WTOP Reimagines Top News Podcast
Hubbard Media’s all-news WTOP, Washington says it is reimagining its “Top News Podcast,” transforming it “into a dynamic, on-demand extension of WTOP’s award-winning on-air 
news product.” WTOP says the “Top News Podcast” will deliver 12-14 episodes each weekday between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm. WTOP will also produce a video version of the podcast for digital platforms. Head of news and programming Julia Ziegler says, “This new podcast represents a natural evolution of the WTOP brand. It meets news consumers where they are – on more platforms than ever before – allowing us to grow our audience and develop new revenue streams.”
and KCBS, San Francisco – will become available “later this year.” Audacy CEO and president Kelli Turner states, “Audacy’s sports brands are deeply connected to the cities, teams and fan communities they serve, and being able to extend our reach nationally through SiriusXM is a natural fit. We look forward to working together with 
SiriusXM to bring our outstanding talent and content to sports fans and news and talk listeners wherever they are, providing our audiences with more ways to stay connected to the conversations that matter most to them.” SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein adds, “We also recognize the unique role local personalities play in connecting fans with their teams every day. By adding Audacy’s extensive lineup of sports stations, we’re making those trusted hometown voices available to fans wherever they are across North America. Together, we’re delivering an even more complete audio experience – bringing live games, premier national sports talk, and hometown conversations together in one place.”
of Americans listen to AM/FM radio as part of their daily audio consumption. Podcast listening gets 20% with ad-supported streaming getting 16%, and ad-supported satellite radio accounting for 2%. The report also indicates that the news/talk radio format maintained its position as the top format with 10.9% share of total radio listening (P18+), a slight uptick from the 10.8% it captured in Q4 2025. All-news listening also increased, climbing from 2.7% to 2.9%. 
stations. Audacy says, “The move ensures listeners continue receiving trusted national and international reporting from ABC News Audio, while Audacy stations remain focused on delivering live, local journalism in the communities they serve. Existing ABC News Audio affiliates, including 1010 WINS in New York and KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia, will continue their longstanding relationships as part of the expanded collaboration.”
and meet monthly goals through effective outside sales techniques; Develop new business through selling commercial advertising time and other station products by reaching out to local businesses and other advertisers; Create and present advertising strategies and ideas for local businesses incorporating radio, online and digital mediums; Provide input on sales promotion ideas to sales management; and more. 
Angeles with even more of the best in local news, sports, traffic, and information. Both brands will also be available through the Audacy app, partner streaming platforms, and all social channels.” Audacy West regional president Jeff Federman states, “Los Angeles is the epicenter of the sports world, and ‘97.1 The Fan’ is its new voice. With legendary franchises and global events like the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, the time was right to bring our industry-leading sports programming to this market. The Voice of LA Sports will be a 24/7, multiplatform home where fans are part of the conversation every day, building on the same commitment to local connection that has made KNX News a trusted cornerstone in Los Angeles and strengthening our overall offering.” Audacy chief business officer Chris Oliviero adds, “This launch further strengthens Audacy as the unrivaled leader in sports audio, reaching more sports listeners than our eight closest competitors combined. Adding Los Angeles – one of the most passionate and influential sports markets in the country – completes our presence across the top 10 markets and meaningfully expands our reach and scale. It allows us to deliver even greater impact for listeners and partners through premium content, unmatched distribution, and deeper fan engagement.”
newscast that some 700 stations respected enough to put on their air. Schwalb tells the Tribune, “Conversations have been going on since the announcement, and I think we get closer and closer to a decision every day. But we have to be very careful and be very diligent about making sure the product that we select is going to make sense from a listener perspective and a revenue perspective as well… CBS has been a great top-of-the-hour news piece for a long time, but it’s a very small percentage of what we do in a given hour between business, traffic and weather together on the eights, local news – the strongest local newsroom in Chicago radio.” 
news content, report on breaking news events, serve as board operator for special programming, and produce special projects and programming as assigned. This position does feature regular hours of board operator work, writing, producing, as well as anchoring newscasts. On occasion the position will offer extra hours during the week to cover shifts for those who are ill or on vacation. 
conservative or liberal – depending on the channel – all-news radio’s audience is almost perfectly balanced. Audacy adds that it matters when it comes to election season. “While most national news platforms reach consumers who already lean one way or another, all-news radio’s neutrality makes listeners more willing to hear a message – even from a candidate they might initially distrust. The Alter Agents study found that 77% of listeners considered all-news advertisers to be ‘trustworthy’ simply by running adjacent to the content.” 
-AM/FM and country KPLZ-FM. At the same time, the company announces that Jeff Connell is the new director of operations & brand management. Adams most recently served with Stephens Media Group in Spokane. Connell rises from his role as regional PD for KPLZ and KTHI-FM, Boise. In his new role, Connell will give up his programming role at KTHI.
served as PM drive anchor at Audacy’s KRLD-AM, Dallas. WTOP director of news and programming Julie Ziegler says, “From the moment I met Kristin, I knew there was something special about her. Her commitment to telling stories that impact the diverse, local community she serves and doing so across platforms, aligns perfectly with WTOP’s mission. I can’t wait for the WTOP audience to get to know her.” Diaz was awarded the 2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. She was also the recipient of the 2023 Texas Association of Broadcasters award for Best Newscast.
