Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Westwood One Founder Norm Pattiz Dead at Age 79


Norm Pattiz
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."

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

Cumulus Revenue Falls 9.7% in Second Quarter
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media reported second quarter 2026 net revenue of $167.9 million, down 9.7% from $186.0 million a year ago, as declines in its broadcast radio business continued to weigh on results. The company posted a net loss of $9.2 million, compared with a loss of $12.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted More

Legendary Radio Personality Barry Richards Dies at 83
Barry Richards
Barry Richards
Veteran radio and television personality, programmer and music promoter Barry "The Reazar" Richards died Saturday, August 15, following complications from a recent series of strokes. He was 83. Richards built a decades-long career spanning radio, television, concert promotion and record promotion. During More

Jasmine Sadry Named President of AWM Dallas-Fort Worth
Jasmine Sadry
Jasmine Sadry
Veteran broadcaster and media executive Jasmine Sadry has been named President of the Dallas-Fort Worth Affiliate of the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). In her new role, Sadry will lead the organization in expanding membership, strengthening industry partnerships, increasing educational programming and More
Advertisement

Compass Media Extends Big Ten Audio Rights
Big Ten Network
Big Ten Network
Compass Media Networks has signed a multi-year extension with the Big Ten Network for exclusive national audio rights to the TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament and Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game. The agreement also expands the relationship to include the Allstate Big Ten More

AdLarge Names Nicole Leyden VP, Brand Partnerships
Nicole Leyden
Nicole Leyden
AdLarge has appointed Nicole Pezzola Leyden as Vice President of Brand Partnerships, where she will focus on developing strategic sponsorship opportunities and integrated marketing programs across AdLarge and the fwd. network. Leyden will concentrate on the automotive, financial services and emerging More

Cumulus Cuts Hit More Veteran Radio Personalities
Cumulus Media Cuts
Cumulus Media Cuts
Cumulus Media's nationwide workforce reductions continue to claim veteran radio personalities, with departures reported in Norfolk, Syracuse and Columbia, MO. In Norfolk, Brandon "Shaggy" Stokes says he is no longer with CHR WNVZ (Z104), ending a 25-year run with the station. More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement