Top Radio News

Audacy Launches Daily WNBA Podcast Series

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, April 3, 2026 | 3:31pm CT

On The Clock

Audacy is expanding its women's sports audio lineup with a new limited-run podcast series tied to a pivotal moment for the WNBA. The company's "The Women's Hoops Show," hosted by sports journalist Jordan Robinson, is partnering with MOSH Audio to launch "On the Clock," a daily podcast focused on WNBA free agency, expansion developments and the college draft.

The 15-minute episodes will provide breaking news, analysis and insider perspectives as a newly ratified collective bargaining agreement reshapes the league. The series debuts April 4 and runs daily through April 17 across podcast platforms.

Timed to coincide with a critical stretch of the WNBA offseason, the show will track player signings, trades and roster movement while offering context on how the new CBA impacts the league's future. Robinson will be joined by a rotating group of analysts and contributors.

Audacy said the series is designed to deliver fast-paced, in-depth coverage during what it describes as one of the most consequential free agency periods in league history.

MOSH Audio Co-founder Sarah Hack said the project aims to help fans understand both the headlines and their broader cultural significance, while Audacy's Head of Podcasts Leah Reis-Dennis said the series is built to meet growing interest in women's basketball with timely, informed coverage.

iHeart Launches Podcast on UFOs, Hollywood Ties

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, April 3, 2026 | 3:35pm CT

Sound Light & Frequency

iHeartPodcasts has debuted a new original series, "Sound, Light and Frequency," examining claims that the U.S. government may have used Hollywood entertainment as a long-term vehicle for UFO disclosure.

The 36-episode podcast is hosted by veteran Hollywood writers and producers Bryce Zabel and Brent Friedman, who explore the theory that films and television shows have subtly revealed information about extraterrestrial phenomena over decades.

Central to the series is the hosts' account of an alleged encounter with a so-called "Man in Black," who they say approached them about using their NBC alien-invasion drama Dark Skies to disseminate UFO-related truths. The podcast expands on that experience while analyzing connections between real-world reports and portrayals in projects such as The X-Files and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Each episode takes listeners behind the scenes of well-known science fiction properties while raising questions about whether other creators may have had similar experiences. The series also examines how evolving public interest in unidentified aerial phenomena intersects with popular culture.

New episodes of "Sound, Light and Frequency" are available now, with additional installments released weekly on Thursdays via the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.

Licata Named CEO of iHeart Multiplatform Group

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 11:29am CT

Ann Marie Licata

iHeartMedia has named Ann Marie Licata as CEO of its Multiplatform Group, the company's largest operating segment.

The Multiplatform Group encompasses the company's Markets Group, which includes more than 860 local broadcast radio stations, as well as its live events and sponsorships division, radio networks businesses including Premiere Networks and Total Traffic & Weather Network (TTWN), the Enterprise Business Development Group, and its data targeting and attribution platforms for broadcast radio. Licata previously served as President of the Markets Group and Sales Operations.

In conjunction with the appointment, the company promoted Bernie Weiss to President of the Markets Group. Weiss will oversee operations across iHeartMedia's 160 markets. He previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Markets Group.

Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, said Licata will lead growth and innovation initiatives across the company's largest segment, noting its role in developing newer business areas such as podcasting, the iHeartRadio digital platform, and live events.

Rich Bressler, President and COO, added that Licata assumes the role at a key time as the company continues to operate across its three divisions: the Multiplatform Group, Digital Audio Group, and Audio and Media Services Group. The latter two divisions will continue to be led by Conal Byrne and Mark Gray, respectively.

Under the new structure, Julie Donohue, President of the Enterprise Development Group, and Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks, will now report directly to Licata.

Report: Audio Use Surges Among MLB Fans

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 12:05pm CT

Audacy Insights

Audacy reports a growing shift in how fans follow Major League Baseball, with audio emerging as a key companion to live game viewing. In a new Insights report, the company says today's mobile, multitasking audience is increasingly turning to audio for a more flexible and personalized experience.

According to Audacy, 36% of MLB fans now pair play-by-play audio with live television, often choosing local announcers to enhance authenticity and connection. The report, authored by Ray Borelli, SVP of Research & Insights at Audacy, highlights how audio allows fans to stay engaged while commuting, working, or multitasking.

The study points to a broader shift in fan behavior, with audio extending engagement beyond the game itself into a 24/7 experience. Listeners are using sports audio for updates, analysis, and ongoing coverage that keeps them connected before and after first pitch.

Audacy also cites innovation at the venue level, including a partnership with the New York Mets that enables synchronized in-stadium audio, allowing fans to hear the local radio call while watching the game live.

The report emphasizes the value of sports audio audiences, noting they are 55% more likely to be avid fans compared to the general MLB audience. That engagement is also translating to advertiser impact. Audacy says brands aligned with teams through audio see stronger results, including a 40% increase in product usage compared to other channels.

One example cited is Yuengling, which leveraged a partnership with the Chicago Cubs Radio Network to establish a presence in a new market, integrating into the fan experience across game coverage.

