Top Radio News

GeoBroadcast Solutions Rebrands as Aktira

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 12:17pm CT

Aktira

GeoBroadcast Solutions (GBS), developer of technology designed to expand FM coverage and enable geo-targeted radio advertising, has rebranded as Aktira as the company moves to expand commercial deployment of its technology with broadcasters, advertisers and technology partners.

Aktira will house the company's intellectual property, engineering and commercial operations, including its MaxxCasting, ZoneCasting and Lazer products. The existing GeoBroadcast Solutions team will remain in place.

MaxxCasting uses synchronized transmitters to strengthen FM coverage within a station's market and reach areas where the primary signal may be weaker. The company says more than 15 deployments have been completed or initiated, representing an estimated 13 million incremental listeners nationwide.

ZoneCasting uses FCC-approved booster transmitters to divide a station's coverage area into geographic zones, allowing different commercials to air in individual zones during the same commercial break. Aktira says the technology creates additional over-the-air inventory that can be targeted to specific retail trade areas, event venues and other geographic locations.

Lazer provides the attribution component of the platform, adding synchronized visual content and QR codes to compatible vehicle displays. Consumer engagement can then be matched to the geographic zone and radio spot.

The company pointed to a field test involving Dentsu and Jack in the Box on KSJO-FM in San Jose, where commercials were targeted to the Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore area. GBS said the campaign produced a 37% increase in localized ad recall along with higher store traffic in the targeted zones.

During Super Bowl LX weekend in February, the technology was also used on Audacy's KGMZ-FM (95.7 The Game) in San Francisco to deliver RDS-based traffic, parking, weather and venue information to vehicle dashboards within approximately six miles of Levi's Stadium.

"GeoBroadcast Solutions spent years building the technology, intellectual property and regulatory approvals. Aktira turns those assets into a business built to scale," said lead investors Jennifer and Brian White.

Aktira is shifting from individual station deployments toward enterprise agreements with broadcast groups. Existing deployments include markets such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston, and the company says it is in discussions with several of the country's largest radio operators about expanded deployment.

Under a new business model, Aktira plans to provide broadcasters with the equipment required to deploy its systems without upfront capital costs. In exchange, Aktira will share in advertising revenue generated by the platform.

TuneIn to Bring Audio Service to Stellantis Vehicles

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 12:29pm CT

Stingray

Stingray has reached an agreement with global automaker Stellantis to integrate its TuneIn audio application directly into select future Stellantis vehicles. The agreement will give drivers access to TuneIn's catalog of more than 100,000 radio stations, along with podcasts, news, music and programming from local, national and international broadcasters.

The in-vehicle application will include integrated driver controls for functions including playing, pausing and changing audio while on the road.

"Stellantis is an incredible partner that shares our vision for creating exceptional in-car experiences," said TuneIn CEO Rich Stern. "Our teams have been working closely together to create an experience that feels like a natural extension of each vehicle while giving drivers seamless access to the world's best live audio."

Parent company Stingray said the Stellantis agreement is part of its broader strategy to expand distribution of its audio services in automobiles and increase the availability of branded in-vehicle audio experiences.

The companies did not identify which Stellantis brands or vehicle models will initially offer TuneIn or when the integration will become available.

FOX Sports Radio Launches Stugotz College Football Show

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 12:38pm CT

''College Football with Stugotz & The Bear''

FOX Sports Radio is launching "College Football with Stugotz & The Bear," a new twice-weekly podcast hosted by Jon "Stugotz" Weiner and FOX Sports college football analyst Chris "The Bear" Fallica. The iHeartPodcasts series debuts Friday, September 25, with new episodes scheduled for Mondays and Fridays throughout the college football season.

The show will cover the sport's biggest stories along with rivalries, venues, players, game-day traditions and tailgate culture. Weiner will provide his signature humor and commentary alongside Fallica, a veteran college football analyst and sports betting expert.

"They asked me to host a college football podcast, so I did the smart thing and brought along my friend who actually knows college football," said Stugotz. "How 'bout that?!"

"College football brings out the most passionate fans and opinions in sports," added Fallica. "Who thought giving Stugotz a voice here would be a good idea? I promise to keep him in line."

Stugotz signed a long-term multiplatform agreement with iHeartMedia in December 2025 that led to the launch of the national weekday program "Stugotz and Company LIVE!" on FOX Sports Radio and the creation of the Stugotz Podcast Network with iHeartPodcasts.

