CNN Faces Steep Viewership Drop of 27% in 2025

CNN continues to experience significant declines in TV ratings, continuing a trend of challenges in the cable news landscape. 

For the week of May 12, 2025, CNN averaged 405,000 total viewers and 74,000 in the 25-54 demographic during primetime, reflecting a 16% drop in total viewers and an 11% drop in the demo compared to the previous year. 

Total day viewership was down 28% in total viewers (to 411,000) and 29% in the demo. These figures mark some of CNN’s lowest ratings, with the first quarter of 2025 being the network’s least-watched quarter ever in the 25-54 demo, averaging 121,000 viewers. 

Despite occasional week-to-week gains, such as a 7% primetime viewership increase in March 2025 compared to February, CNN has struggled to maintain audience share against competitors. Fox News dominated with 2.499 million primetime viewers for the same week, while MSNBC averaged 811,000. CNN’s performance has been impacted by broader industry trends like cord-cutting and competition from digital platforms, as well as specific events like March Madness affecting viewership. 

Shows like The Lead with Jake Tapper (662,000 viewers) and NewsNight with Abby Phillip (710,000 viewers) remain among CNN’s stronger performers, but the network has consistently trailed Fox News, which held 99 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week of May 12.

The release of Jake Tapper’s book Original Sin, co-authored with Alex Thompson, has drawn attention to CNN and Tapper himself, but it hasn’t translated into a ratings boost. The book’s focus on former President Biden’s fitness has sparked controversy, with critics like Megyn Kelly accusing Tapper and CNN of underreporting Biden’s condition, potentially alienating some viewers. This aligns with broader public distrust in media, as reflected in polls showing low favorability for political parties and institutions, which may further depress CNN’s audience.

NYC Radio: John Sterling Enjoying His New Show On 77WABC

John Sterling, the iconic former radio voice of the New York Yankees, who called an extraordinary 5,060 consecutive games before retiring in 2024, remains a cherished figure in New York sports media.  At 87 (as of July 4, 2025), Sterling is not done with broadcasting. 

Last month, he launched The John Sterling Show, a weekly hour-long talk radio program airing Saturdays at 4 p.m. on 77WABC.

For Sterling, who spent decades narrating Yankees history, this transition to talk radio is both a nod to his early career and a chance to work at a relaxed pace. 

“It’s the right speed for me, once a week,” he told Advance/SILive.com with a laugh. “After 55 years traveling with teams, I’m done with that.”

“It’s about my speed to do it once a week,” he told the Advance/SILive.com with a chuckle. “I’ve traveled with teams for 55 years. I’m not going to travel anymore.”

Far from coasting, Sterling is energized by the new show and already considering expansion. “We might make it longer, but we’ll see,” he said. “Being on a major New York station—50,000 watts, clear channel, non-directional—it’s fantastic.”

Switching from play-by-play to talk radio presents new challenges, but Sterling’s early career makes him well-suited for the role. “I’ve done talk radio since I started,” he noted. After early disc jockey gigs, he hosted a prominent talk show for Metromedia’s WCBM in Baltimore starting in October 1964. There, while covering general topics, a pivotal guest conversation sparked his passion for sports media, paving the way for his legendary Yankees tenure.

Buffalo Radio: WUSW-AM Set to Replace WHLD-AM

WHLD changing Calls To WUSW

Starting June 1, 2025, WHLD-AM in Niagara Falls-Buffalo will transition to new call letters, WUSW, following FCC approval, as announced by Buddy Shula’s Radio One Buffalo.

The new branding hints at a patriotic theme or a format featuring conservative talk, specific programming direction remains undisclosed.

“I am a patriot, and the call letters WUSW reflect the new format we’re launching,” Shula stated in a press release, emphasizing the inclusion of “US” (United States) in the call sign.

This change coincides with a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) between Cumulus Media, the current owner, and Radio One Buffalo, effective June 1, ahead of a planned station sale pending FCC approval.

