Singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78, her spokesperson has said.
Born in December 1946, she was known for hits like As Tears Go By, which reached the UK top 10 in 1964, and for starring roles in films including 1968's The Girl On A Motorcycle.
She was also famously the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 1960s, inspiring songs such as Wild Horses and You Can't Always Get What You Want. After a period of heroin addiction in the 70s, she resurrected her career with the classic album Broken English.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull," a statement said.
"Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family.
The BBC reports the singer had previously suffered multiple health problems, including bulimia, breast cancer and emphysema caused by decades of smoking. In 2020, she contracted Covid-19 and was hospitalized for 22 days.
Doctors said they did not expect her to survive - but she pulled through, releasing her 21st album, She Walks in Beauty, a year later.
Her story is a remarkable portrait of the rock and roll era.
UPDATE 11AM: More than 60 feared dead after jet hits helicopter, crashes into Washington river . . . More than 60 people were feared dead after an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday and crashed into the frigid Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport.
"At this point we do not believe there were any survivors," District of Columbia fire chief John Donnelly said at a Thursday press conference. Donnelly said 28 bodies had been recovered from the river so far, in what was shaping up to be the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than a decade.
Russian ice skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the American Airlines plane that crashed into the Potomac River in Washington on Wednesday night, Russian state media reported.
Shishkova and Naumov, who were married to each other, won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994 and had reportedly lived in the United States since at least 1998, where they trained young ice skaters.
Two Boston teenage skaters, their mothers, and two coaches from the Skating Club of Boston were among the 64 killed in Wednesday’s mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight and a US Army helicopter in Washington D.C.
Doug Zeghibe, executive director of the Skating Club of Boston, identified the dead during a briefing Thursday: Skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, who were accompanied by their mothers, Jin Han and Christine Lane, respectively.
Earlier Story...
At least 27 bodies have been pulled so far from the frigid and icy Potomac River after a Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air with a commercial plane, splitting it in half, near Reagan National Airport in Virginia Wednesday night.
Flight 5342, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operating for American Airlines and traveling from Wichita, Kan., collided with the military chopper while approaching Runway 33 at the Washington airport around 9 p.m., according to the NY Post citing statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
US figure skaters were aboard the American Airlines flight that collided with a military helicopter Wednesday night, according to a report. Several coaches and parents of the skaters were also on the flight from Wichita to Reagan National Airport, USA Figure Skating said.
"US Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.," the organization told The Post.
"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available"
The skaters were a part of the National Development Team and had competed at the US Figure Skating Championships.
Rescue crews and divers are actively searching the Potomac River — which was a perilous 35 degrees — for the 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the American Airlines flight and the three soldiers traveling in the military chopper, with first responders recovering the remains of at least 27 people, according to CBS News.
No survivors have been found, the outlet added.
The Army UH-60 helicopter involved in the crash was based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, according to the Army and Pentagon, with the flight reportedly a training exercise, Fox News reported.
The military chopper, which can carry 15 people, was not believed to have been transporting any VIPs, a defense official told CNN.
Chilling audio from Air Traffic Control captured the moment the flight safety agency reported the horrific mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a Blackhawk military helicopter.
On Wednesday night, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter exploding in a fiery impact as it approached Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.
FULL plane/helicopter collide in Washington DC via the Kennedy Center EarthCam. Very strange incident. pic.twitter.com/CtM1JESEaO
In a recording of air tower communications at the time of the horror collision, captured by LiveATC.net, an aircraft can be heard calling the tower just seconds after the CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew got in touch.
“Tower, did you see that?” one air traffic controller asked, referring to the collision.
Another air traffic controller then redirected all aircraft heading to runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National airport to go around.
“Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three,” one of the air traffic controllers can be heard saying in the audio.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls,” President Trump said in a statement.
“Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
This is the first major passenger plane crash in the US since 2009. The D.C. area is home to some of the most tightly controlled airspace in the country, and Reagan National Airport has one of the busiest runways in the US. Last year, there was a near-miss at Reagan Airport, when an American Airlines jet came within 1,300 feet of another plane on the runway, prompting an FAA investigation.
