New York Festivals Opens 2026 Radio Awards for Entries
The New York Festivals 2026 Radio Awards is open for entries. In announcing this, the organization says, “The New York Festivals Radio Awards provides a global platform to honor creative storytellers. Since 1957, NYF has celebrated innovation and excellence in audio across every genre and platform. Each year, the competition evolves with new categories that reflect the future of audio-driven storytelling.” The 2026 Radio Awards welcomes entries across 14 category groups, from News Programs, Documentaries, and Talk Programs to On-Air Talent, Craft, and Entertainment. Specialized groups spotlight groundbreaking work in Digital, Podcast, and Audio Book content, while Programming Formats and Promotion/Open & ID celebrate the creative standards of radio. This year, the Radio Awards expands its reach with the introduction of the new Video Podcast category, reflecting the growing role of visual storytelling in audio-driven media. New York Festivals Radio Awards EVP and executive director Rose Anderson states, “For nearly seven decades, NYF’s Radio Awards has championed the art of storytelling across every platform. Each year we’re inspired by the creativity and innovation that push audio forward, and with the addition of new categories like Video Podcast, we’re proud to continue celebrating the evolving ways storytellers connect with audiences worldwide.” Through its partnership with the National Press Club, New York Festivals honors audio journalists and reporters who use their craft to shine a light on the stories that matter most. Since its inception in 2023, the National Press Club Award has honored the top-scoring news program across the Breaking News Story Coverage, Continuing News Story Coverage, Nonfiction Series, and News Podcast categories. See 2026’s NYF Radio Awards categories here.
intends to have the station back on the air within a few weeks and it will continue to air an oldies format. Civic Media will add W262CJ at 100.3 FM to the simulcast of talk WAUK-AM, Waukesha which is also heard on W266DR, Waukesha at 101.1 FM. The 100.3 FM signal gives the station a presence in the center of Milwaukee. Civic Media regional president Chris Moreau says, “We’re thrilled to expand our presence in Milwaukee, our largest metro market. These acquisitions allow us to better serve listeners across southeastern Wisconsin with our commitment to local news coverage and quality programming. The extended coverage area creates exciting opportunities for both our audience and advertising partners.”
Sports talk hosts Paul Gallant and Joel Blank have exited Gow Media’s KFNC-FM, Houston ESPN 97.5 in moves they describe as budget related. Both personalities posted the news of their departure to social media. Gallant hosted the early evening show and Blank co-hosted the “Killer B’s” midday show with Jeremy Branham.
The board of directors of the New York State Broadcasters Association names Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis the New York Broadcaster of the Year for 2025. Catsimatidis will be honored at the NYSBA Broadcast Leadership and Hall of Fame Luncheon in New York City on October 22. NYSBA president David Donovan says, “We are honored to have him as NYSBA’s Broadcaster of the Year. John has had unparalleled success turning around 77WABC and expanding Red Apple Media throughout the country. He has led legislative efforts to keep AM radio in vehicles, a vital issue for all New Yorkers.” Catsimatidis comments, “Thank you, Dave and the Board of the New York State Broadcasters Association for this honor. Radio is an integral part of listeners’ lives and often the only source of information during times of disaster. I ask everyone in radio to alert their listeners that car manufacturers are risking lives by taking AM off the dashboard of new cars. Together, we can stop this, and we must stop it.” Catsimatidis entered the radio business with the purchase WABC-AM in March 2020 and has since added WLIR-FM, Hampton Bays and WRCR-AM, Haverstraw to his portfolio of stations.
Connoisseur Media promotes Ed Oliveira to operations manager for Connoisseur Media’s Connecticut stations. Oliveira has been with Connoisseur Media for more than a decade, most recently as director of traffic & creative services. Oliveira says, “I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to take on this expanded role. This feels like a natural step for me, and I appreciate [SVP of Connecticut operations] Kristin Okesson for believing in me and my abilities. One person that has been a near-constant in my career is Keith Dakin. Having the opportunity to receive the baton from him and building on his work is a task I take on with pride. I am beyond excited to expand my role with the amazing people on this team. They are so good that operations could probably run on its own BUT I am ecstatic they chose me to oversee it.”
