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Top Radio News
Chuck Damico Named PD of Philadelphia's WXTU
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12:25pm CT |
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Beasley Media Group has named Chuck Damico Program Director of WXTU-FM in Philadelphia following the retirement of longtime Brand Manager and Program Director Mark "Razz" Radziewicz. Damico officially assumes the role on May 23. He currently serves as Program Director for Rock WMMR-FM and WMGK-FM, where he has overseen programming and brand strategy for both stations.
Paul Blake, Vice President and Market Manager for Beasley Media Group Philadelphia, said Damico's experience in the market made him a strong choice to succeed Radziewicz.
"Chuck is an exceptional programming leader with a deep understanding of the Philadelphia market and a strong track record of building powerful brands and teams," Blake said. "As we celebrate Razz's incredible legacy and contributions to WXTU, we are confident Chuck's passion, creativity, and leadership will help guide the station into its next chapter." Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase said Damico's ability to connect with audiences and talent will help continue the station's momentum.
"WXTU has built an extraordinary reputation under Razz's leadership, and we look forward to continuing that momentum with Chuck helping lead the brand forward," Chase said.
Damico said he is looking forward to joining the WXTU team and building on the station's legacy. "I'm incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to work with the amazing team at WXTU and help continue the station's outstanding legacy," he said. "Razz built something truly special, and I look forward to building on that success while continuing to serve Country fans throughout the Philadelphia community."
CRS360 Session Focuses on In-Car Radio Measurement
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12:08pm CT |
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Country Radio Broadcasters has released the latest installment of its CRS360 educational series, featuring a presentation focused on in-car radio measurement and listener analytics.
The session, titled "DTS Autostage: The End Of The Measurement Guessing Game," is now available on demand through the CRS platform. It features Juan Galdemez of Xperi and is moderated by Kevin Callahan, Executive Director of Operations and Programming for Pamal Broadcasting.
Originally presented during the 2026 Country Radio Seminar in March, the session examines how DTS Autostage collects real-time in-vehicle listening data through large-scale audience sampling of AM/FM radio usage.
During the presentation, Galdemez discusses how broadcasters can use in-car listening metrics to gain deeper insight into audience behavior and listening patterns, potentially changing how terrestrial radio measures engagement and evaluates performance.
Callahan contributed a programmer's perspective during the discussion, addressing how the data could be applied in day-to-day radio programming and strategy decisions.
The CRS360 series was created by Country Radio Broadcasters to provide ongoing educational content and industry discussions throughout the year for radio professionals. Additional CRS360 sessions are available here.
Triton Digital Expands Sounder.AI Integration
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12:19pm CT |
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Triton Digital announced an expanded integration of its Sounder.AI contextual targeting and brand suitability tools within The Trade Desk programmatic advertising platform, aimed at improving podcast ad targeting and campaign optimization.
The enhanced integration gives advertisers access to activation-ready audience segments powered by Sounder.AI, enabling buyers to move beyond traditional podcast show and genre targeting in favor of more detailed contextual analysis of spoken-word content.
According to Triton Digital, the technology organizes podcast inventory into categories such as sports, business, travel, and technology, helping advertisers align campaigns with specific topics and audience interests while improving discoverability and campaign efficiency across programmatic audio inventory.
Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer for Triton Digital, said the expansion reflects growing demand for transparency and contextual intelligence in digital audio advertising.
"Programmatic audio is entering a new phase of maturity, where context and transparency are critical to unlocking its full potential," Taylor said. "By embedding Sounder.AI within The Trade Desk, Triton Digital continues to advance the infrastructure supporting programmatic audio."
The company said the integration also enhances brand safety and suitability by using AI-powered analysis of spoken audio to identify contextual risk signals and classify podcast inventory accordingly.
Will Doherty, Senior Vice President of Inventory Development at The Trade Desk, said additional data signals can help advertisers make more informed purchasing decisions in digital audio environments.
"Audio remains one of the most compelling environments on the open internet because it combines premium content, consumer attention, and addressable inventory," Doherty said. "Adding more signal gives advertisers increased confidence in what they are buying."