SiriusXM today announced its fourth quarter and full-year 2024 operating and financial results, including revenue of $2.19 billion and $8.70 billion, respectively, representing declines of 4% and 3%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023. The company reported net income of $287 million for the fourth quarter and a net loss of $2.08 billion for the full year 2024, compared to net income of $228 million and $988 million in the prior year, respectively. Earnings per diluted common share were $0.83 and $(6.14) for the fourth quarter and full-year 2024, respectively, compared to $0.67 and $2.77, respectively, in the same periods in 2023.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, adjusted EBITDA totaled $688 million, a 4% decline from $715 million in the same 2023 period. For the full year 2024, adjusted EBITDA was $2.73 billion, reflecting a 2% decline compared to $2.79billion in the prior year. The decrease was driven by declines in subscriber revenue, partially offset by lower costs of services, personnel-related costs, sales and marketing, product and technology and general and administrative expenses. The company maintained a stable adjusted EBITDA margin of 31%. "At the end of 2024, we took significant steps to refocus on SiriusXM’s core strengths and enhance operational efficiency," said Jennifer Witz, Chief Executive Officer.
Jennifer Witz
"By prioritizing our core in-car subscription business, leveraging our streaming capabilities, and growing our leadership in ad-supported audio, we are well-positioned to deliver long-term value. Looking ahead, we are energized by the opportunities to build on this strategy and continue offering unparalleled audio experiences through our platforms."
SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Sirius XM Holdings operates two complementary audio entertainment businesses — one of which is referred to as “SiriusXM” and the second of which is referred to as “Pandora and Off-platform.” Further information regarding these two segments will be contained in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. The financial highlights below exclude the impact of share-based payment expense.
SiriusXM Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Segment Highlights
SiriusXM Total Subscribers of 33 Million
SiriusXM added approximately 149,000 self-pay subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 18,000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full-year 2024, self-pay subscribers decreased by 296,000, an improvement over the full-year decrease of 445,000 self-pay subscribers in 2023. SiriusXM ended 2024 with approximately 33 million total subscribers. Paid promotional subscribers declined by 79,000 during the fourth quarter and declined by 353,000 for the full-year 2024. The SiriusXM trial funnel reached approximately 7.3 million by the end of 2024, compared to 7.2 million in 2023 and 6.8 million in 2022. Self-pay monthly churn for the fourth quarter of 2024 finished strong, decreasing to 1.5%, down 10 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2023. Full-Year Revenue of $6.6 Billion
In 2024, SiriusXM's total revenue was $6.6 billion, a 4% decrease from 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by a 4% reduction in subscriber revenue, attributed to a smaller average base of self-pay subscribers; a 6% decline in equipment revenue; and a 6% decline in other revenue. Additionally, for the full-year 2024, Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) decreased by $0.35 to $15.21, reflecting the impact of a growing number of self-pay streaming-only and promotional subscriptions, lower rates from automakers offering paid promotional plans, and a 1% decline in advertising revenue.
Full-Year Gross Profit of $3.9 Billion
Total cost of services at SiriusXM was $2.6 billion for 2024, a 2% decrease compared to the prior year. Gross profit at SiriusXM totaled $3.9 billion, a decrease of 6% compared to the $4.2 billion recorded in 2023, producing a gross margin of 60%, one percentage point lower than the prior year.
SiriusXM and Maxar Space Systems have announced the SXM-9 satellite has completed in-orbit testing and is now fully operational by SiriusXM after being successfully launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on December 5, 2024.
“The successful implementation of SXM-9 and expected launches of SXM-10, -11 and -12 will strengthen the health of our satellite fleet for decades to come and allow our team to continue innovating far into the future.”
“The successful implementation of SXM-9 and expected launches of SXM-10, -11 and -12 will strengthen the health of our satellite fleet for decades to come and allow our team to continue innovating far into the future.”
“At Maxar Space Systems, we take pride in partnering with innovative companies like SiriusXM that push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Chris Johnson, CEO of Maxar Space Systems. “The Maxar 1300™ platform is designed with mission adaptability and reliability in mind, making it an ideal choice for the requirements of SXM-9 and the upcoming SXM-10, -11 and -12 satellites. Maxar remains committed to delivering high-quality solutions that allow our customers to innovate and achieve their long-term objectives.”
