SiriusXM Media just made a major power move in audio advertising. The company announced an exclusive partnership with Google, making SiriusXM Media the sole U.S. advertising representative for YouTube audio inventory.
It’s a landmark deal connecting two of the biggest names in audio and digital media.
For the first time, advertisers gain access to guaranteed impressions at scale across YouTube’s audio content. That includes podcasts, music, and talk shows — wherever listeners engage with audio-first content.
Scott Walker, SiriusXM’s Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, didn’t downplay the significance.
“Audio is one of the most powerful mediums for listeners, creators, and advertisers alike,” Walker said. “By partnering with YouTube, a true leader in ad-supported content consumption, we’re uniting our unique skillset with their audience, creating an unparalleled opportunity for marketers and creators to grow their businesses.”
YouTube’s Romana Pawar, Senior Director of Product for YouTube Ads, echoed that sentiment.
“By partnering with SiriusXM Media, we are making it easier than ever for advertisers to tap into these high-attention moments,” said Pawar.
A joint SiriusXM Media and Edison Research study found over 212 million monthly U.S. listeners engage with audio-first content on YouTube. Combined with SiriusXM Media’s existing portfolio, the platform now reaches 255 million monthly listeners — nearly 90% of the U.S. population aged 13 and older.
The buying experience runs through AdsWizz Inc.’s ad tech platform. Starting this fall, brands can purchase guaranteed YouTube audio impressions directly through SiriusXM Media alongside its existing inventory.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
WrestleMania 42 delivered big — and the numbers prove it. WWE, a TKO Group Holdings company, confirmed the two-night event ranks among the highest-grossing in company history.
Gate, sponsorship, merchandise, and digital metrics all hit record or near-record levels.
Over two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the event drew 106,072 fans. Attendees came from all 50 states and more than 69 countries.
WrestleMania 42 locked in a record 32 marketing partners. Sponsors included Snickers, 2K, Riyadh Season, and Dodge Ram among others. The TV numbers were equally strong. WrestleMania Saturday topped ESPN2 as the most-viewed telecast of the year. WrestleMania Sunday led the entire weekend on ESPN.
ESPN has not released official viewership data for the weekend event.
Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk on Sunday night to claim the World Heavyweight Championship. Saturday’s main event saw Cody Rhodes retain his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton, despite interference from Pat McAfee.
WWE World, a five-day fan experience run in partnership with Fanatics, posted all-time highs in paid experience sales. The event also debuted a dedicated lounge for Club WWE Gold members.
On social, WrestleMania 42 generated more than 1.3 billion views across all platforms. That’s an 18 percent jump over the record set at WrestleMania 41.
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93Q Country in Houston has parted ways with midday host Gerardo Sproet, and the station is already hunting for his replacement.
Sproet was a homegrown talent. The Houston native joined KKBQ’s promotions department in 2019 and worked his way on-air by 2022.
He earned an evening slot in July 2023, then moved to middays in January 2025. He filled a gap left by Corey Dillon, who departed in October 2024 after three and a half years.
93Q wasted no time posting a job listing. The station wants someone “fun, compelling, talented, professional” who understands “how to create great radio in a PPM-friendly environment.” That’s a tall order — but a clear one.
Sproet addressed his exit on Facebook. Listeners responded quickly, with many expressing surprise at the news.
KKBQ broadcasts on 92.9 FM and serves Greater Houston under its Houston’s Country Leader brand. Urban One owns the station. It has earned multiple ACM Radio Station of the Year honors, making it one of the market’s most decorated outlets.
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The Museum of Broadcast Communications has unveiled the nominees for the Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The 24 nominees were selected by the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The group also received input from industry professionals and listeners.
Voting begins Friday, April 24, and runs through May 8. Nearly 1,000 industry members will receive ballots. Voters can select up to six nominees. Balloting will be conducted by Votem.com and overseen by Miller Kaplan partner Andrew Rosen.