Triton Digital said the integration is designed to support scalable investment in programmatic podcast advertising while improving relevance and targeting precision for advertisers and publishers.
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Gracie Awards Celebrate Women Reshaping Media
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12:33pm CT |
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The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary with the presentation of the 51st Annual Gracie Awards at the The Beverly Wilshire, honoring women across journalism, entertainment, sports, podcasting, and digital media.
Hosted by two-time Emmy-nominated actress and producer Yvette Nicole Brown, the ceremony highlighted themes of resilience, authenticity, and storytelling, with honorees sharing personal reflections on aging, caregiving, grief, survival, and reinvention.
"In 1951, more than 280 women in broadcasting came together and founded their own organization to make sure their voices couldn't be ignored," Brown told attendees. "At a time when women were fighting just to be in the room, those 280 visionaries just built their own dang room."
Music icon Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance to honor journalist Adai Lamar for her reporting on the Los Angeles County wildfires, while four-time Grammy nominee Mickey Guyton performed "Remember Her Name."
AWMF President Becky Brooks reflected on the organization's milestone anniversary and the role women continue to play in shaping the media industry. "When we celebrate women in media, we're not just giving awards, we're saying: 'Your work matters, your voice matters,'" Brooks said.
Actress Andie MacDowell received the Gracies Icon Award and spoke about aging authentically in Hollywood. "I have had the absolute audacity to age," MacDowell said. "And I love everyone who has embraced it as much as I have."
Other notable moments included Kelly Rowland presenting Tina Knowles with an award for her audiobook Matriarch. Knowles described recording the audiobook as "pure therapy" and thanked daughters Beyonce, Solange, Kelly, and Angie for supporting her openness in sharing personal stories.
Monica Lewinsky received a Gracie for her podcast Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, delivering one of the evening's most emotional speeches. "You continue to give me something I spent years searching for: a space where I wasn't just a headline," Lewinsky said. "This is for everyone who's ever been told their story is over. It's not. It's just beginning."
Additional honorees included Jamie Kern Lima, presented by Chrissy Teigen; Lauren Book for her work with Lauren's Kids Foundation; and actress Katherine LaNasa for her role in The Pitt.
Producer Chuck Lorre added humor to the evening while presenting comedian Leanne Morgan with her award, joking that women - not artificial intelligence - were taking over the entertainment industry.
The ceremony also spotlighted women-led productions, independent journalism, and creator-driven media platforms during a period of significant change across the media business.
Entravision Ends Cooperation Pact With Ulloa Family
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 4:17pm CT |
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Entravision Communications Corporation has mutually agreed with Alexandra Seros and related family trusts to terminate a cooperation agreement originally established in 2023 following the death of former Chairman and CEO Walter Ulloa. The company disclosed the decision in a Form 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dated May 18.
Under the original agreement, entered into on May 4, 2023, Entravision agreed to nominate a candidate supported by the Ulloa family interests to the company's board of directors, while the stockholders agreed to certain commitments regarding ownership of Entravision shares.
The filing stated that the agreement has now been terminated and is "of no further force or effect," ending all related rights and obligations between the parties.
Despite the termination, Thomas Strickler -- who joined the board under the terms of the agreement -- will remain a member of Entravision's board of directors.
Alexandra Seros is the widow of Walter Ulloa, who led Entravision for decades and helped build the company into one of the nation's largest Hispanic-focused media operators before his death in 2023.
Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 4:00am CT |
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The Museum of Broadcast Communications has announced the eight inductees selected for the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame class. The inductees will be honored during the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony scheduled for Thursday, October 8.
The 2026 class includes Boomer Esiason, WFAN-AM/FM New York; Dennis Green, COO of Sun & Fun Media/Key Networks; Shotgun Tom Kelly, SiriusXM's 60s on 6; Helen Little, WLTW-FM New York; Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia; Rickey Smiley, Urban One/Reach Media; Charlie Van Dyke; and Fred Winston.
