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Top Radio News
Cumulus Promotes Kathy Brown to VP/Urban Formats
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 10:59am CT |
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Cumulus Media has promoted Kathy "KB" Brown to Vice President of Urban Formats, expanding her responsibilities to include programming oversight for the company's 40 Urban-formatted radio stations nationwide. The promotion is effective immediately.
In her new role, Brown will serve as a senior programming leader, overseeing Cumulus Media's Urban Mainstream, Urban AC, Classic Hip Hop and Gospel formats. She will also provide programming guidance and support to the company's Urban stations across the country.
Brown, who joined Cumulus Media in 2017, is based in Charleston, SC, and will retain her current responsibilities as Program Director and on-air personality for WWWZ-FM (Z93 JAMZ) and WMGL-FM (Magic 107.3).
"By virtue of her veteran major-market leadership skills and perennial high achievement, KB became the clear choice of both our programming leaders and her peers in the Cumulus Urban fleet," said Cumulus Media Chief Programming Officer Brian Philips. "Kathy already wears much programming responsibility gracefully and successfully in her Charleston role and in the region. This confirms our trust in her proven steady guidance and her stellar reputation within Cumulus."
Before joining Cumulus, Brown served as Program Director and on-air personality for iHeartMedia's Urban KMJM-FM and KATZ-FM in St. Louis. She previously held the position of Assistant Program Director at CBS Radio's WVEE-FM (V103) in Atlanta.
Her career also includes serving as Vice President and Regional Program Director and Operations Manager for Radio One's seven-station cluster serving Washington, DC, and Baltimore.
"I am excited to join the Cumulus senior content leadership team," Brown said. "I am fortunate to support a stellar group of Urban programmers who oversee legendary stations. We will continue our legacy of excellence."
Louisville Public Media Names Two Staffers, Promotes One
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 11:34am CT |
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Louisville Public Media (LPM) has announced two new staff appointments and an internal promotion as part of its efforts to strengthen local journalism, community engagement and fundraising operations across Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana.
Krystal Goodner has been named host of "All Things Considered" on 89.3 WFPL, effective October 19. Goodner brings nearly 20 years of experience in television and radio, including previous roles as a reporter and weekend morning anchor at WDRB-TV and a decade at WLOU radio.
A resident of Jeffersonville, IN, Goodner is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast with a degree in multimedia journalism. She will host local and regional news segments during NPR's "All Things Considered," airing weekdays from 4-6pm on WFPL.
"Returning to the air as the host of All Things Considered on 89.3 WFPL is both a joy and a privilege," Goodner said. "Louisville and Southern Indiana are home, and it means so much to continue informing, engaging and connecting with the community that has shaped me."
LPM has also appointed Veronica Roessler as Community Engagement and Events Manager, effective October 12. Roessler joins the organization's marketing team with event production experience that includes the Kentucky Derby Festival and Olivia Elise Events.
In her new position, Roessler will oversee events ranging from WFPK Waterfront Wednesday to smaller donor and community gatherings. Her responsibilities include expanding audience engagement, strengthening relationships with supporters and introducing public media to new audiences.
"Our new strategic plan tasks us with becoming Louisville's essential daily habit, and that starts with people who are rooted in this community," said LPM President and CEO Kenya Young. "Krystal Goodner is a community-minded journalist who has been part of this region's daily life for nearly 20 years. Veronica Roessler knows how to bring people together, and she'll help us show up in every corner of our neighborhoods."
Additionally, LPM has promoted Katherine Six to the newly created position of Director of Development Operations. Six, who has served as Grants Manager since 2021, will continue overseeing grants while expanding her responsibilities to include major gift prospect research, performance metrics, budgeting and development planning.
WZFG Fargo Adds Premiere's Clay & Buck Show
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 11:07am CT |
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Flag Family Media has added Premiere Networks' nationally syndicated "The Clay & Buck Show" to WZFG-AM (AM 1100 The Flag/92.3 FM) in Fargo, ND. The program, hosted by Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, airs weekdays from 11am-2pm, effective immediately.
