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

Danny Gonzalez Named 2026 Radio Mercury Chief Judge
Danny Gonzalez
Danny Gonzalez
The Radio Mercury Awards has selected Danny Gonzalez, co-chief creative officer and co-founder of Bandits & Friends, as the 2026 chief judge for the 35th annual competition. Gonzalez brings two decades of creative leadership to the role, known for transforming everyday ideas into memorable storytelling More

WRXS Launches 'WRXS-mas' with Classic Holiday Hits
WRXS-FM (Pure Oldies 106.9) Milwaukee
WRXS-FM (Pure Oldies 106.9) Milwaukee
Milwaukee's WRXS-FM (Pure Oldies 106.9) is ringing in the season with WRXS-mas, a switch to traditional, nostalgia-filled Christmas music that begins today and continues non-stop through Christmas Day -- and even a bit beyond. The Oldies outlet is promising a warm, familiar holiday soundtrack built on More

SportsTalk 790 Launches ''Morning Drive with Dan & Cole''
Cole Thompson and Dan Mathews
Cole Thompson and Dan Mathews
iHeartMedia Houston's KBME (SportsTalk 790) is adding a new local team its lineup with the debut of "The Morning Drive with Dan & Cole," launching Monday, November 24. The new live, Houston-focused sports show will air weekdays from 6-10am. Hosted by Houston natives Dan More
Advertisement

Premiere Offers Arroyo Christmas Songs Backstory Show
Christmas Merry & Bright: Play Backstories
Christmas Merry & Bright: Play Backstories
Premiere Networks is bringing back "Christmas Merry & Bright: Play Backstories," a three-hour, barter-free holiday radio special hosted by Raymond Arroyo, available for stations to air between November 25 and December 25. Arroyo -- a FOX News and CNN contributor, best-selling author, award-winning More

Danielle Robay's Podcast Joins iHeartPodcasts
''Question Everything''
''Question Everything''
Danielle Robay and iHeartMedia have announced that "Question Everything with Danielle Robay" is now part of the iHeartPodcasts network. Robay -- an acclaimed journalist, creator and veteran podcaster known for Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club and The Bright Side -- will continue delivering in-depth More

Wright Family Launches ''Wright At Home'' Podcast
''Wright At Home''
''Wright At Home''
Formidable is expanding its podcast slate with the launch of "Wright At Home," a new lifestyle series debuting November 25 on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. The Wrights first captured public attention on The Only Way Is Essex, where viewers quickly became fans of the family's lively 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