“This special group of individuals and programs nominated for induction in 2026 epitomizes the wide spectrum of talented individuals our industry is fortunate to rely on and build large audiences around,” said Kraig Kitchin, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame. “My congratulations to each of them. What they’ve accomplished is truly special.”
The top six vote-getters will earn induction. The nominating committee will select additional inductees.
This year’s nominees include:
Andie Summers
Big D & Bubba
B-ob Stroud
Boomer Esiason
Charlie Van Dyke
Enrique Santos
Fred Winston
Funkmaster Flex
Helen Little
Joey Reynolds
John & Ken
Johnny Magic
Kevin Matthews
Kid Leo
Larry Elder
Lee Arnold
Monica May
Pat Hughes
Raul Brindis
Rickey Smiley
Ryan Cameron
Shotgun Tom Kelly
The Electrifying Mojo
Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!
The Class of 2026 will be revealed on May 20. Honorees will be celebrated October 8 at a ceremony taking place at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago. Co-Chairman Dennis Green said, “An outstanding group of broadcasters has been nominated for induction into the 2026 Radio Hall of Fame class.”
The Radio Hall of Fame was founded in 1988 by Emerson Radio. The Museum of Broadcast Communications has operated it since 1991.
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In the United States, few sporting events grab the nation’s collective attention like the Super Bowl. However, even the Super Bowl pales in comparison to the global reach of the World Cup. Fifty days from today, FOX Soccer analyst Alexi Lalas will be one of the guiding voices of the network’s expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, as the eyes of the world turn to the United States hosting the tournament for the first time since 1994.
“There’s nothing better than the World Cup, except for one thing. That’s a home World Cup,” notes Lalas, who played in every game of the 1994 World Cup for the United States.
The return of the beautiful game’s premier tournament to American soil this summer carries special significance for several reasons. This World Cup marks the first time the tournament will be hosted by three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will also be the first edition to feature 48 participating nations.
Moreover, the tournament represents both an opportunity and a responsibility, according to Lalas. This will be his ninth straight World Cup as a lead analyst for an American broadcast audience. The opportunity lies in showcasing how far the United States has come as a soccer nation. At the same time, the responsibility of presenting the game properly on FOX Sports remains as important as ever.
“The pride that I feel for what’s about to happen. It’s hard to measure it. I’m incredibly privileged to say that I’ve grown up and call myself a citizen of this great country of the greatest country in the world. The responsibility to hosting the World Cup on the broadcast, I don’t take that lightly,” said Lalas. “I want to make sure that the World Cup is celebrated in the way it should be.”
The start of 2026 has already stirred national pride among American sports fans, particularly through international competition. Lalas pointed to the country rallying behind the United States gold medal-winning hockey team in the Milan Winter Olympics, as well as the enthusiasm surrounding the World Baseball Classic.
He now looks forward to that same sense of pride as the United States rallies around the World Cup on home soil for the first time in 32 years.
“Americans are looking for ways to celebrate our country,” said Lalas. “Americans want to come together and celebrate this country, even if it’s just for a few hours. Currently, there’s very few things unfortunately that enable us to do that. This World Cup could do that and celebrate the country through the lens of soccer.”
The impact of a World Cup on a host nation can last for generations. Following the 1994 U.S. squad, of which Lalas was a part, Major League Soccer launched just two years later. More than three decades on, investment and resources dedicated to growing the game in the United States have reached unprecedented levels.
Now, with 50 days until kickoff, Lalas believes FOX Sports’ broadcast approach should embrace the past while highlighting the sport’s growth in America.
“I don’t think you can tell the story of the summer of 2026 without referencing the incredible evolution of the sport from 1994,” notes Lalas. “We’re going to lean into what happened before with a look ahead… It’s important to look back and see how far we’ve come. This summer could be that moment to celebrate how far we have come. American soccer has certainly come a long way.”
Since stepping away from the game, Lalas has become a prominent voice in soccer coverage. His honest and unapologetic analysis has earned both praise and criticism.