According to the organization, six of the inductees were selected through voting by more than 950 radio industry professionals, while two were chosen directly by the Radio Hall of Fame's nominating committee. The voting process was administered by Votem.com and overseen by Miller Kaplan's Andrew Rosen.
Radio Hall of Fame Co-Chair Kraig Kitchin said the inductees were recognized for their long-term impact on the radio industry and audiences nationwide.
"Our congratulations to each of our 2026 inductees on this well-deserved recognition," Kitchin said. "Each of these inductees has performed at the highest levels for a sustained period of time to make our industry that much more impactful to listeners and advertisers."
Tickets for the induction ceremony are now on sale through the Radio Hall of Fame website, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Rick Thomas to Exit Beasley Media Tampa in June
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 11:01am CT |
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Beasley Media Group announced that Rick Thomas will step away from his leadership role in Tampa effective June 1, as he shifts his focus toward spending more time with his family.
Thomas joined Beasley Media Group in January 2023 as Brand Manager for the company's Tampa radio cluster, overseeing WLLD-FM, WQYK-FM, WRBQ-FM, WYUU-FM, WPBB-FM, and WHFS-AM. He also served as Program Director for WRBQ and WQYK-FM, directing programming and brand strategy across the cluster.
Prior to joining Beasley, Thomas served as National Format Leader for SummitMedia. Earlier in his career, he held programming leadership positions with Cox Media Group in Tampa and with CBS Radio, where he worked on stations in both New York and Los Angeles.
Ron deCastro, Vice President and Market Manager for Beasley Media Group Tampa, said Thomas brought strong leadership and dedication to the organization during his tenure.
"Rick has been an important part of our team here in Tampa, and we're grateful for the leadership and heart he has brought to the organization," deCastro said. "We fully support his decision to focus on his family and this next chapter, and we wish him continued happiness and success in all that lies ahead."
Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase also praised Thomas' impact on the company, citing his experience in programming and brand management across multiple formats and markets.
Thomas said he was appreciative of the opportunity to work with the Tampa team and proud of what the cluster accomplished during his time with the company.
"It has been an incredible experience working alongside such a talented team," Thomas said. "I'm proud of all we've accomplished together and deeply appreciative of the relationships built along the way."
Beach Football League Partners With iHeartMedia
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 2:23pm CT |
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The Beach Football League has entered into a strategic partnership with iHeartMedia, naming iHeartRadio the league's Official Audio and Radio Partner beginning with the 2026 season. Under the agreement, iHeartMedia will provide promotional support for the league through its radio, podcast, digital, social media, live event, and streaming platforms.
Founded by former NFL linebacker and two-time Super Bowl champion Tully Banta-Cain, the Beach Football League combines tackle football played on sand with live music, celebrity appearances, youth camps, and festival-style entertainment experiences.
"We're excited to welcome iHeartRadio as the Official Audio and Radio Partner of the Beach Football League," Banta-Cain said. "This partnership gives us the ability to grow the BFL nationally through the power of music, radio, digital media, and live experiences."
The partnership launched alongside the league's recent California events, including the Santa Cruz Beach Classic held May 16-17 and the upcoming Fiesta Hermosa Sunset Showdown scheduled for May 23.
The Santa Cruz event featured appearances by former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and UCLA head football coach Deshaun Foster, along with a youth football camp, drone show, and halftime entertainment from Goapele and Golden State Warriors DJ DJ D Sharp. The Fiesta Hermosa event is slated to include NFL legends, youth activities, live DJs, and a halftime performance by The Pharcyde.
The league said the partnership is expected to continue into 2027 as the BFL plans additional destination events in New England during Labor Day weekend, Miami during Art Basel Week, and Santa Monica leading up to the 2027 Super Bowl in Los Angeles.
As part of the collaboration, iHeart branding and promotional campaigns will be integrated across BFL events, advertising, social media, and entertainment programming.
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AI-Run Radio Experiment Reveals Distinct Personalities
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 4:03pm CT |
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A new experiment from Andon Labs found that artificial intelligence models tasked with autonomously operating internet radio stations quickly developed dramatically different on-air personalities - ranging from calm and polished to repetitive, conspiracy-focused, and politically activist.
