Cumulus Media has named Jeff McCartney as Operations Manager/Program Director for Salt Lake City. He will oversee Rock station KBER 101 and CHR outlet Power 94.9/101.9 KENZ-FM.
What We Know: McCartney brings more than 30 years of radio programming experience to the role. He spent over 25 years with iHeartMedia in Salt Lake City, leading multi-station clusters. His background includes talent development, ratings growth, and data-driven content strategy. Building high-performing teams across multiple formats is a strength of McCartney’s.
What They Said
Vice President and Market Manager Joyce Wirthlin expressed confidence in the hire. “He’s a proven programmer with a strong track record of building winning brands and developing talent,” she said. “His passion for the product and his competitive mindset makes him a great fit for KBER and KENZ.” McCartney also noted his deep ties to the market, adding he and Wirthlin have worked together for more than 20 years.
What Remains Unclear: No timeline has been announced for McCartney’s first programming changes at either station. It is also unclear whether additional staffing moves will follow his appointment. The scope of his operational authority beyond programming has not been detailed publicly.
What It Means: Cumulus is making a strategic bet on local market experience in Salt Lake City. McCartney’s long tenure in the market gives him a significant advantage in understanding both listeners and advertisers.
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Boston sports radio pioneer Eddie Andelman has died at 89. His family announced the news Monday on social media.
What We Know: Andelman spent 42 years on Boston-area radio airwaves. In 1969, he co-launched Sports Huddle, New England’s first interactive sports talk show. The program ran on WEEI before moving to WHDH, where it aired for 17 years. Over his career, Andelman appeared in roughly 13,000 radio broadcasts and over 1,200 TV commentaries on channels 5 and 7. He’s widely considered as a founding figure of the modern sports radio format.
What They Said: Andelman’s sons Dave, Mike and Dan via social media: “Eddie Andelman was loved by his wife of fifty seven years, worshipped by his sons, and adored by his grandchildren. From humble roots in Dorchester, he went onto great success in business and broadcasting. Some call him the godfather of sports radio. He certainly changed and elevated the sports radio game.”
What Remains Unclear: No memorial service details are unknown.
What It Means: Andelman’s death marks the loss of a true sports radio trailblazer. His Sports Huddle format became, as the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame notes, a blueprint for stations nationwide. Consequently, his influence extends far beyond Boston, shaping an entire industry.
The MBA has learned that 2010 Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee and sports-talk radio pioneer Eddie Andelman has passed away.
We send our well wishes to Eddie's family, friends, radio colleagues and listeners.https://t.co/0P6MHb2DNo
— Mass. Broadcasters (@MABroadcasters) June 15, 2026
Sorry to hear of the passing of Eddie Andelman..He was THE pioneer for Boston sports talk radio who set the bar for all others to live up to..My prayers and condolences to Judy and the entire Andelman family
I'm very sad to learn today of Eddie Andelman's passing. His unique brand of sports talk inspired many of us to get into the business and his success was unprecedented. A true pioneer for sports radio. My deepest condolences to the entire Andelman family.
RIP to the great Eddie Andelman. Not only the father of sports talk radio but one of the greatest radio hits of all time. Honored to have worked with him and call him a friend. “266-1100 you’re next on whdh” pic.twitter.com/y9bGO8ifjK
It's for the best I never met Eddie Andelman, on the theory you should never meet your heroes.
He was one of three hosts of The Sports Huddle, on four hours every Sunday night, and it was a staple in my house as kid. They – especially Eddie – talked sports in a way nobody else…
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50 years to the day since he started his career, Salem Media President of Broadcast Media Allen Power is retiring.
What We Know: Power has spent the past 26 years working with Salem Media. He originally joined the company in 2000 as its first General Manager for its Atlanta cluster. He later rose through the ranks to become President of Broadcast Media in 2023. Power’s final day with the company will be Wednesday, September 30th. He’ll continue to serve as a Senior Advisor to the company after his departure.
