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Top Radio News
NAB Presses Congress on AM Radio Bill
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, July 17, 2026 | 3:00pm CT |
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Broadcasters from 31 states traveled to Capitol Hill this week to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, joining emergency managers, public safety officials and advocacy organizations in a coordinated effort to preserve AM radio in new vehicles.
The advocacy campaign, organized by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), brought together broadcasters with representatives from AARP, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and local emergency management agencies to emphasize AM radio's role in delivering trusted news, weather alerts and emergency information.
"This week, broadcasters from across the country came to Washington, D.C., to deliver a clear message to Congress: it is time to finish the job and pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act," NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said. "Congress has everything it needs to act. It is time to finish the job and send this bill to the president's desk."
The legislation has gained broad bipartisan support in Congress, along with the endorsement of President Donald Trump and backing from more than 115 organizations representing public safety, agriculture, senior citizens, labor and consumer interests, according to NAB.
Broadcasters and emergency officials used the fly-in to share firsthand accounts of AM radio's importance during emergencies. Sharon Tinsley, President of the Alabama Broadcasters Association, credited her local AM station with helping her avoid a tornado by providing real-time weather updates. James Coker, Director of Alabama's Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, told lawmakers AM radio remains a trusted source of information when disasters disrupt other communications systems.
The advocacy effort also extended beyond congressional meetings. Broadcasters promoted the legislation through local media interviews, social media campaigns and a mobile billboard that circled Capitol Hill highlighting the bill's more than 300 congressional co-sponsors. Supporters also generated more than 40,000 messages to lawmakers during the week, adding to nearly one million letters sent in support of the legislation.
NAB said the measure remains a priority as Congress faces a limited number of legislative days before shifting attention to the midterm elections, arguing that preserving AM radio in vehicles is critical to maintaining a resilient public safety communications network.
Read NAB's blog post here.
Connoisseur Media Names Saporita SF Sales Manager
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, July 17, 2026 | 11:31am CT |
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Connoisseur Media West Coast has appointed Stephanie Saporita as General Sales Manager for its San Francisco cluster, effective July 20. She's previously held leadership posts with iHeartMedia, CBS Radio, and Clear Channel Outdoor. Saporita will oversee sales for Connoisseur Media's San Francisco operations, working with local and national advertisers to develop marketing solutions across the company's audio and digital platforms.
"Stephanie is a tremendous addition to our West Coast team," said Tina Murley, Senior Vice President and West Coast Regional Manager. "She is a smart, strategic leader with a proven track record of developing people, growing revenue, and building strong relationships."
Saporita said she looks forward to joining the company and building on its growth strategy. "Throughout my career, I've been passionate about building successful teams, developing meaningful client partnerships, and finding creative ways to deliver results," she said. "I'm excited to bring that energy to San Francisco and work alongside an incredible group of people to achieve great things."
Saporita will report to Deidra Lieberman, who has been promoted to Regional Director of Sales for Connoisseur Media West Coast. Lieberman joined the company six months ago to lead its West Coast national sales efforts and will now oversee all San Francisco sales operations while continuing her national sales responsibilities.
Murley credited Lieberman with making an immediate impact, citing her leadership and ability to identify growth opportunities as key factors behind the expanded role.
Edison Research Releases Top 50 U.S. Podcasts for Q2
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, July 17, 2026 | 11:48am CT |
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Edison Research at SSRS has released its Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. for the second quarter of 2026, with The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Junkie, and The Daily holding onto the top three positions for a second consecutive quarter.
According to Edison Podcast Metrics, the top five podcasts remained unchanged from the first quarter. Call Her Daddy ranked fourth, followed by Smartless at No. 5. Within the Top 10, Dateline NBC climbed one spot to sixth, while New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce jumped three positions to seventh. Stuff You Should Know slipped three places to ninth, and MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories fell one spot to 10th.