For Lalas, authenticity defines his approach. He embraces the entertainment aspect of his role while remaining true to himself.
“I love the entertainment aspect of the job I’m in. I don’t care if you agree with me or not, just don’t change the channel,” said Lalas. “I’ve always approached my role by taking what I do seriously, but not take myself too seriously. That’s why I always attempt to discuss the game how I would want view the game.”
After eight straight World Cup broadcasts, Lalas still gets asked whether he truly believes what he says on television. His answer is always yes, though he welcomes differing perspectives and healthy debate.
However, he insists he has never tried to “spoon-feed” his audience, believing that approach lacks authenticity and ultimately damages credibility.
“It’s a simple and beautiful game. People will get it. But I always wanted to be able to talk about it in the same manner other sports are discussed. That, to me, is credibility,” says Lalas. “People will ‘sus’ you out quick if they think you’re being inauthentic or untruthful. The way I say something is always as important as what I say.”
Authentically American
Lalas says his commentary philosophy is rooted in being informative, entertaining, and accessible—without talking down to viewers or gatekeeping new fans from the World Cup experience.
That mindset also led him to expand his brand in 2018 with the launch of the State of the Union podcast through FOX Sports. He co-hosts the show with FOX Sports researcher and writer David Mosse, taking an approach that doesn’t try to appeal to everyone.
Instead, Lalas focuses on viewing the global game through the lens of an American soccer fan.
“We wanted to give people a digestible piece of content on what’s going on around the world through red, white, and blue colored glasses,” explained Lalas. “If you’re an American soccer fan, we attempt to explain why you should care about the soccer stories from around the world with American ties… It’s amazing to see people in public and mention to me the podcast first. It blows my mind.”
The World Cup provides a global stage for the sport’s biggest stars to showcase themselves to a massive audience. It also offers American players that same opportunity at home, even as many build their reputations overseas.
Lalas emphasized that players must be strategic with that opportunity, much like he was during his own World Cup experience in 1994.
“We didn’t call it a brand when I played. But the way that I looked, acted, and persona that I had in 1994 was strategic. I knew what I was doing,” said Lalas. “If I was one of these players that’s going to play this summer, the fact is there’s a lot of people that don’t know who you are this summer. For your brand and the American market, you have to grab onto this with both hands if you’re smart.”
The former center back should know. Lalas turned his 1994 World Cup experience into a marketing springboard, leading to opportunities across the sport. Today, he advises players on how to transition from playing careers into successful media roles.
With 50 days until kickoff, Lalas—who wore the jersey 32 years ago—holds high expectations for the United States on home soil. Hosting the World Cup, he believes, should raise the bar.
“I’m sick of low expectations for this team,” said Lalas. “This isn’t a grumpy old man talking. This generation has been given more than any other generation in terms of resources, facilities, and opportunities from a very young age. With that, comes higher expectations… I hope that this team grabs ahold of this opportunity and enables us to celebrate our country through their efforts.”
For Alexi Lalas, the countdown to the World Cup isn’t just measured in days—it’s measured in possibility. A chance to honor the past, elevate the present, and inspire what comes next.
Because when the World Cup returns home, it’s not just the game that takes center stage—it’s the country itself.
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The NFL Draft is a spectacle like none other. Even before reality television, the seven-round televised event remained the single best real-time reality show in sports and entertainment. No script, all drama. However, despite the many advancements ESPN has made with its presentation, the age of social media continues to add a layer the league and its network partners loathe.
Pick tipping is real. It’s a disease that spoils narrative and eliminates surprise. However, without social media, the NFL Draft is not nearly as popular as it has become. One giant reality show social experiment where everyone is an expert and has a hot take.
That’s why I appreciate insiders like ESPN’s Peter Schrager and others who have pleaded in previous years to put down the phone. It’s a delicate balance for the league to manage. An ironic one, too, with figures who break news on social media serving as messengers urging restraint from that same space—especially when the corrective course sits within the league’s control.
