Industry News

Pappas says it's time for noncoms to think outside the box, AI included

The post Letter: Embracing New Tech Will Keep Public Radio Rolling appeared first on Radio World.

We now know when the financial results for the three-month period ending June 30 will be released from iHeartMedia, Cumulus Media and Entravision Communications.

Deregulation. That was one of the topics the current Chairman of the FCC noted in a brief Keynote Address delivered in person on Friday at the MMTC 2025 Former FCC Chairs' Symposium. And, Brendan Carr's comments came right before a keynote from the Democrats' lone voice of dissention on the Commission.

American Public Media Group, the parent of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and the Classical 24 service, has confirmed that it will engage in a reduction-in-force initiative that will trim between 5% to 8% of its staff. Other expense reduction efforts are also on the way.

In June 2020 BIN: Black Information Network launched on a group of AM radio stations owned by iHeartMedia and one of its full-power FMs. In June 2025, that FM scored a 1.1 share in the Norfolk ratings, as measured by Nielsen Audio. Alas, BIN has just moved to a smaller signal to make room for a new format.

The FCC in a 2-1 decision fueled by its Republican majority on Thursday approved the $8 billion merger of Paramount Global with Skydance Media. But, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sees it, it was the Trump administration that gave the green light on the deal. And, in her view, that makes the deal look crooked.

That's a question asked by a Senior Analyst at MoffettNathanson, who notes, "While we are not offering commentary on the political dimensions of the process, it is worth acknowledging the visible fallout: the disruption of several long-standing and culturally significant franchises in the lead-up to the transition."

As he condemned the agency's OK of the $8 billion merger between Skydance and Paramount Global, New Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone Jr. revealed that he will be launching an investigation "into the circumstances of this approval," including the conduct of the FCC, David Ellison-led Skydance and the CBS parent.

The FCC on Thursday approved Skydance’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global and its subsidiaries, including the ultimate parent company of the CBS network of owned and operated broadcast television stations, by granting a series of applications that transfer FCC licenses and authorizations.

C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist has unveiled a senior leadership realignment and a new addition to the executive team, moves he says are aimed at "enhancing organizational focus, fostering innovation, and strengthening C-SPAN’s public service in a dynamic media environment."