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Smith Named BFOA Broadcast Personality of the Year
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 3:01pm CT |
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Stephen A. Smith will receive the inaugural "Broadcast Personality of the Year Award" from the Broadcasters Foundation of America during the organization's annual gala on Monday, March 9, at the Plaza Hotel.
The BFOA Gala is the foundation's primary fundraiser, supporting broadcasters facing financial hardship due to illness or disaster. Smith becomes the first recipient of the newly created honor, recognizing his impact across television, radio, journalism, and digital media.
Known for his outspoken commentary and analysis, Smith is the featured commentator and executive producer of ESPN's First Take. He also hosts Straight Shooter, a live political and current affairs program on SiriusXM, marking a significant expansion beyond his longtime focus on sports.
"We are excited to introduce the Broadcast Personality of the Year Award, and there is no one better to be our first honoree than Stephen," said BFOA President Tim McCarthy. "There are very few in broadcasting who are as authentic. His work ethic and candid delivery make him a personality you must pay attention to on any platform."
Smith, a native of Hollis, Queens, began his media career as a high school reporter for the New York Daily News before holding several roles at the Philadelphia Inquirer, including general sports columnist. He later transitioned into radio, starting at 1050 ESPN in New York, and went on to host national programs on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio, along with local shows in New York and Los Angeles.
"I am honored to receive this recognition from Tim and the Broadcasters Foundation," Smith said. "The foundation is a unique charity that helps support those in our industry who are facing the most daunting circumstances, and I am proud to be part of this important fundraising effort."
As previously announced, the BFOA Gala will also honor VERSANT CEO and former NBCUniversal Media Group chair Mark Lazarus with the Golden Mic Award, and Judge Judy Sheindlin with the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award.
MediaCo Launches Sigma Audio Networks for Multicultural Ads
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 3:38pm CT |
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MediaCo Holding Inc. has announced the launch of Sigma Audio Networks LLC, a new multicultural audio network designed to modernize how advertisers reach America's rapidly growing diverse audiences.
Built on the foundation of MediaCo Holding Inc.'s presence across Hispanic, Black, Asian American and bicultural communities, Sigma Audio Networks consolidates national audio buying into a single, scalable platform. MediaCo's portfolio includes brands such as WBLS-FM, WQHT (HOT 97), the Estrella Network, Que Buena Los Angeles and the Don Cheto Radio Network, reaching millions of listeners nationwide.
The company says Sigma Audio was created to address long-standing challenges in multicultural audio advertising, which has often been fragmented and difficult to scale nationally despite radio's proven reach and frequency. The new network combines premium programming, digital audio and live cultural experiences into one unified national buy aligned with modern agency workflows.
"Elisa Torres, President and CEO of Sigma Audio, said the network was built to be the voice of Hispanic, Black, Asian American and bicultural audiences, while making multicultural audio buying simpler and more scalable for brands and agencies."
MediaCo executives emphasized that Sigma Audio expands the company's existing platform by utilizing its roster of talent, content and operational expertise to deliver national-scale performance for advertisers.
Study: Podcasts Reach Viewers Lost to Ad-Free Streaming
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 2:23pm CT |
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A new analysis from Cumulus Media | Westwood One and Signal Hill Insights underscores podcasts as a key channel for advertisers trying to reach consumers increasingly elusive to traditional television advertising.
The findings are drawn from the Fall 2025 installment of the Podcast Download series, based on a Quantilope study of 603 weekly podcast consumers conducted October 8-21, 2025. The research examines platform usage, content preferences, and media habits, with a particular focus on audiences migrating to ad-free video streaming services.
According to the report, podcast listeners are heavy users of video streaming platforms, with 94% having used a streaming service in the past month and 86% accessing ad-free services. Among weekly podcast consumers, Netflix leads usage at 88%, followed closely by Amazon Prime Video at 83%. While these platforms limit traditional ad exposure, the study notes that their audiences remain reachable through podcast advertising.
The research also highlights significant cord-cutting behavior. Thirty-five percent of weekly podcast consumers report having no pay-TV subscription, reinforcing podcasts' role as an alternative path to audiences no longer reachable through linear television.
