Twin Cities Radio: Chris Eagan's Plate Just Got Fuller

Hubbard Radio has promoted Chris Eagan to Vice President of Brand & Content for Hot AC KS95 (KSTP-FM), giving him permanent oversight of the iconic Minneapolis/St. Paul station.

Eagan, who already leads Hubbard Chicago’s Millennial Hits Throwback 100.3 (WTBC-FM) and Hot AC 101.9 The Mix (WTMX), has been guiding KS95 on an interim basis since longtime Brand & Content Manager Mat Mitchell exited in January.

Eagan joined Hubbard Chicago in December 2024 after serving as Cox Media Group SVP of Audience & Programming. 

Rigorous Review of Foreign Investment Urged In PSKY-WBD Deal

FCC Commissioner Calls for National Security Review of Foreign Investments in Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

The sole Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday urged a rigorous review of foreign ownership in the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, citing serious national security concerns.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned that sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are set to invest in the combined company, which would control CBS broadcast stations and major cable news outlets including CNN.

Anna Gomez

"There are serious, unresolved questions about how this foreign investment may jeopardize national security, and this commission has a legal obligation to answer them," Gomez said. "The American public deserves to know who owns the airwaves that carry their news."

She expressed alarm over what she described as an effort to "rubber stamp a financial structure that places nearly half of one of America’s largest broadcast and media companies into the hands of foreign governments with documented records of press suppression and a troubling willingness to silence journalists."

The call comes after Paramount Skydance asked the FCC last month to approve foreign investments backing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount has said the family of CEO David Ellison would retain control of voting shares.The investors include Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Abu Dhabi-based L'imad Holding Company, and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Paramount has argued the deal and new equity would strengthen its television operations and help it navigate industry challenges.

Religious Broadcasters Urge FCC Caution

National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is urging the FCC to investigate controversial remarks made on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last month, but the group is firmly opposing the FCC’s move to fast-track early license renewal reviews for eight Disney-owned television stations.

NRB emphasized that it does not support the agency’s accelerated review of Disney’s licenses. 

The organization stressed the need for a “stable” and “predictable” regulatory environment, especially for faith-based broadcasters operating in a fast-changing media landscape.

R.I.P.: Ted Turner, Dead at 87

Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III died peacefully Wednesday, surrounded by his family, according to a spokesperson for the family. He was 87. 

The Ohio-born Atlanta businessman, known as “The Mouth of the South,” built a vast media empire that included cable’s first superstation, popular movie and cartoon channels, and ownership of the Atlanta Braves. He revolutionized television news in 1980 by launching CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network that delivered real-time coverage from around the globe.

In 1991, Time magazine named him Man of the Year for turning viewers in 150 countries into “instant witnesses of history.” Turner later sold his networks to Time Warner but often called CNN his “greatest achievement.”

Beyond media, Turner was an accomplished yachtsman, a leading philanthropist who founded the United Nations Foundation, and an activist dedicated to eliminating nuclear weapons. A passionate conservationist and one of the largest private landowners in the United States, he played a major role in reintroducing bison to the American West and created the Captain Planet cartoon series to teach children about the environment.

Turner and Fonda

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” said Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide. “He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand.”

He had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder similar to Alzheimer’s disease. The once irrepressible talker often remained quiet at his few public appearances late in life. But at his 80th birthday party in Atlanta in 2018, he took the stage in front of hundreds of family members and friends, including actress Jane Fonda, the ex-wife that referred to him as her favorite ex-husband.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Turner ranks as perhaps the most significant and influential business leader in Georgia since Coca-Cola magnate Robert Woodruff. By launching the 24-hour news channel CNN in Atlanta, rather than in a bigger, more prominent metropolis, he bestowed an unlikely level of international attention on a city aching for such a spotlight. 

He reflected Atlanta’s underdog punch-above-its-weight-class attitude. And like many Atlantans, he was a transplant.

