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

SummitMedia Names Brodie Knoxville Brand Manager

Matt ''Brodie'' Lesley

SummitMedia has named Matt "Brodie" Lesley Brand Manager of its four-station cluster in Knoxville. He will also host middays on Country WCYQ (100.3 The Wolf). Lesley most recently served as Program Director and afternoon host for WNOK in Columbia, SC, and WWXM in Myrtle Beach, SC, from 2019 to 2026. During More

IAB Guide Calls for Better Audio Data in Media Mix Models

Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released a new guide arguing that incomplete campaign data can obscure audio advertising's effectiveness in media mix models, potentially influencing how advertisers allocate budgets. "Amplifying Audio's Impact in MMM: A Follow-up to More

iHeartRadio Launches Lite Mode for Simplified Listening

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio has launched "Lite Mode," a feature that lets listeners switch between the app's full functionality and a simplified interface focused on their current listening and frequently used content. Available on iOS and Android, Lite Mode can be activated through a toggle at the top of the mobile More

Sun & Fun Media Taps Orbyt as Exclusive Canadian Partner

Orbyt Media

Sun & Fun Media has selected Orbyt Media as its exclusive affiliate sales and affiliate advertising sales representative in Canada. The agreement gives Canadian radio stations and broadcast groups access to vacation packages, cruises, major sporting event experiences and other More

AWM to Honor Hannah Storm With Gracies Icon Award

Hannah Storm

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) will honor ESPN's Hannah Storm with the Gracies Icon Award during the Gracies Leadership Awards on November 16 at Tribeca 360° in New York. The award recognizes a woman whose influence has helped shape media and expand opportunities for women in the industry. Storm More

WDAF-FM Adds Mo & StyckMan to Afternoon Lineup

Mo & StyckMan

Audacy's Country WDAF-FM (106.5 The Wolf) in Kansas City will add "Mo & StyckMan" to its weekday afternoon lineup beginning November 2. The duo will air from 3-7pm CT. Mo and StyckMan also host weekday afternoons on WUSY-FM (US 101) in Chattanooga and WRXL-HD2 (Big 98.5) in Richmond, VA, along with 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 ^®