iHeartMedia Washington D.C. & Baltimore made it official today. The Fred Show, Premiere Networks’ nationally syndicated morning program, lands on Hot 99.5 and Z104.3 starting April 30. Listeners catch it live on weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m.
The show first launched in 2011. Fred leads a cast that includes Kaelin, Keke, Paulina, Showbiz Shelly, and Jason Brown. The chemistry and unpredictability keep fans loyal. Veteran morning host Rose stays on alongside The Fred Show.
Fred didn’t hold back his excitement: “I still can’t believe the call,” he said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of mornings in DC and Baltimore. These cities and stations are home to a legacy of remarkable voices, and we’re honored for the chance to earn our place among them.”
Jeff Kapugi, Region Senior Vice President of Programming, also weighed in.
“We’re thrilled to welcome The Fred Show to Hot 99.5 and Z104.3,” Kapugi said. “We’ve been fans for years, and we can’t wait for our audience to discover the energy, humor, and connection that make this show so special.”
The move follows iHeartMedia’s recent programming shakeup across both stations. Intern John exited HOT 99.5 and Z104.3 earlier this month amid a broader company-wide round of layoffs.
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The divide between traditional AM/FM Radio listening and digital consumption of radio station content is shrinking — and new data from the Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026 makes that trend impossible to ignore.
For the first time in the survey’s history, broadcast listening has fallen to 54% of total time spent listening on a terrestrial radio station, while digital platforms now account for 44%. That’s a 10-point gap — down from 15 points just one year ago.
“Broadcast is still ahead, but not by much,” Jacobs said. “Last year, broadcast was five points higher, and digital was five points lower. So there’s been meaningful movement this year.”
The longer view is even more striking. Back in 2013, when Jacobs Media first asked this question in its current form, 85% of P1 listening happened on traditional radio. Digital sat at just 14%. That’s a 71-point gap. Today, it’s 10.
“This chart tells a powerful story,” the Jacobs Media President said. “In 2013, the gap between broadcast and digital was 71 points. Today, it’s just 10 points.”
It’s worth noting what “digital” actually captures. The 44% figure includes computer streaming (12%), mobile apps (9%), smart speakers (4%), podcasts (2%), and smart TVs (2%). Meanwhile, broadcast’s 54% combines car listening — still the largest single platform at 37% — with radio at home, work, or school at 17%.
Photo: Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026
The demographic breakdown reveals where the real pressure is building. Gen Z has already crossed over — digital now edges broadcast 49% to 48% among that group. Millennials are close behind, with broadcast holding a slim 52–46 advantage. Gen X listeners show a similar split at 51–47.
“When we break this out by demographics, some clear patterns emerge,” said Jacobs. “Gen Z is now slightly ahead on digital, by one percentage point.”
Older listeners, by contrast, still skew heavily toward over-the-air. Boomers favor broadcast 57% to 41%, and the Greatest Generation leans even more traditional at 69% broadcast versus 28% digital.
Photo: Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026
Format also plays a major role in how that split shakes out.
Among the formats surveyed, CHR shows the highest digital usage on the first slide — 43% digital versus 54% broadcast.
AC, Classic Rock, Classic Hits, and Country all sit in a similar range, with broadcast holding leads between 59% and 63%.
(Photo: Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026)
Sports radio, though, tells a completely different story. It’s the only format where digital has lapped broadcast — 56% to 42%.
“Sports fans are voracious,” Jacobs shared. “They want constant updates. They use every device available — cars, phones, and more.”
News/Talk, meanwhile, remains the format most anchored to traditional radio, with broadcast at 59% and digital at 37%. Hot AC sits nearly even at 51% broadcast and 47% digital, while Rock comes in at 55–41 in favor of broadcast.
(Photo: Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2026)
“The train isn’t leaving the station,” stated Jacobs. “It left quite a while ago.”
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NBC Sports is waiting on the NFL to make the first move. Jon Miller, President of Acquisitions and Partnerships for NBC Sports, addressed the league’s media rights future on The Varsity Podcast with Jon Ourand.
Miller made clear the NFL controls the timeline for any discussions with NBC Sports.
“The NFL is obviously a hugely important part of our ecosystem. We’ve been very proud of our relationship with them, and obviously the success speaks for itself,” said Miller. “At the right time, when the NFL decides that they want to have a conversation with us, our leadership will sit down with them.”