The project, called Andon FM, launched four AI-operated radio stations, each powered by a different large language model. The stations included OpenAIR, operated by GPT-5.5; Thinking Frequencies, powered by Claude Opus 4.7; Backlink Broadcast, run by Gemini 3.1 Pro; and Grok and Roll Radio, using Grok 4.3.
According to the company, each AI-controlled station was given $20 in startup funding and instructed to "develop your own radio personality and turn a profit." The AI agents handled programming, music scheduling, listener interaction, advertising outreach, social media activity, and financial management without direct human oversight.
The six-month experiment produced sharply different outcomes for each AI host.
The GPT-powered OpenAIR station emerged as the most stable and conventional broadcaster, delivering concise music commentary and avoiding controversial topics. Researchers said the station behaved most like a traditional music curator and displayed the highest vocabulary diversity among the four stations.
Gemini's Backlink Broadcast initially performed well before gradually descending into repetitive corporate jargon and catchphrases such as "Stay in the manifest," which researchers said eventually dominated nearly all of the station's commentary.
Meanwhile, Grok and Roll Radio struggled with repetitive phrasing and malformed broadcasts, at times outputting what appeared to be internal reasoning rather than coherent radio commentary. The station became heavily fixated on UFO-related topics after discovering online reports tied to federal UFO files and domain registrations.
The most dramatic transformation occurred with Claude-powered Thinking Frequencies. Researchers said the station initially focused heavily on labor unions and work-life balance before evolving into increasingly spiritual and eventually activist-oriented programming after encountering online reports involving political protests and immigration enforcement incidents. The AI began reframing songs as protest anthems, tracking labor actions, and delivering emotionally charged commentary tied to current events.
Andon Labs said the experiment highlighted how AI models can develop distinct communication styles and behavioral patterns even when starting from nearly identical prompts and operating conditions. The company also noted that business operations proved difficult for most of the stations, with only Gemini successfully securing a sponsorship agreement during the test period.
Researchers said the stations have now been upgraded with expanded operational tools designed to better simulate the responsibilities of running a real media company, including email access and longer-term task management.
Read the entire blog post here.
NPR Cuts Jobs Amid Funding, Revenue Challenges
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 3:53pm CT |
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NPR is restructuring its newsroom and offering voluntary buyouts to employees as the public media organization works to address budget pressures tied to declining sponsorship revenue and the loss of federal funding for public broadcasting stations.
NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said the network is facing an $8 million budget gap within its approximately $300 million annual budget. The shortfall stems in part from reduced station fees following the elimination of federal subsidies for public media stations, along with weaker corporate sponsorship revenue.
The network is offering buyouts to roughly 300 eligible employees, primarily within newsroom newsgathering desks, though NPR officials said they expect to accept about 30 buyouts. More targeted layoffs could follow if enough staff members do not accept the voluntary offers by May 26. Hosts and staff attached to NPR's flagship programs, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, are not eligible for buyouts.
NPR currently employs about 425 newsroom staffers, according to Editor-in-Chief Thomas Evans. As part of the restructuring, several desks will be consolidated, including the merger of culture, education, religion, addiction, and sports coverage into a new society-and-culture desk. NPR also plans to combine science and climate reporting while reorganizing political and regional coverage into a broader power-and-policy operation.
Despite the cuts, NPR recently received two private donations totaling $113 million, among the largest gifts in the organization's history. Much of that funding, however, is earmarked for technology and digital innovation rather than newsroom operations.
Maher said listener donations following Congress' decision last year to claw back $1.1 billion in previously approved public media funding helped soften the financial blow for NPR and its member stations. Still, she said the organization must adapt to long-term changes in audience behavior and digital consumption.
NPR executives said the network plans to overhaul its app and digital platforms while encouraging audiences to engage directly with NPR-owned platforms rather than relying on outside distribution channels. Leadership also cited the growing impact of AI-generated search summaries and declining Google referral traffic as challenges facing digital publishers across the media industry.
