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Nielsen Takes Cumulus Ratings Fight to Supreme Court
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:31pm CT |
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The Nielsen Company has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal appeals court ruling that upheld a preliminary injunction in its antitrust dispute with Cumulus Media over the sale of national radio ratings data.
Nielsen filed its petition for a writ of certiorari September 15 in The Nielsen Company (US), LLC v. Cumulus Media New Holdings Inc. The Supreme Court has docketed the case as No. 26-370. The petition seeks review of the Second Circuit's July 13 decision affirming an injunction against Nielsen over its pricing and sale of its Nationwide radio ratings product.
At the center of Nielsen's petition is what the company calls a "constructive tie." Nielsen asks the Supreme Court to decide whether a seller that offers products separately and as a discounted bundle can face liability under Section 2 of the Sherman Act because a court considers the standalone price so high relative to the bundle that the buyer effectively has no choice but to purchase both products.
The dispute began after Cumulus sought to continue buying Nielsen's Nationwide product while purchasing Nielsen local ratings in only some markets and using competitor Eastlan in others. The district court found that Nielsen's pricing of standalone Nationwide could effectively force Cumulus to continue buying unwanted local ratings services.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas granted Cumulus a preliminary injunction in December 2025. The Second Circuit affirmed that injunction July 13 and vacated an earlier stay, returning the case to the Southern District of New York for further proceedings.
Nielsen's Supreme Court petition argues that the Second Circuit created a conflict with other federal appeals courts by allowing a constructive-tying claim without an allegation that either the standalone product or bundle was priced below cost. Nielsen contends that courts should not determine whether a standalone price is "too high" relative to a discounted bundle and says the Second Circuit's approach risks turning judges into price regulators. Those assertions are Nielsen's arguments in seeking Supreme Court review; the Court has not ruled on them.
The petition also notes that the underlying preliminary injunction remains in effect during the litigation and distinguishes the Supreme Court proceeding from Nielsen's newer appeal involving enforcement of that injunction. Nielsen says the second appeal concerns only Vargas's September 9 enforcement order and cannot alter the Second Circuit's underlying July ruling.
That separate appeal, No. 26-2516, arose after Vargas concluded Nielsen's latest Nationwide offer to Cumulus was commercially unreasonable and ordered the company to make a compliant offer or face sanctions of $50,000 per day. On September 16, the Second Circuit granted Nielsen a stay of that enforcement order while the appeal proceeds.
The appeals court has expedited that case, with Nielsen's opening brief due September 30, Cumulus's response October 14 and Nielsen's reply October 21. Oral argument is to be scheduled before the next available merits panel.
The Supreme Court is not obligated to hear Nielsen's case. Filing a certiorari petition begins the review process, and the justices must first decide whether to grant the petition before considering the merits of Nielsen's challenge.
Read Nielsen's Supreme Court petition here.
Broadcast Industry Group Sells Arkansas Trio for $2M
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:16pm CT |
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Broadcast Industry Group LLC has agreed to sell three Arkansas AM stations and their associated FM translators to Blacksun Private Equity Inc. for $2 million, according to an assignment application filed with the FCC.
The deal includes KLRG-AM/Sheridan, KASZ-AM (formerly KJJI)/White Hall and KCAT-AM/Pine Bluff, along with translators K255AX/Pine Bluff, K233BF/Greenbrier and K224FN/Pine Bluff. The assignment applications were submitted to the FCC on September 21.
A signed asset purchase agreement identifies Broadcast Industry Group as the seller and Blacksun Private Equity as the buyer. The $2 million transaction covers substantially all of the stations' assets, including equipment, towers, buildings, contracts and FCC licenses. The agreement is dated August 18, 2026.
Broadcast Industry Group is headed by Charles Jayson Britlinger, who signed the agreement as CEO, Manager and Member. Blacksun Private Equity is headed by Abidul P. Muhammad, who signed as CEO, Manager and Member.
Closing is contingent on FCC approval and other required transfer authorizations and consents. Under the agreement, closing is scheduled for the last business day of the month in which those conditions have been satisfied, unless the parties agree otherwise.
An engineering exhibit submitted with the applications says the 5 mV/m daytime contours of KLRG, KASZ and KCAT overlap. Because Pine Bluff is not part of a Nielsen radio market, the filing uses the FCC's contour-overlap method to demonstrate compliance with local radio ownership limits.
The study identifies a 58-station market consisting of the three subject AMs plus 11 other AM stations, 11 noncommercial educational FMs and 33 commercial FMs whose city-grade contours overlap all or part of the composite contour. The filing concludes that common ownership of the three AM stations complies with FCC ownership rules.
KLRG operates on 880 AM from Sheridan, KASZ on 1190 AM from White Hall and KCAT on 1340 AM from Pine Bluff.
The transaction adds another chapter to the movement of radio properties associated with Monte Spearman's HPRN Network, with Blacksun emerging as the buyer of the Broadcast Industry Group Arkansas properties. The applications remain pending before the FCC.
Family Life Closes on Acquisition of WOGI-FM for $1M
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 2:42pm CT |
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Family Life has closed on its previously announced acquisition of Country WOGI-FM (104.3) in Moon Township, PA, and Pittsburgh translator W288BO (105.5) from Forever Media for $1 million. WOGI-FM operates with 13,000 watts and serves the greater Pittsburgh area. The acquisition will add the station and its FM translator to Family Life's growing broadcast portfolio.
Family Life is led by Rick Snavely, while Forever Media is headed by Lynn Deppen.
The transaction was brokered by Michael J. Bergner of Bergner & Co., who served as the exclusive broker for the sale.
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Q102, ALT 104.5 Plan Halloween Wedding Giveaway
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:56pm CT |
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iHeartMedia Philadelphia's WIOQ-FM (Q102) and WRFF-FM (ALT 104.5) are teaming up to give one couple a Halloween wedding at Pennhurst Asylum.
The stations have launched "Til Death Do Us Part," a promotion offering the winning couple a wedding ceremony and reception at the reportedly haunted attraction on October 31. Q102 personality Nico will host the celebration and provide the music.
Couples can enter through the Q102 and ALT 104.5 websites through October 11 by explaining why they want to exchange vows at Pennhurst Asylum.
"Q102 and ALT 104.5 are always looking for unforgettable ways to connect with our listeners, and it doesn't get more unforgettable than getting married at Pennhurst Asylum on Halloween weekend," said iHeartMedia Philadelphia Senior Vice President of Programming Jeff Hurley.
"For the adventurous couple who believes love can survive anything -- even a haunted asylum -- this is the wedding of a lifetime," he added.
The promotion opened September 17 and is available to eligible couples.
Caloroga Media Launches AI Production Platform Linnet
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:46pm CT |
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Caloroga Media has launched Linnet, a browser-based AI production platform designed to combine scripting, audio and video production and publishing in a single system.
The company says Linnet was developed from its own production workflow to replace the collection of separate tools creators commonly use for writing, voice, music, audio editing, video and distribution. The platform includes a professional 24-track audio studio with plugins, transcription, video editing, artwork and publishing tools.
For radio broadcasters, the system can be used for daily production needs including show prep, liners, promos and segment production without moving between separate writing and audio applications. Stations producing podcasts or on-demand versions of broadcast programming can also take projects from scripting through production and publishing within the same platform.
"Linnet exists because we could not find a tool worthy of the work," said Caloroga Media and Linnet co-founder Mark Francis. "When the first AI production tools arrived, the idea was right, but the craft was missing."
Francis said the company wanted to create a full production environment in which AI adapts to the creator's workflow rather than requiring creators to adapt to the technology.
Linnet's AI assistant can propose production actions but displays what it intends to do and waits for the user's approval before making changes. Caloroga says the approach is intended to keep creative decisions in the hands of producers rather than automate them out of the process.
"AI shouldn't replace the person doing the work. It should help them get better at it," said co-founder John McDermott. "She handles the tools and the technology while the creative calls stay in their hands."
Among Linnet's features is "God Mode," which can turn a single prompt into a first draft of an episode incorporating a script, narration, music, artwork and video. Producers can then edit and refine each component before publishing.
The platform can also master and transcribe programs and publish through a user's podcast host to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. A "Bring Your Own Key" feature allows users with existing accounts from other providers to connect those services to Linnet while continuing to be billed directly by the vendor.
Caloroga says Linnet does not sell user data, share voice profiles with advertisers or use creators' content to train AI models. Projects are automatically saved locally with portable sessions, while generated content remains available for the life of an account and is permanently deleted within 30 days after an account is closed.
Linnet is currently accepting requests for early access.
Noiser Debuts 'A Study in Scarlet' with Hugh Bonneville
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 4:52pm CT |
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Podcast producer Noiser is expanding its "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories" series with "A Study in Scarlet," narrated by actor Hugh Bonneville and released as a seven-episode podcast series.
The production follows the success of "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories," which Noiser says was the second biggest podcast on BBC Sounds last year. Bonneville, known for "Downton Abbey" and the "Paddington" films, returns as narrator.
First published in "Beeton's Christmas Annual" in 1887, "A Study in Scarlet" was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first novel and introduced Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Conan Doyle was 27 when he wrote the story, which became the beginning of the detective series that would define much of his career.
"Bringing A Study in Scarlet to life with Hugh Bonneville feels like uncovering an original blueprint of modern detective fiction," said Noiser founder and CEO Pascal Hughes. "This is the story that first introduced the world to the iconic duo, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson."
The mystery begins in Victorian London with Watson's first encounter with Holmes and a murder investigation before shifting thousands of miles away to Utah for a story involving love, betrayal and revenge.
Noiser says it is following the accessibility of the original publication, which sold for a shilling and included advertising, by making the podcast available free with ad support.
The seven-episode "A Study in Scarlet" launched September 17 in the existing "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories" podcast feed, with new episodes released twice weekly. It is available across podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as ad-free through BBC Sounds.
Holiday Music Connects Radio With Consumers
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, September 21, 2026 | 4:41pm CT |
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Holiday music remains an important part of the season for consumers, with 69% listening to seasonal music on AM/FM radio, according to new research from Katz Radio Group.
The findings, featured in Katz's latest "Sound Answers," are based on a custom survey conducted in December 2025. The study found broad enthusiasm for the holidays, with 92% of consumers saying they enjoy the season and 85% participating in holiday-themed activities and social gatherings.
Music plays a major role in that experience. Katz found 87% enjoy listening to holiday music, while 85% say it improves their mood and 86% say it increases their enjoyment of the season. Another 87% said holiday music makes them feel nostalgic or reminds them of the past.
Local radio also scores strongly with seasonal listeners. Eighty-five percent said they enjoy hearing holiday music on local radio, while 76% consider listening to holiday music a tradition for themselves or their families. More than half, 52%, listen to holiday music while driving.
Consumers use multiple sources for seasonal music, including streaming services and YouTube, but 69% reported listening to holiday music on AM/FM radio. Katz says that keeps broadcast radio among the leading sources for seasonal listening.
The holiday enthusiasm also translates into shopping activity. According to the study, 87% of consumers decorate their homes for the holidays, while 80% do a lot or a moderate amount of holiday shopping. Although consumers are beginning their shopping earlier, Katz found the largest surge still occurs from Thanksgiving weekend through early December.
Advertisers may also find a receptive audience during the period. The survey found 84% of consumers believe it is a good idea for brands to advertise during the holiday season.
Holiday spending is substantial for many respondents. The most common expected spending range was $400 to $599, cited by 18%. Another 12% expected to spend between $1,000 and $1,499, while 10% planned to spend $1,500 or more.
Katz says the findings illustrate an opportunity for radio and advertisers to connect with consumers during activities already associated with the season, including shopping, driving, decorating and gatherings.
"The holidays have a soundtrack; and radio is a big part of it," the company concluded.
Read the complete Katz Radio Group Sound Answers post here.
FCC Dismisses 36 LPFM Applications Over Localism
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, September 21, 2026 | 4:35pm CT |
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The FCC's Media Bureau has dismissed 36 applications for new Low Power FM stations connected to broadcaster and organizer Stephen Wade Rathke and the Affiliated Media Foundation Movement (AMFM), finding that the applicants failed to meet the Commission's LPFM localism requirements.
The applications, filed during the 2023 LPFM filing window, sought construction permits in communities across the country. Thirty-three were singleton applications, while three competed in mutually exclusive groups with other LPFM applicants. The order was adopted and released September 21 by Audio Division Chief Albert Shuldiner.
The FCC said all 36 applications were connected to Rathke and AMFM, licensee of WAMF-LP/New Orleans. According to the order, the applicants were incorporated in Louisiana, identified Rathke as their registered agent and used email addresses associated with AMFM. The applications also contained nearly identical educational narratives.
Thirty-three of the organizations were incorporated in October or November 2023, only weeks before the LPFM filing window, and used AMFM's 2221 Saint Claude Avenue address in New Orleans as their mailing address.
While the applications claimed local headquarters near their proposed transmitter sites, the FCC concluded that the organizations were actually headquartered in New Orleans and that the local addresses were generally residences or businesses associated with directors or people identified as "local sponsors and representatives."
Under FCC rules, a nonprofit LPFM applicant must demonstrate that it is local when its application is filed. It can qualify by having a physical headquarters or campus within 10 miles of the proposed transmitter in a top-50 urban market or within 20 miles elsewhere, or by having at least 75% of its board members living within those distances. None of the 36 applicants claimed eligibility based on the residences of its board members.
The Commission said simply using the address of a local sponsor or representative does not satisfy its rules.
"Allowing an applicant to list an address of a member or sponsor as its headquarters -- regardless of where the applicant is actually physically headquartered -- to satisfy our LPFM eligibility rules undermines the Commission's goal of ensuring that the LPFM service is a truly local service with genuine connections to the community," the Audio Division wrote.
The order cited Grand Junction Community Radio as one example. Its application used the address of the Western Colorado Alliance as its local headquarters. But an email included in a later amendment showed the group's executive director telling Rathke that the organization might not be the appropriate group to provide an address. Rathke responded that ownership of the address was unnecessary and that the address would "work fine," adding that there would be three years to resolve the matter if the construction permit were awarded. The FCC concluded the address was being used temporarily to satisfy LPFM eligibility requirements.
The Audio Division also raised broader questions about whether Rathke was effectively controlling the applicants. The order noted that all used AMFM email addresses, several responses to objections appeared from document metadata to have been prepared by Rathke, and many amendments intended to demonstrate compliance with the localism requirement appeared to have been solicited or created by him.
The FCC stopped short of deciding whether Rathke was the real party in interest behind the 36 applications because it found dismissal warranted on localism grounds. However, the agency said it will investigate that issue in connection with remaining applications associated with Rathke and any applicant that seeks reconsideration of the dismissals.
The dismissal of three applications in mutually exclusive groups cleared the way for competing applicants to receive construction permits. The FCC granted Delta 2000's application for a new LPFM in Antioch, CA; Northern Illinois Radio Broadcasting Association's application in Rockford, IL; and Expresso Latin Radio Inc.'s application in Worcester, MA.
The other dismissed applications proposed LPFM stations in markets including Baton Rouge, Fresno, Lake Charles, Tulsa, New Bedford, Colorado Springs, Richmond, Norfolk, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Stockton, Cleveland, Gulfport and several other communities.
The Commission said two other pending applications connected to Rathke -- Woodbridge Community Radio and LEAD -- will be considered separately because they appear affiliated with established independent organizations. Applications involving York Community Radio, Biloxi Community Radio and Shreveport Community Radio will also receive separate action.
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Study Finds Host Reads Boost Brand Impact
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, September 21, 2026 | 2:14pm CT |
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A new global advertising study finds creator-led ads, including radio and podcast host reads, can produce greater brand impact, particularly when advertisers identify themselves early and use entertaining, emotion-driven creative.
The findings come from "The Creator Effectiveness Playbook: How to Build Your Brand with Creators," a study from WPP Media, creative testing firm System1 and TikTok. The research is examined by Cumulus Media/Westwood One Audio Active Group Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard in a new blog post.
The study measured responses to 1,217 paid ads among 182,500 TikTok users across eight global markets and connected those results to in-market brand lift data. The campaigns represented $71 million in media spending and generated 23.6 billion impressions.
According to the research, creator ads -- which Bouvard compares to radio and podcast host reads -- generate greater brand memory lift, combining brand awareness and ad recall. Two factors emerged as particularly important: mentioning the advertiser within the first two seconds and creating strong positive emotion through entertaining content.
For video podcasts and other audio accompanied by video, System1 recommends both saying and displaying the brand within the first two seconds. The study found this "say it and show it" approach generated seven times greater brand recognition compared with ads containing no brand cues during the opening two seconds.
Bouvard says the findings have implications for AM/FM radio talent endorsements as well. Jacobs Media's Techsurvey research has found DJs and hosts are among the primary reasons consumers listen to AM/FM radio, while a MARU/Matchbox study found listeners develop long-term relationships with personalities who make them laugh, think and feel connected to their communities.
The analysis also points to the cost of advertising that fails to engage consumers. Research based on the IPA Effectiveness Databank found advertisers can require two to 2.6 times more media spending for dull ads to achieve comparable business results to more interesting creative. Interesting ads generated 6.1 times more share growth than dull, rational ads.
Humor was another significant factor. System1 testing found the funniest ads generated an average 3.4-star emotional response compared with 2.2 stars for the most serious ads. The funniest creative also produced five times the long-term market share growth of the least funny advertising.
The findings suggest audience size is not necessarily the deciding factor in whether host-read advertising builds brand memory. WPP Media and System1 examined creators ranging from micro influencers with 10,000 to 100,000 followers to celebrities with more than one million. Across all four audience-size categories, the most entertaining ads produced strong levels of brand memory.
Bouvard's takeaway for audio advertisers is to combine "salesmanship and showmanship": identify the brand early and often while giving personalities room to make the message entertaining, memorable and emotionally engaging.
Read the complete Audio Active Group blog here.
Zack Bennett Named Host of Pure American Country
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, September 21, 2026 | 1:29pm CT |
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Pure American Networks has named veteran Nashville broadcaster and producer Zack Bennett permanent host of the nationally syndicated weekly program "Pure American Country" and its daily companion feature, "Pure American Country Radio Minute."
Bennett had served as interim host since the death of longtime host and Country Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody in June. He has produced "Pure American Country" since 2024 and continued writing and producing the program while filling in as host. Bennett also guest-hosted during periods in 2025 and early 2026 when illness prevented Cody from recording.
Bennett becomes the third principal host in the show's 23-year history. The program launched in 2003 as the "Country Music Greats Radio Show," with Country Music Hall of Famer Jim Ed Brown as its original host. Cody succeeded Brown in 2015.
"On every show, we serve our listeners by playing the music they already know and love," Bennett said. "But every song has an underlying story, and we connect the dots between generations to show that the more things change in country music, the more they stay the same."
Bennett said his goal is for each edition to feel "a little bit like a family reunion." The weekly program uses a central theme or story to connect country music across generations through the artists, songwriters, producers, influences and relationships behind the songs. The daily 60-second "Pure American Country Radio Minute" explores events, recordings, anniversaries and milestones associated with each calendar date.
Bennett said taking over the program carries special significance following nearly five years of working alongside Cody. "When he wasn't able to be behind the Pure American Country microphone, he trusted me to sit in his chair and take care of the show and its listeners," Bennett said. "I'm not here to replace him or imitate him. My responsibility is to honor what he built, carry forward the warmth and love of country music he brought to the show, and take it into its next chapter in a way that would make him proud."
Executive Producer Martin Davis said Bennett brings "a deep understanding of country music, a broadcaster's instinct for what connects with an audience, and a clear vision for what Pure American Country can be."
A Nashville native, Bennett began his radio career in 1999 at WANT-FM/Lebanon, TN. His 27-year career includes six years at 95.5 Nash Icon/Nashville, national country radio work with Westwood One and nearly five years at WSM-AM/Nashville, where he currently serves as Assistant Program Director and an air personality. He has also spent the past four years as part of the team responsible for planning and producing Grand Ole Opry shows.
Dana Cortez Show Takes Mornings at Q97.1 Fresno
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, September 21, 2026 | 10:50am CT |
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The Dana Cortez Show has added Lotus Communications' KSEQ-FM (Q97.1) in Fresno to its affiliate lineup, taking over morning drive following the retirement of longtime morning team Greg & Dre. Beginning Monday, September 21, Dana Cortez, DJ Automatic and Anthony A. will anchor mornings on Q97.1 through the show's syndication partner, Skyview Networks. The move follows a 25-year run for the Greg & Dre Morning Show in Central California.
"After 25 years of entertaining Central California, Greg and Dre are retiring from morning radio," said Greg Hoffman, Greg of Greg & Dre and Operations Manager for Lotus Communications Fresno. He said the duo remained among the market's top three in the ratings for more than two decades.
Hoffman called the change "a passing of the torch" and said Cortez and her team will bring content, interaction and opinions that are relatable to Central California's Mexican American community.
"Being handed the baton from legendary show Greg and Dre Mornings is one of the biggest honors I've ever received in radio," said Cortez. "I'm both humbled and excited to join the winning team at Q97.1! DCS in the 559, lessgoo!"
Cortez and her co-hosts were in Fresno for the launch weekend, joining Q97.1 listeners Sunday at the Party in the Park Festival at Woodward Park. The event featured Wiz Khalifa, Fetty Wap, DaBaby, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy and Petey Pablo.
"Taking over a 25-year morning franchise is not something a station hands to just anyone, and getting on a plane to be there for it tells you who Dana and her team are," said Skyview Networks Chief Operating Officer Andrew Kalb.
Fresno joins The Dana Cortez Show's affiliate roster alongside KHMX-FM/Houston, KKFR-FM/Phoenix, KBBT-FM/San Antonio, KQKS-FM/Denver and KSFM-FM/Sacramento, among other stations.
Urban One Names Yonni Rude Dallas Operations Manager
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 18, 2026 | 10:33am CT |
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Urban One Dallas has named Yonni Rude Operations Manager, overseeing programming for the company's three Dallas-Fort Worth radio brands: KBFB (97.9 The Beat), KRNB (Smooth 105.7) and KKDA (K104). Rude moves to Dallas after spending the past three years as Program Director for Urban One's Houston stations KBXX (97.9 The Box), KMJQ (Majic 102.1) and KROI (Praise Houston).
Before his Houston assignment, Rude served as Executive Producer of Reach Media's nationally syndicated hip-hop morning program "The Morning Hustle." His career also includes positions with Urban One/Radio One in Richmond, Detroit and Cleveland, along with programming leadership roles in Charleston, SC, and Fayetteville, NC.
"I'm very pleased to have Yonni join the team as we grow our presence in Dallas-Fort Worth," said Urban One Vice President/General Manager Maurice Potts. "Yonni brings the leadership and operational experience we need as we continue to build in the market."
Rude said he is excited to lead the Dallas team and build on the heritage of its three stations. "KBFB, KKDA, and KRNB are three brands with tremendous history, talent, and connection to the community," he said. "I'm looking forward to building on that legacy, developing great people, and creating the next chapter together."
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Cedar Basin Media to Acquire Six Iowa Signals
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 18, 2026 | 7:21pm CT |
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Cedar Basin Media, a new unit of Civic Media, has reached an agreement to acquire six radio signals in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, IA, from NRG Media. An application seeking approval of the transaction will be filed with the FCC.
The deal includes Cedar Rapids stations KFMW-FM (Rock 108) and KOKZ-FM (105.7 KOKZ), both 100kW facilities. In Waterloo, Cedar Basin will acquire KXEL-AM (News Talk 1540), KPTY-AM (107.3 Hank FM) and FM translators K263BZ at 100.5 and K297BS at 107.3.
KXEL operates at 50kW day and night, with K263BZ rebroadcasting the station. KPTY operates with 5kW day and night and is rebroadcast on K297BS.
NRG Media, led by President and CEO Mary Quass, is based in Iowa and has operated a regional portfolio of radio stations across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin for more than 20 years.
Cedar Basin Media is part of Civic Media, a Wisconsin-based radio company emphasizing local information, news, weather, sports and talk programming. Civic Media currently operates stations in multiple markets across Wisconsin, northern Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Kalil & Co. served as the exclusive broker for the deal.
NABLF Names 2027 Broadcast Leadership Training Class
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 18, 2026 | 1:46pm CT |
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The NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) has announced the 2027 class of its Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) program, selecting 15 radio and television professionals for the industry leadership development initiative.
For more than 25 years, BLT has prepared nearly 450 senior executives and managers for station ownership and C-suite positions. The program's interactive sessions cover financial and business strategy, management and leadership, artificial intelligence, human resources, organizational culture and other issues affecting broadcasting.
The 2027 class includes Angel Livas, ALIVE Network; Ashley Parker, KSAT/Graham Media Group; Brenden Nakamine, KITV/Allen Media Group; Coriya Burns Falker, Urban One Atlanta; Eric Casella, Cox Media Group; Erik Smith, Fox Television Stations; Ilana Goldstein, Beasley Media Group; James Galindo, KERO-TV/E.W. Scripps; James Loftus, KAPP/KVEW/Morgan Murphy Media; Jessica Fernandez, Univision Television Group; Keith Hildibrand, Gray Media; Matt McDonald, KBNZ/KOHD; PJ English, Tuscaloosa Radio Group; Shannone Dunlap, Black Diamond Broadcasting & Digital Solutions; and Shawnda Adams, KOCO/Hearst Television.
"The 2027 BLT class brings together an exceptional group of professionals who are ready to challenge conventional thinking, learn from one another and inspire confidence for what lies ahead," said NABLF President Michelle Duke. "Resilient and effective leadership has never been more important, and we are thrilled to support these professionals as they grow and to see where their leadership takes them."
The program is supported by sponsors including the Alabama Broadcasters Association, Beasley Media Group, Bonneville International, Cox Media Group, Fox Television Stations, Futuri, Graham Media Group, Gray Media, Hearst Television, Morgan Murphy Media, National Association of Broadcasters, Nielsen Foundation, Oregon Broadcasters Association, Scripps and TelevisaUnivision.
FCC Issues WSDS Notice Over EAS, Power Violations
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 18, 2026 | 1:50pm CT |
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The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has issued a Notice of Violation to Vazquez Broadcasting Corporation, licensee of WSDS-AM in Salem Township-Ypsilanti, MI, citing multiple violations involving Emergency Alert System monitoring, operating power and the station's directional antenna system.
The notice, released September 18, stems from a July 14 inspection by an agent from the Enforcement Bureau's Columbia Office. The FCC said no station log was available showing required EAS tests received from local primary stations and FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. The agency also said entries stored in the station's Sage Digital ENDEC were dated 1997.
The FCC also found that WSDS was monitoring WJR-AM and WWJ-AM for EAS alerts. Under the Michigan State EAS Plan, stations in Washtenaw-Lenawee Counties are required to monitor WEMU-FM and WWWW-FM.
Inspectors additionally found WSDS operating at 1,104 watts during the daytime, 36.6% above its authorized daytime power of 808 watts. The station was not using modulation dependent carrier level technology, which can affect the applicable power requirements.
The station's Chief Operator told the FCC agent that WSDS was unable to operate within its authorized nighttime parameters. The agent subsequently measured the station after sunset and found it continuing to operate using its daytime power and antenna pattern. The FCC noted that Vazquez Broadcasting had filed a reduced-power notification in March because of transmitter problems but had not requested Special Temporary Authority to operate at those power levels for more than 30 days.
A fifth violation involved WSDS's directional antenna system. The FCC said the station's required antenna monitor was not fully operational and could not provide reliable phase and current readings for each tower in the directional array.
Vazquez Broadcasting has 20 days from the release of the notice to provide the FCC with a written response explaining each violation, detailing corrective actions already taken and providing a timetable for any remaining work. The Notice of Violation itself does not impose a forfeiture, but the FCC said it does not preclude additional enforcement action, including a possible Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture.
Second Circuit Stays Cumulus-Nielsen Enforcement Order
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 3:57pm CT |
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has granted Nielsen a stay pending appeal of a federal judge's order requiring the ratings company to offer its Nationwide radio ratings product to Cumulus Media on commercially reasonable terms or face sanctions of $50,000 per day.
The September 16 ruling pauses an enforcement order issued September 9 by U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas in Cumulus Media's antitrust lawsuit against Nielsen. The appeals court provided no explanation for granting the stay, citing the Supreme Court's Nken v. Holder standard for stays pending appeal.
The latest dispute centers on whether Vargas's enforcement order merely implements the preliminary injunction she issued against Nielsen last December or imposes new obligations beyond that injunction.
Cumulus argues that the injunction, which the Second Circuit affirmed in July, requires Nielsen to make Nationwide available as a standalone product at a commercially reasonable price. Cumulus told the appeals court that Nielsen's latest offer remained many times higher than prices paid by other customers and that Vargas questioned Nielsen's good faith after reviewing pricing evidence and testimony from a Nielsen expert.
Nielsen disputes that interpretation. In a September 13 filing, the company said the injunction prohibits tying Nationwide to local ratings purchases and using an unreasonable standalone price to accomplish such a tie, but does not require Nielsen to sell the product.
"The Injunction forbids two things," Nielsen told the court. "It commands nothing." Nielsen noted that the Second Circuit's July ruling said the injunction did not require a "forced sale of Nationwide."
Nielsen argues that Vargas's September 9 order went further by requiring the company to make an offer for a multi-year Nationwide contract and backing that requirement with $50,000-per-day sanctions. Nielsen also contends that forcing it into a multi-year agreement could cause irreparable harm because the contract could not be unwound if the company ultimately prevails on appeal, while its recovery would be limited by a $100,000 injunction bond.
Cumulus counters that Vargas did not set a specific price. It says Nielsen can comply through a safe harbor in the original injunction under which a rate equal to or below the highest annual 2026 rate Nielsen charges another broadcaster for standalone Nationwide is presumed reasonable. Cumulus also said its own latest counteroffer exceeded that safe-harbor price.
The Second Circuit previously issued a temporary administrative stay on September 10. The new order keeps Vargas's September 9 enforcement order on hold while the appeal proceeds.
The court also ordered an expedited schedule. Nielsen's opening brief is due September 30, Cumulus's response October 14 and Nielsen's reply October 21. Oral argument will be scheduled before the next available merits panel.
Mike Sheffield Adds PD Duties at 97 Rock, Z102.3
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 5:09pm CT |
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Cumulus Media has promoted Mike Sheffield to Program Director of Classic Rock WGRF-FM (97 Rock) in Buffalo and WQHZ-FM (Z102.3) in Erie, PA. Sheffield, who serves as Programming Operations Manager for Cumulus Erie, will continue programming Country WXTA-FM (Erie Country 97.9), AC WXKC-FM (Classy 100) and WXKC-HD2 (The Touch 104.3). His expanded responsibilities now add 97 Rock in Buffalo and Z102.3 in Erie.
Sheffield has been with Cumulus Media since July 2006. He previously spent more than five years with iHeartMedia/Clear Channel Communications.
"Mike's promotion is a true testament to his focus, hard work, problem-solving mindset, and dedication to our team's shared goals," said Cumulus Media Regional Vice President Ron Giovanniello. "Mike is very deserving and we are always thrilled to be able to promote from within."
Sheffield said he is "deeply honored" to work with the team at 97 Rock and Cumulus Buffalo while expanding his Erie programming responsibilities to include Z102.3.
"I look forward to building on these stations' strong legacy and contributing to their continued success," he added.
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