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Top Radio News
Michael Martin Steps Down as Alice 97.3 Brand Manager
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 9, 2026 | 2:15pm CT |
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Michael Martin has stepped down from his role as Brand Manager of Hot AC KLLC (Alice 97.3) in San Francisco, as he shifts his full focus to his national responsibilities with Audacy.
In a memo to staff, Audacy San Francisco SVP and Market Manager Kieran Geffert said Martin will remain in the Brand Manager role at Alice 97.3 through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. Martin will continue in his national position as Senior Vice President of Programming and Head of Music Initiatives for Audacy.
Geffert credited Martin's 16 years of leadership for shaping Alice's trajectory, citing his programming vision, artist partnerships, signature events, and steady leadership across the market's portfolio.
Audacy Chief Programming Officer Jeff Sottolano echoed those sentiments, noting Martin's nearly two decades of contributions to Audacy San Francisco, including leadership roles at KLLC, KMVQ, KITS, and KRBQ. Sottolano highlighted Martin's work with highly rated shows, award-winning on-air talent, and major artist appearances in San Francisco featuring Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and John Mayer.
Martin will continue collaborating with Audacy's format leadership and events teams nationwide. Audacy said additional details regarding future leadership at Alice 97.3 will be shared in the coming days.
John Terrett to Host Red Apple AM/PM Market Reports
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 9, 2026 | 10:11am CT |
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Financial and business analyst John Terrett has been named host of the new Red Apple AM/PM Market Reports, a pair of weekday features delivering concise market analysis during morning and afternoon drive times. Airing Monday through Friday, the twice-daily reports will focus on Wall Street activity, key economic indicators, and emerging business trends.
Red Apple Media Owner and CEO John Catsimatidis said Terrett's experience and perspective make him well suited for the role, noting his frequent appearances on The Cats Roundtable and his ability to explain complex financial developments in clear terms.
The morning AM report will center on pre-market trading and factors likely to influence the day ahead, while the PM report will recap market performance and broader economic developments from the trading session.
Terrett said he is looking forward to joining Red Apple Media and reaching a national audience with analysis aimed at helping listeners better understand investment conditions.
Terrett has served as a New York correspondent for outlets including BBC and CNBC, and has spent much of the past eight years reporting from the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange for audiences worldwide.
Truth Matters with Tom Donahue & Angeline Marie to Launch
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 9, 2026 | 3:20pm CT |
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A new talk program, Truth Matters with Tom Donahue & Angeline Marie, will debut on Saturday, January 17, with national distribution via Salem Radio Network. The weekly show will air Saturdays from 9-10pm ET, with a rebroadcast Sundays from 1-2am ET, on the Westwood One Wegener platform (SRN4 - Truth Matters). The program brings together Tom Donahue and Angeline Marie, who have worked together on multiple media projects including a podcast series over the past 15 years.
The show will focus on political, cultural, economic, media, and health-related topics, approached from a conservative Christian perspective. The hosts say the program will emphasize factual reporting, analysis, and discussion of current controversies, with occasional guest interviews and special reports.
Tom Donahue is a veteran talk host and investigative broadcaster whose career dates back to the early 1990s. He previously hosted the nationally syndicated America's Town Forum and has worked on stations and networks including Talk America Radio Network, BRN, People's Radio Network, Sun Radio Networks, WPDQ, KID, KCAA and WFYL. Donahue currently produces the Tom Donahue Reports podcast and serves as Program Director for Talk Stream Live. He holds a bachelor's degree in Human and Mass Communications from Rutgers University.
Angeline Marie is the host of Truth Seekers Radio Show and has a background in both radio and television production. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and is the founder of K-Star Media and K-Star Publishing, which produce non-fiction and children's books centered on faith and critical thinking.
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Westwood One to Air NFL Wild Card Weekend Coverage
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 9, 2026 | 3:41pm CT |
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Westwood One, the official network audio partner of the National Football League, will present live play-by-play coverage of NFL Wild Card Weekend, powered by Verizon, across Saturday, January 10; Sunday, January 11; and Monday, January 12.
The 2026 postseason coverage marks Westwood One's 39th consecutive year as the NFL's exclusive network audio partner.
Coverage begins Saturday afternoon with the Los Angeles Rams facing the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte at 4:00 p.m. ET. The nightcap follows at 8pm ET, as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears in Chicago.
