Cumulus Media announces that its Fresno, CA, station NewsTalk 580/105.9 KMJ teamed with local agriculture company GAR to present the 12th Annual Feeding Families Fund Drive and raised a record-breaking $534,917 for the Central California Food Bank.
The one-day community fundraiser put the powerful KMJ on-air, digital, and live event platform to work for Central California families living with food insecurity and hunger. KMJ broadcast live from The Market in Fresno on Friday, September 19th. The popular annual event has raised more than $35 million for the Central California Food Bank and has provided 25 million meals to area families over its 12-year history.
The 2025 Feeding Families Fund Drive drove donations from generous individuals and local businesses, including Fresno Madera Farm Credit/CoBank, which donated $30,000. GAR added a whopping $100,000 to bring the final total raised to $534,917. The funds generated by the Feeding Families Fund Drive will provide more than 2.1 million meals for the less fortunate in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
Karen Musson, Managing Partner, GAR, said: “We are truly grateful for the Central Valley's generosity in surpassing our expectations to help feed our Valley families struggling with hunger. Thank you to our sponsors, growers and donors for supporting the Feeding Families Fund Drive with millions in donations and providing 25 million meals since 2014.”
Patty Hixson, Vice President/Market Manager, KMJ, commented: “Our listeners continue to overwhelm me with their generosity and graciousness. We are so thankful for them and for the GAR team, who always assist us in taking care of those people in need in our community. Such a blessing to have these incredible partners!”
Beasley Media Group has launched La Tricolor on 93.5 FM | 99.1 FM | 105.1 HD2 in the Motor City. The new Spanish-language station officially debuted on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
La Tricolor showcases the best in Regional Mexican music and current hits from iconic and rising artists including Banda MS, Calibre 50, Banda El Recodo, La Arrolladora, Alta Consigna, Alfredo Olivas, and more.
In addition to delivering an authentic music experience, the station will broadcast Spanish-language coverage of the NFL, including Sunday Night and Monday Night Football, Thanksgiving Day matchups, Christmas Day games, Playoffs, and the Super Bowl.
➦In 1906..William N. Robson born in Pittsburgh (Died at age 88 – April 10, 1995). Robson spent most of his career involved with radio. His radio debut came in 1936 as director of Big Town. He succeeded Irving Reis as head of the Columbia Workshop.
William Robson
Perhaps the most notable of Robson's productions was Suspense, followed closely by the similarly formatted Escape. Suspense lasted more than two decades on the air with more than 900 episodes broadcast. Ronald L. Smith wrote about Suspense and Escape in his book, Horror Stars on Radio: The Broadcast Histories of 29 Chilling Hollywood Voices: "Both used the same format: a challenging (if anonymous) host introducing a story of murder or perhaps classic horror. Robson favored adaptations of anything from Poe tales to a good yarn in the latest issue of Esquire magazine."
Robson left CBS in 1939 to become director of an advertising firm's radio department, and after the United States entered World War II he helped to prepare broadcasts for the Office of Emergency Management and the War Production Board. He returned to CBS in May 1942 to help the network prepare programs related to the war.
On June 22, 1950, a pamphlet called Red Channels appeared, focusing on the field of broadcasting. Robson was among 151 entertainment industry professionals (erroneously) named in the context of "Red Fascists and their sympathizers". During the ’50′s he wrote TV dramas, and in 1961 joined The Voice of America, where he was reunited with Edward R. Murrow, and won four Peabody Awards.
➦In 1935...“The O’Neills” first aired. The serial drama also aired on Mutual, CBS and NBC Red and Blue from 1934 to 1943. Created by actress-writer Jane West, the series was sponsored at various times by Gold Dust, Ivory Snow and Standard Brands.
➦In 1937...The radio series Grand Central Station started a long run long run on the major networks from 1937 to 1954. Each program opened with an announcer intoning that Grand Central was "the crossroads of a million private lives, a gigantic stage on which are played a thousand dramas daily."
