WTOP Promotes Woodfork as Part of Renewed Sports Initiative
Hubbard Radio all-news WTOP, Washington promotes Rob Woodfork to senior sports analyst in what the organization calls its “ongoing evolution of its local sports coverage.” WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler states, “We are excited to announce Rob’s promotion. This 
is a key part of our long-term strategy to transform how we cover sports. We’re committed to delivering content that goes beyond highlights and final scores – focusing instead on context, analysis, and storytelling that resonates with today’s audience.” WTOP says that in his new role, Woodfork will lead a more dynamic, multi-platform approach to sports journalism, anchored by daily video and audio commentary designed for modern consumption habits. His work will prioritize insight and authenticity – meeting audiences where they are, particularly among Gen X and Millennial fans seeking more than traditional sports updates.
says, “Political advertising will drive key spending this year. BIA projects approximately $8.4 billion in local political spending, creating substantial revenue opportunities across broadcast television, linear cable, CTV/OTT, radio, and direct mail. While some legacy formats, including print, continue to face long-term declines, others are evolving. Across the market, advertisers are increasingly adopting full-funnel strategies, combining high-reach media such as cable, broadcast, and OOH with data-driven digital channels to drive both awareness and measurable outcomes. Radio also remains a stable local medium, with additional opportunities emerging through digital audio, including streaming and podcasts.”
audio in the car among Americans 13+. Edison adds, “As of Q1 2026, 55% of in-car audio time is spent listening to AM/FM radio. The next closest platform in the car is streaming audio. Time with streaming audio has grown over the 12-year history of Share of Ear but remains a distant competitor to AM/FM radio among the total population ages 13+, with 16% of in-car audio time going to streaming platforms… Among Americans 13-34, 46% of their in-car audio time is spent listening to AM/FM radio and 30% with streaming audio sources.”
News/talk, sports talk, all-news, and general talk will be amply covered. There will be over 50 top industry speakers, and registration is limited to insure intimacy. Attendance at the conference is only open to members of the working media and directly associated industries as well as students enrolled in accredited learning institutions. All attendees will be required to register in advance on the phone payable by credit card. Because attendance will be limited, the conference is again expected to
be an early sellout. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $260. All registrations are non-refundable. This power-packed, one-day event is being presented in association with Hofstra’s multi-award-winning station, WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.
assault and harassment after an alleged incident involving his fiancé. According to several Philadelphia media outlets, Missanelli allegedly slapped his fiancé during a “scuffle” in which she allegedly struck him in the chest. Missanelli has a preliminary court hearing on April 22. Missanelli’s long career in sports talk included time spent with both WIP and WPEN “97.5 The Fanatic.” He left WPEN during a round of staffing cuts last summer. 
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.” 
advertising market that was partially offset by the continued expansion of our high-margin, owned-and-operated direct digital revenues. Beasley recorded an operating loss of approximately $230.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to operating income of $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven primarily by a non-cash FCC license impairment charge of $224.8 million, reflecting the company’s updated assessment of the fair value of its broadcast licenses in light of continued secular pressures on the radio industry, as well as $1.7 million in other operating expenses.”
we made tangible progress reshaping this company for long-term value creation. Our digital business delivered record performance, with digital revenue representing approximately 24% of net revenue, up from roughly 19% of net revenue in 2024, and digital segment operating margins reached record levels as our continued shift toward owned-and-operated and programmatic products gained traction across our markets… Building on this progress, we recently announced a debt exchange transaction with our second lien bondholders, pursuant to which we expect to reduce our second lien debt by approximately 50% and repay roughly $15 million of our first lien debt. Upon completion of the transaction, which is subject to bondholder participation and expected to close by the end of April, we anticipate total outstanding debt will be reduced to approximately $110 million from $220 million today. We believe this transaction will meaningfully strengthen our balance sheet, enhance financial flexibility, and better position the Company to execute on its strategic priorities. Following its completion, our focus will shift toward further deleveraging through EBITDA growth and continued portfolio optimization.”
deceased, known or unknown, in New Mexico who has made a meaningful impact on their community, through service, leadership, sacrifice, or simply showing up when it matters most. On May 4th, News Radio KKOB will begin announcing honorees, with four individuals recognized each weekday, leading up to a culminating event later this summer. KKOB program director Aaron “Buck” Burnett says, “250 Flags is about recognizing the people who don’t always get the spotlight. New Mexico is full of everyday heroes, and this gives us a chance to tell their stories and honor them in a meaningful way.”
