Marketing: Cracker Barrel Goes Woke, Stock Tanks

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s shares dropped approximately 10% on Thursday following the reveal of a new logo earlier this week, part of a broader brand refresh. 

The updated logo eliminates the iconic image of a man leaning against a barrel, featuring only the words “Cracker Barrel” on a yellow background and removing the “Old Country Store” phrase. The company stated that the logo’s colors draw inspiration from its scrambled eggs and biscuits.

This change aligns with a “strategic transformation” launched in May 2024 to revitalize the brand, encompassing updates to visual elements, restaurant interiors, and food and retail offerings.

In March, Cracker Barrel announced a brand refresh that aims to preserve its “rich history of country hospitality” and “authentic charm,” according to Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Moore. She emphasized in a media release that the company’s core values and story remain unchanged, rooted in the spirit of country hospitality.

However, the new logo has sparked backlash, particularly among conservative social media users. 

On Wednesday, Donald Trump Jr. shared a post claiming that CEO Julie Felss Masino’s logo change was an attempt to dilute the brand’s American tradition in favor of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Masino turned heads in May when she told investors, "We're just not as relevant as we once were."

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck echoed this sentiment on Thursday, posting on X, “Good morning @CrackerBarrel! You’re about to learn that wokeness really doesn’t pay.”

In recent years, Cracker Barrel has launched recruitment efforts for racially and ethnically diverse talent, and has publicly supported the NAACP and LGBTQ+ people. That itself was a 180-degree turn from its '90s policies, when it reportedly discriminated against LGBTQ+ applicants and fired those already employed at the chain.

With a market cap of approximately $1.2 billion, Cracker Barrel is smaller than many competing restaurant chains. Customers have also expressed dissatisfaction on social media about the redesigned interiors, criticizing the shift toward a modern, sterile aesthetic over the traditional country ambiance.

During the June earnings call, Masino reported that 20 remodels and 20 refreshes had been completed, with plans to share more details in September. She noted positive feedback from employees and guests, describing the updated stores as “lighter, brighter, more welcoming.”

Radio History: Aug 22

➦In 1906…The Victor Talking Machine Company began to manufacture a record player called the Victrola. The hand-cranked unit, with horn cabinet, sold for $200. Records had to be purchased separately, usually in the appliance stores that sold the machines, at a price of $1 to $7. Music conductor John Philip Sousa predicted "a marked deterioration in American music" and said that generations of amateur musicians would give way to "canned music."

Nipper

The advent of radio as a home entertainment medium in the early 1920s presented Victor and the entire record industry with new challenges. Not only was music becoming available over the air free of charge, but a live broadcast made using a high-quality microphone and heard over a high-quality receiver provided clearer, more "natural" sound than a contemporary record.

In 1925, Victor switched from the acoustical or mechanical method of recording to the new microphone-based electrical system developed by Western Electric. Victor called its version of the improved fidelity recording process "Orthophonic", and sold a new line of record players, called "Orthophonic Victrolas", scientifically designed to play these improved records. Victor's first electrical recordings were made and issued in the spring of 1925

➦In 1947...“Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy“, expanded to length of their ABC Radio Networks shows to 30-minutes and aired three-times weekly.  The program had been a 15-minute program for 14-years.

➦In 1964...The Beatles were in concert at Empire Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, playing to 20,261 fans.

The Bill Black Combo, the Exciters, the Righteous Brothers, and Jackie DeShannon opened for the group.  The show was broadcast locally by CKNW 980 AM.

➦In 1965...The Beatles performed two shows at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon.  Mike Love and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys stopped by between shows to meet the group.

➦In 1970...Chart Check:  Bread reached #1 with their first hit--"Make It With You".  That ended a five-week reign for the Carpenters' classic "(They Long To Be) Close To You".  Eric Burdon & War were up to #3 with "Spill The Wine" while the song "War" was at #4 for Edwin Starr.  The rest of the Top 10:  Mungo Jerry with "In The Summertime", Stevie Wonder had #6--"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)", Clarence Carter moved from 16 to 7 with "Patches", Freda Payne's "Band Of Gold", B.J. Thomas moved into the list with "I Just Can't Help Believing" and one of the great One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era*, "Tighter, Tighter" by Alive & Kicking was still alive at #10.