Sunday's tripleheader opens at 12:30pm ET in Jacksonville with the Buffalo Bills visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 4:15pm ET, coverage shifts to Philadelphia as the San Francisco 49ers take on the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The evening matchup airs at 8pm ET from Foxborough, featuring the Los Angeles Chargers against the New England Patriots.
Wild Card Weekend concludes Monday night at 7pm ET, with the Houston Texans visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Study: Audio Creators Drive Trust, Influence, and Sales
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 10:27am CT |
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A new report finds that radio and podcast hosts are playing an increasingly central role in the creator economy, with trust and authenticity driving stronger engagement and measurable results for advertisers.
The State of Audio: The Creator Effect study from Audacy positions audio creators as "voice-first influencers," arguing that listeners view on-air personalities and podcasters not just as entertainers, but as trusted guides and community builders. The report notes that audio creator revenues have more than doubled since 2020, underscoring the growing commercial power of the medium.
According to the research, authenticity is the defining advantage for audio. Radio listeners are reported to be 100% more likely to trust recommendations from their favorite hosts compared with other forms of influencer marketing, while 61% of audiences say they are more likely to trust audio hosts with topic expertise than social media influencers. That trust translates into action, with significant portions of listeners reporting purchases, recommendations, or follow-up research after hearing host-delivered ads.
The report also highlights the strength of community and fandom, particularly in sports audio, where listeners show higher engagement and purchase intent when brands align with local and team-centric hosts. Smaller and mid-sized podcasts are cited as outperforming larger shows on conversion metrics, suggesting that depth of connection can outweigh raw audience size.
For advertisers, the study concludes that long-term partnerships, host-read endorsements, and creative integrations outperform transactional campaigns. As audio creators expand across platforms-from broadcast and podcasts to video, live events, and social-the report argues that brands that lean into authenticity and creator trust stand to gain stronger loyalty and return on investment.
Download the entire study here.
San Diego Radio Icon Jerry Cesak Dies at 74
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 2:50pm CT |
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Jerry Cesak, the longtime San Diego air personality best known as "Jer" from the Jeff & Jer Showgram, died January 4, 2026, at age 74. He passed away peacefully with his wife, Pam, at his side.
Born in Maryland, Cesak earned a theater degree from the University of Maryland before beginning what he jokingly called a "short 30-year diversion" into radio. His career took him through Washington DC, Baltimore, Minneapolis and Detroit, where he met his longtime on-air partner, Jeff Detrow. Airing under the names Jerry St. James and Jeff Elliott, the duo built a partnership that spanned three decades.
After successful runs in Detroit and Chicago, the team brought their listener-driven morning show to San Diego in 1988. Over 27 years, the Jeff & Jer Showgram became one of the city's most popular programs, delivering a blend of humor, empathy and community engagement.
Cesak's work earned multiple "Personality of the Year" honors from Billboard and Radio & Records. In 2016, Cesak and Detrow, along with executive producer Tommy Sablan, were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Cesak retired from daily broadcasting in 2015, reflecting that radio "was never work... it's like high school with pay."
Beyond the airwaves, Cesak was a devoted advocate for animal welfare. He served on the boards of the Humane Society of the United States and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, and co-founded the Unicorn Foundation with Pam to raise awareness about animal cruelty. His most recent contribution was helping establish Charlotte's Medical Center at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, a facility providing free or low-cost medical care for shelter animals and foster groups.
Cesak is survived by his wife, Pam Cesak, and their animals Winston, Gigi, Savanah and Isabella. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
Dan Bongino Returning to Westwood One in Early February
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 9, 2026 | 3:29pm CT |
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Dan Bongino is returning to his former home of Westwood One, confirming that his syndicated program and podcast will relaunch in early February following his recent departure from the FBI, where he served as Deputy Director.
Appearing on "Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia," Bongino said a formal announcement is imminent. A joint press release with Westwood One and Rumble is expected in the coming days and will confirm the official start date. "The show is definitely coming back," Bongino said. "It's going to be early February, and we're going to be ready to roll."
Bongino revealed that the relaunched program will be a two-hour show airing from 10am-noon ET, a shift from the former 12-3pm ET slot he occupied prior to exiting Westwood One in March, 2025. He said preparation for the first broadcast is already underway, noting that he has accumulated extensive material during his time away from the microphone, though he acknowledged limits on what he can discuss publicly.