Among the quarter's biggest movers, Huberman Lab climbed to No. 22, while The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett reached the Top 20 for the first time after featuring high-profile guests including JD Vance and Ivanka Trump. The Bill Simmons Podcast made one of the largest gains, rising 17 places to enter the Top 25 for the first time.
Three podcasts joined the Top 50 rankings for the first time. The Rest is History debuted after releasing a series on America's Founding Fathers tied to the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. The Why Files entered the rankings following episodes on newly released UFO documents and moon landing conspiracy theories, while The Bulwark also made its first appearance in the Top 50.
Just outside the rankings, Ologies with Alie Ward narrowly missed the cutoff, placing 55th.
The quarter's biggest decline belonged to The Megyn Kelly Show, which dropped 25 positions, falling from No. 19 in the first quarter to No. 44 in Q2.
The Edison Podcast Metrics rankings measure podcast reach among weekly podcast listeners age 13 and older in the United States.
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Salem Media Announces Retirement of Jon Latzer
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, July 17, 2026 | 11:56am CT |
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Salem Media has announced a leadership transition at its Salem Surround digital marketing agency as longtime executive Jon Latzer prepares to retire after many years with the company.
Latzer played a key role in expanding Salem Surround's digital marketing capabilities, helping grow the business while supporting local markets, sales teams, clients, and vendor partnerships nationwide. His leadership helped establish Salem Surround as a central component of Salem Media's digital strategy.
"Jon has been a tremendous leader and trusted partner throughout his time at Salem," said Jamie Cohen, Chief Digital Officer of Salem Media. "He has helped shape Salem Surround into the business it is today through his commitment to our people, our clients, and our local markets. We're incredibly grateful for everything he's contributed and wish him the very best in his retirement."
As part of the transition, Christian "Chris" Kligora, Senior Director of Multimedia Sales, has been named interim leader of Salem Surround's revenue organization.
Kligora brings experience in digital marketing, multimedia sales, business development, customer success, and sales leadership. Before joining Salem, he held executive positions at Marketron and spent more than a decade with Gannett's LocaliQ and its predecessor, ReachLocal.
"Chris has the experience and leadership to guide Salem Surround through this transition," Cohen said. "He understands our business, our customers, and our sales organization, and he's well positioned to continue building on the strong foundation Jon helped create."
William Cosey and Jonathan Greer will continue overseeing Salem Surround's operations, fulfillment, and client execution to ensure continuity for customers, vendors, sales teams, and internal stakeholders.
Latzer will remain with the company during the transition to help ensure a smooth handoff. Salem Surround provides digital marketing services across Salem Media's local and national markets, including search, social, display, video, streaming, reputation management, website development, and other performance-based marketing solutions.
Skyview Networks Makes Executive Leadership Changes
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 2:08pm CT |
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Skyview Networks has announced a series of executive leadership changes and a key new hire as the company restructures its organization to support future growth, improve operational alignment and strengthen its strategic focus. The changes, announced by President, CEO and Chairman Steve Jones during a companywide meeting, include promotions, new executive titles and the addition of a veteran ESPN executive.
Andrew Kalb (pictured) has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Previously overseeing revenue growth and portfolio expansion, Kalb's expanded role is intended to strengthen coordination and execution across the company's operational functions.
Clayton Nix has been named Chief Financial Officer. Skyview said the new title reflects his growing role in shaping the company's financial strategy, partner services and reporting and analytics initiatives.
Sarah Foss has been appointed Chief Transformation Officer, a newly elevated role focused on driving companywide strategic initiatives and aligning Skyview's technology roadmap with its broader business transformation efforts.
Ethan Aragon has been promoted to Senior Executive Director, Business Strategy. In his expanded role, Aragon will work closely with business development, finance and executive leadership to identify and prioritize revenue opportunities while using analytics to guide strategic decision-making.