WHLD has maintained its call letters since its launch in 1940, with no recorded changes to the AM station’s designation, though its FM counterpart (now WKSE) changed to WZIR-FM in 1980. The station’s programming has evolved significantly:

• From classical music and local artists in the 1940s.
• To MOR, brokered, and ethnic programming in the 1960s–1970s.
• To adult standards and big band in the 1980s.
• To urban gospel and a return to adult standards in the 2000s.
• To sports talk from 2013 to 2021.
• To conservative talk from 2021 to 2025.

1270 AM (5Kw, 1Kw-DA)

On May 9, 2025, Radio One Buffalo, led by Buddy Shula, announced the acquisition of WHLD from Cumulus Media, with a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA) set to begin on June 1, 2025, pending FCC approval. Radio One Buffalo also owns WECK (1230 AM), a station known for its oldies format.

Scott & Sam Extend With Christian FM Media

Christian FM Media Group is thrilled to announce the continued presence of Scott and Sam—radio’s iconic, high-energy morning duo—across both the “Today’s Christian Music” and “Today’s Worship Music” networks.

This innovative pair has built a loyal following with a unique ability to adapt their content to two formats, all while maintaining a heartfelt, laughter-filled delivery that resonates across demographics. Their intuitive storytelling, faith-filled authenticity, and on-air chemistry offer affiliates a show that consistently captivates.

“We are so thankful for this opportunity,” said Scott. “Being part of the Christian FM and Today’s Christian Music family is a dream. We love sharing our lives and how God is moving every day—doing that on a larger scale is humbling.”  - Scott and Sam.

Scott and Sam remain a flagship offering for Christian FM Media—an inspiring reminder that great radio isn’t just heard, it’s felt.

Scott and Sam are available to be a part of your ministry and join the team with a customized delivery and personalization. Contact us and find out more!

Kamala Harris Cursed Anderson Cooper After Tense Interview

A new book, Original Sin, co-authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, reveals that former Vice President Kamala Harris called CNN host Anderson Cooper a “motherf–ker” to colleagues after a contentious interview following President Joe Biden’s faltering debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. 

The debate, marked by Biden’s frail appearance and frequent lapses, sparked widespread Democratic concern and ultimately led to his withdrawal from the 2024 race.

Harris, who was urged by aides to skip post-debate interviews, defended Biden on CNN, downplaying his “slow start” and emphasizing his “historic” three-and-a-half-year record. Cooper pressed her on Democratic “panic” over Biden’s “disaster” debate, questioning whether the president should step aside. Harris countered that Biden finished “strong” and dismissed critiques as “style points.”

 
Despite praise from Biden’s team for her defense, Harris was furious post-interview, reportedly saying, “This motherf–ker doesn’t treat me like the damn vice president of the United States,” taking Cooper’s questions personally, according to the book.

Original Sin, released May 20, 2025, also details Biden’s struggles during debate prep at Camp David, describing him as “rusty” and napping through the first day. His mock debate performances were inconsistent, with a weak voice, halting delivery, and scattered answers. Aides noted his open-mouthed expression when not speaking and his need for cough drops as his voice worsened. Biden later cited a cold for his poor debate showing, which marked a historic moment as he became the first elected president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 not to seek re-election.

Trump Targets Apple Over IPhones

President Trump on Friday threatened a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones not made in the U.S., stating on social media, “I expect their iPhones sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else.” 

Although Apple has primarily manufactured iPhones in China, CEO Tim Cook recently announced that India’s assembly factories would produce most iPhones for the U.S. market moving forward. Currently, no iPhones are made in the U.S., and analysts estimate that onshoring production could more than double the device’s price.

For decades, Apple has manufactured most of its devices in China, investing billions in large-scale factories supported by an extensive local supplier network. This heavy reliance on overseas production has placed the tech giant in the crosshairs of Trump’s trade war with China.

