“The Meidas Touch” Tops Podtrac’s February Multi-Channel Podcast Ranking
February 2026 is the second month of Podtrac’s multi-channel podcast ranking – combining audio, video, and video clips – to arrive at its total U.S. consumption. For February, the Meidas Touch Network’s news
program “The Meidas Touch” is #1, followed by Joe Rogan’s comedy podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” at #2. Rising to #3 in February was Goalhanger’s history show “The Rest is History.” Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of “The Meidas Touch” consumption is via video and video clips, while “The Rest is History” consumption is primarily audio only. Notable changes from the January ranking include Candace Owens’ “Candace” rising four places to #6, Red Seat Ventures’ “The Tucker Carlson Show” climbing five places to #10, and DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” falling two places to #15. See more here.
most in need of support. Today, the weekly talk show continues to focus on the best of New York City, interviewing leaders in travel and tourism, hospitality, Broadway and live entertainment, food & beverage, major sports events, as well as elected officials, heads of NYC’s business improvement districts, celebrities, members of the media and beyond. Kevin McCullough says, “A five-year journey that began buried in COVID has sprouted into the single most compelling argument for the greatest of all cities every single Friday.” Times Square Alliance president Tom Harris comments, “With most talk shows focusing on the worst, it’s refreshing to tune in each week and hear about the best of New York City. I am always honored to be a guest of Cristyne and Kevin and wish them continued success.” 
host Brian Joyce have been dismissed. Last August, Joyce was arrested following accusations of harassing a woman with whom he’d previously been in a relationship. As district attorney spokesperson said the alleged victim said she did not want to proceed with the case and that the court also found issues with the credibility of testimony prosecutors wished to use in the case. Joyce exited WGOW in February of 2025. 
recognized alongside this esteemed community of storytellers. This honor is not mine alone, but a testament to the journalists I’ve worked with throughout my career – especially my RFE/RL colleagues who are committed to showing the world what is happening inside places like Ukraine and Iran. Their passion for excellence and dedication to the truth inspires me each day. My deepest gratitude to my family, whose support has made all of this possible.”
WOBT-AM and 11 other signals and FM translators. NRG CEO Mary Quass states, “We are proud of the great broadcasters in Wisconsin that we have proudly worked with and are happy they will continue serving Wisconsin with WRIG, Inc.” Midwest Communications president Peter Tanz comments, “Mary and her entire team have built an outstanding community service organization in Wisconsin. For over a century, the Wright family has proudly called Central Wisconsin home. We are honored to add NRG’s Wisconsin stations to our home market.”
pretends it has the power to control news coverage. In reality, the FCC has vanishingly little power over national news networks. It licenses local broadcast stations, not networks, and no licenses are up for renewal until 2028. Early renewal attempts are exceedingly rare, and the process is so demanding that any effort would almost certainly fail, especially given the well-documented First Amendment violations underlying these moves. These threats are grounded in neither reality nor law and would not survive judicial scrutiny, just as other recent attempts by this Administration to push beyond constitutional limits have repeatedly failed in court.
in Los Angeles Superior Court, he says he “still had some feeling and ability to move his toes” but was “otherwise unable to move his limbs and/or breathe on his own” when he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai. Prager accuses the staff at Cedar Sinai of failing to routinely turn him over and as a result he developed stage four pressure ulcers. The suit charges that the other two facilities “failed to take steps to adequately treat the pressure wounds. He claims his wife Susan begged Rancho Los Amigos staff to perform ostomy surgery so that Prager would not be in constant danger of sepsis, but Rancho Los Amigos refused.” The suit adds, “Thus, Prager did not heal, and he continued to be exposed on a daily basis to fecal bacteria pouring into his very deep open wounds.” The suit says his medical costs have exceeded $5 million over the last 13 months, a bill that “continues to grow at a staggering pace with each and every day.” 
died at the age of 82. Anastos worked at the local New York affiliates of ABC, CBS and FOX. In recent years, he hosted a feature on WABC Radio titled, “Positively Ernie.” Red Apple Media Group CEO John Catsimatidis commented on Anastos’ passing saying, “Ernie was a friend for 50 years. He was always there for every charity and worked tirelessly to help people — especially New Yorkers.”