Skyview also announced the hiring of Nicholaus Tzineff as Revenue Analytics Strategist. Tzineff joins the company after more than a decade in leadership roles at ESPN, where he specialized in sales and research. At Skyview, he will work across research, finance and sales to help shape the company's revenue strategy.
Jones said the organizational changes are designed to sharpen strategy, improve efficiency and position Skyview Networks to respond more quickly to changes across the media landscape while supporting continued innovation and long-term growth.
Audacy to Receive $20 Million for St. Louis Cluster
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 5:01pm CT |
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Audacy will receive $20 million for the sale of its six-station St. Louis radio cluster to Hoffmann Media Group, according to an asset purchase agreement filed with the Federal Communications Commission.
The filing provides the first public disclosure of the transaction's financial terms since the companies announced the deal in late June. The sale remains subject to FCC approval.
The acquisition includes heritage News/Talk KMOX-AM/FM (1120/104.1), News/Talk KFTK-FM (97.1 FM Talk), Hot AC KYKY (Y98), AC KEZK (102.5), Urban AC WFUN-FM (96.3 The Lou), and Urban CHR WHHL-HD2 (Hot 98.7).
In a memo to employees, Audacy President and CEO Kelli Turner said the company had not been actively marketing its St. Louis stations but decided to pursue the transaction after Hoffmann Media Group approached the company with an offer that made strategic sense.
"This transaction is a win for both companies as well as for St. Louis listeners and partners," Turner wrote. "For Audacy, it reflects the strength and value of these outstanding brands as we focus our investments on strategic initiatives. We remain a leader in local audio across the country, and we're confident the St. Louis group will continue to thrive under Hoffmann's stewardship."
The acquisition marks Hoffmann Media Group's first entry into radio broadcasting, expanding its growing portfolio of newspapers and digital media properties. Former Audacy St. Louis Senior Vice President and Market Manager Becky Domyan is slated to return to lead the cluster as Market President once the transaction closes.
Audacy first announced the agreement on June 29 but did not disclose the purchase price at that time. The FCC filing now values the six-station cluster at $20 million.
Study: AM/FM Radio Key to Reaching Dodge Drivers
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 3:32pm CT |
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Cumulus Media | Westwood One's Audio Active Group says AM/FM radio remains the dominant advertising platform for reaching both current Dodge owners and prospective buyers, according to a new analysis of Edison Research's latest "Share of Ear" data.
In a new blog post, Pierre Bouvard examines listening habits among Dodge drivers, noting the brand's purchase retention rate typically ranges from 24% to 28%. Because only about one in four Dodge owners buys another Dodge, the analysis argues that marketers must target both existing customers and drivers of competing brands.
The study found Dodge drivers spend 90% of their in-car ad-supported audio listening time with AM/FM radio, making it the dominant audio medium for reaching consumers during commutes and other driving occasions. Across all listening locations -- including home, work and the car -- AM/FM radio accounts for a 66% share of ad-supported audio among Dodge drivers.
The report also found podcasts hold a 21% share of ad-supported listening among Dodge drivers across all locations, followed by ad-supported Spotify at 6%, Pandora at 4% and SiriusXM at 2%.
For advertisers looking to attract buyers from competing automotive brands, the analysis says AM/FM radio captures 83% of all in-car ad-supported audio listening among drivers overall, making it the leading medium for reaching consumers while they are behind the wheel.
The blog also cites MRI-Simmons Winter 2026 data showing heavy AM/FM radio listeners rank among the consumers most likely to be in the market for a new vehicle. AM/FM radio leads all measured media in purchase intent for trucks, SUVs and hybrid/electric vehicles, while also ranking highly for used vehicles, sedans and minivans.
Read the full blog post here.
Case Study Shows Magellan AI Boosts Audio Campaign ROI
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 3:19pm CT |
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A new case study from Magellan AI highlights how performance marketing agency Direct Results used the company's measurement and verification platform to improve campaign performance, streamline workflow and increase digital audio investment for clients.
