BIA Advisory Services has raised its forecast for the 2026 U.S. local advertising market to $186.1 billion, up $1.6 billion, or 0.9%, from its April estimate. The new projection represents approximately 9% growth from 2025, with stronger-than-expected political spending ahead of the midterm elections and continued mobile growth driving the increase. Excluding political advertising, BIA now expects the local advertising market to reach $176.4 billion this year, up 0.2% from it

Following the August release of its first NFL Fandom Index, using multiple metrics to rank NFL markets with the strongest fanbases, Nielsen Scarborough has introduced a similar study focused on local college football markets. The Nielsen Scarborough Local College Football Fandom Index again goes beyond simple viewership to look at eight measures of fan engagement: apparel purchases, general interest levels, live-event attendance, betting intent, social media engagement, radio

Radio remains an important source of timely, local information during hurricanes and other severe weather events, according to a report from Katz Radio Group. The report examines the role local radio can play in providing emergency information as hurricane season gets underway. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with activity typically peaking around Sept. 10. Katz noted that a typical season, based on NOAA’s 1991-2020 climate averages,

ASCAP is asking a federal judge to hit a New Hampshire radio group with $315,000 in damages and bar its stations from airing music in the organization’s repertory after the broadcasters failed to respond to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed in June. Music publishers represented by ASCAP have filed a motion for default judgment against White Mountains Broadcasting and several related companies that operate as Radio New England Broadcast Group, along with owner Brian Lunde

Call it football or fútbol, a new podcast will bring both versions of the game together with a series hosted by a pair of active pros. Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker and Los Angeles Football Club midfielder Timothy Tillman will host “Big Kick Energy,” a weekly iHeartPodcasts series that crosses the NFL-MLS divide to talk football, soccer and the culture surrounding both sports. The show debuts today (Sept. 11), with the two Los Angeles athletes comparing everythin

Connected-car technology is changing how drivers access and interact with audio, with artificial intelligence, voice controls, larger screens and autonomous-driving features creating new opportunities for radio, according to Audacy’s 2026 Connected Car Study. The annual study, which has tracked connected-car technology and consumer behavior for five years, finds that drivers interested in adding more AI-powered features to their next vehicle remain heavy audio users. Among th

It may still be early on the calendar, but the time to start selling holiday advertising is now — and Katz Radio Group says new research gives stations plenty of ammunition for those conversations. The rep firm’s latest analysis finds consumers are highly engaged with the holiday season, particularly the music, shopping and traditions surrounding the season. And with 84% saying it is a good idea for brands to advertise during the holidays, Katz sees an opportunity for radio s

Nielsen is headed back to the Second Circuit after a federal judge escalated its ratings fight with Cumulus Media, ordering the company to make a new standalone Nationwide offer on court-specified terms and backing the directive with daily penalties for noncompliance. Nielsen has filed notice that it is appealing U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas’ Sept. 9 order enforcing the preliminary injunction she issued last December. Nielsen says the new ruling improperly modifies th

The Interactive Advertising Bureau has become more bullish on the U.S. advertising market, raising its 2026 growth forecast to 12.3% after a stronger-than-expected first half — with podcasts expected to remain one of the faster-growing media channels. The IAB update lifts its full-year ad spending forecast by 2.8 points from the 9.5% growth projected in January. The findings are based on insights from more than 200 brands and ad agency decision-makers. The IAB says the feedba

The New York Festivals Radio Awards has opened entries for its 2027 competition, marking the awards program’s 70th anniversary of recognizing creative achievement in audio storytelling. The Radio Awards, which began in 1957, recognizes work from radio stations, networks, independent producers, publishers and podcast creators around the world. The program has expanded over the years to reflect changes in the audio industry and now recognizes work across multiple platforms and