Survey: Dissatisfaction Growing with Streaming Services

A survey highlighted in Deloitte’s 19th annual "Digital Media Trends" report, published on Wednesday reveals growing consumer dissatisfaction with streaming services in the United States. The study, covered by outlets like TV Technology, shows that nearly half of the surveyed consumers (47%) feel they pay too much for their streaming subscriptions, while 41% believe the content offered isn’t worth the cost—a 5% increase from 2024. This marks a shift from the early excitement surrounding streaming, signaling that the industry may be reaching a tipping point where it risks losing younger viewers, particularly Gen Z and millennials, unless it adapts.

The survey points to several pain points driving this frustration. 

A significant 60% of respondents indicated they would cancel their favorite service if prices rose by just $5, reflecting heightened sensitivity to price hikes after years of increases outpacing inflation. For context, the average cost of ad-free subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services has climbed to $16 per month, pushing consumers toward cheaper alternatives. Over two-thirds of Gen Zs and millennials now use free ad-supported TV (FAST) services, and 54% of SVOD subscribers have at least one ad-supported plan, up 8% from the previous year.

Consumers spend about 6 hours with media and entertainment, varies with generation

Beyond cost, the survey underscores a shift in viewing habits. Younger generations are increasingly drawn to social platforms, with 56% of Gen Zs and 43% of millennials finding social media content more relevant than traditional TV shows or movies. About half of these groups also feel a stronger connection to social media creators than to conventional TV personalities, suggesting that streaming services are competing not just with each other but with entirely different entertainment ecosystems. This trend is amplified by the growing influence of the creator economy, which is reshaping audience loyalty in ways traditional media struggles to match.

Deloitte’s findings suggest that media and entertainment companies need to innovate to restore perceived value—whether through personalized content, better use of technology, or new monetization strategies—or risk alienating the next generation of viewers. 

The survey paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads, where rising costs and shifting preferences are fueling consumer discontent, pushing providers to rethink how they deliver entertainment in a crowded and evolving market.

Fox News Is The Go-To Network For Major Advertisers

Since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, Fox News has experienced a significant surge in viewership, drawing blue-chip advertisers back to the network in droves. 

According to a Financial FT report, the Murdoch-owned channel has secured 125 new major advertisers since the U.S. election, including household names like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Netflix, and UBS. This influx marks a sharp departure from Trump’s first term, when many brands distanced themselves from the network’s controversial programming amid consumer backlash and political polarization.

The resurgence is largely attributed to Fox News cementing its position as a go-to platform for Trump’s administration and its supporters, with viewership numbers soaring over the past year. 

Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with users noting the network’s transformation into what some call “state TV for MAGA,” highlighting its alignment with Trump’s agenda and its ability to deliver massive audiences. For instance, since Trump’s second election, Fox News has consistently outperformed rivals, making it “hard to ignore” for advertisers seeking to reach a highly engaged conservative demographic.

This advertising boom contrasts with trends in the broader media landscape, where streaming services face growing consumer dissatisfaction over rising costs, as noted in Deloitte’s 2025 Digital Media Trends survey. 

Fox News, by leveraging its cable dominance and Trump-driven ratings, has positioned itself as a lucrative outlier. The shift also suggests a normalization of Trump’s influence, with brands now viewing Fox as a safe bet rather than a liability—a stark change from the boycotts and hesitancy seen during his first administration. 

TV Revenue Helps Bigger Market MLB Teams

Major League Baseball (MLB) is grappling with a widening financial disparity between its wealthiest and poorest teams, a trend that’s intensifying tensions across the sport as the 2025 season unfolds. 

The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers exemplify the "rich getting richer" narrative, boasting a luxury-tax payroll of $398.2 million—the highest in the league—after an aggressive offseason that saw them sign high-profile players like pitchers Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, and retain outfielder Teoscar Hernández. 

In stark contrast, the Miami Marlins sit at the bottom with a luxury-tax payroll of just $82.6 million, creating a staggering $315.6 million gap between the top and bottom spenders. This disparity, up from previous years under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed in early 2022, is the widest in MLB history and outpaces spending gaps in other major U.S. sports leagues.