Direct Results, which specializes in podcast, streaming audio, broadcast radio and YouTube advertising, adopted Magellan AI to address attribution gaps, verify campaign delivery and gain deeper insight into campaign performance across audio platforms.
According to the case study, Magellan AI's tracking pixel provided more comprehensive attribution by measuring post-exposure web sessions, purchases and conversion timing beyond traditional metrics such as promo codes and vanity URLs. The platform also enabled real-time optimization by identifying which shows, ad formats and delivery patterns generated the strongest results.
One consumer technology campaign found that 30-second podcast ads significantly outperformed 60-second spots, generating 41% more website sessions and 43% more purchases while delivering the same impression levels. Based on those findings, Direct Results shifted the campaign entirely to 30-second ads, improving efficiency and return on investment.
The study also found Magellan AI reduced manual aircheck reviews for campaigns running on more than 30 shows from days to hours. Automated airchecks and transcript verification identified live-read and promo code errors, helping recover thousands of dollars in makegoods and credits while improving creative accuracy.
For a home improvement advertiser, improved attribution gave Direct Results greater confidence in digital audio performance, leading the agency to support a 45% increase in digital audio investment over a five-month period. The campaign mix also shifted from roughly 70% local radio and 30% digital audio to nearly an even split between the two channels.
Magellan AI said the case study demonstrates how stronger attribution, automated verification and audience insights can help agencies better measure campaign effectiveness, optimize media strategies and provide advertisers with greater accountability across podcasts, streaming audio, broadcast radio and YouTube.
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Vuhaus Group Adds The SoCal Sound Los Angeles
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 2:14pm CT |
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VuHaus Group has added KCSN (The SoCal Sound) in Los Angeles as its newest affiliate, expanding the public media music network's national platform for local artist discovery and performance content.
The SoCal Sound now has a dedicated page on the NPR Live Sessions website, where it will showcase its locally produced music video content alongside other public media music stations across the country.
Founded in 2014, VuHaus Group is the only national content and sales network for public media music stations, providing a shared platform that helps introduce emerging and established artists to audiences beyond their local markets.
"We're extremely proud and excited to be a part of such a respected organization," said Patrick Osburn, General Manager of The SoCal Sound. "We have a lot of top-notch video content to add to VuHaus Group's already impressive roster and are thrilled to be joining their network of highly respected public media outlets."
The SoCal Sound's mission includes connecting listeners with both emerging and established artists, and the station said joining VuHaus will expand the reach of its locally produced performances.
"Joining VuHaus is an exciting milestone for The SoCal Sound," said Program Director Marc "Mookie" Kaczor. "It means our video content will reach a much broader audience through public radio's premier music video platform. We're proud to add Southern California's voice and sound to this collaborative network."
VuHaus Group's network brings together leading public media music stations to highlight regional music scenes while giving local artists national exposure through the NPR Live Sessions platform.
Triton Digital Adds AI Sentiment Analysis to Sounder
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 11:10am CT |
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Triton Digital has introduced Sentiment Analysis for Sounder, expanding its AI-powered audio intelligence platform with a new capability that enables advertisers and publishers to target podcast content based on its emotional tone.
The feature, now available within Sounder's Audio Insights product, analyzes spoken audio to classify episodes as positive, negative, neutral or mixed. It works alongside existing IAB content categories and brand-suitability tools, giving advertisers greater insight into not only what a podcast discusses, but how those topics are presented.
According to Triton Digital, the added layer of contextual intelligence is designed to improve ad relevance and brand suitability. For example, two business podcasts covering the same subject could carry very different emotional tones, allowing advertisers to better align campaigns with content that matches their messaging.
"Contextual targeting in audio has always been about relevance, and sentiment unlocks a new dimension of that, enabling smarter targeting and creating greater value for podcast publishers and advertisers alike," said Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital. "Sentiment Analysis gives advertisers and publishers the tools to make smarter, more confident decisions about where their messages appear, and it opens up a richer understanding of inventory that was previously difficult to evaluate at scale."