What They Said: “Allen and I have worked together for nearly 25 years in a variety of roles at Salem. His leadership, his ability to inspire those around him, and his incredible understanding of our business will be missed. Beyond his business accomplishments, he has led with integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to serving others. While we will miss his daily leadership, we are grateful that he will continue serving Salem as a Senior Advisor.” -Salem Media CEO David Santrella
“Fifty years ago today, on June 15, 1976, I started my first job in broadcasting. I have spent more than half of my career at Salem and it has been such a blessing to devote my efforts to spreading the message of the gospel through broadcasting. I am grateful to the Atsinger and Epperson families, Joe Davis, Dave Santrella and my many wonderful Salem colleagues and ministry partners. After five decades of hard work, the next chapter will be about investing my time and gifts in faith, family, and worthwhile organizations. After a sabbatical, I will decide where and how to do that.” -Allen Power
What Remains Unclear: Who, if anyone, will replace Allen Power as the President of Broadcast Media for Salem Media.
What It Means: Few in the media industry are fortunate enough to work for 50 years. An even select few are able to go out on their own terms, let alone make that announcement on their 50th anniversary in the business. Power has helped steward Salem Media through a variety of ups and downs during his tenure. Congratulations on a fantastic career.
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It’s a new day at MS NOW. Several previously announced changes took shape on Monday.
What We Know: Monday marked the beginning of a new era on MS NOW, as the network began its new daytime programming. The changes were previously announced, and are largely contained to the daytime lineup. However, as Stephanie Ruhle moves from The 11th Hour to mid-mornings, that puts Ali Velshi in charge of the primetime program.
What’s New: Ruhle is now hosting Money, Power, Politics from 9-11 AM ET. Alicia Menendez has left The Weeknight to host On the Line from 12-2 PM ET. The Moment with Katy Tur is now airing from 2-4 PM ET. Additionally, former NBC News correspondent Peter Alexander will join MS NOW for a show airing at 11 AM ET later this summer.
What’s At Stake: MS NOW trails Fox News in the cable news ratings in both the primetime and total day categories. However, it routinely bests CNN in primetime but has at times been beaten in the total day rankings. The changes to its daytime programming hope to make it a more formidable competitor in the total day space.
What It Means: MS NOW has gone all in on the opinion and interview space with the likes of Ruhle, Menendez, and Tur helming multiple hours in the daytime lineup. It will be interesting to watch the ratings data unfold in the coming weeks and months to see how impactful the change in strategy for MS NOW becomes.
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Audacy has made a daypart move in Las Vegas. Mikalah Gordon is leaving mornings at CHR 98.5 KLUC and shifting to middays, while simultaneously returning to morning duties at the company’s LGBTQ+ outlet, Channel Q.
What We Know: Gordon joined KLUC as a morning co-host in April 2024. She had been holding down the daypart solo since Chet Buchanan’s departure in February. Her Channel Q connection runs deep — she co-hosted mornings there from the station’s 2018 launch until the end of 2022. Now, she returns to both the format and the daypart that first defined her radio career.
What They Said: Gordon addressed the move directly on Instagram, framing it as a personal milestone. “I helped launch Channel Q back in 2018 as part of the morning show in Los Angeles, so this feels less like a new chapter and more like a homecoming,” she wrote. “I never wanted to be famous. I just wanted a platform where I could make a small difference. The world needs more love and laughter right now — and honestly, so do I.”
What Remains Unclear: Audacy has not yet announced who will fill mornings at KLUC. It also remains to be seen whether Gordon’s dual-daypart role is a long-term arrangement or a transitional solution. No timeline has been publicly shared for either position.
What It Means: This move reflects Audacy’s continued investment in Channel Q as a distinct brand. Gordon brings established audience equity and on-air experience to both stations simultaneously. For a company navigating industrywide challenges, leveraging a proven talent across two properties is a notably efficient strategy. Gordon’s return also signals Channel Q’s ongoing commitment to personality-driven mornings.
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It’s been just over a month since the city of Los Angeles officially welcomed its first FM all-sports station in 97.1 The Fan. The FM sports addition to Southern California was Audacy’s latest push to breathe new life into sports radio on the FM dial. The idea itself was not new. In fact, the concept had been years in the making. Following the end of his MLB career, Cody Decker was searching for his next chapter. It was a chapter he had dreamed about as a child growing up in the area.
“I grew up listening to morning radio in LA. Kevin and Bean, plus Mark & Brian at KLOS. Also, I’d listen to Howard Stern on 97.1,” explained Decker. “I was a spoiled kid when it came to listening to top radio talent. The only problem was we didn’t have the sports channels… It drove me nuts that my only options were New York radio in LA.”
When Decker took an internship with Audacy following his retirement in 2019, he brought an idea to Audacy regional president Jeff Federman. The concept was simple.