The Dodgers’ lavish spending reflects how big-market teams in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Boston leverage massive local revenue streams, including lucrative TV deals and ticket sales, to dominate free agency and infrastructure investments like scouting and analytics. Meanwhile, small-market teams like the Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Pittsburgh Pirates struggle to keep pace, often relying on revenue-sharing checks from wealthier clubs rather than reinvesting in talent. 

The Athletics, for instance, are on pace for one of the worst seasons ever in 2025, with a payroll among the league’s lowest, highlighting how financial constraints can translate to on-field irrelevance.

Widow Sues Fox News Over Ukraine Death of Journalist

Zakrzewski (left), Kuryshynova (right, lower)

The widow of Fox News journalist Pierre Zakrzewski, Michelle Ross-Stanton, has filed a lawsuit against the network following his death in Ukraine on March 14, 2022. 

Zakrzewski, a 55-year-old cameraman, was killed when the vehicle he was traveling in came under fire while reporting near Kyiv during the early stages of Russia’s invasion. The attack also claimed the life of 24-year-old Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova, and severely injured Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall.

Ross-Stanton initiated the legal action in Britain earlier in March 2025, seeking over 9 million pounds (approximately $11.6 million USD). The lawsuit alleges wrongful death and breach of contract, claiming that Fox News failed to adequately protect Zakrzewski and his team despite his prior experience in war zones. 

Specifically, it contends that the network did not conduct a proper risk assessment before the assignment and that a security consultant hired by Fox remained behind while the team ventured into a dangerous area. Additionally, the suit argues that Fox did not hold sufficient insurance to fully compensate Zakrzewski’s family after his death, exacerbating their loss.

Fox News has expressed devastation over Zakrzewski’s death, emphasizing his dedication to covering the war in Ukraine and spotlighting its atrocities. 

Fox News Media Provided the following statement to Media Confidential:

“We remain devastated by the death of Pierre Zakrzewski. His extraordinary dedication to telling the stories of the war in Ukraine placed a critical spotlight on the atrocities there and we are forever grateful for his commitment to journalism and his ultimate sacrifice. We did everything humanly possible in the aftermath of this unprecedented tragedy amid the chaos of a war zone. We disagree with Michelle’s allegations and plan to file our response in May.”

Radio History: March 28

➦In 1924...WGN-AM, Chicago, Illinois, signed-on.

The predecessor to the current WGN was WDAP, which signed on the air on May 19, 1922, and was founded by Thorne Donnelley and Elliott Jenkins. Originally based in the Wrigley Building, the station moved its operations to the Drake Hotel in July.

WGN's main studio in Tribune Tower, circa '30s-'40s

On May 12, 1923, the Zenith Radio Company signed on radio station WJAZ from the Edgewater Beach Hotel. However, after this brief period, the Tribune switched its operations to WDAP, and the Zenith station became WEBH,  the license eventually being deleted on November 30, 1928.

Scope's Trial 1925

Early programming was noted for its creativity and innovation. It included live music, political debates, comedy routines, and some of radio's first sporting event broadcasts, including the Indianapolis 500 automobile race, and a live broadcast of the 1925 Scopes Trial from Dayton, Tennessee. 

In 1926, WGN broadcast Sam & Henry, a daily serial with comic elements created and performed by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. After a dispute with the station in 1927, Gosden and Correll took the program's concept and announcer Bill Hay across town to WMAQ 670 AM and created the first syndicated radio show, Amos 'n' Andy.  WGN 720 AM served as a founding member of the Mutual Broadcasting System.

Over many decades, WGN was a "full service" radio station. The station played small amounts of music during the mornings and afternoon hours, moderate amounts of music on weekends during the day, aired midday and evening talk shows, and sports among other features. The station's music was easy listening/MOR-based until the 1970s, when its switched to more of an adult contemporary-type sound.

Music programming was phased out during the 1980s, and by 1990, the station's lineup mainly consisted of talk shows. In 1961, the WGN radio and television stations moved to a studio facility on West Bradley Place in the North Center neighborhood, a move undertaken for civil defense concerns in order to provide the station a safe base to broadcast in case of a hostile attack targeting downtown Chicago.

Doug Abernathy To Exit Position As Audacy Regional President

Doug Abnernathy exiting Audacy

Doug Abernethy, a longtime Regional President at Audacy, announced his departure from the company on Wednesday, with his final day set for May 9, 2025. Audacy confirmed the exit.

