Top Radio News

WGTS Names Chobotar Chief Administrative Officer

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 11, 2026 | 1:23pm CT

Todd Chobotar

WGTS 91.9 in Washington, DC, has named Todd Chobotar as its next Chief Administrative Officer, effective October 26. He succeeds Kelly Carvalho, who left the Chief Administrative Officer position in May to pursue another opportunity. Chobotar will join the leadership team of Atlantic Gateway Communications, parent company of WGTS 91.9, WGBZ 88.3, AllWorship, When We Pray, WGTS Classics and Simple Truths for Life.

He most recently served as a consultant and later CEO of The Meaning Company, a ghostwriting firm serving executives and other clients in entertainment, sports, finance, medicine and philanthropy. Previously, Chobotar led AdventHealth Press, the publishing and communications arm of AdventHealth.

"I'm honored to join Atlantic Gateway Communications and the award-winning team at WGTS," said Chobotar. "This is an organization with a strong sense of purpose, a deep commitment to its listeners, and a remarkable ability to make a positive difference across the greater Washington, D.C., community."

AGC/WGTS President and CEO Kevin Krueger said Chobotar's background in media and publishing will help the organization develop future initiatives and expand its reach. "His combination of leadership and creativity will help lead and grow our team and develop strategy for future initiatives that reach more people around Washington, D.C., and beyond," Krueger said.

Audacy Launches NFC North Weekly Sports Show

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 11, 2026 | 10:20am CT

''Inside the North''

Audacy has launched "Inside the North," a new weekly one-hour sports show devoted to the NFL's NFC North and its four teams: the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

The program will be hosted by 104.3 The Score morning co-host David Haugh and feature a panel of former NFL players and coaches representing each team. The lineup includes former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt, former Packers kicker Mason Crosby, former Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang and former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway.

"Inside the North" debuts Sunday, September 13, and will air across Audacy sports stations in all four NFC North markets. The show will air from 8-9am CT on WSCR-FM (104.3 The Score) in Chicago, 8-9am ET on WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) in Detroit, 8-9am CT on WSSP-FM (105.7 The Fan) in Milwaukee and 10-11am CT on WCCO-AM in Minneapolis.

Video episodes will also be released each Friday evening on YouTube ahead of the weekend's games.

"The NFC North features some of the most passionate fanbases and intense rivalries in all of football," said Audacy Sports Format Vice President Mitch Rosen. "By combining David Haugh's signature hosting with the firsthand perspective of four iconic division figures, 'Inside the North' delivers unmatched context and insider access to these markets every single week."

Haugh currently co-hosts "Haugh and Payton" on The Score and has spent decades covering Midwest sports. Wannstedt coached the Bears for six seasons, Crosby is the Packers' all-time leading scorer, Lang played for both Green Bay and Detroit during his NFL career, and Greenway spent his entire 11-year career with Minnesota.

Former HOT 97 Host Buc Wild Dies at 47

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 11, 2026 | 1:31pm CT

Timothy ''Buc Wild'' Joseph

Timothy "Buc Wild" Joseph, the former HOT 97 New York personality best known as co-host of the "Star & Buc Wild" radio show, has died at age 47. His longtime friend and former co-host Star announced Joseph's death during a YouTube livestream on Wednesday. Star said Joseph died Sunday at the Pink Houses apartment complex in Brooklyn.

A cause of death has not been confirmed. During the livestream, Star mentioned fentanyl as a possible cause but emphasized that he did not have confirmation. "Timothy Joseph, aka Buc Wild, was loved," Star said. "He had a support system."

Joseph gained recognition as part of "Star & Buc Wild," where his chemistry with Star helped make the program a memorable part of New York hip-hop radio. Star described their decades-long relationship as "very unique" and recalled helping Joseph, who had dyslexia, improve his reading skills while the pair worked at HOT 97.

One of their recurring features, "Buc Wild's Lottery Numbers," grew out of those efforts. Star said the segment was intended to help Joseph become more confident and comfortable on the air.

