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Top Radio News
SummitMedia Names Brodie Knoxville Brand Manager
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 12:15pm CT |
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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 that time, he was also Music Curator for iHeartMedia CHR stations in Cincinnati, Fresno and Austin.
His more than 20 years in radio include a decade at KCHZ (95-7 The Vibe) in Kansas City as Assistant Program Director, Music Director and morning host. Earlier programming stops included WSEA (Power 100.3) and WSYN (Sunny 103.1) in Myrtle Beach and KQLK (Hot 97.7) in Lake Charles, LA.
"I've gone country!" said Lesley. "I'm excited to start this new chapter with SummitMedia and WCYQ and help bring great country radio to East Tennessee. Plus, these Smoky Mountain views will never get old!"
SummitMedia Executive Vice President of Programming John Olsen added, "Brodie is a smart programmer, an outstanding air talent and a proven leader who knows how to build strong brands and connect with listeners. He's a great fit for our Knoxville team, and we're excited to have him leading these four stations while bringing his energy to middays on 100.3 The Wolf."
AWM to Honor Hannah Storm With Gracies Icon Award
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 12:35pm CT |
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The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) will honor ESPN's Hannah Storm with the Gracies Icon Award during the Gracies Leadership Awards on November 16 at Tribeca 360° in New York. The award recognizes a woman whose influence has helped shape media and expand opportunities for women in the industry.
Storm has anchored ESPN's "SportsCenter" since 2008, with additional appearances across "NFL Live," "NBA Today," "NBA Countdown" and "WNBA Countdown." Her more than three-decade career includes coverage of major sporting events and roles at NBC Sports, CNN and CBS News.
"Hannah Storm has set a standard for journalistic excellence while helping redefine what leadership looks like in sports media," said AWM/F President Becky Brooks. "Her groundbreaking career has earned the trust of audiences and opened doors for generations of women who see new possibilities because of those who came before them. Just as importantly, her commitment to mentorship ensures that impact continues."
Storm founded Brainstormin' Productions in 2008 and has produced and directed projects including "Unmatched" for ESPN's "30 for 30" series. A multiple Gracie Award recipient, she received the Pat Summerall Award in 2025 and was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle in 2026. She also provides mentorship and internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and broadcasters.
The luncheon will also honor TikTok Chief Brand & Communications Officer Zenia Mucha with the inaugural Gracies Vanguard Award and Illustrative Mathematics Chief Financial and Operations Officer Kristen Welch with the AWM Legacy Leadership Award.
Additional honorees include ABC Owned Television Stations General Manager Marilu Galvez, OWN TV Network and OTT Streaming President Tina Perry, Premiere Networks President Julie Talbott and Universal Television President Erin Underhill.
Proceeds support the AWM Foundation's scholarships, mentorship and professional development programs. AWM Foundation Student Fellows and the 2026 AWM Foundation/NCTA Scholarship recipient will also attend.
AM/FM Radio Leads In-Car Listening Among EV Users
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 2:22pm CT |
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AM/FM radio continues to account for the largest share of in-car audio listening among Americans, including electric vehicle (EV) drivers and passengers, although its share is notably lower among EV users, according to new findings from Edison Research's Share of Ear study.
The research, presented during a recent webinar for Share of Ear subscribers, found that Americans ages 13 and older spend an average of one hour and four minutes per day listening to audio in vehicles. In-car listening represents more than one-quarter of total daily audio consumption.
Among the overall U.S. population ages 13 and older, AM/FM radio accounts for 53% of in-car audio listening time. That figure declines to 42% among people whose primary vehicle is an EV, an 11-percentage-point difference.
Despite the decline, traditional radio remains the leading audio platform in electric vehicles, ahead of streaming music, satellite radio and podcasts.
Streaming music accounts for 17% of in-car audio time among the overall population, increasing to 22% among EV drivers and passengers. SiriusXM also gains share among EV users, rising from 16% of listening time in the overall population to 20% among those whose primary vehicle is electric.
Podcast listening shows an even larger relative difference, with EV users devoting twice the share of their in-car audio time to podcasts compared with the general population. The release did not provide specific percentages for podcast listening.
Other audio platforms maintained relatively consistent listening shares across the two groups.
The findings underscore the continued importance of the automobile to broadcast radio while highlighting differences in audio consumption among EV users. Although AM/FM radio retains the largest share of listening time in electric vehicles, streaming music, satellite radio and podcasts collectively account for a greater portion of listening than they do among the overall driving population.
