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Top Radio News
Cox Media Group Names Bortnick VP of Local Revenue
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | 3:12pm CT |
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Cox Media Group (CMG) has appointed Danny Bortnick as Vice President, Local Revenue and Client Growth for its radio division, a newly created leadership role focused on strengthening client partnerships and driving local revenue growth. He joins the company on July 13.
Bortnick will partner with CMG Radio market leaders and sales managers to grow local revenue while working with cross-functional teams to align client engagement and revenue strategies. His responsibilities also include enhancing CMG Radio's client-first sales organization, advancing sales enablement initiatives, and ensuring consistent execution across the company's markets.
"Daniel is a results-driven revenue leader with a strong track record of building high-performing teams and driving revenue growth across multiple platforms," said Rob Babin, President of CMG Radio. "His ability to connect strategy to execution and foster trusted partnerships with clients makes him the right leader to help take CMG Radio's local revenue performance to the next level."
Bortnick brings more than 20 years of sales leadership experience with major media companies, including iHeartMedia and CBS Radio. Most recently, he served as Director of Sales for Hubbard Radio and 2060 Digital in West Palm Beach, where he oversaw revenue strategy across multiple stations while rebuilding the sales team and implementing new tools to modernize the company's local market approach.
"I'm honored to join the CMG family under Rob Babin's leadership, and I'm excited to help accelerate local revenue growth across the organization," Bortnick said. "Local media plays an essential role in every marketer's strategy, and CMG Radio's brands deliver measurable impact for our clients. I look forward to partnering with our talented teams across the country to continue building lasting client relationships, driving innovation, and delivering exceptional results."
Study: AM/FM Dominates Audio Among Tesla Drivers
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | 11:16am CT |
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New research from Cumulus Media | Westwood One's Audio Active Group finds AM/FM radio remains the dominant ad-supported audio platform among Tesla drivers, reinforcing radio's value for automakers seeking to retain loyal customers and attract drivers from competing brands.
In this week's blog, Pierre Bouvard cites new first-quarter 2026 data from Edison Research's Share of Ear study showing Tesla owners spend 67% of their in-car ad-supported audio listening time with AM/FM radio. Across all listening locations-including home, work, the car, and elsewhere-AM/FM radio accounts for a 47% share of Tesla drivers' ad-supported audio time, well ahead of podcasts (36%), ad-supported Pandora (8%), SiriusXM (5%), Spotify (3%), and other platforms.
The report notes Tesla's brand loyalty remains among the strongest in the automotive industry. According to S&P Mobility, 61.1% of Tesla owners purchase another Tesla, exceeding Subaru (60.5%), Toyota (59.9%), and the U.S. automotive industry average of 52.7%. As a result, Bouvard argues that media plans aimed at current Tesla owners should prioritize the platforms they use most.
The study also points to AM/FM radio's strength in reaching prospective Tesla buyers. Among all drivers, AM/FM radio commands an 83% share of in-car ad-supported audio listening, making it an effective medium for reaching owners of competitive automotive brands. Across all listening environments, AM/FM radio captures a 64% share of ad-supported audio among drivers of competing brands.
Additional findings from MRI-Simmons Winter 2026 research indicate heavy AM/FM radio listeners are among the most likely consumers to be in the market for a vehicle. AM/FM radio ranks first in purchase intent for trucks, SUVs, and hybrid/electric vehicles, while also posting strong results for new vehicle purchases overall, used vehicles, sedans, and minivans.
Read the entire Westwood One blog post here.
StreamGuys Restores Live Radio at Bats Games
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | 3:17pm CT |
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StreamGuys has deployed its Ultra-Low Latency Streaming (ULLS) technology for the Louisville Bats, restoring a longtime baseball tradition by allowing fans at Louisville Slugger Field to hear the team's live radio broadcast in sync with the on-field action.
The Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, adopted the technology after fans complained that broadcast delays of 10 to 20 seconds made it impossible to follow games in real time. The delays were introduced through modern broadcast distribution systems and digital processing, affecting even traditional AM radio broadcasts after a corporate-mandated delay was added to the team's flagship station.
"We heard from a lot of fans who love listening to the broadcast while they're at the ballpark, but suddenly they were hearing pitches several seconds after they happened," said Nick Curran, Director of Broadcasting for the Louisville Bats. "There's something special and nostalgic about baseball on the radio. Our fans wanted that experience back, and StreamGuys gave us a solution that was much easier, faster and more affordable to implement than I ever expected."
Working with StreamGuys' engineering team, the Bats launched a dedicated ultra-low latency stream that fans can access on their mobile devices while attending games. Curran said the deployment was straightforward and that fan response has been overwhelmingly positive, with listeners praising the return of synchronized play-by-play during home games.
"Organizations like the Louisville Bats understand that fan experience is about much more than what happens on the field," said Eduardo Martinez, Executive Vice President of Technology at StreamGuys. "ULLS complements those efforts by restoring one of baseball's most cherished traditions. Fans can once again enjoy the trusted voices of their hometown broadcasters in perfect synchronization with every pitch, hit and home run."
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Hoffmann Media Group to Acquire Audacy St. Louis Cluster
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 4:45pm CT |
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Audacy has reportedly agreed to sell its six-station St. Louis radio cluster to Hoffmann Media Group, marking the family-owned company's first entry into radio broadcasting and adding one of the nation's most recognizable news/talk brands, KMOX-AM & FM (1120/104.1), to its expanding media portfolio.
The transaction, which is subject to FCC approval, includes News/Talk KMOX-AM/FM, 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 (Hot 98.7). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition significantly expands Hoffmann Media Group's growing media holdings, which already include newspapers and digital publications across multiple states through Lee Enterprises and Hoffmann Media Group. Founder and Chairman David Hoffmann said the purchase represents a strategic step in building a diversified media platform.
"This is a deliberate step to accelerate the expansion of our media platform and establish it as one of the largest print and digital news organizations in the United States," Hoffmann said. "We are building a scaled, multi-platform network that combines print, digital and broadcast to deliver trusted journalism and meaningful community connection. Talk radio is a natural extension of that vision and a powerful driver of our long-term growth."
Hoffmann added that the company expects its expanding collection of newspaper and broadcast properties to make it the nation's second-largest media company by the end of the year.
Former Audacy St. Louis Senior Vice President and Market Manager Becky Domyan will return to lead the cluster as Market President.
Audacy President and CEO Kelli Turner said the sale aligns with the company's long-term strategy following its emergence from Chapter 11 restructuring.
"This transaction is a win for both companies as well as for St. Louis listeners and partners," Turner said. "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."
In a memo to employees, Turner said Audacy had not been actively seeking to sell the St. Louis stations but concluded that Hoffmann's offer "made strong business sense for both parties." She added that no immediate changes to day-to-day operations, reporting structures, compensation or benefits are anticipated as the transaction moves through the regulatory approval process.
The sale represents the first radio acquisition for Hoffmann Media Group and continues Audacy's efforts to optimize its portfolio while focusing investment on its remaining markets.
CRM Study Finds Afternoon Drive Gains Momentum
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 3:22pm CT |
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Afternoon drive is emerging as radio's fastest-growing daypart as listening habits continue to evolve, according to Crowd React Media's newly released State of Media 2026 report. Based on a survey of 1,094 U.S. adults conducted in March and April, the study found one-third of Americans now identify afternoons as their primary radio listening period, a 21% increase over the past three years.
Meanwhile, morning drive remains radio's largest daypart, with four in 10 Americans saying they primarily listen in the morning, although that figure has declined by 12 percentage points since 2024.
The report says afternoon listening has become increasingly valuable because while overall cume during the daypart has dipped slightly, the audience that remains is more loyal. "The afternoon drive audience is getting smaller in raw numbers but more committed," the report notes, suggesting broadcasters should view the shift as a quality signal rather than simply a loss of audience.
Radio also showed renewed strength in traditional listening environments. Listening while working climbed to 30% from 21% a year ago, while listening during exercise increased to 31% from 25%, prompting the report to conclude that "the commute and the gym are back as radio contexts."
Overall, radio's weekly reach edged up to 76% of U.S. adults in 2026 from 75% last year. At the same time, the medium's conversion rate-the percentage of listeners who use radio frequently-slipped by just one-half percentage point to 40%, a far smaller decline than experienced by most competing media platforms. Crowd React says that stability has become one of radio's biggest competitive advantages as consumers spend less time engaging with algorithm-driven media.