Audacy concludes that as access to televised games becomes more fragmented and costly, audio offers a frictionless alternative-delivering live coverage, deeper engagement, and a highly loyal audience for both teams and advertisers.

WWNC News/Talk Expands to 92.9 FM in Asheville

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 11:46am CT

WWNC-AM & FM/Asheville NC

iHeartMedia Asheville has expanded the reach of News Radio 570 WWNC by launching a simulcast on 92.9 FM, effective immediately. The move places the station's News/Talk programming on both AM and FM, broadening accessibility for listeners across Western North Carolina.

The lineup includes First News on 570 along with nationally syndicated shows hosted by Glenn Beck, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, Sean Hannity, Dave Ramsey, and Jesse Kelly.

Drew Salamon, Area President for iHeartMedia Carolinas, said the expansion is designed to provide greater access to news and information in a region where local coverage is critical. He noted the addition of the FM signal strengthens the company's commitment to serving Asheville and surrounding communities with trusted content.

Zac Davis, Area Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Carolinas, pointed to the station's role during Hurricane Helene coverage as a key factor in the decision. He said the experience underscored the importance of expanding WWNC's reach to better serve the community.

WWNC morning host Mark Starling added that the FM simulcast marks a significant milestone for the station, enhancing its ability to inform listeners while also benefiting advertisers and partners.

Lisa Varner Named GM of Saga's Ocala Radio Cluster

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 5:27pm CT

Lisa Varner

Saga Communications has promoted Lisa Varner to Vice President and General Manager of its North Central Florida Media radio group in Ocala, FL, succeeding retiring GM Howard Tuuri.

Varner has served as Director of Sales for the three-station cluster over the past four years. In her new role, she will oversee operations for WOGK (93.7 K-Country), WOGK-HD2 (The Outlaw), WYND (95.5 WIND), and the 352today digital news platform.

Succeeding Varner as Director of Sales is Tonya Asher, who joins the cluster from Gray Media's WCJB-TV in Gainesville, where she was Local Sales and New Business Development Manager.

Varner has been with North Central Florida Media for more than nine years, including prior roles as Sales Manager before advancing to Director of Sales in 2022.

Zach Goodman Joins KOA Rockies Broadcast Team

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 7:00pm CT

Zach Goodman

iHeartMedia Denver's KOA 850AM | 94.1 FM has added Zach Goodman to its Colorado Rockies Radio Network broadcast team. Beginning April 4, Goodman will call all home and away games alongside longtime "Voice of the Colorado Rockies" Jack Corrigan and Executive Producer Jesse Thomas. KOA has served as the flagship radio home of the Colorado Rockies since the club's inaugural season in 1993.

Goodman joins the network after two seasons as the radio voice of the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously handled basketball and volleyball play-by-play at Webster University, where he also played baseball as a starting catcher.

A Colorado native, Goodman grew up in Greenwood Village and is the son of longtime Rockies television voice Drew Goodman.

"Rockies baseball is in my blood," Goodman said. "I'm excited to be a part of KOA, the station that's been connecting this team with fans for generations."

KOA and Rockies Radio Program Director Dave Tepper said Goodman's experience and style will resonate with listeners, noting his "natural, versatile talent" and background as a college player.

BFOA Earns Top Ratings for Transparency, Impact

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 11:50am CT

Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA)

The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) has received top ratings from leading nonprofit evaluators, underscoring its commitment to transparency and effectiveness. The organization earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, along with a 100% "Give With Confidence" score and a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.

BFOA Board Chair Scott Herman said the recognition reflects the organization's focus on accountability and ensuring resources are available to assist broadcasters in need. BFOA provides financial aid to radio and television professionals facing illness or disaster.

President Tim McCarthy added that donors value seeing funds directly support individuals across the industry, and said the ratings affirm the foundation's mission to deliver aid where it is most needed.

The Platinum Seal from Candid represents the highest level of nonprofit transparency and is achieved by fewer than one percent of organizations. Charity Navigator's Four-Star Rating is awarded to charities that meet or exceed industry best practices, while its 100% score reflects strong performance across accountability, impact, leadership, and community engagement metrics.

Westwood One Sets NCAA Final Four Coverage

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 12:09pm CT

Westwood One Sports

Westwood One will deliver live audio coverage of the 2026 NCAA Men's and Women's Final Four and national championship games, airing across terrestrial radio, streaming platforms, and digital apps.

Coverage of the men's tournament begins Saturday, April 4 at 3pm ET with "The Final Four Show," followed by game action from NCAA Men's Final Four in Indianapolis. The national semifinals feature Illinois vs. Connecticut at 6:09pm ET, followed by Michigan vs. Arizona. Championship coverage airs Monday, April 6, with pregame at 6pm ET and tip-off at 8:50pm ET.

For the ninth consecutive year, Kevin Kugler will call the men's Final Four alongside analysts Robbie Hummel and P.J. Carlesimo. Andy Katz returns as courtside reporter, with Jason Horowitz and Nick Bahe hosting studio coverage.

Spanish-language broadcasts of the men's games will also be available, led by Rafael Hern¡ndez Brito with analyst Greivis V¡squez and host Carlos Morales.

