TikTok remains a dominant force in shaping music preferences among teens (roughly ages 13-19), who make up a huge portion of the platform's active users. Teens drive and discover viral trends through short-form videos, dances, edits, lip-syncs, and mood-based content. Music discovery here is fast-paced, often prioritizing catchy hooks, relatable lyrics (e.g., heartbreak, empowerment, fun vibes), sped-up/remixed versions, and sounds that pair perfectly with visuals like GRWM (get ready with me), friendship montages, or dance challenges.
Key Characteristics of Teen TikTok Music Trends in 2026Genres dominating:
Pop, hyperpop, R&B, rap/hip-hop, indie/alternative, and emerging country-pop crossovers. There's a mix of nostalgic remixes (e.g., older tracks sped up or revamped) and fresh releases from major drops.
How trends spread: Songs explode via user-generated content, influencer challenges, algorithm boosts, and cross-platform sharing (e.g., to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts). Teens favor emotional, relatable, or high-energy tracks for personal expression.
Platforms influence: TikTok heavily impacts streaming charts (Spotify, Apple Music) and Billboard (via the TikTok Billboard Top 50, which tracks viral audio usage).
Current vibe (March 2026): A blend of new album rollouts, viral dances, and storytelling sounds. Breakup anthems, feel-good pop, and cinematic edits are big among teens.
Top Trending Songs/Sounds on TikTok Right Now (March 2026)
Veteran broadcaster Matt Vasgersian is set to be the prominent voice for MLB's 2026 season opener across multiple platforms, earning him the unofficial title of "Mr. Opening Day."
Vasgersian will handle play-by-play for Netflix's debut MLB broadcast on Wednesday, March 25, when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco at 8:05 p.m. ET.
This marks Netflix's first regular-season MLB game as part of its streaming deal. The broadcast team includes analysts CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence, with Lauren Shehadi as reporter and Elle Duncan hosting.
Less than 24 hours later, on Thursday, March 26, Vasgersian will call Opening Day coverage on NBC and Peacock for the Pittsburgh Pirates (with Paul Skenes) at the New York Mets at 1:15 p.m. ET.
The New York Yankees' Opening Day game will air exclusively on Netflix for the second straight season, sidelining YES Network broadcaster Michael Kay from the call.
"To be blunt, it sucks," Kay told Newsday in a telephone interview. "It really does."
The Yankees open the 2026 season against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on March 25, streamed globally on Netflix as MLB's Opening Night. Netflix's broadcast team features Matt Vasgersian on play-by-play, CC Sabathia as analyst, and Lauren Shehadi as sideline reporter, with a pregame show including former Yankee Anthony Rizzo.
Kay, the longtime YES play-by-play voice, will be in San Francisco but won't call the opener. He'll contribute to YES's Opening Day pregame coverage, then handle play-by-play for the second game on March 27 (also on YES). The series finale goes to Fox.
"It doubly sucks because we just have the middle game," Kay said. "And the third game is a Fox game.
Townsquare Media reported Q4 2025 net revenue of $106.5 million, down 9.6% from the prior year, and swung to a net loss of $4.8 million compared to $25 million in net income in Q4 2024. The results met the company's previously issued guidance for net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA.
For the full year 2025, net revenue declined 5.2% overall (or 2.8% excluding political advertising), while Adjusted EBITDA fell 12.2% (or 3.0% excluding political). The full-year net loss narrowed by $1.2 million to $9.8 million.
Segment performance in Q4 showed mixed trends amid the company's shift to a Digital First Local Media strategy:
Total Digital Segment Profit decreased 14.8%.
Digital Advertising Segment Profit fell 28.0%.
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions Segment Profit rose 12.0%.
Bill Wilson
Broadcast Advertising net revenue dropped 17.8%.CEO Bill Wilson highlighted resilience in a challenging environment, stating: “I am pleased to share that Townsquare’s fourth quarter and year end results met our previously issued net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance, reflecting our team’s hard work in the current environment. We are proud that the execution of our Digital First Local Media strategy allowed us to deliver excellent results for our clients, while also outperforming competitors and gaining market share.”
He added that strong expense management kept Adjusted EBITDA margins (excluding political) flat year-over-year despite revenue declines, underscoring progress in the digital transition where digital now drives a majority of revenue and segment profit.
Radio Deal Market Shows Early 2026 Momentum: Radio station sales surged in January 2026, with 36 stations traded (more than double January 2025's 15), totaling $15.7 million in value. Key deals included Arkansas River Valley Radio acquiring 12 full-power stations and translators for $6.7 million, and Audacy selling a Providence FM for $4.9 million. Analysts see 2026 poised for opportunistic buying amid potential regulatory easing, though large-scale consolidation remains tied to FCC ownership limit reviews.
