Asheville’s WWNC Adds FM Signal
iHeartMedia’s Asheville news/talk outlet adds an FM signal to its broadcast as it begins simulcasting on translator W225CJ-FM, Asheville. iHeartMedia Carolinas area president Drew Salamon states, “Extending News Radio 570 WWNC to 92.9 FM gives Western North Carolina
greater access to trusted news and talk at a time when local information matters more than ever. This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to serve Asheville and the surrounding communities with credible voices, local connection and meaningful conversations.” iHeartMedia area SVP of programming Zac Davis adds, “After our post–Hurricane Helene broadcast, it became clear just how essential WWNC is to Western North Carolina. Over the past year, we’ve focused on expanding our ability to serve the community, and this next step allows us to reach even more listeners. It’s a natural extension of the incredible work our Asheville team has already done.”
Milner comments, “Joyce is an experienced market leader with deep relationships across Salt Lake City, enabling her to bring sharp local insight and credibility to every client partnership. She excels at delivering integrated marketing solutions, helping clients leverage our multi-platform strategies that maximize the combined power of audio and digital to drive results. Joyce will be a tremendous asset to our Salt Lake City team and a growth catalyst for our clients.”
-platform footprint, we’re thrilled to welcome Jamie and his decades of expertise in driving meaningful success for blue chip media companies. Jamie swings big, experiences that inspire action, drive growth and leave lasting impressions on the audience. He will fit right in as our team continues to push innovative ideas at the leading edge of the industry.” Cutburth says, “My role sits at the intersection between brand, revenue, content and culture, and will ensure that iHeart shows up in the market with a clear story and a modern marketing engine. I am excited to bring my years of building successful partnerships and experiences to this team and to a company so clearly focused on innovation and growth.”
iHeartMedia division president Jeff Thomas says, “Over the past three months I have had the opportunity to work with Care and I can say without hesitation that she is the best person for this important role. Her leadership and coaching skills make her a perfect fit for the position.” Jones comments, “I’m absolutely thrilled to step into the role of market president at iHeartMedia — it’s an incredible honor and an even greater opportunity. I can’t wait to celebrate big wins, chase bold goals and grow alongside a truly exceptional team.”
and Sliwa” airs daily from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Sliwa most recently served with the Los Angeles Lakers Radio Network. Station PD Mary Ayala says, “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Allen to our team. His experience, sports knowledge and natural connection with listeners make him an outstanding addition to our station. Pairing Allen with Jon creates a team we believe will deliver one of San Diego’s premier sports talk shows.”
Worldwide provides audio creation tools, media intelligence, music analytics and television operations technology. She takes over for Philippe Generali. RCS says, “Her leadership roles in major markets further shaped her as an operator who understands scale, complexity, and the disciplined, data‑driven decision‑making required to deliver strong performance across diverse portfolios.”
presented at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre at 8:00 pm ET. Actress, comedian and host of the “Thanks Dad” podcast, Ego Nwodim, will emcee this year’s iHeartPodcast Awards, actor and comedian Will Ferrell will open the show and Holly Frey, host of “Stuff You Missed in History Class,” will be the winners correspondent. The full list of the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards categories and nominees can be found 
podcasts that will deliver weekly gaming and culture programming across its multiplatform network. iHeartMedia president of business development and strategic partnerships Michael Biondo says, “This collaboration shows iHeart’s commitment to authentically elevating gaming culture. Together, iHeart and GGL are creating a new blueprint for how gaming lives inside mainstream culture—bringing competitive gaming to listeners and new fans nationwide by introducing them directly into the Global Gaming League ecosystem.”
and 25–54 with double-digit shares of 13.9 and 13.1, respectively. The show is hosted by DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God and plays an important role in urban youth culture. iHeartMedia EVP of programming Thea Mitchem states, “The Breakfast Club continues to set the standard for what a truly multiplatform powerhouse looks like. These record‑setting ratings are a direct reflection of the team’s talent, consistency, and cultural impact. DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, and our exceptional production and digital teams deliver a show that resonates deeply with audiences across every platform. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to the listeners of New York who make ‘The Breakfast Club’ a defining force in media.”
revenue increased $47.7 million, or 14.1%, driven primarily by continuing increases in demand for digital and podcast advertising, as well as increased non-cash trade revenue resulting from strategic marketing initiatives. Multiplatform Group revenue decreased $19.2 million, or 2.8%, primarily resulting from lower political revenues, as 2024 was a presidential election year, as well as a decrease in broadcast advertising in connection with continued uncertain market conditions.