The study found radio listening sessions have remained remarkably consistent for three consecutive years, with roughly 40% of listeners continuing to spend between 30 minutes and an hour during a typical listening occasion. Crowd React argues that consistency reflects a durable listening habit at a time when usage of many digital platforms has softened.
The report also challenges conventional assumptions about younger audiences. Forty percent of adults ages 18-34 said local content is a reason they listen to radio-more than listeners age 55 and older. Crowd React called the finding one of the study's most actionable insights, suggesting the demographic broadcasters most want to attract is also the one most motivated by local programming. The report's executive summary similarly notes that younger adults value local radio more than older listeners do.
News/Talk radio also continues to play an important role in consumers' media habits. Twenty-one percent of respondents said they frequently use News/Talk radio for news, trailing online news sites (43%) and cable or streaming television (42%), but ahead of YouTube and podcasts. The research found Americans typically consume news during two daily peaks-56% in the morning and 49% in the evening-underscoring the importance of those dayparts for news publishers and broadcasters.
The report also highlights radio's growing multiplatform presence among younger consumers. Among listeners ages 18-34, 70% use traditional AM/FM radio, while 45% also listen through mobile apps, 36% via desktop streaming and 22% on smart speakers. Crowd React argues that broadcasters should focus on preserving the listening experience regardless of how audiences access their content, concluding that "the listening occasion is the thing worth protecting, not the transmission method."
Download the report here.
YouGov: Radio Tops Podcasts for News Consumption
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 2:53pm CT |
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AM/FM radio continues to hold a significant place in Americans' news consumption habits, outperforming podcasts, print publications and AI chatbots as a monthly news source, according to YouGov's latest Trust in Media survey.
The national survey of 2,102 U.S. adults, conducted May 25-26, found that 28% of respondents said they used radio for news during the previous month. While social media (60%), television (56%), friends and family (45%), news websites (39%) and search engines (29%) ranked ahead of radio, the medium outpaced news apps (26%), podcasts (21%), email newsletters (20%), online news aggregators (18%), video platforms (15%), print newspapers (14%), magazines (10%), blogs (9%) and AI chatbots (6%).
Radio news listening was strongest among older, more affluent and college-educated Americans. Thirty-six percent of college graduates reported using radio for news, compared with 24% of adults without a degree. Among households earning $100,000 or more annually, 39% said they got news from radio, versus 22% of those earning less than $50,000. Adults age 65 and older posted the highest usage at 34%, while just 17% of adults ages 18-29 reported turning to radio for news.
Political differences in radio news use were relatively narrow. Republicans (30%) and Democrats (31%) reported nearly identical levels of radio news consumption, while 25% of Independents said they used radio for news. By 2024 presidential vote, 36% of Donald Trump voters reported using radio for news, compared with 32% of Kamala Harris voters. Men also outpaced women, 32% to 25%.
The survey also highlighted the continuing trust challenges facing many digital platforms. Social media remained the most widely used source of news, but Facebook recorded a net trust rating of minus-24, TikTok minus-32 and X minus-21. Journalism as a profession earned a positive net favorability rating of 23, while "the news media" as a whole was rated neutral. Among individual news organizations, NPR posted a net trust score of plus-15.
Artificial intelligence continues to emerge as a news source, although adoption remains limited. Six percent of respondents said they used AI chatbots for news in the past month, including 10% who specifically cited ChatGPT and 7% who used Google's Gemini. Meanwhile, 46% of Americans reported seeing what they believed was AI-generated content online every day.
Overall interest in news remained strong. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said they consume both national and local news either very often or somewhat often, underscoring continued demand for trusted news sources across multiple platforms.
Download the entire study here.
Golic Sr. and Golic Jr. Return to ESPN Radio
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 11:45am CT |
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Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. are returning to ESPN Radio as part of a revamped weekday lineup launching Monday, August 3. The father-son duo will co-host The Golics, airing weekdays from 10am to noon ET under a new multi-year agreement with ESPN.
The new show reunites the pair at ESPN after decades of contributions across the company's radio, television and digital platforms. The Golics will also be simulcast live on the ESPN App, with episodes available afterward on major podcast platforms. In addition to hosting the show, both Golics will make appearances across ESPN programming.
The revamped lineup keeps UnSportsmanLike with Chris Canty, Evan Cohen and Michelle Smallmon in the 6-10am ET slot, followed by The Golics. The Rich Eisen Show continues from noon to 3pm ET, while Matt & Myron, hosted by Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf, moves from weekends to weekdays from 3-5pm ET. Like The Golics, the afternoon show will stream on the ESPN App and be available as a podcast after each live broadcast.
"Reuniting with the Mikes Golic was a tremendous opportunity for our audience," said Mike Foss, Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment. "They've been building chemistry together since 1989, and it's a joy to bring their peerless partnership back to ESPN."
Golic Sr. spent 25 years at ESPN from 1995 to 2020, becoming one of the network's signature radio personalities through Mike & Mike and later Golic & Wingo. Golic Jr. worked at ESPN from 2015 to 2022, contributing across ESPN Radio, television and digital platforms while also calling college football games.
Jeff Garcia Joins The Woody Show as Executive Producer
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 12:03pm CT |
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iHeartMedia has named veteran Los Angeles radio producer Jeff Garcia Executive Producer of the syndicated "The Woody Show," effective immediately. Garcia joins the morning program, which is syndicated by Premiere Networks and airs weekdays on KYSR (Alt 98.7)/Los Angeles, after three decades in Southern California radio. Most recently, he served as EP of The Cruz Show on KRRL (Real 92.3).
"I'm excited and honored to join the wildly successful The Woody Show," Garcia said. "No one connects with audiences quite like Woody and his team, blending entertainment, authenticity and engaging conversation in a way that resonates nationwide. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented team and look forward to creating exceptional content together."
Garcia began his Los Angeles radio career in commercial production at KPWR (Power 106) before becoming producer of Big Boy's Neighborhood. Over the past 30 years, he has established himself as one of the market's most respected producers.
"When you get the chance to bring someone of Mr. Garcia's caliber on board, you don't overthink it; you do it," said Woody. "We're strategically aligned and he has my complete trust to do right by the show. According to my therapist, that's a major milestone for someone with deep trust issues. So, here goes nothing!"
Garcia's move creates another programming change at iHeartMedia Los Angeles. Chuck Dizzle has been promoted to Executive Producer of The Cruz Show on Real 92.3, succeeding Garcia. Dizzle most recently served as the station's late-night personality and Associate Producer for Big Boy's Neighborhood.
"I'm honored to join a show with such a rich history and deep connection to Los Angeles as The Cruz Show," Dizzle said. "Throughout my career, I've focused on creating content that informs, entertains, and adds value to the culture. To now bring that mindset to The Cruz Show as Executive Producer, alongside an incredible team, is a responsibility I don't take lightly and an opportunity I'm grateful for."
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Stacy Lyn Joins Red Apple's Worldwide News Network
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 4:56pm CT |
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Red Apple Audio Networks continues to expand its Worldwide News Network (WWNN), announcing the addition of veteran broadcast journalist and former CBS Radio News anchor Stacy Lyn just five weeks after the network's launch.
Lyn brings more than 30 years of broadcast journalism experience to the 24/7 radio news service, including coverage of the White House, Congress, national elections and major breaking news events. During her career, she has earned numerous honors, including an Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence, a Gracie Award and an Associated Press Award for Outstanding Newscast.
"Stacy Lyn is exactly the kind of broadcast news anchor we set out to recruit when we launched the Worldwide News Network," said Lee Harris, Senior Vice President of News & Programming for Red Apple Media. "She is a proven broadcaster with tremendous credibility and a long track record of delivering breaking news and major stories with accuracy, clarity, and professionalism."
Lyn said WWNN's commitment to factual, agenda-free journalism made the opportunity appealing. "I'm thrilled to join the Worldwide News Network at such an exciting moment in its growth," she said. "The commitment to real reporting, factual journalism, and delivering breaking news without agenda is what drew me to this opportunity."
Lyn joins a growing roster of former CBS Radio broadcasters at WWNN, including Michael Wallace, Cooper Lawrence, Bill Rehkopf and Matt Pieper, as Red Apple Audio Networks continues to build its national news operation.
Red Apple Media President Chad Lopez said the latest addition reinforces the company's commitment to creating a premier radio news service.
"From day one, our goal has been to build a world-class news organization staffed by the most trusted voices in radio journalism," Lopez said. "The addition of Stacy Lyn further strengthens what has already become one of the most impressive news teams in network radio."
Black Public Radio Network Officially Launches
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, June 28, 2026 | 6:05pm CT |
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Fifteen public radio stations from across the U.S. have joined forces to launch the Black Public Radio Network (BPRN), a new national coalition created to strengthen the long-term sustainability, growth and impact of Black public radio.
Founded by Ernest Walker, President of BPRN and General Manager of KTSU/Houston, the network brings together 12 stations licensed to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), along with WBGO/New York, 104.7 The Drop/Denver and HYFIN/Milwaukee.
BPRN was established to help member stations address financial challenges facing public media by expanding revenue opportunities, increasing national visibility, fostering innovation and building a stronger collaborative infrastructure.
"The launch of the Black Public Radio Network represents a transformative moment for public media and for the communities our stations serve," Walker said. "For decades, Black public radio stations have served as trusted cultural anchors, storytellers and community connectors. BPRN is about bringing our collective strength together to create a sustainable future, expand opportunity and ensure our voices continue to be heard and valued on a national level."
The network has entered a six-month strategic planning phase to develop its operational framework, national revenue strategy and long-term growth plan. As part of that effort, BPRN has retained Paragon as its consulting partner, with VuHaus Group supporting the development of national sponsorship sales opportunities.
Joining the planning effort are veteran public media executives Jacquie Gales Webb, former Vice President of Radio at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Nikki Swarn, former General Manager of KUVO/THE DROP Denver.
Wendy Williams, General Manager of WCLK/Atlanta, said the network creates new opportunities for growth, visibility and sustainability while honoring the cultural significance of the audiences its stations serve. WNSB/Norfolk General Manager Maynard Scales added that the collaboration will enable member stations to share content, grow audiences and develop new partnerships with national brands.
Eastlan Expands Into Seattle, Oklahoma City
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, June 26, 2026 | 4:56pm CT |
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Eastlan continues to expand its radio audience measurement footprint, adding Seattle and Oklahoma City as the latest markets to receive its monthly ratings service.
The first Eastlan reports for both markets will be released on Tuesday, June 30, alongside inaugural monthly books for Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas and Houston. The additions bring Eastlan's expansion to nine of the nation's 50 largest radio markets over the past 12 months.
The company said the growth comes as the radio industry increasingly shifts toward impressions-based advertising sales, creating greater demand for affordable third-party audience measurement that includes every station in a market.
Unlike measurement services that exclude some stations, Eastlan said its ratings encompass all stations, providing buyers and sellers with a more complete view of radio listening. The company said users can evaluate both total campaign impressions over a six-week flight and average quarter-hour audience estimates for every station in a market.
"Buyers remind us each day that radio still needs third-party data that underscores its importance," said Eastlan President Mike Gould. "The key difference with Eastlan is it allows all users to see the strength of all radio stations in each market, whether that is total impressions of a six-week flight or the AQH rating for every station in town."
Gould added that the company is hearing increasing frustration from radio buyers who say current measurement services that arbitrarily exclude stations make it more difficult to confidently evaluate and purchase radio advertising.
FCC Targets Three New York Pirate Radio Operators
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, June 26, 2026 | 5:04pm CT |
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The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has taken action against three separate pirate radio operations in New York, issuing one final forfeiture order and two new notices of apparent liability totaling $65,000 in proposed and assessed fines.
In Spring Valley, NY, the FCC affirmed a $20,000 forfeiture against Jean Boncoeur for operating the unlicensed station "Radio Gold Stars" on 90.5 MHz. The Commission said Boncoeur operated the unauthorized station in violation of the PIRATE Act and did not respond to a Notice of Apparent Liability issued in January.
The agency also proposed a $25,000 fine against Albercio Mercado for allegedly operating the unlicensed station "Manzana FM" on 94.9 MHz in the Bronx. FCC field agents said they traced the station to two different locations between 2024 and 2026, documented broadcasts that exceeded Part 15 power limits, and obtained admissions from Mercado that he operated the station. Investigators also cited social media posts showing Mercado inside the station's studio. The proposed penalty includes a $5,000 upward adjustment because the FCC says Mercado continued operating after being warned he needed a license.