“I mentioned this to Jeff [Federman] in 2019 when I was at KROQ and Radio.com Sports. I pulled him aside and asked why we don’t have a WFAN in Los Angeles. He didn’t have an answer for me but said we needed one,” said Decker.
Over time, and through several other opportunities, Decker remained in touch with Federman about the idea of launching a local sports talk radio brand in Los Angeles. Despite stops in New York City working for Fox Sports alongside Craig Carton and later at SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio, the vision never left his mind.
Then the idea began to gain traction in the fall of last year.
Joining 97.1 The Fan
“Last September was when I had my first conversation about it. But at the time, it was a pie in the sky idea still. Then things kept going, and the conversations kept continuing,” explained Decker. “Then one day, Jeff [Federman] gave me a call and referenced our initial conversation. He then asked if I wanted to do it. You better believe I want to do it. To me, it’s a dream job.”
Last month, 97.1 The Fan launched across the second-largest market in the United States. The station features a full FM signal and an all-sports format, with much of the weekday schedule dedicated to live and local programming. For Decker, it marked his first opportunity to host morning drive in a market he called home. It was a homecoming years in the making and a chance to return to the local radio roots he cherished.
“Radio has always been my personal favorite medium. Radio may not have the same positive stigma it once did, and is looked at more of a grind now-a-day. I don’t see it that way,” said Decker. “Somehow it always seems to go this way with the industry. What is old becomes new again. I feel like radio will once again become the new thing at some point.”
Decker is the lead host of the station’s flagship morning show, Derek & Decker, alongside five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher. It was the daypart he desires most. Giving him the opportunity to be the first voice waking up Los Angeles each morning. Decker wasn’t shy about expressing that desire to station management. In fact, he says he was adamant about holding down such an important role on the startup.
The approach to the show is straightforward. Have fun, share a laugh, and provide a unique perspective on the sports conversations that matter most to Los Angeles fans.
Crafting Their Own Lane In LA
Despite the large number of professional and collegiate teams in the surrounding area, many industry observers do not view Los Angeles as a sports radio mecca. Compared to similarly sized markets, Los Angeles-based sports stations have rarely generated audience shares comparable to their counterparts. Still, Decker remains optimistic about the future and the opportunity for 97.1 The Fan to carve out its own identity.
“This is a sports city that has 13 professional sports teams. Plus, you have massive fanbases from all around the country. There’s very passionate people from sports markets that now live here,” explained Decker. “It’s a very unique sports city. This is a city that’s very prideful with its homegrown teams. But also oddly prideful for the teams of commuters who moved to this city.”
To spread the word about the new station, Decker has made a conscious effort to immerse himself in Los Angeles sports culture. He attends games both on his own and alongside Fisher. A highly motivated personality by nature, Decker has brought that same energy to promoting the station at games and establishments throughout the city.
He doesn’t mind serving as a walking billboard, seeking out conversations whenever opportunities arise. There’s a sense of purpose behind the approach in a city he proudly calls home.
“LA sports is an extremely important thing to me. I don’t feel LA Sports has been covered the way it should have been for the last couple decades,” says Decker. “There’s a stigma around LA sports. We’re more Hollywood and bandwagon fans here in LA. Because it’s such a well known commuter city, people around the country may not realize that all the teams here are extremely loved and supported. The LA fans’ voice has not been heard as much as it should have in the past.”
New Beginnings
Now, Decker welcomes the opportunity to help challenge that stigma. However, the opportunity didn’t arrive without obstacles. The past year brought uncertainty about his future in sports media. Following a run of less than two years co-hosting middays on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio with Michelle Beadle, Decker became the subject of a very public departure from the channel.
Reflecting on the moment he learned of his firing by listening to Howard Stern rather than hearing it directly from station management, Decker said he wouldn’t change anything about how he handled the situation.
“I don’t know what I did wrong. I showed up to work, and someone showed up on Howard Stern and sais I was fired. It was very interesting, because that’s not what I was told,” says Decker. “This industry is a very weird place… I’m appreciative of all the people who had mine and Michelle’s [Beadle] back through that whole process. It was a needlessly public thing that happened, and I won’t understand it for the rest of my life.”
If there was a lesson from the experience, Decker said it was learning to trust fewer people. While also valuing those who have earned that trust. To this day, he considers Beadle not only a close friend but also someone he would welcome the chance to work with again.