Listening intensity further amplifies this trend. Heavy podcast consumers -- defined as those listening six or more hours per week -- are substantially more engaged with ad-free video streaming. This group spends an average of 6.5 hours per week with ad-free streaming services, compared to 5.8 hours among all weekly podcast listeners, and is 17% more likely to be a heavy ad-free streamer.
Additional insight from Screen Engine/ASI shows that the demographic profile of video streamers closely mirrors that of podcast and AM/FM radio listeners, not traditional linear TV viewers. Streamers tend to be younger, more likely to be employed, and more likely to have children at home, while linear TV audiences skew older.
Despite this alignment, media spending patterns remain tilted toward traditional television. Data from Kantar indicates that video streaming platforms spent $1.1 billion on linear TV advertising between January and November 2025 to promote subscriptions and programming, while allocating significantly less to podcasts and AM/FM radio.
The report argues that this imbalance presents an opportunity. With lower competitive clutter in audio, increased investment in podcasts and radio could deliver a higher share of voice -- an approach Kantar Millward Brown has linked to long-term gains in brand salience.
Read the entire blog post here.
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Joe Concha Launches Weeknight Show via Red Apple Audio
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 2:10pm CT |
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Red Apple Audio Networks will launch a new weekday evening program hosted by Joe Concha, expanding its talk lineup with Concha At Night. The show will air Monday through Friday from 9-10pm ET and will be available to stations nationwide beginning January 26.
The program debuted earlier this month in New York on flagship WABC Radio, where Concha already hosts The Joe Concha Show on Sundays. According to Nielsen Audio, the Sunday program has posted significant gains since Concha took over the time slot, including an 85% increase in Average Share and a 78% rise in Weekly Cume among listeners 12 from May to December 2025 in the New York metro.
Building on that momentum, Red Apple Audio Networks is offering the weeknight edition to affiliates across the country. The network already syndicates Concha's two-minute weekday commentary feature, Joe Concha Sounds Off.
John Catsimatidis, owner and CEO of Red Apple Media, said the expansion reflects the company's strategy of developing successful programming locally before scaling it nationally. Chad Lopez, president of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio, added that producing the show at the flagship station and distributing it through the network underscores the company's focus on premium talk content for listeners and affiliates.
Produced by WABC Radio, Concha At Night will feature media analysis, political commentary, and audience-driven discussion. Concha said the new program extends a partnership that has helped grow his Sunday show and offers an opportunity to reach a broader national audience.
Live 105 Named BARHOF Legendary Station of the Year
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 10:47am CT |
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KITS-FM (Live 105) San Francisco has been selected as the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame's (BARHOF) 2026 Legendary Station of the Year. The honor will be presented during a ceremony on January 30 at the California Historical Radio Society in Alameda. Launched in 1986, Live 105 is credited with pioneering a modern rock format in the Bay Area.
The event will bring together a wide cross-section of Live 105 alumni and current staff. Scheduled speakers include former Brand Managers Richard Sands and Mark Hamilton; former General Manager Ed Krampf; former Promotions and Marketing Director Gabby Medecki; and former Music Director Steve Masters. They will be joined by former on-air personalities Alex Bennett, Big Rick Stuart, Mike "No Name" Nelson, Spud, Lori Thompson, and Roland West, along with Vice President of Programming John Allers and hosts Aaron Axelsen, Dallas Osborn, and Marci Wiser.
"We are deeply honored and so proud to see Live 105's rich legacy recognized," said Kieran Geffert, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy San Francisco. "It's a milestone that truly reflects decades of culture, creativity, and community."
Allers added that Live 105's impact extended well beyond its market. "Very few radio stations have influenced and inspired listeners, artists, and radio professionals the way Live 105 has over its 40 years," he said.
David Jackson, founder of the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, said the station earned its reputation early and sustained it over time. "Live 105 was simply the coolest station in the Bay Area during the 1980s, into the 1990s, and beyond. And its listeners knew it was just that," Jackson said.
The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, a program of the California Historical Radio Society, preserves and presents the region's broadcast history through archival airchecks, documents, photographs, music surveys, and biographies. The organization has recognized a Legendary Station each year since 2009.