purchasing power – backed by a population of nearly 70 million that is a leading ethnicity in growth – has now reached $4.1 trillion and continues to grow more than twice as fast as that of non‑Latinos. iHeartMedia says, “The impact of this can only be measured in global scale: If isolated, the GDP of current U.S. Latinos would rank fifth in the world, having surged from $2.2 trillion in 2015 to $4 trillion.” iHeartLatino president and chief creative officer Enrique Santos says, “Bicultural Latinos are not just an audience — they are a cultural vanguard, driving tastes, trends and conversations across every platform while powering one of the fastest‑growing segments of the U.S. economy and redefining what it means to be American. For brands, the takeaway is clear: culture is the strategy — language is the tactic. Those who lead with cultural intelligence, not just translation, earn more than attention, they earn long-term loyalty and trust.” The study also finds that audio is important to this demographic. The study finds: “Broadcast reaches 9 in 10 Latinos monthly, according to Nielsen, and this new research shows that Bicultural Latino radio listening is diverse – 92 percent listen in English, 78 percent listen in Spanish – and 65 percent of Bicultural Latinos prefer listening to radio/music/podcasts equally in Spanish and English. Additionally, the research shows that 98 percent are listening to music weekly, 63 percent tune into podcasts weekly and 69 percent engage with live sports through audio.”
Robertson states, “Expanding WDAE’s heritage brand strengthens our long-standing broadcast and marketing partnerships with the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, Lightning, Florida Gators and USF Bulls. This evolution also reflects our continued commitment to serving Tampa Bay listeners across multiple platforms.” WDAE program director and midday host Nick Wize adds, “I am beyond excited for Tampa Bay sports fans. This is a championship market, and we’re delivering a strong, engaging lineup that brings fans closer to the teams and conversations they care about most.”
pm. Talk show hosts Chris Merrill and Michael Monks partner for the “Monks & Merrill” shows that will air from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. An hour is shaved off the late morning “Gary & Shannon” show [Gary Hoffmann and Shannon Farren] that will air from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Chris Merrill, who’s been heard on KFI in the past, was most recently with Bonneville’s KTAR-FM, Phoenix. Michael Monks an award-winning senior reporter/host for KFI News. Station brand manager Brian Long says, “The chance to put John Kobylt back in drivetime and move Tim Conway Jr. and his entertaining brand of talk a bit later for the evening crowd is a homerun for the KFI listeners. Starting the day with ‘Wake- Up Call,’ Bill Handel, ‘Gary & Shannon,’ our award-winning news team, and now the addition of the new ‘Monks & Merrill’ show makes KFI the most stimulating talk lineup in America.”
Sports 1450” and six music brands. He joins the Tucson operations from iHeartMedia’s Spokane station group. Southwest area president Steve Earnhart states, “We’re excited to have Bill join our team in Tucson. He brings a deep understanding of how to build strong, relevant brands that connect with listeners and communities. His leadership and programming vision will continue to elevate our stations and deliver compelling content that reflects the energy, culture, and voice of Tucson.”
his new role with iHeartMedia he’ll “be responsible for helping local sales teams operate efficiently by providing them with the tools, training, and best practices needed to deliver strong results and measurable value for advertisers in today’s evolving media landscape.” President of community markets John Karpinski says, “Matt brings a rare combination of experience across every level of sales leadership and enablement. His background 
in developing people, sharpening processes and driving modern revenue strategy will help us to continue to grow and elevate iHeartMedia’s commitment to drive results for advertisers. His understanding of how high-performing organizations operate will help us accelerate what’s working and raise the bar even further. We’re fired up to have him on board and excited for the impact he’s going to make across our division.” In addition, iHeartMedia appoints Wayne Jones metro president for the Texas community markets, overseeing operational sales efficiency in Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Waco, McAllen and Bryan. Jones comes to iHeartMedia from Urban One in Houston, where he served as the director of sales and business.
and content for iHeart’s My Cultura podcast network. The first show from the collaboration will debut early 2026 featuring MLB’s 2025 Comeback Player of the Year and Rimas talent Ronald Acuña Jr. My Cultura Podcast Network head Leo Gomez states, “Sports aren’t just something the Latino community watches, it’s something we live. Sports are part of the culture, heritage and legacy that is woven into who we are. Partnering with Rimas Sports on amazing audio content curated by Bad Bunny and his team will allow us to bring sports and pop-culture icons like Ronald to listeners everywhere and share richer stories about how Latinos experience, elevate and redefine sports every day.”
slot. The station notes that Godbolt is a former University of Texas running backs coach and the station is the radio flagship of Longhorns football. Station PD Bryan Erickson states, “‘Bucky & BK’ is already a proven, fan-favorite show and we’re thrilled to add it to The Zone’s afternoon lineup. Bucky & BK’s credibility, insight and strong UT sports connection further strengthens our unrivaled coverage of UT athletics.”
founders, world-leading investors, media and more than 1,600 startups to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 1-4. iHeart Media says that this year’s Centre Stage sessions will welcome Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group along with other leading podcast talent including Questlove, host of “The Questlove Show”; Steven Bartlett, host of the podcast “The Diary of a CEO”; Arabic sensation Islam Fawzy and more. The event will also serve as the official launch of iHeartArabi, iHeartPodcasts Arabic show slate. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “At iHeart we believe in fostering conversations that lead to creative and innovative ideas and solutions, and our partnership with the GCO continues to expand the boundaries of podcasting. Our goal is to work together to generate the kind of discussions and interactions that enhance and grow the future of this medium for audiences everywhere.”
more than 270 stations nationwide as well as on FOX Sports Radio’s channel on iHeartRadio and on FOXSportsRadio.com. The full radio show will also be available as a podcast immediately following each broadcast. In December, TALKERS reported that longtime Dan LeBatard producer and co-host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner would join FSR in a deal that would also feature an upcoming slate of original sports talk programming, including Stugotz’s podcasts “Stugotz and Company” and “God Bless Football.”
will support our strong team and help WHO continue delivering the high-quality programming listeners rely on every day.” Henson most recently served with Cumulus Media as PD and morning host at classic rock WLAV-FM and country WTNR-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During his career he’s programmed news/talk outlets including WRVA, Richmond; WPGB-FM, Pittsburgh; and WOWO, Fort Wayne. Henson comments, “I’m incredibly excited to return to iHeartMedia and work with the legendary staff at NewsRadio 1040 WHO. WHO’s legacy of trusted news and strong local voices is unmatched, and I’m focused on building on that foundation and continuing to deliver relevant, impactful programming for listeners across Iowa.”
addition to their existing audio distribution. When this video feature launches, creators will be able to upload their podcast episodes, including full-length video versions, through their standard RSS feeds for seamless distribution in iHeartRadio.” The company goes on to say that this feature will 1) allow podcasters to control how their content is presented; 2) allow creators control over their monetization, with no revenue share required to iHeart; and 3) give them the freedom to have their videos hosted and served from wherever they want and not be tied to an iHeart-owned hosting provider. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman explains, “While audio remains the backbone of the podcast medium, as well as its primary source of audience connection and the reason for the industry’s explosive growth, video podcasting is now emerging as a completely separate and incremental form to audio, in the same way that podcasting evolved as a new layer on top of broadcast radio. At iHeartMedia creators come first. Providing this new video distribution capability for free to our creators is an additional testament to our continuing focus on creators’ success and is consistent with how and why the podcast industry was built to begin with.”
iHeartMedia’s studios in South Florida and airing in the 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm slot being vacated by Doug Gottlieb. iHeartMedia says, “Designed as a live radio extension of his popular podcast ‘Stugotz and Company,’ the show will bring together his regular crew along with a rotating cast of guest co-hosts, blending old friends and new voices.” Additionally, the Stugotz Podcast Network will launch with iHeartPodcasts, featuring “Stugotz and Company” and “God Bless Football,” plus more content to be launched later. Weiner says, “There was a ton of interest and a lot of great conversations, but it became obvious to me rather quickly that iHeart and FOX Sports Radio were going to be the landing spot. I miss doing live radio, and I was looking for a partner to grow my two existing podcasts and help us build out a network. To be able to partner with the biggest and best digital company on the planet – and host a daily, two-hour live radio show with two Hall of Famers, Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd, as lead-ins – is a place, quite frankly, I never imagined arriving at, and an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up.”
