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Top Radio News
Second Circuit Mandate Restores Cumulus Injunction
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 4:57pm CT |
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has formally issued its mandate in Cumulus Media's antitrust case against Nielsen, putting the preliminary injunction against Nielsen's Network Policy back into effect and ending the stay that had remained in place during the appeal.
The mandate was issued August 25 in Cumulus Media New Holdings Inc. v. The Nielsen Company (US), LLC, No. 26-88. It affirms the December 30, 2025 order from U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas granting Cumulus a preliminary injunction, vacates the Second Circuit's February 3 order granting Nielsen a stay and remands the case to the Southern District of New York for further proceedings.
The action formally implements the appeals court's July 13 decision rejecting Nielsen's challenge to the injunction. The Second Circuit concluded that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that Nielsen's Network Policy and its pricing of a standalone Nationwide ratings product amounted to an unlawful tying arrangement at the preliminary-injunction stage.
The dispute centers on Cumulus's desire to continue buying Nielsen's Nationwide ratings while purchasing local ratings in some markets from competitor Eastlan Ratings. Nielsen's Network Policy conditioned access to a usable Nationwide report on buying Nielsen local ratings in markets where Cumulus operates stations. The court said Nielsen is the only supplier of national radio ratings data in the U.S.
After Cumulus challenged the policy, Nielsen offered to sell Nationwide separately. But according to the court record, that price was at least 150% higher than any other national network paid and about 10 times what Cumulus had been paying for Nationwide under its existing contract.
The district court found the standalone price "so exorbitant" that buying Nationwide separately was economically unfeasible and therefore operated as a constructive tie. The Second Circuit agreed that constructive tying -- using pricing to effectively condition the sale of one product on another -- can violate Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
Under the preliminary injunction, Nielsen is barred from enforcing its Network Policy against Cumulus and from charging a commercially unreasonable rate for Nationwide as a complete standalone product. The district court said a rate no higher than the highest annual 2026 rate Nielsen charges another broadcaster for Nationwide would be presumptively reasonable.
The mandate follows the Second Circuit's August 18 denial of Nielsen's petition for panel rehearing or rehearing en banc. With the appellate proceedings concluded and the stay vacated, the case now returns to Vargas in the Southern District of New York.
Other portions of the litigation have been affected by Cumulus's Chapter 11 proceedings. Nielsen filed counterclaims against Cumulus in district court, and those claims were stayed after Cumulus filed for bankruptcy in March. The appeals court held, however, that the bankruptcy stay applied to claims against Cumulus and did not prevent litigation of Cumulus's own claims against Nielsen.
Edison: Younger Americans Over-Index for Audio
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 2:22pm CT |
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Younger Americans account for a disproportionately large share of daily audio consumption, according to new Share of Ear data from Edison Research at SSRS. Americans age 13 and older spent an average of three hours and 57 minutes per day listening to audio during the second quarter of 2026. Edison says overall daily listening has remained relatively steady at around four hours for several years, but the amount of listening varies notably by generation.
Zoomers, defined in the study as those ages 13-29, represent 25% of the U.S. population age 13 and older but account for 28% of daily audio listening. That gives the generation an index of 112, meaning its share of listening is 12% higher than its share of the population.
Millennials, ages 30-45, also over-index for audio consumption, posting an index of 109. Their share of daily audio listening is slightly greater than their representation in the population.
Older generations, meanwhile, account for less listening relative to their population size.
Gen X, defined as ages 46-61, registered an index of 97, putting the group slightly below average. Boomers, ages 62 and older, recorded the lowest index among the four generations at 80, indicating their share of daily audio listening is 20% below their share of the population.
The findings show that despite the proliferation of visual and social media competing for younger consumers' attention, younger Americans continue to devote a significant portion of their day to audio.
''Reyna 103.1 FM'' Launches in Los Angeles
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 2:04pm CT |
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Reyna, a new creator-led multimedia platform targeting Latinas, has launched with KDLD-FM (103.1) in Los Angeles serving as its flagship station. Described as a digital-first platform created by and for Latinas, Reyna combines its broadcast presence with a mobile app, streaming, podcasts, social media and other digital content. Programming will feature a bilingual mix of approximately 80% Spanish and 20% English.
