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

Podtrac Publishes November 2025 Podcast Rankings
Podtrac
Podtrac
Podtrac has released its Top US and Global Publishers & Networks and Top US Podcast rankings for November 2025, highlighting steady audience gains for several leading podcast companies. The new data shows that three U.S. publishers measured in the rankings grew their Unique Monthly Audience compared to More

KNSS Adds Woodward and Whit Morning Show for 2026
John Whitmer
John Whitmer
Audacy's KNSS Wichita will debut a new morning show, "Woodward and Whit," on January 5, 2026, pairing longtime host Ted Woodward with John Whitmer. The program will air weekdays from 6-9am CT and follows the retirement of veteran broadcaster Steve McIntosh. "We are excited to welcome John Whitmer to the More

Elisa Donovan Debuts ''Killer Thriller'' True Crime Podcast
''Killer Thriller''
''Killer Thriller''
iHeartPodcasts has launched "Killer Thriller," a new true crime series hosted by actress and author Elisa Donovan and executive produced by Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes. The show expands Robach and Holmes' growing partnership within iHeart's Popworthy slate, which blends trending culture with nostalgia. The More
Advertisement

WCCQ & WXLC Ups Drew Walker to Program Director
Drew Walker
Drew Walker
Connoisseur Media is restoring live and local mornings on WCCQ & WXLC (FREE Country @ 98.3 & 102.3) as veteran Chicago broadcaster Drew Walker takes over the morning show in early 2026. Walker succeeds the syndicated Bobby Bones Show, which has aired since the station's two-signal simulcast launch in May More

Xperi to Unveil New Daily In-Car Radio Audience Ratings
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
RAB has announced that broadcasters will soon have access to a powerful new way to demonstrate radio's value to advertisers as Xperi prepares to roll out daily, in-car audience measurement across the country. In a live online presentation on Friday, December 12 at 12pm CT, Juan Galdamez, Senior Director of More

Dr. Michael Agee Retires After 50-Year Radio Career
Dr. Michael Agee
Dr. Michael Agee
Dr. Michael Agee, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives for Atlantic Gateway Communications and WGTS 91.9 in Washington, DC, has announced his retirement, concluding a five-decade career in radio broadcasting and education. Agee joined WGTS 91.9 more than four years ago, marking the final chapter 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