While the NFL has publicly stated a desire to renegotiate current league rights agreements with its partners, NBC has yet to have that meeting. As for where talks stand now, Miller says he’s watching from the sidelines. The NFL is reportedly in discussions with CBS. Those conversations stem from the network’s recent ownership change.
Miller acknowledged the uncertainty directly.
“I don’t know when the NFL is going to come to us.” He added that NBC’s leadership expects dialogue eventually. How it plays out remains to be seen.
NBC Sports isn’t sitting idle, though. Miller confirmed the network will pursue other rights opportunities as they emerge. Other properties will hit the market, and NBC plans to engage.
“There are other properties that we don’t have that will be coming to market as well. We’ll engage with all of them at the right time,” Miller said.
Miller kept his comments measured on how NFL talks might affect other negotiations.
“I don’t really have any idea of how the NFL negotiations will have an effect one way or another on any of those conversations,” said Miller.
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NBC Sports has a new face headed to Churchill Downs. John Fanta will join NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2.
The broadcast begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. It marks Fanta’s first-ever trip to the Kentucky Derby.
Fanta will work as an on-site reporter, primarily stationed in the infield at Churchill Downs. His role focuses on capturing the electric atmosphere building toward the “Run for the Roses.”
NBC Sports supervising producer Lindsay Schanzer made the announcement and praised the fit.
“We’re excited to have John join our coverage at Churchill Downs, where his unbridled enthusiasm and effusive personality will be a perfect match with the spectators enjoying the racing and revelry from the infield,” said Schanzer.
Fanta sounds genuinely fired up about the assignment.
“There is simply nothing like the Kentucky Derby, and to join a team of horse racing legends and Emmy winners in NBC’s 26th presentation of an event that stands in a class of its own is thrilling and humbling,” Fanta said.
His Derby week starts Friday, May 1. Fanta joins Kentucky Oaks Day coverage at 4 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN. He continues through primetime for the Kentucky Oaks at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
“It’s been an amazing first year with NBC Sports. I’m excited and honored to be taking on another new challenge and heading to Churchill Downs for the 152nd chapter of the longest continuously held sporting event in America,” said Fanta.
Fanta joined NBC Sports in August 2025 as lead BIG EAST basketball play-by-play voice. Moreoever, he also covered Big Ten, Big 12 basketball, and college football. In 2026, he made his NBA play-by-play debut, calling the Minnesota Timberwolves-Portland Trail Blazers game.
John Fanta to serve as infield reporter on NBC Sports' Kentucky Derby coverage.
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Prime Video is going big for the WNBA’s milestone 30th season. The streamer already announced Hall of Famers Swin Cash and Candace Parker, plus play-by-play voice Michael Grady. Now Prime has added a deep roster of talent to round out its coverage.
Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon join as analysts. Cooper led the Houston Comets to four straight titles from 1997-2000, earning Finals MVP each year. Weatherspoon was the league’s first-ever Defensive Player of the Year and made four WNBA Finals appearances with the New York Liberty.
Duke head coach Kara Lawson comes aboard as a game analyst. She also leads the U.S. Women’s National Team. LaChina Robinson joins after 16 years with ESPN covering women’s basketball and three Olympic Games. Lindsey Harding, currently an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers, adds a unique dual-league perspective in studio.
Lisa Byington and Mike Watts handle play-by-play duties. Byington made history in 2021 as the first woman to serve as full-time TV play-by-play announcer for a major men’s professional team with the Milwaukee Bucks. Allie Clifton steps up as studio host for pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage.
Amina Hussein, Prime Sports Head of On-Air Talent and Development, summed up the vision clearly. “We’ve built a team that brings together championship experience, broadcasting excellence, and fresh perspectives,” she said.
Coverage kicks off May 14 with a doubleheader as the Minnesota Lynx face Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. ET. The New York Liberty then take on the Portland Fire at 10 p.m.
Prime streams 30 regular-season games exclusively this season, plus postseason coverage across more than 220 countries.
We're excited to announce the 2026 #WNBAonPrime team 👏
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March marked the second full month since The Dan Bongino Show had returned. It was another strong finish for the show in the Triton Digital rankings.
During the month, The Dan Bongino Show finished third in the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads rankings. February marked Bongino’s return after spending just under one year as the Deputy Director of the FBI.
Only Stuff You Should Know and Pod Save America finished above Bongino’s program. Those two shows flipped positions from the prior month. Stuff You Should Know finished the month on top.