I’ve been part of local NFL Draft broadcasts, both on-site and in-studio. No other event leads to more browser refreshing than the NFL Draft. There’s a constant search to see which “insider” is tipping picks year in and year out.
Information equals engagement in a click-like-and-subscribe culture driven by social media. Want more followers? Use the access you have to boost your social presence over a three-day period. Everyone is a source, but the information ultimately spreads the same way.
Broadcasters Need Pick-Tipping
For broadcasters and creators, timing is crucial. Those in control rooms often have a lead on which production piece to cue once Commissioner Roger Goodell finishes speaking. The massive volume of pre-produced highlight reels and graphic packages—assembled over months—becomes difficult to execute cleanly without notice.
POLL: More Americans (77 percent) are saying they want to watch the NFL Draft without seeing picks spoiled by pick tippers online. Let’s listen to their preference, folks. End pick-tipping now. pic.twitter.com/MzrK5GgrGf
Without that heads-up, broadcast execution risks becoming clunky, and mistakes can occur. Even with the greatest reality show in sports, networks and local broadcasters still strive for flawless execution.
On-site, the challenge intensifies. Hosting an NFL Draft broadcast while carrying knowledge of more than 270 prospects is impossible. Any small tip or confirmation that a team is—not could be—selecting a certain player helps broadcasters shine and earn credibility with audiences in real time.
Tipping picks isn’t just about spoiling the spectacle; it also helps broadcasters and networks prepare.
“There is no valor in spoiling an NFL draft pick,” said ESPN’s Peter Schrager on his latest Schrager Hour podcast. “Don’t give that joy or that ‘atta boy’ to those that are leaking it beforehand.”
Schrager is simply the latest to echo the call to put the phone down. Yet just two years earlier, on an ESPN alt-cast of the NFL Draft, Pat McAfee’s NFL Draft Spectacularleaned into tipping, revealing many first-round picks ahead of any other program,
If this is such a major concern for the NFL, here’s the fix: don’t reveal the information until Goodell announces it.
My annual plea to put the phone away and to just enjoy the NFL Draft.
I'm anti pick tipping, and it's got nothing to do with my employers.
If the NFL truly wants the excitement and drama that make reality TV compelling, then go all in on eliminating spoilers. Trust your networks and broadcast partners to work within the information you choose to withhold. Why not even turn that process into a behind-the-scenes documentary for ESPN and NFL Network?
Engagement Is Vital
Is having information ahead of time valuable to broadcasts across the country? Yes. However, if the issue has grown to the point where insiders across multiple networks are telling audiences to put their phones down, is that really the right message?
The NFL should want that engagement on social media. A league driven by fan voices should never tell its audience to stay quiet, sit back, and simply consume the experience.
Even tipped picks from those with league-provided access still generate engagement around an event the NFL has built into a primetime spectacle.
The truth is, you can’t have it both ways.
The NFL has spent decades turning the Draft into a three-day content machine—one built on anticipation, access, and the very information ecosystem it now wants to restrain. You can’t empower insiders, reward scoops, and fuel the social media fire, then act surprised when it burns a little too hot.
Because this isn’t really about spoilers. It’s about control.
If the league wants the moment to belong to the podium, then own it. Close the leaks, tighten the circle, and make the announcement the first and only source of truth. It would be an interesting test to see who truly stands out on broadcasts across the country—and who earns the praise they receive.
However, if the league continues feeding the information economy surrounding the Draft, then pick tipping isn’t a bug—it’s a feature. Lean into it instead of rejecting it.
Maybe, in its own chaotic way, it’s part of what makes the NFL Draft what it is: imperfect, unpredictable, and impossible to look away from—even if you already know what’s coming.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
When WLTW hit #1 adults in my first rating book in the fall of 1996, I quickly learned of the station’s tradition. General Manager Rona Landy took the entire staff out for a #1 celebration dinner. We were #1 a lot at WLTW, and the #1 celebration dinner was a big deal for everyone on the staff.