The new series joins the network's existing lineup of "Stugotz and Company," "God Bless Football" and "With Stugotz & Hochman."

"College Football with Stugotz & The Bear" will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms. Full video episodes will also be available through iHeart and Stugotz's YouTube channel.

Crooked Media Expands Political Podcast Ad Network

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 6:00am CT

Crooked Media

Crooked Media is expanding its political podcast and digital advertising network, adding "The Adam Mockler Show," "The Argument" and "Weekly Skews" to its roster of shows represented for host-read advertising.

The three shows join "No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen" and "The Joy Reid Show" in Crooked's growing network of outside political programming. Crooked holds exclusive sales rights for host-read advertising across the participating shows' RSS feeds and YouTube channels.

The arrangement expands Crooked's advertising business beyond its owned-and-operated programming, giving advertisers access to political audiences across both podcast and video platforms.

Crooked says its own podcast and digital programming generates more than 30 million monthly views and downloads. Its lineup includes "Pod Save America," "Pod Save the World," "Lovett or Leave It," "Offline with Jon Favreau," "Still Counting," "Runaway Country," "Keep It," "Strict Scrutiny," "Hysteria," "Assembly Required" and "What A Day."

The expanded sales network is available to advertisers immediately, with host-read opportunities offered across the RSS feeds and YouTube channels of participating shows.

The move is part of Crooked's broader expansion across audio and digital media, including subscription offerings, live events, newsletters and streaming video.

Edison: Mobile Overtakes Radio Receiver in Cars

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 12:26pm CT

Edison Research at SSRS

Mobile devices have surpassed traditional AM/FM radio receivers as the leading device for in-car audio consumption among Americans ages 13-34, according to new Share of Ear data from Edison Research at SSRS. The research shows consumers in the age group now spend 46% of their daily in-car audio time listening through a mobile device, compared with 43% through an AM/FM radio receiver.

The three-point advantage for mobile represents a dramatic reversal from earlier Share of Ear measurements. Edison says there was once a 47-point gap between the two devices in favor of the traditional radio receiver.

The findings measure the device used for listening rather than the source of the audio content. Edison noted that some listening through mobile devices consists of streams from AM/FM radio stations.

The latest data follows Edison's recent finding that AM/FM radio continues to account for the majority of ad-supported in-car audio time among 13-34-year-olds. The new analysis broadens the measurement to all audio listening and focuses specifically on the devices used to consume it.

Edison said the shift reflects the long-term rise of smartphones as a primary audio consumption device, a trend that has now extended to younger listeners' in-car habits.

FOX Sports 1370 Launches in WQLL in Baltimore

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 2:16pm CT

WQLL-AM (FOX Sports 1370 AM) in Baltimore

WCBM Maryland has launched FOX Sports 1370 AM on WQLL-AM in Baltimore, bringing the FOX Sports Radio lineup to the market effective immediately.

The station's weekday schedule begins with "Two Pros and a Cup of Joe," featuring LaVar Arrington, Brady Quinn and Jonas Knox, from 6-9am ET. "The Dan Patrick Show" follows from 9am-noon, with "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" airing from noon-3pm.

Afternoons feature "Stugotz & Company LIVE" from 3-5pm, followed by "Covino & Rich" from 5-7pm.

"Sports are woven into the fabric of Baltimore, and we're excited to bring some of the biggest voices in sports broadcasting to our listeners," said WQLL-AM Market Manager Andy Grimshaw.

"From the biggest stories and games to expert analysis and the latest in sports betting, FOX Sports 1370 AM will give Baltimore sports fans something to follow around the clock," he added.

Additional weeknight and weekend programming will be announced at a later date.

Audacy: Podcast Hosts Hold 21-Point Trust Advantage

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 12:12pm CT

Audacy Insights

Podcast hosts have a significant advantage over social media influencers when it comes to authenticity and their ability to influence consumers, according to a new Audacy Insights report. Audacy says 75% of listeners rate podcast hosts as the most authentic, compared with 54% for social media influencers, a 21-point difference. The company attributes the gap in part to the amount of time and attention audiences give podcast personalities.