Digital nationally syndicated weekend program “Talkin’ Pets.” Patch says, “Each week you get a variety of veterinarians and trainers, which keep our show current, fresh, exciting, fun and always new. We are available via satellite, ftp and file, live on Saturdays or delayed any time on your stations and each hour stands alone.”
from February in the top five as NPR’s “NPR News Now” stays in first place. Some moves of note include DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rising one spot to #6; Silverloch’s “The Dan Bongino Show” falling two places to #11; and NPR’s “The NPR Politics Podcast” climbing 10 places to #19. 
Jennifer Arnise says, “Winning the ‘Pitch your Podcast’ contest was so validating and made me feel like my voice and the hidden stories of Black women really matter. This podcast is a love letter to Black girls who never felt seen or heard by their mothers and feels like getting the best advice from your tough but loving big sister and your drunk bestie. It’s what I wish I would’ve had when I started my healing journey.” The launch comes ahead of the fourth annual Black Effect Podcast Festival taking place April 25 at Pullman Yards in Atlanta where the “Pitch Your Podcast” booth will once again be available for festival attendees. The activation allows creators to pitch their shows to members of the Black Effect team for the chance to join the network.
operator Usher Media LLC. The deal includes news/talk KGFW-AM, Kearney and two music brands plus two other music FMs in Hastings and Grand Island. Usher Media is owned and operated by Alan Usher.
San Francisco. Cumulus chief content officer Brian Philips says, “Among our strong field of Cumulus programmers, Luis leapt from the pack as the person possessing the energy and imagination to lead WMAL. Luis visualizes the multi-dimensional future of this big brand. The immense benefit of keeping Luis ‘in house’ is that he will continue to offer expert counsel to our revitalized operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as needed.” Segura says, “I’m incredibly excited to work with the legendary staff of Cumulus’ flagship news/talk. WMAL is packed with national names like Larry O’Connor and Chris Plante, and I can’t wait to join the team.”
back at a century of service to the Fox Valley, but today, we turn our gaze forward. After retiring our special 100-year commemorative look, we didn’t want to just go back to ‘business as usual.’ We’re kicking off our second century with a fresh new look that reflects the evolution of WHBY and our unwavering commitment to the next generation of listeners.” WHBY brand manager Alex Thomas adds, “We are excited to usher in a new era of WHBY. Our rebrand represents a new chapter of WHBY and reflects who we are today and where we are heading next. This transformation goes beyond a new logo. It represents our vision of strengthening community awareness, enhancing the way we deliver news and conversation in the Fox Cities and beyond. While our look may be changing, our core values remain the same. Being trusted, local, and community driven remains a pillar of WHBY.”
Assessing the hourly threat to the very existence of the medium of radio is a popular hobby among conventioneers. The audience levels for radio are astonishingly constant since 1970, but according to “radio people,” they are living at the edge of a volcano. Spotify radio, SiriusXM radio, Pandora radio, TuneIn radio, Internet radio, there are all kinds of radio! General Motors wants to throw AM/FM radio out of the car as in “do you really need radio in the car?” Radio’s response to the in-car-removal threat is by promising non-stop typhoons and hurricanes.
agencies can use AM/FM radio in their upcoming media plans. Some key points include:1) AM/FM radio has a 64% share of ad-supported audio among registered voters; 2) AM/FM radio has substantial shares (62% to 65%) among Independents, Republicans, and Democrats: 3) Marketers and media agencies significantly underestimate AM/FM radio listening shares and dramatically overestimate Spotify and Pandora audiences; and 4) Digital audio only reaches a third of Americans. With AM/FM radio, reach soars to 73%. 