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RTDNA Survey Finds Modest Gains in Radio News Staffing
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 2:32pm CT |
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Radio newsroom staffing showed modest improvement in 2025, with the median number of full-time news employees returning to two after declining the previous year, according to the latest RTDNA/Newhouse School at Syracuse University Survey.
The annual survey found that the average radio newsroom employed 3.8 full-time news staffers, while part-time staffing remained unchanged at an average of 1.7 employees.
Non-commercial stations continued to maintain larger newsrooms than their commercial counterparts, reporting a median of three full-time news employees compared with just one at commercial stations.
Staffing gains were reported across most market sizes, with large markets experiencing the biggest increase, averaging 2.7 additional employees. No market-size category reported a decline in full-time newsroom staffing.
Despite the overall improvement, most radio stations reported little change in their individual staffing levels. The percentage of stations adding employees dropped by more than half to 8.6%, while those reporting no staffing changes increased nearly eight percentage points to 77.6%.
The survey also found that 71.6% of radio stations relied on centralized newsrooms serving multiple stations, a slight decline from the previous year. That figure remains below pre-pandemic levels, when centralized news operations routinely accounted for more than 80% of stations.
Non-commercial broadcasters were more likely than commercial stations to both increase and reduce newsroom staffing, reflecting their generally larger news operations.
Digital newsroom staffing declined slightly for the second consecutive year, primarily because of reductions in major markets. However, part-time digital staffing increased modestly overall.
Hiring activity showed improvement, with both replacement hires and newly created positions averaging 0.9 employees each. The median number of hires reached one for the first time in nine years.
Reporters remained the most frequently hired employees, both for replacement positions and newly created jobs, followed by sales and promotional personnel.
The report also noted that ongoing staffing reductions at iHeartRadio, PBS and NPR stations could influence future survey results, although the full impact of those cuts has not yet been determined.
The RTDNA/Newhouse School Survey was conducted during the fourth quarter of 2025 and included responses from nearly 600 radio stations and more than 1,100 television stations.
The research is supported by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. The findings were reported by Tim Mirabito, Keren Henderson and Akshaya Chandrasekaran.
Podmerse Launches Podcast Sponsorship Database
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 10:52am CT |
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Podmerse has launched a publicly available podcast sponsorship database designed to help podcasters identify potential advertisers and provide media buyers with information about where competing brands are placing their podcast advertising.
The platform tracks more than 2 million sponsored episodes involving over 368,000 brands and nearly 44,000 podcasts. Its database is updated daily as new episodes are published, providing information about sponsorship activity across podcast categories and advertiser industries.
According to data released by Podmerse, podcast sponsorship relationships frequently change. Of the brand and podcast pairings tracked during the first quarter of 2026, only 34% appeared again on the same shows during the second quarter, despite those podcasts continuing to carry advertising.
The findings suggest that approximately two-thirds of those sponsorship relationships did not continue into the following quarter, highlighting the ongoing challenge podcasters face in securing repeat advertisers.
"Most small and mid-size podcasters are struggling to monetize their shows, and it is rarely because the audience is too small," said Podmerse co-founder Anuj Agarwal. "It is because they cannot see which companies are already paying for audiences like theirs."
Podmerse monitors more than 2 million podcasts and analyzes newly published episodes to identify both host-read commercials and dynamically inserted advertising. Each sponsorship record identifies the advertiser, the podcast, the number of episodes carrying the sponsorship, the most recent appearance date and the relevant industry and podcast category.
Unlike traditional podcast media kits, which generally highlight selected advertising relationships, Podmerse says its information is collected directly from published episodes rather than supplied by advertisers or podcast publishers.
Users can filter results by advertiser industry, podcast category, audience size, episode count and most recent sponsorship date. The platform also allows users to create lists and export information in CSV format for advertising research, media planning and sponsor outreach.
An additional feature allows users to follow individual brands or podcasts and receive updates when new sponsorship activity is detected. Podcasters can monitor advertisers buying placements on similar shows, while agencies and advertisers can track where competing brands are directing their podcast budgets.
"The useful question is not which brands sponsor podcasts. It is which brands came back to a show a second and a third time," said Podmerse co-founder Vineet Agarwal.