In a separate case, the FCC proposed a $20,000 forfeiture against Neville Morgan, Lilleth Morgan and The Sweet Hour of Prayer Inc., holding them jointly and severally liable for allegedly operating "TOG Radio" on 105.3 MHz in the Bronx. Agents said they traced the broadcasts to a residential building, found the station's programming matched the audio stream on the ministry's website, and identified the Morgans as the station's owners and operators through corporate records, the website and social media.
The FCC said pirate radio operations threaten the integrity of the nation's spectrum by interfering with licensed broadcasters and public safety communications, including Emergency Alert System transmissions. Under the PIRATE Act, the Commission may impose fines of up to $122,661 per day for illegal broadcasting, with maximum penalties exceeding $2.45 million for continuing violations.
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iHeartMedia Expands Amazon Ads Partnership
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, June 26, 2026 | 12:42pm CT |
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iHeartMedia has expanded its advertising relationship with Amazon Ads, giving advertisers broader access to Amazon's audio and video inventory while adding Amazon's first-party shopping and streaming signals to iHeartMedia's digital platforms.
Under the expanded agreement, iHeartMedia will serve as a local reseller for Amazon Ads inventory across Prime Video, Twitch, Amazon Music, Fire TV and Alexa. The companies also will enable iHeartMedia customers to use Amazon DSP, allowing advertisers to leverage Amazon's authenticated shopping, browsing and streaming signals across iHeart's owned-and-operated digital properties on both local and national campaigns.
The integration will extend across iHeartMedia's digital audio, podcasts, creator-led content and other digital inventory, providing advertisers with a unified platform to execute multi-channel campaigns at scale.
iHeartMedia said incorporating Amazon's first-party signals into its premium inventory will improve audience planning, targeting and campaign measurement by using real shopping insights to deliver more relevant advertising.
"Advertisers are increasingly looking for media solutions that combine scale, intelligence and simplicity across channels," said Lisa Coffey, Chief Business Officer for iHeartMedia. "By combining Amazon Ads' shopping insights and advertising technology with iHeart's audio leadership, we're creating a more seamless, data-informed way for brands to create more effective campaigns across sound and sight."
Jenn Donohue, Head of Local Ad Sales for Amazon Ads, said the expanded relationship creates new opportunities for brands to reach consumers across "more screens and speakers" while making it easier to activate campaigns across premium audio and streaming environments with enhanced planning, targeting and performance capabilities.
Compass Media Names Alvord Affiliate Sales Associate
| RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, June 28, 2026 | 3:56pm CT |
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Compass Media Networks has appointed Carter Alvord as Associate Director of Affiliate Sales for Sports and News/Talk Programming. Alvord joins the company full-time after graduating from Bucknell University in 2026. He has served as an intern with Compass Media Networks during summers and holiday breaks since June 2024 and will continue working from the company's New York office.
In his new role, Alvord will support affiliate sales efforts for Compass Media Networks' sports programming, including NFL and NCAA football and basketball play-by-play, as well as its News/Talk lineup featuring This Morning with Gordon Deal and The Erick Erickson Show.
"Growing up listening to Anna & Raven sparked my passion for radio," Alvord said. "It is an honor to join Compass Media Networks, and I am thrilled to work shoulder to shoulder with Rob Blum and the rest of the affiliate sales team to super serve our affiliates and content partners."
Reelworld Debuts AI Voices for Radio Imaging
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 29, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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Reelworld has introduced AI VO, a new lineup of artificial intelligence voices created specifically for radio imaging, marking what the company says is an industry first for the broadcast radio sector.
The new service is designed to help radio stations and production teams speed up audio production while maintaining the performance, quality and personality expected from professional station voiceovers.
"AI is revolutionary for audio production. Like drum machines, digital audio and AutoTune before it, AI is changing how everything gets made-but goes even further," said Reelworld CEO Mike Thomas. "With AI VO, stations can work smarter, create faster and sound better than ever before."
Reelworld said its AI VO voices are ethically trained using proprietary voice models built specifically for radio imaging across all formats. Each voice is licensed on a market-exclusive basis with unlimited usage and no character limits, giving stations greater flexibility for imaging and promotional production.
The company said AI VO is intended to support both current imaging needs and emerging production workflows that emphasize rapid iteration and personalized content. The launch is part of Reelworld's broader artificial intelligence strategy, which includes plans for deeper integration with its imaging services.
Existing Production Vault and Red Hits client stations can reserve AI voices now in preparation for the rollout of Reelworld's next generation of AI-enhanced imaging services.
Reelworld has posted audio demonstrations of AI VO on its website at reelworld.com.
FCC Adopts EAS Cybersecurity, Modernization Rules
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 2:32pm CT |
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The Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rules aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS) while launching a broader effort to modernize both EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).
Approved Thursday, the Report and Order requires EAS participants to implement stronger password practices, promptly test and install manufacturer-issued security patches, and use network firewalls or comparable security measures to better protect alerting equipment from cyberattacks.
The Commission also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on additional improvements designed to make EAS and WEA more secure, reliable and effective. Among the proposals are requiring authentication for all emergency alerts before transmission, establishing a universal alert identification number to prevent duplicate alerts, improving the geographic accuracy of wireless alerts by eliminating outdated geotargeting exceptions, and adding emergency-specific symbols to EAS and WEA messages.
The FCC is also proposing to modernize alerting technology by permitting software-based EAS implementations as an alternative to dedicated hardware and eliminating the legacy 90-character limit for Wireless Emergency Alert messages.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the new cybersecurity requirements address vulnerabilities that have been exploited in past attacks, including the widely publicized 2013 false "zombie apocalypse" emergency alert that resulted from compromised equipment protected by default passwords.
"Today's item builds on our prior work by taking commonsense steps to strengthen the cybersecurity of our emergency alert systems," Carr said. "Requiring stronger password practices, timely software updates, and improved security controls will help reduce opportunities for bad actors to exploit weaknesses in alerting equipment."
The National Association of Broadcasters praised the Commission's action. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said the organization supports both the new cybersecurity safeguards and the proposal to allow software-based EAS alert processing.
"Local radio and television stations play a vital role in delivering trusted emergency information to communities when it matters most," LeGeyt said. "By allowing broadcasters to deploy security updates more quickly, reduce equipment downtime and strengthen system redundancy, this proposal can help ensure stations are better positioned to deliver critical emergency information when communities need it most."
Commissioner Olivia Trusty also backed the action, calling secure and reliable emergency alerting systems essential as communities increasingly rely on timely warnings during wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters. She said the proposal will help modernize the nation's alerting infrastructure while protecting it against evolving cybersecurity threats.
AM/FM Radio Dominates Audio Among Nissan Drivers
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 11:24am CT |
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AM/FM radio continues to dominate audio listening among Nissan drivers, according to a new Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog that cites newly released Q1 2026 data from Edison Research's "Share of Ear" study.
The report, authored by Pierre Bouvard, says Nissan owners spend 86% of their in-car ad-supported audio listening time with AM/FM radio, making it the leading platform for reaching current owners and prospective buyers. Across all listening locations -- including home, work, the car and elsewhere -- AM/FM radio accounts for a 70% share of Nissan drivers' ad-supported audio consumption.
The findings come as Nissan enjoys strong customer loyalty, with approximately 40% to 43% of current owners purchasing another Nissan when buying their next new vehicle. The blog notes the automaker also recently earned the highest ranking among mass-market brands in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study, while claiming the top position in the mass-market car segment of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index Study.
The analysis also highlights AM/FM radio's value for conquest marketing. Among drivers of all vehicle brands, AM/FM radio commands an 83% share of in-car ad-supported audio listening, making it the dominant platform for reaching owners of competing brands. Across all listening locations, AM/FM radio holds a 64% share of ad-supported audio among competitive brand drivers.
In addition, MRI-Simmons Winter 2026 data cited in the blog indicates heavy AM/FM radio listeners are more likely than the general population to be in the market for a new vehicle. The research ranks AM/FM radio as the top medium for purchase intent among truck, SUV and hybrid/EV buyers, while also showing above-average purchase intent for used vehicles, four-door sedans and minivans.
The report concludes that AM/FM radio remains the most effective advertising platform for Nissan's national, regional and dealer marketing efforts, both for retaining existing customers and attracting buyers from competing brands.
Read the complete blog post here.
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