➦In 1944...the first broadcast of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet was heard on the CBS radio network. The show would continue on radio until 1953 and on ABC-TV from 1952 to 1966.
“Hi Mom, Hi Dad, Hi Dave, Hi Ricky.”
Ozzie & Harriet
When Red Skelton was drafted in March 1944, Ozzie Nelson was prompted to create his own family situation comedy. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched October 8, 1944 on CBS, it moved to NBC in October 1948, then made a late-season switch back to CBS in April 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949 to June 18, 1954.
In total 402 radio episodes were produced. In an arrangement that amplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television, the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network the option to move their program to television. The struggling network needed proven talent that was not about to defect to the more established and wealthier networks like CBS or NBC.
The Nelsons' sons, David and Ricky, did not join the cast until the radio show's fifth year (initially appearing on the February 20, 1949 episode, ages 12 and 8, respectively). The two boys were played by professional actors prior to their joining because both were too young to perform.
➦In 1956...Yankees pitcher Don Larsen throws a perfect game as New York beats Brooklyn Dodgers, 2-0 in Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. Vin Scully with the call..
➦In 1963..The Beatles song "Love Me Do" was released in Britain.
The Country Music Association (CMA) has revealed the winners of the 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in country music radio. This morning, CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Tucker Wetmore personally called the winning radio stations and broadcast personalities across the U.S. to share the exciting news.
These awards, among the highest honors in country radio, recognize excellence in broadcasting based on aircheck performance, ratings, community involvement, leadership, and impact.
Below is the complete list of 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards winners:
🎤CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year
Weekly National: “Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” (Lon Helton) – LH Productions
Daily National: “The Rob and Holly Show” (Rob Stone and Holly Hutton) – Audacy
Major Market: “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, and “Dubs” Michael Wilczynski) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
Large Market: “The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
Medium Market: “Mo & StyckMan” (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market: “Ben & Arnie” (Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.CMA Radio
📻Station of the Year
Major Market: KKBQ – Houston, Texas
Large Market: WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market: WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
Small Market: WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
The CMA Broadcast Awards are categorized by market size based on Nielsen population rankings. Broadcast Personality of the Year entries are evaluated on aircheck quality, ratings, community involvement, biographical details, and industry impact.
Radio Station of the Year candidates are judged on aircheck, ratings, community engagement, leadership, and influence. Eligible entries were open to full-time, on-air broadcast personalities and radio stations in the U.S. and Canada, regardless of CMA membership.
A panel of distinguished broadcast professionals from various market sizes and regions judged the entries, with tabulation overseen by Deloitte. Note that 2024 winners were ineligible to compete in the same category in 2025.
Celebration at the CMA AwardsWinners will be honored during the Pre-Telecast Ceremony of “The 59th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Lainey Wilson, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 8/7c on ABC. For more details, visit cmaawards.com.
Bari Weiss, the 41-year-old journalist appointed Monday as CBS News’ editor in chief, is stepping into a challenging role as she aims to overhaul the network’s left-leaning reputation, sources told The NY Post.
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who confirmed Weiss’ hire and the $150 million acquisition of her outlet, The Free Press, emphasized restoring “balance” to CBS News’ flagship programs, including “60 Minutes,” “Face The Nation,” and “CBS Sunday Morning.”
However, insiders warn that Weiss, known for her contrarian stance against mainstream media, faces resistance from a newsroom entrenched in its ways and skeptical of change.
“It’s a snake pit,” a former CBS News staffer said, noting that some veteran employees may resist reform to the point of risking the brand’s failure. Another predicted that internal leaks could undermine Weiss, citing her lack of TV experience and managerial background. “She will implode because she has no experience in TV whatsoever,” they added.
Weiss must navigate a workforce nostalgic for CBS’ storied past, tied to legends like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, while also managing newer hires loyal to CBS News president Tom Cibrowski, a former “Good Morning America” executive producer brought on in March to complement Weiss’ role.