He noted that traditional media kits often fail to distinguish between advertisers that purchased a single test placement and those maintaining long-term sponsorship relationships.
Podmerse says the database is intended to provide greater transparency into podcast advertising activity while helping publishers identify prospective sponsors and allowing advertisers to evaluate competitive spending patterns.
Triton Digital Completes First AI-Driven Audio Ad Buy
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 6:30am CT |
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Triton Digital has completed what it describes as the audio industry's first fully automated, agent-to-agent advertising transaction using its newly launched Seller Agent. The campaign was executed with Talpa Media, digital agency Draft Digital and advertiser Otrium.
According to Triton, the entire transaction, from campaign request and negotiation to booking in the ad server, was handled through communication between artificial intelligence agents without manual intervention. The process took minutes rather than the days typically required for traditional media buying.
The transaction marks the first use of Triton's Seller Agent, a new capability built on the Triton Ad Platform (TAP) that enables publishers and buyers to receive, evaluate and fulfill campaign requests from AI-powered buying systems.
The technology uses the Advertising Context Protocol (AdCP), an open standard designed to establish a common language for AI agents conducting advertising transactions. Triton is a founding member of AgenticAdvertising.org, the organization overseeing the protocol.
"Audio doesn't have a performance problem; it has an allocation problem," said Triton Digital Chief Product Officer Benjamin Masse. "Budgets follow the path of least resistance and execution cost, rather than focusing on effectiveness."
Masse said the technology allows AI agents to identify suitable inventory, negotiate terms and complete bookings while publishers retain control over pricing and advertiser relationships.
For the inaugural transaction, an AI agent working on behalf of Otrium identified digital audio inventory matching the advertiser's campaign objectives. The systems then negotiated availability and terms before automatically booking the campaign in the ad server.
The campaign is now running across Talpa Media's digital audio inventory through Sync, the company's AI-driven infrastructure for automated advertising transactions.
Triton emphasized that the technology incorporates human oversight through predetermined pricing requirements, campaign validation procedures and data privacy standards. Those parameters are established before AI agents execute transactions, with each booking checked against the approved requirements.
"This transaction is about more than automating a single campaign," said Allard Korenhof, Director of Digital Transformation at Talpa Media. He said the company's Sync platform is designed to ensure Dutch media inventory remains accessible as AI becomes more widely used in advertising planning and buying.
Otrium Head of Growth Philip Sonneveldt said the technology offers advertisers an opportunity to move budgets toward suitable inventory more quickly without sacrificing oversight of pricing, targeting or brand safety.
Draft Digital Founder Lars Postmus described the transaction as an end-to-end AI process that combines automated buying with human expertise in inventory selection and campaign strategy.
Triton said its Seller Agent is designed to reduce the administrative work involved in audio advertising transactions, potentially allowing publishers to respond to more advertising opportunities while improving inventory matching and campaign execution.
Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson to Launch Media Network
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 2:53pm CT |
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Sports journalist and national basketball insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson has announced plans to launch a multimedia digital network in early 2027, featuring original audio and video programming focused on sports, entertainment, music and lifestyle culture.
The new venture will build on Robinson's existing Scoop B Radio, #WORDSWITHSCOOP and The Pull Up brands, with five flagship programs, a daily digital news operation and direct-to-consumer distribution. The network's official name is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
"From cutting my teeth in radio at 12 years old to building a decade of community with Scoop B Radio, this network is the culmination of a lifelong commitment to narrative sovereignty and authentic storytelling," said Robinson, who will serve as founder and CEO.
The network will feature programming covering professional basketball, athlete business ventures, fashion, hip-hop and cultural heritage, along with additional coverage of football and wrestling.
Plans also include a dedicated women's basketball channel led by a veteran storyteller, focusing on the growth and cultural influence of women's basketball. A continuously updated digital newsroom will provide breaking news and coverage supporting the network's video and podcast programming.
Robinson has built his career as a sports journalist and broadcaster, contributing to publications including The Source, Billboard, VIBE, Jet and Ebony. His broadcasting experience includes appearances on SiriusXM, MSNBC, Complex, ESPN and Arise News.
Following his departure from The Source in 2015, Robinson co-hosted the CBS Radio sports program Brown and Scoop. He subsequently served as a senior sports writer for Heavy and joined Bally Sports as a National NBA Insider in 2021. He is represented by Buchwald Talent.