➦In 1990...Orchestra leader David Rose died aged 80. He had the 1962 US No.1 single ‘The Stripper’. He led the band on NBC radio’s Red Skelton Show, and wrote music for the TV series Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza.

➦In 2004...Al Dvorin, the announcer who coined the phrase "Elvis has left the building" while working the King's Seventies concerts, died in a car crash en route home from a Californian Elvis convention.

➦In 2011...Jerry Leiber (left) died in Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, aged 78, from cardio-pulmonary failure. He along with Mike Stoller, wrote many of Elvis Presley's big early hits, including "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock", as well as "Kansas City" for Wilbert Harrison, "Stand By Me" for Ben E. King and "On Broadway" for the Drifters.

➦In 2011...Nickolas Ashford of the duo Ashford & Simpson, who wrote songs such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing", and "I'm Every Woman" with wife Valerie Simpson, died at the age of 70 from throat cancer

➦In 2014...A Philadelphia radio legend, Don Cannon, died at age 74.

R.I.P.: Doctor James Dobson, Radio Hall of Fame Broadcaster

Doctor James Dobson (1936-2025)

Dr. James Dobson, a renowned psychologist and founder of the Christian ministry Focus on the Family, passed away Thursday morning at age 89, according to the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI).

Recognized as one of the most influential Christian leaders of the past 50 years, Dobson advised five U.S. presidents and shaped evangelical perspectives on faith, family, and culture. 

“Dr. Dobson was a trailblazer whose conviction and compassion inspired generations,” said Gary Bauer, JDFI’s senior vice president of public policy. “His leadership equipped countless families to navigate a world of changing values with integrity and truth.”

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936, Dobson dedicated his life to strengthening marriages, parenting, and biblical values, emphasizing the family’s central role in society. In 1977, he founded Focus on the Family in Arcadia, California, growing it into a global evangelical powerhouse before relocating it to Colorado Springs in 1991. In 2010, he established JDFI to continue his mission through a more personal platform focused on broadcasting and teaching.

A Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author, Dobson wrote over 70 books, including The New Dare to Discipline and When God Doesn’t Make Sense, which remain widely read in Christian households. His influence extended to advising Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump, notably serving on Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board in 2016.

Dobson’s legacy endures through his ministries, writings, and unwavering commitment to family and faith.

Howard Stern's 'Summer of Turmoil' Real? Or Stunt?

Are the challenges facing Howard Stern Show real?  Or Is It Just a Stunt?

The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Stern’s 95-person staff was stunned by news that the 71-year-old’s radio career might end by December 2025. Sources claim Stern himself was caught off guard, learning of the rumors via a Google Alert and telling friend Jimmy Kimmel, “This is news to me.”

In response, Stern hastily recorded an “emergency show” the next day, sidestepping the cancellation rumors and simply confirming his return from summer break on September 2, 2025. 

His $500 million, five-year SiriusXM contract, set to expire at year’s end, hangs in the balance.

Since moving to SiriusXM in 2006, Stern’s show has seen a steep decline, with weekly listeners dropping from 20 million in the 1990s to as few as 125,000 today. 

Insiders now allege the “cancellation” narrative was a calculated move by Stern’s team to spark publicity and revive his fading relevance.

One source called the story a “desperate stunt” to boost ratings ahead of Stern’s return. 

“They’re trying to make this go viral to get people to tune in and hear what he says about being ‘fired,’” the insider said. “His numbers are so low they’re scrambling to make him relevant again.”

The source also claimed Stern alienated much of his audience by criticizing Trump voters and telling them he didn’t want them as listeners, prompting this drastic bid to regain attention and boost engagement.

Disney DTC Launches New ESPN Platform Today

Starting Thursday, Walt Disney's ESPN will launch a new app, offering its full sports programming outside traditional pay TV for the first time. The comprehensive platform, a significant expansion from the limited ESPN+ app introduced in 2018, aims to recapture some of the millions of viewers lost since 2010 amid the shift to streaming. 

The app will provide access to over 47,000 live events annually, including NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, college football, tennis, and golf, priced at $30 per month, with an introductory offer bundling ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu for free.

Designed for modern sports fans, the app features personalized content, including a tailored "SportsCenter" show, AI-generated narration using ESPN anchors’ voices, and "Verts"—scrollable, vertical video highlights customized to users’ preferences. 

It also integrates fantasy sports stats alongside live games and includes an ESPN Bet tab for linked betting accounts. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized the app’s interactive experience, stating, “Fans don’t just want to watch—they want to engage.” 

Disney CEO Bob Iger called it “a sports fan’s dream.”

Analysts, like MoffettNathanson’s Robert Fishman, view the app as a strategic move to attract non-cable subscribers without significantly disrupting ESPN’s pay TV base, which dropped from 100 million households in 2010 to 61 million by July 2025. 

ESPN remains a key revenue driver, contributing $1 billion of Disney’s $4.6 billion operating income last quarter, primarily from cable/satellite fees and ads. While pay TV subscribers will also access the app, Pitaro highlighted it as “the most holistic experience” and hopes to migrate all users to it. The app will be promoted heavily, with actor John Cena featured in ads proclaiming, “All of ESPN. All in One Place.” 

Pay TV will continue to be a core part of ESPN’s business.

Disney's ESPN DTC Targets The Drive Time Commuter

Disney's ESPN has launched an aggressive marketing campaign to promote its new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, branded simply as "ESPN," which debuts today. The campaign targets commuters in Los Angeles and New York, aiming to capture attention during morning and evening commutes. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the initiative:

• Advertising Strategy: ESPN is rolling out a four-week advertising blitz focusing on captive audiences in cars and public transit. In Los Angeles and New York, Lyft rides will feature ESPN branding, with the ESPN logo displayed on the Lyft app and maps. Vehicles will be concentrated in high-traffic areas near sporting events, such as those tied to the U.S. Open tennis tournament, to maximize visibility. In New York, ESPN has taken over the E Line of the NYC subway, running from the World Trade Center to Queens, with train exteriors covered in ESPN logos and interiors featuring specific ad messages. Public address announcements at the Spring Street station, near Disney’s Manhattan headquarters, will be voiced by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who earns $20 million annually.

• Purpose of the Campaign: The campaign promotes ESPN’s DTC service, which allows consumers to access ESPN without a traditional cable subscription for the first time. Launched to counter the decline in pay-TV households, the service offers two plans: an Unlimited Plan for $29.99/month, including all ESPN linear networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes), ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, ACCNX, and coverage of 47,000 live events annually, plus studio shows and originals; and a Select Plan for $11.99/month, limited to ESPN+ content like soccer, PGA Tour, NHL, UFC, and select college sports. A bundle with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) is available for $29.99/month for the first 12 months.

The DTC service, a priority under ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro since 2018, responds to cord-cutting trends. The enhanced ESPN app integrates personalized features like “SportsCenter for You,” using AI to deliver tailored highlight reels, similar to NBC’s Peacock during the 2024 Olympics. 

The app also offers stats, betting, commerce, fantasy sports, and multiview options, accessible to both DTC and pay-TV subscribers. A new deal with WWE will bring major events like WrestleMania to the platform starting in 2026. Additionally, ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network and RedZone, with the NFL gaining a 10% equity stake, bolsters its content offerings.

The LA Times reports the campaign coincides with a busy sports calendar, including the NFL season and U.S. Open, amplifying its reach. However, recent carriage disputes, like the one with DirecTV in 2024, highlight tensions with traditional pay-TV providers over rising carriage fees and Disney’s shift to streaming.

DirecTV argued Disney’s move to prioritize DTC platforms, like airing premium content on Hulu before linear channels, frustrates distributors and consumers. Despite this, ESPN’s DTC service is designed to complement pay-TV, with providers like Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV (streaming), Fubo TV, and Spectrum TV offering the Unlimited Plan as part of their packages.

Tampa Radio: Beasley Drops Podcasts For FL Alumni Sports

On August 20, 2025, Beasley Media Group launched a new sports-focused radio station, "Florida Alumni Radio," on 1010 WJBR-AM in Tampa, replacing the previous "Podcast Radio" format. 

This change marks a shift to a Sports/Talk format tailored for Florida sports fans and alumni, with a strong emphasis on local college sports content, particularly from the University of South Florida (USF).

Key Details: 1010 WJBR, based in Seffner, Florida, serves the Tampa Bay market. It transitioned from an all-podcast format to "Florida Alumni Radio," focusing on sports talk and college athletics.