Carrier Bureau, helping implement the Act. In the webinar titled “30th Anniversary of the 96 Act: What Did We Learn?” panelists will explore how lessons from the past 30 years can drive innovation and competition for consumers today. Topics will include artificial intelligence, media, competition, convergence, access, and cybersecurity. The three separate panels will include Panel 1 looking at “The Legislative Process That Led to the Act; Panel 2 will address “FCC Implementation of the Act”; and Panel 3 will focus on “Today’s Challenges.” Interested parties can join online via the 
company says that digital revenue increased 25.8% to $4.3 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.5 million for the same period last year. For the full year of 2025, Saga posts a net loss of $7.9 million compared to the net income of $3.46 million it reported for the full year of 2024.
2024. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III, states, “As expected, we had a tough fourth quarter due to a combination of non-recurring political advertising, soft radio markets and declining audience delivery in our cable television business. Despite this, we were able to achieve full-year Adjusted EBITDA within our previous guidance range at $56.7 million. The biggest revenue drag in the fourth quarter resulted from weak cable TV prime delivery, down approximately 20.0% from the third quarter, although we have seen a significant recovery in the first quarter 2026 as the revised Nielsen methodology has given us an approximate 40.0% – 50.0% lift compared to the fourth quarter 2025. Radio pacings in the first quarter of 2026 are currently down 5%, but we remain positive on the outlook for mid-term political revenues later in the year. I was pleased that we were able to repurchase a significant amount of our 2028 Notes at a discount, extend out the maturity on all but a small stub of the notes, and increase the size and term of our ABL Credit Agreement. This transaction sets up the company with a stable capital structure and extended maturity runway to allow us to continue to de-lever the business. In January 2026 we also regained compliance with the Nasdaq listing requirements by effectuating a 1-for-10 reverse stock split.”
pharmaceutical brand’s original buy targeting adults 18-54, 100% of the budget was allocated to traditional television, with 87% to broadcast and 13% to cable. This achieved a reach of 39%. By shifting only 5% of the total spend away from the usual go-to television outlets, and into podcasts, reach increased significantly. Reach among those ages 18-54 went from 39% in the old campaign to 55% in the new campaign, a lift of 41%. Note that this is shifting dollars, not adding dollars. The brand reached 26 million additional people without increasing the advertising budget.
journalists. The attorney for Hoffman and co-litigants Brandi Kruse and Jonathan Choe argued that the “process used to deny them press credentials was vague and arbitrarily applied, violating their due-process rights, and withholding access because of they disagree with the lawmakers’ political views violates their constitutional rights of free speech and free press.” U.S. District Judge David Estudillo denied the TRO, saying, “The three failed to show that they are likely to succeed on their free press or due process claims, and the ‘House has a substantial interest in ensuring the reporters it permits to access the House floor meet the credential standards promulgated so the House may debate and pass laws without interruption or lobbying in that space.’” This story, as reported by KSL-FM, Salt Lake City, says, “The Washington State Capitol Correspondents Association guidelines for granting press passes says the person must be ‘a bona fide journalist’ and there must be a line ‘between professional journalism and political or policy work.’ The association shifted the credentialing process to the Legislature after the three threatened a lawsuit in 2025. The Senate eventually issued the passes, but the House took over the process and denied the pass requests.” The three say they will appeal. 
Amendment are challenged on every front, the journalists, organizations and individuals we honor today stand as powerful examples of courage, integrity and unwavering commitment to the free flow of information. Their work informs, supports and strengthens our communities, and it definitely protects the core principles that make a free press essential to democracy. We are proud to shine a spotlight on these champions of press freedom and to celebrate their vital contributions.” Honorees include recently retired WGN, Chicago news anchor Steve Bertrand; former “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens; and FOX News pentagon reporter Jennifer Griffin. 
with Jon Marks (right) from 2013 to 2015. Beasley Philadelphia VP and market manager Paul Blake says, “Sean is back, and we’re better for it. He and Jon have proven chemistry and a shared competitive drive that fits this brand perfectly. Our fans expect passion and strong takes. That’s exactly what they’ll get every weekday at 10 am.” Brace comments, “‘97.5 The Fanatic’ is where this all began for me. So, to come back and join Jon Marks & Ray Dunne five days a week is something I’m incredibly proud of. Really looking forward to delivering the best four hours of sports radio in the city every day from 10 to 2.”