Star also thanked former HOT 97 colleagues Tracy Claudy and Judy Ellis for their support of Joseph over the years and said he remained in contact with Joseph's family and friends.

"He was a likable guy," Star said, as he reflected on their years together both on and off the air.

MaxxKonnect Launches FCC Password Generator

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 11, 2026 | 1:34pm CT

MaxxKonnect

MaxxKonnect has launched a free web-based password generator designed to help radio and television broadcasters meet new FCC cybersecurity requirements for certain broadcast equipment. The requirements were adopted as part of FCC 26-38 and added to Section 11.35(d) of the Commission's Emergency Alert System rules. They apply to EAS equipment, studio-transmitter link equipment and remotely managed equipment that routes, processes or inserts content into a station's programming.

Under the rule, broadcasters must replace default passwords before covered equipment is used to broadcast, use passwords of at least 15 characters that do not contain dictionary words and avoid reusing those passwords for other accounts, equipment, applications or services. Passwords must also be changed when there is reason to believe they have been compromised.

MaxxKonnect said its generator creates random 15-character passwords and screens the results to exclude dictionary words as well as common one- and two-letter words. Password generation takes place locally in the user's browser, and the company says passwords are not stored, logged or transmitted.

"Stations are going to need a lot of new passwords in a short window, for equipment that in some cases has never had its default credentials changed," said MaxxKonnect Vice President of Engineering Mike Hutchens. "We built this so engineers, owners, whomever needs to - can generate compliant passwords quickly without having to think through the requirements every time."

The password provisions are only one part of the FCC's new cybersecurity requirements. The rules also require covered broadcasters to promptly install security patches and security-related software and firmware updates and use a firewall or comparable network-segmentation method to restrict remote management access.

MaxxKonnect said its engineers are also available to help stations identify equipment covered by the rules, locate default or reused passwords, review firmware and update status and assess firewall and network-segmentation configurations.

The password generator is available free without an account at fccpassword.com.

NAB Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 With Broadcasters

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 3:12pm CT

NAB Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 With Broadcasters

The National Association of Broadcasters is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a new episode of its "AirTime" podcast examining the role local broadcasters played during the attacks and their continuing responsibility during emergencies.

The episode features longtime NBC4 Washington news anchor Jim Handly, who was reporting from downtown Washington, DC, on September 11, 2001. With cell phones and other communications unavailable, Handly recalled that broadcasters relied on two-way radios and over-the-air radio to follow developments and keep the public informed.

"We had a responsibility. We had to be a voice of calm," Handly said. "We had to get information as we were getting it out to people."

The podcast also features David Paine, president and co-founder of 9/11 Day, which encourages Americans to commemorate the anniversary through acts of service.

"Local radio stations can be a critical partner in supporting what we're trying to do for 9/11 Day," Paine said, adding that the initiative asks Americans to pledge to perform a good deed on September 11.

NAB said local broadcasters continue to play a role in providing communities with timely information during crises while also sharing stories intended to support remembrance and community connection.

The association has also compiled examples of local broadcasters' reporting from September 11, 2001, along with coverage of annual commemorations since the attacks. The full "AirTime" episode is available through NAB and podcast platforms.

Read the full NAB blog post here.

Magellan AI: Host-Read Podcast Ads Lift Response

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 4:25pm CT

Magellan AI

Magellan AI has released its Q2 2026 Podcast Measurement Benchmark Report, finding a median 2.23% response rate among podcast advertising campaigns measured during the first six months of the year. The report analyzed campaigns running from January 1 through June 30.

The company defines response rate as the percentage of unique reached listeners exposed to an ad who subsequently visit an advertiser's website. The 2.23% benchmark uses a 30-day lookback window.

Host-read advertising produced a substantially higher response rate than produced spots. Host-read ads recorded a median response rate of 3.22%, compared with 2.09% for produced ads, a 54% difference.