“She’s a complete outsider,” another ex-CBS source said, highlighting Weiss’ lack of experience in broadcast production. Yet, a more optimistic insider believes Weiss’ charm and journalistic talent could win allies, though she’ll need to replace those unwilling to adapt and build a trusted team to succeed.
Weiss reports directly to Ellison, while Cibrowski reports to George Cheeks, head of Paramount’s TV Media group, a structure already causing friction within CBS. Some view Ellison’s choice of Weiss as a move to disrupt traditional journalism, with one former employee noting he “doesn’t seem to care about establishment or legacy journalism.”
Taylor Swift made her seventh appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, just three days after the release of her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. This marked her first U.S. late-night TV interview since November 2022, when she promoted Midnights. The episode, which aired at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, featured Swift as the lead guest alongside actress Keri Russell and musical guests The Format.
The interview, clocking in at a record-breaking 50 minutes—the longest in The Tonight Show's history—delved deep into The Life of a Showgirl, Swift's creative process, and personal anecdotes. Swift arrived channeling the album's "sequins are forever" aesthetic in a shimmering silver mini dress by Giuseppe Di Morabito, paired with sparkling accessories for full "Mirrorball"-level glamour. She shared a warm hug with Fallon before diving in.
Key moments included:
✔Album Deep Dive: Swift broke down tracks like "Wood" (her self-described "horniest" song to date), explaining it started from an "innocent place" but evolved into something bolder. The studio audience sang along enthusiastically to snippets of "Opalite," "Wood," and "The Fate of Ophelia."
✔Super Bowl Rumors: Addressing speculation about turning down the halftime show, Swift explained her loyalty to Kelce's NFL season: "We’re always able to tell [Jay-Z] the truth, which is that like, I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field... The whole season I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field. Can you imagine if like he’s out there every single week like putting his life on the line... and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo should be.’" She emphasized it wasn't about Kelce—he'd love for her to perform—but her focus on his "violent chess" of a sport.
📹 | Taylor Swift addresses rumors that she turned down the Super Bowl Halftime Show
“I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field, like that is violent chess…The whole season I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field.” pic.twitter.com/qJp7SiQJe8
✔Engagement Details: Swift opened up about Kelce's elaborate proposal, describing it as a surprise that incorporated elements from her music and their shared history, leaving Fallon and the audience in awe.
In a fun segment, Swift revealed her recent consumptions: her last text was to Selena Gomez, and her last movie was Paul Thomas Anderson's awards contender One Battle After Another, where she gushed over stars Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor, joking, "How are they going to split the Oscar in half?"
While not billed as a musical guest, fans speculated about a surprise song, given past precedents like her emotional 2017 debut of "New Year’s Day" as a tribute to Fallon's late mother. None materialized, but the extended runtime allowed for more intimate storytelling.
The NFL is facing a surge of backlash for selecting Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio MartÃnez Ocasio) as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The announcement, made on September 28, 2025, by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation (Jay-Z's entertainment company), has ignited a firestorm primarily from conservative and MAGA (Make America Great Again) circles.
Critics argue the choice disrespects "American values," promotes anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activism, and prioritizes a Spanish-language performer over English-speaking artists. This has led to boycott calls, viral social media outrage, and even threats of ICE presence at the event—though the White House has denied any such plans
. The backlash has escalated rapidly over the past week, amplified by Bad Bunny's weekend, Saturday Night Live (SNL) monologue where he mocked detractors, joking that "everyone is happy about it, even Fox News" and challenging non-Spanish speakers to "learn" before the show.
Key Reasons for the BacklashThe criticism centers on Bad Bunny's identity, politics, and recent decisions, framed by opponents as unpatriotic or "woke." Here's a breakdown:
Pre-announcement speculation was minimal, but post-September 28, coverage spiked. By Monday, SNL's monologue has generated fresh waves, with X posts surging (e.g., 20+ recent threads calling for boycotts). Reddit's r/OutOfTheLoop thread exploded with 308 votes discussing Trump/Republican upset and ICE memes.