Abernarthy who has been with Audacy for over a decade, originally joining when it was known as Entercom. His departure marks the latest in a series of executive changes at Audacy following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2024 and a broader leadership shakeup.

Abernethy shared the news with Audacy staff via an internal memo on March 26, writing, “It has been a privilege to work alongside you during the past ten-plus years with the company, and for some, my 36 years in the industry.” 

He most recently oversaw the Austin cluster while holding regional oversight for markets including Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Greensboro, Greenville-Spartanburg, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Norfolk, Phoenix, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, and Wichita. His tenure at Audacy began in April 2015 when he joined to lead the Miami-Fort Lauderdale station group, later rising to Regional Vice President in March 2021 after relocating to Austin, Texas.

Before Audacy, Abernethy was Regional Vice President for Urban One from October 2004, managing its Dallas and Houston stations. His move to Audacy in 2015 marked a return to Texas, where he built a reputation for steady leadership. 

His exit follows other recent departures at Audacy, including Chief Operating Officer Susan Larkin, Chief Digital Officer J.D. Crowley, and General Counsel Andrew S's departure was announced alongside the appointment of Kelli Turner as permanent President and CEO on March 17, 2025, signaling a strategic overhaul under new ownership led by Soros Fund Management.

Abernethy gave no specific reason for his exit beyond his own statement about his long career, and no immediate replacement has been named. His announcement coincided with news of Executive Vice President/General Counsel Andrew Sutor’s upcoming departure, indicating further transitions at the company as it navigates a post-bankruptcy landscape.

G.O.P. Lawmakers Grill PBS and NPR

The chief executives of National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)—Katherine Maher (above right) and Paula Kerger, respectively—testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), a part of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The hearing was chaired by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). The stated purpose was to scrutinize the federal funding of NPR and PBS, with the subcommittee questioning whether taxpayer money should continue to support these public broadcasters, alleging biased and partisan coverage.

Katherine Maher, NPR’s President and CEO since March 2024, and Paula Kerger, PBS’s President and CEO since 2006, faced a Republican-led panel intent on challenging the networks’ editorial integrity and public value. The DOGE Subcommittee, inspired by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative, framed the hearing as an effort to address “systemically biased news coverage” and assess whether NPR and PBS serve all Americans or a narrow, elitist audience. Greene, in her opening remarks, accused the networks of being “radical left-wing echo chambers” that suppress conservative perspectives and push progressive agendas, citing examples like their handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story and COVID-19 origins.

Here are 4 takeaways from the hearing:

• Republicans say they've lost trust in NPR and PBS to provide balanced coverage.
• Public criticism from a former NPR editor acted as a blueprint for Republicans.
• Democrats say Republicans are trying to distract from real news and shut down contrary opinions.
• Lawmakers heard that public broadcasting is the only source of news and emergency broadcasts in some parts of the country.

Maher defended NPR’s mission, emphasizing its reach of 43 million weekly listeners across diverse communities and its role in providing fact-based, nonpartisan journalism. She highlighted that NPR receives only about 1% of its $300 million budget directly from federal sources, though member stations, funded partly by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), contribute indirectly via programming fees. Kerger underscored PBS’s educational and cultural contributions, noting its 16% reliance on CPB funds and its service to rural and underserved areas, including emergency alert systems. Both leaders argued that public broadcasting’s value lies in its accessibility and local impact, supported by polling showing 60% of Americans trust it.

NPR on Wednesday finally admitted that it made a mistake in failing to promptly cover the Hunter Biden laptop scandal — as the left-leaning broadcaster fights to keep its federal funding. The mea culpa by NPR’s chief executive Katherine Maher came during intense questioning from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and other Republican legislators during a congressional subcommittee hearing regarding the broadcaster’s perceived bias in its coverage. “I do want to say that NPR acknowledges we were mistaken in failing to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story more aggressively or sooner,” Maher told the committee.

Republican lawmakers, including Greene and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), pressed on perceived liberal bias, referencing a 2024 essay by former NPR editor Uri Berliner, who claimed NPR’s staff skewed heavily Democratic (87 registered Democrats, zero Republicans in D.C. editorial roles, per his count). Maher countered that NPR doesn’t track voter affiliations and focuses on editorial firewalls to ensure impartiality. Democrats, like Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), mocked the hearing as political theater, sarcastically lamenting attacks on “Elmo and Cookie Monster” while pointing to broader Trump administration media controversies.