Entravision Reports Surge In Net Revenue

Entravision Communications reported a 114% surge in consolidated net revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, driven by explosive growth in its Advertising Technology & Services (ATS) segment.

Net revenue in the ATS segment skyrocketed 204% year-over-year, fueled by higher monthly active advertisers and increased revenue per advertiser, thanks to AI platform enhancements and expanded sales efforts. 

The Media segment grew a more modest 4%, supported by gains in digital advertising and retransmission fees that offset declines in broadcast advertising and spectrum rights revenue.

“Our ATS results reflect strong execution on our AI investments and sales expansion,” said Michael Christenson, Chief Executive Officer. “We also continued to strengthen our balance sheet by repaying $5 million on our bank term loan.”

Streaming, Parks Drive Disney Earnings

Walt Disney Co.’s experiences division, which includes its theme parks and cruise line, reported solid growth in its fiscal second quarter despite broader concerns about discretionary spending and rising gas prices.

The division generated $9.5 billion in revenue, up 7% from a year earlier, with operating income rising 5% to $2.6 billion for the quarter ended March 28. 

Domestic parks and experiences drove much of the gain, posting $6.9 billion in revenue, a 6% increase, thanks to higher guest spending. The cruise business benefited from added capacity with the launch of two new ships.

Overall company results showed continued momentum. 

Scrooge McDuck

Disney reported total revenue of $25.2 billion, a 7% increase from the prior-year quarter. Operating income rose 4% to $4.6 billion, income before taxes climbed 9% to $3.4 billion, and adjusted earnings per share reached $1.57, up from $1.45 a year ago.

The entertainment segment led growth, with revenue climbing 10% to $11.7 billion. 

Streaming services (Disney+ and Hulu) delivered $5.5 billion in revenue, up 13%, fueled by subscriber growth, higher subscription prices, and increased advertising. Streaming operating income surged 88% to $582 million. 

Strong theatrical performances from “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Zootopia 2,” and “Hoppers” also boosted results.

Disney’s sports segment, including ESPN, posted more modest gains with revenue of $4.6 billion, up 2%. However, operating income fell 5% to $652 million due to higher sports rights costs and the absence of UFC pay-per-view revenue from the prior year.

NYTimes Reaches 13.1M Subscribers

The New York Times Company reached 13.1 million subscribers, adding roughly 310,000 digital-only subscribers in the first quarter, the company reported Wednesday.

The Times is on track to hit its goal of 15 million total subscribers by the end of 2027. It has averaged 330,000 new subscribers per quarter, including print, since the beginning of 2025.

Total revenue for the quarter rose 12% year-over-year to $712.2 million. Adjusted operating profit jumped 27.2% to $117.9 million, while adjusted operating costs increased 9.4% to $594.3 million.

Digital-only subscription revenue grew 16.1% to $389 million. Digital advertising revenue rose 31.6%. Average revenue per digital-only user increased 2.4% to $9.77.

Print subscription revenue continued to decline, falling 1.1% to $127.8 million. Print subscribers dropped to 560,000 from 600,000 a year earlier.

Revenue from AI licensing deals, Wirecutter affiliate referrals, and other sources increased 7.8% to $68.5 million.

Meredith Kopit Levien, the company’s chief executive, said the results showed “strong demand for the uncompromised journalism and premium lifestyle content.”

For the second quarter of 2026, the Times expects digital-only subscription revenue to rise 14% to 17%, digital advertising revenue to grow in the high teens, and adjusted operating costs to increase 8% to 9%.

The company ended March with $1.1 billion in cash and marketable securities.

Philly Radio: Longtime PD/Host Mark Razz Retiring from Country WXTU

Beasley Media Group announces that longtime radio personality and programming leader Mark “Razz” has decided to retire, with his final day at the station set for Friday, May 22, 2026.