The new network will operate in partnership with Crossover Media Group (CMG), which will oversee national advertising sales, sponsorships, host-read commercial integrations and distribution through a commercial joint venture.
"What 'Scoop B' has organically built is a masterclass in audience loyalty and cultural relevance," said CMG co-founder and Managing Partner Scott Calka. "By pairing our cross-platform monetization strategies, brand integration expertise and network infrastructure with Brandon's unmatched access and eye for content, we are establishing a blueprint for modern sports and lifestyle entertainment."
Robinson said the network is intended to provide an independent platform connecting sports journalism with the broader cultural interests of athletes and audiences.
The organization is currently in discussions with prospective executives for leadership positions in operations and editorial management. Additional hires in video production, broadcast operations and digital journalism are expected to be announced ahead of the launch.
Official program titles, production schedules and initial advertising partnerships are expected to be unveiled later this fall.
WNBU to Launch All-Christmas Format November 1
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 3:41pm CT |
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Inner Banks Media has announced that WNBU (94.1 FM) along the North Carolina coast and its 102.7 FM signal in Greenville will switch to an all-Christmas music format beginning Sunday, November 1, bringing nearly two months of holiday programming to listeners across Eastern North Carolina.
Branded "Christmas Night & Day," the seasonal format will feature continuous holiday music through New Year's Eve, including traditional Christmas classics, contemporary hits and familiar seasonal favorites.
The playlist will include holiday recordings from Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Andy Williams, alongside more contemporary selections from Mariah Carey, Michael Buble and other popular artists.
"Christmas music has a special way of bringing people together, and let's face it, everyone could certainly use a little more joy right now," said Inner Banks Media Program Manager Dylan McKay.
"There's something about hearing those familiar Christmas songs that brings back memories, puts a smile on your face, and makes the world feel just a little brighter," McKay continued. "We figured, why wait? Starting November 1, we're turning up the Christmas spirit across Eastern North Carolina!"
The early November launch places WNBU among stations making the annual transition to holiday programming well ahead of Thanksgiving, extending the seasonal listening period to approximately two months.
In addition to providing holiday entertainment, Inner Banks Media said the format offers local and regional advertisers an opportunity to reach consumers during the busy holiday shopping season.
WNBU's "Christmas Night & Day" programming will air around the clock on 94.1 FM along the coast and 102.7 FM in Greenville through December 31.
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TM Studios Unveils GoldDisc Christmas Package
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 10:10pm CT |
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TM Studios has introduced a special GoldDisc Christmas package designed to help radio stations prepare for the holiday season with a collection of Christmas music, seasonal production elements and imaging resources.
The package features 550 hand-curated holiday tracks spanning multiple radio formats, delivered as uncompressed WAV files with radio-ready metadata for integration into station automation and playout systems.
In addition to the music library, GoldDisc Christmas includes a Holiday Production Kit containing seasonal music beds and sound effects for promotional announcements and station imaging.
The offer also includes 12 bonus holiday production shells from TRIL (The Radio Imaging Library). The customizable shells allow stations to incorporate their own voice talent and produce holiday-themed imaging with minimal production time.
"Holiday programming should be the most wonderful time of the year for listeners and programmers alike," said TM Studios' Chris "UK" Stevens. "With GoldDisc Christmas, stations get all the music and creative resources they need to sound great throughout the season, in one convenient package!"
The package is designed to provide programmers and production departments with a ready-to-use collection of holiday content as stations prepare for seasonal format changes and Christmas-themed programming.
GoldDisc Christmas is available now exclusively to licensed radio stations.
Additional information is available here.
BFOA Expands College Scholarship Program
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 6:47pm CT |
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The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) has announced an expansion of its needs-based College Scholarship Program, opening eligibility to students pursuing careers in radio and television regardless of whether they come from a broadcasting family.
The expansion comes less than six months after the program's introduction and increases the number of annual scholarships from one to seven, with a combined value of $25,000.
Under the revised program, the Foundation will continue offering its original $10,000 scholarship to a qualifying student from a broadcasting family while adding six annual scholarships of $2,500 each. The new awards will be available to students who meet the program's academic and financial requirements, regardless of family connections to the broadcasting industry.
"The future of broadcasting depends on attracting talented, creative people with fresh ideas and a passion for our industry," said BFOA President Tim McCarthy. "We want to make sure that financial circumstances or family background don't stand in the way of a promising student pursuing a career in radio or television."