Powered by Sounder's AI and machine learning models, the feature evaluates spoken audio at the episode level to generate real-time sentiment signals that can be used within existing contextual targeting workflows.
Triton said publishers and podcast networks can also use Sentiment Analysis to better understand their content catalogs, strengthen direct sales efforts, and attract advertisers seeking more precisely defined brand-safe environments. The launch expands Sounder's suite of contextual intelligence tools, which also includes topic classification and brand suitability scoring, as Triton continues to enhance targeting capabilities across the podcast and streaming audio marketplace.
Cumulus Media Adopts Xperi's AutoStage Analytics
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 11:16am CT |
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Cumulus Media has become the first commercial broadcaster to license Xperi's AutoStage Broadcaster Portal Premium, a new audience intelligence platform that provides near-census-level insights into in-car radio listening.
The agreement makes Cumulus the launch partner for the next-generation analytics platform, which uses aggregated connected-car data to provide near-real-time visibility into radio listening behavior. The broadcaster will deploy the platform across all 393 of its stations in 84 markets.
Xperi said the platform measures tens of millions of monthly AM/FM listening hours from more than 16 million connected vehicles worldwide, providing audience insights across 300 U.S. markets. The data includes share of listening, audience flow, geographic listening patterns, market-level reach and near-real-time station rankings by daypart.
For advertisers, the platform offers observed audience behavior, large next-day sample sizes and market-level listening trends to support more precise media planning and campaign measurement.
Joe D'Angelo, Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships at Xperi, said the agreement represents a significant step toward data-driven audience measurement for broadcast radio.
"By leveraging large-scale, aggregated in-car listening data, broadcasters can move beyond traditional sample-based measurement toward large-scale data-driven audience insights," D'Angelo said. "That enables better programming decisions, stronger advertiser accountability, and more competitive positioning in a data-driven media landscape."
Bob Walker, President of Operations for Cumulus Media, said the platform provides a new level of audience intelligence for broadcasters and advertisers. "We're proud to be the first broadcaster to deploy AutoStage Broadcaster Portal Premium as part of our broader effort to bring new sources of audience insight to radio," Walker said. "The AutoStage heat maps are a particularly compelling example, visually illustrating where listening is concentrated, on an aggregated basis, relative to advertiser locations."
The companies said the partnership addresses the industry's longstanding need for more timely, directly observed audience data, particularly for in-car listening, where the majority of radio consumption takes place. They added that the technology brings digital-style accountability and measurement to broadcast radio while helping stations optimize programming and improve advertiser return on investment.
Connoisseur Media Expands Weekend Syndication Lineup
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 10:55am CT |
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Connoisseur Media is expanding its syndicated programming lineup through its partnership with Compass Media Networks, adding two original weekend shows to its national distribution portfolio: "Robby's Top 20 Countdown" and "She's Country." The move builds on the companies' existing relationship, which includes the syndicated Anna & Raven morning show, now heard in 85 markets.
Hosted by veteran radio personality Robby Bridges, Robby's Top 20 Countdown is a weekly retro countdown featuring the biggest hits of the 1980s and 1990s. Based at Connoisseur's WEBE-FM in Connecticut, the program will relaunch through Compass Media Networks with expanded national distribution. Current affiliates include WKJY/Long Island, WXMA/Louisville, Z93/Dayton and KDGL/Palm Springs, with additional stations expected to join.
The partnership also expands the reach of She's Country, a three-hour weekend program hosted by Emily Harlan that spotlights female country artists through music, interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. The show will relaunch nationally through Compass Media Networks and is already carried by stations including KBAY/San Jose, WWWF/Long Island, WCCQ and WXLC/Chicagoland, KUPL/Portland, KGNC/Amarillo, KLLL/Lubbock, KDES/Palm Springs, WCEN/Saginaw, KYKX/Tyler and KBRJ/Anchorage.