U.S. newspapers has shrunk, but right now it accounts for less than 10% of total revenue. In fact, “Revenue from that cohort has declined 25% over the past few years, while revenue from tech companies has grown roughly 200%.” The story goes on to note, “Over the past few years, the AP’s business has evolved to become less reliant on local newspaper revenue and more reliant on a broader set of customers, including digital outlets, broadcasters and non-news companies.” 
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TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” national prominence for years, originally launching his daily three-hour “The Dr. Asa Show” on its flagship radio affiliate, iHeart’s WLAC, Nashville. Andrew has subsequently and simultaneously returned to his roots as a professional wrestler and recently joined TNA Wrestling as the company’s ringside physician and head of sports medicine.
PD and operations manager Charlie Steele says, “We’re excited to have Leanne back in the family. Her energy and personality will be a great addition to the show, and I’m excited to hear where Joe, Leanne, and DJ Slide take the show next.” Graham comments, “Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in. But seriously, the path of least resistance has a funny way of surprising you. Never in a million years did I imagine my ‘restart button’ would lead me back on air – but I know it’s because it brought me home to my long-lost family at WRNN. I feel like the prodigal daughter finally finding her way back.”
Markets Group, including the radio stations, the iHeart live events and sponsorships; the radio networks businesses, including Premiere and TTWN; the Enterprise Business Development Group; and data targeting and attribution products for broadcast radio. iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pittman states, “We couldn’t be more pleased that Ann Marie will be leading the growth and innovation efforts for our company’s largest segment. In addition to helping businesses and brands grow effectively and efficiently, the Multiplatform Group has been an important engine to develop our own important new businesses – including podcasting and the iHeartRadio digital service – as well as our iconic live music events and awards shows. We look forward to the additional growth that will come as we move broadcast radio into the digital buying world through our data services and programmatic platforms.” The company also announced that Bernie Weiss will be promoted to president of the Markets Group. Weiss will oversee the operations of the company’s 160 markets. Weiss was previously COO of the iHeartMedia Markets Group.
Suarez aboard as a contributor. FOX says Suarez will provide legal and political analysis across all network platforms. Suarez served as mayor of the city of Miami for two terms from 2017 to 2025. Currently, Suarez serves as president of Alpha Wave Global, an investment firm with nearly $30 billion in assets under management and is Of Counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.
stations in February and March. His “Armed American Radio” and “Daily Defense Hour” shows are now heard on KVOC, Casper, Wyoming. WOBX, Wanchese, North Carolina adds the “Daily Defense Hour.” “Armed American Radio” also joins WNRJ, Huntington, West Virginia and WXIC, Waverly, Ohio. Additionally, WKDP, Corbin, Kentucky bumps the “Daily Defense Hour” to live, daily from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
longtime “Voice of the Colorado Rockies” Jack Corrigan and executive producerJesse Thomas. Goodman – a Colorado native – joins the broadcast team after spending the past two seasons as the radio voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks AA affiliate, the Amarillo Sod Poodles in Texas. KOA and Rockies Radio PD Dave Tepper says, “I was immediately impressed by Zach’s natural, versatile talent first hearing him nearly two years ago. Rockies fans will appreciate his passionate, descriptive style, fueled by years of playing college baseball, alongside one of the great voices of the game, Jack Corrigan.”
John Rosso states, “We’re really excited to work with NBC Sports and support their continued growth in podcasting. Premium media companies are investing heavily in digital audio, and they need infrastructure they can trust to scale audiences and monetize effectively. Our goal is to make that easier – bringing together hosting, measurement, and monetization in one place so teams can focus on creating great content.”