Benjamin Yount is taking over the 6:00 am to 9:00 am show hosting duties. Yount has been with the station since 2018 as host and news director. He comments, “WISN has always been about serving Wisconsin with smart, honest conversation, and I’m honored to take on 
morning drive. Our listeners count on us to start their day informed and engaged, and I’m excited to continue that in a new time slot while keeping the same commitment to strong local coverage.” Jason Goch, who has been a fill-in host on WISN, moves into the morning news anchor and late morning talk host role. He’ll handle news duties during Yount’s program and host his own talk show from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Station program director Jerry Bott states, “This lineup builds on WISN’s momentum and reflects our focus on serving listeners with strong, credible voices throughout the day. Benjamin has earned the trust of our audience and brings proven ratings success to morning drive, while Jason is a terrific addition whose experience and versatility strengthen our local programming bench.”
morning radio show with co-hosts DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious and Loren LoRosa. Charlamagne Tha God comments, “When it comes to iHeartMedia, gratitude will always be my attitude. They’ve created space for me to grow not just as talent, but as an executive and true partner through The Black Effect Podcast Network. To say that I’m thankful is an understatement. iHeart is the biggest and best audio company on the planet and audio is the foundation on which the whole media conglomerate will be built. Podcasting, live events, TV/film and documentaries, the sky is the limit for where we are going; and radio will always be at the core of it. Here’s to a new era of growth, impact, and prosperity.”
regions. President of community markets John Karpinski says, “Mark and Jeff consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership in developing business, cultivating long-standing client relationships, and building high-performing sales teams. Their strategic vision and deep understanding of our business will be instrumental as we continue to invest in our people and platforms. I am excited to see the impact they will have across even more markets.” Additionally, Marshal Burgess, currently president of the Portland market, is promoted to region president of the Pacific Northwest Area expanding his responsibilities to include Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. Division president Nick Gnau states, “Marshal has been a cornerstone of iHeart’s success in the Pacific Northwest, consistently driving growth and fostering strong relationships throughout the region. With a deep understanding of the business and a proven leadership track record, he is well-positioned to lead the region and drive success.”
Murder,” “Joe and Jada,” “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler and “This Is Important” with “Workaholics” stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Blake Anderson. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman states, “Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years, and now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category – video podcasts. Netflix has a leading video-first service, and this partnership perfectly complements our strong audio foundation. Working with Netflix – an important leader in entertainment – gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time.”
position to chief financial officer for iHeartMedia, effective January 1, 2026. At that time his salary will rise from $925,000 to $1.2 million and his bonus target increases to 150% of his base salary and his annual long-term incentive grant will have a target grant date fair value of $1.5 million. McGuinness’ employment contract runs through June 30 of 2030. McGuinness reports to former chief financial officer and current president and chief operating officer Rich Bressler.
Dan Mathews and Cole Thompson. Thompson has been with KBME for the past year producing “The A-Team” on the station and hosting, “The Night Cap.” Mathews began his career covering Houston sports and worked in Atlanta at Audacy’s WZGC-FM and Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN-AM. Station program director Chris Gordy states, “We’re thrilled to add Cole to mornings, alongside Dan. Both guys eat, sleep and breathe all things Houston sports, and bring a passion and enthusiasm to kick off each morning right.”
chairman and CEO Bob Pittman comments, “We’re pleased with our third quarter performance, generating Adjusted EBITDA of $205 million, slightly above the midpoint of our guidance range, and our consolidated revenue was down 1.1% compared to prior year, at the high end of our guidance, and up 2.8% excluding political revenue. And we continue to take important steps in the evolution of our company – last week we announced our new relationship with Amazon Ads, which will provide advertisers using Amazon DSP access to our vast audio portfolio, and just this morning we announced our new TikTok partnership, which will bring TikTok creators into iHeart’s ecosystem. We are committed to exploring new ways to unlock the value of our unparalleled assets, maximizing the unique position we occupy in the evolving media landscape, and creating innovative cross-platform opportunities to bring new products and services to our consumers and our advertising partners.”
TikTok creators, as well as a national broadcast and digital radio channel, and a series of live event integrations. iHeartMedia president, COO and CFO Rich Bressler says, “This partnership connects TikTok’s cultural energy and creator community with the unmatched scale and reach of iHeartMedia. We’re giving creators access to the biggest audio platforms in America – creating new ways to tell stories, entertain, and build deeper connections with fans. Together, we’re combining our vast networks to deliver relevant content on a massive scale. It’s a win for creators, fans, and brands alike.”