McCarthy said the expanded program reflects the Foundation's commitment to developing future broadcasting professionals by making educational assistance available to a broader group of students.
BFOA Chair Scott Herman said the scholarship initiative represents an extension of the organization's longstanding mission of assisting broadcasters facing financial hardships. "For decades, the Broadcasters Foundation has been committed to helping members of our industry through life's most difficult challenges," Herman said. "Supporting the next generation of broadcasters is a natural outgrowth of that commitment."
Herman added that investing in students pursuing broadcasting careers will help strengthen the industry's future while providing opportunities for talented individuals who might otherwise face financial barriers.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America provides financial assistance to radio and television professionals and their families during times of critical need.
Applications for the expanded College Scholarship Program will open in early spring 2027.
Westwood One, Silverloch Set Election Day Coverage
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 10:58am CT |
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Westwood One and Silverloch have announced special Election Day programming for Tuesday, November 3, featuring conservative commentators Dan Bongino, Vince Coglianese, Hayley Caronia and Shawn Farash across broadcast radio, podcasts and streaming platforms.
The coverage will feature commentary and analysis of key races and election developments throughout the day, with programming available through participating radio affiliates, podcast platforms and Rumble.
The schedule begins at 8am ET with the VINCE podcast, hosted by Coglianese, followed by the live radio broadcast of The Vince Show from noon to 3pm ET.
Additional midday programming includes the Scrolling with Hayley podcast, hosted by Caronia, from noon to 1 p.m. ET, followed by Shawn Farash Live from 1-2pm ET.
The Bongino Report PM will air from 3-6pm ET, providing additional coverage and commentary as voters head to the polls.
Election Day programming will conclude with a special Election Night edition of The Dan Bongino Show, streaming live on Rumble from 8 to 10 p.m. ET.
The two-hour livestream will feature Bongino's real-time reactions to election results, political analysis and commentary from special guests as returns are reported.
Westwood One and Silverloch said the multiplatform coverage is designed to provide audiences with access to election commentary and developments throughout the day and into the evening.
Eastlan Ratings Adds Kelly and Ehrman to Support Team
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 2:06pm CT |
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Eastlan Ratings has expanded its client training and support team with the addition of radio industry veterans Jay Kelly and Tommy Ehrman as the company prepares for continued market expansion into 2027.
Kelly brings decades of broadcast and digital media experience to Eastlan. A nationally recognized consultant, he previously worked as a major-market radio drive-time personality and Program Director in Seattle, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Kansas City.
His experience with Wet Fish Digital will also support Eastlan's efforts to help radio sales teams develop strategies for selling digital services and competing in an increasingly diverse media marketplace.
Ehrman brings extensive experience in small- and medium-market radio operations and sales. He began his broadcasting career as a part-time janitor at a radio station in Modesto, CA, before advancing through various positions in the industry. His background includes an 18-year tenure with Citadel, primarily in sales and sales management, along with expertise in developing effective radio advertising schedules.
"Life is too short for a phone tree to nowhere or time-sucking chatbots. When our clients need assistance, they need it now," said Eastlan President Mike Gould. "We are resolute in our commitment to provide our clients the support they deserve: real humans who listen and respond quickly."
Gould also criticized the reliance on automated customer service systems and offshore support operations used by other ratings providers, emphasizing Eastlan's commitment to direct, personalized assistance for its clients.
The appointments come as Eastlan continues expanding its audience measurement services into additional radio markets. The company said it expects to announce several more staff additions and numerous new markets in the coming weeks.
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Townsquare Media's Kelly Quinn to Depart After 25 Years
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 4:33pm CT |
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Townsquare Media Chief Growth Officer Kelly Quinn will depart the company on October 30, ending a 25-year career that included senior leadership positions in sales, market operations, digital advertising and revenue development.
Quinn announced his departure in a September LinkedIn post, saying the timing was right to close this chapter of his career. He has not announced his next professional move and plans to take some time away before considering future opportunities.
"It feels surreal to even be typing this, but the timing is right to close this chapter," Quinn wrote. "During my time at Townsquare, I've had the opportunity to wear a lot of hats."
Quinn began his career as a sales representative before advancing into market leadership and becoming Townsquare's first Corporate Vice President of Sales. He subsequently helped lead the company's digital advertising operations and served as Chief Revenue Officer before assuming the Chief Growth Officer position.