Connoisseur said both programs are designed as turnkey weekend offerings that integrate with existing station formats and automation systems while giving affiliates professionally produced, personality-driven programming without requiring additional local production resources.
Bridges said the partnership will help grow the reach of his countdown show and thanked Connoisseur and Compass executives for their support.
Harlan called the national expansion of She's Country "a dream come true," saying she is excited to bring the stories and music of female country artists to listeners across the country.
Keith Dakin, Senior Vice President of Programming for Connoisseur Media, said the company is excited to add both shows to the Compass Media Networks portfolio. He said She's Country arrives at a time when female country artists are enjoying strong momentum, while Robby's Top 20 Countdown gives Bridges the opportunity to deliver the chart-focused show he has long envisioned.
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Nielsen: Audio Still Dominates Podcast Consumption
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 2:27pm CT |
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Audio remains the primary way consumers engage with podcasts despite the rapid growth of video-enabled platforms, according to Nielsen's new report, Lean In vs. Lean Back: Profiling the Podcast Listener and Viewer.
The report finds that 90% of monthly podcast consumers listen to podcasts, while 62% also watch video versions. Across the top podcast genres, audio continues to dominate, with an average of just 2% of consumers watching exclusively, compared with 29% who listen exclusively. Another 69% both listen and watch podcasts.
Nielsen says sports content has emerged as the strongest crossover genre between audio and video, attracting the closest balance of listeners and viewers. The report notes that sports programming naturally lends itself to video through highlights, demonstrations and on-screen graphics, while continuing to drive strong audio engagement.
The research also identifies two distinct podcast audiences. Audio listeners tend to be married, highly educated and employed full time, using podcasts as a "secondary soundtrack" during commutes, work and other daily activities. Video viewers, by contrast, skew younger and more male, often treating podcasts as a dedicated entertainment experience watched at home.
For advertisers, Nielsen says the two formats deliver different advantages. Audio listeners are more likely to respond directly to advertising, with 46% researching products online after hearing an ad and 25% completing a web purchase. Video viewers, meanwhile, are more likely to engage with brands on social media and post a slightly higher direct online purchase rate of 29%, making them valuable for campaigns focused on visual storytelling and brand awareness.
The report concludes that marketers should view podcast audio and video as complementary rather than competing platforms. Audio remains the foundation for reaching audiences throughout the day, while video offers deeper visual engagement during consumers' dedicated viewing time.
Download the complete study here.
Report: Howard Stern Cuts Staff, Show Schedule
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 11:34am CT |
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Howard Stern has reportedly laid off about a dozen staff members as he prepares to reduce his SiriusXM schedule to one new show per week beginning after Labor Day.
According to a report by Page Six, staffers were notified during a Zoom meeting on Monday that the longtime host will scale back from his current schedule, with archived programming expected to fill much of the remaining airtime. Sources told the publication that Stern retained a core group of veteran producers but no longer requires as much new content. Employees affected by the layoffs were reportedly sent home immediately and will receive severance packages based on their years of service.
The reported changes come months after Stern signed a new three-year contract extension with SiriusXM in December. At the time, Stern said the agreement would allow him to have "more free time" while continuing his radio career.
"I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all," Stern said on his show following the renewal. "More free time and continuing to be on the radio."
His wife, Beth Stern, later told Andy Cohen on SiriusXM that the new arrangement was "working out really well," adding that continuing to host the show gives Stern an important creative outlet.
The latest report follows speculation last year about Stern's future with SiriusXM during contract negotiations. Those rumors ended when the broadcaster signed the extension, although financial terms were not disclosed. Page Six noted that Stern's previous five-year contract was reportedly valued at $500 million.
Neither Stern nor SiriusXM had publicly commented on the reported layoffs or programming changes at the time of publication.