SXM-9 will help provide continuous reliable delivery of SiriusXM’s audio entertainment and information services to consumers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. SXM-9 is the tenth high-powered, digital audio radio satellite built by Maxar Space Systems for SiriusXM and is built on the Maxar 1300™ platform. SXM-9 is more than 27 feet tall and over 100 feet long with its solar arrays deployed, and weighed almost 6,400 kg at launch. SXM-9 features a large unfurlable S-band reflector antenna supplied by L3Harris that enables SiriusXM programming to reach approximately 167 million SiriusXM-equipped vehicles on the road today.
SiriusXM and Maxar Space Systems previously announced that Maxar Space has been commissioned to build the SXM-10, -11 and -12 satellites for SiriusXM, and those programs are ongoing with the expected launch of SXM-10 to occur later this year.
During the week of January 20-26, FOX News Channel (FNC) secured its highest-rated week across total day since the week of the 2020 Presidential Election.
In primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC soared to 3.9 million viewers and 549,000 in the 25-54 demo, commanding all of cable with viewers. In total day (6AM-6AM/ET), FNC posted 2.6 million viewers and 386,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX News Media’s coverage of the inauguration of President Donald Trump was the most-watched in cable news history with nearly 12 million viewers.
FOX News’ daytime programs including Outnumbered, America’s Newsroom, The Story, America Reports and The Faulkner Focus all beat ABC’s The View with viewers. The Five was the most-watched show in cable with 5.8 million viewers.
For the week, The Five averaged 5.8 million viewers and 770,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with viewers.
At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 4.8 million viewers and 709,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 4.5 million viewers and 681,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 5.1 million viewers and 749,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 5 million viewers and 741,000 with A25-54. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 2.5 million viewers and 436,000 in the 25-54 demo.
During its debut week, FNC’s The Will Cain Show at 4 PM/ET averaged 3 million viewers and 359,000 in the 25-54 demo. Its first episode on Tuesday commanded 3.5 million viewers making it the most-watched daytime debut in FOX News history.
At 10 PM/ET, FNC’s late-night offering Gutfeld! secured 3.8 million viewers and 563,000 with A25-54 making it the top cable news program in the younger demo. Gutfeld! once again topped the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (1,994,000 P2+; 367,000 A25-54), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1,527,000 P2+; 249,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1,077,000 P2+; 241,000 A25-54).
FNC also saw a number of its daytime programs outrank the broadcast competition including ABC’s The View. Most notably, Harris Faulkner’s The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 3,472,000 P2+), America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 3,145,000 P2+), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12-1 PM/ET; 2,838,000 P2+), The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 2,753,000 P2+), America Reports with Sandra Smith and John Roberts (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 2,664,000 P2+) and all led ABC’s The View (2,610,000 P2+) with viewers.
On Saturday, FOX News Live (Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM/ET) was the most-watched show of the day with 2.3 million viewers and 285,000 in the 25-54 demo. Life, Liberty & Levin (Saturday, 8 PM/ET) led in primetime commanding 2.1 million viewers. The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 6-8 PM/ET) drew just under 2.3 million viewers and 272,000 in the 25-54 demo.
On Sunday, Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures was the top show of the weekend with 2.5 million viewers and 287,000 in the 25-54 demo. Life, Liberty & Levin led in primetime with 1.4 million viewers.
Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Week of 1-20-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54, P18-49. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.
Thursday’s FireAid benefit concert is the biggest of the many local events raising money for victims of L.A.’s devastating wildfires. The show, which will take place at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Inglewood, counts Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo and Green Day among the many headliners. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to watch and donate.
When is FireAid?
The LA Times reports the show begins with a live broadcast at the Kia Forum at 6 p.m. PST. The Intuit Dome portion of the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Which acts are performing, and where?
At the Forum, you’ll find Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and the Black Crowes.
At the Intuit Dome, you can see Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae.
Where is it streaming?
Pretty much everywhere you would watch TV. It will be broadcast live across: Apple Music and AppleTV, DirecTV, Disney+, Hulu, FanDuel, Max, Netflix, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Peacock, NBC News Now, Prime Video and Twitch. It’ll also stream on SiriusXM, SoundCloud, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Veeps, X and YouTube. iHeartRadio will host a broadcast on more than 860 radio stations and its iHeartRadio app.