Salem Media Group recruits Australian media personality Erin Molan to host an eponymous podcast for the Salem Podcast Network. Molan says, “The American market has always felt like such a natural fit. The focus on my former show on Sky News Australia was always more heavily skewed towards foreign affairs, U.S. politics, national security, and COMMON SENSE! When clips started to go viral in the United States, I figured there was an appetite there for what I had to say!” Salem SVP spoken word Phil Boyce comments, “I really believe Erin Molan is the ‘thunder from down under.’ She is fighting hard for the right side in Australia, and now we are helping her make her case to the U.S. and beyond. She is a strong advocate for Israel and against anti-Semitic rhetoric, so I can’t wait to hear her get started.”
New York’s Cipriani 42nd Street once again played host to one of radio’s most anticipated annual events of the year: the annual “77 WABC Gala,” held this past Friday (9/5). The spectacular evening blended star-studded entertainment, heartfelt tributes, and plenty of radio family camaraderie – all while raising funds for three cornerstone charities: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Police Athletic League, and Shriners Children’s Hospital.
The Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group unveils an audio planning guide based on data from Edison Research and Nielsen data. Saying that there are incorrect assumptions among strategists and media planners about which audio media have the most listeners, chief insights officer Pierre Bouvard underscores that AM/FM radio is still the dominant ad-supported audio platform with a 66% share. Podcasting is second with a 20% share and this is true across all demographics. For those who are all-in on digital audio only, Bouvard says they are missing 70% of the potential audience as ad-supported Spotify, Pandora and podcasts reach only 30% of the U.S. in a typical day. Further, Bouvard says the data suggests an optimal allocation of audio ad spend: “The ideal allocation for a 25-54 audio plan is 62% AM/FM radio, 24% podcasts, 12% music streaming (Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music), and 2% SiriusXM satellite radio.” 
2013. Company CEO Jeff Warshaw says, “Keith’s programming expertise and leadership have been a major contributor to Connoisseur’s growth and success. As we expand our footprint, Keith is the ideal leader to develop and implement our programming strategy across the country. His passion for music, content, and his commitment to local communities will ensure that our stations continue to succeed.” Dakin comments, “It is truly an honor to move into this larger role with the newly expanded Connoisseur Media. I am extremely excited to work day-to-day with this unbelievable roster of programmers and air talent. I can’t wait to dig in and make great radio with this tremendously creative staff. Thank you so much to Jeff Warshaw who has been a true champion of mine since I started here. His leadership, vision, and commitment to real radio will hopefully give this industry the shot in the arm it needs.”
“The most common type [of shotgun pleading] – by a long shot – is a complaint containing multiple counts where each count adopts the allegations of all preceding counts, causing each successive count to carry all that came before and the last count to be a combination of the entire complaint.” The suit was dismissed without prejudice which gives Newsmax the opportunity to file an amended complaint, but it must do so by September 11 and “must not contain any successive counts that incorporate all prior allegations.” Judge Cannon also adds that if an amended complaint is filed, “each count must identify the particular legal basis for liability and contain specific factual allegations that support each cause of action within each count.
Woodward Community Media makes talk programming leadership moves that it says “strengthens its talk radio leadership with a key promotion and new hire.” Alex Thomas is promoted to brand manager fornews/talk WHBY-AM/W278AU and sports talk WSCO-AM/W256DD in Appleton, Wisconsin. At the same time, Paul Johnson joins the company as the new assistant brand manager for the Woodward Community Media Talk Team. Johnson most recently served with Midwest Communications. Thomas says, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to be brand manager of such prestigious stations of WHBY & The Score. With WHBY celebrating its 100th year Anniversary and WSCO’s local sports presence, it’s an honor to represent Woodward Community Media as the talk station brand manager. I look forward to continuing our community impact and highlighting the Fox Valley with great local radio programming.” Johnson comments, “I’m excited to be part of the team at Woodward Community Media! So many talented individuals on staff, and I feel very fortunate to join the team at WHBY and WSCO with the goal of providing great local radio to the listeners of the Fox Valley.”