Radio Listening Remains Strong; Podcasts Level Off: The 2026 FMR/Eastlan Ratings National Radio Listening Survey shows 84% of adults 25-64 listening weekly to radio—stable from recent years—while podcast usage held at 40% (up slightly from 39% in 2025 but post-election stabilization). Satellite radio stays modest at 16%. This reinforces radio's resilience in audio consumption despite digital competition.
CMA To Highlight Music Listeners: The Country Music Association (CMA) has conducted research on music listeners, including a specific 2025 Teen Music Listeners Study. This is a custom research report focused on understanding what drives the next generation of Country Music fans. It explores how teens spend their time, how they engage with music, and related behaviors to identify growth opportunities for the genre among younger audiences. Survey results will be presented Wednesday during CRS 2026 in Nashville
Media Industry
FCC Chair Threatens Broadcasters Over Iran War Coverage: FCC Chair Brendan Carr (under the current administration) has issued threats to revoke local station licenses for ABC, NBC, CBS, and other broadcasters, claiming their coverage of the Iran conflict constitutes "fake news." Critics note this appears to be political pressure rather than enforceable action, as the FCC has limited direct authority over content, but it highlights ongoing tensions between the administration and traditional media outlets.
U-S News
US-Iran War Enters Third Week: Trump Faces Tough Choices on Continuing Strikes or Declaring Victory, the conflict intensifies with US and Israeli strikes, including on Iran's key oil hub Kharg Island. President Trump has urged allies to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (a critical global oil route that's effectively disrupted), but responses have been cautious. Trump claims Iran is ready for a ceasefire but says he's not accepting their terms yet, while officials predict the fighting could end in weeks. Oil prices have surged past $100–$105 per barrel, driving up US gas prices (average now around $3.70/gallon, up sharply since late February). There's also a US military refueling plane crash in Iraq killing 6 service members amid operations tied to the war.
Michigan Synagogue Attack Linked to Hezbollah: A suspect rammed a truck (possibly with explosives) into a Michigan synagogue with over 100 children inside. US and Israeli officials say the attacker's brother was a Hezbollah commander recently killed in strikes (likely tied to the Iran conflict). This has heightened domestic terror concerns and synagogue security fears amid Middle East tensions.
The Oscars: “Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor Oscar while “One Battle After Another” snagged the Best Picture award. “Hamnet” star Jessie Buckley won Best Actress while “Weapons” star Amy Madigan won for Best Supporting Actress. Sean Penn won Best Performing Actor for his role in “One Battle After Another.”
Team USA Advances At World Baseball Classic: Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each hit solo home runs in the fourth inning and Team USA’s pitching kept the mighty Dominican Republic lineup in check enough to secure a 2-1 victory in a World Baseball Classic semifinal on Sunday night. The United States advanced to its third WBC final in a row and will try to win its second Classic championship and first since 2017 when it takes on the winner of the Venezuela-Italy semifinal on Tuesday night in Miami. Venezuela and Italy play their semifinal game on Monday night in Miami. DeRosa confirmed that right-hander Nolan McLean will start Tuesday’s final.
In-car audio trends in 2026 reflect a dynamic shift toward connected, digital, and premium experiences, driven by smartphone integration, streaming growth, electrification (EVs), and advancements in infotainment technology. While traditional AM/FM radio remains dominant in many markets—especially for captive listening during commutes—the rise of online streaming, podcasts, voice assistants, and immersive sound systems is accelerating a "digital migration" in vehicles worldwide.
Key global highlights include:
Market Growth and Projections — The global automotive car audio market is valued at around USD 12.17 billion in 2026, projected to reach USD 24.95 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 8.3%. This is fueled by demand for premium sound quality, smart connectivity (e.g., Bluetooth, AI-enhanced audio), and integration in electric vehicles.
Premium audio systems (high-end speakers, spatial audio like Dolby Atmos) are expanding rapidly, with the segment growing from USD 4.50 billion in 2025 to USD 6.25 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of ~5.6%. Asia-Pacific (APAC) leads as the fastest-growing region, accounting for over 37% of demand due to rising affluence, premiumization, and EV adoption in countries like China, India, and Japan.
Infotainment and in-car entertainment systems (broader category including audio) show strong momentum, with markets projected to grow significantly (e.g., automotive infotainment from ~USD 32.8 billion in 2026 onward at ~7%+ CAGR in various reports). Trends emphasize wireless connectivity (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), AI voice controls, and seamless smartphone mirroring.
Digital vs. Traditional Shift — In the U.S. (a major benchmark via Edison Research's Infinite Dial 2026), AM/FM radio holds strong at 73% usage in the car (among drivers/riders in the past month), but online audio streaming has surged to 48% (more than double from 2016), and podcasts at 37%. Younger drivers (18-34) lean heavily digital: 73% stream online audio and 55% listen to podcasts in-car, while older groups (55+) favor radio at 81%. Phone integration like CarPlay/Android Auto is used by 83% of those with it equipped.