The hearing reflects a long-standing Republican push to defund the CPB, which received $535 million in fiscal year 2025, with 70% going to local stations. No immediate funding decisions emerged, but the event, livestreamed on platforms like YouTube, intensified debates over public media’s role in a polarized landscape, especially as NPR and PBS adapt to digital competition and shifting audience habits.

VA Head Confronts CNN Host "Answer My Question, Kaitlan'

An interview on CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” took a contentious turn when U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins clashed with host Kaitlan Collins. 

The exchange, which aired live, began with Kaitlan Collins pressing the VA Secretary about a recent controversy involving a Signal group chat scandal tied to the Trump administration—a topic Doug Collins stated he was not involved in. Rather than engaging further on that issue, he pivoted sharply, turning the tables on the CNN anchor by raising a pointed question about her network’s credibility.

Doug Collins challenged Kaitlan by asking why CNN appeared “hostile to veterans,” specifically referencing a $5 million defamation lawsuit settled by CNN in January 2020. This lawsuit stemmed from a 2018 incident where CNN aired a segment suggesting that Navy veteran Zachary Young, who ran a company assisting people fleeing Afghanistan, was involved in illegal “black market” activities. Young sued CNN for defamation, and a Florida jury awarded him $5 million in compensatory damages in November 2024, with the case settling shortly after for an undisclosed amount. Doug Collins seized on this, demanding to know if the employee responsible for the segment was still at CNN and pressing Kaitlan on whether the network genuinely cared about veterans.

VA Secretary Doug Collins just HUMILIATED Kaitlan Collins on her own platform:

“I would like to know why CNN is hostile to veterans … especially one in Florida, where you just had a $5 million defamation suit.”

She is catching L’s left and right.
pic.twitter.com/wDvvM2ObJp

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 27, 2025

The VA Secretary’s line of attack caught Kaitlan off guard. She attempted to redirect the conversation, insisting her questions were about the Signal chat issue and that she had no personal involvement in the lawsuit. 

However, Doug Collins persisted, interrupting her with, “Answer my question, Kaitlan!” and accusing CNN of dodging accountability. He argued that his role was to protect veterans, contrasting it with what he portrayed as CNN’s antagonistic stance, leveraging the lawsuit as evidence. Kaitlan maintained her composure, noting respectfully that she was the one asking questions, but the exchange grew heated, with Doug Collins refusing to back down.

Teen Idol Bobby Sherman Battling Stage 4 Cancer

Forner Teen Idol Bobby Sherman battling cancer

Bobby Sherman, a beloved teen idol from the late 1960s and early 1970s, is facing a significant health challenge at age 81 after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

The announcement came from his wife, Brigitte Poublon, in an emotional Facebook post on Tuesday, where she shared, “It is with a heavy heart that we share Bobby has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. During this challenging time, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy.” She did not specify the type of cancer, but the stage 4 designation indicates it has advanced and likely spread beyond its original site, a serious prognosis at any age, particularly for someone in their early 80s.

Sherman, born Robert Cabot Sherman Jr. on July 22, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, rose to fame as a singer and actor, captivating millions with hits like “Little Woman” (1969), which sold over a million copies, and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” (1970). His role as Jeremy Bolt, the shy, stammering logger in the ABC series Here Come the Brides (1968–1970), cemented his status as a heartthrob, earning him more fan mail than any other ABC performer at the time. His boyish charm and shaggy hairstyle made him a fixture in teen magazines like Tiger Beat, and his live performances often left him with hearing loss from the screams of adoring fans.

After his peak in entertainment, Sherman stepped away from the spotlight in the 1970s, pivoting to a career in public service. Inspired by a 1974 guest role on Emergency!, he trained as a paramedic and worked over a decade with the Los Angeles Police Department as a medical training officer, later becoming a technical Reserve Police Officer and earning the Reserve Officer of the Year award in 1999. He also served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in San Bernardino County until retiring from that role in 2010. 

Alongside his wife Brigitte, whom he married in 2010, he co-founded the Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation (BBSCF), focusing on education and support for children in Ghana.