Westwood One will also provide full play-by-play coverage of the NCAA Women's Final Four from Phoenix, beginning Friday, April 3 with defending champion South Carolina facing Connecticut, followed by Texas vs. UCLA. The women's national championship airs Sunday, April 5 at 3:30pm ET.

The women's broadcast team features Ryan Radtke handling play-by-play, Debbie Antonelli as analyst, and Ros Gold-Onwude courtside. Studio coverage will be anchored by J.B. Long and Kim Adams.

All games will air nationwide on radio, SiriusXM, and be available via streaming platforms including NCAA March Madness Live and the Westwood One Sports app.

Open-Source Radio Group Launches Programming Firm

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 11:56am CT

Open Source Radio Group

Open-Source Radio Group (OSRG) has officially launched a new radio programming and consulting service aimed at helping stations grow audience and revenue through improved on-air strategy.

The company, founded by Justin Walters, positions itself as a boutique firm that blends elements of the open-source philosophy with traditional radio programming discipline. OSRG says its core approach centers on the idea that stronger programming drives higher ratings and, ultimately, increased profitability.

According to the company, many stations have shifted focus away from audience-driven programming amid industry consolidation and automation. OSRG's model emphasizes listener engagement as the primary driver of revenue, with Walters stating that effective radio requires clarity, consistency and long-term strategy.

The firm offers a range of programming features designed to improve performance, including strategic music architecture to increase time spent listening, consulting services that avoid proprietary infrastructure costs, and tiered programming support ranging from basic format resets to fully customized station builds.

OSRG is also launching with a portfolio of formats targeting various demographics, including Young AC, Throwback Top 40, Rockin' AC, Golden Variety, and Christian Variety Hits, along with custom-built formats tailored to individual markets.

To support stations at different stages, the company has developed three consulting tiers focused on stabilizing performance, increasing competitiveness, and building market-leading formats.

Walters said the company will remain intentionally small, with direct involvement in each client project to ensure consistency and long-term success.

OSRG is headquartered in Big Sandy, TX, and is now offering its services to stations nationwide.

NAB Leadership Foundation Adds Two to Board

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 2:52pm CT

NAB Leadership Foundation

The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation has appointed Todd Hartman and Valari Dobson Staab to its board of directors.

NABLF President Michelle Duke said the two bring extensive leadership experience and industry knowledge that will support the foundation's efforts to expand programs and develop future broadcast and media leaders.

Hartman serves as executive vice president at Kalil & Co., Inc., where he has spent more than 25 years advising on mergers and acquisitions across television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital infrastructure. He is known for guiding clients through complex transactions in the evolving media landscape.

Staab is chairman of NBCUniversal Local, overseeing a portfolio of 50 media properties, including NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations, regional sports networks and streaming channels. The division produces nearly 1,000 hours of local news and content weekly across 30 U.S. markets and Puerto Rico.

A media veteran with more than four decades of experience, Staab joined NBCUniversal in 2011 and was named chairman in 2022. She is also a member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

KOSL Salt Lake City Launches as ''Oldies 1550''

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 3:12pm CT

KOSL-AM (Oldies 1550) Salt Lake City

KOSL-AM 1550 in Salt Lake City has flipped formats, ending a "10,000 songs in a row" stunt at noon today and debuting a 1950s-to-1970s Classic Hits format branded as "Oldies 1550." The station launched the new format with Bill Haley and The Comets' "Rock Around The Clock," signaling its focus on early rock and pop hits.

KOSL is owned by longtime FCC attorney Barry D. Wood and managed by Don Davis, owner of Radio New Mexico. The format was developed by K.M. Richards, who also serves as remote Program Director. Richards is known for creating The Eighties Channel, which airs on Davis' KRKE-FM in Albuquerque.

Davis said he is enthusiastic about the collaboration, noting his long-standing relationships with both Wood and Richards. Richards added that returning to program an Oldies station is especially rewarding and expressed confidence that the format will connect with listeners in the Salt Lake City market.

''Win the Day Replay'' Expands to 11 Affiliates

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 11:36am CT

''Win the Day Replay''

A new syndicated radio program spotlighting retro Contemporary Christian Music is expanding its reach, picking up affiliates across multiple U.S. markets. "Win the Day Replay," a two-hour weekly show, features music from the Jesus Movement era of the 1970s through the early 2000s.

The program is produced by veteran broadcaster Randal J. "Randy" Miller, who concluded a 52-year career in local radio in August 2025, including more than four decades as a station owner.

The show debuted on two stations on February 8 and has since grown to 11 affiliates spanning Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Florida, and Alaska. Designed primarily for weekend airplay, the program is available to both commercial and non-commercial stations and is distributed via FTP download.

In addition to music, "Win the Day Replay" incorporates short-form faith-based content. Miller's nonprofit, Win the Day Ministries, Inc., produces podcasts featuring Christian leaders and believers, with select excerpts repurposed into 60-second segments within each broadcast.

The program also includes four minutes per hour of local inventory, offering stations opportunities for localized advertising or messaging within the two-hour format.

For more information, contact Miller at 217-652-0964 or by email.