In response, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced earlier this month that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. from March to June would be produced in India. Despite Trump’s late April decision to temporarily exempt iPhones and other electronics from most initial tariffs, Cook stated the trade war would still cost Apple an additional $900 million during that period.

Comcast Takes on Disney’s Theme Park Dominance

While streaming wars have dominated entertainment rivalries, Comcast is challenging Disney on a physical front with the opening of Epic Universe last week. 

This $7 billion, 750-acre theme park, Comcast’s largest ever, features five “worlds” inspired by franchises like Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon, marking its biggest development since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter 15 years ago.

Disney, meanwhile, is also expanding, recently announcing a royalty agreement for a massive new park in Abu Dhabi, part of its $60 billion, decade-long investment in its parks division. Both companies are banking on consumers spending heavily on tickets and merchandise, like $35 popcorn buckets, despite recession concerns. 

Theme parks remain lucrative—Disney’s experiences division, encompassing parks, resorts, and merchandise, generated ~$9 billion, or 59% of its total profit last year.

Parks offer stability compared to the volatile TV, film, and streaming sectors, as they’re “not exposed to shifts in screen time,” said Comcast President Mike Cavanagh. 

However, Comcast faces an uphill battle: Disney dominated with eight of the top 10 most-visited theme parks globally in 2023, per the Themed Entertainment Association.

Spotify: Strong Showing For Country On 'Songs of Summer' List

The 2025 Songs of Summer predictions highlight a strong showing from Nashville-based artists, with several country and pop-crossover stars topping Spotify’s curated list, as noted in an article by The Tennessean. 

The list, compiled by Spotify’s global music editors using streaming data, cultural expertise, and editorial instinct, features a quartet of artists under 40 with ties to Nashville: Morgan Wallen, Bailey Zimmerman, Jessie Murph, and Tucker Wetmore. Their inclusion underscores Nashville’s growing influence in blending country with pop and hip-hop, capturing the summer vibe with infectious, genre-bending tracks.

• Morgan Wallen: A pop-crossover superstar, Wallen’s collaboration with Tate McRae on “What I Want” is a standout, blending country with pop sensibilities. His work on the 2024 album F-1 Trillion already made waves, and his 2025 contributions continue to push genre boundaries, appealing to a broad audience with high-energy, radio-friendly hooks. Wallen’s ability to merge country with mainstream appeal has solidified his place as a summer playlist staple.
• 
  Bailey Zimmerman: Known for his emotive country hits, Zimmerman teams up with rapper BigXthaPlug for “All The Way,” a country-hip-hop fusion that reflects the genre-blending trend dominating 2025’s summer sound. His raw, relatable lyrics and growing fanbase make him a key player, with his tracks resonating at BBQs and festivals.
• Jessie Murph: A rising star with a soulful, genre-defying style, Murph’s “Blue Strips” is highlighted for its lovestruck, lyric-driven pop vibe. Her ability to blend country, pop, and R&B has earned her a spot on Spotify’s list, with fans streaming her music for its emotional depth and catchy melodies.
• Tucker Wetmore: Another Nashville breakout, Wetmore’s contributions to the summer list showcase his fresh take on country, appealing to younger audiences with modern production and relatable themes. His tracks are noted for their streaming popularity and social media traction, particularly on platforms like TikTok.

Spotify’s 2025 Songs of Summer playlist also reflects broader trends, including country collaborations, high-BPM dance tracks, and chilled-out pop, but Nashville’s influence is clear with these artists leading the charge. Their songs are poised to dominate airwaves, playlists, and live events like CMA Fest (June 5–8, 2025) and Bonnaroo (June 12–15, 2025) in the Nashville area. 

The Tennessean emphasizes that these artists, all relatively young, represent Music City’s evolving sound, moving beyond traditional country to embrace pop, hip-hop, and electronic influences, ensuring their tracks are “on repeat at every BBQ, afterparty, and car ride this summer.”

Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m the Problem’ Album Bows at No. 1

Morgan Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m the Problem, released on May 16, 2025 debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 493,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. for the week ending May 22, 2025, marking the year’s biggest album debut. 

The album’s performance included 357,000 streaming equivalent album (SEA) units, equating to 462.63 million on-demand streams of its 37 tracks, securing the largest streaming week for any album in 2025 and the second-biggest streaming week ever for a country album, trailing only Wallen’s One Thing at a Time (498.28 million streams). 

Additionally, it sold 133,000 copies, with 51,000 digital downloads, 48,000 vinyl sales (Wallen’s best vinyl week and the largest for a country album in 2025), and 34,000 CDs, making it the biggest sales week for a country album that year. The album was available in multiple formats, including five vinyl variants and four CD variants, boosting its first-week sales.

This marks Wallen’s third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, following One Thing at a Time (2023, 19 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1) and Dangerous: The Double Album (2021, 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1). 

Notably, One Thing at a Time remained at No. 4 and Dangerous at No. 12 on the same chart, making Wallen the only artist with two albums in the top five in 2025. The album’s success was propelled by eight pre-released singles, all reaching the Billboard Hot 100’s top 20, with six in the top 10, including “Love Somebody” (No. 1) and the title track (No. 2). Collaborations with artists like Tate McRae, Eric Church, HARDY, ERNEST, and Post Malone added to its appeal, blending country with pop and alternative influences.

The View's Ana Navarro Scolds Disney Boss Bob Iger

Ana Navarro risked alienating her co-hosts on The View last week after boldly challenging Disney CEO Bob Iger’s directive to scale back the show’s relentless criticism of Donald Trump, which he called repetitive and unappealing, according to the Daily Beast. 

Iger, head of ABC’s parent company, reportedly urged the panel to focus on lighter, entertainment-driven segments that resonate more with viewers.

Navarro, a vocal anti-Trump Republican, pushed back, arguing that audiences crave the show’s resistance-style political rants. 

Anna Navarro

However, her stance may have backfired. Fox News reports that her co-hosts—Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, and Sara Haines—actually support Iger’s call for a shift in direction, with some expressing relief at the prospect of diversifying content. 

“Ignoring Bob Iger seems like a terrible decision,” a source noted, hinting at potential consequences for Navarro, given The View’s history of swiftly parting ways with hosts who don’t align with its vision or audience preferences.

R.I.P.: Roger Nichols, Songwriter Penned Hits For The Carpenters

Roger Nichols (1941-2025)

Roger Nichols, the songwriter behind the Carpenters’ iconic hit “We’ve Only Just Begun” and other classics, passed away at 84 on May 17, 2025. His longtime collaborator, Paul Williams, announced the news on social media, noting Nichols died peacefully at home with his wife, Terry, and daughters, Claire and Caitlin, by his side. No cause of death was specified.

The LATimes reports Williams reflected on their partnership, saying, “Our first song was ‘It’s hard to say goodbye,’ and sadly, that rings true. Roger was as disciplined as he was gifted. His melodies carried such emotion that my lyrics flowed effortlessly from them. He made it easy.”

A Montana native, Nichols released his debut solo album, Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends, in 1968 on A&M Records. Now a cult classic in California pop-rock, it featured contributions from Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks, and Lenny Waronker. Nichols’ breakthrough came with a poignant jingle for Crocker-Citizens National Bank, which caught the ear of Richard Carpenter. 

This led to Nichols and Williams extending the jingle into “We’ve Only Just Begun,” a 1970 Carpenters hit that earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.

Nichols, with Williams and others, penned Carpenters staples like “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” “Let Me Be the One,” and “I Kept on Loving You.” His songwriting also reached artists like the Monkees, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Petula Clark, and Art Garfunkel.

Claire Nichols, in a comment on Williams’ post, wrote, “My mom, Terri, and sisters, Caroline and Caitlin, are incredibly proud of who he was and the legacy he leaves behind.”