Unlike social media, where users move among content from numerous accounts, podcast listeners can spend 30 minutes to more than an hour with the same host. Audacy says more than 70% of heavy podcast listeners hear each episode through to completion, while nearly half listen to new episodes on the day they are released.

"If you can get someone to tune in to your conversation and stick around for 30 minutes to an hour, the amount of baked-in persuasion that you have over that individual just grows with each minute they're tuned in -- unlike almost any other creator channel," said Adopter Media SVP of Client Services Adam McNeil.

That attention also carries over to advertising. According to the report, 71% of podcast listeners say they pay more attention to podcast advertising than ads elsewhere, while 84% say a podcaster has changed their mind about something.

More than half say they are more likely to consider products recommended by a favorite host, and nearly three-quarters report purchasing a brand after hearing a podcast creator endorse it. More than half also say they will listen to an advertisement appearing in a podcast they love regardless of the product category.

Audacy says the trust established between listeners and hosts can also transfer to advertisers. Among heavy podcast listeners, 64% say they trust podcast advertising more than advertising in any other medium.

"Today, in an increasingly artificial world, there's an increasing premium on authenticity and on real recommendations, which can be deployed at scale through this channel," said Oxford Road CEO and founder Dan Granger. "That's, without question, its strongest asset."

Audacy said the findings demonstrate how the relationships podcast personalities develop over repeated listening can give advertisers access to an audience already inclined to pay attention to their recommendations.

Read the complete Audacy Insights article here.

Ashley & Brad Expand Partnership With Key Networks

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 0:01am CT

Ashley & Brad

"The Ashley & Brad Show" has expanded its relationship with Key Networks, adding affiliate sales support to the companies' renewed network sales partnership. Under the expanded agreement, Key Networks will work with the Ashley & Brad team to add affiliates and introduce the syndicated program to additional stations and markets nationwide. Key will also continue handling network sales for the show.

The program has also added KLEE in Iowa as its newest morning affiliate.

"We are delighted to work with Ashley, Brad and the team at Skid Trax to help support their growth and bring their unique talent to more markets across the country," said Key Networks' Dennis Green. "The show offers stations tremendous flexibility, with the ability to air in multiple formats while seamlessly integrating into the local markets that carry the show."

Skid Trax co-founders Michael Raffety and Tonya Campos said the decision to expand the partnership reflects Key Networks' support for the program and its continued national growth.

"When you find a partner who believes in the Ashley and Brad show as much as we do, you don't just renew the relationship -- you expand it," they said. "We're thrilled to have their team even more involved as we continue building our national lineup."

AWM Names 2026 Gracies Leadership Awards Honorees

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 12:05pm CT

Alliance for Women in Media (AWM)

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) has announced the honorees for the 2026 Gracies Leadership Awards, set for November 16 at Tribeca 360° in New York City.

Zenia Mucha, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at TikTok, will receive the inaugural Gracies Vanguard Award. The new honor recognizes individuals whose foresight and ability to anticipate change help shape the future of media and its audiences.

Kristen Welch, Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Illustrative Mathematics, will receive the AWM Legacy Leadership Award, recognizing her longtime commitment to AWM and its mission of advancing women in media.

Also being honored for their leadership and accomplishments are Marilu Galvez, General Manager of ABC7/WABC-TV; Tina Perry, President of OWN TV Network & OTT Streaming; Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks; and Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television.

"The women we honor through the Gracies Leadership Awards have not only achieved extraordinary success in their own careers, they have helped shape the future of media through their vision, leadership and commitment to excellence," said AWM President Becky Brooks.

Brooks noted that AWM is celebrating its 75th anniversary and said this year's honorees have helped open doors, foster innovation and inspire the next generation of industry leaders.

The event will also spotlight emerging media professionals through the AWM Foundation Student Fellowships, which give female students pursuing careers in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, communications, content creation and production an opportunity to attend the luncheon and meet industry leaders. Applications will be accepted September 29 through October 16.

The luncheon will additionally recognize the recipient of the 2026 AWM Foundation/NCTA - The Internet & Television Association Student Scholarship. Applications for the scholarship are open through September 25.

Drew Spears Productions Launches DSP Podcasts

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 5:05pm CT

DSP Podcasts

Los Angeles production house and comedy collective Drew Spears Productions (DSP) will officially launch DSP Podcasts on October 6, establishing a podcast production and distribution arm for the company.