The addition brings the conservative talk program to WZFG's 50 kW signal, which serves listeners across North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota. The show joins the station's existing lineup of locally produced talk programming.
"Clay Travis and Buck Sexton are proven winners, and we are thrilled to welcome their show to our Flag Family team," said Flag Family Media Co-Owner Scott Hennen. "Broadcasting from Fargo, ND, in one of the nation's most competitive talk radio markets, this 50 kW conservative blowtorch reaches highly engaged listeners across North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota."
Hennen said the combination of the station's established local programming and the nationally syndicated show will strengthen WZFG's talk lineup, particularly during the election season. "Listening to us is guaranteed learning, laughing and sanity-restoring," Travis said. "Happy to bring it to Fargo!"
Sexton also welcomed the new affiliation, emphasizing the chemistry between the two hosts and their conversational approach to political commentary. "We are thrilled to be part of the Flag Family," Sexton said. "The Wall Street Journal recently described us as having 'buddy-cop energy' and I think that sums it up well."
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K-Love, Trans World Radio Announce Global Partnership
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 6:51pm CT |
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K-Love has announced a partnership with international Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) to expand its programming into as many as 190 countries, with an emphasis on regions where Christian missionary activities are restricted.
The collaboration combines K-Love's Christian music and inspirational programming with TWR's international broadcasting infrastructure and established relationships. TWR currently distributes biblical programming in more than 200 languages and dialects through local ministry teams around the world.
Under the agreement, TWR's international teams will adapt K-Love content for local cultures and languages, allowing the organizations to reach new audiences through Christian radio. The initiative will also support the expansion of K-Love's Spanish-language ministry through K-Love Global.
"We believe God has brought these two ministries together to help move more people closer to Jesus by combining our strengths, expanding our reach, and creating more opportunities for lives to be transformed," said K-Love Chief of Staff Dr. Bobby Wood.
TWR President and CEO Andy Schick emphasized the importance of tailoring programming to local audiences.
"K-Love excels at music and encouragement, and TWR has spent over 70 years reaching people in their own language with local teams around the world," Schick said. "Tom and the K-Love team understand that cultural differences matter, and that ministry in someone's heart language is how you reach them with the love of Christ."
K-Love CEO Tom Stultz said the partnership builds on the network's established approach of combining contemporary Christian music with encouraging on-air personalities. "When we realized we could extend our positive and encouraging messages on a global basis, we knew we had to pursue it," Stultz said. "We are delighted TWR is as excited about this as we are. Our combined mission is to make Christ known where He's not known."
The announcement follows K-Love's initial international outreach in 2025, when the organization began providing programming to existing radio ministries in Italy, Zambia and Lithuania.
K-Love plans to seek initial funding from supporters interested in expanding Christian broadcasting internationally.
Westwood One Study Finds NFL Radio Ads Drive Results
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 2:08pm CT |
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A new analysis from the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group finds that AM/FM radio advertising during NFL broadcasts delivers significant gains in brand awareness, consumer engagement and purchase conversions, outperforming streaming audio and podcasts in cost efficiency.
The findings, outlined by Westwood One Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard, are based on two studies commissioned for an online gaming company that advertised during Westwood One's NFL programming. Research conducted by Quantilope and Claritas examined brand performance, advertising recall and consumer purchasing behavior across broadcast radio, streaming audio and podcasts.
The Quantilope study, conducted January 21-23, 2026, surveyed 1,000 adults ages 21 and older, including 500 Westwood One NFL listeners. Researchers found that NFL radio listeners were 109% more likely to express interest in online social gaming than nonlisteners.
Exposure to the advertiser's campaign increased total advertising awareness by 120%, while ad recall among listeners exposed to the company's commercials was 200% higher than among those who were not exposed. The study also reported double-digit gains in brand familiarity, favorability and purchase consideration.
Listeners who heard the commercials were more likely to seek additional information online, research gaming companies, read reviews, visit the advertiser's website and recommend the service to others.
A separate Claritas attribution study, covering September 4, 2025, through January 18, 2026, measured campaign performance across broadcast AM/FM radio, streaming and podcasts. The campaign generated approximately 390 million advertising impressions.
Broadcast AM/FM radio accounted for 96% of first-purchase conversions and delivered the lowest cost per acquisition at $60.87. Streaming audio followed at $238 per conversion, while podcasts averaged approximately $1,000.
The analysis also found that 75% of attributable first-purchase conversions, representing 6,126 of 7,911 purchases, were incremental, meaning they were attributed to the advertising rather than purchases that would have occurred without the campaign. Broadcast radio alone achieved an incrementality rate of 77.4%, earning an "excellent" rating against Claritas efficiency benchmarks.
Creative content also influenced campaign performance. Football-themed commercials generated a 22% lower cost per acquisition than other creative approaches and required 30% fewer impressions per conversion. Within NFL radio broadcasts, football-themed advertising achieved a $52.87 cost per acquisition compared with $69.72 for other messaging.
Bouvard also highlighted the reach of Westwood One's NFL coverage, which attracts approximately 64 million unique listeners over a season, according to Nielsen. The network is entering its 40th consecutive season as the NFL's exclusive network audio partner, carrying primetime regular-season games, playoff coverage and Super Bowl LXI.
The findings underscore the potential value of broadcast radio for advertisers seeking measurable business outcomes, particularly when commercials are aligned with programming content and audience interests.
Read the complete Westwood One Audio Active Group blog here.
KYW Newsradio Inducts David Yadgaroff Into Hall of Fame
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 2:22pm CT |
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KYW Newsradio (103.9 FM/1060 AM) in Philadelphia has inducted longtime radio executive David Yadgaroff into its Hall of Fame, recognizing more than three decades of leadership, mentorship and contributions to the station and the Philadelphia broadcasting community.
Yadgaroff joined KYW Newsradio's sales department in 1992 and advanced through several leadership positions, including Director of Sales, Vice President and General Manager. He ultimately served as Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy Philadelphia, overseeing the company's local radio operations.
"David's connection to KYW Newsradio spans more than three decades, and his impact on the station and the people who have worked here is immeasurable," said KYW Newsradio Brand Manager Kristina Koppeser. "He has been a tremendous advocate for KYW, its journalists and its role in this community. This honor is a fitting recognition of a career defined by leadership, mentorship and an unwavering belief in the power of local radio."
During his tenure, Yadgaroff helped guide KYW Newsradio through changes in the media industry while maintaining its focus on local journalism. Among the station's milestones under his leadership were the addition of its 103.9 FM signal in 2020 and its 60th anniversary celebration in 2025.
Yadgaroff retired from Audacy in May 2026 following a 36-year career in radio. His industry recognition includes being named a Radio Ink Top Manager and earning finalist honors for both the Radio Wayne Manager of the Year and Marconi Radio Manager of the Year awards.
In 2025, he was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame.
The KYW Newsradio Hall of Fame honors broadcasters and executives whose contributions have helped establish and sustain the station's reputation for local news and community service. Yadgaroff joins a roster of professionals recognized for their lasting impact on the Philadelphia radio institution.
Doc Reno Signs Multi-Year Deal with Creative Talent
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 9:03pm CT |
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Veteran South Florida radio personality Doc Reno has signed a multi-year representation agreement with Creative Talent, led by President and CEO Steve Gallagher. The deal covers Reno's work in radio, podcasting, syndication, spokesperson opportunities and digital media.
The agreement formalizes a professional relationship between Reno and Gallagher that has spanned more than a decade. The partnership is designed to expand Reno's presence across multiple media platforms while developing new content and business opportunities.
"Doc Reno is the hardest-working talent in broadcast media today," said Gallagher. "He has an incredible work ethic and is strongly loyal to his friends, family and the people he works with. Doc is a mega talent driven to create winning and great radio. There are exciting days ahead for Doc, and I am thrilled to be helping him get his message out!"
Reno brings more than two decades of broadcasting experience to the agreement, with a career that has taken him to radio markets across the country. Known for his personality-driven approach and passion for rock music, he has established a presence in South Florida radio while expanding his work into other media.
"Steve and I have been working together for over a decade, and I trust his judgment and guidance like no other," Reno said. "He's an exceptional person, and I'm honored we're beginning a new multi-year agreement. Now, go get me something great!"
The agreement positions Creative Talent to pursue additional opportunities for Reno in traditional broadcasting, digital content, national syndication and brand partnerships.
K-Love Names Ed Lenane VP of K-Love Global
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 11:04am CT |
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K-Love has appointed longtime executive Ed Lenane as Vice President of K-Love Global, a new initiative focused on expanding the Christian radio network's reach and impact internationally.
Lenane brings nearly 30 years of experience with K-Love, having served in a variety of roles throughout the organization, including international operations. In his new position, he will oversee efforts to identify opportunities for expanding K-Love's global presence and sharing its Christian message with audiences worldwide.
Reporting to Dr. Wood, Lenane will work closely with K-Love's primary international partner, Trans World Radio, while exploring additional partnerships and opportunities to extend the network's international reach.
He will also assemble a cross-departmental team of K-Love personnel to evaluate potential opportunities, develop strategies and implement the organization's global expansion objectives.
The appointment marks a renewed emphasis on international outreach for K-Love as it seeks to build on its existing relationships and extend its ministry beyond the United States.
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Dial #250 Expands Beyond iHeartMedia Stations
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 3:28pm CT |
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MDR Group LLC has announced that its Dial #250 mobile speed-dial service is now available to all radio broadcasters and advertisers following the expiration of a decade-long exclusive arrangement with iHeartMedia. The company says it is already expanding relationships with Audacy, Cumulus Media, Bonneville International and other radio groups.
For more than 10 years, the service operated exclusively on iHeartMedia stations, supporting national advertising campaigns through Premiere Networks and local campaigns in markets nationwide. With that restriction lifted, radio stations, networks and advertisers can now use the service for local and national campaigns.
Dial #250 allows listeners to respond to radio commercials by dialing #250 on their mobile phones and speaking an advertiser's name, slogan or keyword. The service connects callers directly to the advertiser's designated phone number or sends a text message containing a campaign-specific link.
"Radio has always had an attribution problem, because 'you can't click on a radio ad,'" said MDR Group Chief Marketing Officer Dave Robinett. He noted that listeners, particularly those in vehicles, often cannot remember lengthy telephone numbers or website addresses mentioned in commercials.
The company has also introduced Voice AI technology that allows callers to identify advertisers without remembering their names. Listeners can describe a commercial or the product or service being promoted, and the AI system attempts to identify the advertiser and complete the connection.
"Radio's biggest leak has never been the listener who didn't care. It's the listener who cared but couldn't remember the details," Robinett said. "Voice AI closes that gap. If they remember what the ad was about, we can get them to the brand."
MDR Group says the platform also provides advertising attribution data by assigning unique spoken keywords to individual campaigns, stations, markets or creative executions. This allows broadcasters to document listener responses and provide advertisers with measurable campaign results.
Among the national direct-response advertisers using #250 are Chapter Medicare, BetterHelp, Pure Talk and Preborn. The service has also been used by Salem Media, Liberty University, Food For The Poor and Amazing Facts for fundraising, ministry outreach and sponsor response campaigns.
A new station-focused offering allows broadcasters to establish a single keyword using their call letters or station branding. Listeners who miss an advertiser's contact information can dial #250, identify the station and describe the commercial they heard. An AI agent then attempts to connect them with the appropriate advertiser by telephone or text message.
The company says the approach creates potential new revenue opportunities while helping stations demonstrate advertising effectiveness. As an example, MDR Group cited a Michigan-based home services radio program that uses one #250 keyword to route callers to 51 service providers across three designated market areas.
Pricing is based on a flat monthly fee per spoken keyword, with unlimited-keyword arrangements available for stations and groups. The service can also support listener engagement applications, including contests, call-in lines, traffic reports and fundraising.
Additional information is available here.
Myron Mullins Launches ''Regret Free'' Podcast
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 4:29pm CT |
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Author, entrepreneur and former business executive Myron Mullins has launched "Regret Free with Myron Mullins," a new podcast focused on helping men, particularly former executives and high-achieving professionals, rediscover purpose, overcome personal challenges and build more intentional lives.
The podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, faith leaders, authors and individuals who have overcome adversity. Discussions explore leadership, personal struggles, faith, family and the challenges of transitioning from professional success to a new chapter in life.
Mullins brings more than three decades of business experience to the program, having developed 16 enterprises, led multimillion-dollar organizations and served on corporate and organizational boards. His professional accomplishments were accompanied by personal challenges that eventually reshaped his priorities and career direction.
In 2006, Mullins experienced a spiritual transformation that led him to embrace his Christian faith. He subsequently began sharing his experiences through mentoring, coaching, public speaking and writing, including his personal struggle with pornography addiction and the role of faith, accountability and community in his recovery.
His work addresses challenges frequently experienced by men in demanding leadership positions, including isolation, addiction, loss of identity and uncertainty about life after a high-pressure career.
"Leadership can be a lonely and daunting assignment-transparency and vulnerability perceived as weakness and disqualifying," Mullins said. "There is an amazing paradox that transcends these wrong beliefs that occur when people lay their insecurities aside for a greater life purpose that abides in each of us."
In addition to the podcast, Mullins has developed Fight Club Men, an initiative designed to provide men with a supportive environment for confronting addiction and other personal struggles through honesty, accountability, faith and fellowship.
McVay Media is also involved in the new venture. "Ryan Kershner and I are honored to work with Myron and join this journey," said McVay Media President Mike McVay.
Through the podcast and his other initiatives, Mullins hopes to encourage men to move beyond past failures and redefine success through faith, family, personal freedom and purposeful living.
WZPL Indianapolis Plans 24th Annual Smiley Pumpkin Drop
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 12, 2026 | 4:38pm CT |
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WZPL-FM (99.5 ZPL) in Indianapolis will celebrate Halloween with the 24th annual Smiley Pumpkin Drop on Thursday, October 15, featuring a live broadcast of the "Smiley Morning Show" and the dramatic destruction of two giant pumpkins at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The free, family-friendly event will take place in the southwest parking lot of the fairgrounds, where a crane will lift a nearly 1,400-pound pumpkin hundreds of feet into the air before releasing it onto the concrete below. An additional 800-pound pumpkin will also be dropped from the same height.
The "Smiley Morning Show" will broadcast live from 6-10am ET, with the pumpkin drops scheduled around sunrise at approximately 8am.
Now in its 24th year, the Smiley Pumpkin Drop has become an Indianapolis Halloween tradition, combining the spectacle of oversized pumpkins crashing to the ground with activities and entertainment for families.
Attendees are encouraged to bring children in Halloween costumes for trick-or-treating, games, face painting, balloon art and other activities. Participating vendors include Hensley Legal Group, Hope Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Pet Butler and Dig Garden Center.
Food and refreshments will be available from Hometown Mini Donuts and Niyah Coffee, while entertainment will be provided by Indy Blast Laser Tag, Elite Video Game Truck and Silly Safaris.
The event is open to the public at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, located at 1125 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis, near the intersection of 38th Street and Fall Creek Parkway.
The annual promotion continues WZPL's tradition of bringing listeners together for a seasonal event that combines live radio, community involvement and a memorable Halloween spectacle.
iHeartMedia Names Lainie Fertick Chief Insights Officer
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 9, 2026 | 4:24pm CT |
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iHeartMedia has promoted Lainie Fertick to the newly created position of Chief Insights Officer, placing her in charge of insights initiatives across the company and adding her to its Strategic Communications (StratCom) leadership team. The appointment was announced in an internal memo from iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman and President and COO Rich Bressler.
Fertick has played a significant role in developing iHeartMedia's consumer research capabilities through Critical Mass Media (CMM), the company's in-house research organization. She joined CMM as an intern in 2004 and advanced through the organization to become President and General Manager.
In 2024, Fertick was also named President of iHeartMedia Insights, expanding her responsibilities to include research supporting the company's advertising and marketing partners.
Her work has included overseeing several of iHeartMedia's annual consumer research studies, including "The New American Consumer," developed with author Malcolm Gladwell; "The Ignored Consumer"; and "The Human Consumer," which explored consumer attitudes toward technology and artificial intelligence and helped establish the company's Guaranteed Human positioning.
More recently, Fertick led research for "Unlocking the Community-Driven Gen Z Listener," examining how younger audiences engage with audio and community-driven content.
She has also been involved with AudioGraph, iHeartMedia's data and programmatic advertising platform launched in partnership with Triton Digital in June.
In their memo, Pittman and Bressler credited Fertick with helping the company's programming operations develop a deeper understanding of listeners and their behavior.
"Lainie was our Programming team's 'secret weapon' - building our leadership position in the industry by helping our programmers, talent and stations gain deeper insights and understanding of their consumers than any other radio or media company could," the executives wrote.
As Chief Insights Officer, Fertick will oversee insights work across iHeartMedia, bringing together research and consumer intelligence efforts that support programming, advertising and the company's broader business operations.
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Radio Hall of Fame Inducts Eight in Class of 2026
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 9, 2026 | 11:04am CT |
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The Radio Hall of Fame welcomed eight new members during its 2026 induction ceremony and dinner Thursday, October 8, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, recognizing broadcasters and industry executives whose careers have made significant contributions to radio.
The Class of 2026 includes Boomer Esiason of WFAN-AM/FM in New York; Dennis Green, COO of Sun & Fun Media/Key Networks; Shotgun Tom Kelly of SiriusXM's 60s Gold; Helen Little of WLTW-FM in New York; iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman; Rickey Smiley of Urban One/Reach Media; and veteran radio personalities Charlie Van Dyke and Fred Winston.
The ceremony was hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality Bobby Bones, who was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2017.
Radio Hall of Fame Co-Chairmen Kraig Kitchin and Dennis Green, himself a member of the 2026 induction class, welcomed attendees and delivered opening remarks.
Paul Harvey Aurandt Jr., son of legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, also participated in the evening, presenting a special introductory tribute honoring the inductees, the Radio Hall of Fame and the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
The annual induction ceremony celebrates the achievements of radio personalities, programmers and executives whose work has helped shape the broadcasting industry.
Photo credit: Sophie Castro.
Veteran Broadcast Engineer John Bisset Dies at 73
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 9, 2026 | 2:21pm CT |
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John Bisset, a longtime broadcast engineer, industry educator and author of Radio World's popular "Workbench" column, has died following a period of illness. He was 73, according to Radio World, which reported his passing October 8.
Bisset spent 55 years in broadcasting, building a career that included engineering, consulting, equipment sales and technical education. He was widely recognized for sharing practical engineering knowledge and helping generations of broadcasters maintain and improve their facilities.
His greatest contribution to the industry may have been "Workbench," the Radio World column he authored for nearly 36 years. First introduced in August 1990, Bisset began writing the feature that November and went on to produce approximately 920 installments.
The column became a favorite among broadcast engineers for its practical troubleshooting advice, equipment maintenance tips and innovative solutions contributed by readers. Its technical content also qualified for Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) certification credit.
Throughout his career, Bisset worked with numerous broadcast equipment manufacturers, including Harris, Dielectric, Broadcast Electronics, Nautel, Tieline, Elenos and Telos Alliance. At Harris Broadcast, he earned three sales awards and established a company record by selling 55 transmitters in a single year.
Bisset began his broadcasting career at age 16 as a summer relief announcer at WFAX-AM in northern Virginia. He eventually became the station's chief engineer and later worked in engineering management for Metroplex Communications in the Washington, DC, market.
In 1990, he co-founded Multiphase, a broadcast engineering services company. He also served as regional RF sales manager for Broadcast Electronics and helped develop several products at Dielectric, including the Dielectric Pattern Viewer.
Education remained a central part of his career. Bisset presented and moderated Radio Transmitter Workshops at NAB conventions and frequently participated in SBE Ennes Workshops and local chapter meetings. In 2007, the SBE honored him with its Educator of the Year Award.
Beyond his technical expertise, Bisset was known for encouraging cooperation between engineering departments and station management. He frequently emphasized the importance of documenting technical work, communicating the value of engineering investments and maintaining safe working conditions.
"It is really important to let the people above you, the managers, the owners, know that you are taking care of their facility and are doing a good job with it," Bisset once said during an appearance on "This Week in Radio Tech."
Radio World Editor in Chief Paul McLane said "Workbench" will continue, as Bisset had wished, with a new author to be announced.
Bisset had continued writing the column until taking a hiatus this summer to address health concerns. He is survived by his wife, Diane.
Source: Radio World, reporting by Nick Langan.
Benztown Produces Tribute to NFL Legend Mike Ditka
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 9, 2026 | 2:08pm CT |
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Benztown has produced an audio tribute honoring legendary NFL player and coach Mike Ditka, who died Friday, October 9, at age 86. The tribute was voiced by Darren Silva and written and produced by Thomas Green.
Ditka, one of professional football's most recognizable personalities, was best known for leading the Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. His fiery coaching style, trademark mustache and relentless competitive spirit earned him the nicknames "Iron Mike" and "Da Coach."
Born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie, PA, and raised in nearby Aliquippa, Ditka played college football at the University of Pittsburgh before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft.
He made an immediate impact, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors and becoming one of the league's first tight ends to emerge as a major receiving threat. During his playing career with the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, Ditka earned five Pro Bowl selections and won NFL championships with Chicago in 1963 and Dallas in Super Bowl VI following the 1971 season.
Ditka retired as a player after the 1972 season and began his coaching career as an assistant with the Cowboys under Tom Landry. He returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982, eventually building one of the most celebrated teams in NFL history.
The 1985 Bears finished the regular season 15-1 before dominating the playoffs and defeating the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. The team's combination of defensive dominance and colorful personalities made it a cultural phenomenon, with Ditka at the center of the attention.
Ditka coached the Bears through the 1992 season and later served as head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1997-1999. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, becoming the first tight end to receive the honor.
Beyond coaching, Ditka became a familiar presence in sports broadcasting, working as an NFL analyst for CBS, NBC and ESPN. He also appeared on Chicago sports radio, including WMVP-AM, and became a pop culture figure through the recurring "Da Bears" sketches on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
His No. 89 jersey was retired by the Chicago Bears in 2013, further recognizing his contributions to the franchise as both a player and coach.
Benztown's audio tribute commemorates Ditka's career and legacy, providing radio stations with a remembrance of one of professional football's most enduring personalities.
Listen to the audio tribute here.
BIA Forecast Sees Radio Digital Growth in 2027
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 3:53pm CT |
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Local radio advertising revenue is projected to decline in 2027 as political spending subsides, but continued digital growth and opportunities in key advertiser categories offer reasons for optimism, according to BIA Advisory Services.
In a post on the Radio Advertising Bureau's (RAB) "This is Radio" blog, BIA Senior Vice President of Market Intelligence and Strategic Communications Michael Guerity outlined five opportunities for radio sellers based on the firm's September 2026 update to its U.S. Local Advertising Forecast.
BIA projects total local advertising revenue will reach $186.1 billion in 2026, an increase of $1.6 billion from its April forecast. Digital advertising is expected to account for $105.7 billion, or 56.8% of the total. Political advertising will contribute an estimated $9.7 billion, including $371.1 million for local radio across broadcast and digital platforms.
Local radio revenue is forecast to reach $12.2 billion in 2026, up 1.5% from 2025. That includes $9.8 billion in over-the-air revenue and $2.4 billion from digital advertising.
With no major election in 2027, BIA expects total radio revenue to decline to $11.4 billion. However, excluding political advertising, radio's digital revenue is projected to grow 3.4%. Digital currently accounts for approximately 20% of radio revenue and is expected to approach 25% by 2030.
"The local ad pie keeps getting bigger, and radio still has a big slice of it," Guerity wrote, noting that local radio continues to generate more advertising revenue than connected television and over-the-top streaming (CTV/OTT) and cable combined.
BIA identified finance and insurance ($2.48 billion), retail ($1.85 billion) and restaurants and food ($1.28 billion) as radio's largest advertising categories, collectively accounting for approximately half of the industry's revenue.
Among the fastest-growing categories for radio are electronics stores, with spending projected to increase 4.5%, online gambling at 4% and warehouse clubs at 3.5%.
Guerity also highlighted real estate as an underserved category. Realtors spend approximately $6.6 billion annually on local advertising, with spending projected to grow 10.3% in 2027. However, just 1.6% of their advertising budgets currently goes to radio, compared with the 7% average across all local advertisers.
CTV/OTT represents another potential revenue source for radio companies offering video advertising. Excluding political spending, BIA projects CTV/OTT advertising will grow 14.3% to $4.2 billion in 2027. The combined radio and CTV/OTT market represents a $15.6 billion opportunity, with radio's top 10 advertiser categories expected to add $200.8 million in CTV/OTT spending next year.
Audience research also strengthens radio's sales position. According to Nielsen's Audio Today 2026 report, AM/FM radio reaches 93% of U.S. adults monthly. Edison Research's Q2 2026 Share of Ear study found that radio accounts for 62% of ad-supported audio listening time.
BIA noted that agency buyers significantly underestimate radio's share of ad-supported audio, believing it accounts for just 26%.
Guerity said the challenge for radio sellers is translating the research into advertising opportunities by targeting underserved categories, expanding digital offerings and combining audio and video advertising solutions.
"The numbers can open the door," Guerity wrote. "The seller who connects those numbers to an advertiser's business is the one who can turn opportunity into revenue."
Read the full RAB This is Radio blog here.
Podtrac Releases September 2026 Podcast Rankings
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 4:56pm CT |
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Podtrac has released its September 2026 rankings of the top U.S. and global podcast publishers and networks, along with its latest list of the 20 most popular podcasts based on unique monthly audience in the U.S. According to Podtrac, eight participants in its U.S. publisher and network rankings recorded increases in U.S. downloads compared with August, while 11 reported gains in U.S. unique monthly audience.
The iHeart Audience Network maintained its top position among U.S. podcast publishers and sales networks, reaching 57.6 million unique monthly listeners and generating 285.6 million streams and downloads across 32,741 active shows.
iHeartPodcasts ranked second with 32 million unique monthly listeners and 162.3 million streams and downloads across 991 shows. NPR Sales Network followed in third place with 18 million unique listeners and 93.7 million streams and downloads from 73 shows.
Libsyn ranked fourth with 12.7 million unique listeners, followed by The Walt Disney Company in fifth with 6.9 million. Rounding out the top 10 were Vox Media, Barstool Sports, PodcastOne, Fox Audio Network and DailyWire.
In the individual podcast rankings, Audiochuck's "Crime Junkie" retained the No. 1 position, followed by The New York Times' "The Daily" at No. 2 and NPR's "NPR News Now" at No. 3. NPR's "Up First" ranked fourth, while "Dateline NBC" completed the top five.
The remainder of the top 10 included "Fox News Hourly Update," "Pardon My Take," "Pod Save America," "The Ben Shapiro Show" and "This American Life."
Several podcasts improved their positions during September. "This American Life" climbed one spot to No. 10, while "48 Hours," "The Shawn Ryan Show" and "The Dan Bongino Show" each advanced one position to Nos. 12, 13 and 14, respectively.
"My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark" rose three positions to No. 15, while ABC's "20/20" also gained three spots to reach No. 17.
The month's biggest upward move among the top 20 came from DailyWire's "Morning Wire," which climbed six positions to No. 19. Meanwhile, "The Ezra Klein Show" recorded the largest decline, falling four places to No. 16.
Podtrac's rankings are based on measured U.S. unique monthly audiences and include participating podcasts that were measured for the full reporting month. Publisher rankings also track U.S. streams and downloads across participating shows.
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