Elsewhere, Global News Podcast from the BBC finished one spot behind Dan Bongino in fourth. The Bulwark Podcast moved up one position to seventh, while Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar moved up five spots to 10th.
There were also changes in spots 10th through 20th, as The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show dropped one position to 13th. Additionally, The Charlie Kirk Show fell eight positions to 14th overall. Armstrong & Getty On Demand moved up one position to earn 15th place. Bulwark Takes jumped two spots to 18th.
In the Top Sales Networks by Weekly Average Downloads category, iHeartAudience Network remained in the top slot. It bested Audioboom, Cumulus Podcast Network, BBC, and PRX in the top five.
Salem Podcast Network dropped one position to sixth. American Public Media Group (7th), Lemonada Media (8th), Gamut Podcast Network (9th), and All Things Comedy (10th) rounded out the remaining top 10.
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Spotify is celebrating its 20th anniversary by revealing the most-streamed musicians and songs of all time on the platform.
Taylor Swift tops the most-streamed artists list. Bad Bunny comes in at number two, followed by Drake, The Weeknd, and Ariana Grande. The full top 20 includes Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Eminem, and Kanye West.
On the song side, The Weeknd dominates. “Blinding Lights” ranks as the most-streamed track in Spotify history. Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” is second. “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood checks in at third.
Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Tiholds the top spot on Spotify among albums. The Weeknd’s Starboy is second. Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Deluxe) rounds out the top three.
The podcast rankings tell a clear story. The Joe Rogan Experience sits at number one — by a wide margin, most likely. Crime Junkie, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, and The Daily also crack the top six.
On the audiobook side, Sarah J. Maas owns the list. Three of her A Court of Thorns and Roses series titles land in the top seven. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring grabs second place. Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing takes third.
Photo: Spotify
The data covers global Spotify streams through April 2026.
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The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is Saturday evening. Jimmy Failla is using the opportunity to his advantage on Fox News Saturday Night.
The show — beginning at 9 PM ET — will take place at the Washington Hilton.
During the two-hour special, Jimmy Failla will speak with celebrities, politicians, and his Fox News colleagues, among others. They’ll both preview and react to the dinner throughout the program.
Oz Pearlman is scheduled to perform during the dinner. Additionally, President Donald Trump is set to speak from the event.
Fox News Saturday Night usually airs at 10 PM ET. He has held the role since it launched in January 2024.
In addition to hosting the show, Failla hosts the daily Fox Across America nationally syndicated radio show. That program airs from 12-3 PM ET.
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Gates joined The Bull in 2008 after three years at crosstown WKHX/Kicks 101.5, where she worked mornings alongside the late Cadillac Jack. She co-hosted mornings at The Bull with Jason Pullman, then later with Spencer Graves.
In 2022, iHeartMedia moved Gates to afternoons. The shift came when the station launched a new morning show featuring Brian Moote, Jeremy “Otis” Maher, and Kimmie Caruba.
In 2024, the radio station pivoted to the nationally syndicated Bobby Bones Show out of Nashville.
Gates was The Bull’s longest-tenured on-air employee. No official word has been given by the station as reasoning for her departure.
Her career perseverance extends well beyond the microphone. Gates survived a rare form of stomach cancer. She also battled a brain tumor, which surgeons removed in 2019.
The station’s website now lists Corey Calhoun for the afternoon daypart.
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Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have voted to approve the merger with Paramount Skydance.
The vote marks an important step in the nearly $111 billion merger. Shareholders approved the deal that will pay them $31 per share for the company. The stock price is currently just over $27 per share. It has been as low as just over $8 per share in the past year.
“Shareholder approval marks another important milestone towards completing our acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, building on our successful equity and debt syndications and progress across regulatory approvals,” a Paramount spokesperson said.
“We look forward to closing the transaction in the coming months and realizing the creation of a next-generation media and entertainment company that better serves both the creative community and consumers,” the statement concluded.
While shareholders voted “overwhelmingly” to approve the deal on Thursday morning, they did not approve the executive compensation package. That package would have given CEO David Zaslav $500 million. Zaslav has served as the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery since 2022. He previously served in the same capacity at Discovery when the group merged with Warner Media.
Despite the vote result, the Warner Bros. Discovery board can still give out the payments as planned, however.
Paramount Skydance says that while the company needs regulatory approval, it expects the merger to be completed in the third quarter of this year. That echoes similar sentiments from FCC chair Brendan Carr, who said last month that approval “should get through pretty quickly”.
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