connectivity. 

The full report is available on the NAB's We Are Broadcasters website.

Paramount Request To Expedite WBD Lawsuit Denied

A Delaware Chancery Court judge has denied Paramount Skydance's request to expedite its lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), rejecting the push to force WBD to disclose more details about its financial analysis and valuation behind its preferred merger deal with Netflix.

The ruling, issued Thursday by Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn, found that Paramount failed to demonstrate it would suffer "irreparable harm" from the alleged lack of disclosures. The judge noted that Paramount, as a WBD shareholder pursuing its own hostile tender offer, is not directly harmed by WBD's disclosures since it isn't the one deciding whether to tender shares. 

Paramount had argued urgency was needed ahead of its tender offer's January 21, 2026 expiration date, claiming fuller information would help WBD shareholders decide whether to accept Paramount's $30-per-share all-cash bid instead of supporting the Netflix transaction.

Partnership To Distribute Spanish-Language Audio Services

Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), Prisa Media, and Caracol Radio Thursday announced a major global partnership to launch, operate, distribute, and monetize an array of new Spanish-language audio stations, live and on-demand streaming content, and networks. 

The collaboration unites SBS—the leading U.S. Latino radio operator—with Prisa Media, the world's largest Hispanic audio and digital enterprise, and Caracol Radio, Prisa's flagship Colombian network.
The partnership immediately launched U.S. operations with the debut of Caracol Radio America on Miami's WRAZ 106.3 FM (also accessible via W292GE and WCMQ-HD2), delivering 24/7 programming of news, sports, music, and content from award-winning syndicated talent and personalities across the Spanish-speaking world. 

The service is also available live and on-demand through SBS's LaMusica app and affiliated digital platforms.

This strategic alliance targets the rapidly expanding $4 trillion U.S. Hispanic market, leveraging broadcast FM formats, streaming, and digital distribution to connect audiences in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and beyond. By combining Prisa's global Spanish-language content leadership with SBS's dominant position in U.S. Hispanic radio, the partners aim to accelerate innovation in audio entertainment, enhance advertiser offerings, and expand reach for dynamic, "unskippable" programming.

More Time In Traffic: Good For Radio

• Time In Traffic Has Increased 6 Hours Over 2024

As daily traffic continues to grow across major U.S. metro areas, brands have an under-leveraged opportunity to connect with highly engaged in-car audiences, and AM/FM radio remains uniquely positioned to deliver those connections.

That reality underscores just how powerful the car has become as a space for brands to make meaningful connections with local consumers nationwide.

Between daily commutes and the rise of the car as a true “third space”, for calls, errands, content consumption, and decompression, Americans are spending more time behind the wheel than ever. Newly released data from transportation analytics firm INRIX highlights the scale of that opportunity: according to its latest Global Traffic Scorecard, drivers are spending nearly two full days each year sitting in traffic alone.

For marketers, that growing in-car time represents a captive, attentive environment where audio, and especially radio, can deliver consistent reach and real impact.

Residents of major American cities, including many of the nation’s top radio metros, continued to experience outsized congestion in 2025. In total, 16 U.S. cities exceeded the national average of 49 hours lost to traffic, reinforcing the disproportionate impact congestion has on urban commuters.

Drivers in markets such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles once again logged congestion levels well above the national norm, spending more than double the U.S. average time sitting in traffic over the course of the year. For advertisers, these high-density metros represent sustained, repeat exposure to engaged in-car audiences during extended daily travel windows.

NYTimes Welcomes Return Of Editor David Shipley

David Shipley

David Shipley, the former editorial page editor of The Washington Post, is returning to The New York Times as an editor at large, the Times announced Thursday.

Shipley, who previously worked at the Times from 1990 to 2010 in roles including Op-Ed editor and deputy editorial page editor, will focus on producing and editing high-impact editorial packages. This includes work on a major package commemorating the newspaper's upcoming 175th anniversary. 

He starts next week and will report to senior editors Monica Drake and Sam Dolnick, who described him as bringing "deep experience in long-form storytelling and institutional history" along with a "sharp eye and creative vision."

Eastlan Ratings Picks-Up 3 Top 100 Markets

Eastlan Ratings, a radio audience measurement provider, is expanding its coverage by beginning to measure three additional top 100 radio markets: Honolulu, Reno, and Tulsa.

This move broadens Eastlan's footprint in major U.S. radio markets, offering broadcasters, advertisers, and agencies more comprehensive, unbiased ratings data in these key areas. Honolulu (Hawaii), Reno (Nevada), and Tulsa (Oklahoma) represent diverse geographic and demographic regions, potentially enhancing competition with dominant provider Nielsen in these locations.

The expansion aligns with Eastlan's ongoing growth strategy, which has included adding other top 100 markets like Greensboro, Memphis, and Spokane in recent periods, as well as smaller markets in waves (e.g., five new ones announced for fall 2025). 

Eastlan emphasizes continuous monthly measurement in many areas, complete station inclusion, and cost-effective alternatives to help radio compete with digital advertising platforms.

No specific start date for the new measurements in Honolulu, Reno, and Tulsa was detailed in recent announcements, but Eastlan's pattern suggests implementation could begin with upcoming survey periods. Stations and users in these markets can expect access via platforms like Strata, Freewheel, or Telmar at no extra charge for integrated data.