Superman just flew into court – not against Lex Luthor, but against Midjourney. Warner Bros. Discovery is suing the AI platform, accusing it of stealing the studio’s crown jewels: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, and more.
publishers and the top three shows remain, in order, “NPR News Now” at #1, The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #2 and “Up First from NPR” at #3. The big mover during August was The DailyWire’s “The Ben Shaprio Show,” which leaped five places to land at the #8 spot. 
My kitchen faucet wouldn’t shut off. It died, of old age. Things start doing that when your “new” house turns 25.
After 40 years on the air in the Rochester market, legendary radio personality Brother Wease is exiting iHeartMedia’s talk WAIO-FM where he’s been hosting the late morning show for the past two years (he’d been hosting the morning drive show there since November of 2008). According to the Democrat & Chronicle, Brother Wease told his audience that the company is flipping the talk station to rock and he, along with air personality Deanna King, are being let go. Brother Wease launched his on-air career on rock WCMF in 1984 in overnights and moved to morning drive in 1985. The show took off and became a highly successful one in the market for years. He left WCMF in late 2007 after contract talks with then-Entercom broke down and resurfaced on WAIO. 
According to a report in Barron’s, Premiere Networks talk host Buck Sexton filing a federal lawsuit against RAD Diversified REIT, alleging they defrauded him of more than $100,000. In the complaint, Sexton alleges that RAD founders Dutch Mendenhall and Amy Vaughn solicited cash from him for investment coaching for property deals, neither of which ever happened. The story notes that this suit comes just weeks after Florida’s attorney general announced a probe into RAD saying the firm “appears to be a Ponzi scheme.” Sexton’s attorney writes in the complaint, “Despite being an experienced real estate investor, Mr. Sexton was taken in by the documents and investment returns touted by Mendenhall and his representatives. The defendants’ grand promises of sweeping returns never materialized.” 
radio spots across 192 media markets, generating more than 1 billion impressions and $43 million in airtime from TV and radio stations. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “Local stations are serving communities with live sports, trusted local news and life-saving emergency coverage – all available for free to every American. But outdated rules are shackling these stations from growing and innovating at a time when Big Tech operates with limitless scale and zero public interest obligations. Consumers deserve more – not fewer – local journalists on the ground and live sporting events accessible without a subscription. The FCC must act quickly to level the playing field so broadcasters can continue investing in the content communities rely on most.”
Hillsdal 101.7 FM – is managed by Scot Bertram, who says, “‘The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour’ is designed to bring listeners as close to the Hillsdale experience as possible without having to be on campus. You can’t get [to Hillsdale] unless you intentionally want to be here. We have many people who like Hillsdale, love Hillsdale, admire Hillsdale. The show is an attempt to allow them to be close to what we’re doing without being here on campus.” Bertram says that Vince Benedetto, president and founder of Bold Gold Media Group, airs the “Radio Free Hillsdale Hour” on two of his 15 stations and says the show gives variety to his stations, which mostly broadcast conservative talk radio focused on current events.
Sunday morning 8:00 am to 10:00 am show with Mike Harmon. Also, WGFX-FM, Nashville host Buck Reising joins longtime friend and FSR weekend personality Jason Fitz to co-anchor “Buck & Fitz” on Saturdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET. Fangirl Sports Network Founder and KNBR 49ers correspondent Tracy Sandler and Spectrum News Sports host and sideline reporter Nikki Kay are joining Alex Curry and Carmen Vitali on the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Saturday program.
accuses FOX of “engaging in an extensive and unlawful campaign to block competition in the market for right-leaning pay television news, including Newsmax.” 
A FOX spokesperson responded with the following: “Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.” Newsmax issued the following statement in response to that saying, “If Newsmax was such a ratings failure, why has FOX spent so much time, energy, and resources to suppress us, block us, and denigrate us? The answer is obvious. Also please note that FOX in its statement does not deny any of our serious allegations.”