If you want to make a night out of it, select AMC and Regal locations nationwide are broadcasting the event in movie theaters.
Who is producing FireAid?
The music management titans in the Azoff family, with producing partner Live Nation and operating partner the L.A. Clippers.
Where will my money go if I donate?
Donations made to FireAid will be overseen by the Annenberg Foundation, focusing on both short-term relief efforts and long-term fire prevention projects. Additionally, Connie and Steve Ballmer (owners of the Clippers and the Intuit Dome and Forum) are matching all donations made during the broadcast.
Despite reporting a higher-than-expected loss of broadband subscribers and stagnation in paid subscribers for its streaming service, Peacock, Comcast exceeded Wall Street's fourth-quarter forecasts on Thursday.
The focus on cable companies' broadband sector has been intense, as these services continue to generate significant revenue and profit, yet are experiencing a downturn in customer growth due to fierce competition from wireless providers, among other challenges.
According to CNBC, streaming services have also been a key area of interest. While profitability has become the new benchmark for success, the industry has seen a spike in subscriber numbers thanks to the introduction of more affordable, ad-supported options.
During the fourth quarter, Comcast disclosed a loss of 139,000 residential broadband customers, exceeding the 100,000 loss anticipated by Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson at a December investor conference. On the investor call, Comcast President Mike Cavanagh described the broadband subscriber loss as "disappointing and worse than what we indicated in early December."
For Peacock, Comcast reported 36 million subscribers for the quarter, an increase from the previous year but unchanged from the last quarter. Wall Street analysts, according to StreetAccount, had forecasted 37.56 million paid subscribers.
Following the announcement, Comcast's stock fell over 8% in premarket tradin
Here's a summary of Comcast's performance for the quarter compared to LSEG's analyst estimates:
Earnings per Share: 96 cents adjusted vs. 86 cents expected
Revenue: $31.92 billion vs. $31.64 billion expected
The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces that the RADIO HALL OF FAME Nominating Committee will accept suggestions for 2025 nominees beginning Saturday, February 1, 2025, through Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59pm PST. To submit suggestions for possible honorees for consideration by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, please visit www.radiohallfofame.com.
The 2025 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in Chicago on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
24 names will be selected as nominees to be voted upon by industry personnel later this year, leading to the selection of the 2025 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Class.
Dennis Green, Co-Chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame, stated: “We look forward to hearing from people across the country to advance names of outstanding broadcasters worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. 2025 marks the 37th year of bestowing the honor of Radio Hall of Fame induction on those who left an indelible mark and had a lasting impact on the radio industry. It will be an honor, along with my colleague Kraig Kitchin, to lead the Nominating Committee once again during the selection process.”
Kraig T. Kitchin, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame, commented: “The input from fellow radio industry members and listeners alike helps our Nominating Committee contemplate so many more individuals worthy of a nomination. We’re grateful for the input and the ideas offered.”
The Radio Hall of Fame was founded by the Emerson Radio Corporation in 1988. The Museum of Broadcast Communications took over operations of the Hall in 1991.
Fox, the broadcaster of this year’s Super Bowl matchup, originally sought about $7 million for 30 seconds of ad time during the game, the highest-rated event in the United States.
But according to CNN, corporate demand has surpassed even Fox’s expensive ambitions. The network has sold at least 10 of its Super Bowl commercial spots for upward of $8 million each, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to CNN.
The $7 million figure was already a record, so $8 million sets the bar even higher for next year’s game, given that the Super Bowl is a one-of-a-kind sports and media spectacle. Despite pressures in almost every other part of the television industry, the Super Bowl just keeps growing.
The $8 million deals were done relatively recently, the source said, after some expected sponsors sought to give up their ad time slots.
Companies pull their advertisements out of the Super Bowl for all sorts of reasons: Sometimes they reserve time months in advance but then conclude that they don’t have the perfect 30-second message to spend the money on. This year, the California wildfires caused one sponsor, State Farm Insurance, to step back.
There are no true take-backs however; the companies that reserved Super Bowl time and opt not to use it wind up with ads on other Fox programs at other times, instead.