The company says Reyna is targeting an estimated 34 million Latinas in the U.S., representing $1.3 trillion in buying power. The platform is designed around the experiences and interests of bicultural Latina audiences, combining music with lifestyle, cultural and personality-driven content.
"We're challenging ourselves to rethink what a radio brand can be by creating content the way our audience consumes it today: across mobile, social, video, and on-air," said President of Audio Eduardo Maytorena. "Reyna is our first real expression of that vision."
Reyna's founding lineup features five primary creators. Entrepreneur and Adriana's Insurance CEO Adriana Gallardo will focus on leadership, mindset and financial independence. Digital creator and trainer Vicky Loza will cover fitness, relationships and self-love, while Tani Estefy, co-founder of Latina Approved and host of "All Things Latina," will address bicultural identity and confidence.
Entrepreneur and author Raq-C will focus on motherhood, reinvention and wellness, while Los Angeles food and culture creator Emily Tapia will spotlight local restaurants, pop-ups and other destinations.
The platform will also feature hairstylist and Nova Arts founder Sal Salcedo with content centered on personal transformation and confidence, along with celebrity fashion stylist Iv¡n Poshenko, who will cover fashion, style and pop culture.
"I've always wanted to create something that speaks to me as a woman and as a Latina," said Reyna Senior Director of Audio Content Jacquelynn Carrera, who led the creator curation. "Our founding principle is to be unapologetically Latina and to elevate the voices that speak to every Latina."
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Super Hi-Fi Names Nathan James Station Ops Manager
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 8:15pm CT |
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Super Hi-Fi has named veteran radio programmer Nathan James as Manager, Station Operations, expanding its Radio Services team as the company continues to grow its roster of broadcast partners. James will report to Director of Radio Services Bo Matthews and work with Super Hi-Fi's radio partners on station execution, programming and operational performance.
He joins the company from DBC Radio in Savannah/Hilton Head, where he served as Operations Manager overseeing programming and operations for the company's six-station cluster. James has more than two decades of experience in radio programming, operations, marketing, promotions, digital and on-air roles.
His previous stops include SummitMedia, Adams Radio Group, iHeartMedia, Max Media and Entercom.
"Super Hi-Fi is experiencing tremendous growth in the broadcast space, and as that footprint expands, so does our investment in people who understand how exceptional radio is actually made," said Super Hi-Fi CEO Zack Zalon. "Nathan brings an exceptional combination of operational expertise, creativity and deep radio instincts."
Matthews said James' ability to combine programming creativity with technical execution made him a strong addition to the company's Radio Services operation.
"I've admired Nathan's work for years because his stations simply sound great," Matthews said. "He has that rare combination of creativity, technical command and relentless attention to detail."
During his most recent role in Savannah/Hilton Head, James directed day-to-day programming, imaging and content strategy across multiple formats, emphasizing localization, brand development and the listener experience.
"I've spent my career obsessed with making radio stations sound better, building stronger brands and finding creative ways to connect with listeners," James said. "Super Hi-Fi is giving broadcasters an entirely new set of tools to do those things at a scale that simply wasn't possible before."
Super Hi-Fi said James' appointment comes as the company continues expanding its work with broadcasters to modernize station operations, improve audio production and develop more distinctive listener experiences.
Westwood One Adds Bongino Morning Radio Show
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 10:56am CT |
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Westwood One is expanding its Dan Bongino programming with the launch of "The Bongino Report AM," a new syndicated one-hour weekday radio program debuting September 21. The show will air Monday through Friday from 5-6am ET, with affiliates also given the flexibility to carry it between 6-9am ET.
"The Bongino Report AM" will feature a fast-paced mix of breaking news, commentary and analysis covering politics, current events, culture and public policy. Westwood One says the program is designed to provide listeners with a concise overview and perspective on the major stories driving the national conversation at the start of the day.
The morning show follows Westwood One's recent launch of "The Bongino Report PM," which expanded Bongino's presence in the company's syndicated radio lineup.
"What's better than Dan Bongino in the morning and afternoon? Twice a day with Dan Bongino coverage," said Westwood One President Collin Jones. "On the heels of launching The Bongino Report PM, we're thrilled to now offer listeners Dan Bongino in the morning with The Bongino Report AM."