2025 ACM Awards Nominees Named

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) today announced nominations for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards on TODAY, with Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson receiving the most nominations. 

Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. PDT from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. 

The anniversary show will celebrate six decades of Country Music and feature unforgettable performances by the genre’s most legendary and multi-award-winning stars, including Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Lainey Wilson.

A limited number of tickets to the 60th ACM Awards are available now at SeatGeek, offering fans exclusive entry into a night packed with their favorite Country stars performing the biggest hits.

Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.

FCC's Carr Sets Sights On Disney

The FCC has launched an inquiry into The Walt Disney Company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, marking a significant escalation in the scrutiny of corporate DEI initiatives under the Trump administration. 

The investigation follows a similar probe announced for Comcast and NBCUniversal on February 11, 2025, and aligns with a broader push to challenge such programs across U.S. industries.

The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr initiated this inquiry as part of a wave of actions spurred by President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025, which aimed to dismantle federal DEI programs and urged federal agencies to identify up to nine publicly traded companies for civil compliance investigations. Carr, who assumed the chairmanship in January 2025, singled out Disney due to its extensive FCC-regulated operations, including its ownership of ABC, a major broadcast network, and numerous radio stations. The inquiry focuses on whether Disney’s DEI practices comply with FCC regulations, particularly those prohibiting discrimination in employment and programming.

Disney’s DEI efforts have been a focal point of contention. 

Historically, the company has championed initiatives like "Reimagine Tomorrow," launched in 2021 to amplify underrepresented voices, and maintained a robust network of over 100 employee resource groups (ERGs) representing diverse communities. However, in response to mounting political pressure, Disney retooled its DEI framework in February 2025. An internal memo from Chief Human Resources Officer Sonia Coleman outlined a shift from explicit DEI language to a focus on “business outcomes” and “talent strategy.” The "Reimagine Tomorrow" site was rebranded as "MyDisneyToday," emphasizing talent attraction and a culture of belonging over specific diversity metrics. Executive compensation criteria also replaced a “Diversity & Inclusion” factor with “Talent Strategy,” assessing leaders on fostering an inclusive environment without explicit DEI targets.

The FCC’s inquiry was foreshadowed by posts on X Wednesday where users noted Carr’s intent to investigate Disney’s DEI practices, citing a Puck News report. This followed Disney’s $15 million settlement with the SEC in late 2024 over unrelated financial disclosures, which some speculated was an attempt to avoid broader regulatory scrutiny—a hope dashed by the FCC’s move. Carr’s letter to Disney, though not publicly detailed as of this date, is believed to mirror his February 11 letter to Comcast, where he expressed concern that DEI initiatives might promote “invidious forms” of discrimination, potentially violating FCC rules.

Disney confirmed receipt of the FCC inquiry on March 26, 2025, stating it would cooperate fully, though it has not released further specifics. The investigation has sparked varied reactions. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat, condemned it as overreach, arguing on March 26 that it exceeds the agency’s authority and contradicts Carr’s past criticisms of expansive FCC power.

TWH Spox Accuses WSJ Of Bias Reporting

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Wednesday sharply criticized The Wall Street Journal for a report claiming Trump peace envoy Steve Witkoff used the Signal app insecurely in Moscow. 

In an X post at 10:56 a.m. EDT, Leavitt called it “Fake News,” asserting Witkoff used a secure government phone, not a personal device, and accused the Journal of failing to verify facts. 

At a 1:30 p.m. EDT press briefing, she reiterated her stance, defending Signal’s use in a separate leaked chat among officials, denying classified breaches, and slamming the Journal for bias. 

The context for her remarks stemmed from a leaked Signal group chat involving senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which had inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. 

The chat, discussing plans for a U.S. strike on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, had sparked concerns about the use of a commercial app for sensitive policy discussions. When pressed about whether classified information was shared in the chat and how Witkoff’s Moscow communications fit into this narrative, Leavitt dismissed the Journal’s reporting as “erroneous.” 

She asserted that “no classified information was discussed in this chat” and that Witkoff used secure, government-issued lines exclusively during his trip. She emphasized that Signal, an encrypted app, is approved for government use, framing it as a safe and efficient tool when officials cannot meet in secure facilities like a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility).