Nielsen: Black Culture Drives Media, Sports & Buying Power
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 10:43am CT |
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Black audiences continue to shape culture, media consumption, and consumer behavior, according to Nielsen's 2026 Diverse Intelligence Series: The Black Influence, marking the report's 15th anniversary. The study finds that authentic representation is no longer optional for brands seeking engagement, loyalty, and growth among Black consumers.
Nielsen reports that 67% of Black consumers pay more attention to brands that reflect their culture, compared with 46% of consumers overall. The consequences of missing that mark are growing: seven in ten Black consumers say they will stop buying from brands perceived as devaluing their community, up from 66% two years ago. Representation, the report notes, now directly affects purchase decisions, brand trust, and long-term loyalty.
Media usage patterns underscore Black audiences' influence. Black viewers spend nearly five more hours per week with live TV than the total U.S. population and remain highly engaged on social media while watching. At the same time, streaming's share of Black viewing has climbed sharply since 2022, with free, ad-supported streaming services drawing disproportionate engagement. Although Black viewers make up about 13% of the TV population, they account for nearly one-third of total FAST viewing, according to Nielsen.
The report also highlights the growing role of creators, podcasts, and digital platforms. Black audiences are more likely than average to follow creators across platforms, watch video podcasts, and act on podcast advertising. Nielsen notes that Black podcast listeners are twice as likely to visit a retail location based on a podcast ad, reinforcing audio's continued strength and radio's broad reach within the Black community.
Sports remains another key driver. Nielsen finds Black fans are among the most passionate sports consumers, with strong interest across multiple leagues and events. Black audiences are more likely to identify as Olympics fans ahead of the 2026 Winter Games and show higher purchase intent when brands align with athletes, creators, or organizations connected to their fandoms.
Across media, retail, sports, and entertainment, Nielsen's central conclusion is consistent: superficial inclusion is no longer enough. Brands that invest in informed, culturally authentic strategies are more likely to capture Black audience attention and translate that engagement into measurable business results.
Larry O'Connor Named Editor of Townhall.com
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 10:28am CT |
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Townhall Media, a subsidiary of Salem Media Group, has appointed Larry O'Connor as Editor of Townhall.com, effective immediately. O'Connor, who has been part of the Townhall Media family since 2016, has written for Townhall and HotAir and hosts the daily live podcast LARRY, which airs weekdays at noon on Townhall.com and YouTube. The program is also heard weekday mornings on WMAL in Washington, DC.
In his new role, O'Connor will oversee editorial strategy and guide the site's coverage of conservative news, commentary, and analysis. Townhall Media said he brings decades of experience across writing, podcasts, broadcast media, and live events, along with a track record of audience growth and editorial leadership.
O'Connor is also a frequent lecturer at Hillsdale College and The Heritage Foundation, and previously worked as editor of Breitbart TV under Andrew Breitbart.
"Townhall has been a cornerstone of the conservative movement for decades," O'Connor said in a statement, adding that he looks forward to building on the platform's legacy and supporting its contributors.
Jonathan Garthwaite, Publisher of Townhall Media, said O'Connor brings credibility and experience to the role and will lead the site's coverage during what he described as a critical period in the country.
Nueva Network Promotes Three Execs Ahead of 5th Anniversary
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 10:34am CT |
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As it prepares to mark its fifth anniversary in 2026, Nueva Network has announced the promotion of three senior executives, following a year of expansion across audio, digital, and video platforms.
Jim Lyke has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales Operations. A media executive with more than 25 years of experience, including over two decades in network sales, Lyke joined Nueva Network last year. In his new role, he will oversee network sales and manage day-to-day operations, with a focus on supporting the company's continued growth and integrated advertising solutions.
Grace Agostino has been elevated to Senior Vice President of Sales and Corporate Communications. While continuing to manage several of the network's priority accounts, Agostino will also serve as the company's primary industry spokesperson. Nueva Network reports that its audio network reaches 97% of U.S. Hispanics, supported by a growing portfolio of digital offerings including streaming audio, video, and content creation.
Ben Finley has been named Vice President of Business Development following what the company described as a record-setting year in 2025. Finley helped add multiple high-value clients, contributing to a network that now reaches 75 million monthly unique users. He will continue to lead client growth efforts while supporting broader business development initiatives across the organization.
"These promotions mark a pivotal moment as we enter our fifth year of operation," said Jose Villafane, founder and CEO of Nueva Network. He added that the expanded leadership team is positioned to guide the company's next phase as it builds on its digital platforms, podcast network, and video capabilities.
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Auddia Launches Discovr Radio AI Promotion Platform
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 10:38am CT |
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Auddia Inc. has launched Discovr Radio, an AI-powered platform designed to connect artists and labels with radio streaming audiences through targeted music discovery. The platform is scheduled to go live January 20, beginning with a pilot group of roughly 300 customers. Auddia said additional artists and labels will be onboarded weekly, with expansion tied to user growth on the company's faidr app.
Discovr Radio allows artists and labels to place music directly into AM/FM radio streaming feeds during traditional advertising slots. Using Auddia's proprietary AI Placement Engine, the system matches songs to listeners based on contextual, behavioral, and listening data, with the goal of delivering guaranteed plays while maintaining a continuous listening experience.
Theo Romeo, Auddia's chief marketing officer, said the launch marks a shift from concept to active deployment, offering artists measurable exposure while presenting listeners with music aligned to their preferences.
At launch, Discovr Radio is integrated exclusively within the faidr app, which serves as the platform's initial distribution partner. Listeners can interact with Discovr-inserted tracks by liking or disliking songs, viewing artist profiles, and exploring new music without interrupting playback.
The platform also includes an Artist Portal that provides campaign analytics and engagement metrics, including total and partial plays, skips, listener reactions, geographic and station-level data, and cost-per-play reporting.
Auddia CEO Jeff Thramann said the company aims to balance the interests of listeners, artists, and radio operators by combining AI-driven placement with guaranteed plays and transparent performance data, positioning Discovr Radio as a scalable discovery tool within the radio streaming ecosystem.
MIW Names Farber Mentorship in Management Class of 2026
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has announced the MIW Erica Farber Mentorship in Management Class of 2026. The year-long program selects four women from across the radio industry to participate in structured mentorship aimed at leadership development and career advancement. The 2026 class represents a cross-section of radio disciplines, including sales, programming, and digital operations.
The Class of 2026 includes:
- Angela Williams, Manager of Business Operations, Crawford Media Group, Chicago
- Bridget England, Program Director and Morning Show Host, 96 Rock, Cincinnati (Cumulus)
- Cassie Reimold, Regional Digital Sales Manager, Salem Media, Tampa, Orlando, and Atlanta
- Kelly Harlow Pruitt, General Sales Manager, Cumulus Media, Indianapolis
The mentorship program honors the legacy of Erica Farber, a longtime industry executive recognized for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of women in broadcasting.
Jenna Miller, Chair of the 2026 MIW Mentoring Committee, said the new class reflects the depth of talent emerging across the audio industry and will benefit from expanded professional tools and connections throughout the program year.
MIW Board President Sheila Kirby thanked sponsor WideOrbit for its continued support, noting that the program is intended to help prepare the next generation of industry leaders while reinforcing Farber's lasting impact.
Additional information about the Class of 2026 and previous mentorship cohorts is available from Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio here.
NRB Urges FCC to Keep TV Ownership Caps, Ease AM Limits
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 19, 2026 | 5:20pm CT |
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The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is urging the Federal Communications Commission to reject further consolidation of television station ownership while adopting a more flexible approach to AM radio ownership, according to comments filed in the FCC's 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review.
In its filing, NRB argues that additional consolidation at the national or local television level would disproportionately harm independent, faith-based, and educational broadcasters that lack the scale and capital of large station groups. The organization warns that relaxing ownership limits would reduce viewpoint diversity, weaken localism, and threaten public-interest programming that relies on local commitment rather than national efficiencies.
NRB opposes any changes to the national television ownership cap, currently set by Congress at 39% of U.S. television households, and urges the Commission to maintain existing local television ownership rules, including safeguards that prevent a single owner from controlling multiple top-rated stations in the same market. The group says loosening those rules would raise acquisition costs, concentrate advertising markets, and make it harder for independent operators to compete.
On radio, NRB takes a split position. The organization supports eliminating local ownership caps for AM radio, citing longstanding technical and economic challenges facing the band and arguing that greater flexibility could help preserve service, encourage investment, and sustain local news and emergency information-particularly in rural and underserved communities.