In any case, there were more than enough companies eager to replace them, which is why Fox was able to command $8 million.
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Tuesday reintroduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge.
“As we witness more tragic climate change-induced disasters like the wildfires in Los Angeles, broadcast AM radio continues to be a critical tool for communication. AM radio is a lifeline for people across the country for news, sports, and especially emergency information,” said Senator Markey. “Tens of millions of listeners across the country have made clear that they want AM radio to remain in their vehicles. Our AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act heeds their words and ensures that this essential tool doesn’t get lost on the dial.”
“During weather disasters or power outages, AM radio is consistently the most reliable form of communication and is critical to keep millions of Texans safe. AM radio has long been a haven for people to express differing viewpoints, allowing free speech and our robust democratic process to flourish for decades. I am honored to once again partner with Sen. Markey on this bipartisan legislation on behalf of our constituents who depend on AM radio and public airwaves for access to news, music, talk, and emergency alerts,” said Senator Cruz.
After TikTok went dark on January 18th, 2025, and rose again the day after, creators on the platform got a taste of how many eyes they stand to lose if it were gone permanently, but what about ears? As discussions around the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. continue, it's worth examining just how many are using the platform for podcast listening and discovery.
Edison Podcast Metrics™ has captured upward momentum for TikTok's role as a place to access podcasts.
In their most recent update, Edison reports that 20% of the American podcast audience ever listens through the short-form video platform, an increase from 17% in Q4 2022 when we first asked podcast listeners about TikTok. As expected, TikTok’s role is more prevalent among younger listeners.
Thirty percent of podcast listeners in the 13-24 age range engage with TikTok to tune into their shows, up from 26% in Q4 2022. Given TikTok’s short-form video experience, users are likely reporting listening to clips rather than full episodes on the platform. This allows podcasters to connect with current listeners and highlight the most engaging moments of their content to promote to would-be listeners.
The Gen Z Podcast Listener Report from Edison Research and SXM Media highlights the platform's critical role in how consumers uncover new shows. As of 2023, 75% of Gen Z podcast listeners age 13-24 reported using TikTok. Among them, 80% discovered podcasts through their TikTok feeds, meaning it was the second most popular social media app for podcast discovery after YouTube among this group.
Social video on platforms like YouTube or TikTok continues to plays an outsize role in the lives of young viewers, at the expense of traditional premium, according to Hub Entertainment Research’s annual Video Redefined survey.
TV Technology reports the survey found that young people spend more time watching “non-premium” online video than they do regular TV shows, consumers aged 13-24 estimate that 21% of all their entertainment screen time goes to non-premium video, compared to just 16% spent on traditional TV shows. In contrast, consumers age 35+ spend 39% of their screen time on TV shows – more than twice as much as they spend on online videos (14%).
“While consumers embrace social video as essential entertainment, many are aware that it may be at the expense of watching longer form TV and movies,” said Jason Platt Zolov, senior consultant at Hub and one of the study authors. “Studios have an opportunity to continue to lean into short-form to build connections with audiences - but bringing consumers back to longer-form content can potentially deepen engagement with brands in meaningful ways.”
“These findings underscore why YouTube became the first streaming platform to crack 10% share of total viewing on Nielsen’s Gauge,” added Jon Giegengack, Hub’s founder and co-author of the study. “The next generation of TV consumers recognize the difference between ‘premium’ and ‘non-premium’ content. They just don’t see premium as inherently ‘better.’ Either one is a perfectly legitimate way to spend the time you have available to watch TV.”
The survey indicated that short-form videos aren’t just filler content – about 60% of all viewers under age 35 say that short videos are just as much fun as “premium” TV. And while phones are still the most common screen for short-form video, respondents said that nearly a quarter of those videos are watched on a TV set.
Yet, the survey also reported that young people still watch TV and that the relationship between social video and TV can be complementary. More than 60% of them say they often watch shows or movies that they discovered for the first time via clips on social platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In contrast, only 35% of viewers over age 35 discovered shows this way, making social video a powerful tool for engaging critical young audiences.