The clash reflects ongoing White House-media tensions.

Trump: Signal Gate A 'Witch Hunt'

The Trump administration faced mounting scrutiny after aides used a commercial mobile app, Signal, to share sensitive details of a planned military strike, inadvertently including The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg in the chat. 

The leak, published by Goldberg, exposed precise strike timings against Yemen’s Houthi rebels—information that, if intercepted, could have jeopardized U.S. troops. Dozens of Yemenis reportedly died in the attack. 

The chat, initiated by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, both of whom faced rocky Senate confirmations due to their unconventional backgrounds. Hegseth, a 44-year-old ex-National Guard officer and former Fox News host, dismissed the leak’s severity, insisting, “Nobody’s texting war plans,” despite the public transcript proving otherwise.

Fox’s @BretBaier: “Breaking tonight, moments ago President Trump called the outrage over military plans accidentally being sent to a reporter a “witch hunt.” The President went on to question if the app Signal was defective. President Trump also moments ago announced a 25% tariff… pic.twitter.com/aeTBzJLTFC

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) March 26, 2025

The incident fueled calls for an investigation, even from some Republicans, as Trump and his team spent Tuesday arguing the details weren’t classified. Meanwhile, the administration pressed its agenda to slash government staffing and funding, targeting billions in programs like healthcare research and global vaccines—moves likely to spark lawsuits. 

Late Tuesday, Trump issued an executive order on election regulation, a move experts deemed unconstitutional since states largely control such matters, setting the stage for another Supreme Court battle. The leak and policy blitz kept Washington and media abuzz, deepening the administration’s controversies.

Cincy Radio: WLW's Mike McConnell Retires

Veteran radio personality Mike McConnell, with a career spanning 50 years, is set to retire from his role as the morning host on iHeartMedia’s 700 WLW in Cincinnati on Friday, April 4, 2025. 

He announced his retirement on-air during his Wednesday morning show, stating simply, “I am going to retire. Why? Because I’m old,” and adding that “50 years is enough.” McConnell, who turns 70 on May 16, 2025, had informed his bosses a year prior of his intention to step away in 2025, making his final broadcast a planned culmination of a long and storied career.

McConnell’s journey in radio began in Dayton, Ohio, where he started as a rock music DJ under the name Alan McConnell at the University of Dayton’s WVUD in the 1970s. He later moved to WTUE in Dayton, adopting the name Mike McConnell, before heading to Cincinnati in 1982 to work at WSKS (“96 Rock”). After a brief stint at WSHE in Miami, he returned to Cincinnati and joined WLW, initially filling in for Randy Michaels’ midday talk show. Michaels eventually handed the slot to McConnell, marking the beginning of his decades-long association with the station.

Mike has a special announcement - https://t.co/a0hjpFRqk5

— 700WLW (@700wlw) March 26, 2025

Over his career, McConnell spent more than 35 years at WLW across two stints. His first run lasted 25 years, from the mid-1980s until June 2010, during which he hosted the midday show, originally called The Mike McConnell Show and later Midday with Mike. The program was nationally syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks from 2006 to 2008, reaching about 20 stations at its peak, though it struggled to maintain a broad audience and was quietly canceled. In 2010, McConnell left WLW to join WGN in Chicago, reuniting with Michaels for a midday slot that lasted until 2013, when a regime change relegated him to a streaming-only show, leading to a buyout of his contract.

He returned to WLW in 2014, initially as a fill-in host, before taking over the morning slot from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in April 2015 following the retirement of longtime host Jim Scott. McConnell’s tenure in mornings solidified his status as a Cincinnati radio institution, blending news, talk, and a loose, approachable style that avoided the stuffiness of traditional news/talk formats. Known for his moderate political stance with libertarian leanings, he often tackled a wide range of topics—from serious social issues to quirky everyday observations—while occasionally challenging callers with exaggerated or poorly reasoned takes, regardless of their alignment with his views.

His retirement announcement comes amid a ratings surge for WLW, with the station posting numbers not seen since the 1970s, a testament to its enduring appeal and McConnell’s contribution. He plans to work every day through his final broadcast on April 4, forgoing any additional time off, and has expressed no regrets about his half-century in radio. 