Infotainment Systems Fuel Digital Audio Growth
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 11:27am CT |
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The growing adoption of in-car infotainment systems is accelerating digital audio listening, according to new data from Edison Research's Share of Ear study. The report shows ownership of infotainment platforms such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay has more than doubled since 2019, rising from 18% of Americans age 13 and older to 40% in 2026.
Among drivers who own one of these systems, digital listening has increased significantly over the past seven years. In 2019, 86% of their in-car listening time was devoted to non-digital audio sources, including over-the-air AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio and owned music such as CDs.
Today, digital sources account for 36% of listening time among infotainment system owners. That includes streaming music services, AM/FM station streams, podcasts and audiobooks.
Despite the growth in digital listening, traditional audio continues to dominate the dashboard. Edison reports that 64% of in-car listening by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay users still goes to non-digital sources, primarily over-the-air AM/FM radio and satellite radio.
The findings suggest that while infotainment systems are encouraging greater use of digital audio, they have not displaced traditional radio. Instead, Edison says owners appear to be making increasing use of the digital capabilities built into their vehicles, pointing to continued growth for digital audio consumption in the car.
Beasley Promotes Roldan to Tech Leadership Role
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 11:21am CT |
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Beasley Media Group has promoted Jose Alberto Roldan to the newly created position of Head of Technology and Infrastructure. In the role, Roldan will oversee the company's technology strategy, information technology operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity and enterprise systems while continuing to lead initiatives that support Beasley's business objectives and digital transformation efforts.
Roldan joined Beasley Media Group in 2019 and most recently served as Vice President of IT. During his tenure, the company said he has played a key role in modernizing its technology environment, strengthening cybersecurity, improving operational efficiency and advancing strategic technology initiatives across the organization.
"Jose has been an exceptional leader and trusted member of our technology team since joining Beasley Media Group," said Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley. "His expertise, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to innovation have helped strengthen our technology infrastructure and position the Company for continued growth. We are pleased to recognize his many contributions with this well-deserved promotion."
Based in Tampa, FL, Roldan brings more than 20 years of experience in information technology and infrastructure management. He is recognized for his collaborative leadership and technical expertise in developing technology solutions that support business growth and operational performance.
"I am honored to take on this new role and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Beasley Media Group," Roldan said. "Technology plays a vital role in every aspect of our business, and I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to further strengthen our infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and help drive innovation across the company."
Relevant Radio Adds Christian Music Stream
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 11:02am CT |
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Relevant Radio has expanded its digital offerings with the launch of a 24/7 Contemporary Christian Music channel available exclusively through its free mobile app. The new streaming channel is designed to introduce new audiences to the Catholic talk network while giving existing listeners an additional music-focused option.
The move follows the March 2025 debut of the app's Sacred Music channel, which features Gregorian chants, choral works and hymns.
The CCM stream features songs that have been vetted from a Catholic perspective and includes artists such as TobyMac, Matthew West, Casting Crowns, Lauren Daigle and MercyMe. Relevant Radio said it also aims to become a leading destination for Catholic artists including Matt Maher, Seph Schlueter, Sarah Kroger, Ike Ndolo, Rita West, PJ Anderson, Taylor Tripodi and Village Lights.
Programming spans worship, pop, soft rock, country and adult contemporary music, with at least 20% of the playlist dedicated exclusively to Catholic artists.
Relevant Radio Music Director Jake Moore said the project reflects his belief in the positive impact Christian music can have on listeners. "I've listened to Christian music since I was a kid, and I am a personal testament to how this format can change lives," Moore said. "I desire to provide an impactful platform for other Catholics to have a place they can turn to for wholesome, upbeat songs, which is needed more than ever in today's world of entertainment."
The music stream also provides listeners with updates on current programming airing on the network, including The Patrick Madrid Show, The Drew Mariani Show and Family Rosary Across America.
Users can access the new channel by selecting the Christian Music icon on the app's home screen or searching for "Christian Music," and can switch between the music stream, Sacred Music and Relevant Radio's talk programming with a single tap.
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