Programming: The station features the regionally syndicated "Miller & Moulton" morning show, hosted by Mark Miller and David Moulton, airing Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. This show originates from Beasley’s 770 WBCN in Fort Myers and is also broadcast in Port Charlotte, Lake City, and Huntsville, AL.

USF Athletics content is a cornerstone, including football game simulcasts (also airing on Beasley’s Classic Hits 104.7 WRBQ), coaches’ shows, alumni news, and special programming.

The station continues to carry Florida State University football games in the Tampa market.

Announced on Monday, Beasley Media Group and USF Athletics entered a multi-year agreement. This partnership extends beyond 1010 WJBR, with USF football broadcasts moving to Beasley’s "Q105" WRBQ-FM as the flagship station starting with the 2025-26 season. It also includes plans for Spanish-language broadcasts on Playa 106.9 FM starting in 2026, with select games possibly airing in 2025.

According to Beasley Tampa VP/Market Manager Ron deCastro, "Florida Alumni Radio is more than a station—it’s a destination for Florida sports fans and alumni to come together and celebrate the teams and traditions they love." 

The station aims to connect alumni, students, and fans in the Tampa Bay area.

Beasley’s Tampa Market Presence: Beasley owns multiple stations in the Tampa Bay area, including 92.5 Maxima, WiLD 94.1, 98.7 The Shark (sold to Educational Media Foundation in June 2025), and 99.5 QYK, which provide promotional support for USF Athletics.

Chicago Radio: WMVP Adds Rich Eisen, Tweaks Line-Up

Good Karma Brands’ “ESPN Chicago” WMVP (1000) has unveiled a new Monday-Friday programming lineup starting September 2, 2025, featuring the return of “The Rich Eisen Show” to ESPN Radio. 

The Emmy-nominated show, hosted by Rich Eisen, will air from noon to 2 p.m. CT, bringing a mix of sports, humor, and pop culture with notable guests like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Robert De Niro. Eisen, a 2023 Marconi Radio Award winner for “Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year,” previously worked with ESPN from 1996 to 2003. 

The new lineup also expands local content with an uninterrupted hour of Chris Bleck and Adam Abdalla from 2 to 3 p.m. CT. 

The full schedule includes:

• 5–6 a.m.: Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty, and Michelle
• 6–9 a.m.: Kap and J. Hood
• 9 a.m.–noon: Carmen and Jurko
• Noon–2 p.m.: The Rich Eisen Show
• 2–3 p.m.: Bleck and Abdalla
• 3–6:30 p.m.: Waddle and Silvy

Danny Zederman, ESPN Chicago’s Director of Content, highlighted the strength of the lineup, noting Eisen’s respected voice in sports and the enhanced local focus with Bleck and Abdalla. 

Good Karma Brands, which operates WMVP under a management agreement with ESPN since 2019 and acquired it outright in 2021, continues to emphasize a blend of national and local sports content for Chicago fans. 

The station is the flagship for the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox, offering extensive coverage of local teams alongside ESPN’s national programming.

NPR's Ari Shapiro Retiring At End of September

Ari Shapiro, a prominent co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered, is leaving the public radio broadcaster at the end of September 2025, after a 25-year tenure, including 10 years hosting the flagship afternoon news program. 

His departure coincides with significant funding cuts to public media, led by President Donald Trump, who successfully pushed for the defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), resulting in a $1.1 billion reduction over two years. 

Despite the timing, Shapiro has emphasized that his decision to leave is unrelated to these financial challenges or the broader issues facing public radio, the news media, or the country. Instead, he cited a personal milestone, noting that he had always envisioned hosting All Things Considered for a decade, a goal he achieved in 2025.

Ari Shapiro

Shapiro, who began his career at NPR as an intern for Nina Totenberg, has had a distinguished run, reporting from diverse locations like the Arctic Circle, Air Force One, and conflict zones in Iraq, Ukraine, and Israel. His work has earned him three national Edward R. Murrow Awards, among other accolades, for coverage on topics like climate change, migration, the Breonna Taylor case, and U.S. asylum policies. He’s also known for his work outside journalism, including performing as a guest singer with the band Pink Martini for nearly 20 years, with plans to tour with them after his NPR exit.