The study also found that podcast response continued to build well beyond the initial exposure. About 41% of site visits occurred within seven days, increasing to nearly 76% within 30 days. Magellan AI said responses nearly doubled between the seven- and 30-day measurement windows.

Among listeners who reached an advertiser's website, the median lead conversion rate was 4.65%, while the median purchase conversion rate was 3.98%. Lead conversions included actions such as sign-ups, inquiries and registrations, while purchase conversions represented completed transactions.

Video was also associated with stronger results. Podcasts with video posted a 2.05% median response rate versus 1.88% for RSS-only podcasts. For lead conversion, video podcasts recorded a 4.50% median rate compared with 2.57% for RSS-only shows, a 75% difference.

Podcast promotions generated a median new-listener conversion rate of 1.69%, with 55.5% of converted listeners returning to hear more than one episode. The report also found that nearly six in 10 new-listener conversions occurred during the first seven days following exposure.

Magellan AI noted that the new report uses medians rather than the weighted averages used in its Q1 report and covers six months instead of a single quarter. Because of those methodology and reporting-period differences, the company cautioned that the two reports are not directly comparable.

Katz: Radio Serves as Lifeline During Emergencies

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 2:50pm CT

Katz Radio Group

Radio's ability to deliver immediate, local information makes it an important communications resource during hurricanes and other emergencies, according to a new Katz Radio Group Sound Answers blog post examining the medium's role during severe weather.

Katz notes that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and typically reaches its peak around September 10. During hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, winter storms and power outages, local stations can quickly interrupt regular programming to provide information specific to affected communities.

That information can include weather warnings, evacuation routes and shelter locations, road closures and flooding reports, school and business closures, power outage updates and instructions from emergency management officials.

The blog argues that radio has an advantage during rapidly changing conditions because listeners can receive updates while driving, evacuating, checking on family members or waiting for electrical service to be restored without having to watch a screen.

Katz also points to a role for advertisers and sponsors during emergencies. In addition to supporting the programming, staffing and infrastructure needed to keep information on the air, businesses can use their messages to provide details about emergency hours, fuel and supply availability, services, donation drives and assistance for affected residents.

The company suggests stations can pair emergency-related coverage with appropriate local sponsors, including hospitals, utilities, grocery stores, home-improvement companies, banks and insurance agencies. Katz says such sponsorships are most effective when focused on providing useful and timely information to the community.

"National forecasts can tell people that a hurricane is approaching," the blog said. "Local radio can explain what that hurricane means for a particular community."

Read the full Katz Radio Insights blog here.

Greg Hanson Named Connoisseur Shreveport Market Manager

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 10:29am CT

Greg Hanson

Connoisseur Media has promoted Greg Hanson to Market Manager and named Paul Cannell Operations Manager for its five-station Shreveport, LA cluster, including KDKS, KTAL, KBTT, KLKL and KOKA. Hanson moves into the Market Manager position after serving as Operations Manager for the cluster. In his expanded role, he will oversee programming, sales, promotions, digital initiatives and revenue development.

"Greg has been a guiding force behind the programming and success of these stations for many years, and his deep connection to the Shreveport community has made him an invaluable leader," said Connoisseur Media Senior Vice President, Southwest Region Jay Richardson. "His experience and understanding of this market make him the right person to lead the team as we continue to grow and evolve."

Cannell succeeds Hanson as Operations Manager, bringing previous programming and operations leadership experience in the Shreveport market. His background also includes digital, promotions, talent development and revenue generation across multiple formats.

"Paul was a natural fit for this role. He knows radio, he knows this market, and he understands how all the pieces have to work together," said Hanson. "As I move into the Market Manager role, I'm excited to have someone I trust leading programming and operations and helping us keep moving forward."

Packers, 95.7 BIG FM Renew Broadcast Partnership

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 3:19pm CT

The Green Bay Packers and iHeartMedia Milwaukee's WRIT-FM (95.7 BIG FM) have reached a multi-year renewal of their broadcast partnership, keeping the Classic Hits outlet as the Milwaukee flagship of the Packers Radio Network.