DTS, Inc., a global leader in next-generation audio and a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Inc. has released the Top Most Listened-To Songs In-Vehicle for Q4 2024 based on data gathered by the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal.
“It certainly has been an interesting year for in-vehicle listening. From artists crossing genres to the impressive breakouts of TikTok artists almost eclipsing veteran hitmakers, these lists are just a fraction of the range of insights in-car listening data can provide”
Not surprisingly, the popularity of the top four songs on the U.S. list was reinforced with 2025 Grammy nominations for each. In addition, the Post Malone and Morgan Wallen country collaboration “I Had Some Help,” which placed at #3 on the U.K. list, also scored a nomination, as did Teddy Swims (for Best New Artist), who regained a spot in the U.S. and the U.K. top five lists with “Lose Control” after dropping off the list in Q3. The fourth quarter also saw the return of big-name artists to the top five, including Billie Eilish, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.
Xperi also highlighted the top five most listened-to songs in-vehicle for the year overall, which underscored the year’s key trends:
Genre diversity – no one genre dominated the 2024 top five lists
Solo artists – bands and groups were nowhere to be seen in the top five rankings, reflecting a broader industry trend
Crossing genres – multiple artists fluidly transitioned between genres, especially between rap and country
“It certainly has been an interesting year for in-vehicle listening. From artists crossing genres to the impressive breakouts of TikTok artists almost eclipsing veteran hitmakers, these lists are just a fraction of the range of insights in-car listening data can provide,” said Joe D’Angelo, senior vice president of broadcast at Xperi. “The full range of in-car listening data can be a game-changer for broadcasters with its window into real-time listening patterns, duration and station switching behavior. It can help broadcasters better understand their listeners’ true preferences during their daily commutes and road trips, enabling them to optimize programming schedules, refine their content mix and deliver more engaging experiences that keep listeners tuned in longer.”
➦In 1882...the future 32nd US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born at Hyde Park NY. Not only was he the only President elected 4 times, he was the first to use broadcasting (radio) to effectively communicate with his constituency (Fireside Chats)
➦In 1918...David Opatoshu (January 30, 1918 – April 30, 1996) was born in New York City. His father was the Yiddish writer Joseph Opatoshu. He delivered the evening news in Yiddish on New York radio during the World War II years on WEVD. In a span of 40 years guesting on TV he appeared repeatedly in Philco Playhouse, Studio One, Dr. Kildare, The FBI & Medical Center. He died April 30 1996 at age 78
➦In 1927...WADO 1280 AM in NYC signed on as WGL.
This station was owned by the International Broadcasting Corporation. WGL president Colonel Lewis Landes stated on the inaugural broadcast, "The International Broadcasting Corporation's aim is to adhere to truth, to be free of partisanship, religious or political."
WGL was the first station to protest the frequency allocations of the Federal Radio Commission in May 1927. WGL was authorized to move to 1170 AM, but wanted to go to 720, occupied by WOR. When WOR was awarded the 710 frequency, both stations went to court, with WOR eventually winning the case. Finally in June 1927, WGL moved to 1020 AM and shared time with Paterson station, WODA.
In August 1927, studio manager Charles Isaacson announced one of the city's first attempts at local news coverage. WGL was organizing listeners to volunteer as radio reporters and call the station with breaking news stories.
On September 16, 1928, WGL changed calls to WOV and was sold to Sicilian-born importer John Iraci. The WGL call sign was then picked up by a Fort Wayne station, which uses them to this very day.
WOV's initial programming was aimed at a general audience, but by the mid-1930s, it strengthened its ethnic ties and expanded its Italian-language programming to fill the daytime hours. WOV soon became the dominant Italian voice in the Northeast through its affiliation with share-time station WBIL and Iraci's WPEN in Philadelphia.
The station was owned by WOV Broadcasting until 1959, when it was sold to Bartel Broadcasters, at which time the station was renamed WADO. During the day, WADO broadcast R&B music. At night, they ran Italian programming. By 1962, some Spanish programming was run on weekends. By 1963, the only English programming found on WADO was in Sunday religious broadcasts.
In 1964, WADO began broadcasting completely in Spanish from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Italian from 8 p.m. to Midnight. Overnight, Asian programming was run. By 1970, Spanish had replaced the Asian format.