The launch follows a soft rollout of several DSP original podcasts over recent months and will coincide with the debut of "Runiverse Weekly with Ru Anderson." Another new series, "Animalia with Charlie James and Griffin Kelly," is also set to launch soon.

"Runiverse Weekly" will feature Anderson investigating a different thesis each week with expert guests, research and personal stories. "Animalia" is a science-comedy podcast in which James and Kelly spotlight a different animal each week. "Comics Reading Comics with Nick Malis & Shoshanna Green" is scheduled to join the lineup later this fall.

Existing DSP Podcasts include "Help Me Be Black with Skyler Higley," "How Do You Get Through The Day with Will Hines and Ian Roberts," "Mollyworld with Molly Lambert," "No Contact with Hay Beacon," "On God with Matt LeGrande," "All These Wonderful Things" from Cinema Eye Honors and "Paul Cherry's Hidden Gems."

DSP will mark the launch with an invitation-only industry event October 6 at DSP Studios in Los Angeles' Frog Town neighborhood. The event will include an introduction and panel discussion featuring DSP podcast hosts and creators, with comedian Patrick McDonald serving as emcee.

Founded by comedian, actor and screenwriter Drew Spears in 2021, DSP operates a studio and event space and provides livestreaming services for Los Angeles events. The company has worked as a livestream partner for events including a cast reading from "The Pitt" at a Writers Guild Association benefit and Paul F. Tompkins' "Varietopia."

DSP describes itself as a comedy clubhouse and creative collective built around providing comedians and other creators with production resources and a community for developing projects.

"You can either treat comedy like expendable content, or you can treat it like something to be curated and worked for," Spears said. "We treat it like something to be curated and we want to work with people who cannot stop themselves from creating weird, esoteric things, because DSP is just the space to create them in."

92.5 XTU Sets Dolly Parton Day for September 25

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 2:33pm CT

Dolly Day

WXTU-FM (92.5 XTU) in Philadelphia will celebrate the music and legacy of Dolly Parton with "Dolly Parton Day" on Friday, September 25. The date, 9/25, was selected as a nod to Parton's signature hit "9 to 5." Throughout the day, the Beasley Media Group country outlet will spotlight Parton's career, music, stories and personality.

Featured songs will include "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You," along with stories about the music and Parton's impact on country music and popular culture.

"Dolly Parton is one of those rare artists who managed to make everything feel bigger, brighter and more fun," said "The Andie Summers Show" host Andie Summers. "Her music has been part of so many people's lives, but it's her heart, humor and generosity that made her truly special."

Summers added that the station plans to have plenty of fun with the celebration, including encouraging listeners to "go all-in on the rhinestones."

XTU is also inviting listeners to mark the occasion in Dolly fashion with "a little more kindness, a little more sparkle and a whole lot of country music."

Nielsen Takes Cumulus Ratings Fight to Supreme Court

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:31pm CT

Nielsen

The Nielsen Company has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal appeals court ruling that upheld a preliminary injunction in its antitrust dispute with Cumulus Media over the sale of national radio ratings data.

Nielsen filed its petition for a writ of certiorari September 15 in The Nielsen Company (US), LLC v. Cumulus Media New Holdings Inc. The Supreme Court has docketed the case as No. 26-370. The petition seeks review of the Second Circuit's July 13 decision affirming an injunction against Nielsen over its pricing and sale of its Nationwide radio ratings product.

At the center of Nielsen's petition is what the company calls a "constructive tie." Nielsen asks the Supreme Court to decide whether a seller that offers products separately and as a discounted bundle can face liability under Section 2 of the Sherman Act because a court considers the standalone price so high relative to the bundle that the buyer effectively has no choice but to purchase both products.

The dispute began after Cumulus sought to continue buying Nielsen's Nationwide product while purchasing Nielsen local ratings in only some markets and using competitor Eastlan in others. The district court found that Nielsen's pricing of standalone Nationwide could effectively force Cumulus to continue buying unwanted local ratings services.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas granted Cumulus a preliminary injunction in December 2025. The Second Circuit affirmed that injunction July 13 and vacated an earlier stay, returning the case to the Southern District of New York for further proceedings.