Fans on X: "Boycott? We'll buy every seat you give up." Some threaten counter-boycotts if the NFL caves. Rolling Stone called it "subversive" amid anti-Latino sentiment.
On Monday's episode of ABC's The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg made controversial remarks about the upcoming Super Bowl LXI halftime show. The event is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featuring Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny (real name: Benito Antonio MartÃnez Ocasio) as the headliner.
Bad Bunny's selection sparked backlash from conservative figures, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who criticized the NFL for booking him and called for English to be made the official U.S. language. Bad Bunny himself addressed the controversy during his October 4 hosting stint on Saturday Night Live, expressing excitement about the performance and mocking critics in both English and Spanish.
No, I’m not making this up…
Whoopi Goldberg just reacted to our reporting on ICE being at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show by encouraging attendees to slather on cocoa butter, bake in the sun, and adopt a Latin accent so ICE can’t tell anyone apart.
The remarks were a direct response to statements from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. In a recent interview on conservative commentator Benny Johnson's podcast, Noem announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would have a significant presence at the Super Bowl to ensure "everybody goes to the Super Bowl, has the opportunity to enjoy it, and leaves."
She framed it as protecting "law-abiding Americans" and criticized the NFL for selecting Bad Bunny, whose recent U.S. tour skips were partly due to concerns over ICE encounters for his fans. Noem's comments were seen by critics as racially motivated, especially amid a recent Supreme Court decision overturning Biden-era restrictions on law enforcement questioning people based on appearance, language, or accents.
During The View's "Hot Topics" segment, co-host Joy Behar highlighted Noem's threats, accusing her of racism for targeting the event due to Bad Bunny's Latino heritage: "Do you think that she would go if it was Garth Brooks or Eminem or Taylor Swift or any other white person?!" Behar also referenced the Supreme Court ruling, claiming it permits profiling based on "dark skin" or "Spanish accents." Goldberg interjected, questioning how ICE would identify targets, leading to her provocative suggestion.
Goldberg proposed a satirical "experiment" for Super Bowl attendees—particularly white fans—to troll Noem and ICE by blending in: "Here’s the thing, everybody—get a little cocoa butter, sit in the sun, that’s the first thing."
"And then—and this is the only time you can probably ever do this—give yourself a Latin accent, and just see if she can tell who’s who."
The studio audience responded with a mix of applause, laughs, and awkward silence. Behar enthusiastically endorsed it, calling it "a good idea".
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump aide, pivoted uncomfortably to the high cost of tickets (starting at $7,000), underscoring that such antics might not reach the intended crowd.
Goldberg framed it as a way to expose perceived racial profiling.
On MSNBC's Morning Joe on Monday, host Joe Scarborough—a longtime liberal commentator and former Democratic congressman—strongly condemned the texts during a segment discussing their potential impact on the broader Democratic ticket, particularly Spanberger's gubernatorial bid. Scarborough described the messages as "horrible" and "beyond disqualifying," arguing they reveal a mindset unfit for public office.
Jerrauld "Jay" Jones, a former Democratic Virginia House of Delegates member, is the Democratic nominee for Virginia Attorney General in the 2025 election against incumbent Republican Jason Miyares. The race is part of a high-stakes off-year contest that includes the gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Democratic challenger Abigail Spanberger.
Virginia's elections are seen as a bellwether for national trends, and this scandal erupted just weeks before the November 4, 2025, vote.
The controversy stems from leaked text messages from August 2022, first reported by National Review and later amplified by the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). In the messages, sent to then-Republican Del. Carrie Coyner shortly after the death of moderate Democratic Del. Joe Johnson Jr., Jones vented frustration over Republican condolences for Johnson, which he viewed as insincere amid debates on gun control.
The texts included graphic violent fantasies:
Jones wrote: "Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head." He added: "Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time."