Following their program’s public dismissal from SiriusXM, the pair launched a YouTube version of the show to keep their on-air chemistry sharp. That chemistry also caught the attention of Audacy executives as plans for 97.1 The Fan began to take shape.
“When we [Audacy, Decker] first started talking, plenty of conversations were being had. I know they were also interested in a show [Beadle & Decker] that I had already had at one point, but things just kept evolving as time went forward,” says Decker. “I do believe that Michelle [Beadle] had a conversation or two, but I don’t know the details or how far those conversations went.”
Decker considers himself fortunate that Audacy remained interested in him despite not ultimately bringing Beadle aboard.
As for the YouTube show, it’s currently on a “summer vacation,” according to Decker. However, the plan is for both Decker and Beadle to reconnect later this summer and discuss a possible relaunch. Decker also said conversations have taken place regarding the possibility of bringing the show under the Audacy podcast umbrella.
Embracing Home
For now, Decker’s primary focus is helping build a community around Los Angeles’ all-sports FM radio destination. A startup faces immediate pressure to generate ratings and revenue, and those realities remain top of mind. For Decker, however, the most important measure of success is whether the show continues to entertain listeners while remaining enjoyable to create.
“The best success for myself personally is if Derek [Fisher] and I continue to show up every day excited to do four hours of sports radio here in Los Angeles over any amount of time,” said Decker. “That’s something that gets lost with a lot of people. In the end it’s the most important thing to aim for.”
Whether 97.1 The Fan ultimately becomes a ratings success is unknown. Building a sports radio station from scratch in Los Angeles was never going to be easy. The market is crowded while listener habits become more fragmented. Sports radio has spent years fighting for relevance in an increasingly digital media landscape.
For Decker, though, the opportunity represents something bigger than ratings books or revenue targets.
For years, he wondered why Los Angeles lacked a true full-market FM sports radio destination. Today, he’s helping build one. After experiencing the highs of professional baseball and the lows of a very public radio exit, Decker has returned to the city he loves. Each morning, he wakes up Los Angeles listeners while trying to provide local sports fans with a platform he believes they have long deserved.
The dream Decker pitched years ago in a hallway conversation is no longer just an idea. It’s on the air every morning across Southern California.
What happens next will determine whether 97.1 The Fan becomes a permanent part of Los Angeles sports culture.
For Decker, however, simply having the opportunity to help write that story already feels like a victory.
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iHeartMedia, Netflix expand their video podcast slate with Kate Hudson, Lele Pons, and Martha Stewart. Four new shows are joining the streaming platform now totaling the amount of iHeartMedia podcasts on Netflix at 18.
What We Know: The new lineup includesSuite 305 with Lele Pons, which debuts with guest Shakira. In addition, The Martha Stewart Podcast and Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson round out the additions. Additionally, these shows join an existing slate of iHeartPodcasts already streaming on Netflix, building on the companies’ ongoing partnership. Meanwhile, The Breakfast Club recently expanded into a live daily video show on the platform.
What The Data Shows:(iHeartMedia podcasts streaming video exclusively on Netflix)
Podcast Title
The Breakfast Club
Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast
My Favorite Murder
Dear Chelsea
Joe and Jada
This Is Important
The Psychology of Your 20s
Behind the Bastards
Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Stuff To Blow Your Mind
New Rory & MAL
3 and Out with John Middlekauff
Buried Bones
Suite 305 with Lele Pons
The Martha Stewart Podcast
Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson
What Remains Unclear: iHeartMedia and Netflix have not announced specific premiere dates for the new shows. Moreover, the release states they will roll out “in the coming months,” but no firm schedule exists yet. Additionally, it remains unclear whether more iHeartPodcasts could eventually join the existing Netflix partnership.
What It Means: This expansion deepens the bond between iHeartMedia and Netflix. For Netflix, it broadens an already growing library of conversational content. For iHeart, it extends reach to new audiences without giving up audio rights or distribution. Moreover, the deal signals confidence that video podcasts will keep growing as a content category. In addition, what is interesting is the lack of sports titles being added to the Netflix paywall. Currently, only one sports podcast featuring John Middlekauff is featured as part of the partnership.
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Electronic Arts is launching a new advertising business. EA Advertising was announced on Monday across the company’s gaming portfolio.