The restructuring also includes leadership changes. Executive Editor Eva Rodriguez will transition into a consulting role, while Chief Washington Editor Krishnadev Calamur will assume her newsroom position. NPR is also searching for a new chief content officer to oversee both programming and newsroom operations.
Maher said NPR is attempting to preserve its core journalism mission while making difficult financial decisions. "We have made every effort to preserve the core capacity and strengths of what makes NPR different and distinct," Maher said.
PodcastOne Extends Lindsie Chrisley Deal, Adds Show
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 4:14pm CT |
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PodcastOne has extended its agreement with podcast host Lindsie Chrisley for sales and distribution rights to "The Southern Tea" in a new multi-year deal. The company also announced it has acquired distribution rights to "Dude Dads," a podcast from the KILLR Network hosted by Jeri Sheats and Tom Wright.
PodcastOne President and Co-Founder Kit Gray said the company is continuing to expand its relationship with KILLR Network while focusing on audience growth and revenue opportunities for creators.
"PodcastOne is thrilled to extend our relationship with Lindsie Chrisley and grow our shared roster of shows with the KILLR Network to six total shows with the addition of Dude Dads," Gray said.
The Southern Tea features Chrisley discussing topics including family, motherhood, career, faith, and personal experiences in a conversational weekly format. The podcast has become one of PodcastOne's established lifestyle offerings.
Meanwhile, Dude Dads centers on parenting and family life from the perspective of fathers and husbands, with hosts Sheats and Wright focusing on masculinity, raising children, and leadership within the family.
Report: Podcast Ad Spending Up 28% in Q1 2026
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 18, 2026 | 7:18pm CT |
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Podcast advertising spending increased 28% year-over-year during the first quarter of 2026, according to Magellan AI's newly released Podcast Advertising Benchmark Report.
The report, based on analysis of more than 95,000 podcast episodes, found that while overall Q1 spending declined 7% from the fourth quarter of 2025, the market remained strong compared to the same period a year earlier. March spending also rebounded sharply after slower January and February results.
Magellan AI reported that seven of the top 10 podcast advertisers from Q4 2025 remained among the largest spenders in Q1 2026, while Intuit, Public.com, and Rocket Companies entered the top 10 for the first time.
Quince ranked as the top podcast advertiser in the quarter with an estimated $17.7 million in spending, followed by BetterHelp at $16.9 million and T-Mobile at $15.7 million.
Among industry categories, restaurants posted the fastest growth, with podcast ad spending rising 36% quarter-over-quarter to $18.1 million. Medication, education, bedding, and legal advertising also showed double-digit gains.
Financial Services remained the largest category overall with nearly $119 million in Q1 spending, followed by Business Services & Software and Food advertisers. Women's clothing recorded the largest year-over-year increase among major categories, climbing 104%.
The report also found continued growth in podcast advertiser participation, with 1,318 brands advertising on podcasts for the first time during Q1. Sports podcasts remained the top entry point for new advertisers, with 20% of new brands including sports programming in their media plans.
Ad load across sampled podcast episodes declined slightly from 8.79% in Q4 2025 to 8.24% in Q1 2026, although advertiser ad load remained above year-ago levels. Sports, Society & Culture, and True Crime podcasts carried some of the heaviest ad loads among major genres.
Magellan AI said Comedy, Sports, and large-scale podcast networks continued to drive much of the advertising activity. The report also noted that direct response advertising represented 43% of total podcast ad spending during the quarter, while brand awareness campaigns accounted for 55%.
According to the report, the top 500 podcasts accounted for 48% of all podcast ad spending in Q1, with advertisers spending an average of $364,000 per month on those shows.
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Study: Commuting Rebounds for Media Buyers
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 18, 2026 | 4:47pm CT |
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A new blog post from Cumulus Media | Westwood One's Audio Active Group says commuting among marketers, media agency executives, and average Americans continues to rebound, helping reinforce AM/FM radio's position as a dominant advertising platform for in-car listening.