➦In 1933..."The Lone Ranger" was first heard on WXYZ radio in Detroit. The radio show conceived either by WXYZ (Detroit) radio station owner George W. Trendle or by Fran Striker, the show's writer.
The radio series proved to be a hit and spawned a series of books (largely written by Striker), an equally popular television show that ran from 1949 to 1957, comic books, and several movies.
The title character was played on the radio show by George Seaton, Earle Graser, and Brace Beemer. Clayton Moore portrayed the Lone Ranger on television, although during a contract dispute, Moore was replaced temporarily by John Hart, who wore a different style of mask. On the radio, Tonto was played by, among others, John Todd and Roland Parker; and in the television series, by Jay Silverheels, who was a Mohawk from the Six Nations Indian Reserve in Ontario, Canada.
The show was picked up by the Mutual Broadcasting System radio network, and on May 2, 1942 by NBC's Blue Network, which soon became ABC. The last new episode was broadcast September 3, 1954. Recorded repeats of the 1952–53 episodes continued to be aired on ABC until June 24, 1955. George Seaton was the first voice of the Lone Ranger. Jack Deeds and Earle Graser followed in the role.
However, it was Brace Beemer who is best remembered as former Texas Ranger, John Reid. On radio he played the part of the black-masked Ranger, fighting for frontier justice, for thirteen consecutive years. The program ran for 2,956 episodes and finished in 1955.
➦In 1969...Their rooftop concert was the final public performance of the English rock band The Beatles. The band, with keyboardist Billy Preston, surprised a central London office and fashion district with an impromptu concert from the roof of the headquarters of the band's multimedia corporation Apple Corps at 3 Savile Row. In a 42-minute set, the Beatles played nine takes of five songs before the Metropolitan Police asked them to reduce the volume.
David Field is out as president and CEO of Audacy just months after the audio content provider emerged from bankruptcy as a private company.
Philadelphia-based Audacy said Field, who spent 27 years at the helm, will also relinquish his seat on the company’s board of directors. He will serve in a new position as special advisor to the CEO and the board.
The Philadelphia Business Journal reports Kelli Turner, the former chief financial officer of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners, has been installed as interim president and CEO, effective immediately. Turner was named a member of Audacy’s board when the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last fall.
Audacy said the board has launched a search for a permanent CEO.
In a statement, Audacy Chairman Michael Del Nin praised Field for leaving “an indelible mark” on the radio industry and growing Audacy into a “multi-platform audio content and entertainment powerhouse.”
David Field
“He has built a great company with leading positions across the country’s largest markets and an outstanding portfolio of exclusive, premium audio content,” Del Nin said. “Under David’s dedicated leadership, Audacy has been positioned for long-term success, and we look forward to working with Kelli and the entire team as the company begins its next exciting chapter.”
Field touted his record, saying in a statement that the company has grown from $10 million in revenues with 10 radio stations when he joined as president in 1998 into a $1.2 billion, multi-platform audio company that including 220 radio stations. He also said the company had a “very successful” 2024 while navigating the bankruptcy process.
“With the company in a strong competitive and financial position, now is the optimal time to pass the baton to new leadership,” he said.
In a note to Audacy employees, Field acknowledged that “the past few years have been difficult,” attributing it to “the secular headwinds impacting virtually all media companies.” Some critics, though, say Field’s leadership team failed to act boldly enough with cost-cutting when confronted by sagging advertising revenue and rising debt.
Field became president of the company, then called Entercom Communications Corp., in 1998, three decades after his father, Joseph Field, founded it in 1968. The company went public in 1999 and Field added the CEO title in 2002, growing the company into the nation's fifth largest radio station operator.
Audacy filed for bankruptcy protection last January after its financial fortunes plummeted when it took on significant debt and saw its advertising revenue decline after buying CBS Radio in 2018 and trying to digitally transform the company. It is now the second-largest U.S. radio station operator behind iHeartMedia.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston signed off on Audacy’s reorganization plan last February, which turned ownership over to a group of creditors led by Soros Fund Management — a company led by billionaire George Soros — and took the company private after years of being publicly traded. It emerged from bankruptcy on Sept. 30 after earning approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
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