In February 2025, Quinn was promoted from Regional Vice President to Chief Revenue Officer of Ignite, Townsquare's in-house programmatic digital advertising division. In that role, he was responsible for expanding Ignite's business and leveraging its data-driven advertising solutions to strengthen client relationships.
At the time, Ignite President Todd Lawley praised Quinn's leadership abilities, saying his experience motivating sales teams positioned him to drive continued growth for the division.
Reflecting on his tenure, Quinn highlighted Townsquare's transformation from a traditional broadcasting company into a digital-first media organization, noting that digital now accounts for nearly 60% of the company's revenue.
"There was no owner's manual for that. We had to build it. We had to innovate," Quinn wrote. "And to my colleagues reading this, know that you did that. I'm deeply grateful that I got to play a role in it."
Quinn also credited several executives and colleagues who influenced his career, including Erik Hellum, Todd Lawley, Bill Wilson, Bob McCuin, Zoe Burdine-Fly and the late Bob Freeman.
He said the relationships developed throughout his career were among his most rewarding experiences, particularly while working with teams across dozens of Townsquare markets.
"For now, I'm going to take some time away and think about what I want the next chapter to look like," Quinn wrote. "Whatever comes next, I know I'll continue to be drawn to the things I've always loved most: building businesses, developing people, solving problems and helping teams accomplish things they didn't think were possible."
Quinn added that he will continue supporting Townsquare's success following his departure.
The company has not announced a successor or disclosed how Quinn's responsibilities will be reassigned.
Chris Cline Exits Reelworld as VP/AR After 18 Years
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 10:49am CT |
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Chris Cline has departed his position as Vice President of Affiliate Relations at Reelworld after 18 years with the radio imaging and production company. He will continue working with Reelworld in a limited consulting capacity.
Cline, a radio industry veteran with more than three decades of experience, described his departure as the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
"I have nothing but great things to say about my tenure at Reelworld," said Cline. "I'm incredibly grateful for the people I've had the opportunity to work with over the years and will always consider everyone at Reelworld my friends and family."
Throughout his career, Cline has held positions spanning affiliate relations, syndication, sales, marketing, creative services and radio production.
Before joining Reelworld, he co-founded N2 Effect, a company specializing in radio jingles and imaging. He also spent six and a half years with TM Century, now known as TM Studios, where he served as Director of Sales and Marketing and Director of Creative.
Cline began his broadcasting career as an intern at WBBM-FM (B96) in Chicago. He subsequently worked at several radio stations throughout the Midwest before transitioning into syndication and radio production.
His departure concludes nearly two decades in a senior affiliate relations role at Reelworld, although his continued consulting arrangement will maintain a connection with the company.
iHeartMedia Sets Third Quarter Earnings Call for Nov. 9
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 5:02pm CT |
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iHeartMedia has announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30 on Monday, November 9. The company will host a conference call at 4:30pm ET following the earnings release to discuss its quarterly financial performance and business outlook.
Investors and analysts can listen to the live audio webcast through the company's investor relations website at investors.iheartmedia.com.
The conference call will also be accessible by telephone at (833) 461-5787 for domestic callers or 1 (585) 542-9983 for international participants, using Meeting ID 653 924 567. Participants are encouraged to connect at least five minutes before the call begins.
An audio replay will be available beginning at 7:30pm ET on November 9 through the Events & Presentations section of iHeartMedia's investor relations website.
The replay can also be accessed by calling (833) 309-1852 domestically or 1 (929) 828-5978 internationally, using the same meeting ID. It will remain available for 30 days.
The earnings release and related financial materials will be posted on the company's investor relations website.
Fisher House Offers Free Veterans Day Radio Special
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 11:01am CT |
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Fisher House Foundation is offering radio outlets nationwide a free three-hour Veterans Day special, "Together in Mission: The Fisher House Journey," hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality and Townhall Editor Larry O'Connor.
The program, available for broadcast on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, and throughout the holiday period, features interviews with wounded service members, veterans and military families who have received assistance from Fisher House Foundation. The nonprofit provides free lodging for military and veteran families while their loved ones undergo medical treatment.
Designed primarily for News/Talk stations, the special is also available in shorter versions suitable for other formats. Participating stations can carry the program without cash or barter requirements.