U.S. radio advertising revenue is projected to remain largely flat in 2026, with growth in local ads and digital extensions balancing declines in national and network spending, according to multiple industry analysts including Kagan, Borrell Associates, Guideline, and BIA Advisory Services.
Kagan forecasts overall radio revenue to stay mostly stable, as 1-3% growth in core local broadcast advertising offsets low single-digit declines in national and network categories. Analyst Justin Nielson highlights that local markets should remain relatively strong, with an additional potential lift from political advertising during the midterm election cycle.Digital components provide key stabilization and upside.
Borrell Associates projects radio's digital revenue to rise about 9.5% to $2.5 billion in 2026, representing more than 24% of the industry's total revenue. This follows a record $2.3 billion in digital ad sales in 2025 (about 24.4% of total). Borrell notes that 9.5% digital growth offsets an expected 3% decline in core (traditional) radio, resulting in continued overall revenue stability. The firm describes radio as having "found the formula" by effectively pairing traditional spots with digital offerings, positioning audio for resilience amid broader local ad market dynamics.
Nielsen's influential The Gauge report, which tracks monthly TV viewing shares across streaming, broadcast, and cable, is set for a major recalibration in its March edition (covering February data)—potentially reversing the perceived dominance of streaming over traditional TV.
The change stems from Nielsen adopting universe estimates from the Advertising Research Foundation's independent DASH service—an industry-standard, Media Rating Council-accredited source—for the first time, replacing its long-standing in-house calibrations.
➦In 1916...Mercedes McCambridge born (Died at age 87 - March 2, 2004). She was an American actress of radio, stage, film, and television. Orson Welles called her "the world's greatest living radio actress."She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for All the King's Men (1949) and was nominated in the same category for Giant (1956). She also provided the voice of Pazuzu (the demon) in The Exorcist (1973)
She had lead roles in many of his Mercury Theatre broadcasts in the 1930’s while starring on Broadway. She guested on numerous radio dramas (Lights Out, Inner Sanctum, Studio One, Bulldog Drummond, Ford Theatre, Gang Busters, Abie’s Irish Rose, etc.) and had lead roles in both East and West Coast originations of I Love a Mystery.
Later she had a healthy career in TV, and won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for All the King’s Men.
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➦In 1922...WKY AM, Oklahoma City, OK signed-on.
"5XT" became the 87th licensed station in the United States on March 16, 1922. It was owned by the Oklahoma Radio Shop (Earl C. Hull & H.S. Richards). The station was assigned the WKY call letters and began broadcasting weekdays from noon to 1:00 P.M. and from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. On Sundays, WKY was on the air from 3 to 4 P.M. and 7:30 to 9:30 P.M.
On November 1922, WKY announced a "silent night" policy, meaning the station would broadcast only four, and later three nights a week. This was so listeners could have a chance to tune into other stations in neighboring states.
Richards and Hull struggled to keep WKY on the air. In late 1925, Richards left the radio business, but Hull continued to keep WKY on the air by selling shares of the station to radio dealers in Oklahoma City. The dealers paid Hull a small salary to keep the station broadcasting; however they decided the financial drain had become too much. In 1928, WKY was purchased by the Oklahoma Publishing Company, publishers of the Daily Oklahoman for the hefty sum of $5,000 (over $63,000 in 2010 dollars).
The formal opening of the new WKY was set for November 11, 1928, but the station went on the air several days earlier to carry the presidential election returns as Herbert Hoover won in a Republican landslide.
By the following year, WKY was attempting to operate like the powerhouse stations in the east. Aside from the programming from NBC, everything broadcast by WKY originated locally.
In 1958, WKY became the second Top-40 formatted station in Oklahoma City, behind KOCY, (now KEBC). During the 1960s and 70's WKY fended off serious challenges from 50,000 watt rival KOMA 1520 AM.
Although KOMA was very famous outside Oklahoma City, due to its large nighttime signal (like WABC in New York), WKY was usually the ratings leader in the city itself (as WMCA won New York City ratings books from 1963–1966); WKY continued to top many Arbitron ratings sweeps into the 1970s.
Ironically, WKY mainstays during that time—Danny Williams, Ronnie Kaye and Fred Hendrickson—would go on to become "KOMA Good Guys" when the station flipped from a standards to an oldies format.
Today, WKY is owned by Cumulus and simulcasts it's sister station WWLS.
➦In 1925...Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg designed the dynamic loudspeaker, a significant advancement in audio technology. This invention improved the quality of sound reproduction for radio broadcasts, making listening experiences clearer and more enjoyable for audiences. The dynamic loudspeaker became a foundational technology for radio and other audio systems, shaping the future of broadcasting.
➦In 1926...Joseph Levitch aka Jerry Lewis was born (Died – August 20, 2017). He was a comedian, actor, singer, director, producer, screenwriter and humanitarian, whose career spanned eight decades and was nicknamed "The King of Comedy". He was known for his partnership with Dean Martin as the groundbreaking act of Martin and Lewis.