A former Secret Service agent, Bongino first launched his podcast in 2017 before expanding into radio and stepping into the high-profile midday slot in 2021 following the death of Rush Limbaugh. His return to media had been widely anticipated after he stepped down from the FBI, with President Trump publicly suggesting he expected Bongino to rejoin the broadcasting world.
Update: a report from Barrett Media on Friday said that Bongino's 10am-noon show is a podcast, and will not be syndicated by Westwood One. Rather, WWO will handle ad sales for the podcast. As such, there would be no change in the Westwood One News/Talk lineup.
Audacy Names Podscribe Preferred Measurement Partner
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 10:12am CT |
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Audacy has named Podscribe as a preferred measurement partner beginning in 2026, expanding attribution and reporting capabilities across most of Audacy's digital portfolio.
Under the agreement, Podscribe will enable attribution across streaming audio, podcasting, connected TV, and display, supported by client-facing dashboards and API access for automated reporting and portfolio-level insights. The partnership will also support select broadcast attribution initiatives within Audacy's radio portfolio, complementing the company's existing measurement partners.
Audacy said the integration of Podscribe's dashboards and APIs with its campaign setup tools is designed to deliver faster and more transparent insights into campaign performance, while streamlining operational workflows for advertisers.
"Audacy consistently strives to deliver measurable results for advertisers, and our partnership with Podscribe further strengthens that promise," said Michael Biemolt, President of Digital Sales at Audacy. "With enhanced attribution and transparency across our portfolio, we're giving clients even greater confidence in how Audacy drives performance at scale."
Matt Drengler, Head of Partnerships at Podscribe, said the collaboration reflects a shared focus on independent measurement and clearer performance insights for advertisers across audio.
The Podscribe agreement continues Audacy's recent push to expand distribution and advertising opportunities through strategic partnerships, including collaborations with iHeartMedia, TuneIn, Sonos, Jomboy Media, and MOGL.
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Podtrac Releases December 2025 Podcast Rankings
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 3:28pm CT |
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Podtrac has released its Top U.S. and Global Podcast Publishers & Networks rankings, along with its Top U.S. Podcasts list for December 2025, offering a snapshot of audience and download performance heading into the end of the year.
In the U.S. Publishers & Networks rankings, iHeart Audience Network retained its position at No. 1, leading the list with more than 60.5 million U.S. unique monthly listeners and nearly 340 million downloads and streams for the month. iHeartPodcasts followed at No. 2, while Acast, NPR Sales Network, and Libsyn rounded out the top five.
Podtrac reported that five U.S. ranking participants posted month-to-month gains in U.S. Unique Monthly Audience (UMA) in December, while eleven publishers and networks saw increases in U.S. downloads compared to November. On the global side, three ranking participants grew their UMA month over month, and four posted gains in U.S. downloads.
The December Top U.S. Podcasts ranking continued to be led by NPR titles, with NPR News Now holding the No. 1 spot, followed by The Daily from The New York Times and Up First from NPR. Other notable entries in the top ten included Dateline NBC, Fox News Hourly Update, Pardon My Take, and This American Life. Several shows posted positive rank movement in December, reflecting month-to-month audience gains.
Podtrac noted that the rankings are based on publishers and podcasts that participated in Podtrac measurement for the full month of December 2025. The company provides podcast measurement and audience insights used by publishers, advertisers, and agencies across the industry.
Study: Magellan AI Helps True Native Recover Revenue
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 10:31am CT |
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True Native Media credits Magellan AI with helping the podcast network recover lost revenue, reactivate advertisers, and strengthen show development, according to a newly released case study.
Founded in 2016, True Native Media was built to support independent podcasters through authentic, host-read advertising. As the network expanded, it sought deeper market intelligence to scale its existing sales and research processes without disrupting its workflow.
The case study shows that Magellan AI enabled True Native Media to reconnect advertisers with podcasts that had changed networks, resulting in an immediate $15,000 recovery and an additional $85,000 in revenue secured for 2026. Broader visibility into advertiser activity also uncovered roughly $100,000 in additional reactivation opportunities across the network.
Magellan AI also supported show evaluation and development, helping True Native Media assess audience quality, ad-read history, and prior advertiser relationships. Over the past year, those insights contributed to five new show acquisitions and generated between $35,000 and $40,000 in new revenue, according to the study.
Beyond revenue recovery, the platform aided advertiser expansion. In one example, a first-time podcast advertiser used Magellan AI insights to identify top-performing shows, expanding into four additional programs and generating more than $100,000 through repeat renewals.