America’s top 10 radio broadcasters by station count and by revenue. Connoisseur Media CEO Jeffrey Warshaw says, “Local broadcasting has always been at the heart of what we do. Connoisseur started as a company rooted in radio serving local markets. Today we’re taking that same local-focused philosophy, which now includes our digital marketing and multi-platform expertise to some of the most dynamic markets in the country. This acquisition is about assembling the scale and resources to keep radio strong, serve our communities, empower our employees, and create even more value for advertisers. As I have travelled the country to meet our new colleagues in the Alpha Media markets, I have been impressed with their dedication to radio and their communities. I am excited to be associated with such a great group of people.”
-demand radio shows to migrate to ART19’s infrastructure that it says will allow it to “unlock new revenue opportunities and offering advertisers enhanced reach , deeper analytics, and improved ROI.” Beasley chief content officer Justin Chase says, “This partnership is an important step in our digital transformation. ART19’s platform will help us expand monetization opportunities while delivering a better experience for audiences and advertisers.”
Beshear will host a new series of live specials, “Andy Beshear Presents,” airing exclusively on SiriusXM Progress. The series will premiere Tuesday, September 9 at 12:00 noon ET. Beshear will be joined by fellow Progress host John Fugelsang and will take calls from listeners across the country. Governor Beshear says. “I want this podcast to be a space to bring people together – especially in such a stressful and divisive time in our country. This is a conversation with friends and we talk about things that matter to all of us: sports, politics, pop culture, our kids. I’m excited to expand this conversation with listeners across the country on SiriusXM, highlighting a wide range of voices and ideas that can help move us all forward, together.”
significant role in shaping Salem’s growth and direction. Under his leadership, Salem launched and developed four major digital properties: Salem Web Network, Salem Church Products, Townhall Media, and Eagle Financial Publications. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “David has been an important part of Salem’s journey, and we are deeply grateful for his dedication, professionalism, and leadership over the years.” Salem co-founder Ed Atsinger adds, “David’s impact on Salem has been profound. From his early days as CFO to his leadership in building our digital media presence, his contributions have helped define who we are today. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him continued success in the future.”
in the U.S. House of Representatives and a filibuster-proof 61 in the U.S. Senate. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt says, “We thank the growing, bipartisan group of lawmakers standing up for their constituents who depend on AM radio. This support demonstrates a deep understanding that AM radio remains an essential lifeline for emergency alerts, local news and community connection. With significant momentum behind this bill, NAB urges House leadership to bring it to the floor without delay and preserve this vital service for the American public.”
Media’s WABC, New York airing in the 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Concha has been hosting the time period since Jeanine Pirro left to become the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez says, “Joe brings the total package, smart, sharp, and fearless. He doesn’t just analyze the news, he makes sense of it, challenges it and connects with America in a way only he can.”
Jeff Rickard says, “ESPN has long set the standard for covering the biggest live sporting events and the athletes who define them. We’re thrilled to team up for premier play-by-play and insightful nightly conversation. Combined with our award-winning local lineup, this partnership gives Charlotte the very best in local and national sports coverage.”
exclude or marginalize competitors like Newsmax. Further, Newsmax alleges that FOX News, “described in the complaint as a ‘must-have’ channel for distributors, leverages its market power to impose restrictions that harm consumers, stifle competition, and drive-up costs across the pay TV ecosystem.” Specifically, Newsmax alleges that “FOX conditions access to FOX News on 
agreements by distributors not to carry or to restrict competing right-leaning news channels. If distributors carry Newsmax, FOX forces them to also carry low-demand channels like FOX Business or FOX Sports 2 in their most widely viewed tiers, triggering potentially tens of millions in extra fees. These clauses penalize distributors for placing Newsmax in basic packages by requiring simultaneous promotion of FOX less popular channels.” Also, Newsmax alleges that FOX has pressured its guests to not appear on Newsmax, as well as has run online smear campaigns and hired private investigators targeting Newsmax executives to damage the Company’s credibility. Newsmax is asking the court to: 1) Declare FOX’s conduct unlawful under federal and state antitrust laws; 2) Award monetary damages as permitted by law; 3) Enjoin FOX from continuing exclusionary contracts and monopolistic practices; and 4) Order equitable relief to restore competition in right-leaning pay TV news.