Under the agreement, 95.7 BIG FM will continue carrying live Packers gameday coverage throughout the season, including "Packers Preview," game broadcasts and the postgame programs "Packers Playback" and "Packers OT Postgame."

Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren will continue handling play-by-play and analysis, respectively. The pair are entering their 28th season broadcasting Packers games together.

"We're excited to extend our partnership with iHeartMedia," said Packers Chief Sales and Business Development Officer Craig Benzel. "Through this collaboration and iHeart's platforms, we're able to bring Packers football to fans around Wisconsin and across the country."

Packers coverage on 95.7 BIG FM will also be simulcast on iHeartMedia's WOKY-AM (Fox Sports 920) in Milwaukee, WIBA-FM (101.5) and WIBA-AM (1310) in Madison and WBIZ (Z100) in Eau Claire.

"Packers football is such an important part of the culture here in Wisconsin, and we're thrilled to continue giving fans a front-row seat to all the action," said iHeartMedia Regional President Tim Feagan.

The Packers Radio Network currently includes 54 affiliate stations across six states.

Triton Digital Launches Demos+ Podcast Targeting

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 1:58pm CT

Triton Digital

Triton Digital has launched Demos+ Demographic Targeting, a new podcast content targeting capability available through the Triton Ad Platform (TAP).

Built on the company's survey-based Demos+ podcast audience measurement product, the new capability classifies podcast content according to the audiences most likely to consume it. Advertisers can then target shows and episodes that over-index with specific audience profiles based on demographic, sociographic, media behavior and purchase-intent characteristics.

Unlike targeting tied to individual listeners, Demos+ attaches its audience signals to podcast content. Triton said this allows advertisers to apply the targeting across podcast inventory without relying on cookies or device identifiers, while publishers retain control of their listener data.

"Advertisers have been able to see who a show reaches for some time, but they haven't been able to act on it in the same place they buy," said Triton Digital President and CEO John Rosso. "Now, we're taking strides to close that loop."

Publishers can use the targeting options within existing campaign setup, forecasting, reporting and programmatic buying workflows without adopting a separate platform. The system is designed to allow publishers and buyers to create and evaluate audience segments across multiple podcasts rather than relying primarily on show genre or content-level tagging.

Demos+ Demographic Targeting is initially available to publishers with audiences in the U.S., Australia and the Netherlands. Publishers outside those markets can use Triton's Sounder platform for episode-level content analysis supporting contextual targeting, brand safety and brand suitability.

BIG 100 Sets Commanders Programming for 2026

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 10:42am CT

Washington Commanders

WBIG (BIG 100) Washington, DC has unveiled its Washington Commanders programming lineup for the 2026 NFL season, expanding its coverage with daily guests and weeknight programming. The iHeartMedia Classic Rock outlet serves as the official flagship of the Commanders and will feature a rotating lineup of former players, analysts and reporters during Big Rig's weekday morning show.

Former Washington wide receiver Santana Moss will join Mondays at 8:30am, followed by former Washington tight end and current analyst Logan Paulsen Tuesdays at 8:30am. Former linebacker LaVar Arrington will appear Wednesdays at 8:30am, while The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala joins Thursdays at 8:30am.

Friday's lineup will feature Tim Murray at 8am, followed at 8:30am by Bram Weinstein, the radio voice of the Washington Commanders.

In addition to the morning appearances, BIG 100 will expand its Commanders coverage into primetime with dedicated programming each weeknight at 8pm.

FCC Approves WPSU License Transfer to WHYY

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 2:05pm CT

WHYY

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of WPSU's broadcast licenses from Penn State University to WHYY, clearing the principal regulatory hurdle for the transaction.

WHYY and Penn State said they will now proceed with the remaining steps required to complete the deal. Once the transaction closes, WHYY will operate WPSU's television and radio stations under their existing WPSU name and call letters.

