Radio And Podcasts Own 83% Of Ad-Supported Audio Time in Q3
News/Talk still tops the dial, Adult Contemporary still leads music, and younger listeners are finding their favorites in Country, Pop, and Alternative. Nielsen’s latest quarterly look at radio formats finds steady listening across the board as football season kicked off and baseball headed to its pennant races.
Latest Headlines
SiriusXM Getting New CEO as Jennifer Witz Steps Down
After nearly 25 years at SiriusXM, almost six of them as CEO, Jennifer Witz is stepping down. Her successor is already on the board. Anjali Sud, now Tubi's CEO, takes over January 1.
MediaCo Keeps Buying Time From Its Lenders
MediaCo's lenders are handing it another short runway. The multicultural broadcaster has secured a one-month extension on a key loan, but the agent's acknowledgment that defaults are continuing keeps the pressure on a company already carrying a going concern warning from its auditors.
Christmas Radio Listeners Push Back on Early Holiday Starts
Thanksgiving used to be the All-Christmas demarcation line for radio. No Bing until the leftovers are in the fridge. But over the past decade, start dates for the flip have moved earlier and earlier. Now new research suggests listeners may be pushing back.
Public Backs Permanent DST Despite Radio’s Warnings
AM radio has made its case against permanent daylight saving time, but with President Donald Trump renewing his call for the Senate to lock the clocks, polling shows most would take the extra evening light over the mornings broadcasters are fighting for.
The 2026 Season of Giving Tally Opens With $287K In Week One
Radio Ink’s Season of Giving Tally 2026 is under way, and the first week brought two very different wins for local causes. With last year’s record to beat, the call is out for every holiday radiothon, drive, and benefit still to come headed toward Thanksgiving.
The End Is Near (And It’s Better With More Sales)
(Loyd Ford) Using non-selling hours to research prospects, develop questions, and prepare for meaningful interaction is a practice that pays well. However, we all know there will be times when you want to arrive with ideas and offer fast-turnaround opportunities for local advertisers.
Our Print Magazine: Radio Ink
The Forecast Issue
Annual Legal and Brokers Roundtables
Who’s Doing the Heavy Lifting in Your Commercial?
(Jeffrey Hedquist) A voice-over can carry the information that real people would never say to each other. Here’s how to let the announcer do the heavy lifting in your dialogue spots.
Senate Democrat Renews Pressure on Carr Over FCC Records
Democrats’ First Amendment fight with the Trump administration is closing in on Brendan Carr. Sen. Richard Blumenthal wants FCC records to start flowing this month, and he is warning of alternative measures if they do not, as a Democratic majority prepares to take over Congress.
Where Will You Be on Thursday?
Competitors would prefer you stay home. Dozens of broadcasters, ad buyers, lawyers, and deal advisers will not. Forecast returns to Manhattan with more than 70 organizations represented, and a last call is out for anyone still deciding whether to be in the room.
Frusher Moves to a New Mission With KHCB Development Role
From the pulpit to the mission field to the donor table, Vance Frusher's career has centered on building relationships for Christian organizations. Now he is bringing that experience to KHCB Media Group, where he takes on fundraising and supporter engagement as Senior Director of Development.
KUNC And RMPM News Get A Community-First Leader
Engaged journalism is getting an executive seat at Rocky Mountain Public Media. A new VP will tie KUNC News and Rocky Mountain PBS News to community listening, aiming for a unified strategy that still honors each newsroom's own voice and the stories others overlook.
Gabe & Angie Trade Fargo Mornings For Twin Cities PM Drive
Gabe Glidden and Angie Morales will host afternoon drive on Hubbard Media That Connects' KS95 (KSTP) in Minneapolis-St. Paul beginning December 28. They were most recently hosts of the Gabe & Angie Morning Show on Hubbard's BIG 98.7 in Fargo.
iHeartRadio Launches ‘Lite Mode’ for Faster App Listening
Sometimes listeners want to browse, and sometimes they just want their station. iHeartRadio is adding a toggle to its mobile app that strips the homepage down to Presets, Recently Played, and Local Radio, giving users a one-tap switch between the full app and a leaner “Lite Mode.”
iHeart Stays on Top of Triton’s September Podcast Ranker
Nothing moved at the top of Triton Digital's latest podcast rankings. The same three shows held their spots, iHeart Audience Network stayed far ahead of every rival in the sales network report, and a new Bomani Jones program arrived among the month's debuts.
Buzz Knight’s Takin’ A Walk Returns to Rock Hall Archives
A second batch of conversations is headed to Cleveland. Buzz Knight Media Productions has had new episodes of two music podcasts accepted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives, adding to a collection that began with Knight's first donation in 2024.
