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

Valentine Returns to Hubbard as Alexandria-Wadena GM

Kris Valentine

Hubbard Radio has named Kris Valentine as General Manager of its Alexandria and Wadena, MN operations, returning him to the markets where he served as Operations Manager from 2020 to 2023. He and his wife, Chelsea, will also bring the "Kris & Chelsea" show back to mornings on Country KIKV-FM (100.7 KIK-FM). More

Cumulus Plans ZoneCasting Launch at Boston's WXLO

WXLO-FM (104.5 XLO) in Boston

Cumulus Media plans to introduce ZoneCasting technology at WXLO-FM (104.5 XLO) in Boston during the first quarter of 2027, enabling the station to air different commercials simultaneously in separate geographic portions of the market. The deployment, announced in partnership with Aktira, will allow WXLO More

FCC Seeks Comment on FM Short-Spacing Rule Petition

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The FCC's Media Bureau is seeking public comment on a petition that would give FM broadcasters additional flexibility to relocate transmission facilities from aging towers or lost tower sites while maintaining interference protections for other stations. The Bureau opened MB Docket No. 26-303 in an More

NPR Names David Berzin SVP of Product and Data

David Berzin

NPR has appointed David Berzin Senior Vice President, Product and Data, overseeing its digital product and data strategy. He will lead development of audience-facing products designed to increase engagement and diversify revenue, along with data-sharing infrastructure supporting NPR products and tools used More

Pacific Media Group Names Grimes Radio Division President

Sherri Hamamura Grimes

Pacific Media Group has promoted Sherri Hamamura Grimes to President of its Radio Division, overseeing operations across all Hawaiian island markets. The appointment took effect October 26. She will also continue as General Manager of PMG's Maui Radio operations. Grimes will work directly with Market More

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

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 ^®