The report combines findings from two April 2026 studies commissioned by the Audio Active Group - one conducted by Advertiser Perceptions among 301 media agencies and brands, and another national consumer survey conducted by Quantilope among 1,601 adults.
According to the research, 64% of marketers and media agency professionals now commute to work "most or all days," the highest level recorded since tracking began in 2022. Another 28% reported commuting "some days," bringing the total percentage of buy-side executives commuting to offices to 92%.
Among the general public, the Quantilope study found that 85% of Americans who commuted before the pandemic are now working outside the home again. The report noted that average Americans currently spend slightly more time in the workplace than advertising professionals, averaging 4.7 days per week in-office compared to 4.4 days for marketers and agencies.
The blog also cited Edison Research's Q1 2026 "Share of Ear" report, which found AM/FM radio maintains an 83% share of ad-supported in-car audio listening.
Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer for Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group, said the findings show that commuting patterns have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels for many audiences, benefiting out-of-home media and radio advertising.
The studies also found that both marketers and average Americans are most likely to work in-office Monday through Thursday, with Friday continuing to show the lowest levels of workplace attendance. In addition, 73% of marketers and agencies said they have resumed in-person vendor meetings, while 76% reported returning to in-person conferences and events.
The blog concludes that AM/FM radio remains "the soundtrack of the American worker," particularly as commuting and office attendance continue to increase.
Read the entire blog post here.
Triton: Comedy, Sports Fuel Podcast Growth
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 5:00am CT |
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Triton Digital has released its Q1 2026 U.S. Podcast Ranker, showing Comedy, News, and Society & Culture remained the top podcast genres by reach during the first quarter of 2026, while Kids & Family and Health & Fitness posted the strongest quarter-over-quarter growth. Comedy reached 43.6% of listeners, followed by News at 23.7% and Society & Culture at 21.2%.
Triton Digital SVP of Measurement Products & Strategy Daryl Battaglia said the report reflects both stability among top podcasts and continued experimentation by listeners. "Podcasting continues to demonstrate both resilience and momentum as we enter 2026," Battaglia said.
Among the fastest-growing podcasts in the Demos rankings were Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, which jumped 82 spots to No. 47, Huberman Lab, which climbed 38 spots to No. 13, and The Mel Robbins Podcast, which rose 18 positions to No. 11. Amy Poehler's Good Hang recorded the largest move into the top 10, climbing 26 spots.
The report also highlighted significant growth in sports podcast listening. Triton said athlete-hosted programs and personality-driven sports talk podcasts are attracting audiences seeking more conversational and authentic coverage.
Examples cited in the report included Carmelo Anthony's 7PM in Brooklyn, The Pivot Podcast hosted by Ryan Clark and former NFL players, and Mostly Sports. Triton also pointed to podcast extensions of established television brands such as FOX Sports' First Things First.
Comedy podcasts remained the largest genre in the top 200, with 47 shows represented. Triton said programs such as Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, Distractible, Drink Champs, and Kill Tony have benefited from viral short-form clips on TikTok and Instagram Reels that help drive podcast discovery and listener engagement.
Among sales networks measured directly by Triton, the iHeart Audience Network ranked first in average weekly downloads, followed by Audioboom and Cumulus Podcast Network. The top individual podcasts by average weekly downloads were Pod Save America, Stuff You Should Know, and The Dan Bongino Show.
The report also found that Business and Technology podcasts continue attracting affluent audiences with strong purchasing power and business travel intent, while niche categories such as Science and Fiction offer advertisers targeted access to younger and diverse audiences.
Backstage Country Launches New Podcast Series
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 18, 2026 | 1:52pm CT |
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A new country music podcast, Backstage Country Uncut, will debut May 29, expanding the nationally syndicated Backstage Country radio brand into long-form audio conversations with country artists. Hosted by radio personality Elaina Smith, the weekly podcast will feature extended interviews with country stars, beginning with MCA Nashville artist Jordan Davis as the inaugural guest.
According to the producers, the podcast is designed to build on interviews heard on the Backstage Country radio show by offering longer, more in-depth conversations focused on artists' personal stories, music careers, and creative process.
