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

Connoisseur Media Reshuffles West Coast Programming
Brian ''Fig'' Figula
Brian ''Fig'' Figula
Connoisseur Media has announced a series of programming leadership changes across its West Coast radio stations following the recent expansion of 98.5 KBAY (Bay Country) in San Jose. Brian "Fig" Figula has been promoted to Regional Operations Manager for the Bay Area, overseeing Connoisseur's stations in San More

iHeart Tops Triton Digital's June Podcast Rankings
Triton Digital
Triton Digital
iHeart Audience Network continued to dominate Triton Digital's U.S. Podcast Ranker for June 2026, maintaining the top position among podcast sales networks while several new shows entered the rankings. According to Triton Digital's latest Podcast Ranker, covering the period from More

SiriusXM Launches 24/7 WWE Radio Channel
SiriusXM
SiriusXM
SiriusXM and WWE have announced the launch of WWE Radio, a new 24/7 channel dedicated to professional wrestling that will become the official audio home of WWE beginning Monday, July 27. Taking over SiriusXM channel 156, WWE Radio will feature live audio broadcasts of WWE's More
Advertisement

Radio Groups Push FCC to Lift Ownership Caps
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Connoisseur Media and Beasley Media Group are urging the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate or significantly relax local radio ownership limits, arguing that rules adopted nearly 30 years ago no longer reflect today's competitive media landscape and are putting the radio industry at a growing More

KBAY Country Expands to Stronger 98.5 FM Signal
KBAY-FM San Jose
KBAY-FM San Jose
Connoisseur Media has expanded the reach of 98.5 KBAY (Bay Country) by moving the Country outlet to the stronger 98.5 FM 10kW signal, increasing its coverage throughout the South Bay and surrounding communities. Effective immediately, KBAY's Country format is now More

Audacy Adds FM Sports Simulcast in Houston
KKHH (95.7 The Fan) Houston
KKHH (95.7 The Fan) Houston
Audacy flips Adult Hits KKHH (95.7 The Spot) to "95.7 The Fan," expanding its sports radio footprint in Houston with an FM simulcast of KILT (SportsRadio 610), beginning August 13. The move gives the company an FM sports station in each of the nation's top 10 markets. Audacy also 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