Chicago area were encouraged to submit an entry for a chance to win a $10,000 media campaign and feature on WBBM-AM’s “Made in Chicago” news segment. Based on the originality, persuasiveness and creativity of their submission, Kikwetu Coffee Company takes home the Grand Prize that includes a media package consisting of a 1 minute 30 second “Made in Chicago” news feature and web article, plus the production and 60 runs of a custom 30-second commercial scheduled to air in February. Runners-up were Presto Real Estate Services and Palmer Florist Inc. and they are being awarded a media campaign valued at $2,500.
“Glenn’s combination of experience, authenticity and professionalism will immediately strengthen our afternoon reporting and bring a recognizable, trusted voice to our evening anchoring. We’re excited to welcome Glenn and see the impact he will have on our newsroom and the Chicago audience.” Marshall says, “Chicago made me. I listened to WBBM Newsradio as a kid and dreamed of one day being part of the voices that inform this city. Now I get to continue telling the stories that matter to the neighborhoods I know and love. I am proud to join the team and shine a light on the issues and victories that shape our communities every day. Thanks to Craig Schwalb, Kevin Cassidy and everyone at Audacy for this opportunity.”
people here at KNX all around me are real. And they are people who live and work in this community. Brian Douglas and Sioux-Z Jessup, our traffic team, Sabina – they care about people driving in from places like Santa Clarita. Or when you hear sirens on the westside or Monrovia, we here at KNX are curious too! And we can joke about the differences between LA and Orange County and how Irvine is always topping the list somewhere because we are here with you in this community. We know Southern California. It has been my privilege to be part of this community and to tell you stories about things that matter, as well as things that just might brighten your day. We’ve had so much fun. It has been my absolute pleasure to meet some of you, along the way… So, I hope that you will continue to listen to KNX and enjoy my partner here and support him, Mike Simpson, and the new owner of my chair as the morning co-host, that is Margaret Carrero, we wish her well.” With Carrero’s move to mornings, Alex Silverman joins the afternoon lineup, alternating shifts with Brian Douglas. 
16% year-over-year decline in the percentage of Americans who say they get their news ‘often’ from apps like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X.2. In this rapidly changing landscape, consumers are increasingly turning to All News Radio for local news, trusted voices, and fact-based reporting.” Borelli cites as evidence for this Nielsen data indicating that Audacy all-news stations are up 11% versus last year and adds that’s coming off a presidential election year. Ben Mevorach is vice president of news at WINS, New York and he says, “As the number of places to get news continues to grow, the number of places to find news that is credible, trustworthy, and without bias is rapidly shrinking. People constantly tell us that 1010 WINS is their sole source for news they can trust.” 
Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington is looking for a new morning drive news anchor after Michelle Basch informed the company she will leave her position at the end of the year to relocate out of DC. WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler wrote in a memo to the stations staff, “Anyone who knows Michelle Basch, knows how much she and her husband Mike adore their cabin in Pennsylvania. Michelle and Mike have decided to move there full-time in the Spring, which means Michelle will be leaving WTOP after nearly two decades. The good news? Michelle will continue to anchor AM Drive through the end of the year. She will then do some reporting for us until she and Mike are fully moved to PA. Michelle’s passion for news, commitment to excellence and drive to ‘first get it right, then get it first’ will be greatly missed in this newsroom.” 
that Audacy bargain respectfully and in good faith as we work to improve our salaries, benefits, pathways to promotion, workplace safety, remote work options, preserve severance, and protect against the growing threat of artificial intelligence.” Regarding the issue of safety, WGAE president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen says, “1010 WINS runs 24/7 and requires people to commute to the office at all hours. The station’s journalists have been threatened and even attacked. Audacy needs to take responsibility for the safety of its employees and our members. This is one of the many issues that management still needs to address in a fair and equitable contract.” 
for WWJ and sports talk WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” since 2018. Audacy Detroit SVP and market manager Debbie Kenyon says, “We are excited to have Chris bring his passion and energy to the morning show. Chris and Jackie are a powerful team, and we’re confident they’ll make an impact every morning while connecting with our listeners.” Fillar comments, “I’m ecstatic to take on this new role alongside Jackie and the entire fantastic morning newsroom at WWJ. It’s an honor to wake up and deliver trusted news to our listeners, and I’m humbled to work with such a great team!”
for our station. Your material is used throughout the day on several different broadcasts. This individual in this position is also an overall ambassador for our brand, and is expected to also work at special events, and alongside our sales staff promote the station to Northwest Newsradio clients. The perfect candidate has a minimum of two years’ experience in large market media, is proficient and aggressive in social media, is an excellent writer, and embraces using digital platforms (podcasting, streaming audio, streaming video) to promote the Northwest Newsradio brand. Candidates need to submit an audio demonstration of their on-air ability with their resume, along with a sample of radio news writing. Candidates should also be prepared to take a writing test if requested. 
Show Award for “Key Bridge Collapse” in the Outstanding Spot News Reporting category. Director of news and programming Julia Ziegler says, “Our goal every day is to serve those who live in this region by delivering to them the stories that impact their lives. The newsroom pushes hard to produce content for our audio, web and social platforms that informs and engages our audience. It is an honor to be recognized for this work.”
Music radio’s competitors were vinyl, then tape, then CDs – before smartphone streaming and satellite radio offered more portability and variety. And before consolidation, broadcasters were under less of the revenue pressure that now commercializes many stations beyond listeners’ tolerance. 