When we missed the mark, even salespeople would come by to ask if there was anything they could do to help the station hit #1 again. It was a total team effort. When the station became the #1 billing station in America years later, we all celebrated that. For me, as a programmer, to see those ratings turned into revenue in such a huge way was definitely cause for celebration.
As my time in New York passed, those staff get-togethers happened less frequently. There was the relaunch of WNEW as NEW 102-7, when the programming staff overindulged in dinner and drink. Then, just yearly morning show lunches at Carbone, where I had to personally supplement what I could expense as we celebrated their growth as a show.
Scott Shannon got it. He always celebrated his people. Just ask his morning show producer how many carrot cakes he bought at CBS-FM.
We could blame COVID for changing everything. People working from home for months destroyed the team bonding. As convenient as Zoom can be, there is nothing like that personal contact. Thoughts, feelings, and ideas seem to be better shared in social situations.
Now in 2026, staffs and budgets are even smaller. Discretionary spending on dinners and parties is gone in so many companies. Some even say with radio listening down and revenue dropping every year, there is nothing to celebrate. However, it’s more important now than ever to celebrate the team victories.
If you watched college football, you’ve probably noticed some teams have achievement stickers on their helmets. I was told by a University of Michigan player that when Jim Harbaugh was coach, he changed the meaning of those stickers. Each sticker was for a different achievement. Some are simply for a team win, with the number of that win. Others are for academic achievements. There are even stickers for not missing a practice.
They all indicate wins, regardless of size, for that specific team member. Whether they are big or small, they are all celebrated and are a part of that person’s story.
Perhaps this is something we get wrong, especially in these current times when things are a lot tougher than they were 30 years ago at WLTW. Some radio shows have a feature called “Little Victories,” where listeners are invited to share the small things in their lives that were wins — everything from getting a great parking spot to finding a $20 in an old coat. Why not start celebrating some little victories in your building?
You should not overlook the small wins at your station or on your show. Just like the football team that was expected to beat an opponent, or the player who didn’t miss a practice — just because you anticipate a win doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate it. Not everyone can be #1 in Nielsen, #1 in revenue, or #1 in streaming. We all need to acknowledge the little victories along the way, not just the final destination.
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Joy, persistence, and thankfulness are the three greatest words to describe 77 WABC‘s Rita Cosby.
“I always knew the world was a very big place, and I wanted to explore it and talk about it,” Cosby said about joining the industry.
Having recently won her 11th Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media, Cosby’s achievements are undeniable. “Every time I win an award, it feels like the first time. Because I really am just so grateful and so honored. Each one is just as special as the first.”
This year’s award was for her role as co-host on Cats and Cosby. “I have to pinch myself that I’m lucky enough to work with John Catsimatidis, who’s an incredible business icon. (He is) one of the great business leaders in America,” Cosby said.
“What makes it pure radio magic is how I describe it, because John has such a wealth of knowledge and wealth of experiences.” Cosby added, “I try to bring my very different life experiences. And I think that combination really makes it something truly unique and special.”
The show’s panelists also come from diverse political backgrounds, including former New York Governors David Paterson and George Pataki. There is one thing any panelist on the show must have: “They all share common sense,” Cosby said. It’s the key to any great political debate.
Even with the recognition for the best Large Market Radio show, Cosby remains humble about all she’s accomplished because, as a true journalist, she knows the best stories are never about her.
“Early on in my television career, I did a story which helped free a man who was held unlawfully in a prison in Mexico,” Cosby recalled. “It is a story that I still think about to this day. Because it inspired me to always try to follow stories that can also make a huge difference and change lives — change legislation sometimes. Great broadcasting can do that.”
She added, “In this particular case, it saved this American man’s life.”
Cosby’s experience spans far beyond the borders of North America. She’s interviewed Ariel Sharon and Yasser Arafat right after 9/11. She’s broadcast live from war zones. And she still has a front-row seat to stories that are “incredibly meaningful and also really powerful and historic in many ways.”
One of her more memorable moments includes interviewing Pope Francis in Spanish at the Vatican right before a major Middle East peace summit. “That was just an incredible moment to be before the Holy Father, and to have the opportunity to talk to him face-to-face was an incredible honor for me,” Cosby recalled.
Although Rita Cosby is of Polish and Danish descent, being able to speak Spanish fluently has been incredibly helpful.
“It helps you to relate to the individual, whether it’s someone like the Holy Father or whether it’s somebody on a story that has to do with the border in America,” Cosby said. “There are so many times when I’ve been able to use my Spanish that it has been tremendously helpful.”
“I just always loved the art of communication and learning about people, sharing stories, and revealing details.” Her journey to stardom began when she was in high school. She was writing for a local Connecticut paper. And she kept growing from there.
“I’ve always been one of those people who felt that great broadcasting is magical — it’s exciting. It’s informative. And it can also make an enormous difference. It can inspire people.” Inspire people, Cosby has.
For those lucky enough to work with this journalistic legend, take notes. Rita Cosby is exactly the type of journalist we all should aspire to be. Her advice for following in her footsteps is simple: “Work hard and try everything at first.”
“This is such a great medium for people to get engaged. For young people, there are so many layers to the business right now — between the show, social media, and podcasting, there are so many incredible opportunities in broadcasting right now. Which means so many opportunities for young people to come in,” Cosby said.
“I think there’s no more exciting profession than broadcasting, than media. Every day is different, every day is exciting, and every minute is new.” She added, “There’s no other business where you will learn so much, where you will get excited every day to wake up, and where you will feel like you truly are making an incredible difference in people’s lives.”
She also made clear that the key to having three great shows in a major market includes having a great team.
“I think it’s also so important for young people to realize that broadcasting — especially radio — is such a very personal medium. But it also involves a great team,” Cosby said.
“Appreciate the great people around you. Surround yourself with great people — people you can learn from and people that you just love spending time with. Because broadcasting is long hours, but it’s the most meaningful hours too.”
Having worked with Rita in a previous life, there is one thing about her infectious passion that most people won’t see: her dedication to our troops.
“My dad was a teenage Polish resistance fighter during WWII who decided to stay and fight when the Nazis invaded,” Cosby said. “My father became a prisoner of war who was ultimately saved by American troops. So for me, I’m so grateful to the U.S. military and just so proud of who they are and the role that they play in this world. And I understand the sacrifice of what the fighter goes through — and their families.”
For the last 15 years, she’s hosted Troopathon. It has raised tens of millions of dollars for those serving overseas. Rita Cosby also spent a week with D-Day veterans on both the 75th and 80th anniversaries.
Additionally, Cosby has two segments during The Rita Cosby Show to support America’s heroes. “The first hour I’ll do Back the Blue. Then, in the second hour, I’ll do Support Our Heroes, which showcases veterans and something special that they have done.”
It’s passion delivered with gratefulness, gratitude, and joy for the sacrifices troops make every day.
You can hear Rita Cosby weeknights on 77 WABC from 5–6 PM on Cats and Cosby. She also hosts The Rita Cosby Show from 10 PM to midnight. She also hosts Saturday Reportwith Rita Cosby on Newsmax at 11 AM ET on Saturdays.
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AM radio is on life support, FM translators are the defibrillator, and the FCC is still reading the instruction manual.
At the NAB Show in Las Vegas, FCC Media Bureau Deputy Bureau Chief Alexander Sanjenis acknowledged that a dedicated AM translator window could be coming. It should’ve been here already.
Let’s be honest about what’s happening on the AM band. We can pretend there’s some random revitalization on the way. Vintage and nostalgia are absolutely having a moment with younger demographics right now — Stanley cups, vinyl records, and bad 80s music with bad 90s clothes are in style. Except for AM radio. They don’t care about it, and let’s face it: they’re never going to.