Nielsen's Supreme Court petition argues that the Second Circuit created a conflict with other federal appeals courts by allowing a constructive-tying claim without an allegation that either the standalone product or bundle was priced below cost. Nielsen contends that courts should not determine whether a standalone price is "too high" relative to a discounted bundle and says the Second Circuit's approach risks turning judges into price regulators. Those assertions are Nielsen's arguments in seeking Supreme Court review; the Court has not ruled on them.

The petition also notes that the underlying preliminary injunction remains in effect during the litigation and distinguishes the Supreme Court proceeding from Nielsen's newer appeal involving enforcement of that injunction. Nielsen says the second appeal concerns only Vargas's September 9 enforcement order and cannot alter the Second Circuit's underlying July ruling.

That separate appeal, No. 26-2516, arose after Vargas concluded Nielsen's latest Nationwide offer to Cumulus was commercially unreasonable and ordered the company to make a compliant offer or face sanctions of $50,000 per day. On September 16, the Second Circuit granted Nielsen a stay of that enforcement order while the appeal proceeds.

The appeals court has expedited that case, with Nielsen's opening brief due September 30, Cumulus's response October 14 and Nielsen's reply October 21. Oral argument is to be scheduled before the next available merits panel.

The Supreme Court is not obligated to hear Nielsen's case. Filing a certiorari petition begins the review process, and the justices must first decide whether to grant the petition before considering the merits of Nielsen's challenge.

Read Nielsen's Supreme Court petition here.

Broadcast Industry Group Sells Arkansas Trio for $2M

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:16pm CT

Blacksun Private Equity

Broadcast Industry Group LLC has agreed to sell three Arkansas AM stations and their associated FM translators to Blacksun Private Equity Inc. for $2 million, according to an assignment application filed with the FCC.

The deal includes KLRG-AM/Sheridan, KASZ-AM (formerly KJJI)/White Hall and KCAT-AM/Pine Bluff, along with translators K255AX/Pine Bluff, K233BF/Greenbrier and K224FN/Pine Bluff. The assignment applications were submitted to the FCC on September 21.

A signed asset purchase agreement identifies Broadcast Industry Group as the seller and Blacksun Private Equity as the buyer. The $2 million transaction covers substantially all of the stations' assets, including equipment, towers, buildings, contracts and FCC licenses. The agreement is dated August 18, 2026.

Broadcast Industry Group is headed by Charles Jayson Britlinger, who signed the agreement as CEO, Manager and Member. Blacksun Private Equity is headed by Abidul P. Muhammad, who signed as CEO, Manager and Member.

Closing is contingent on FCC approval and other required transfer authorizations and consents. Under the agreement, closing is scheduled for the last business day of the month in which those conditions have been satisfied, unless the parties agree otherwise.

An engineering exhibit submitted with the applications says the 5 mV/m daytime contours of KLRG, KASZ and KCAT overlap. Because Pine Bluff is not part of a Nielsen radio market, the filing uses the FCC's contour-overlap method to demonstrate compliance with local radio ownership limits.

The study identifies a 58-station market consisting of the three subject AMs plus 11 other AM stations, 11 noncommercial educational FMs and 33 commercial FMs whose city-grade contours overlap all or part of the composite contour. The filing concludes that common ownership of the three AM stations complies with FCC ownership rules.

KLRG operates on 880 AM from Sheridan, KASZ on 1190 AM from White Hall and KCAT on 1340 AM from Pine Bluff.

The transaction adds another chapter to the movement of radio properties associated with Monte Spearman's HPRN Network, with Blacksun emerging as the buyer of the Broadcast Industry Group Arkansas properties. The applications remain pending before the FCC.

Family Life Closes on Acquisition of WOGI-FM for $1M

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 2:42pm CT

Family Life Radio

Family Life has closed on its previously announced acquisition of Country WOGI-FM (104.3) in Moon Township, PA, and Pittsburgh translator W288BO (105.5) from Forever Media for $1 million. WOGI-FM operates with 13,000 watts and serves the greater Pittsburgh area. The acquisition will add the station and its FM translator to Family Life's growing broadcast portfolio.

Family Life is led by Rick Snavely, while Forever Media is headed by Lynn Deppen.

The transaction was brokered by Michael J. Bergner of Bergner & Co., who served as the exclusive broker for the sale.

