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

RAB Announces 2026 Media Career Academies
National Radio Talent System (NRTS)
National Radio Talent System (NRTS)
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) has unveiled its 2026 Media Career Academies, part of the National Radio Talent System (NRTS), aimed at preparing students for careers across broadcast radio, podcasting and digital audio. The academies are designed to provide hands-on training More

NABLF Announces 2026 Service to America Winners
National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF)
National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF)
The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) has named the recipients of its 2026 Celebration of Service to America Awards, recognizing radio and television stations for their impact in local communities nationwide. Winners will be honored June 9 at The More

Talent Farm Adds Five New 24/7 Formats to Lineup
Talent Farm
Talent Farm
Talent Farm has expanded its syndication offerings with the addition of five new 24/7 radio formats, providing affiliates with more options across a range of popular music genres. The new formats -- "The Harbor" (Yacht Rock & Smooth Classics), "The Coast" (Classic Alternative), "The Boombox" (90s/2000s More
Advertisement

Beasley, WideOrbit Demo Live Broadcast Tech at NAB
Beasley Media Group
Beasley Media Group
Beasley Media Group is teaming with WideOrbit to showcase advancements in live broadcasting during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. As part of the activation, Beasley's KCYE-FM (102.7 Coyote Country) will air live broadcasts from the WideOrbit booth inside the Las Vegas Convention Center's More

NAB Show 2026 Focuses on AI, Sports, Creators
NAB Show
NAB Show
The 2026 NAB Show will spotlight major shifts across media, entertainment and technology as the industry moves from experimentation to execution, according to organizers. Scheduled for April 18-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the annual event is expected to bring together more than 1,100 exhibitors More

C4 Energy Campaign Targets Multi-Platform Sports Fans
Audacy Insights
Audacy Insights
An Audacy Insights report highlights how evolving sports consumption habits are reshaping marketing strategies, as brands increasingly engage fans across multiple platforms beyond traditional game broadcasts. According to the report, today's sports fans interact with content throughout the week-across 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