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

Heidi Raphael to Lead New York Broadcasters

Heidi Raphael

The New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) has named Heidi Raphael as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding longtime President and CEO David Donovan. Raphael will take over leadership of the association later this year as Donovan transitions from the role after 15 years at the More

John Lewis Expands Cumulus Regional VP Role

John Lewis

Cumulus Media has promoted John Lewis to Regional Vice President, expanding his responsibilities to include oversight of the company's stations in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola, FL. Lewis will continue to lead Cumulus' operations in Huntsville, AL, and Chattanooga, TN, while overseeing the company's audio More

Appeals Court Backs Cumulus in Nielsen Case

A federal appeals court has upheld a preliminary injunction blocking Nielsen from enforcing a policy that would require broadcasters purchasing its national radio ratings data to also buy its local ratings services, handing Cumulus Media a significant victory in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the More

Shawn Tempesta Takes Over KLUC Morning Show

Shawn Tempesta

Audacy has named veteran Las Vegas personality Shawn Tempesta as the new morning host for 98.5 KLUC, where he will be heard weekdays from 6-10am. Tempesta returns to the company after beginning his radio career at sister KMXB-FM (Mix 94.1), where he later spent 11 years hosting afternoons. "We are More

Binnie Media Appoints Jodie Gallant as Executive VP

Jodie Gallant

Binnie Media has appointed Jodie Gallant as Executive Vice President of Strategy for Integrated Marketing, expanding the company's focus on connected TV (CTV) and integrated marketing services across New Hampshire and Maine. Gallant, who has been working with Binnie Media since early 2026, has helped More

Mary Lockrem Joins KDES/Palm Springs for Middays

Mary Lockrem

Connoisseur Media Palm Springs has named Mary Lockrem as the new midday host on KDES-FM (98.5 The Bull), where she will be heard weekdays from 10am-3pm. Lockrem joins the Country outlet after spending the past four years on the air in the Coachella Valley. Regional Vice President Sommer Frisk said 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 ^®