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

SBS Reaches Deal to Restructure Debt, Files Chapter 11
Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS)
Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS)
Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has entered into a restructuring support agreement with a group of bondholders holding more than 72% of its outstanding senior secured notes, outlining a plan to significantly reduce debt and reposition the company for long-term growth. Under the More

Beasley Broadcast Q4 Revenue Falls, Posts Large Loss
Beasley Media Group
Beasley Media Group
Beasley Broadcast Group reported a sharp decline in fourth quarter revenue and a significant net loss, driven largely by a major non-cash impairment charge, according to its latest financial filing. Net revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025 fell 21.1% to $53.1 More

AM/FM Radio Leads In-Car Listening, Edison Says
Edison Research at SSRS
Edison Research at SSRS
AM/FM radio continues to dominate in-car audio listening despite growing competition from digital platforms, according to newly released Q1 2026 data from Edison Research at SSRS. The latest "Share of Ear" findings show that 55% of all in-car audio time among Americans age 13 and older is spent with More
Advertisement

SuiteRadio Offers Stations Oil Well Giveaway
SuiteRadio
SuiteRadio
SuiteRadio is rolling out a new promotional contest for radio stations, offering listeners the chance to win a royalty interest in a producing oil and gas well. The Houston-based company says the "Oil Well Giveaway" provides participating stations with a market-exclusive More

Seaboard Adds ''Whip of Cords'' for Distribution
Whip of the Chords
Whip of the Chords
Newly launched Seaboard Networks has added "Whip of Cords with Matt Rhodes" to its programming lineup, offering the rock-based show to stations on a free, barter basis. The program blends multiple rock formats with an emphasis on delivering a positive message and is available to all radio outlets, More

Free Q2 Radio Sales Event Targets Revenue Growth
Rainmaker Pathway
Rainmaker Pathway
A free online radio sales event aimed at helping industry professionals boost revenue in the second quarter is set for this Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern. The Q2 2026 Radio Sales Event will feature a roundtable discussion with revenue-focused guests including Kristen Cantrell, owner and 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