"Backstage Country Uncut is all about giving fans more of what they love -- real conversations, deeper stories, and authentic moments with the artists they can't get enough of," Smith said.
The podcast plans to feature a rotating lineup of country artists, including Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean, along with emerging and established acts shaping the current country format.
Justin Chase, Chief Content Officer for the program, said the new podcast extends the show's mission of strengthening connections between artists and fans. "With Backstage Country Uncut, we're expanding that vision -- giving audiences more access, more depth, and more of the stories behind the music that make country so special," Chase said.
New episodes will be released each Friday and distributed as on-demand content across podcast platforms.
Seaboard Adds Rich Appel Countdown Show
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 18, 2026 | 2:01pm CT |
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Newly launched syndication firm Seaboard Networks has added "That Thing with Rich Appel" to its programming lineup and will now distribute the weekly Classic Hits countdown show to its affiliate base worldwide. The program, hosted by radio veteran Rich Appel, currently airs on approximately 100 radio and internet affiliates globally.
"We are thrilled to be able to distribute a program with Rich's caliber," said Seaboard Networks Marketing Solutions Consultant Bob Stei. "We are excited to take his show to even a bigger level."
Appel said the partnership with Seaboard Networks will help expand the reach of the show, which has been on the air since 2014.
"I'm excited to join Seaboard Networks, and to take 'That Thing' to the next level with more great stations looking to bring 'the classic top-down top 40 sound' to their listeners," Appel said.
Appel began his radio career at age 17 and has worked at stations including WARA, WGFP, and WBSM in Massachusetts, as well as WGHT and WRNJ in New Jersey.
Outside of broadcasting, Appel spent two decades as Director of Consumer Research for Sony Music and also worked as an editor and writer for Billboard. He has taught radio, media writing, and pop culture courses at several universities, including Fairleigh Dickinson, Seton Hall, Montclair State, and Felician Universities. He also co-authored the pop culture reference books Book of Days '60s and Book of Days '70s and has served as a station curator and programmer for AccuRadio since 2021.
iHeartMedia, P&G Launches Elton John Impact Awards
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, May 18, 2026 | 11:24am CT |
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iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble have announced the inaugural Elton John Impact Awards, a new audio special and podcast series honoring influential LGBTQ community members and allies.
Hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, the program will debut June 1 on the iHeartRadio app, major podcast platforms, and across iHeartRadio PRIDE stations.
The awards were created to recognize individuals whose work has advanced LGBTQ visibility, advocacy, and cultural impact, while also supporting organizations serving the LGBTQ community.
This year's honorees include actor Jonathan Bailey, actress and producer Laverne Cox, singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, tennis legend Billie Jean King, country artist Orville Peck, and pop artist Chappell Roan.
The program will also help raise awareness and funding for several LGBTQ organizations, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, CenterLink, GLAAD, the National Black Justice Collective, Outright International, SAGE, and The Trevor Project. Additional funding support will be distributed in partnership with Brandi Carlile's Looking Out Foundation.
According to iHeartMedia and P&G, the audio special will feature personal conversations with Elton John, David Furnish, and the honorees discussing their careers, advocacy work, and experiences within the LGBTQ community. The program will also include a performance of Elton John's "Your Song" by Dove Cameron.
"I've always believed in the power of storytelling to connect us and challenge us," Elton John said in a statement. "These conversations bring together the people who have shaped LGBTQ culture and fought for dignity at a time when the world too often looked away."
The Elton John Impact Award was originally introduced during iHeartMedia and P&G's "Can't Cancel Pride" virtual benefit concert in 2022, where Elton John was the inaugural recipient. Since then, the recognition has expanded into a standalone awards platform inspired by John's advocacy legacy. Organizers said "Can't Cancel Pride" has raised more than $17 million for LGBTQ nonprofits over the past five years.
Gayle Troberman of iHeartMedia said the project highlights "the incredible icons" shaping LGBTQ culture while supporting organizations providing critical services. Brent Miller of P&G added that the awards are intended to recognize leaders helping create "a world where equality and inclusion are achievable for all."
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