Radio History: May 27

➦In 1933...Future Canadian media mogul Ted Rogers Jr. was born in Toronto.  He founded his company in 1960 with Toronto radio station CHFI and built it into Canada’s largest wireless, cable and media company. He died from congestive heart failure Dec. 2 2008 at age 75.

➦In 1951…The radio serial "Wild Bill Hickock" began on the Mutual Radio network. Guy Madison and Andy Devine starred on both the radio and syndicated TV versions.

➦In 1957...1050 CHUM-AM became Canada's first Top 40 radio station.

The CHUM Building at 1331 Yonge St., Toronto was the home of 1050 CHUM from 1959 until 2009

Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" was the first song played. "1050 CHUM" pioneered rock and roll radio in Toronto, and was noteworthy for hosting many noteworthy rock concerts including, among others, visits to Maple Leaf Gardens by Elvis Presley (1957) and The Beatles (1964, '65, and '66).

In the late 1950s, CHUM was calling itself "Radio One", as its ratings continued to increase. An important part of CHUM's success was the station's unpredictable morning man Al Boliska, who joined CHUM in October 1957, after working at station CKLC in Kingston, Ontario.

By 1959, Boliska had made a name for himself as a disc jockey who got listeners talking. He also made them laugh, and became known for telling what he called the "World's Worst Jokes".

Boliska also did a number of stunts, such as taking part in a professional wrestling match with Whipper Billy Watson. When he lost, that led to another stunt, where Boliska stayed away from his show for several days, saying he was now too discouraged by the loss to do his show. A hypnotist was called in, and Boliska's self-esteem was restored.

Boliska left CHUM in late 1963 to go 'across the street' to CKEY. He was replaced by WKBW Buffalo radio & TV personality Jay Nelson, popularly known as "Jungle Jay" from his role as host of a children's show on Buffalo's Channel 7 which was also popular among Toronto youngsters. He would be followed by housewives' jock John Spragge; singer/DJ Mike Darow; Pete Nordheimer, replaced in 1961 by Bob McAdorey, teen DJ Dave Johnson, and all night DJ Bob Laine. Later additions to the CHUM DJ lineup included Duff Roman and Brian Skinner, both of whom came from rival Toronto rocker CKEY (then owned by Jack Kent Cooke).

(Courtesy of the Rock Radio Scrapbook, Click Here for  an early aircheck of 1050 CHUM from July 17, 1957.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, CHUM DJs included Duke Roberts (also known as Gary Duke for a time), Johnny Mitchell (better known today as Sonny Fox), J. Michael Wilson, Tom Rivers, Scott Carpenter, Jim Van Horne, John Rode, Don Reagan, John Majhor, Mike Cooper, Daryl B, Terry Steele, Mike Holland and Roger Ashby. Among their later night-time hosts was J. D. Roberts, who joined CHUM for a time in 1977, eventually becoming known across North America as White House correspondent for CBS News, then the co-anchor of CNN's morning program American Morning. Rick Moranis, later famous for his work on SCTV and Ghostbusters, was briefly a late-night CHUM DJ in the mid-seventies under the name "Rick Allan".

CHUM became well known for its zany contests. In the 1950's and '60's, it was contests such as 'The Walking Man', where listeners had to spot CHUM's mystery walking man using only clues given out on the air. The 1970s' "I Listen to CHUM" promotion had DJs dialing phone numbers at random and awarding $1,000 to anyone who answered the phone with that phrase. In 1976, there was the CHUM Starsign promotion. Listeners wore a button featuring their astrological sign. If CHUM's 'Starsign spotter' saw you wearing your Starsign, you won prizes such as money or concert tickets to major events.

The CHUM Chart was, for many years, the most influential weekly Top 40 chart in Canada and has been hailed as the longest-running continuously published radio station record survey in North America. The first CHUM Chart was released on May 27, 1957, with Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" the first Number 1 song.

1050 CHUM aired Top 40 from 1957 to 1986.  Today, 1050 CHUM airs Sports Talk.