Westwood One Founder Norm Pattiz Dead at Age 79

Norm Pattiz

Westwood One founder Norm Pattiz died Sunday evening at age 79. He launched the radio programming and syndication network in 1976. After leaving the company in 2010, Pattiz then went on to launch Courtside Entertainment and then PodcastOne. Pattiz was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2009, and received the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation's Giants of Broadcasting in 2009.

"With Norm Pattiz' passing, we have lost a true media visionary," said Suzanne Grimes, President of Westwood One and EVP of Marketing for Cumulus Media. "He founded Westwood One, which grew to become the largest radio network in the United States and one of the top media companies in the world. His legacy lives on in all of us at Westwood One."

PodcastOne President Kit Gray commented, "Norm was a great innovator in the world of broadcast, and his contributions to the genre are immeasurable. He left an indelible impact on everyone that he met, and he will be deeply missed."

Latest Radio Stories

Matt Scarano Named Beasley Detroit VP/Market Manager

Matt Scarano

Beasley Media Group has named Matt Scarano Vice President and Market Manager of its Detroit operations, effective January 14. In the role, Scarano will oversee Beasley's Detroit station brands -- WRIF, WCSX, WDMK-FM, and WMGC-FM. Scarano brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience in radio More

Audacy Brings 670 The Score to FM With 104.3 Simulcast

104.3 The Score Chicago

Audacy has announced the launch of "104.3 The Score," an FM simulcast of Sports WSCR-AM (670 The Score), bringing the station's programming to FM listeners in Chicago for the first time beginning February 2. The move displaces Classic Hip Hop WBMX-FM (104.3 Jams), while The Score will continue to broadcast More

Salem Promotes Carolyn Cassidy to VP, Regional GM

Carolyn Cassidy

Salem Media Group has promoted Carolyn Cassidy to Vice President & Regional General Manager, expanding her role on the company's Senior Leadership Team. In her new post, Cassidy will continue to oversee Salem's operations in Columbus, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. Cassidy has been with Salem for several More

Radio Reaches Two-Thirds of Financially Optimistic Adults

The Media Audit

New research from The Media Audit suggests radio remains a powerful channel for reaching consumers most likely to keep spending after the holidays, a period that typically challenges retailers. According to the study, 31.8% of U.S. adults age 18 and older describe themselves as More

NAB Supports House Push to Update FCC Ownership Rules

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is backing a renewed call from House leaders for the Federal Communications Commission to modernize broadcast ownership regulations, including lifting the national television ownership cap. In a statement, National Association of Broadcasters President and More

Bryan Reeder Promoted to GM at HEH Communications

Bryan Reeder

HEH Communications has promoted Bryan Reeder to General Manager of its Southeast Texas radio outlets. Reeder joined HEH Communications in 2015 as Operations Manager for its stations serving Huntsville, Willis, and Conroe. Prior to his promotion, he co-hosted the "Wake-Up Morning Show" on KSAM-FM and oversaw More

Return to Menu

Westwood One Founder Norm Pattiz Dead at Age 79

Latest Radio Stories

Follow us on:

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ^®

Westwood One Founder Norm Pattiz Dead at Age 79

Latest Radio Stories

Follow us on:

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ®

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ^®