There are certainly outliers. Some passionate listeners remain loyal to AM, and some markets still have strong performers on the band. But here’s the reality: the AM band is largely littered with programming the overwhelming majority of Americans simply don’t care about. There’s a reason for that. Decades of neglect, fragmented audiences, and the rise of digital alternatives have carved away at whatever cultural foothold AM radio once had. It’s not coming back.
So why are we still waiting on the FCC to act?
Sanjenis was candid enough at NAB. “There’s certainly more than we can do,” he said. He confirmed that the bureau is “looking at the possibility of a dedicated AM translator window,” while acknowledging “there is a massive amount of work that needs to go into it.”
That’s fair. Nobody expects the FCC to snap its fingers. But broadcasters can’t afford to wait while the bureau builds toward a perfect process.
Companies already know what they need. They need their AM brands on an FM signal to have any real chance to compete in today’s audio landscape. For some, it’s a strategic upgrade. For others, it’s outright survival. FM translators don’t just give AM stations a cleaner signal — they give those brands a fighting chance on a dial that listeners actually use.
The FCC has helped before. The AM Revitalization proceeding opened translator windows in 2017 and 2018. Those opportunities mattered enormously to broadcasters who secured a signal. But not everyone got in. Filing windows filled fast, and many stations were left scrambling. Years later, those same stations are still waiting for another shot.
There’s no compelling reason to keep them waiting. The regulatory framework exists. The need is documented. The industry has made its case repeatedly, and the FCC’s own leadership is signaling openness to movement. What’s left is will — and a timeline.
Sanjenis deserves credit for being direct at NAB rather than offering a non-answer. Transparency matters. Still, “we’re looking at it” can only carry broadcasters so far when their AM-only signal is hemorrhaging listeners every quarter. The bureau should move this up the priority list and give the industry a concrete window — not a vague promise.
AM radio isn’t going to fix itself. It’s not going to suddenly attract a wave of young listeners who’ve grown up on Spotify and podcasts. What it can do — with the right FM translator support — is keep viable brands alive, preserve local voices, and give operators a legitimate path forward.
The FCC can help. It should. And sooner is better than later.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Good for CNN. Its shoe-leather reporting helped topple two members of Congress — Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and, in a separate case, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) — by exposing sexual misconduct.
The network intensified pressure that, despite their initial denials, all but forced them to quit their House seats. The Swalwell probe was a long, grinding investigation, the kind that still moves the political needle.
The reason: Both men were certain to be expelled, so they beat their colleagues to the punch, expelling themselves.
I find the whole thing sickening. Capitol Hill has long been a playground for powerful men who exploit young female staffers who are easily intimidated. For way too long, many in the press have ignored or tolerated the boys-will-be-boys atmosphere. Perhaps, at long last, that is starting to change.
The “Clinton News Network” — as President Trump disparagingly calls it — forced the hands of those current lawmakers. Despite accusations of bias by Trump and many other MAGA supporters, as well as the general public, it’s true in many cases, especially in primetime dominated by liberals.
The broadcaster exposed a Democrat, as it has multiple times over the years. A Democrat who seemed assured of becoming California’s next governor, until the network’s disclosures forced him to quit the race.
One CNN headline — after extensive and expensive digging in the Swalwell case — read: “Four women describe sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, including a former staffer who says he raped her.” Now that’s a jaw-dropping bombshell.
Swalwell, who is married and has represented the San Francisco area since 2013, resigned under pressure over multiple sexual misconduct allegations, including assault accusations.
In mid-April, in an exclusive on-camera interview with CNN, a former intern and junior staffer for Swalwell asked to be cloaked in shadows to protect her identity because she feared professional consequences. She described an incident to Pamela Brown, who, with her team, has been the driving force of the network’s coverage. The accuser said that after an event, while riding in a car with him, “He pulls out his penis and instructs me to give him oral sex.” She initially complied and then stopped, saying it made her extremely uncomfortable. Swalwell denied the allegations, calling them untrue.