The organizations said WPSU will continue serving approximately 1.5 million residents across central and northern Pennsylvania, maintaining its focus on local journalism, educational programming, cultural content, community engagement and local storytelling.

"This is an extraordinarily important moment for public media and, most importantly, for the people and communities WPSU serves," said WHYY President and CEO Bill Marrazzo. "The FCC's approval brings us significantly closer to making that commitment permanent."

Penn State Vice President for Outreach Larry Terry said the approval "brings welcome clarity about the future of public media in our region." "For generations, WPSU has been a trusted presence in the lives of people across northern and central Pennsylvania," Terry said. "This decision ensures that service will continue under WHYY's leadership and creates new opportunities to serve communities for years to come."

The approval follows nearly two years of planning between WHYY and Penn State. The organizations previously reached agreements for WHYY to acquire WPSU's operating assets, contingent on FCC approval of the license transfers and other customary closing requirements.

WHYY said the transition will combine WPSU's local relationships and more than 70 years of service with its own public media operations while maintaining WPSU as a locally focused service for central and northern Pennsylvania.

RadioLinx Launches Weekly Sports History Feature

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 2:34pm CT

RadioLinx Broadcast Marketing

RadioLinx Broadcast Marketing has announced the national launch of "This Week in Sports History," a new 60-second weekly radio feature hosted by veteran sports and entertainment broadcaster Mike Janela.

Each installment will revisit a notable event, achievement or personality tied to that week in sports history. Topics will span baseball, football, basketball, hockey, the Olympics and other sports, with potential subjects ranging from Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's career home run record to the "Miracle on Ice" and Michael Jordan's championship-winning shot in the 1998 NBA Finals.

The feature is designed to fit into a variety of radio formats and dayparts while providing stations with a local sponsorship opportunity.

Janela previously hosted and produced the hour-long "Padres Social Hour" for the San Diego Padres on FOX Sports San Diego and has worked as a New York Mets Gameday and Social Media Host. His broadcasting background also includes NFL, NBA and NHL coverage for MSG Networks.

He also spent five years with Guinness World Records as a judge and media personality, eventually serving as global head of sports records and head of the North American Records Management Team.

"This Week in Sports History" is being offered to stations on a barter basis with a 30-second commercial adjacency. New episodes will be delivered weekly via Dropbox.

RadioLinx Broadcast Marketing is handling national affiliate relations and station distribution for the feature.

Jeff Weber Media Adds Two Syndicated Radio Products

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 10:49am CT

Greatest Hits USA

Jeff Weber Media has expanded its client roster with the addition of "Greatest Hits USA" and "Pop Quiz," handling advertising and affiliate sales for both syndicated radio products.

"Greatest Hits USA," hosted by veteran radio personality Chuck Matthews, is a three-hour weekly program featuring music from the 1960s and '70s. Regular features include the Birthday Bunch, News from the Past and listener requests through a toll-free line.

Matthews is Program Director at WQGR in Cleveland and has previously worked at WMJI in Cleveland, WLCL in Atlanta and WTRG in Raleigh. He also works as a national voiceover talent.

"We are excited to work with Jeff and his company to continue our rapid affiliate growth," said Greatest Hits USA CEO Rick Schmidt. "Jeff's expertise in advertising and syndication will be a great benefit to us as we add to our current base of more than 150 stations."

The second product, "Pop Quiz," is a two-minute feature hosted by radio personality Jeffrey Jay. Each edition explores the stories behind songs and recording artists while testing listeners with music trivia. Featured artists range from the Four Seasons, Lesley Gore and the Supremes to Pat Benatar, Michael Jackson and the Police.

Jeff Weber Media President Jeff Weber has previously served as a GM or GSM in Albany, Indianapolis and Baltimore. He also spent 12 years as COO of Business TalkRadio Network, where the company says he helped expand its affiliate roster from 130 stations to more than 1,000.

Both "Greatest Hits USA" and "Pop Quiz" are being offered to stations on a barter and market-exclusive basis.