In a Substack post, Shapiro expressed gratitude for his time at NPR, highlighting the organization’s mission to “encourage a sense of active constructive participation rather than apathetic helplessness.” He plans to continue supporting public radio as a listener and hinted at future projects, though he specified his Substack will focus on personal commentary rather than news analysis. NPR’s news chief, Edith Chapin, announced Shapiro’s final show will be September 26, 2025, and noted discussions about potential future collaborations. Chapin herself is also leaving NPR in the fall, alongside other high-profile exits like Susan Stamberg, amid the funding turmoil. NPR plans to announce Shapiro’s replacement soon.

Survey: 59% Of Americans Say Journalists Are Important

A Pew Research Center survey conducted from April 14-20, 2025, with 9,397 U.S. adults, part of the American Trends Panel, provides insights into public perceptions of journalists’ role and influence in society. 

The survey, supplemented by nine online focus groups with 45 adults conducted from June 10-18, 2025, reveals the following key findings:

• Importance to Society: 59% of Americans say journalists are extremely or very important to the well-being of society, with an additional 31% rating them as somewhat important. Only 9% believe journalists are not too or not at all important. Focus group participants echoed this, emphasizing journalists’ role in informing the public and fostering deeper understanding of events, whether medical, political, or otherwise.
• Declining Influence: 49% of respondents believe journalists are losing influence in society, compared to just 15% who say they are gaining influence, and 36% who see no change. This perception is particularly strong among those with higher education: 62% of college-educated respondents say journalists are losing influence, compared to 48% with some college and 36% with a high school diploma or less. Focus groups noted the rise of alternative news sources, like influencers and podcasters, as contributing to this decline.

• Confidence in Journalists: Only 45% of U.S. adults have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in journalists to act in the public’s best interests, while 40% have not too much confidence, and 14% have none at all. Confidence has declined, particularly among Democrats, dropping from 70% in April 2020 to 62% in April 2025. Republicans are far less likely to express confidence and more likely to associate journalists with negative terms like “elitist” or “dishonest.”
• Defining a Journalist: Americans have varied views on who qualifies as a journalist. 79% consider those writing for newspapers or news websites as journalists, but only 65% say the same for TV reporters and 59% for radio reporters. Newer media forms, like opinion hosts or aggregators, create uncertainty about the definition, with some focus group participants referencing traditional figures like Walter Cronkite or fictional characters like Clark Kent.
• Desired Traits: Over 80% of respondents value honesty, intelligence, and authenticity in news providers, with more than 90% emphasizing the importance of deep knowledge of covered topics. Authenticity is debated, with some focus groups associating it with truthfulness, while others see it in alternative providers like podcasters rather than traditional journalists.
• Role Expectations: 90% of respondents say news providers should report accurately, and 84% believe they should correct false or misleading information from public figures. However, only 19% think news providers should definitely seek audience input, with 33% saying they probably should. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support journalists’ watchdog roles, like correcting misinformation.

Cleveland Radio: ESPN WKNR Revamps Line-Up

Good Karma Brands’ Sports “ESPN Cleveland” 850 WKNR in Cleveland is set to launch a new Monday-Friday programming lineup starting September 2, 2025. The updated schedule emphasizes a mix of local and national sports content, maintaining its role as the AM flagship for the Cleveland Browns Radio Network and the Cleveland affiliate for the Ohio State Sports Network. 

Here’s the new lineup:

• 6–9 a.m.: Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty, and Michelle (ESPN Radio national show), with the final hour competing against a YouTube-exclusive hour of The Tony Rizzo Show featuring Tony Rizzo and Chris Oldach.
• 9 a.m.–noon: The Really Big Show with Tony Rizzo, Aaron Goldhammer, and Chris Oldach, a staple of local Cleveland sports talk.
• Noon–1 p.m.: RBS Next with Aaron Goldhammer, Emmett Golden, and Nick Paulus, replacing Rizzo in this slot.
• 1–3 p.m.: The Next Level with Emmett Golden, Je’Rod Cherry, and Nick Paulus, moving from its previous 3–6 p.m. slot.
• 3–5 p.m.: Cleveland Browns Daily with Beau Bishop, Nathan Zegura, and Jason Gibbs, shifting from its prior 1–3 p.m. slot to focus on in-depth Browns coverage.
• After 5 p.m.: ESPN Radio national programming fills the remaining time slots, including Freddie & Harry (6–7 p.m.) and Amber & Ian (7–10 p.m.).