The study concludes that continuous access to advertiser spend trends and market activity has strengthened proposals, improved outreach, and supported long-term growth for both podcasters and advertisers within the True Native Media network.
Joey Brooks Exits iHeartMedia Programming Roles
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 10:15am CT |
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Joey Brooks has departed iHeartMedia, ending his tenure as Senior Vice President of Programming overseeing WBWL/Boston and WWYZ/Hartford, along with the company's eight Connecticut stations. Brooks also served as Director of Brand Strategy & Programming for iHeartMedia's Hot AC stations nationwide. He noted that the move marks the first layoff of his career.
Brooks was elevated to Senior VP/Programming for Connecticut in 2019 after serving as Program Director for iHeartMedia's AC outlet WMIA/Miami. His earlier iHeartMedia experience includes roles as Assistant Program Director, Music Director, and air personality at WKSS/Hartford from 2002 to 2006.
His broader industry background spans major markets, including CHUM/Toronto, WIOQ/Philadelphia, and WXKS/Boston. In Miami, Brooks also held the Assistant Program Director role at Y100 while serving as Music Director at CHUM Toronto from 2009 to 2012. He began his radio career as an air personality at KISS 108 Boston in 2001.
Podcast Listening Continues Shift Toward the Home
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 2:33pm CT |
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A new insight from Edison Research shows that while overall audio listening has gradually moved back toward pre-pandemic patterns, podcast consumption remains increasingly centered in the home.
The firm's first 2026 release from Edison Podcast Metrics builds on late-2025 findings from Share of Ear, which examined how the COVID-19 pandemic shifted audio listening from cars and workplaces into the home between 2020 and 2022. While most audio listening still takes place at home, Edison notes that general listening behavior is slowly normalizing. Podcasts, however, continue to follow a different trajectory.
According to the data, 48% of weekly podcast consumers in 2019 said they most often listened to podcasts at home. That figure rose sharply to 58% in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Rather than declining as restrictions eased, at-home podcast listening has continued to increase, reaching 63% of weekly podcast consumers today.
Edison suggests that evolving consumption habits -- particularly the growth of podcast listening and viewing on connected TVs -- may be reinforcing the home as the primary environment for podcasts. As a result, podcast listening patterns appear less likely to revert to pre-COVID norms than other forms of audio consumption.
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Compass Media Networks Tips Off 18th College Hoops Season
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 2:39pm CT |
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Compass Media Networks has announced the launch of its 18th season of men's college basketball coverage, featuring 20 top-ranked regular-season matchups and exclusive post-season broadcasts of all rounds of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.
Coverage begins Tuesday, January 13, with Marquette at St. John's. The regular-season slate includes matchups involving Top 25 programs from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC, leading into the Big Ten Tournament, scheduled for March 10-15 at the United Center in Chicago.
Paul Gregrey, President of Advertising Sales & Marketing for Compass Media Networks, said the 2026 schedule is designed to deliver strong value for affiliates and advertising partners, citing the depth and competitiveness of the matchups.
General Manager of Compass Media Networks/Sports Robert Blum highlighted the return of veteran on-air talent, including seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry. The broadcast team also includes analysts Danny Green, Rick Mahorn, and Mike Wozniak.
Play-by-play coverage will be handled by Gregg Daniels, Jerry Recco, and Wayne Larrivee, with studio hosting duties shared by Tim Cates and Zach Gelb.
NHPR Names Podglomerate Exclusive Podcast Sales Partner
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 10:28am CT |
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New Hampshire Public Radio has entered an exclusive podcast sales partnership with The Podglomerate, naming the agency as the sole sales representative for NHPR's podcast portfolio. Under the agreement, The Podglomerate will oversee advertising sales for NHPR-produced podcasts.
Rebecca Lavoie, NHPR's Director of On Demand Audio, said the partnership builds on an existing relationship between the two organizations and cited The Podglomerate's experience in podcast monetization and marketing. NHPR President and CEO Jim Schachter said the collaboration will help the station remain competitive in a rapidly evolving podcast marketplace while sustaining its public-service mission.
NHPR produces several nationally recognized podcasts, including Bear Brook, The 13th Step, Outside/In, and Civics 101, and serves as the exclusive outlet for NPR News in New Hampshire. Through the third quarter of 2025, NHPR reported average monthly podcast downloads exceeding one million, with more than 93 million downloads to date.