In a particularly disturbing exchange, he mused about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) suffering: "I want Gilbert to watch his kids die in his wife's arms... That's the only way he'll change his mind on guns."
Jones did not deny the texts' authenticity when contacted but issued an apology on October 4, 2025, stating he takes "full responsibility" for the "regrettable" private messages and emphasizing his public record of service. However, he has refused to withdraw, signaling he will continue the campaign.
Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports NFL analyst Mark Sanchez, 38, is now facing felony charges following his involvement in a physical altercation early Saturday morning in downtown Indianapolis.
The confrontation occurred around 12:30 a.m. in an alleyway near Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery, between the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Sanchez, who was in town to broadcast the Indianapolis Colts' Week 5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 5, allegedly initiated the fight while intoxicated. He confronted a 69-year-old truck driver who was parked in a loading dock to collect used cooking oil from a restaurant.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Marion County Court, surveillance footage from the Marriott shows Sanchez approaching the driver's door of the box truck and engaging in a conversation that escalated. Sanchez allegedly entered the truck unlawfully, leading to a struggle where he battered the driver—causing injuries including bruises and cuts that required hospitalization. The driver, acting in self-defense, pepper-sprayed Sanchez and then stabbed him multiple times in the upper torso with a pocket knife. Sanchez stumbled away from the scene, bleeding heavily, as captured in newly released surveillance video obtained by the New York Post, showing him wandering down a sidewalk before collapsing.
JUST IN: Former NFL Quarterback Mark Sanchez seen stumbling after being stabbed in Indianapolis in footage obtained by the New York Post.
Sanchez is now facing felony charges following an alleged fight with a 69-year-old grease truck driver.
Sanchez was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition but stabilized by Saturday afternoon. The truck driver was also hospitalized for his injuries but released. No charges have been filed against the driver, who cooperated with police.
Legal DevelopmentsSanchez was arrested at the hospital on Saturday, October 4, and initially charged with three misdemeanors: battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. He posted a $300 cash bond and was released from custody later that day, though he remained under medical care. On Monday, Marion County prosecutors upgraded the battery charge to a Level 5 felony (battery causing serious bodily injury to a person over 65), which carries a potential sentence of 1–6 years in prison if convicted. The upgrade stems from evidence that Sanchez's actions caused significant harm to the elderly victim.
ESPN has denied the report that has barred Paul Finebaum, 70, is a longtime sports radio host and ESPN personality best known as "the voice of the SEC" from appearing on shows.
Finebaum September 29 publicly revealed in an interview with conservative sports outlet OutKick (founded by Clay Travis) that he's seriously considering a Republican bid for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat in 2026. The seat is being vacated by incumbent Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), a former Auburn football coach who announced his run for Alabama governor instead.
Finebaum, who has no prior political experience, said the idea initially came from "one or two people in Washington" who texted him to gauge his interest—something he "never thought about before."
What sparked his shift? Finebaum cited the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk (31), founder of Turning Point USA, on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Kirk, known for campus debates on hot-button issues, was killed in a shooting that Finebaum described as an "awakening." He recounted feeling "numb" and "empty" while hosting his show that weekend, realizing sports felt irrelevant amid national turmoil.
"I spent four hours numb talking about things that didn’t matter to me," he told Travis. Finebaum also revealed he's a registered Republican (previously in North Carolina and Alabama) and voted for President Donald Trump in the most recent election, though ESPN instructs talent not to discuss politics on air.
He expressed hesitation due to rumors about former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl (a personal favorite) running, but Pearl retired on September 28, 2025, and ruled out a Senate bid. Finebaum praised Alabama as the place where he's "felt the most welcome" and "cared the most about the people."
He expects a decision within 30-45 days, ahead of Alabama's January 26, 2026, qualifying deadline for the May primary.
Since the disclosure ESPN has canceled Finebaum's network appearances on all shows, including some that have occurred for a decade plus."