Good Karma Brands, which has owned WKNR since 2006, continues to leverage its strong partnership with ESPN, serving as the official home for Cleveland Browns and Ohio State football and basketball. 

The revamped lineup aims to deepen local engagement while maintaining ESPN’s national reach, aligning with Good Karma’s broader strategy as a sports media and marketing company operating ESPN-affiliated stations in multiple markets, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

Mike McVay to Be Honored With NAB Radio Award

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that Mike McVay, president of McVay Media, will be honored with the 2025 NAB National Radio Award. McVay, a celebrated media strategist, programmer, talent coach and industry leader, will receive this prestigious accolade during the NAB Marconi Radio Awards at the 2025 NAB Show New York.

“NAB is thrilled to recognize Mike for his remarkable contributions to the radio industry over the past four decades,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “Mike’s deep expertise, creative vision and unwavering commitment to excellence have shaped countless careers, inspired new generations of broadcasters and driven innovation in every corner of the audio industry. His ability to nurture talent and create programming that resonates with audiences makes him a most deserving recipient of this year’s National Radio Award.”

As president of McVay Media, McVay consults clients across the broadcast, podcasting, streaming and entertainment industries. His firm specializes in content creation, network and syndication programming, podcast development, the development and distribution of digital content, talent coaching and unique media strategy design.

McVay previously served as Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus Media and the Westwood One radio network, overseeing programming for more than 500 radio stations, national network content, podcasts and digital distribution.

Mike McVay

With programming, management, ownership and on-air experience in markets from Los Angeles to Wheeling, West Virginia, McVay has also played a pivotal role in developing and launching multiple nationally syndicated programs. He co-created the nationally syndicated show Delilah and helped launch The John Tesh Show as a daily program, which he continues to consult.

McVay’s career has been marked by a long list of honors, including his upcoming 2025 induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame, recognition as a 2024 Giant of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation and receipt of the 2024 Leadership Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America. His industry accolades also include the Rockwell Award, the Innovation in Music & Media Award, multiple “Top Programmer” rankings from Radio Ink and numerous honors from the Worldwide Radio Summit and Radio & Records. He currently serves on the boards of Country Radio Broadcasters, the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation and the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation, as well as on the Media Committee for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

McVay will be honored on October 21, 2025, at NAB’s Marconi Radio Awards, at The Edison Ballroom, the evening before NAB Show New York.

Edison: HipHop/R&B Leads Daily TSL Minutes

Edison Research’s “Share of Ear” study, a quarterly survey tracking audio consumption among Americans aged 13 and older, provides insights into how music listening varies by preferred genre.

While the provided web results do not include specific Q4 2024 or later data breaking down time spent with music by genre, they offer a broader context of audio consumption trends that can inform this query. 

The following response ia based on available information and general trends from Edison’s research up to Q3 2024, with a focus on music listening and potential genre-based differences.

Key Findings:

Americans aged 13+ spend approximately 75% of their daily audio time listening to music, with the remaining 25% dedicated to spoken word content (e.g., podcasts, news, sports talk).

Music listening is distributed across platforms like AM/FM radio, streaming services (e.g., Spotify, Pandora), owned music, YouTube, SiriusXM, and TV music channels.

Platform Preferences: Streaming music accounts for 18% of the daily audio time for Americans aged 13+, a significant increase from a decade ago, reflecting a shift from owned music (e.g., CDs, iTunes downloads) to “rented” streaming subscriptions. In 2017, streaming and owned music each accounted for 50% of music listening, but by 2024, streaming dominates with a 76% share compared to 24% for owned music.

AM/FM radio remains the largest single source of audio consumption, capturing 36% of the daily audio day, with a significant portion of music listening occurring via radio, especially in cars (86% of in-car ad-supported audio).

YouTube is also a notable platform for music, particularly for younger audiences, though specific genre breakdowns are not detailed in the results.

Younger listeners (ages 13-34) are more likely to use digital platforms like streaming services and YouTube for music. For example, among 18-34-year-olds, 50% of daily listening is to ad-free audio, often through subscription services like Spotify.