As part of the partnership, NHPR will also gain access to The Podglomerate's advertising technology, attribution tools, forecasting systems, and dynamic ad insertion platforms, aimed at improving sales performance and audience targeting.
Executives from both organizations said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to sustaining public media and quality journalism through long-term podcast revenue growth.
Media Institute Names Kirby Chair as Wiley Steps Down
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 2:24pm CT |
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The Media Institute announced that longtime Board Chair Richard E. Wiley will step down from the role on January 31, concluding more than three decades of leadership. The board has selected veteran media attorney Kathleen Kirby to succeed him.
Wiley will remain active with the Institute and has been named Chairman Emeritus, effective February 1. In a statement, Wiley said he looks forward to supporting the organization's new leadership team, including incoming President Mike O'Rielly, while continuing the Institute's focus on sound communications policy and First Amendment principles.
A co-founder of Wiley Rein LLP, Wiley previously served as Chairman, Commissioner, and General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission from 1970 to 1977, where he was instrumental in early efforts to promote competition and reduce regulation in the media sector. He received The Media Institute's inaugural Freedom of Speech Award in 1992 and its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Kirby brings more than 30 years of experience in telecom, media, and technology law. A partner at Wiley Rein, she co-chairs the firm's Telecom, Media, and Technology practice and serves on its Executive and Management committees. She has also served as president of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has received leadership honors from RTDNA and the Broadcasters Foundation of America.
Kirby said she is honored to take on the chair role at a pivotal time for media and communications policy, crediting Wiley's leadership as a guiding influence. Media Institute President Richard T. Kaplar welcomed the transition, noting Wiley's lasting impact and expressing confidence that Kirby and O'Rielly will guide the Institute's next chapter.
David Donovan to Step Down as NYSBA President in 2026
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 2:27pm CT |
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After 15 years leading the New York State Broadcasters Association, President David Donovan will step aside from the role at the end of 2026. Donovan will remain with the Association, continuing to oversee its government relations efforts, while the organization begins a search for a new president.
NYSBA has formed an executive search committee to identify a successor who will manage day-to-day operations of the association.
NYSBA Chairman Chris Musial praised Donovan's leadership, noting that while he is doing "an outstanding job," Donovan believes it is time to pass management responsibilities to the next generation. Musial added that the Board is pleased Donovan will continue to lead lobbying efforts in both Albany and Washington as the transition process begins.
Donovan said the Association aims to bring a new president on board earlier in 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. He also highlighted the strength of NYSBA's Board of Directors and staff, calling them "the best of any association in America."
Resumes for the president position will be accepted through February 28, 2026. More information and application details are available here.
The Fitness Revolution Has a Soundtrack And It's Radio
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | 10:41am CT |
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As the fitness industry heads into 2026 with projected growth of 8%, new research suggests audio platforms -- particularly radio -- may offer advertisers a disproportionate share of health-club users.
According to data cited from The Media Audit and investment firm MCCG Invest, audio listeners are significantly more likely than the general population to be members of health clubs. While 11.6% of U.S. adults reported using a health club in the past year, usage rises notably among audio audiences.
Nearly 18% of podcast listeners reported health club membership, indexing 50% above the market average. Streaming audio listeners followed at nearly 14%, while 13% of over-the-air radio listeners reported gym usage -- both also indexing above the general population.
Radio's reach among fitness consumers remains especially strong. Jill Medina, Market Manager at The Media Audit, noted that 75% of health club members listen to radio on an average day, compared with 64% of the total population. Health club users also spend an average of two hours and 10 minutes per day with radio, often while commuting or during workouts.
The demographic overlap is also notable. Millennials and Gen Xers account for 65% of heavy radio listeners -- defined as those consuming three or more hours daily -- and 56% of health club members fall within those same age groups. Among heavy radio listeners who are also health club users, daily audio consumption approaches five hours, exceeding average television viewing for that segment.
Medina said the alignment between fitness participation and audio usage presents an opportunity for advertisers seeking engaged audiences. She pointed to factors such as longer listening sessions, higher income profiles, and a health-focused mindset among gym users as contributing to audio's effectiveness.
The findings suggest potential value for brands tied directly to fitness and wellness, including sports nutrition, apparel, and recovery products. However, the data also points to broader opportunities for marketers targeting health-conscious, higher-spending consumers across categories.
With health club participation continuing to rise and audio remaining a consistent part of daily routines, the research indicates that radio, podcasts, and streaming audio remain closely connected to the fitness lifestyle heading into 2026.
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