Travis, citing unnamed sources, suggested this was retaliation for Finebaum's political disclosures, drawing comparisons to ESPN's tolerance of Stephen A. Smith's Democratic presidential flirtations. AL.com and On3 quickly corroborated the claim, noting Finebaum's absence from his usual Sunday SportsCenter recap slot (a decade-plus staple) and Monday's First Take after a massive college football weekend.
However, he did appear on ESPN-affiliated platforms over the weekend. Bill Hofheimer, ESPN's Vice President of Communications, quote-tweeted Travis: "This is not true at all." A spokesperson added that Finebaum remains fully active, with scheduled appearances on First Take (Tuesday, October 7) and SportsCenter (weekend). ESPN emphasized his ongoing role on SEC Network programming, which it owns. Travis stood by his sources, questioning absences and implying Hofheimer's denial was above his "pay grade."
As of Monday , the MLB playoffs are in the early stages, with the Wild Card Round concluding on October 1 and the League Division Series (LDS) underway. The 12-team postseason features high-stakes matchups like Cubs vs. Brewers (NL), Yankees vs. Blue Jays (AL), Dodgers vs. Phillies (NL), and Tigers vs. Astros (AL).
Early ratings data indicates continued momentum from the 2025 regular season, which saw double-digit viewership gains across platforms—building on the 2024 postseason's 63% World Series surge. While full playoff numbers are emerging, broadcasters report strong starts, with total viewing minutes on MLB.TV already up 15% from comparable 2024 periods. This positions MLB for robust media negotiations ahead of 2028 rights expirations.
The playoffs are broadcast nationally on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, FOX, and FS1, with streaming on MLB.TV and services like DirecTV or Sling TV. Attendance at playoff games is up 5% from 2024's Wild Card, driven by faster games (avg. 2:37) and star appeal.
Key Viewership Highlights (Early Playoffs)Preliminary data through October 5 shows solid gains, particularly in big-market games:
✔Wild Card Round: Averaged 3.1 million viewers across ESPN/ABC, up 14% from 2024's 2.72 million. The Red Sox-Yankees AL Wild Card Game 1 drew 6.52 million on ESPN, the highest Wild Card opener since 2018 (+25% YoY).
✔Division Series (Ongoing): Early LDS games averaged 3.8 million, with FOX/FS1 up 12% from 2024. Yankees-Blue Jays Game 1 hit 4.2 million, boosted by Aaron Judge's home run drama.
✔Streaming Boost: MLB.TV postseason minutes are pacing +20% YoY, with mobile app traffic +22%—the highest early-playoff start ever.
These figures reflect a fragmented ecosystem, with linear TV holding steady while streaming captures incremental growth. Full LDS and LCS data will solidify by mid-October, but trends mirror the regular season's +10-29% partner gains.
Focus on Younger Demographics (18-34)
The 2025 playoffs are amplifying MLB's youth renaissance, with the 18-34 demo leading gains—a critical shift for a sport historically skewed older (median fan age ~53).
Early data shows:
✔Viewership Spikes: +45% in 18-34 for Wild Card games on ESPN (+21% overall), extending TBS's regular-season +69% youth surge. MLB Network's playoff previews drew +15% in this group.
✔Streaming Dominance: MLB.TV's 18-34 usage is up 28% YoY, with 60% of postseason streams from mobile devices—fueled by social clips (e.g., Judge's highlights trending on TikTok/Instagram, +35% engagement).
✔Ticket and Engagement Trends: Single-game buyers aged 18-34 rose 12% in playoffs (avg. age 42, down from 45 in 2024). A league survey notes 82% of young fans cite shorter games and international stars (e.g., Ohtani's Dodgers-Phillies hype) as hooks.
Broader Momentum: Regular-season youth viewership hit records (e.g., MLB.TV's 9 most-trafficked days in 2025), correlating with +108% youth participation since 2015. Platforms like Roku's MLB Zone (+20% youth traffic) and Apple TV's Friday games underscore digital-first appeal.