By contrast, NRB urges the FCC to retain existing FM ownership limits, warning that further consolidation in FM could erode local ownership and reduce opportunities for mission-driven programming tailored to community needs.
The filing also highlights broader marketplace changes, including the decline of traditional cable and satellite distribution and the rise of streaming platforms, which NRB says place independent broadcasters at a growing disadvantage. The group contends that these trends make strong ownership safeguards more important, not less, if the Commission is to preserve local control, diversity of voices, and educational and community-focused programming.
NAB Urges FCC to Scrap Outdated Local Ownership Caps
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 5:31pm CT |
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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to modernize local radio and television ownership rules it says no longer reflect today's media marketplace.
In its filing in the FCC's 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review, NAB argues that local broadcasters remain constrained by ownership limits crafted nearly a century ago, even as they compete against digital platforms and Big Tech companies that face no comparable restrictions. According to NAB, the current rules artificially limit broadcasters' ability to grow, invest in local operations, and effectively serve their communities.
NAB contends that the record in the proceeding provides no credible justification for retaining local radio and TV ownership caps, noting that opponents of reform rely on outdated data and legal arguments that fail to account for the modern competitive landscape. The association also points out that the FCC already reviews broadcast transactions to determine whether license transfers serve the public interest, making blanket ownership caps unnecessary and inflexible across widely varying local markets.
The filing further argues that eliminating these restrictions would better position local broadcasters to compete with dominant digital platforms while continuing to deliver diverse, community-focused programming. NAB is urging the Commission to act swiftly, warning that continued delay in updating the rules threatens the long-term vitality of local radio and television stations.
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Urban One Sets 10-for-1 Reverse Stock Split
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 1:02pm CT |
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Urban One said its board has approved a 10-for-1 reverse stock split covering all classes of its common stock, including the publicly traded Class A and Class D shares. Stockholders had previously authorized the move on June 18, 2025, granting the board discretion on the final ratio.
The company said the action is intended to regain compliance with Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing of its Class D common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The reverse split is expected to take effect at 11:59 p.m. on January 22, with Class A and Class D shares beginning to trade on a split-adjusted basis on January 23. Class A shares will continue to trade under the symbol UONE with a new CUSIP number of 91705J 303, while Class D shares will continue to trade under the symbol UONEK with a new CUSIP number of 91705J 402.
Under the terms of the split, every 10 shares of issued and outstanding Class A or Class D common stock will be automatically converted into one share of the same class. No fractional shares will be issued; stockholders otherwise entitled to a fractional share will receive cash in lieu, based on the closing price of the applicable class on the effective date.
Urban One said the reverse stock split will be implemented simultaneously and at the same ratio for all classes of its common stock and will not change stockholders' proportional ownership or voting power, except for minor adjustments related to fractional share treatment. The company added that the action will not affect its underlying business operations or total stockholders' equity.
Alex Siciliano to Exit NAB Communications Role
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 12:58pm CT |
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National Association of Broadcasters Senior Vice President of Communications Alex Siciliano will depart the organization at the end of next week after deciding to pursue another professional opportunity.
In a note shared with industry contacts, Siciliano said it had been an honor to work on behalf of America's broadcasters and thanked colleagues and media partners for their professionalism and trust. He did not disclose details about his next role but said he expects to share more information in the future.
During the transition, Grace Whaley, who was promoted to director earlier this year, along with Judianne Meredith, will serve as primary points of contact for NAB communications.
Siciliano was appointed to the Senior Vice President role in February 2023, leading NAB's communications team and overseeing media outreach, messaging strategy, and advocacy communications. He also served as the association's chief spokesperson and an advisor to senior leadership within the Public Affairs department, led by Michelle Lehman.
Before joining NAB, Siciliano spent more than a decade in congressional roles and political campaigns, most recently serving as deputy chief of staff to former U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado.
97.9 WRMF's KVJ Show Unveils ''Captain Crust''
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 1:34pm CT |
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Jason Pennington and Virginia Sinicki of 97.9 WRMF West Palm Beach's KVJ Show have turned their on-air camaraderie into a community give-back, creating a superhero duo -- Captain Crust and Princess Pepperoni -- and launching a grassroots initiative called "The Power of Pizza."