Another woman who sat down with CNN says she never wanted to go forward with the illicit relationship but wanted Swalwell held accountable. She says he messaged her when she was 21 on Snapchat — where messages disappear after a short period — and sent her an unsolicited picture of his genitals. Swalwell denies the allegations of infidelity and vowed to fight them. “I give a lot of credit to the women that spoke out,” says the accuser. “I needed to speak up to validate their experiences.” In the end, five women came forward.
The fifth accuser, Beverly Hills model Lonna Drewes, came forward at a news conference — and there were no shadows. “I can’t believe he felt so cavalier that he would just drug me, rape me, and then choke me,” Drewes said, claiming the congressman secretly drugged her in 2018 before luring her to his hotel room.
Drewes told CNN: “I passed out. I thought I was dead.” When she woke up in the middle of the night, she said, “he was next to me and I left.”
The San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times also carried key reports, but it was CNN that delivered the gut-punch impact. That’s the power of television. Swalwell is now under criminal investigation.
For House Republican Tony Gonzales, the decisive factor wasn’t media coverage alone — it was a House Ethics Committee investigation, bipartisan pressure from colleagues, and the impending expulsion vote.
Multiple news reports — including by CNN — described serious sexual misconduct allegations made by staffers. Gonzales acknowledged having an affair with a congressional staffer in 2024. Regina Santos-Aviles provided the documents to media outlets and the ethics panel. Among other things, he asked her for “sexy” pictures, described sexual positions, and arranged a meeting. Gonzales is also married.
Santos-Aviles told the Texas lawmaker that the conversation went too far, but he persisted. Tragically, she died by suicide in September by setting herself on fire. Her widower, Adrian Aviles, told CNN’s Erin Burnett: “The man has no values. He’s a sick man.”
These alleged womanizers join a small, tawdry group of congressmen who have resigned. Expulsion is extremely rare. Only six House members have surrendered their seats, including New York Democrat Anthony Weiner, who quit after sending lewd pictures and texts to women, including at least one who later turned out to be a 17-year-old girl. The predatory behavior led to federal charges and a 21-month prison sentence for transferring obscene material to a minor.
CNN has a history of exclusive investigations. When New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned after assault and abuse allegations by four women — reported by the New Yorker — CNN was quick to play up the irony of the situation. Schneiderman had championed women’s rights, legislation against domestic violence, and the #MeToo movement. His law license was suspended for one year.
CNN also helped break and expand upon early allegations of sexual harassment by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), who ultimately resigned.
But CNN has also spent endless airtime going after Trump and his top aides and Cabinet members. Which is always popular with its left-leaning audience. Its nighttime panels are often 5-to-1 against the president, ganging up on conservative contributor and dogged Trump defender Scott Jennings.
CNN has produced multiple early scoops and exclusive reporting threads tied to the investigation of January 6th. It reported on internal White House communications and pressure campaigns surrounding efforts to overturn the election results.
It also played a major role in early coverage of what became the broader Russia investigation and reported on contacts between Trump associates and Russian-linked individuals during and after the 2016 campaign.
Several Trump associates were charged or convicted for unrelated crimes uncovered during the probe, such as lying to investigators and financial crimes. Trump repeatedly denied any coordination with Russia, describing it as a witch hunt and a hoax.
He said the coverage was politically motivated and utterly unfair. Some of it was overzealous and tarnished the reputations of numerous anchors and reporters. Trump is still arguing that the 2020 election was stolen and has pardoned January 6th rioters.
Without journalism like this that brings both sides to the forefront, much of the public record around these events would have taken far longer to surface, and key details might never have reached widespread public view.
The same is true for this most recent investigation. It was widely whispered in political circles that Swalwell was facing scrutiny, and staffers warned newly hired women about his conduct. But the allegations didn’t stick until the women came forward. That’s what journalism is all about — not indulging in rumors, but verified sources who reveal and can document their ordeal.
The TV world should take notice and, in this case, follow CNN’s lead. Hats off for in-depth, verified, and game-changing accountability reporting. It delivers a reminder that hard-charging journalism still has the power to bring Washington to its knees.
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