"The Bongino Report AM" will be distributed nationally by Westwood One and available to affiliates five days a week.
KNSS Host Ted Woodward Named to KAB Hall of Fame
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 2:16pm CT |
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News/Talk KNSS-AM Wichita, KS host Ted Woodward has been named a 2026 inductee into the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the organization's highest honor recognizing broadcasters who have made a lasting impact in the state.
A Wichita native, Woodward began his media career as a sports writer for The Wichita Eagle, where he spent five years before joining KNSS in 1995.
Woodward went on to co-host "Steve and Ted in the Morning" with fellow KAB Hall of Famer Steve McIntosh for 28 years. The pair received the National Association of Broadcasters' Marconi Radio Award for Outstanding Personality of the Year in 2017.
He has also been a familiar presence on Sports KFH as "Ted, the Sports Head" for more than three decades.
Woodward's connection to Wichita sports extends well beyond radio. He serves as public-address announcer for Wichita State men's basketball and has handled PA duties for Shocker baseball for 37 years and volleyball for 36 years. He also spent 15 years as official scorekeeper for the Wichita Wranglers.
Outside broadcasting and sports, Woodward has written and performed in Wichita's annual "Gridiron" show for more than 30 years, helping raise money for journalism scholarships. His local theater credits include productions of "Tommy," "The Full Monty" and "The Sound of Music."
Woodward and the other members of the 2026 class will be inducted during the KAB Hall of Fame Dinner on October 18 at the Wichita Marriott.
FCC Settles Kentucky Stations Compliance Case
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 2:32pm CT |
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The FCC's Media Bureau has reached a Consent Decree with Morgan County Industries resolving a series of rule violations involving four Kentucky radio stations, including late license renewal filings, periods of silence and reduced-power operation without required authority and deficiencies in the stations' online public inspection files.
The agreement covers WLKS-FM/West Liberty, WRLV-FM/Salyersville, WCBJ-FM/Campton and WMOR-FM/Morehead. The FCC adopted the Consent Decree on August 25 and released its order Wednesday.
The stations' license renewal applications were due April 1, 2020, but Morgan County Industries did not file them until May 1. The FCC subsequently received information alleging the stations had been off the air beginning in 2021, along with an informal objection to WMOR's renewal application alleging that station had ceased operations on March 29, 2021.
During the resulting investigation, Morgan County Industries admitted it failed to obtain Special Temporary Authority for the stations to remain silent for more than 30 days in 2021 and failed to obtain STA for WLKS to operate at reduced power for more than 30 days. The company also acknowledged that issues/programs lists were either missing or uploaded late to the stations' online public files.
The FCC investigation also found that a local programming and marketing agreement involving WLKS, WRLV and WCBJ was missing from their public files and that certifications concerning the online public files and minimum operating schedules in the stations' renewal applications were incorrect. Morgan County Industries subsequently uploaded most of the missing issues/programs lists and the programming and marketing agreement and amended its renewal applications to correct the certifications.
Under the settlement, Morgan County Industries must implement a three-year compliance plan covering station operating requirements and maintenance of the online public inspection files. The requirements will also bind Ridgeline Communications Incorporated, which has pending applications to acquire the four stations.
The compliance program requires the designation of a compliance officer, creation of a compliance manual and formal training for employees responsible for station operations and FCC compliance. The procedures must address timely license renewals, notifications of reduced-power or discontinued operations, STA requests and maintenance of complete and current public files. No civil penalty was imposed. The FCC said Morgan County Industries demonstrated that it lacked the ability to pay a monetary penalty.
The Bureau concluded that the record did not raise a substantial question about Morgan County Industries' basic qualifications as an FCC licensee and found the violations did not collectively constitute a pattern of abuse. However, the Commission noted that the violations could have warranted short-term license renewals if the stations were not being sold. Any grants of the renewal applications will be conditioned on completion of the proposed assignment to Ridgeline.
The FCC granted in part an informal objection filed against WMOR's renewal, based on the violations acknowledged by the licensee, but rejected the objection to the extent it sought denial of the station's renewal. The Commission said the four renewal applications and the pending assignment applications to Ridgeline will be acted upon separately.
Jason Goff Joins 312 Sports with New Podcast
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 10:49am CT |
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Veteran Chicago sports personality Jason Goff is joining 312 Sports, where he'll launch a new flagship podcast and a twice-weekly national football show. The announcement was made Tuesday night during 312 Sports' first anniversary celebration at Double Clutch Brewing in Evanston, IL, just a few miles from where Goff grew up.
Goff's new "Jason Goff: Unscripted" will focus on sports stories driving conversation in Chicago and nationally. He will also host a twice-weekly national football program with a partner who will be announced later. Launch dates for both shows are expected in the coming weeks.
An Evanston native with more than two decades in sports media, Goff is well known to Chicago listeners from his years at Audacy's WSCR-AM (670 The Score). He began behind the scenes as a producer for "Boers & Bernstein" before moving on-air and eventually becoming Dan Bernstein's co-host.
Goff later served as Chicago Bulls studio host for Chicago Sports Network and developed a national audience as host of The Ringer's "The Full Go," producing more than 600 episodes before the podcast ended this spring.
"Looking forward to engaging with an audience that has followed me down each path while telling my honest feelings shrouded in humor, sometimes uncomfortable conversation, music, life; and just hanging out talking Chicago sports," Goff said.
The move reunites Goff with Bernstein, one of the founding personalities at 312 Sports, more than two decades after Goff first worked as producer of "Boers & Bernstein."
"I've known Jason for most of his professional life, from producing Boers & Bernstein to eventually sitting across from me as a partner," Bernstein said. "He's one of the smartest, funniest and most original voices in Chicago sports. We've always made each other better, and getting the chance to do that again at 312 Sports is going to be a lot of fun."
Gamut Podcast Network General Manager John Goforth said the changing sports media landscape has reinforced the company's belief that "audiences follow people, not call letters." "Jason's talent, his experience and his roots in this city make him a natural fit for what we're building," Goforth said. "He had his pick of what to do next and he chose to build it here, with us, in the city that made him."
Hubbard Chicago Market President Keith Lawless said Goff's addition further establishes 312 Sports as a destination for Chicago sports content.
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Rick Thomas Joins Malama Media as Programming SVP
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 10:46pm CT |
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Malama Media Group has named veteran radio programmer Rick Thomas as Senior Vice President of Programming, overseeing the company's Hawaii radio cluster and helping shape programming strategies for future acquisitions. He officially joined the company on August 25.
Thomas returns to Hawaii after a career that has included programming positions in several major markets. He most recently served as Brand Manager for Beasley Media Group's Tampa cluster, where he directly programmed Classic Hits WRBQ-FM and Country WQYK-FM.
His previous experience includes programming roles with CBS Radio in New York and Los Angeles and stints at KYLD-FM in San Francisco, KSFM-FM in Sacramento and XHRM-FM and XHTZ-FM in San Diego. Thomas also previously served as Vice President of Programming for Ohana Broadcasting in Honolulu.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Rick back home to our 'ohana," said Malama Media Group Managing Partner and Market President Josh Villa. "His experience across virtually every major format, combined with his genuine passion for radio and deep respect for the communities he serves, makes him exactly the kind of leader we want in our organization."
Thomas' arrival also reunites him with Malama General Managing Partner Monroe Greer, with whom he has a professional relationship stretching back 45 years. The two worked together at XHTZ in San Diego and later crossed paths at KOY-FM in Phoenix and XHRM in San Diego.
"I've watched Rick grow from a talented young programmer into one of the finest executives in this business, and through all of it, he has never changed," Greer said. "He's the same genuine person of good character and integrity that he was when we were both figuring it out together all those years ago."
Thomas said his return to the islands has special significance after previously raising his family in Honolulu.
"Coming back to Hawaii feels like coming home," Thomas said. "I have a special love for creating great radio and serving the people here. I'm grateful to Monroe and Josh for their trust and for welcoming me into what they're building at Malama."
Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Brief Cancer Battle
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 8:02pm CT |
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Country music legend Dolly Parton, whose songs, unmistakable voice and larger-than-life personality made her one of the most beloved entertainers of her generation, died Tuesday, August 25, in Nashville following a brief battle with cancer. She was 80.
Parton's representatives confirmed that she died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones. The type of cancer was not disclosed.
Born January 19, 1946, in East Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children and grew up in poverty in a farming family in the Smoky Mountains. Music became her way out. After graduating from high school in 1964, she headed to Nashville and began building a career that would eventually span nearly six decades.
Her breakthrough came after joining "The Porter Wagoner Show" in 1967. Parton later established herself as a solo superstar and one of country music's most prolific songwriters, creating classics including "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," "I Will Always Love You" and "9 to 5."
Parton's original recording of "I Will Always Love You" topped the country chart, while Whitney Houston's 1992 version for "The Bodyguard" turned the composition into one of the most recognizable songs in pop music.
Her success extended well beyond country radio. Parton crossed over to the pop charts and starred in films including "9 to 5," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "Steel Magnolias." She also became a successful businesswoman, most notably through Dollywood, the East Tennessee theme park bearing her name.
Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide during her career and was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her honors included multiple Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts.
Her philanthropic work became nearly as recognizable as her music. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, launched in 1995, grew from a program serving children in her home county to an international effort that has distributed hundreds of millions of free books to children. She also supported disaster relief, education and medical research, including a $1 million contribution to Vanderbilt University Medical Center that helped fund research leading to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Parton's husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at age 82.
As the radio industry remembers an artist whose music was a fixture on the medium for generations, several companies are making special programming available to stations.
Benztown has produced an audio tribute to Parton's life and career. The special is voiced by MJ Bloch and was written and produced by Thomas Green.
SuiteRadio is also offering stations a free six-song tribute hosted by Rowdy Yates. The turnkey special runs 21 minutes and 33 seconds and celebrates Parton's life and music. It is available to radio immediately, with stations able to request the download from SuiteRadio.
Parton leaves behind a catalog that helped define generations of country music and a legacy extending through songwriting, film, business and philanthropy.
The Benztown tribute is available on SoundCloud.
Stations can request the SuiteRadio special at here.
Audacy: Hometown Voices Drive Sports Audio Growth
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 3:01pm CT |
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Sports fans have more ways than ever to follow their favorite teams, but Audacy says the growing accessibility of local radio play-by-play is giving the traditional "hometown voice" a renewed role in how audiences experience live sports.
In a new Audacy Insights report, the company points to changing media habits and technology as factors helping sports audio reach listeners beyond traditional radios. Fans increasingly follow games while commuting, exercising, cooking or doing other activities rather than committing several hours to a television screen.
According to Edison Research data cited by Audacy, the share of sports radio listening taking place on mobile devices has tripled since 2022. Smartphones, wireless headphones and streaming have also made it easier for fans to follow hometown broadcasts while traveling or living outside their team's market.
Audacy says audio is also increasingly complementing television rather than competing with it. Its research found 36% of Major League Baseball fans have paired radio play-by-play with a live television broadcast, allowing them to watch the game while hearing their preferred local announcers. Apple TV offers viewers the option of selecting local radio audio during live baseball telecasts.
That combination is moving into stadiums as well. At Citi Field, Audacy and SportsBug offer synchronized New York Mets radio play-by-play that fans can hear through their phones and earbuds while watching the game. Through the first 50 games of the season, fans had initiated more than 17,000 streams and consumed more than 3,800 hours of the in-stadium audio.
Chicago Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes, who has called more than 7,000 MLB games during his career, said baseball remains particularly well suited to the medium.
"No sport is better suited for radio than baseball," Hughes said, noting the constant communication between announcers and their audience. Hughes said listeners frequently tell him his voice accompanies them in the car, during dinner or while doing chores, summarizing the relationship by saying, "We're part of people's lives."
Audacy argues that streaming has effectively removed the geographic limits once associated with local sports radio. Fans can now hear their hometown announcers while traveling, living across the country, watching television or even sitting inside the stadium.
The result, the company says, is a sports audio experience increasingly defined not by where listeners are, but by how they choose to follow the game.
Beasley Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 3:40pm CT |
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Beasley Broadcast Group has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum stockholders' equity requirement, resolving a listing issue disclosed earlier this year.
In an SEC Form 8-K filing, Beasley said it received written notice from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department on August 19 confirming that the company had regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). Nasdaq has closed the matter.
The rule requires companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain at least $2.5 million in stockholders' equity.
Beasley had previously disclosed that Nasdaq notified the company on April 13 that it was not in compliance with the minimum equity requirement. The broadcaster reported the deficiency in an April 14 SEC filing.
The latest filing does not provide details on how Beasley restored its stockholders' equity to the required level.
Beasley's Class A common stock continues to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol "BBGI."
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MaxxKonnect Launches StationGuard Monitoring Suite
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 2:16pm CT |
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MaxxKonnect has launched StationGuard, a modular software suite designed to monitor broadcast program audio, online streams and over-the-air signals and alert station personnel when problems occur.
StationGuard is the first product released under the company's MonitorMaxx banner. The PC-based software provides engineering and programming personnel with a centralized view of critical signals and can be accessed across a station's network through a browser-based HTML5 interface.
The suite consists of three modules. SilenceGuard continuously monitors program audio for silence or sustained low levels and maintains audio logs for troubleshooting. StreamHound monitors online streams for connection and audio problems, while TunerGuard monitors off-air AM, FM, HD Radio and weather-band signals using compatible tuner hardware.
Each module can send alerts by email or phone and generate SNMP alerts for integration with existing monitoring systems.
StationGuard also maintains historical information including RDS and metadata history and RF signal levels, allowing engineers to determine when a problem occurred, how long it lasted and other details that may assist with troubleshooting.
A built-in universal audio logger can record available sources across the suite. Recordings are accessible through a web browser, with users able to select and retrieve only the portion of audio they need rather than downloading entire 30- or 60-minute recordings.
"Most broadcast problems don't begin as major outages. They begin as a missed alarm, a silent stream or a signal that nobody realizes has disappeared," said MaxxKonnect President Josh Bohn. "StationGuard keeps watch over those critical signals around the clock and gives broadcasters the information they need to respond quickly."
MaxxKonnect said StationGuard is designed to complement rather than replace broadcasters' existing systems. Its modules can be deployed separately or combined with other MonitorMaxx products, including the forthcoming Airwave Ops.
MonitorMaxx uses a modular subscription model, allowing broadcasters to select individual capabilities and add additional modules as their technical requirements or operations expand.
Hope Media Expands in Fort Myers with Two Formats
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 10:57am CT |
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Hope Media Group is expanding its presence in Fort Myers with the launch of two additional Christian radio formats, bringing Vida Unida and Worship 24/7 to FM signals in Southwest Florida.
Spanish-language Vida Unida will air on W213BQ (90.5 FM), while W300EF (107.9 FM) will carry the Worship 24/7 network. Both services have previously been available in the market through the HD channels of WAYJ.
The expansion builds on Hope Media Group's longstanding presence in Fort Myers, where WAYJ debuted in 1987 as the first station in what became the WayFM network.
"This is a very special market for us because WayFM's genesis was here," said Hope Media Group President and CEO Joe Paulo. "How appropriate that even after nearly 40 years, we have the privilege of not only continuing to reach people through WayFM, but that we can also expand the impact with worship and Spanish-language formats now."
Vida Unida features Spanish-language Christian programming, while Worship 24/7 focuses on worship music. Hope Media Group said both networks are designed to provide faith-based programming centered on encouragement and hope.
W213BQ and W300EF are expected to begin carrying the new formats during the week of August 25.
October and Tony Gonzalez Launch Relationship Podcast
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 2:22pm CT |
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My Cultura Podcast Network and SMAC Productions are launching "No Safe Words with October and Tony Gonzalez," a new weekly podcast featuring candid conversations about marriage, relationships and family life. The series premieres September 1.
Hosted by television personality October Gonzalez and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, the podcast will feature the couple in conversations with high-profile and celebrity couples about the realities of maintaining long-term relationships.
Married for more than 20 years, the Gonzalezes will draw on their own experiences navigating a blended family, raising children, major life changes and life in the public eye. The show will explore topics including love, conflict, communication, parenting and how relationships evolve over time.
"Relationships aren't something you just get lucky with; they're actively built through constant hard work every single day with your partner, across all areas," the couple said. They added that being open about difficult subjects has helped strengthen their relationship, while acknowledging they are still learning about communication themselves.
Leo Gomez, Head of iHeartMedia's My Cultura Podcast Network, said the couple's relationship is rooted in "honesty, growth and authenticity," adding that the podcast will give listeners access to a side of their lives that is rarely shared publicly.
"No Safe Words" joins a My Cultura lineup that has grown to more than 60 podcasts. The iHeartMedia network, launched in 2021 in collaboration with Enrique Santos, focuses on Latino voices and stories and includes shows from Chiquis, Jorge and Paola Ramos, Ana Navarro, Wilmer Valderrama and others.
New episodes of "No Safe Words with October and Tony Gonzalez" will be released Tuesdays beginning September 1. The series will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.
Lemonada Launches 'The Dash' with Chambers, Hermer
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 2:48pm CT |
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Lemonada Media has launched "The Dash," a new weekly video and audio series hosted by television personalities and longtime friends Elizabeth Chambers and Marissa Hermer.
The series, which debuted Tuesday, features candid conversations about dating, divorce, motherhood, entrepreneurship, sex, aging and other aspects of modern life. Chambers and Hermer will draw from their own experiences while discussing current headlines and offering their perspectives on relationships and the expectations placed on women.
The show's title refers to the dash between the year a person is born and the year they die, with the hosts describing it as a reminder to make the most of life. Lemonada says the program will challenge what it calls outdated assumptions about aging, divorce, motherhood and dating.
"Life rarely goes according to plan, but it usually makes for a great story," Chambers and Hermer said. "The Dash is where we get to tell those stories honestly, without pretending to have it all figured out."
The hosts said the program will embrace life's difficult moments as well as its successes while questioning conventional expectations and bringing humor to their conversations.
"Elizabeth and Marissa bring a refreshing, hilarious, and completely unbridled and unapologetic perspective to the conversations so many women are having behind closed doors and in group chats," said Lemonada CEO Stephanie Wittels Wachs. "We're thrilled to partner with them on 'The Dash' to create a show that feels empowering and incredibly fun."
"The Dash" is available on major podcast platforms, with new episodes scheduled for release each Tuesday.
Good Karma Brands Rebrands as Good Karma Sports
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 24, 2026 | 12:57pm CT |
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Good Karma Brands has changed its name to Good Karma Sports, adopting a new identity the company says better reflects its growth from a single radio station into a national sports media and marketing business.
The company, founded with one radio station in December 1997, now operates across sports media, advertising, content, distribution and partnerships. Its relationships span the NBA, WNBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, college sports, ESPN, TNT Sports and other sports properties.
"For nearly 30 years, we've built our business around sports, expanding our capabilities and relationships while staying deeply connected to the local markets we serve," said founder and CEO Craig Karmazin. He said the company now offers advertisers a customizable entry into the sports marketplace through audiences, content, partnerships, talent and experiences.
A major part of Good Karma Sports' business involves connecting local, regional and national advertisers with sports audiences. The company's work includes representing in-game streaming advertising for regional sports networks and platforms and assisting teams with the sales, content, distribution and operation of video and audio networks.
"As the sports media and regional rights landscape continues to evolve, we see a growing opportunity to help sports properties reach more fans, create greater value from their content and build stronger connections with partners and brands," said President Steve Politziner.
Good Karma's national platform is anchored by its relationship with ESPN, which dates to 2000. The company serves as the exclusive sales representative and operations arm for ESPN Radio Network and ESPN Podcasts, encompassing more than 50 podcasts. Good Karma says its ESPN relationship reaches sports fans digitally across all 210 DMAs and more than 57 million ESPN audio consumers each week through radio, streaming and podcasts.
Through ESPN Radio, Good Karma's national audio portfolio includes the NBA, MLB, College Football Playoff and NFL Draft, along with championship events.
The company also maintains local play-by-play relationships with numerous professional franchises, including the New York Knicks and Rangers, Los Angeles Lakers, Rams and Angels, Chicago Bears and White Sox, Miami Heat and Inter Miami CF, Cleveland Browns, Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers, and Buffalo Bills.
The company said the Good Karma Sports name is intended to reflect its evolution beyond its radio origins and its growing involvement across sports content, advertising, distribution and media operations.
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