Nielsen Audio released the first batch of its September 2025 Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings on Monday. This monthly survey period covers listening from August 21 to September 17, 2025, and focuses on the 12 largest U.S. radio markets (often referred to as "Day 1" markets).
These markets represent over 40% of the U.S. population aged 12+ and are measured electronically via PPM devices. The release provides average quarter-hour (AQH) share data for persons 6+ (P6+) and other demos like 25-54, highlighting station performance trends.
This batch continues to reflect the ongoing impact of Nielsen's January 2025 methodology update, which lowered the minimum creditable listening session from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. This change has boosted overall AM/FM radio audiences by capturing shorter tuning occasions (previously unmeasured at ~23% of sessions), leading to higher shares across formats without major shifts in relative performance.
Here's a breakdown of the leading stations (P6+ AQH share) in each market, with notable changes from August 2025:
Broader Trends:
✔Overall Audience Growth: Consistent with prior months, the three-minute qualifier continues to inflate shares (e.g., +19% in Spring 2025 PPM markets vs. Fall 2024). Total P6+ listening in these markets rose ~5-7% YoY, with weekends and nights showing double-digit gains in key demos like 25-54 Hispanics (+12%) and Blacks (+12.2% nights).
✔Format Winners: AC remains dominant in 7/12 markets (e.g., WLTW, KRTH, WLIT), bolstered by the methodology change. Hot AC (KDMX, KBIG) and Urban AC (KMJQ, WVEE) posted the biggest jumps. Sports (WIP, KTCK) benefited from seasonal events.
✔Challenges: CHR (KIIS-FM, WIOQ) mixed, with some slips; Country dipped in a few spots (KOST, KSBJ). Spanish/Regional Mexican holds strong in CA/TX markets.
✔Demo Notes: 25-54 shares aligned closely with P6+, but AC and news/talk overperform in adults. No major disruptions from events like back-to-school or early fall programming shifts.
Nick Kayal, the dynamic morning host of Audacy's Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia, celebrated the third anniversary of his show Kayal & Company by announcing a multi-year contract extension to stay in mornings. The deal, which he shared via a heartfelt X post, ensures he'll continue delivering his signature blend of conservative commentary, local Philly flavor, and high-energy banter through at least year four and beyond.
In his X post, Kayal expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, writing: "As many of you know, Friday, we celebrated our 3-year anniversary of Kayal & Company @1210WPHT! So as we begin year number 4, I am very excited to announce that I have signed a NEW, Multi-Year contract extension with @Audacy to continue doing mornings in Philadelphia!"
He spotlighted key collaborators, including co-hosts Dawn Stensland and Greg Stocker (WPHT's brand manager), who joined him when he took over mornings in 2022 after Rich Zeoli shifted to afternoons. Kayal also thanked Audacy Philadelphia Market Manager David Yadgaroff for finalizing the deal, along with executives Dave Scopinich and Rob Kaloustian.
The WPHT Line-Up:
The station dropped syndicated shows like Sean Hannity in 2022 to prioritize Philly-rooted content.
SummitMedia announced that Carletta Blake is the new brand manager for WKHK (K95). In addition, she serves as an on-air talent and member of the company’s National Country Programming Team.
In this role, Blake ensures the sound, messaging and community presence consistently K95’s identity and strategic goals. She brings two decades of experience and passion to Country music with her.
Carletta Blake
“I’m honored to be a part of WKHK’s legendary history and am excited to be a part of the innovative radio at SummitMedia,” Blake said.
Blake spent the past five years as program director and on-air talent for iHeartMedia’s WGAR in Cleveland. Her prior stops include WNCB/Raleigh, WRNS/Greenville, NC and then-Country KTYS/Dallas.
“We are excited to have Carletta’s passion and experience join our team,” said Randy Chase, SummitMedia’s executive vice president “Her knowledge and industry relationships will help us grow our legendary brand in Richmond.”