The campaign aims to surprise members of "The KVJ Nation" with free pizza deliveries designed to lift spirits and spread goodwill. "Anything is possible through the power of pizza," Captain Crust quips.
Earlier this week, the duo delivered stacks of pizzas to The Learning Center School in Royal Palm Beach, a public charter school serving students on the autism spectrum. The visit turned into a celebration, with students greeting the heroes with hugs and staging a mini concert during lunch.
Beyond schools, Captain Crust and Princess Pepperoni have also delivered pizza to several local children's hospitals and two area shelters for abused women, extending the effort across South Florida.
A short video from one of their appearances is available on YouTube, showcasing the lighthearted costumes and the smiles the campaign is generating as it rolls through the community. Watch it here.
Podcast Explores Roald Dahl's Hidden Life as Spy & Writer
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 16, 2026 | 2:37pm CT |
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iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment have announced the launch of "The Secret World of Roald Dahl," a new documentary podcast series examining the little-known personal history of one of the world's most famous children's authors. The series, from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, premieres Monday, January 19 and marks the sixth title released under the companies' original podcast collaboration.
Hosted and created by Aaron Tracy, the podcast explores the hidden life of Roald Dahl, detailing his experiences as a World War II fighter pilot, British intelligence operative with MI6, Hollywood screenwriter, and medical innovator, long before becoming the author of children's classics including Willy Wonka, Matilda, and The BFG.
According to the announcement, the series examines how Dahl's covert work, personal relationships, creative struggles, and controversial aspects of his life influenced the stories that later defined his career. The podcast blends investigative reporting with narrative storytelling to present a more complex portrait of the author and his legacy.
Tracy said the series aims to reveal the lesser-known chapters of Dahl's life, noting that his varied experiences -- from espionage to neuroscience -- preceded his success as a children's writer, which came in his mid-40s.
Nathan Kloke, Executive Producer for Imagine Audio, said the project offered a rare opportunity to explore Dahl's humanity and contradictions, while Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, described the series as an example of the company's focus on premium documentary storytelling centered on untold stories.
Executive producers for Imagine Audio include Kara Welker and Nathan Kloke. The podcast will be released weekly on Mondays and distributed by iHeartPodcasts, available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms.
Local Radio Drives $437B, Supports 909K U.S. Jobs
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 1:11pm CT |
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A new economic study finds that free, local radio remains a powerful engine of the U.S. economy, generating $437 billion in annual GDP and supporting more than 909,000 jobs nationwide, underscoring radio's role as essential infrastructure in communities across the country.
The analysis, conducted by Woods & Poole Economics with support from BIA Advisory Services, measures the full economic footprint of local broadcast radio and television. While the combined impact totals $1.19 trillion in GDP and 2.46 million jobs, radio alone accounts for more than one-third of that activity, driven by its reach, advertising effectiveness, and role in local information delivery.
According to the study, local radio directly generates nearly $20 billion in GDP and employs about 115,000 people, spanning air talent, journalism, engineering, sales, and operations. Beyond station payrolls, radio creates a significant ripple effect across other industries -- supporting an additional $47.8 billion in GDP and 287,000 jobs through supplier spending and employee household consumption.
The largest economic contribution comes from radio's advertising impact. By providing free, over-the-air access to product and service information, radio advertising stimulates $369 billion in economic activity and supports more than 506,000 jobs, helping local businesses reach customers efficiently while fueling broader consumer demand.
Beyond economics, the study highlights radio's unique public-service role. Local stations are a cornerstone of the nation's Emergency Alert System, capable of reaching audiences during wildfires, hurricanes, and other crises-even when power, broadband, or mobile networks fail. Radio also remains a primary source of trusted local news, community events, and sports, available without subscription fees or internet access.
"No other industry gives more to Americans for free," said Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters. He added that the findings reinforce broadcasting's importance not only to democracy and public safety, but to the strength of the U.S. economy.
As policymakers weigh changes to media and communications policy, the report concludes that free, local radio continues to deliver outsized economic and civic value -- supporting jobs, enabling commerce, and ensuring every community has access to critical information, regardless of income or connectivity.
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