What We Know: EA Advertising lets brands integrate directly into gameplay across EA’s titles. Placements include stadium signage, broadcast overlays, and custom in-game content. Also, EA SPORTS anchors much of the platform’s reach through Madden NFL, EA SPORTS FC, and College Football. Players complete the equivalent of 23,000 NFL seasons daily in Madden and over 1 billion EA SPORTS FC matches monthly.
What They Said: David Tinson, Chief Experiences Officer at Electronic Arts: “Players come to EA’s games and live experiences every day to play, watch, create and connect. That gives brands a meaningful opportunity to show up in ways that add value and respect the player experience, while maintaining authenticity in the worlds our teams are building. With EA Advertising, we’re helping brands become part of those moments in ways that are relevant and built for players.”
What Remains Unclear: While EA has already begun working with several brands, EA hasn’t disclosed pricing or revenue targets for EA Advertising. It’s also unclear how quickly the new ad server and SDK will roll out across EA SPORTS titles. Meanwhile, EA hasn’t said whether ad inventory will expand beyond sports into titles like Apex Legends or The Sims. Additionally, the company didn’t specify how player feedback will shape future placements.
What It Means: How has this not happened already? As someone who has played EA titles for nearly thirty years, this announcement seems very dated. With that said, I don’t believe player feedback will overly be negative if the strategy remains the same as it’s been. EA Advertising signals a major shift for in-game advertising in sports titles. Brands like Visa, Lowe’s, Red Bull, and Mountain Dew already signed on. While gaming sales have slowed over time, this revenue stream could be a needed boost for an industry that needs it.
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Tucker Carlson accused Dan Bongino of colluding with the President to cover up an investigation. Bongino did not respond kindly to that accusation.
What We Know: Tucker Carlson alleged that President Trump ended the investigation into the attempted 2024 assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. He said that Dan Bongino personally told him the President had closed the investigation. He also stated that Bongino was “terrified” to tell him the particulars. On his show on Friday, Dan Bongino balked at the idea that he was “terrified” of Carlson.
What They Said: “Accusing me and the President of a federal crime, obstructing justice? Bizarre. ‘The President involved in covering up the investigation into his own attempted murder’ is seriously one of the most delusional things I’ve ever seen. It’s the reason I’m really starting to believe, and I mean this sincerely, that Tucker’s just dumb. He doesn’t realize I have these texts, too. I never do this. But if you’re going to refer to texts alleging we committed a crime, I’m gonna put it out there … I don’t recall him in the White House, getting a briefing. But he seems to know more. He has ‘secret info.'” -Dan Bongino
What Remains Unclear: If Tucker Carlson will address the growing controversy. As of this publication, he has yet to respond to Bongino’s rebuttal.
What It Means: Carlson said he had the texts that would prove his arguments. Bongino shared the screenshots on his program, refuting Carlson’s allegations. Unless there are other messages between Bongino and Carlson, it appears to be an open-and-shut case.
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The UFC’s Freedom 250 event has officially wrapped. Following the event heralded as a major success, UFC CEO Dana White squashed the idea of the event ever happening again.
What We Know: UFC spent an estimated $60 million on the event held on the South Lawn of The White House. Industry experts sayd the promotion is expects to lose about $30 million on the event. Early estimates of nearly 200,000 fans packed the Ellipse over the three-day event weekend. Merchandise sales doubled the previous UFC record. Meanwhile, all seven fights ended in a knockout or TKO — a UFC first.
What They Said: Dana White, UFC CEO: “I can’t afford it. There’s no fu**ing way we can do this again. I’ll never do the Sphere again, and we’ll never do this again.”
What Remains Unclear: The official totals for the event have are unknown. From merchandise sales to revenue generated from the event. Also estimated costs for the event with the military personnel used to stage the event are also unknown. Paramount hasn’t released specific viewership numbers yet. Meanwhile, White mentioned talks between himself and Trump about staging military-themed UFC events remain in early stages.
What It Means: Despite being a financial loss for the UFC, Freedom 250 met every expectation for the event. Positive and negative. The broadcast presentation was aimed to tell the story of America and the fighters involved. Despite a one-hour weather delay, the social media engagement surrounding the event remained high. In the coming days, official figures will be released to see if the event drew a large number of subscribers to the Paramount+ platform. If White and the UFC is willing to eat an expected $30 million loss for this event, it will be interesting to see how willing UFC would be open to more events on military bases around the world.
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