While no permanent replacement has been officially named, Thom Brennaman, who filled in for McConnell earlier in 2025, is considered a likely candidate for the morning slot.

St. Louis Radio: KDHX To Be Acquired By EMF

Non-Com KDHX 88.1 FM, once a vibrant hub of live, local music and a diverse array of radio programs hosted by St. Louis natives, is set to be acquired by to Educational Media Foundation, parent to the “K-Love” and “Air1” chains of contemporary Christian stations.

The nonprofit station’s leadership has agreed to sell equipment and tower for a minimum of $4.35 million, with the price rising to $4.8 million if the deal closes swiftly. The transaction requires approval from the FCC and a bankruptcy court judge, with creditors given roughly three weeks to raise objections.

The decision was made public in a Tuesday statement on KDHX’s website, with further details shared during a Wednesday morning Zoom call with reporters. “We’ve worked to do what’s right and position the organization for a viable future,” said Gary Pierson, KDHX board president. “This was the best outcome we could achieve.”

88.1 FM (42 Kw)

While some supporters expressed disappointment, many had anticipated this move for months, cautioning that the station—crippled by financial woes and a recent bankruptcy filing—would resolve its debts by offloading its prized FCC license, its most valuable asset.

VOA Execs, Staffers File Second Lawsuit Against USAGM

A group of Voice of America (VOA) executives and journalists filed a second lawsuit against the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal agency overseeing VOA and other government-funded international broadcasters. 

The legal action, lodged in the Southern District of New York, follows closely on the heels of a separate lawsuit filed by VOA journalists and unions just days earlier on March 21. Both suits challenge the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle USAGM and effectively shutter VOA, reflecting a broader pushback against an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on March 14, 2025.

The second lawsuit was spearheaded by VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, alongside journalist Anthony Michael LaBruto and two unnamed contractors identified as "John Does." It targets USAGM, its acting CEO Victor Morales, and Kari Lake, a Trump-appointed special adviser to the agency. The plaintiffs argue that Trump’s executive order, which directed USAGM to reduce its operations to the "minimum presence and function required by law," is unlawful. They contend it bypasses Congressional authority over federal funding and violates the statutory firewall meant to protect VOA’s editorial independence from executive interference. 

The backdrop to this legal battle is the abrupt suspension of VOA’s operations following the executive order. On March 15, dubbed "Bloody Saturday" by some, nearly all of VOA’s 1,300 employees—journalists, producers, and support staff—were placed on indefinite administrative leave with pay. Over 500 contractors, including the two anonymous plaintiffs, saw their contracts terminated instantly. The lawsuit highlights the immediate fallout: VOA’s 49 language services, which reach over 361 million people weekly across five continents, have largely ceased producing new content, with many broadcasts replaced by looped promotional clips or music. 

The lawsuit seeks a federal judge’s intervention to reverse the staff suspensions, reinstate contractors, and declare the executive order unconstitutional. It echoes the first lawsuit’s claims—filed by six VOA journalists, including ex-White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, alongside unions and Reporters Without Borders—which accused USAGM of violating First Amendment rights and Congressional funding powers. However, this second action stands out for its focus on leadership representation and the plight of contractors, distinguishing it as a complementary yet distinct effort.

Miami Radio/TV: Martí Staffers Back to Work

Cars returned Wednesday morning to the parking lot of Radio and TV Martí’s headquarters in Doral, FL, marking the first activity since President Donald Trump’s executive order effectively halted operations at the government-funded stations. Signed over a week earlier, the order placed all staff on paid temporary leave, barring them from the premises while requiring them to be ready to return within 24 hours’ notice. It remains unclear who was present at the site on Wednesday.

Established under the Reagan administration to foster democracy abroad, Radio and TV Martí broadcast Spanish-language news directly into Cuba, aiming to combat disinformation and deliver unbiased journalism. Trump’s directive aligns with a broader initiative to dismantle the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees Martí, alongside six other entities under the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

The decision has sparked backlash, notably from Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who labeled it a “gift to the Cuban regime” and accused Trump of weakening efforts against communism and autocracy. In contrast, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) framed it as a temporary assessment during a “This Week in South Florida” interview with Local 10’s Glenna Milberg, suggesting agency heads would evaluate and recommend next steps.

The future of Martí’s broadcasts remains uncertain.