Q102, ALT 104.5 Plan Halloween Wedding Giveaway

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:56pm CT

Til Death Do Us Part

iHeartMedia Philadelphia's WIOQ-FM (Q102) and WRFF-FM (ALT 104.5) are teaming up to give one couple a Halloween wedding at Pennhurst Asylum.

The stations have launched "Til Death Do Us Part," a promotion offering the winning couple a wedding ceremony and reception at the reportedly haunted attraction on October 31. Q102 personality Nico will host the celebration and provide the music.

Couples can enter through the Q102 and ALT 104.5 websites through October 11 by explaining why they want to exchange vows at Pennhurst Asylum.

"Q102 and ALT 104.5 are always looking for unforgettable ways to connect with our listeners, and it doesn't get more unforgettable than getting married at Pennhurst Asylum on Halloween weekend," said iHeartMedia Philadelphia Senior Vice President of Programming Jeff Hurley.

"For the adventurous couple who believes love can survive anything -- even a haunted asylum -- this is the wedding of a lifetime," he added.

The promotion opened September 17 and is available to eligible couples.

Caloroga Media Launches AI Production Platform Linnet

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:46pm CT

Caloroga Media

Caloroga Media has launched Linnet, a browser-based AI production platform designed to combine scripting, audio and video production and publishing in a single system.

The company says Linnet was developed from its own production workflow to replace the collection of separate tools creators commonly use for writing, voice, music, audio editing, video and distribution. The platform includes a professional 24-track audio studio with plugins, transcription, video editing, artwork and publishing tools.

For radio broadcasters, the system can be used for daily production needs including show prep, liners, promos and segment production without moving between separate writing and audio applications. Stations producing podcasts or on-demand versions of broadcast programming can also take projects from scripting through production and publishing within the same platform.

"Linnet exists because we could not find a tool worthy of the work," said Caloroga Media and Linnet co-founder Mark Francis. "When the first AI production tools arrived, the idea was right, but the craft was missing."

Francis said the company wanted to create a full production environment in which AI adapts to the creator's workflow rather than requiring creators to adapt to the technology.

Linnet's AI assistant can propose production actions but displays what it intends to do and waits for the user's approval before making changes. Caloroga says the approach is intended to keep creative decisions in the hands of producers rather than automate them out of the process.

"AI shouldn't replace the person doing the work. It should help them get better at it," said co-founder John McDermott. "She handles the tools and the technology while the creative calls stay in their hands."

Among Linnet's features is "God Mode," which can turn a single prompt into a first draft of an episode incorporating a script, narration, music, artwork and video. Producers can then edit and refine each component before publishing.

The platform can also master and transcribe programs and publish through a user's podcast host to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. A "Bring Your Own Key" feature allows users with existing accounts from other providers to connect those services to Linnet while continuing to be billed directly by the vendor.

Caloroga says Linnet does not sell user data, share voice profiles with advertisers or use creators' content to train AI models. Projects are automatically saved locally with portable sessions, while generated content remains available for the life of an account and is permanently deleted within 30 days after an account is closed.

Linnet is currently accepting requests for early access.

Noiser Debuts 'A Study in Scarlet' with Hugh Bonneville

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:52pm CT

A Study in Scarlet

Podcast producer Noiser is expanding its "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories" series with "A Study in Scarlet," narrated by actor Hugh Bonneville and released as a seven-episode podcast series.

The production follows the success of "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories," which Noiser says was the second biggest podcast on BBC Sounds last year. Bonneville, known for "Downton Abbey" and the "Paddington" films, returns as narrator.

First published in "Beeton's Christmas Annual" in 1887, "A Study in Scarlet" was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first novel and introduced Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Conan Doyle was 27 when he wrote the story, which became the beginning of the detective series that would define much of his career.

"Bringing A Study in Scarlet to life with Hugh Bonneville feels like uncovering an original blueprint of modern detective fiction," said Noiser founder and CEO Pascal Hughes. "This is the story that first introduced the world to the iconic duo, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson."

The mystery begins in Victorian London with Watson's first encounter with Holmes and a murder investigation before shifting thousands of miles away to Utah for a story involving love, betrayal and revenge.

Noiser says it is following the accessibility of the original publication, which sold for a shilling and included advertising, by making the podcast available free with ad support.

The seven-episode "A Study in Scarlet" launched September 17 in the existing "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories" podcast feed, with new episodes released twice weekly. It is available across podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as ad-free through BBC Sounds.