Among the featured interviews is Army veteran Jonathan Turnbull, who was severely wounded and blinded in a January 2019 ISIS suicide bombing in Syria that killed four Americans. Turnbull and his wife, Samantha, discuss his recovery, the support they received from Fisher House and his subsequent participation in the Department of Defense Warrior Games.
The program also features Sven Jacobs, whose wife, Air Force service member Sierra Jacobs, suffered a massive stroke while pregnant with their second child. Jacobs recounts the family's medical evacuation and recovery experience, including assistance from Fisher Houses in Germany and Texas.
Other guests include Jalyn Rowe, whose Navy veteran grandson battled a rare neurological disorder; Coast Guard veteran William Hamilton III, who suffered a stroke while stationed in Alaska; and Navy veteran Mike Bobinchuck, who underwent a heart transplant.
Fisher House Foundation Chairman Ken Fisher and President Dave Coker also appear in the special, discussing the organization's history, expansion and additional programs supporting military families.
Among those initiatives is Hero Miles, which uses donated airline miles to help transport family members to the bedside of hospitalized service members and veterans. The foundation also supports adaptive sports programs and other services for military families.
O'Connor, who hosts the nationally syndicated "O'Connor & Company" morning program on Salem Radio Network, guides listeners through the personal accounts of military service, medical emergencies and recovery.
"Together in Mission: The Fisher House Journey" is being distributed at no charge to participating stations, with no cash or barter obligations.
Stations can hear a demonstration and register to receive the program here.
Westwood One Study Challenges Eight AM/FM Radio Myths
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 26, 2026 | 2:16pm CT |
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A new analysis from Cumulus Media's Westwood One Audio Active Group challenges eight common advertiser perceptions about AM/FM radio, citing research that shows the medium continues to deliver substantial audience reach, advertising effectiveness and return on investment.
In the latest Audio Active Group blog, Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard examines findings from Nielsen, Edison Research, LeadsRx and an August 2026 Advertiser Perceptions survey of 302 media agency and advertising professionals. The analysis identifies significant differences between how advertisers perceive radio audiences and actual listening behavior.
According to the Advertiser Perceptions survey, agencies and marketers estimated that AM/FM radio reaches just 43% of Americans weekly. However, Nielsen data places the medium's weekly reach at 86%, twice the industry estimate.
The report also challenges the perception that younger audiences have abandoned traditional radio. Nielsen data provided through Katz Radio Group indicates that adults 18-34 represent AM/FM radio's largest listening demographic, with more than 63 million weekly listeners.
Another misconception involves radio's audience share compared with streaming services. Advertisers estimated that Spotify and Pandora command a combined 46% share of ad-supported audio listening, compared with 26% for AM/FM radio. However, Edison's Q3 2026 "Share of Ear" study places AM/FM radio's actual share at 62%, approximately 13 times that of ad-supported Spotify and 16 times that of ad-supported Pandora.
In-car listening remains another area of strength. According to Edison Research, AM/FM radio accounts for 81% of ad-supported audio listening in vehicles, despite growing availability of connected-car entertainment options.
The analysis also examines radio's potential contribution to advertising campaigns. Nielsen Media Impact research cited by the Radio Advertising Bureau found that reallocating just 10% of a media budget from connected television, digital and linear television to AM/FM radio increased campaign reach by 20% without increasing overall spending.
Daily audience reach provides another distinction. Edison's research indicates that ad-supported Spotify, Pandora and podcasts collectively reach 32% of Americans on a typical day, compared with 56% for AM/FM radio.
Bouvard also addresses advertiser skepticism about radio's return on investment. Nielsen's Global Media Mix Modeling Benchmarks rank AM/FM radio second globally in advertising ROI, generating an average return of $2 for every dollar invested. In the U.S., radio ranks fourth among 12 measured media categories, delivering $2.14 for every advertising dollar.
Additional attribution research conducted by LeadsRx for Westwood One found that AM/FM radio advertising generated an average 14% increase in website traffic across 17 campaigns measured over five years.
The report concludes by challenging the perception that radio advertising cannot be measured as effectively as television or digital media. Westwood One maintains that modern attribution and measurement tools can evaluate radio's contribution to website visits, sales and other advertising outcomes.
The findings underscore the gap between advertiser assumptions and audience measurement data, with Bouvard arguing that radio remains an important component of advertising strategies seeking broader reach and measurable results.
Read the complete Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog here.
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