Hispanics, particularly those aged 18-34, show a strong preference for streaming platforms, with podcast listening (which can include music-related content) surpassing AM/FM radio as the top ad-supported audio platform for this group. This suggests a potential for genre-specific music preferences (e.g., Latin music) to influence streaming habits.

Among African Americans, AM/FM radio dominates, but specific music genre preferences are not detailed in the results.

Edison’s research suggests that music genre preferences vary by platform and demographic. For example, AM/FM radio often caters to genres like country, classic hits, or pop, which are popular among older listeners or in-car audiences, while streaming platforms like Spotify are more likely to reflect diverse genres like hip-hop, pop, or Latin music, especially among younger users.

Radio History: Aug 21

➦In 1900... Announcer Ken Carpenter born (Died – October 16, 1984). He was best known for being the announcer for singer and actor Bing Crosby for 27 years.

Ken Carpenter

Carpenter moved to Hollywood in 1929, one year after resolving to move there after listening to radio legend Graham McNamee call the Rose Bowl. In 1930, he was a newspaper copywriter. Not long afterward, he became a staff announcer for KFI radio. As part of that job, Carpenter announced USC and UCLA football games for the Pacific Coast and the NBC radio networks from 1932 until 1935.  In 1935, Carpenter announced the Rose Bowl for NBC radio. Carpenter became the color man for Bill Stern for all NBC-originated radio programming from Los Angeles from 1938 until 1942, which included the Rose Bowl.

In 1936, Carpenter became Crosby's announcer after Crosby began hosting the Kraft Music Hall radio variety program. Carpenter continued to announce for Crosby on various programs for the next 27 years. Crosby famously once called Carpenter "the man with the golden voice." Carpenter also announced for Al Jolson and Edgar Bergen as well.  By virtue of his extensive announcing career, he wound up with uncredited roles in well-known movies, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Susan Slept Here. He was also the narrator for producer Jerry Fairbanks' theatrical short-subject series Unusual Occupations, released by Paramount Pictures from 1938 through 1948.

From 1949 until 1952, Carpenter was the announcer for the NBC Radio sitcom The Halls of Ivy. He was also the announcer for Lux Radio Theater from 1952 through the end of the series in 1955; from 1955 until 1957, Carpenter hosted NBC's Lux Video Theatre program during its summer seasons. Other programs for which Carpenter was an announcer on radio included The Great Gildersleeve, The Chase and Sanborn Program (featuring Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy) and a stint on The Life of Riley from 1947 through 1949.

He died following a brief illness Oct. 16 1984 at age 84.

➦In 1923...Sportscaster Chris Schenkel born (Died at age 82 – September 11, 2005).  Over the course of five decades he called play-by-play for numerous sports on television and radio, becoming known for his smooth delivery and baritone voice.

Chris Schenkel 1964

He began his broadcasting career at radio station WBAA while studying for a premedical degree at Purdue University where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He worked in radio for a time at WLBC in Muncie, IN and then moved to television, in Providence, RI, and in 1947 began announcing Harvard football games. For six years he did local radio and called the Thoroughbred horse races at Narragansett Park.

In 1952, Schenkel was hired by the DuMont Television Network, for which he broadcast New York Giants football and hosted DuMont's Boxing From Eastern Parkway (1953-1954) and Boxing From St. Nicholas Arena (1954-56), replacing Dennis James as the network's primary boxing announcer.

Schenkel was at the microphone for DuMont's last broadcast and its only color telecast, a high school football championship game held on Thanksgiving in 1957.

He then moved to CBS Sports, where he continued to call Giants games, along with boxing, Triple Crown horse racing and The Masters golf tournament, among other events. Along with Chuck Thompson, Schenkel called the 1958 NFL Championship Game for NBC. He was the voiceover talent for the first NFL Films production ever made, the 1962 NFL Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants.

ABC Sports hired Schenkel in 1965, and there he broadcast college football, Major League Baseball, NBA basketball, golf and tennis tournaments, boxing, auto racing, and the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. He became widely known for covering professional bowling, mainly for the Professional Bowlers Association (with the program becoming known as the Professional Bowlers Tour). He covered bowling from the early 1960s until 1997

➦In 1924...Sportscaster Jack Buck was born (Died from lung cancer at age 77 – June 18, 2002).  He was best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. His play-by-play work earned him recognition from numerous Halls of Fame, such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the National Radio Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum.