A new report finds that radio and podcast hosts are playing an increasingly central role in the creator economy, with trust and authenticity driving stronger engagement and measurable results for advertisers. The State of Audio: The Creator Effect study from Audacy positions audio creators as 'voice-first influencers,' arguing that listeners view air personalities More

Dan Bongino Returning to Westwood One in Early February

Dan Bongino

Dan Bongino is returning to his former home of Westwood One, confirming that his syndicated program and podcast will relaunch in early February following his recent departure from the FBI, where he served as Deputy Director. Appearing on "Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia," Bongino said a formal More

San Diego Radio Icon Jerry Cesak Dies at 74

Jerry Cesak

Jerry Cesak, the longtime San Diego air personality best known as "Jer" from the Jeff & Jer Showgram, died January 4, 2026, at age 74. He passed away peacefully with his wife, Pam, at his side. Born in Maryland, Cesak earned a theater degree from the University of Maryland before beginning what he More

Audacy Names Podscribe Preferred Measurement Partner

Podscribe

Audacy has named Podscribe as a preferred measurement partner beginning in 2026, expanding attribution and reporting capabilities across most of Audacy's digital portfolio. Under the agreement, Podscribe will enable attribution across streaming audio, podcasting, connected TV, and display, supported by More

Podtrac Releases December 2025 Podcast Rankings

Podtrac

Podtrac has released its Top U.S. and Global Podcast Publishers & Networks rankings, along with its Top U.S. Podcasts list for December 2025, offering a snapshot of audience and download performance heading into the end of the year. In the U.S. Publishers & Networks rankings, iHeart Audience Network More

Study: Magellan AI Helps True Native Recover Revenue

Magellan AI

True Native Media credits Magellan AI with helping the podcast network recover lost revenue, reactivate advertisers, and strengthen show development, according to a newly released case study. Founded in 2016, True Native Media was built to support independent podcasters through authentic, host-read More

Joey Brooks Exits iHeartMedia Programming Roles

Joey Brooks

Joey Brooks has departed iHeartMedia, ending his tenure as Senior Vice President of Programming overseeing WBWL/Boston and WWYZ/Hartford, along with the company's eight Connecticut stations. Brooks also served as Director of Brand Strategy & Programming for iHeartMedia's Hot AC stations nationwide. He noted More

Podcast Listening Continues Shift Toward the Home

Edison Research

A new insight from Edison Research shows that while overall audio listening has gradually moved back toward pre-pandemic patterns, podcast consumption remains increasingly centered in the home. The firm's first 2026 release from Edison Podcast Metrics builds on late-2025 findings from Share of Ear, which More

Compass Media Networks Tips Off 18th College Hoops Season

Compass Media Networks

Compass Media Networks has announced the launch of its 18th season of men's college basketball coverage, featuring 20 top-ranked regular-season matchups and exclusive post-season broadcasts of all rounds of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. Coverage begins Tuesday, January 13, with Marquette at More

NHPR Names Podglomerate Exclusive Podcast Sales Partner

The Podglomerate

New Hampshire Public Radio has entered an exclusive podcast sales partnership with The Podglomerate, naming the agency as the sole sales representative for NHPR's podcast portfolio. Under the agreement, The Podglomerate will oversee advertising sales for NHPR-produced podcasts. Rebecca Lavoie, NHPR's More

Media Institute Names Kirby Chair as Wiley Steps Down

Kathleen Kirby

The Media Institute announced that longtime Board Chair Richard E. Wiley will step down from the role on January 31, concluding more than three decades of leadership. The board has selected veteran media attorney Kathleen Kirby to succeed him. Wiley will remain active with the Institute and has been More

David Donovan to Step Down as NYSBA President in 2026

New York State Broadcasters Association

After 15 years leading the New York State Broadcasters Association, President David Donovan will step aside from the role at the end of 2026. Donovan will remain with the Association, continuing to oversee its government relations efforts, while the organization begins a search for a new president. NYSBA More

Kayla Anderson Joins Sactown Sports 1140 for Middays

Kayla Anderson

Veteran Sports radio personality Kayla Anderson has been named a new midday host at KHTK-AM (Sactown Sports 1140) in Sacramento, with her fulltime debut set for Monday, January 12. The move marks Anderson's return to full-time radio after a seven-month hiatus following her departure from 104.5 The Zone in More

The Fitness Revolution Has a Soundtrack And It's Radio

The Media Audit

As the fitness industry heads into 2026 with projected growth of 8%, new research suggests audio platforms -- particularly radio -- may offer advertisers a disproportionate share of health-club users. According to data cited from The Media Audit and investment firm MCCG Invest, More

Cat Thomas Joins SonicTrek.ai in Marketing, AI Role

Cat Thomas

Veteran radio programmer Cat Thomas has joined SonicTrek.ai in the newly created role of Director of Marketing & AI Affiliate/Talent Acquisitions, effective immediately. In his new position, Thomas will work closely with Partner and Chief Revenue Officer Mike Agovino to identify and onboard new affiliate More

Paul Castronovo Re-Ups With Big 105.9 For Multi-Year Run

Paul Castronovo

iHeartMedia's WBGG (Big 105.9) Miami has signed a new long-term agreement with veteran South Florida morning host Paul Castronovo, extending The Paul Castronovo Show for another multi-year run. Under the deal, the program will continue to air live weekdays from 6-10am on WBGG, where Castronovo has anchored More

Skyview Networks, TM Studios Form Audio Sales Partnership

Skyview Networks

Skyview Networks has announced a network audio sales partnership with TM Studios that takes effect this January. Under the agreement, Skyview Networks will gain exclusive access to TM Studios' advertising inventory across its affiliate network. Skyview's sales team will represent the More

KUPL Launches New Local Morning Show January 20

KUPL (98.7 The Bull) Portland OR

KUPL (98.7 The Bull) in Portland will debut a new, locally focused morning show on Tuesday, January 20, featuring Jeff "JR" Ramsey, Jake Byron, and Mallory Santic. The station says the new lineup is built around live, local engagement and is designed to reflect Portland's country music community. The More

Woody & Wilcox Add Two Cumulus Affiliates

Woody & Wilcox

Syndicated The Woody & Wilcox Show is continuing its expansion with the addition of two new affiliates, Cumulus Media's Classic Rock WQUT-FM in Johnson City-Kingsport and Rock WSMS-FM in Columbus-Starkville, replacing John Boy & Billy on both outlets. With the additions, the show's mix of humor, pop More

Tina Murley Joins Connoisseur Media as SVP, West

Tina Murley

Connoisseur Media has named Tina Murley Senior Vice President, Western Region and Market Manager for San Francisco and San Jose, effective immediately. Murley most recently served as Chief Revenue Officer for Beasley Broadcast Group, where she was credited with revenue growth and strategic leadership across More

CPB Board Votes to Dissolve After Federal Funding Cut

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced that its board of directors has voted to dissolve the organization after 58 years, following Congress's decision to rescind all federal funding for public broadcasting. CPB said sustained political opposition and the loss of More

92.9 FM ESPN Revamps Lineup as Geoff Calkins Exits

WMFS-FM & AM (92.9 FM ESPN) Memphis

WMFS-FM & AM (92.9 FM ESPN) Memphis has announced a series of weekday programming updates that will take effect January 12, including expanded local shows and the departure of a longtime on-air voice. Under the new schedule, "J&J" with John Martin and Jason Smith will air weekdays More

Changes & Moves

Kayla Anderson

Sports radio personality Kayla Anderson has been named a new midday host at KHTK-AM (Sactown Sports 1140) in Sacramento with More

Study: Audio Creators Drive Trust, Influence

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Study: Audio Creators Drive Trust, Influence

Follow us on:

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ®

Copyright © 1989-2026 RADIO ONLINE ^®