Razz began his career with the company on March 6, 2006, and over the past 20 years has become a beloved voice in the Philadelphia market. He has entertained listeners on WXTU-FM for more than 16 years, most recently hosting middays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Razz on the Radio. Since 2019, he has also served as Program Director, helping guide the station’s continued success while previously contributing as Assistant Program Director and Music Director.

Prior to joining WXTU, Razz spent six years as Afternoon Drive host at WMMR-FM from 2000 to 2006—capping an impressive 26-year career in Philadelphia radio, including 20 years at WXTU.

'America At Night' Adds 25 Affiliates

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announced today that America at Night with McGraw Milhaven has added 25 new affiliates since the launch of the show in December, expanding the show’s national footprint to 280 affiliates coast to coast.

New station partnerships include WCCO-AM (Minneapolis), KTRS-AM (St. Louis), WPRO-AM (Providence) and KCMO-AM (Kansas City), along with stations in Portland, Raleigh-Durham, Oklahoma City, Spokane, and Colorado Springs, further strengthening the program’s reach in major and influential markets.

McGraw Milhaven

Broadcasting live each weeknight from 9:00 p.m. to midnight ET, America at Night with McGraw Milhaven delivers appointment listening for late-night audiences, featuring host McGraw Milhaven’s signature mix of compelling interviews, sharp analysis, and positive energy listener interactions. Milhaven brings both authority and approachability to national late-night talk radio—offering a fresh, contemporary voice grounded in experience.

Each night, the program tackles the stories driving the national conversation, spanning politics, breaking news, culture, sports, and entertainment. Milhaven engages directly with listeners and newsmakers alike, creating dynamic, unscripted conversations that inform, challenge, and connect audiences across the country.

For more information or to get America at Night with McGraw Milhaven for your station, visit: HERE or contact: Stuart Greenblatt sgreenblatt@WestwoodOne.com 212.419.2946.

Good Morning: The Pulse For Wednesday, May 6

Radio Broadcasting

Hubbard Radio Promotes:  Chris Eagan named Vice President of Brand & Content for Hot AC KS95 (KSTP-FM), giving him permanent oversight of the iconic Minneapolis/St. Paul station. Eagan, who already leads Hubbard Chicago’s Millennial Hits Throwback 100.3 (WTBC-FM) and Hot AC 101.9 The Mix (WTMX), has been guiding KS95 on an interim basis since longtime Brand & Content Manager Mat Mitchell exited in January.

Beasley Media Group:  Longtime Philly radio personality and programming leader Mark “Razz” has decided to retire, with his final day at the station set for May 22. Razz began his career with the company on March 6, 2006, and over the past 20 years has become a beloved voice in the Philadelphia market

Entravision Communications Earnings: The compoany reported a 114% surge in consolidated net revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, driven by explosive growth in its Advertising Technology & Services segment.

NextKast OnAir, Optimized Media Partner For Automation Installation

NextKast OnAir, the all-in-one radio automation and music scheduling platform, today announced a strategic alliance with Optimized Media Group (OMG), a leading broadcast consulting and engineering firm, to provide end-to-end installation, configuration, and deployment services for radio stations worldwide.

NextKast OnAir is built as a unified platform, combining automation, music scheduling, voice tracking, streaming, AI, remote management and broadcasting, and traffic integration without the need for multiple third-party systems. In addition, its -StudioLink Web Interface allows remote access to the automation system from any Web browser device.

Optimized Media Group brings extensive experience in broadcast system design, integration, and operational workflows. The collaboration creates a seamless, turnkey solution for broadcasters transitioning to modern automation.

Radio History: May 6

➦In 1911...Frank Brandon Nelson born (Died from cancer at age 75 – September 12, 1986). He was a comedic actor best known for playing put-upon foils on radio and television, and especially for his "EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?" catchphrase.

He made numerous guest appearances on television shows, including The Addams Family, The Jack Benny Program, I Love Lucy, The Real McCoys, and Sanford and Son. He also provided voices for animated series such as The Flintstones, Mister Magoo, The Jetsons, Dinky Dog, and The Snorks.