Audacy Partners With Smosh for Podcasts and Video

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 10:35am CT

Smosh Mouth

Audacy has entered into a multi-year podcast and video partnership with comedy brand Smosh, becoming the exclusive sales and distribution partner for its podcast lineup. Beginning October 1, Audacy will handle sales and distribution for all Smosh podcasts, including "Smosh Mouth," "Smosh Reads Reddit Stories," "Assumptions" and "URL."

Founded in 2005 by Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, Smosh was among YouTube's early breakout comedy channels and has since developed into an independent comedy studio and media brand. The company says it has more than 75 million social media followers and has generated 20 billion YouTube views.

"Smosh's podcasts are a core piece of our broader content strategy and an important way for us to connect with our growing audience," said Smosh CEO Alessandra Catanese. "As we continue to invest in this part of our business, Audacy brings unmatched advertising and distribution."

Audacy Head of Podcasts Leah Reis-Dennis said the agreement will expand the company's video capabilities while providing advertisers access to Smosh's audience. "Smosh didn't just break out as a brand on YouTube -- they helped write the playbook for what creator-led entertainment could become," Reis-Dennis said. "Bringing Smosh into the Audacy network is a significant opportunity for us to expand our video capabilities."

The Smosh podcast lineup ranges from comedy and internet culture to Reddit commentary and interviews. Its shows are available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.

Strahan, Schwartz-Morini Launch New Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 3:38pm CT

''Hustle Like You're Broke''

SMAC Entertainment co-founders Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini will launch their first podcast together, "Hustle Like You're Broke," on September 23.

The weekly series, named after the longtime business motto shared by the pair, will feature conversations with figures from entertainment, business, sports and culture about achieving success and sustaining it over time. New episodes will be released Wednesdays.

Strahan and Schwartz-Morini will explore the habits, decisions, relationships and partnerships behind their guests' careers, with some episodes also featuring people who played supporting roles in their success.

Upcoming guests include Gillie & Wallo of "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" and Baseball Hall of Famer CC Sabathia with his wife, CAA agent and philanthropist Amber Sabathia.

"Behind every great accomplishment, there's a team that put in the work when no one was watching," said Strahan. "We've been in the trenches together for years, and have learned that in order to achieve real success, you need not only a vision, but an incredible drive."

Schwartz-Morini is co-founder and CEO of SMAC Entertainment and has worked with athletes and entertainers on business, branding and media ventures. Strahan is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, broadcaster, entrepreneur and investor.

"Hustle Like You're Broke" becomes the second podcast from The Intersection, the podcast network launched by SMAC Productions and AMP Media. The network debuted last month with "Get TO The Point," hosted by Terrell Owens and Chris Spencer.

Carli Lloyd, Jenny Taft Launch iHeart Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 3:41pm CT

''Whatever It Takes''

iHeartPodcasts has launched "Whatever It Takes with Carli Lloyd and Jenny Taft," a new weekly sports and culture podcast hosted by two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd and sports broadcaster Jenny Taft.

The series joins the iHeart Soccer Network with new episodes available Thursdays. Lloyd and Taft, longtime friends and broadcast partners, will discuss sports, family, motherhood and their experiences pursuing careers in professional sports and broadcasting.

"Jenny and I have developed a great friendship over the years, and I'm thrilled to team up with her and iHeartPodcasts on this new venture," said Lloyd. "'Whatever It Takes' is a space where we can share our experiences, learn from incredible guests and talk openly about the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing your goals both on and off the field."

The premiere episode explores the origins of the podcast, past and present World Cups and the hosts' experiences balancing their careers with family and motherhood.

The series will also feature guests from sports and other fields. Upcoming appearances include former soccer players and current analysts Stu Holden and Alexi Lalas.

"We're thrilled they're stepping into this new chapter with iHeart and bringing audiences beyond the headlines and highlight reels," said Leo Gomez, head of the iHeart Soccer Network.

"Whatever It Takes with Carli Lloyd and Jenny Taft" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts as part of the iHeart Soccer Network.