Frank Nelson

Nelson began his entertainment career in radio, and later moved into television and movies. In 1926, at age 15, Nelson played the role of a 30-year-old man in a radio series broadcast from the then-5,000-watt KOA-AM Dener.  In 1929, Nelson moved to Hollywood, California and worked in local radio dramatic shows, usually playing the leading man. The first sponsored radio show he appeared in to reach a national market was Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, a situation comedy radio show that aired from November 28, 1932, to May 22, 1933, starring two of the Marx Brothers, Groucho and Chico, and written primarily by Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman.

Nelson first found fame as the put-upon foil to Jack Benny on Benny's radio show during the 1940s and 1950s. Nelson typically portrayed a sales clerk or customer service worker.

Nelson performed on a number of Hollywood-based radio shows during this time, including Fibber McGee and Molly, and did radio work well into the late 1950s, on the few shows that remained on the air, including dramatic roles on such programs as Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

Nelson continued to appear on Benny's television show in 1950, doing the same "rude clerk" shtick. His other catchphrase, that would be worked into every routine, would have Benny asking something mundane, such as, "Do these shirts come in a medium?", and Frank would bellow, "Oo-oo-oo-ooh, DO they!" He also appeared on several other radio programs. Nelson's sudden appearances usually led to spontaneous laughter or applause on the part of the audience.

Orson Welles

➦In 1915...George Orson Welles born  (Died – October 10, 1985). He was an actor, director, writer and producer who worked in theatre, radio and film.

Second Judge Blocks DOJ From Examining WaPo Reporter's Devices

A federal judge in Virginia ruled Monday that the Justice Department cannot examine electronic devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, marking the second time courts in the Eastern District of Virginia have rejected the government’s efforts.

U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga rejected the Justice Department’s request to search Natanson’s phone, computers and other devices, which the FBI seized in January during an investigation into a government contractor accused of leaking classified material.

Trenga’s ruling upholds a previous decision by a magistrate judge, which the Trump administration had appealed. The magistrate had determined that the court — not the Justice Department — should review the devices for relevant information and provide it to investigators.

In his decision, Trenga dismissed the government’s arguments, stating that the prolonged seizure is preventing a journalist from doing her job. He also ruled that having the court conduct the search does not interfere with investigators’ work.

The government had argued that Justice Department employees are best equipped to handle data that may contain classified information and that barring law enforcement from performing the search undermines a core executive branch function. Trenga, appointed by President George W. Bush, rejected each of those claims.

Elon Musk Settles SEC Lawsuit For $1.5M

Elon Musk has agreed to settle a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit accusing him of violating securities laws by failing to timely disclose his growing stake in Twitter in 2022, with a trust in his name paying a $1.5 million civil penalty.

The settlement, filed Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., resolves the SEC’s January 2025 lawsuit without Musk admitting or denying wrongdoing. It does not require him to repay any alleged savings from the delay.

The SEC alleged that Musk waited 11 days beyond the legal deadline to disclose that his stake in Twitter (now X) had exceeded 5% in late March and early April 2022. Federal rules require investors to publicly disclose ownership above that threshold within 10 calendar days.

According to the SEC, the delay allowed Musk to continue buying additional shares at artificially low prices before the announcement on April 4, 2022, when the stock jumped more than 27%. 

Regulators claimed this move disadvantaged other shareholders and enabled Musk to save approximately $150 million. The proposed settlement still requires approval by a federal judge.

Musk began accumulating Twitter shares in early 2022 as part of his path to acquiring the company for $44 billion later that year. The disclosure issue became a focal point in the SEC’s scrutiny of the high-profile takeover.

This marks the latest chapter in Musk’s long-running tensions with the SEC, including a prior 2018 settlement over his “funding secured” tweet about taking Tesla private. Musk’s legal team has described the $1.5 million penalty as minor for a late filing.